About the Conference

Why Hills and Hollers?

The home node of this conference is Appalachia, a mountainous region known for its hills and hollers. On a hilltop, we can see far distances and gain greater perspective. In a holler, we gather close to our kin and develop strong ties.

For non-tenure track faculty, gaining perspective and developing ties can be challenging. Our conference seeks to bring together from across the country faculty who are intimately familiar with this contingent academic world. We seek to develop connections among our community; to empower faculty to have tough conversations with their campus leaders and colleagues; and to advocate for enfranchisement, inclusion and equity in benefits, pay and access.

We hope to answer questions and address topics around such topics as:

• Faculty identity: What does it mean to be faculty? What rights does being faculty entail?
• Workload
• Pay equity
• Eligibility for professional development, sabbatical leave, leadership advancement, professorships
• Organizing and advocacy on campus
• Rewards, recognition, incentives
• Empowering our passions in our work
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice on the non-tenure track
• Networking
• Building a cohort of peer evaluators (internally and externally)
• Evaluation and promotion

This conference is sponsored by the WVU Office of the Provost.