What are the benefits of becoming an academic administrator?

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Why do some professors choose to go into academic administration (e.g., become associate deans, etc.)? I've always assumed the main attraction is that they get paid more.

But I've also thought that if I wanted to make more money than I do as a professor, I'd just leave academia entirely and take a job in industry, where I could probably earn 30-40 percent more. I'd have less flexibility in industry than I have as a professor in terms of what I research and what my work hours are. But the same would be true if I went into administration at a university (which would probably still not pay as well as industry).

So I've never seen a real benefit of going into administration, given that the extra pay does not (to me) offset the extra responsibilities (especially when the best-paying jobs are outside of academia entirely). Are there other benefits of being an academic administrator that I'm overlooking?

edited 39 mins ago

smci

1,538917

asked 2 days ago

taxypayer22847

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New contributor

2

Related: What is the point of being the head of the department?
– Anyon
2 days ago

23

Well, there isn't really an "industry" for professors in many fields to make big bucks.
– Azor Ahai
2 days ago

2

One reason -- they become an administrator because they failed in research and teaching. In other words, administrators are failed academics.
– Prof. Santa Claus
yesterday

2

@Prof.SantaClaus So it's the Dilbert Principle - incompetent people get promoted to management, because that's where they do the least harm.
– Simon B
yesterday

2

@SimonB or because both skillsets are required to some degree at the entry level, and those with a relative advantage in the skills that correspond to administration naturally gravitate there.
– fectin
yesterday

|
show 1 more comment

up vote
31
down vote

favorite

Why do some professors choose to go into academic administration (e.g., become associate deans, etc.)? I've always assumed the main attraction is that they get paid more.

edited 39 mins ago

smci

1,538917

asked 2 days ago

taxypayer22847

26424

New contributor

2

Related: What is the point of being the head of the department?
– Anyon
2 days ago

23

Well, there isn't really an "industry" for professors in many fields to make big bucks.
– Azor Ahai
2 days ago

2

One reason -- they become an administrator because they failed in research and teaching. In other words, administrators are failed academics.
– Prof. Santa Claus
yesterday

2

@Prof.SantaClaus So it's the Dilbert Principle - incompetent people get promoted to management, because that's where they do the least harm.
– Simon B
yesterday

2

@SimonB or because both skillsets are required to some degree at the entry level, and those with a relative advantage in the skills that correspond to administration naturally gravitate there.
– fectin
yesterday

|
show 1 more comment

up vote
31
down vote

favorite

Why do some professors choose to go into academic administration (e.g., become associate deans, etc.)? I've always assumed the main attraction is that they get paid more.

edited 39 mins ago

smci

1,538917

asked 2 days ago

taxypayer22847

26424

New contributor

Why do some professors choose to go into academic administration (e.g., become associate deans, etc.)? I've always assumed the main attraction is that they get paid more.

administration

edited 39 mins ago

smci

1,538917

asked 2 days ago

taxypayer22847

26424

New contributor

edited 39 mins ago

smci

1,538917

asked 2 days ago

taxypayer22847

26424

New contributor

edited 39 mins ago

smci

1,538917

edited 39 mins ago

smci

1,538917

edited 39 mins ago

smci

1,538917

asked 2 days ago

taxypayer22847

26424

New contributor

asked 2 days ago

taxypayer22847

26424

asked 2 days ago

taxypayer22847

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2

Related: What is the point of being the head of the department?
– Anyon
2 days ago

23

Well, there isn't really an "industry" for professors in many fields to make big bucks.
– Azor Ahai
2 days ago

2

One reason -- they become an administrator because they failed in research and teaching. In other words, administrators are failed academics.
– Prof. Santa Claus
yesterday

2

@Prof.SantaClaus So it's the Dilbert Principle - incompetent people get promoted to management, because that's where they do the least harm.
– Simon B
yesterday

2

@SimonB or because both skillsets are required to some degree at the entry level, and those with a relative advantage in the skills that correspond to administration naturally gravitate there.
– fectin
yesterday

|
show 1 more comment

2

Related: What is the point of being the head of the department?
– Anyon
2 days ago

23

Well, there isn't really an "industry" for professors in many fields to make big bucks.
– Azor Ahai
2 days ago

2

One reason -- they become an administrator because they failed in research and teaching. In other words, administrators are failed academics.
– Prof. Santa Claus
yesterday

2

@Prof.SantaClaus So it's the Dilbert Principle - incompetent people get promoted to management, because that's where they do the least harm.
– Simon B
yesterday

2

@SimonB or because both skillsets are required to some degree at the entry level, and those with a relative advantage in the skills that correspond to administration naturally gravitate there.
– fectin
yesterday

Related: What is the point of being the head of the department?
– Anyon
2 days ago

Well, there isn't really an "industry" for professors in many fields to make big bucks.
– Azor Ahai
2 days ago

One reason -- they become an administrator because they failed in research and teaching. In other words, administrators are failed academics.
– Prof. Santa Claus
yesterday

@Prof.SantaClaus So it's the Dilbert Principle - incompetent people get promoted to management, because that's where they do the least harm.
– Simon B
yesterday

@SimonB or because both skillsets are required to some degree at the entry level, and those with a relative advantage in the skills that correspond to administration naturally gravitate there.
– fectin
yesterday

|
show 1 more comment

10 Answers
10

active

oldest

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up vote
113
down vote

I feel like I'm pointing out the glaringly obvious, but many people actually want to make their institution a better place, design policies that benefit future students and colleagues, etc.

answered 2 days ago

Raghu Parthasarathy

9,05432425

27

Succinct and to the point.
– Solar Mike
2 days ago

3

Perhaps some also do it for the prestige and power that come with such a role. Or they prefer the managerial rather than research side of their job.
– astronat
2 days ago

3

@SamuelWeir also job security, burn out from research & the grant cycle.
– masher
yesterday

2

But sadly for many institutions, "wanting to make it a better place" and "having the right leadership skills to succeed in making it a better place" are two different things.
– alephzero
yesterday

3

@SamuelWeir I don't see how its "giving it all up" at all. The President at a former institution continued to teach and had several postdocs. One of the Vice Chancellors was a well-known scientist and I actively collaborated with him and his research group. In his case, the administrative position replaced teaching duties but allowed time for research. Additionally, a lot of endowed positions come with discretionary funds which replace some grant money. And when they leave the position, they usually revert to their professorship, so they are motivated to keep research going.
– user71659
yesterday

|
show 5 more comments

up vote
37
down vote

A benefit not mentioned in the other answers is a reduced teaching load in many universities. Possibly zero teaching load. If someone does not like teaching, but likes (or has a lesser dislike of) administration and research, then the reduced teaching is a motive to become an administrator.

edited 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

answered 2 days ago

Sander Heinsalu

84158

add a comment |

up vote
27
down vote

Oftentimes, these administrative positions are only temporary and after a while, professors having such positions will become regular professors again.

This means that they can (1) work on improving their department, (2) perhaps get a higher salary for some time, (3) get reduced teaching load, and (4) help to grow their professional network within the university, all while having the assurance that the job that they actually like to do (Professor) for will be waiting for them when they don't want the higher responsibilities any more (or are not re-elected to these positions).

This is something that you can't get by switching to a job outside of academia -- once you are out of academia for a few years, it's quite difficult to get a good academic position as your scientific output is normally lower (or insignificant) when working for a company (perhaps with a few exceptions). Hence, you won't be such an attractive candidate (again, with exceptions).

answered yesterday

DCTLib

8,6162938

I've also seen them be mandatory/strongly encouraged with each professor required to serve a term in a departmental administrative position.
– miltonaut
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
18
down vote

One factor I don't see mentioned in other answers: pensions. In one school I'm familiar with, your pension is 75% of your salary averaged over your five best years. So if you are department chair or dean near the end of your career (as is usually the case), you get the ~40% bump not only for those 3-5 years, but effectively for the rest of your life. Particularly since the increased administrative load may be partially offset by a reduced teaching load, this is not a bad deal.

answered yesterday

cag51

8,66832143

add a comment |

up vote
10
down vote

Echoing the other answer: some people do see the opportunity to better their university. Also, in my experience, some people decide that, even though they did well-enough in research-and-teaching to get tenure, etc., that this is not their genuine strength. So, having considerable understanding of both research and teaching, they are uniquely qualified to try to administer things related to that. We rarely hire "professional managers" in academe, because we do not trust that they know what is going on here.

answered 2 days ago

paul garrett

49.1k492204

add a comment |

up vote
4
down vote

Why do people want to be professor? They do less direct research (compared to post-docs or full time researchers) but instead they let other people execute their ideas. If you become head of department or a whole university, you can "steer" a lot more people but you become more indirect.

It is similar to why people climb the hierarchical ladder in industry. They loose contact with the real work but their thinking influences more people.

answered yesterday

usr1234567

1,998318

2

Your first paragraph is completely wrong, IMO. Why do people become professors instead of postdocs? Because a professorship is a permanent position and people get tired of jumping around institutions and countries after some time. Why do people become professors rather than full time researchers? Because research-only positions are rare and very competitive. In fact, full time researchers have more time to manage big teams and write research proposals to get grants and thus a bigger team.
– user2357
19 hours ago

1

@user2357: By full-time researcher I mean someone without a team below. These positions exists, e.g., in France or Germany in goverment -funded research labs which are outside of Universities. Examples are Inria or Frauenhofer. Even in your sense, professors are more indirect regarding research.
– usr1234567
10 hours ago

In France, you mean chargé de recherches abd directeurs de recherche? Then I'm sorry to say that you are wrong. A CR/DR is exactly like a professor, except they don't teach.
– user2357
1 hour ago

add a comment |

up vote
1
down vote

The difference between "administration" and "teaching" in a university is like the difference between the managerial and technical tracks in a corporation.

The "average" university person probably wants to remain on the "technical" or "professor" track, but some people will prefer administrative duties, and a chance to exert executive power, either inside or outside the university.

As a child, I didn't want to be a movie star, but I did want to be a "producer," which would have made me their boss. That was true even though I knew that the stars made more money.

answered yesterday

Tom Au

4,92511122

add a comment |

up vote
1
down vote

A few more aspects of motivation I have not yet heard mentioned are:

Salary. In many universities, senior administrative positions offer a salary increase over the (often uniform) salary grade of a professor. For most people this is a secondary motivation, and Professors' salaries are not that low to begin with, but it does carry some weight.

Prestige. It makes many people feel more accomplished to have reached higher positions or ranks; to be more in the public eye; to speak for their departments or universities in various circumstances. Some might consider this vanity (and there are certainly vain people in such positions at times), but social recognition does motivate most people at least to some extent.

Getting away from research. Paradoxical, isn't it? Well, some Professors are not as motivated as they used to be. Or - dislike the current fashions in their field. Or have just evolved as people and want to try something different in life, without quitting their job. An administrative position is a way of doing that instead of focusing mostly on your research.

Having said that - I agree with @RaghuParthasarathy's answer, that the primary motivation is hopefully the wish to actually do right by your institute or department.

answered 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

add a comment |

up vote
1
down vote

Here at the college I work for, our state retirement system (FRS, florida) administrative positions above a certain level accrue retirement pay at 3% per year vs. 2% per year for us peons. Additionally, retirement pay is based on the average of the highest 3 years of earnings from any FRS employer. Rather common for admin types to teach a few classes as adjunct or run for city/county political positions, or to teach overloads, etc. all as a way to crank that retirement paycheck up as high as you can get it.

Our administration also pull faculty away from the classroom (we aren't a research institution) to work on special projects like our SACS accreditation, etc. though this is usually time limited (1-5 years) with a promise of returning to the classroom and no loss of tenure, etc.

So from here at a "junior college" type place, it is about that retirement pay.

answered 18 hours ago

ivanivan

33715

add a comment |

up vote
0
down vote

In systems where internal appointment of academic management still exists some staff members who are collegial or union will put themselves forward in order to prevent the filling of the role by an unknown external, an uncollegial peer, a non-union worker, or a yellow dog or scab.

To the extent that the academic management role has some freedom of action they may be able to protect their unit from higher levels of management for a period of time.

This perspective assumes a higher level of proletarianisation, class conflict and class consciousness amongst academics in a unit; but, I have seen the case in the Australian system. Sometime everyone else steps backwards faster when colleagues ask for a volunteer.

answered 2 hours ago

Samuel Russell

1,8821217

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10 Answers
10

active

oldest

votes

10 Answers
10

active

oldest

votes

up vote
113
down vote

I feel like I'm pointing out the glaringly obvious, but many people actually want to make their institution a better place, design policies that benefit future students and colleagues, etc.

answered 2 days ago

Raghu Parthasarathy

9,05432425

27

Succinct and to the point.
– Solar Mike
2 days ago

3

Perhaps some also do it for the prestige and power that come with such a role. Or they prefer the managerial rather than research side of their job.
– astronat
2 days ago

3

@SamuelWeir also job security, burn out from research & the grant cycle.
– masher
yesterday

2

But sadly for many institutions, "wanting to make it a better place" and "having the right leadership skills to succeed in making it a better place" are two different things.
– alephzero
yesterday

3

@SamuelWeir I don't see how its "giving it all up" at all. The President at a former institution continued to teach and had several postdocs. One of the Vice Chancellors was a well-known scientist and I actively collaborated with him and his research group. In his case, the administrative position replaced teaching duties but allowed time for research. Additionally, a lot of endowed positions come with discretionary funds which replace some grant money. And when they leave the position, they usually revert to their professorship, so they are motivated to keep research going.
– user71659
yesterday

|
show 5 more comments

up vote
113
down vote

I feel like I'm pointing out the glaringly obvious, but many people actually want to make their institution a better place, design policies that benefit future students and colleagues, etc.

answered 2 days ago

Raghu Parthasarathy

9,05432425

27

Succinct and to the point.
– Solar Mike
2 days ago

3

Perhaps some also do it for the prestige and power that come with such a role. Or they prefer the managerial rather than research side of their job.
– astronat
2 days ago

3

@SamuelWeir also job security, burn out from research & the grant cycle.
– masher
yesterday

2

But sadly for many institutions, "wanting to make it a better place" and "having the right leadership skills to succeed in making it a better place" are two different things.
– alephzero
yesterday

3

@SamuelWeir I don't see how its "giving it all up" at all. The President at a former institution continued to teach and had several postdocs. One of the Vice Chancellors was a well-known scientist and I actively collaborated with him and his research group. In his case, the administrative position replaced teaching duties but allowed time for research. Additionally, a lot of endowed positions come with discretionary funds which replace some grant money. And when they leave the position, they usually revert to their professorship, so they are motivated to keep research going.
– user71659
yesterday

|
show 5 more comments

up vote
113
down vote

I feel like I'm pointing out the glaringly obvious, but many people actually want to make their institution a better place, design policies that benefit future students and colleagues, etc.

answered 2 days ago

Raghu Parthasarathy

9,05432425

I feel like I'm pointing out the glaringly obvious, but many people actually want to make their institution a better place, design policies that benefit future students and colleagues, etc.

answered 2 days ago

Raghu Parthasarathy

9,05432425

answered 2 days ago

Raghu Parthasarathy

9,05432425

answered 2 days ago

Raghu Parthasarathy

9,05432425

answered 2 days ago

Raghu Parthasarathy

9,05432425

27

Succinct and to the point.
– Solar Mike
2 days ago

3

Perhaps some also do it for the prestige and power that come with such a role. Or they prefer the managerial rather than research side of their job.
– astronat
2 days ago

3

@SamuelWeir also job security, burn out from research & the grant cycle.
– masher
yesterday

2

But sadly for many institutions, "wanting to make it a better place" and "having the right leadership skills to succeed in making it a better place" are two different things.
– alephzero
yesterday

3

@SamuelWeir I don't see how its "giving it all up" at all. The President at a former institution continued to teach and had several postdocs. One of the Vice Chancellors was a well-known scientist and I actively collaborated with him and his research group. In his case, the administrative position replaced teaching duties but allowed time for research. Additionally, a lot of endowed positions come with discretionary funds which replace some grant money. And when they leave the position, they usually revert to their professorship, so they are motivated to keep research going.
– user71659
yesterday

|
show 5 more comments

27

Succinct and to the point.
– Solar Mike
2 days ago

3

Perhaps some also do it for the prestige and power that come with such a role. Or they prefer the managerial rather than research side of their job.
– astronat
2 days ago

3

@SamuelWeir also job security, burn out from research & the grant cycle.
– masher
yesterday

2

But sadly for many institutions, "wanting to make it a better place" and "having the right leadership skills to succeed in making it a better place" are two different things.
– alephzero
yesterday

3

@SamuelWeir I don't see how its "giving it all up" at all. The President at a former institution continued to teach and had several postdocs. One of the Vice Chancellors was a well-known scientist and I actively collaborated with him and his research group. In his case, the administrative position replaced teaching duties but allowed time for research. Additionally, a lot of endowed positions come with discretionary funds which replace some grant money. And when they leave the position, they usually revert to their professorship, so they are motivated to keep research going.
– user71659
yesterday

Succinct and to the point.
– Solar Mike
2 days ago

Perhaps some also do it for the prestige and power that come with such a role. Or they prefer the managerial rather than research side of their job.
– astronat
2 days ago

@SamuelWeir also job security, burn out from research & the grant cycle.
– masher
yesterday

But sadly for many institutions, "wanting to make it a better place" and "having the right leadership skills to succeed in making it a better place" are two different things.
– alephzero
yesterday

@SamuelWeir I don't see how its "giving it all up" at all. The President at a former institution continued to teach and had several postdocs. One of the Vice Chancellors was a well-known scientist and I actively collaborated with him and his research group. In his case, the administrative position replaced teaching duties but allowed time for research. Additionally, a lot of endowed positions come with discretionary funds which replace some grant money. And when they leave the position, they usually revert to their professorship, so they are motivated to keep research going.
– user71659
yesterday

|
show 5 more comments

up vote
37
down vote

edited 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

answered 2 days ago

Sander Heinsalu

84158

add a comment |

up vote
37
down vote

edited 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

answered 2 days ago

Sander Heinsalu

84158

add a comment |

up vote
37
down vote

edited 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

answered 2 days ago

Sander Heinsalu

84158

edited 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

answered 2 days ago

Sander Heinsalu

84158

edited 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

edited 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

edited 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

answered 2 days ago

Sander Heinsalu

84158

answered 2 days ago

Sander Heinsalu

84158

answered 2 days ago

Sander Heinsalu

84158

add a comment |

up vote
27
down vote

Oftentimes, these administrative positions are only temporary and after a while, professors having such positions will become regular professors again.

answered yesterday

DCTLib

8,6162938

I've also seen them be mandatory/strongly encouraged with each professor required to serve a term in a departmental administrative position.
– miltonaut
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
27
down vote

Oftentimes, these administrative positions are only temporary and after a while, professors having such positions will become regular professors again.

answered yesterday

DCTLib

8,6162938

I've also seen them be mandatory/strongly encouraged with each professor required to serve a term in a departmental administrative position.
– miltonaut
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
27
down vote

Oftentimes, these administrative positions are only temporary and after a while, professors having such positions will become regular professors again.

answered yesterday

DCTLib

8,6162938

Oftentimes, these administrative positions are only temporary and after a while, professors having such positions will become regular professors again.

answered yesterday

DCTLib

8,6162938

answered yesterday

DCTLib

8,6162938

answered yesterday

DCTLib

8,6162938

answered yesterday

DCTLib

8,6162938

I've also seen them be mandatory/strongly encouraged with each professor required to serve a term in a departmental administrative position.
– miltonaut
yesterday

add a comment |

I've also seen them be mandatory/strongly encouraged with each professor required to serve a term in a departmental administrative position.
– miltonaut
yesterday

I've also seen them be mandatory/strongly encouraged with each professor required to serve a term in a departmental administrative position.
– miltonaut
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
18
down vote

answered yesterday

cag51

8,66832143

add a comment |

up vote
18
down vote

answered yesterday

cag51

8,66832143

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up vote
18
down vote

answered yesterday

cag51

8,66832143

answered yesterday

cag51

8,66832143

answered yesterday

cag51

8,66832143

answered yesterday

cag51

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answered yesterday

cag51

8,66832143

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up vote
10
down vote

answered 2 days ago

paul garrett

49.1k492204

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up vote
10
down vote

answered 2 days ago

paul garrett

49.1k492204

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up vote
10
down vote

answered 2 days ago

paul garrett

49.1k492204

answered 2 days ago

paul garrett

49.1k492204

answered 2 days ago

paul garrett

49.1k492204

answered 2 days ago

paul garrett

49.1k492204

answered 2 days ago

paul garrett

49.1k492204

add a comment |

up vote
4
down vote

It is similar to why people climb the hierarchical ladder in industry. They loose contact with the real work but their thinking influences more people.

answered yesterday

usr1234567

1,998318

2

Your first paragraph is completely wrong, IMO. Why do people become professors instead of postdocs? Because a professorship is a permanent position and people get tired of jumping around institutions and countries after some time. Why do people become professors rather than full time researchers? Because research-only positions are rare and very competitive. In fact, full time researchers have more time to manage big teams and write research proposals to get grants and thus a bigger team.
– user2357
19 hours ago

1

@user2357: By full-time researcher I mean someone without a team below. These positions exists, e.g., in France or Germany in goverment -funded research labs which are outside of Universities. Examples are Inria or Frauenhofer. Even in your sense, professors are more indirect regarding research.
– usr1234567
10 hours ago

In France, you mean chargé de recherches abd directeurs de recherche? Then I'm sorry to say that you are wrong. A CR/DR is exactly like a professor, except they don't teach.
– user2357
1 hour ago

add a comment |

up vote
4
down vote

It is similar to why people climb the hierarchical ladder in industry. They loose contact with the real work but their thinking influences more people.

answered yesterday

usr1234567

1,998318

2

Your first paragraph is completely wrong, IMO. Why do people become professors instead of postdocs? Because a professorship is a permanent position and people get tired of jumping around institutions and countries after some time. Why do people become professors rather than full time researchers? Because research-only positions are rare and very competitive. In fact, full time researchers have more time to manage big teams and write research proposals to get grants and thus a bigger team.
– user2357
19 hours ago

1

@user2357: By full-time researcher I mean someone without a team below. These positions exists, e.g., in France or Germany in goverment -funded research labs which are outside of Universities. Examples are Inria or Frauenhofer. Even in your sense, professors are more indirect regarding research.
– usr1234567
10 hours ago

In France, you mean chargé de recherches abd directeurs de recherche? Then I'm sorry to say that you are wrong. A CR/DR is exactly like a professor, except they don't teach.
– user2357
1 hour ago

add a comment |

up vote
4
down vote

It is similar to why people climb the hierarchical ladder in industry. They loose contact with the real work but their thinking influences more people.

answered yesterday

usr1234567

1,998318

It is similar to why people climb the hierarchical ladder in industry. They loose contact with the real work but their thinking influences more people.

answered yesterday

usr1234567

1,998318

answered yesterday

usr1234567

1,998318

answered yesterday

usr1234567

1,998318

answered yesterday

usr1234567

1,998318

2

Your first paragraph is completely wrong, IMO. Why do people become professors instead of postdocs? Because a professorship is a permanent position and people get tired of jumping around institutions and countries after some time. Why do people become professors rather than full time researchers? Because research-only positions are rare and very competitive. In fact, full time researchers have more time to manage big teams and write research proposals to get grants and thus a bigger team.
– user2357
19 hours ago

1

@user2357: By full-time researcher I mean someone without a team below. These positions exists, e.g., in France or Germany in goverment -funded research labs which are outside of Universities. Examples are Inria or Frauenhofer. Even in your sense, professors are more indirect regarding research.
– usr1234567
10 hours ago

In France, you mean chargé de recherches abd directeurs de recherche? Then I'm sorry to say that you are wrong. A CR/DR is exactly like a professor, except they don't teach.
– user2357
1 hour ago

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2

Your first paragraph is completely wrong, IMO. Why do people become professors instead of postdocs? Because a professorship is a permanent position and people get tired of jumping around institutions and countries after some time. Why do people become professors rather than full time researchers? Because research-only positions are rare and very competitive. In fact, full time researchers have more time to manage big teams and write research proposals to get grants and thus a bigger team.
– user2357
19 hours ago

1

@user2357: By full-time researcher I mean someone without a team below. These positions exists, e.g., in France or Germany in goverment -funded research labs which are outside of Universities. Examples are Inria or Frauenhofer. Even in your sense, professors are more indirect regarding research.
– usr1234567
10 hours ago

In France, you mean chargé de recherches abd directeurs de recherche? Then I'm sorry to say that you are wrong. A CR/DR is exactly like a professor, except they don't teach.
– user2357
1 hour ago

Your first paragraph is completely wrong, IMO. Why do people become professors instead of postdocs? Because a professorship is a permanent position and people get tired of jumping around institutions and countries after some time. Why do people become professors rather than full time researchers? Because research-only positions are rare and very competitive. In fact, full time researchers have more time to manage big teams and write research proposals to get grants and thus a bigger team.
– user2357
19 hours ago

@user2357: By full-time researcher I mean someone without a team below. These positions exists, e.g., in France or Germany in goverment -funded research labs which are outside of Universities. Examples are Inria or Frauenhofer. Even in your sense, professors are more indirect regarding research.
– usr1234567
10 hours ago

In France, you mean chargé de recherches abd directeurs de recherche? Then I'm sorry to say that you are wrong. A CR/DR is exactly like a professor, except they don't teach.
– user2357
1 hour ago

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The difference between "administration" and "teaching" in a university is like the difference between the managerial and technical tracks in a corporation.

As a child, I didn't want to be a movie star, but I did want to be a "producer," which would have made me their boss. That was true even though I knew that the stars made more money.

answered yesterday

Tom Au

4,92511122

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up vote
1
down vote

The difference between "administration" and "teaching" in a university is like the difference between the managerial and technical tracks in a corporation.

As a child, I didn't want to be a movie star, but I did want to be a "producer," which would have made me their boss. That was true even though I knew that the stars made more money.

answered yesterday

Tom Au

4,92511122

add a comment |

up vote
1
down vote

The difference between "administration" and "teaching" in a university is like the difference between the managerial and technical tracks in a corporation.

As a child, I didn't want to be a movie star, but I did want to be a "producer," which would have made me their boss. That was true even though I knew that the stars made more money.

answered yesterday

Tom Au

4,92511122

The difference between "administration" and "teaching" in a university is like the difference between the managerial and technical tracks in a corporation.

As a child, I didn't want to be a movie star, but I did want to be a "producer," which would have made me their boss. That was true even though I knew that the stars made more money.

answered yesterday

Tom Au

4,92511122

answered yesterday

Tom Au

4,92511122

answered yesterday

Tom Au

4,92511122

answered yesterday

Tom Au

4,92511122

add a comment |

up vote
1
down vote

A few more aspects of motivation I have not yet heard mentioned are:

Salary. In many universities, senior administrative positions offer a salary increase over the (often uniform) salary grade of a professor. For most people this is a secondary motivation, and Professors' salaries are not that low to begin with, but it does carry some weight.

Prestige. It makes many people feel more accomplished to have reached higher positions or ranks; to be more in the public eye; to speak for their departments or universities in various circumstances. Some might consider this vanity (and there are certainly vain people in such positions at times), but social recognition does motivate most people at least to some extent.

Getting away from research. Paradoxical, isn't it? Well, some Professors are not as motivated as they used to be. Or - dislike the current fashions in their field. Or have just evolved as people and want to try something different in life, without quitting their job. An administrative position is a way of doing that instead of focusing mostly on your research.

Having said that - I agree with @RaghuParthasarathy's answer, that the primary motivation is hopefully the wish to actually do right by your institute or department.

answered 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

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up vote
1
down vote

A few more aspects of motivation I have not yet heard mentioned are:

Salary. In many universities, senior administrative positions offer a salary increase over the (often uniform) salary grade of a professor. For most people this is a secondary motivation, and Professors' salaries are not that low to begin with, but it does carry some weight.

Prestige. It makes many people feel more accomplished to have reached higher positions or ranks; to be more in the public eye; to speak for their departments or universities in various circumstances. Some might consider this vanity (and there are certainly vain people in such positions at times), but social recognition does motivate most people at least to some extent.

Getting away from research. Paradoxical, isn't it? Well, some Professors are not as motivated as they used to be. Or - dislike the current fashions in their field. Or have just evolved as people and want to try something different in life, without quitting their job. An administrative position is a way of doing that instead of focusing mostly on your research.

Having said that - I agree with @RaghuParthasarathy's answer, that the primary motivation is hopefully the wish to actually do right by your institute or department.

answered 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

add a comment |

up vote
1
down vote

A few more aspects of motivation I have not yet heard mentioned are:

Salary. In many universities, senior administrative positions offer a salary increase over the (often uniform) salary grade of a professor. For most people this is a secondary motivation, and Professors' salaries are not that low to begin with, but it does carry some weight.

Prestige. It makes many people feel more accomplished to have reached higher positions or ranks; to be more in the public eye; to speak for their departments or universities in various circumstances. Some might consider this vanity (and there are certainly vain people in such positions at times), but social recognition does motivate most people at least to some extent.

Getting away from research. Paradoxical, isn't it? Well, some Professors are not as motivated as they used to be. Or - dislike the current fashions in their field. Or have just evolved as people and want to try something different in life, without quitting their job. An administrative position is a way of doing that instead of focusing mostly on your research.

Having said that - I agree with @RaghuParthasarathy's answer, that the primary motivation is hopefully the wish to actually do right by your institute or department.

answered 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

A few more aspects of motivation I have not yet heard mentioned are:

Salary. In many universities, senior administrative positions offer a salary increase over the (often uniform) salary grade of a professor. For most people this is a secondary motivation, and Professors' salaries are not that low to begin with, but it does carry some weight.

Prestige. It makes many people feel more accomplished to have reached higher positions or ranks; to be more in the public eye; to speak for their departments or universities in various circumstances. Some might consider this vanity (and there are certainly vain people in such positions at times), but social recognition does motivate most people at least to some extent.

Getting away from research. Paradoxical, isn't it? Well, some Professors are not as motivated as they used to be. Or - dislike the current fashions in their field. Or have just evolved as people and want to try something different in life, without quitting their job. An administrative position is a way of doing that instead of focusing mostly on your research.

Having said that - I agree with @RaghuParthasarathy's answer, that the primary motivation is hopefully the wish to actually do right by your institute or department.

answered 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

answered 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

answered 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

answered 18 hours ago

einpoklum

22.2k136130

add a comment |

up vote
1
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So from here at a "junior college" type place, it is about that retirement pay.

answered 18 hours ago

ivanivan

33715

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up vote
1
down vote

So from here at a "junior college" type place, it is about that retirement pay.

answered 18 hours ago

ivanivan

33715

add a comment |

up vote
1
down vote

So from here at a "junior college" type place, it is about that retirement pay.

answered 18 hours ago

ivanivan

33715

So from here at a "junior college" type place, it is about that retirement pay.

answered 18 hours ago

ivanivan

33715

answered 18 hours ago

ivanivan

33715

answered 18 hours ago

ivanivan

33715

answered 18 hours ago

ivanivan

33715

add a comment |

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0
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To the extent that the academic management role has some freedom of action they may be able to protect their unit from higher levels of management for a period of time.

answered 2 hours ago

Samuel Russell

1,8821217

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To the extent that the academic management role has some freedom of action they may be able to protect their unit from higher levels of management for a period of time.

answered 2 hours ago

Samuel Russell

1,8821217

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up vote
0
down vote

To the extent that the academic management role has some freedom of action they may be able to protect their unit from higher levels of management for a period of time.

answered 2 hours ago

Samuel Russell

1,8821217

To the extent that the academic management role has some freedom of action they may be able to protect their unit from higher levels of management for a period of time.

answered 2 hours ago

Samuel Russell

1,8821217

answered 2 hours ago

Samuel Russell

1,8821217

answered 2 hours ago

Samuel Russell

1,8821217

answered 2 hours ago

Samuel Russell

1,8821217

add a comment |

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