- Less financial backing, so the idea of taking this fairly lengthy period of time to work on a Ph.D. is probably more difficult (I am still poor)
- Lack of mentoring (not me, Vasquez has always been great)
- Insufficient interest among senior faculty in some topics and journals that minority candidates are disproportionately drawn to (and how many IR faculty cover Latino issues?)
- The saddling of young minority hires with extra responsibilities to be mentors to minority students and participate in committees (not complaining here, its a duty)
- Feelings of isolation among minority faculty
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Why are there so few faculty of color?
This article looks at the reasons why there are few minorities teaching full time with Ph.D.s. I have faced many of the same problems, which include:
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1 comment:
Interesting, but not quite the straight dope:
1. Money should not be an issue in the debate; Nobody seeks a social science PhD expecting to get rich at the end of it. Some end up rich but thats through books, consulting, etc. Being a minority has its perks (I know; I am one!) ... even average candidates get wooed, and if you are good, you can draw a fat salary. Heck, the only instance where minority PhDs have a tough time getting a good job is if their candidacy is terribly weak.
2. The argument that only minorities can mentor like-minorities is extremely limiting and ought to be done away with. It achieves nothing and never has. Plus at some point one should be able to forge ahead without mentors and role-models. Or do we need a mentor at every stage of our career, of our life?
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