Overcoming Barriers to Faculty Engagement in Study Abroad Max Savishinsky A dissertation ...

249 Pages·2012·1.24 MB·English

Overcoming Barriers to Faculty Engagement in Study Abroad

Max Savishinsky

A dissertation
submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Education

University of Washington
2012

Reading Committee:
Bradley Portin, Chair
Susan Jeffords
Steven Olswang
Manka Varghese

Program Authorized to Offer Degree:
College of Education
University of Washington
University of Washington
Abstract

Overcoming Barriers to Faculty Engagement in Study Abroad

Max Savishinsky

Chair of the Supervisory Committee:
Professor Bradley Portin
College of Education

This research explored the experiences and perspectives of college and university
faculty members who developed, directed and instructed study abroad programs for
undergraduate students from three different institutions: a large research university, a
private comprehensive university, and a community college. A qualitative study was based
on in-depth interviews with eighteen faculty members, six from each institution, to identify
the barriers and supports to engagement that faculty encounter in their study abroad work,
and to learn about how institutions can better support the participation of faculty in
international education. Findings included evidence that despite significant institutional
initiative and rhetoric in favor of increased internationalization, faculty members face
diverse institutional policies, practices and attitudes that inhibit or prevent their
participation. Findings also highlighted numerous ways that institutions can and do
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encourage and support engagement and participation. Regardless of institutional
approaches, the lived experience that faculty members had in their study abroad work
constituted a powerful incentive for their ongoing work in international education. Faculty
believed strongly in the beneficial outcomes of international experiences for students,
teachers, and institutions. They also perceived a significant gap between the rhetorical
support of institutions for internationalization, and the many institutional realities that
inhibit the work of faculty members abroad. For the faculty members involved in this
research study, their continued engagement in study abroad in the face of many barriers
indicates that institutional policies and practices – particularly those that are responsive to
faculty circumstances, perspectives, and experiences - have the potential to effect greater
faculty participation in study abroad programs, specifically, and engagement in the
internationalization of higher education.

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Table of Contents

List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... iv
List of Tabels ........................................................................................................................................ v
Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................... vi
Dedication ........................................................................................................................................... vii
Chapter One: Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1
Higher Education, Internationalization and the Changing Global landscape ............. 1
Faculty and Internationalization ................................................................................................. 4
The Internationalization Role of Faculty .................................................................................. 9
Education Abroad and Internationalization ......................................................................... 12
Problem of Practice ........................................................................................................................ 15
Problem of Research ...................................................................................................................... 21
Significance of Study ...................................................................................................................... 25
Research Questions ........................................................................................................................ 27
Research Goals ................................................................................................................................. 27
Scope of the Study ........................................................................................................................... 28
Dissertation Overview .................................................................................................................. 29
Chapter Two: Review of the Literature ...................................................................................... 31
The Internationalization of Higher Education ..................................................................... 31
Definitions of Key terms in International Education ........................................................ 32
Internationalization Missions, Objectives and Rationales ............................................. 37
Educational Objectives of Internationalization .................................................................. 44
Contemporary Trends in Internationalization ................................................................... 52
Challenges to Expanding International Opportunities .................................................... 55
Faculty and Education Abroad .................................................................................................. 58
Faculty Engagement in International Education ................................................................ 61
Scholarship on Faculty and Internationalization ............................................................... 63
Barriers to Faculty Participation .............................................................................................. 67
Institutional Barriers .................................................................................................................... 69
Personal Barriers ............................................................................................................................ 73
Recommendations for Engaging Faculty ............................................................................... 75
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Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 81
Chapter Three: Research Methodology ....................................................................................... 82
Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 82
Research Goals and Questions .................................................................................................. 83
Scope of Study .................................................................................................................................. 84
Research Assumptions ................................................................................................................. 85
Rationale for Qualitative Study Design .................................................................................. 86
Approaches & Techniques of Qualitative Research .......................................................... 87
Role of the Researcher.................................................................................................................. 91
Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................................ 93
Faculty Motivation & Development ......................................................................................... 95
Faculty Rewards and Recognition ........................................................................................... 96
Research Methods & Procedures .............................................................................................. 98
Site Selection ................................................................................................................................... 98
Participant Selection ................................................................................................................... 101
Data Collection ............................................................................................................................... 103
Limitations ....................................................................................................................................... 105
Data Analysis .................................................................................................................................. 107
Anticipated Contributions ......................................................................................................... 108
Chapter IV: Research Findings ..................................................................................................... 111
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 111
Demographics................................................................................................................................. 112
Age & Gender ................................................................................................................................. 113
International Background: Ethnicity, Country of Origin, Language Skills ............. 114
Academic Rank/Tenure, Discipline, Length of Service .................................................. 116
Barriers to Faculty Engagement in Study Abroad ............................................................ 118
Institutional Barriers .................................................................................................................. 120
Personal Barriers .......................................................................................................................... 152
Other Barriers ................................................................................................................................ 153
Supports for Faculty Engagement in Study Abroad ........................................................ 155
Personal and Experiential Supports ..................................................................................... 166
Chapter Five: Discussion, Implications & Recommendations .......................................... 177
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 177
Summary and Discussion of Findings ................................................................................... 179
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Barriers to Faculty Engagement in Study Abroad ............................................................ 179
Supports for Faculty Engagement in Study Abroad ........................................................ 186
Implications for Practice ............................................................................................................ 188
Recommendations for Future Research .............................................................................. 198
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 200
List of References ............................................................................................................................... 202
Appendices ...................................................................................................................................... 222
Appendix I: Responses to Interview Statements ......................................................... 222
Appendix II: Participant Invitation Letter ........................................................................ 222
Appendix III: Participant Consent Form............................................................................. 222
Appendix IV: Interview Protocol ........................................................................................... 222
Appendix I: Responses to Interview Statements ............................................................. 223
Appendix II: Participant Invitation Letter .......................................................................... 228
Appendix III: Participant Consent Form .............................................................................. 230
Appendix IV: Interview Protocol ............................................................................................ 235
Vita........................................................................................................................................................... 239

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Number Page
1. Catalysts Spurring Internationalization 9
2. Drivers and actors in the internationalization process 10
3. Continuum of Comprehensive Internationalization 11
4. Conceptual Framework 95

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LIST OF TABLES

Table Number Page
1. Research participants’ Age, by Institution Type 114
2. Research participants’ Gender 114
3. Research participants’ Ethnicity 115
4. Research participants’ Country of Birth 116
5. Research participants’ Foreign Language Background 116
6. Research participants’ Academic Discipline 117
7. Research participants’ Years Teaching 118

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was produced with the help and support of many people who deserve
both mention and gratitude. This thesis would not have been possible without the
guidance, encouragement and support of my advisor, Prof. Bradley Portin. Likewise, my
committee members Susan Jeffords, Steven Olswang, and Manka Varghese provided valued
support reminded me of the importance of this work. The faculty members who took part
in this study generously shared their time, reflections and ideas, and helped me to further
my knowledge and understanding of the field of international education.
During nearly two decades as student, instructor and administrator at the
University of Washington, many individuals contributed in different and valuable ways to
my educational and professional advancement. David Fenner and Paul LePore provided
mentorship and created opportunities for me that were personally rewarding,
academically inspiring, and professionally invaluable. Catharine Beyer was a champion of
my work and a facilitator of this study. Colleagues from Jackson School of International
Studies, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Comparative History of Ideas program, and
the Office of International Programs and Exchanges have all helped me chart my course in
international education, as have my friends and fellow students from graduate programs in
Public Affairs, International Studies and Education. The many students I have had the
pleasure of leading and teaching, both at home and abroad, are ultimately the individuals
who give meaning to all of my work, and to this research.
Finally, to my father Joel, my mother Susan, my brother Jacob, and my daughter Zoe,
thank you, thank you, thank you.
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DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to my father, Dr. Joel Savishinsky, respected and adored
professor, accomplished and engaged international educator, tireless inquisitor and
learner, compassionate caregiver, loving and dedicated parent, and a great source of
inspiration and support in all of my pursuits, both educational and otherwise.
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