Bridging two worlds: The journey of an academic in the world of development

Abstract

It was not my plan, but development work followed my full-time university employment. My foray into the academic world began at the University of Chicago where I was an Assistant Professor. It was there that I learned the unspoken truth that success in academia hinges on a strong research record and publications in prestigious journals. Teaching, while important, often took a backseat to the pursuit of research grants and scholarly recognition. In fact, I was informed by my Department of Education chair that, “You don’t need to teach during your first year—just publish a few good journal articles.” This revelation was both disheartening and motivating, as it forced me to adapt and refine my approach to academic life.