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[torpedoed]

I've been denied tenure and my contract has come to an abrupt end, with no new job to jump to. I had four articles in the pipeline to journals and two have just been accepted. Do I write and say I'm now an independent scholar? (sigh) Technically the work was done at my old U, but by the time the articles come out I'll be long gone. I'm also wondering about new work. I don't see many papers in my field published without some form of academic affiliation. Should I try to get somewhere to take me on as some sort of unpaid affiliated researcher? Is that even possible as I'm in a bit of a hole right now, job-wise (but on a roll in terms of writing)? Or do I just send articles out as an independent?

Many thanks for any thought on this... 

[jackie_d]

Since they denied you tenure, I think you should change your affiliation: I mean, if you are not good enough for them, I don't think they can complain if you will not give them kudos.

Having articles already accepted, might make you stronger on the job market, so I would think there are chances you're going to get a new job before the articles are actually in press. I say: wait and see. Until the journal goes  in press, there is always time to write to the your editor and have your affiliation change.

Good luck!

[dogvomit]

I was in a similar situation a few years ago.  I wasn't denied tenure, but rather the school was preparing to declare exigency (then katrina came and saved their buts, but not mine!).   I pulled their name off of every presentation and publication starting the day after I got the letter.  Its not like they were decent about it.  You don't owe them anything at this point if they are being jerks. 

If they are being decent and it is simply you didn't make the tenure provisions (pubs etc.) then you might leave their name on.  Also, if you think they may give you a good reference. 

[stapler]

In my field, some researchers are unaffiliated with academic or other research entities, and instead conduct and present their work through private companies ("XXXX Research", etc) that they've set up themselves. 

If you don't think you'll be affiliated with anyone in the near future, and if some kind of private affiliation wouldn't look strange in your field, it might be worth considering setting up your own research institute (of one "employee") to give yourself an official label for use in journal submissions, etc.

An alternative would be, as you say, becoming affiliated as an unpaid member (or perhaps an adjunct instructor of some kind) of an existing department.

[torpedoed]

Thanks for the replies. The U was vile in their treatment of me, so it isn't that I'm keen to leave their name on. I didn't get any adjunct work, (I'm crossing from one field to another) and the season seems to be over. I've never heard of anyone publishing under their own institute in my field. But I'll shake the trees and see what affiliation I can find...

[yellowtractor]

You could always just say "Johnny Torpedoed has taught at Slinky U., Vile Tech, and Curmudgeon College.  He currently lives in Vileville."  That would give you institutional credibility without cueing your present lack of affiliation (though it would also include Vile Tech by name).

The present perfect is a useful verb tense when in professional transition.

[untenured]

Instead of listing your employer:

"Assistant Professor, Southwest Missouri State University"

List your original affiliation:

"Ph.D. Wallawalla College, 1984"

This is what I did when I published an article.  I was an "Independent Scholar."  Nothing wrong with that.

The heck with the old school.  Pfft.

Untenured

[torpedoed]

Did that work? I like the "present perfect" bio idea, but some journals only list the university. Affiliation seems to be a bit of a gate keeper for journal editors. Or is it only my impression that it's harder to publish without a RU next to your name?

[alsorun]

It depends on your area. If it is lab based big science, a university affiliation definitely helps in the credibility. But if you proved a mathematical theorem, who cares so long as the proof is correct.

 

Did that work? I like the "present perfect" bio idea, but some journals only list the university. Affiliation seems to be a bit of a gate keeper for journal editors. Or is it only my impression that it's harder to publish without a RU next to your name?

[adhoc]

Affiliation seems to be a bit of a gate keeper for journal editors. Or is it only my impression that it's harder to publish without a RU next to your name?

You said that the articles have been accepted, right?  So, whether it's harder to publish or not doesn't matter -- you've cleared that hurdle. 

[bibliothecula]

I am often "Bibliothecula, Independent Scholar," but sometimes I also use "Bibliothecula, National Coalition of Independent Scholars." (www.ncis.org for the curious) There's nothing wrong with it and you see it increasingly in top-tier journals these days.

[torpedoed]

I'm thinking of the future, but glad to have gotten as much as I could through before I lost the affiliation. Thanks for the links, bibliothecula. I didn't know there were so many independent scholars.

I'll try to write the equivalent of a mathematical proof, and to heck with vile U...