Job Discussion Forums

anthropologist · Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Posts: 8 Location: USA

Hello everyone,

I'm a newbie member of Dave's Cafe, though a long-time guest reader. I've been offered a position in Anthropology at the AUS and was wondering if anyone has insights into the situation for academics there.

Thanks and hope to hear from the community soon,

Anthropologist

mccainjohn96 · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 93

That's a no brainer. Go to Sharjah. It's a step up from being a part timer, and as long as you are able to publish regularly, I don't see why they should lock you out of American universities. Join the UAE Natural History group. Study Arabic. Enjoy yourself for 3 years and make some money.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Considering the problems in finding decent jobs in US academia, I'd go for it. There is no reason that you couldn't stay there for long enough to be able to afford to retire early - something that would never happen in the US. There is no tenure, but it is getting harder to get it in the US too.

The reality is that there are many professors who have spent their lives in places like AUC and AUB... and I suspect that AUS will join that list. People normally don't get "non-renewed" at content level unless they do something illegal or political or scandalous. Laughing

VS

anthropologist · Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Posts: 8 Location: USA

Thanks m96 and VS for your encouraging replies.

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

I don't understand the American system and I don't have any inside knowledge on AUS but here's my thoughts on your situation:
If AUS is anything like where I work (the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi) the library will be a fantastic resource and they will be throwing money at it.
Having a young family in Sharjah would be fine. My kids were 1 and 3 when we moved to Abu Dhabi and it's been brilliant for them.
There's no point basing your decision on fears of them tearing up your contract. Yes it's possible but it is unlikely. Likewise with worrying about what will happen when the sheikh dies - likely answer is nothing.
Satellite institutions are crumbling in the Gulf but IMO it was an over-saturated market. AUS may "only" be 12 years old but that makes it an old-timer here.
Traffic is a nightmare for sure, but is everything perfect about where you live at present? As an anthropologist in particular I think you would find plenty to enjoy about Sharjah - it is the 'cultural capital of the UAE' you know!
Only you can make what I agree is a difficult decision but don't sweat the small stuff.
HTH, VL

Miss TESOL · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 47 Location: TESOL

I've met people from the U of Sharjah at regional education conferences and have been impressed by the caliber of scholarship. They seemed content with their positions, and the university is well regarded in the region. George Mason debacle seemed to be a completely different scenario, not enough intake of quality students, too much of an emphasis on profit, sights set too high, etc.

My advice would be to not worry about the possible negative associations. My situation was a bit different, but I was able to land a tenure-track post after 3 years of experience in the Gulf, and I eventually obtained tenure. I used my time in the Gulf to write up a number of research articles, and this laid a foundation for later applying for tenure track posts. International experience is good for a CV, UAE no exception although there are certainly downsides to leaving the comfort zone of an R2 institution.

There are more positives than negatives, I'd venture to say, though it's your call in the end; many, many people in the Gulf begin familes here similar to what you mention as wanting to do. The health care is fairly good, lots of private clinics and such as well as government hospitals.

So many databases and texts are online these days, that I doubt library access will be a problem. Sure, hardcopy resources might be sparse, but there are ways to get what you need, and the university library is probably well connected (though I don't have firsthand experience with this particular institution).

This position in the UAE might provide opportunities for visiting other countries in the region as well, conferences and such.

Anyway, good luck, break a leg and such if you decide to accept.

MissT

Miss TESOL · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 47 Location: TESOL

oops, double post--delete

Iamherebecause · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:49 am Post subject:

Veralynn wrote

anthropologist · Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Posts: 8 Location: USA

My deepest debt of gratitude to everyone who replied to my original message. You've given me so much to ponder and such encouragement.

Again, thank you so much for your generous, thoughtful comments. The Gulf is very lucky to have you, and I wish you all the very best.

Cheers,

anthro

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Were I you, I would have made the same decision. The people on this board are EFL teachers, not PhD content professors, and their reasons for staying are entirely different from yours. This may be EFL heaven over here but not for you and I think you made the right decision.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I suspect that the Gulf is a better choice for the older established profs who need to pad the retirement account... which also... ahem... describes quite a number of the TEFLers. Laughing

VS

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Indeed. And I'll be the first to admit, I am one such animal. Meow.

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

AU-Sharjah isn't shoddy..... Still --- it's hard to both teach and do research in the UAE. Tenure-track academics really need to do a little of each.

I'd tell you that schools like AUS are increasingly known to presidents of US-based institutions (they're appointed to the board of visitors).

AUS would certainly be known to AU-Cairo (although people in your field might look down on AUS from there). They'd also be known to AU-Beirut, and Lebanon American University (Beirut). Most academic officers in elite Northeastern Universities are now familiar with the Emirates, since there's been an agressive campaign to attract (and influence) academic visitors from that region.

(just look at the long list of distinguished visitors for Education bedoon Borders, Festival of Thinkers, or any one of the many, many academic conferences hosted in the country).

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Sheikh n Bake, I beg to differ on your point that most who post on this board about the UAE are TEFLers. I certainly am not and I think if you have a good read, you'll find most others are not either.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Based on my reading of the posts over the years, I'd say that 70-80% of the posters here are in TEFL. Nowadays we have more people from the schools because of the MAG/PPP/ADEC or whatever that program is... which isn't directly TEFL related but it is supposedly to improve teacher performance and bring English into the lower levels of the system.

VS