nontenure

Nontenure refers to employment in higher education that does not lead to or include tenure, the long-term, protected status associated with academic freedom and continued employment after a probationary period. Nontenure-track positions are common in many universities and colleges and can be full-time or part-time. They include titles such as adjunct professor, lecturer, instructor, clinical faculty, visiting professor, and teaching fellows.

Characteristics of nontenure-track roles vary by institution but typically emphasize teaching over research. Many nontenure-track positions have contract-based terms, ranging from single semesters to multi-year renewals, with renewal contingent on budget, performance, and departmental needs. Compensation and benefits are often lower than those for tenure-track or tenured faculty, and job security is generally more limited. Procedural protections and opportunities for advancement toward tenure are usually minimal or absent.

The rise of non-tenure-track employment is linked to shifts in university budgeting, labor practices, and strategic priorities. Proponents argue that nontenure-track positions offer flexibility, cost control, and the ability to attract teaching-focused staff. Critics contend that widespread reliance on these roles can create job precarity for faculty, affect long-term commitments to student advising and curriculum, and raise concerns about equity and academic governance.

Globally, the prominence and structure of nontenure-track work differ. In some systems, permanent contracts exist for teaching-focused roles without a pathway to tenure, while in others, non-tenure positions are more closely tied to fluctuations in enrollment and funding.