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Science Faculty with Education Specialties: A Cross‐Disciplinary Research Study
Author(s) -
Pelaez Nancy J,
Bush Seth D,
Rudd James A,
Stevens Michael T,
Tanner Kimberly D,
Williams Kathy S
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.633.13
Subject(s) - discipline , specialty , science education , engineering ethics , medical education , position (finance) , science, technology, society and environment education , higher education , pedagogy , political science , sociology , psychology , medicine , engineering , social science , business , finance , psychiatry , law
Efforts to improve science education in the US include university science departments hiring Science Faculty with Education Specialties (SFES), scientists who take on specialized roles in science education in their discipline. A cross‐disciplinary research study was conducted by surveying faculty who are SFES within the California State University. Two subpopulations were identified, those hired as SFES and those who transitioned into these roles. SFES reported more training in basic science than in science education. Many reported a lack of institutional support for scholarly activities that included efforts to improve K‐12 teacher preparation, reform undergraduate science education, conduct discipline‐specific science education research and/or basic science research. Almost 40% of SFES were seriously considering leaving their positions. Of those considering leaving, most were ready to leave their position, but not the field. Findings indicate that attention towards SFES training pathways, issues of professional isolation, and networks of support for scholarly activities would likely strengthen this model and its impact on science education. The career dynamics reported from this study of science faculty with interests in education point the way for developing this nascent career specialty.