Faculty life can be challenging, especially when it comes to mentoring. As a professor, I have taken on the role of guiding and supporting junior and senior faculty members, both within and outside my university. The crises they face range from losing students and grants to dealing with negative evaluations and transphobia. One important realization I’ve had is that many faculty members are unaware of the extent of their power, which often contributes to these crises. It took me years to understand the impact I had on others and the responsibility that came with it. I learned that even small actions, like a single sentence email or a tweet, could have significant consequences. As faculty, we must be mindful of our power and take steps to be equitable. This includes being aware of our impact, moving slowly and methodically, listening to others, and creating a safe and supportive environment for students and staff. Trust building is crucial, and we must always be open to feedback and continuous learning. While academia has the potential to create “Godzillas” due to its structure, we can work towards a more equitable and compassionate environment by putting people first and challenging the capitalist game. In the long run, academia can be what we make it, where faculty and students feel empowered and protected
https://medium.com/bits-and-behavior/faculty-are-godzillas-c74e8b7ce9fb