<p>
</p>
<p>See Post One in this thread! </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Bluebayou, I do not have a problem with THAT fact. I do have a problem with pretending that this scientist is a DEDICATED teacher. I do not have a problem that a research university acts … like one! Hiring this scientist to head a very important research project for the US government is a decision for Cal to evaluate. It is obvious that Cal as the manager of the LBNL has to provide the necessary staff. But let’s recognize that this staff is dedicated to their projects and their research, and NOT to the education of students, except for a bit of PR and “feel-good” token classes. </p>
<p>Alexandre is correct that this is not an isolated issue, but it does not make it less of an issue that lacks all transparency. A researcher teaching a “fun” class is it what it is. If Greg Mankiw decides that the best use of his time would be to “teach” a class of balancing a checkbook at Harvard, so be it. I would think that teaching advanced Econ to advanced Econ majors would be better; that is just me. I fail to understand why this Nobel winner does not teach advanced undergraduate Physics majors at Cal, but again that is just me!</p>
<p>Nothing will stop cheerleaders of an institution to applaud the amazing recognition of winning a Nobel prize. And, nothing will stop others to take a critical look at the fact that most high-prized researchers are accidental teachers and have little to no impact on the undergraduate department. </p>
<p>As everything in the analysis of higher education, it all depends on the lenses one decides to wear. It is what it is! And it is an issue that lacks the most basic transparency. It would not be bad to have a current tally of the hours taught by this researcher during his tenure at Cal. Dark matter and black holes come to mind!</p>
<p>Fwiw, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let’s revisit this issue in two years and measure the dedication to teaching by adding the classes targeting undergraduates that will be led by this scientist. Does not get any simpler than that. My take is that it will be quite similar to the number of classes led by Aaron Rodgers on throwing a frisbee.</p>