Interview with Professor Erika Nelson
Erica Fugger
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Features
What is the general purpose of sabbatical?
A sabbatical gives a faculty member the opportunity and time to focus primarily on their research, without teaching obligations. Union College values faculty members both as teachers and scholars. Sabbaticals allow faculty members to pursue research activities and agendas that might not otherwise be available to them during the teaching year. In many ways, sabbaticals afford us the time to concentrate on our areas of research more thoroughly.
How long does one usually last?
Depending on institutions, sabbaticals can be one term or a full-year. In my case, I have a two-term sabbatical (Fall 2009/Winter2010).
Are you enjoying your time on sabbatical?
I am! Definitely! It is nice to have time for one's self and one's interests. It is especially nice to be able to pursue these interests in peace and also to have time to travel. During the Fall Term, I was able to spend an extended time in NYC as a NYU Faculty Resource Network scholar and use the NYU libraries and facilities. I was also able to participate in four academic conferences and four "Freedom Without Walls" celebrations, sponsored by the German Embassy, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
What is your favorite part of having time off?
Having more time! Time to focus on reading and writing. Time to think and time to read uninterrupted. Time to travel and speak with other colleagues. Time to explore new ideas.
Do you think Union is managing in your absence?
My colleague in German, Dr. Michele Ricci-Bell, is also currently on sabbatical too. At first, we were quite concerned about how the German program would fare in our absence. However, we have been most fortunate! We were able to invite a very talented and capable Visiting Professor, Dr. Ashley Passmore, to campus for this year. Dr. Passmore, along with our other Visiting Professor Dr. Forlot-Mikata and our Language Assistant Sarah Niemeyer, have added so much to our program and have helped it along this year. We are really happy everything turned out as well as it did. So, I think the German program at Union is managing well!
A sabbatical gives a faculty member the opportunity and time to focus primarily on their research, without teaching obligations. Union College values faculty members both as teachers and scholars. Sabbaticals allow faculty members to pursue research activities and agendas that might not otherwise be available to them during the teaching year. In many ways, sabbaticals afford us the time to concentrate on our areas of research more thoroughly.
How long does one usually last?
Depending on institutions, sabbaticals can be one term or a full-year. In my case, I have a two-term sabbatical (Fall 2009/Winter2010).
Are you enjoying your time on sabbatical?
I am! Definitely! It is nice to have time for one's self and one's interests. It is especially nice to be able to pursue these interests in peace and also to have time to travel. During the Fall Term, I was able to spend an extended time in NYC as a NYU Faculty Resource Network scholar and use the NYU libraries and facilities. I was also able to participate in four academic conferences and four "Freedom Without Walls" celebrations, sponsored by the German Embassy, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
What is your favorite part of having time off?
Having more time! Time to focus on reading and writing. Time to think and time to read uninterrupted. Time to travel and speak with other colleagues. Time to explore new ideas.
Do you think Union is managing in your absence?
My colleague in German, Dr. Michele Ricci-Bell, is also currently on sabbatical too. At first, we were quite concerned about how the German program would fare in our absence. However, we have been most fortunate! We were able to invite a very talented and capable Visiting Professor, Dr. Ashley Passmore, to campus for this year. Dr. Passmore, along with our other Visiting Professor Dr. Forlot-Mikata and our Language Assistant Sarah Niemeyer, have added so much to our program and have helped it along this year. We are really happy everything turned out as well as it did. So, I think the German program at Union is managing well!
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