Chapter 13

Preparing for tenure & promotion

The present chapter addresses the core issues related to the process of securing tenure with the primary goal of identifying the sources of confusion and making transparent some of the unspoken expectations that tend to dominate the field of applied linguistics. It is our belief that the better one understands the process the more likely one is able to manage the anxiety and demands associated with tenure-track positions, and even enjoy these years. We begin with the idea that there are certain behaviors that can be useful during the entire pre-tenure process (and beyond!) and that there is a certain chronology as well: starting off right, preparing for the mid-term review and then, putting on those final touches as you near the dossier submission stage. We close with a brief discussion of perspective and highlight behaviors that make successful academics throughout the career trajectory.