Although some other colleges offer time off in the first semester to set up a lab or to publish, Wellesley offers a full year of leave with the possibility of full salary in the fourth year. Dean of Faculty Affairs Kathryn Lynch explains the policy as “an investment in the ‘whole’ faculty member: We know good teaching takes time, and we also want to insure that each faculty member also has the time and resources that make possible an active research career.” Says Margaret Keane, Professor of Psychology, “For someone who comes from a strong researchoriented graduate program and who loves to teach, it doesn’t get any better than Wellesley.” Another aspect of research at Wellesley that is noted by many faculty members is the encouragement to do interdisciplinary work. At Wellesley, there is a high level of interaction between faculty members in different departments. Mathematician Ann Trenk observes, “This closeness differs from universities where you know the individuals in your department and that’s it. Here faculty across departments are connected; one doesn’t feel isolated in one’s own world.” Faculty interaction is encouraged by physical design—the intermixing of offices and open spaces in the Science Center, the lounges of the Knapp Social Science Center, and the Newhouse Center for the Humanities. Interdisciplinary inspiration and creativity is also encouraged by the College’s relatively small size.
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