Colleagues want to publish with me

[traductio]

As someone who does a lot of SoTL, I would hesitate to try a multi-section SoTL project with people who didn't have experience doing research; if I wasn't familiar with SoTL myself, I definitely wouldn't try leading novices through it and expecting to get something publishable at the end of it.

A review article is a much better idea.

Yours is a voice of experience I would certainly listen to! I saw good examples of SoTL and bad examples, and the bad examples, I'm afraid to say, outnumbered the good. On the other hand, the good examples went far beyond merely procedural issues of teaching (that was the domain of the uninspired examples) to say something about the discipline being taught. I knew two grad students who published an excellent paper about teaching public speaking while relating their research to larger questions of rhetoric in the public sphere, for instance.

But you're right -- that might, in fact, be more of an investment than the OP wants to make.

[the-tenure-track-prof]

I like the idea of asking the colleague who approached me what they want to do and then listening. The other one is just tapping along because they know I have an active research agenda and want to see if s/he can tap along and then do the technical/research assistant level work.

I have another question about this: one of the two faculty members will be up for tenure review next year, and I know that this person is anxious because s/he does not have research productivity to show and has not been interested in anything. If one of the faculty tried to manipulate the conversation and asks, "what are you working on, and then I would love to work on your research. It sounds so interesting", how do I respond to that to convey the message "thanks, but thanks" in the conversation without burning bridges?

In the email, one of the two faculty members said "I would love That," referring to my response that we can talk and see if we can do something-- after the faculty talked about how bad their research productivity is. I was not specific on purpose, so it would not sound like a promise for an opportunity for actual research work.

[Ruralguy]

Don't be manipulated into offering research opportunities. I'd be fairly blunt. Just say something like "I'm not quite sure what you can do for me. I think I have it covered."
Only do that in person. If its asked by email, probably easier not to answer. If requested in person, say what I suggested above. Of course if  you really wanted to be generous, you could find a way, but I don't mean to say that in a way to suggest you should do that or that I would (the only time I did this here in any way, I made it clear how I'd like to collaborate, and the person, as decent as they are in general, never really followed up with me, or at least hasn't yet, and I have asked on rare occasion over the years).

[the-tenure-track-prof]

Thanks. I am considering to send both an email before the face-to-face meeting to say that something came up 9or that because I have a chronic cough, which I do) and I have to reschedule for a Zoom meeting. (I agreed to meet after a faculty meeting on campus). I think that would allow more time.

Don't be manipulated into offering research opportunities. I'd be fairly blunt. Just say something like "I'm not quite sure what you can do for me. I think I have it covered."
Only do that in person. If its asked by email, probably easier not to answer. If requested in person, say what I suggested above. Of course if  you really wanted to be generous, you could find a way, but I don't mean to say that in a way to suggest you should do that or that I would (the only time I did this here in any way, I made it clear how I'd like to collaborate, and the person, as decent as they are in general, never really followed up with me, or at least hasn't yet, and I have asked on rare occasion over the years).

[Sun_Worshiper]

Are these senior people or fellow assistants? In any case, it sounds like this collaboration will either amount to nothing or will require you to do most of the work and a lot of hand holding. I'd avoid it - just say you are tied up with other projects but will be happy to discuss later, when you get your head above water.

[Kate]

The question about landing a position before the tenure review next year has been a consideration as well, but with the backlog in the number of applications schools receive, it seems that I may have to go through the tenure review next year; however, I am waiting on two schools who did not even start the applications review process.
If I end up moving, I am afraid that this will open the door for gossips that will hurt my reputation in the institution after I leave. I had seen them doing that to a faculty who left a year before I arrived. I know that this faculty poured his/her heart into work, saved the program, and saved the program from being closed. They gossiped about this faculty and trashed this person's reputation after s/he left. It was heartbreaking to watch how low they were willing to go. I have managed a good relationship by keeping a low profile and focusing on my research work.

I guess the question for you is whether you expect to be able to move to a research university before the results of the tenure evaluation is released. If you do collaborate, I would suggest working on something which is ostensibly in their area of expertise, because it would not be central to your research efforts, and you could legitimately wait for them to do their share and pitch your level of effort according to their level of engagement.

Usually opinions of non-publishing colleagues from teaching-oriented schools don't have any weight. How would they even meet folks from other schools?

[Kate]

Don't be manipulated into offering research opportunities. I'd be fairly blunt. Just say something like "I'm not quite sure what you can do for me. I think I have it covered."
Only do that in person. If its asked by email, probably easier not to answer. If requested in person, say what I suggested above. Of course if  you really wanted to be generous, you could find a way, but I don't mean to say that in a way to suggest you should do that or that I would (the only time I did this here in any way, I made it clear how I'd like to collaborate, and the person, as decent as they are in general, never really followed up with me, or at least hasn't yet, and I have asked on rare occasion over the years).

Or just go more subtle: "I am busy right now with other projects, so cannot start a new one."

[mamselle]

They're appealing to your ego.

Repel all boarders.

M.

[Golazo]

The optimal depends if they are are going to get tenure before you and if you end up needing to stay. Doing something that isn't a bit investment might be the best political move.

[the-tenure-track-prof]

Yes. You are right on. I`ve seen this person flipping for and against people time and time again, including myself, even when the work required is so easy because this person goes a great length to avoid work.

I eventually emailed that colleague and told them that I have a chronic cough which this colleague witnessed last semester and suggested that "because of that since s/he wants to toss some ideas, perhaps it would be safer to toss some ideas via emails?". I followed that by asking how you feel about that?. The ball is in their court. I have not heard back from that colleague. P.S: I indeed have a chronic cough.

They're appealing to your ego.

Repel all boarders.

M.

[the-tenure-track-prof]

An update: I just received a response from him/er about the alternative option of exchanging emails due to the chronic cough and the health and safety of this person, especially since this person has little children. The faculty said that they are fine meeting next week. The person did not even express feeling sorry for hearing about my chronic cough, nor any concern about how it may affect them, especially since they are parents of little kids. The faculty just provided an excellent opportunity to say that I will not be able to meet because of my health issues.

[Ruralguy]

The-Tenure-Track-Prof seems to have said, though not 100% clear, that the two faculty members pursuing collaboration are soon to be up for tenure. Perhaps I misinterpreted that. In any case, if that's so,  they may certainly be indebted to TTTP if he helps, but honestly, there's little lost if he does not...UNLESS,  all get tenure, and you all say, then they will see this as petty slight and probably not be particularly cooperative with TTTP when needed.

If you, TTTP, can live with that possibility, then you might as well just politely say you are busy, blah, blah and can't help.

[the-tenure-track-prof]

Well, few clarifications on details. Perhaps I was not clear on that. If I do not get an offer elsewhere, one of the two is a tenure track and up for review next year. The second faculty is a non-tenure faculty, doing doctorate studies and hoping to move to the tenure track in the future.
I plan to respond to the tenure track faculty stating that let`s start by exchanging emails for health concerns. Hopefully, my health gets better soon.....then to ask about their ideas that they wish to discuss?. The goal is not to shut the door completely, but also not to take the lead on anything.

The-Tenure-Track-Prof seems to have said, though not 100% clear, that the two faculty members pursuing collaboration are soon to be up for tenure. Perhaps I misinterpreted that. In any case, if that's so,  they may certainly be indebted to TTTP if he helps, but honestly, there's little lost if he does not...UNLESS,  all get tenure, and you all say, then they will see this as petty slight and probably not be particularly cooperative with TTTP when needed.

If you, TTTP, can live with that possibility, then you might as well just politely say you are busy, blah, blah and can't help.

[mleok]

Are these senior people or fellow assistants? In any case, it sounds like this collaboration will either amount to nothing or will require you to do most of the work and a lot of hand holding. I'd avoid it - just say you are tied up with other projects but will be happy to discuss later, when you get your head above water.

Well, one could say that you're focused on your sprint towards tenure, and don't have the bandwidth to include new collaborators at this point, but that you'll be open to new collaborations post-tenure.

[mleok]

Well, few clarifications on details. Perhaps I was not clear on that. If I do not get an offer elsewhere, one of the two is a tenure track and up for review next year. The second faculty is a non-tenure faculty, doing doctorate studies and hoping to move to the tenure track in the future.
I plan to respond to the tenure track faculty stating that let`s start by exchanging emails for health concerns. Hopefully, my health gets better soon.....then to ask about their ideas that they wish to discuss?. The goal is not to shut the door completely, but also not to take the lead on anything.

It sounds like neither of these two faculty will have any input on your tenure case, so I would just ignore them at this point and say you're focused on your tenure bid and have no additional bandwidth for new collaborations. I mean, you come across as incredibly naive of what matters in departmental politics, your colleague on the tenure-track is not going to get tenure, and the one on the non-tenure-track isn't going to get converted, so why are you even concerned about their opinion of you?