Behavioral and Brain Sciences



Open Peer Commentary

Tenure is fine, but rank is sublime


Douglas Peters a1
a1 Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8380. douglas_peters@und.nodak.edu

Article author query
peters d   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

Does tenure serve its original purpose of promoting freedom of inquiry for academics in teaching and research? It seems not. Of concern is the finding that achieving tenure does not translate into a significant increase in exercise of freedom of inquiry either in teaching or research. Why? Promotion evaluation for associate professors by their senior colleagues has a continued inhibiting effect.

(Published Online February 8 2007)