Abstract
This article explores the professional dynamics and institutional challenges faced by dual career couples in the academic field of communication. Drawing from roundtable discussions and written reflections, the article addresses both the advantages and complexities of employing partnered faculty members. It examines administrative perceptions, hiring practices, departmental interactions, and promotion concerns, offering practical strategies for chairs and colleagues to support individual identity, equitable evaluation, and workplace integration. The discussion critiques persistent myths—such as presumed interdependence or shared qualifications—and emphasizes the importance of separating personal relationships from professional responsibilities. Contributors also reflect on the rewards of academic partnership, including expanded disciplinary networks, collaborative productivity, and the integration of intellectual and personal lives. By highlighting the structural, interpersonal, and cultural dimensions of dual appointments, this article contributes to ongoing conversations about equity, leadership, and faculty development in communication departments and higher education more broadly.
Recommended Citation
Foss, Karen A. and Littlejohn, Stephen W.
(1989)
"Couples in Communication: Problems and Prospects,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 69, Article 16.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol69/iss1/16
