HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 11, 2013 – Dr. Sadie Leder-Elder, assistant professor of psychology and associate director of the Survey Research Center at High Point University, published an article, titled “Supporting our Junior Faculty: Assessing the Concerns and Needs of Early Career Psychologists,” in the current issue of Teaching of Psychology (ToP).

This article details work designed to assess and communicate the needs of Early Career Psychologists (ECPs) in an attempt to improve their overall teaching effectiveness. Along with collaborators from the ECP Council of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, Leder-Elder conducted and analyzed the results of a national survey to reveal the top concerns of junior faculty members. Among those identified were finding a balance, both between work and family, and between the three major aspects of an academic position: teaching, research and service. Participants also reported that preparing classes and fulfilling tenure requirements were major issues.

“We are very proud of this project and believe that the implications of this work may reach far beyond the field of psychology to help improve the teaching effectiveness and career success of junior faculty in a number of disciplines,” says Leder-Elder. “The concerns identified in our survey ring true for early career faculty regardless of their program.”

The article concludes by suggesting professional groups reach out to ECPs and encourage the use of resources to help balance work and personal life. Leder says the study should also lead to the development of new resources and relationships that aid early career faculty in successfully navigating the unique and important obstacles found at the beginning of their teaching careers.

An abstract of Leder-Elder’s article is available on the journal’s website.