Dear all,

I agree that this is one of many structural issues in U.S. higher education (and more broadly). I would add, however, that "Instructional Professors" at the University of Chicago have one thing that tenure-stream faculty don't have (and legally can't have): union representation. The title "Instructional Professor" itself, along with details such as course load, renewal, promotion, annual raises, leave, and benefits, is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the University of Chicago and Service Employees International Union Local 73.

Andrew


On Tue, Sep 29, 2026 at 7:59 PM Dominik Wujastyk via INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info> wrote:
More or less so, yes.  Universities have long shamelessly exploited early-career academics by hiring them on temporary contracts and assigning them a large teaching burden.  This is well-known under the name "precariate".  Many within the university system recognize how damaging and exploitative this is to junior academics and are making efforts to improve the situation.  Calling such a hire a "teaching professor" is a well-intended attempt to provide some dignity and recognition to the employee and a better job title that may strengthen their CV and improve future employment opportunities.   However, the underlying problem of precarity is not solved.  

Best wishes,
Dominik

--
Dominik Wujastyk, Professor Emeritus, Classical Indian History
University of Alberta

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