Surviving and Thriving in Academia

(Please download the PDF to read the full version of this report.)

The survival guide to academia for women and members of marginalized groups is an updated and revised edition of a guide first published in 1992 by the American Psychological Association (APA) Committee on Women in Psychology (CWP). In 1998, the guide was updated as the result of a collaborative effort between CWP and the APA Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention and Training in Psychology (CEMRRAT). This third edition is designed to address changes that have taken place since the production of the second edition in 1998, which may dramatically affect the level of success, even the survival, of women and psychologists of color pursuing careers in academic environments and/or in private practice. This third edition is once again a collaborative effort between the CEMRRAT2 Task Force and CWP. This third edition of the guide continues to focus on women and psychologists of color pursuing careers in academia, including African-Americans/Blacks, American Indians/Native Americans, Asian-Americans/Pacific Islanders, Latinas/os/Hispanics, White women (in some contexts), and the potential issues regarding intersectionality for these populations with other identities (i.e., sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, etc.). 

Three other pamphlets prepared by CEMRRAT—"Valuing Diversity in Faculty: A Guide, How to Recruit and Hire Ethnic Minority Faculty," and "Diversity and Accreditation"—are helpful supplements to this guide. These pamphlets were designed to aid the academic department seeking to hire faculty members of color, while this guide will assist prospective and current faculty who are members of marginalized groups.

The present guide has four overarching goals: (1) to provide an overview of the current political landscape in academia; (2) to assist new PhDs in seeking and selecting jobs that effectively complement their personal mix of skills and career goals; (3) to help faculty members maximize their chances of gaining promotion and tenure; and (4) to identify strategies for moving on after the promotion and tenure decision. 

This guide was written and reviewed by psychologists who have experienced or have close personal knowledge of the opportunities and special challenges academia poses for traditionally marginalized groups. It has been developed as a guide, reference and resource. This guide is specifically addressed to junior (i.e., untenured and early career) faculty. 

However, as noted in the previously cited CEMRRAT pamphlets, important institutional issues continue to affect the context and academic climate for promotion and tenure of people from marginalized groups. The authors are cognizant that psychology departments, professional schools, institutions and APA have a responsibility to address these issues. The guide provides an overview of key issues and a compilation of references that cover these issues in greater depth, including those on the guide reference and resource list. We hope that this guide will be helpful as psychologists begin, survive and thrive in the academic world.