Navigating Academic Incentive Structures in Social Justice Research: research methods, advocacy, and theory building

Year: 2022

Issue: Vol. 39 Issue. 2

Journal Name: School Psychology Training and Pedagogy

Title: Navigating Academic Incentive Structures in Social Justice Research: Research Methods, Advocacy, and Theory Building

Citation: Coombs, N. N., Copeland, C., Brown, J. M., & Shaw, S. R. (2022) Navigating Academic Incentive Structures in Social Justice Research: Research Methods, Advocacy, and Theory Building. School Psychology Training and Pedagogy, 39 (2), 110-121. 

Abstract: As the field of school psychology works to reduce the impact of colonialism and eradicate racism, inequity, and oppressive systems in education, the foundation upon which these efforts are built is scholarship centered on the field and frameworks of social justice. A growing number of university-based scholars are using their work to further social justice, yet find that existing academic incentives present barriers to scholarship and methods commonly used in community centered research. If social justice constructs are to improve the quality and equity of school psychological practice, then rewards within the existing academic incentive structure must be attainable for social justice scholarship and scholars. To be clear, changing the entire system is the long-term goal. However, an in-depth analysis of how academic incentive structures serve as barriers to social justice research and its dissemination is an early step. Moreover, a strategic approach to designing research in the nascent subfield of social justice can allow for tangible professional success for social justice scholars. Although strategic approaches to research will not address all issues of academic inequity, this paper presents a framework for conducting social justice research, provides an illustration for the application of the framework, and describes how this framework assists in navigating academic incentives.

Keywords:   academic incentives, social justice, research methods, tenure, recruitment and retention, minoritized and marginalized academics

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