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A New Class of Teaching Faculty: No PhD Required

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 (Central Time) — 3:45PM - 4:30PM

Demand for computer science faculty is skyrocketing. As a result, many colleges and universities are beginning to hire candidates primarily for their teaching abilities. This brings into question the necessity of a PhD, which is, first and foremost, a degree about research. What does this mean for the faculty without a PhD, and how can we promote and support the important contribution that these faculty will have on students? We will explore how we as a community can legitimize and provide programs that support a teaching-focused computer science pathway. Can our teaching-focused faculty (with and without PhDs) work together to change the dialogue and expectations about preparing the next generation of faculty to be both computer science experts and effective teachers in higher education? We will address ways to help undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in a teaching path decide which route may be best for them.

Organizers:
Kendra Walther, Adam Blank