Over 475 faculty, postdocs and graduate students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham say access to resources through the university’s membership with the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) has improved their work habits and work-life balance, according to the latest survey conducted by the NCFDD.
UAB faculty, postdocs and graduate students participated in several NCFDD programs in 2020 including the Core Curriculum web series based on empirical research, guest expert webinars, a 14-day writing challenge and the Faculty Success Program, designed to help tenure-track and tenured faculty improve research productivity through coaching and peer support. Over 95-percent of Faculty Success Program participants report better work-life balance and 100-percent report improved writing productivity.
“Our goal for the university’s NCFDD membership has always been to see faculty members, postdocs and graduate students elevate their work and research by tapping into the unlimited resources available to them,” says Paulette Patterson Dilworth, Ph.D., UAB’s vice president for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. “We hope to see more instructors at all levels actively engage and participate.”
UAB is an institutional member of the organization that provides online career development and mentoring resources for faculty at all levels at over 450 colleges and universities. These resources, developed by the NCFDD or in conjunction with faculty and administrative partners, have the mission to support the career progression and transitions of faculty.
“We are pleased so many faculty members are utilizing the NCFDD resources and that tools are effective in helping participants find a healthy balance between their on-campus productivity and their prioritization of personal wellbeing,” said Pam Benoit, Ph.D., UAB’s senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost. “This initial feedback from NCFDD participants is encouraging and we look forward to even more faculty participating in the future.”
To view the 2020 Engagement Report and get involved, visit https://www.uab.edu/dei/about/faculty-resources.