Research Priorities in the Seminary Professorate: Scholarly Research and Academic Writing as Criterion for Rank Advancement in Graduate Theological Education

The purpose of this investigation was to surface definitions for scholarly research employed in Association of Theological Schools seminaries, identify the application of scholarly research as a criteria for rank advancement, and form a scholarly research productivity reference point. The research revealed that while definitions of scholarly activity vary in ATS seminaries, common defining themes are evident; (1) promoting academic, professional, or public discourse and dissemination, (2) originality, (3) participation, or presentation in academic or professional societies, (4) professional esteem, and (5) the notion of work being verifiable. The concept of peer-reviewed publication is not widely held in the opinion of seminary faculty as essential to distinguish academic writing. University-connected seminaries often mirror the emphasis on empirical research in higher education of their institutions. The research surfaced the difficulty in forming an academic writing productivity benchmark.