Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

blue.cse.buffalo.edu

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

161–170 of 215 posts

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#161

Post by edtechdev »

skywhopper wrote: post #155

If the author was really "point[ing] out problems with resource allocation, poor distribution of teaching load, lack of diversity among both our faculty and students, terrible graduate admissions systems, looking the other way regrading student plagiarism, and our neglect of our undergraduate programs" from the start, then I'm not surprised at the outcome. While I'm sure most or all of what the author complained abou…

If any of those items were true (and I highly doubt that), his colleagues should have simply mentioned it rather than stay quiet, passive aggressive, and butthurt.

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#162

Post by tedmiston »

fooker wrote: post #133
gsylvie wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

His performance in the citation game is considerably weaker since 2011 (when he started at Buffalo).

>performance in the citation game Am I the only one who thinks that is a cringe-worthy metric to evaluate a scientist?

In any case, it is what many research professors are evaluated by, that and how much grant money they bring in.

I always thought I would enjoy doing research on the bleeding edge, but doing that research isn't what matters for your success in that industry. Citations and funding are "traction" in academia and I don't see anything displacing that, whether we like it or not.

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#163

Post by analog31 »

Spooky23 wrote: post #152
seibelj wrote: post #54

I work in industry, but the key to getting stuff done in a hierarchical organization is tact . I think he is a poor politician, and is clearly very unhappy about being denied tenure. I think putting out feelers and going about a new job more quietly would be more effective. Hypothetically, let's say you (the person reading this comment) want to make a big change in your organization. You identified a problem, and hon…

I had a boss years ago who said it best. Never ask a question of decision maker type people when you don't know the answer already.

I have another rule, along similar lines: Never introduce new information at a meeting.

We tend to decry "politics" as a dirty thing, and I'm no great fan of dysfunctional organizations. But even among bright, innovative people, I've observed what I think is the root cause of your rule:

Most people, especially managers, really don't like to debate and negotiate in front of an audience.

I'm like that myself. I think (could be wishful thinking of course) that I'm a high performer. But I'm a terrible debater. I'm not quick with facts, and I don't handle the emotional pressure of debate very well. I'd probably flunk a coding interview. I prefer to sit down and think something through, and to access the information that might not have been presented by the debaters. And in any event, I've noticed that most conclusions reached through debate in meetings are simply overturned by facts later on.

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#164

Post by greendesk »

seibelj wrote: post #54

I work in industry, but the key to getting stuff done in a hierarchical organization is tact . I think he is a poor politician, and is clearly very unhappy about being denied tenure. I think putting out feelers and going about a new job more quietly would be more effective. Hypothetically, let's say you (the person reading this comment) want to make a big change in your organization. You identified a problem, and hon…

Does not the requirement to match the politics of a workplace raise the bar too high, for a profession like university professor?

I am not saying that it is incorrect; but in the background of demands by multiple people inside a university, his actions - as described by him - do not seem to be so significant.

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#165

Post by Upvoter33 »

KKKKkkkk1 wrote: post #19

How come the three papers that the author cites as examples of groundbreaking work have 2 citations between them? Is this the norm in computer systems?

When he says they are groundbreaking, he is just announcing to the world that he thinks well of them. hyperbole seems to be the norm for this young fellow...

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#166

Post by rustynails »

I both admire and feel sorry for the author. To pour your heart and soul for so long and not achieve your outcomes can be very hurtful and devastating.

The language in this document is telling in a few ways. There is not much about collaboration with peers or superiors other than conflict. The article left me with an impression of conflict and someone who wasn't a team player. I am guessing that cultural compatibility was an issue. It may be possible that the outcome may be for the best because it may help the author grow (although, public accusations will not be seen well by future employees as it's airing many people's dirty laundry).

I'm also note that the author raises some issues that I as a boss take exception to. For example, more diversity. I am aware that in today's climate, diversity is a highly charged, politically correct topic. The author talks about diversity by hiring by gender. What diversity is the author seeking? That of genitals? Is there some magic empathy or creativity that females supposedly have? I've always built teams based on needs of skills, personality, cultural fit. As an example, I knocked back a highly qualified, well presented male candidate because he was too ambitious for a maintenance role. This was not because of his gender, but, because he was unlikely to provide a long term ROI and would expect promotion that couldn't be delivered and cause unrest by venting disappointment as a lack of growth. I would most probably be seen by the author as being sexist for not hiring by gender to fill a quota and I would view the author as sexist for hiring by gender and being unable to see that diversity is not a gender, but skills and personality.

I would encourage the author to ask themself if they are a team player. I would encourage the author to understand themselves and the sort of culture they want to work in. Maybe, it is a culture of creativity rather than talent that the author craves (as an example). Seeking feedback from peers outside of work may be very helpful and revealing too.

I can be confrontational (too many fights over too many years), but I know who I am and I know what I want. I support my organisation above myself (during working hours) and I support and respect juniors, peers and more senior staff. I negotiate my views. I listen carefully. I seek feedback from my peers. I align my views with my peers where it doesn't compromise my principals. As an example, I would never work for a company that hires (or excludes) by gender or race because I want freedom to hire the right staff, not some boxes ticked. I know myself and my employee. I turn down jobs where I don't believe in the company for my own sake and the company's.

I wish the author the best of luck and hope they have the courage to ask the tough questions. I think they need to ask some tough questions.

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#167

Post by selimthegrim »

internaut wrote: post #97
seibelj wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being a good manager means managing people. Dealing with people is easier when you have strong people skills. Conversely, if you put someone who has a toxic personality in charge of an organization, you might destroy the organization. Again, I'm not saying anything about his talent, because it's impossible to know without hearing all sides, which I seriously doubt will happen. I'm saying that the article, his opinion…

> But academia is petty and political, and from what I'm reading, his odds don't look good. Yes, he should recalibrate his ideas of why he wanted to work in academia. Today if you want to get ahead you need a patron and some people who know enough to bounce ideas off them. I think it increasingly the case that universities are the worst place to send a real intellectual. Some of the most useless people in the world a…

At least before Bayh-Dole, the job of universities was not productizing things, but fundamental research.

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#168

Post by mccoyspace »

nostrademons wrote: post #80
seibelj wrote: post #54

I work in industry, but the key to getting stuff done in a hierarchical organization is tact . I think he is a poor politician, and is clearly very unhappy about being denied tenure. I think putting out feelers and going about a new job more quietly would be more effective. Hypothetically, let's say you (the person reading this comment) want to make a big change in your organization. You identified a problem, and hon…

I'd agree that the way to appeal to management is to build relationships & grassroots support in the organization. But the way to appeal to the market (which seems to be his current situation now, since he seems to be looking for a new job) is to make a big splash, take credit for all the things you've done, define yourself in terms of what you'd most like to do, and then wait for the calls to come in. The difference…

In the academic context I believe the set of people should be considered to be immutable, especially given small, specialized communities. When he goes on the market again, this post will be available for all to see, and the perception that he is problematic will follow.

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#169

Post by hash-set »

As a former academic, my advice is that this may hurt in the short term, but staying true to your principles is important in a world where situational ethics rule. I am a lifelong libertarian and made no attempt to hide it. Leftist academics are not interested in diversity of thought, they are not interested in debate. They merely want to rule and have an echo chamber. I found that most of them weren't even very intelligent people--just kind of mediocre, and that most were intimidated by anyone with real gumption, diverse skills, and the bravery to speak against the party line.

The world needs you. No matter what your politics are, if you truly are advancing science and doing all the things you wrote about, you will be fine. You just need to take this lesson to heart and understand that the machine is like Skynet in that it protects itself.

I further recommend you leave NY State, especially upstate. It's had it. Barring some massive turnaround, there is no future for anyone in Upstate NY.

Re: The Best Way to Not Get Tenure

#170

Post by adrianratnapala »

gaius wrote: post #130
adrianratnapala wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This also explains how Trump increased republican primary turnout while upsetting republicans. It's not that there are more trumpists than traditional republicans (the general election is proving that). It's that just that Trump did have plenty of support from outside the party that he could pull into the primary.

It's also how Corbyn has an iron grip on the Labour Party without the support of most Labour MPs.

Indeed it looks like the Labour rank and file is intentionally doing to its own Party what Labour did to the Liberals a century ago.

Historians please weigh in: Is there any evidence that the Whigs also volunteered in their own destruction?

Post reply on HN