Connection and Autonomy
Dear Faculty Relations: I love the autonomy that comes with teaching and research. (It’s one of the reasons I became a professor.) But to be honest, I often feel isolated and alone. Can I have my cake and eat it too? —Lone Scholar
Dear Lone Scholar: First of all, you’re not alone. Many faculty members love and find purpose in the autonomy provided by academia. Many scholars are attracted to faculty careers for precisely the reasons you describe—the ability to build their own curriculums, drive research, and respond in their own way to students’ needs. Congrats on finding work that supports your values!
Many of us have outdated or just unhelpful ideas about what faculty life is supposed to look like. But we also have the chance to change those ideas and create the lives that we want. Take a moment to imagine the perfect balance of autonomy and support, independence and connection. What might change in your daily life and how might you feel differently about your work and your colleagues?
Here are some strategies for retaining your independence while also building connection with others:
- Engage in collaborative writing groups. (You can do this through the Office of Faculty Affairs.)
- Instead of meeting on zoom, try holding a walking meeting.
- Integrate small, intentional actions into your workday that give you time and space for social connection. These might be a shared lunch hour or a co-working session.
- Receive mentorship from a colleague. Even better, provide mentorship through a program like ACUMent.
- Identify service opportunities that are meaningful to your personal and professional interests, allowing you to connect with others with similar interests and values.
- Join cross-disciplinary interest groups on campus to expand collaborative working relationships.
However much you value autonomy, no one wants to be alone. Collaboration and connection have measurable, positive impacts on our mental and physical health and wellness. They foster creativity and help us to align our work and experience.
So yes, you can have your cake and eat it too.
Written by Kathryn Dailey, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health & Wellness