Some Thoughts on Academic Citizenship

Michael D. KimbroughUniversity of Maryland

Citizenship definition

• “the qualities a person is expected to have as a responsible member of a community”– Implies a voluntary sacrifice of self-interest for the

benefit of the community.

Challenges in being a good academic citizen

• Identifying the community you serve• Activities require divergent skill sets• Academic community sends mixed signals on

what is valued.• There is no “boss” to make trade-offs for you.

Identifying Community You Serve

• Students– In our classes– In our discipline– In the business school– In the university– In the local community– Across the nation

Identifying Community You Serve

• Colleagues– Our co-authors– In our departments– Outside our departments– Larger academic community

Identifying Community You Serve

• Institutions– Your department– Your school – Your university– Your academic association

Activities that Serve Different Communities

• Students– In our classes– In our discipline– In the business school– In the university– In the local community– Across the nation

Activities that Serve Different Communities

• Colleagues– Our co-authors– In our departments– Outside our departments– Larger academic community

Activities that Serve Different Communities

• Institutions– Your department– Your school – Your university– Your academic association

Mixed Messages about What Activities are Rewarded

• Most activities we associate with good citizenship require an outward focus.

• However, research productivity requires intense inward focus.

• Research productivity enhances one’s value in the academic labor market while citizenship activities do not always.

How to navigate challenges?

• Take a long view – you probably can’t directly address all the communities you want to serve at one time

• The communities you serve will be “closer to home” early in your career and will expand as your career progresses.

• In order to be in a position to serve larger communities, you need to establish an acceptable level of research impact early in your career.

• Seek ways to contribute that demonstrate your willingness to “pitch in” but that are not at odds with research productivity.

• Accept that some activities are pure service and will never be officially rewarded.