Research

Research on turnover and women in academia demonstrates that a myriad of factors can impact the retention, tenure and promotion of female faculty. A recent analysis of the Faculty Cohort Project, administered by The Women’s Place at Ohio State, found that the project is beneficial to its participants and that cultural change is important for the advancement of women faculty. Management and Human Resources Professors Jill Ellingson, who also served as lead investigator, and Arnon Reichers presented their findings to Ohio State President Karen A. Holbrook (left) and her Council on Women’s Issues. Ellingson’s research was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Cohort Project, as well as offer insight into work-life issues and barriers to the full inclusion of women on university faculties. She found that cohort participants believe the project provides a supportive, nonthreatening environment and that a good relationship with department chairs is integral in shaping the positive experience of assistant professors. Due to Ellingson’s study, The Women’s Place plans to continue the project for six years as well as utilize feedback from the study to enhance its programming and guide culture and policy changes.