• January 9, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
• Imperial A, Ballroom Level

5A: Navigating Contingent Positions and the Precarity of the Faculty Pipeline (Joint AIA/SCS Workshop)

Click or tap here to join the meeting virtually

Sponsored by:
First-Generation Low-Income Federation and the Committee on Contingent Faculty

Organizers:
Ashley Eckhardt, American School of Classical Studies at Athens, and Katie Tardio, Bucknell University

Overview Statement:
Over the last 20 years, short-term and contingent academic positions have proliferated, making precarity the norm. As the prospect of moving directly from graduate school into a tenure-track position has become increasingly slim, early career scholars face a mounting series of challenges as they enter the profession, including financial insecurity, professional stagnation, and burnout. Many scholars approaching the end of their graduate career fail to comprehend the differences between various contingent positions or the difficulties inherent in taking on nontenure-track positions. These issues often affect first-generation, low-income (FGLI) scholars even more acutely due to their FGLI status.

In this workshop, we aim to demystify the academic job market by highlighting the different positions and career routes available in higher education. Featuring panelists with a range of perspectives and experiences, we will address the particular challenges faced by contingent faculty in classics, archaeology, and related fields, with the goal of assisting early career and FGLI scholars in navigating and mitigating the precarity. This workshop will provide an overview of the contingent faculty landscape, elucidating the differences between adjunct/sessional positions, VAPs, postdoctoral fellowships, and academic positions outside of North America. The panelists will also discuss the practicalities of contingent positions, including the logistics of moving between short-term posts, securing research funding, transitioning to a tenure-track position, and finding permanent employment outside of the tenure track. Finally, we will offer actionable steps by which tenured faculty and administrators can support their contingent peers, with the goal of making the field more equitable, welcoming, and vibrant for all.

During this forum-format workshop, we will encourage an open dialogue with the audience so the entire community can join in these important conversations. Although this workshop centers FGLI scholars, we welcome participation by everyone served by the AIA and SCS, including all underprivileged and underrepresented groups. The ultimate goals are to empower early career and FGLI scholars in their professional ambitions and to build community and support among all scholars and their peers.