Sessions Information

  • January 6, 2013
    10:30 am - 12:15 pm
    Session Type: AALS Programs
    Session Capacity: N/A
    Hotel: Hilton New Orleans Riverside
    Room: Belle Chasse
    Floor: Third Floor
    Twenty years ago, most U.S. law schools did not feature a person appointed as "Associate Dean for Faculty Research," yet today, such positions are quite commonplace.  Although the nomenclature of the position varies from place to place, the role and duties generally encompass helping colleagues -- and particularly junior colleagues -- develop and execute their scholarly agendas.  To date, however, the precise nature and scope of a research dean's duties have not received much, if any, sustained attention.  Given the ubiquity of this new position, the time has come to ask -- and attempt to answer -- the "Admiral Stockdale" question, namely "who are we, and why are we here?."  Precisely what is the institutional role and purpose of having a research dean?  What sorts of expectations are reasonable and achievable?  What pitfalls exist?  What kind of institutional support should someone considering appointment to such a post seek from her dean?  Do conflicting duties exist, e.g., as a mentor versus an evaluator in the promotion and tenure process?  If so, how should one attempt to navigate them?  The panelists for this presentation are all current research deans or have recently served in this capacity; they also have done so at various stages of their academic careers.  In a roundtable format, these current and recovering research deans will address these and other pertinent issues related to this new administrative position.  Come with questions!

Session Speakers
Texas A&M University School of Law
Speaker

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
Speaker

University of Alabama School of Law
Moderator

Columbia Law School
Speaker

University of Missouri School of Law
Speaker

Vanderbilt University Law School
Speaker

Session Fees
  • AALS Roundtable for Research Deans: $0.00