HRSDC-IC-SSHRC Skills Research Initiative

Working Paper Series

International Faculty in Canada: An Exploratory Study
by Julia Richardson, Ken McBey and Steve McKenna.

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Abstract

The current shortage of faculty in Canada has led many universities to enter what is now an increasingly competitive international marketplace. A key concern, therefore, is for Canada to both attract and retain appropriately qualified and experienced faculty. As exemplars of internationally mobile professionals, international faculty have much to contribute to Canada, e.g. supporting the internationalization of Higher Education and creating internationally recognized research agendas. Thus, this qualitative study explores the experiences of a group of international faculty currently employed in six Canadian universities. The majority of faculty in this study believed that moving to Canada would have a positive impact on their professional development. Social reasons relating to quality of life were also a key incentive. While there is some concern that Canadian faculty are moving to the US in search of more lucrative salaries and research funding, the findings also suggest that Canada is an increasingly attractive destination for US faculty. Comments about the recruitment process were generally favourable although there was some concern about discrepancies between expectations and subsequent professional experiences. This finding signals the importance of realistic job previews and clarifying expectations regarding tenure and promotion. In evaluating their professional experience thus far, the majority of faculty were on the whole positive although some lamented the lack of recognition and reward for their international experience. This finding was especially important given that the majority felt that their experience could support the agenda for internationalization both in terms of research and teaching. Accompanying family were also a key influence on faculty experiences where concerns about finding employment for partners were widespread. Problems relating to immigration procedures were also commonplace as they had further implications for partners’ employment and general lifestyle opportunities. Drawing on the findings this report suggests implications for ‘best practices’ in managing international faculty.