(162d) From Plasmas to Learners: Opportunities and Challenges in a Post-Tenure Shift in Inquiry

The AAC&U declares that academic freedom is â??the indispensable requisite for unfettered teaching and research in institutions of higher education.â? Such freedom fully blooms after the tenure process. It not only provides faculty with latitude to seek independent inquiry within a field but also enables faculty to change pursuits of inquiry into areas where they identify a need and where their passion drives them. In this presentation, I will reflect on my path that led to a mid-career transition from being a materials processing researcher into pursuing inquiry in the emerging field of engineering education research. Some challenges and rewards along the way will be described.