Research on the PFF Initiative and the Teaching Certificate for Professors

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26590207
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sociology of education
• Research Institution: University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences (2015); Hokkaido University (2014)
• Principal Investigator: UTAGAWA Takuo 流通科学大学, 人間社会学部, 特任教授 (30142764)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 高等教育 / 大学教授 / 大学院生 / PFFイニシアチブ / プロフェッショナル・ディベロップメント / FD / 大学教育改善 / 大学教員資格

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) is a training program for graduate students who want to be professors. The PFF Initiative (1993-2002) is a project made possible through a partnership with the Council of Graduate Schools and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. The author conducted research at North Carolina State University and Indiana University Bloomington that received support from the project. Both universities have institutionalized PFF certificate programs. Participants have highly evaluated PFF for its efficacy in helping them to learn pedagogical knowledge, understand academic professional standards, and experience peer and faculty mentorship. Following the program, the participants felt competent in their first jobs. However, the effect does not last long. The author proposes to connect PFF, new faculty orientations, and faculty development initiatives to organize a comprehensive professional development program for both active and future professors.

Free Research Field

社会学