Professors' pastimes

While Tufts students typically spend their winter and summer breaks visiting exotic locations or working to earn much-needed money, few think about what their University counterparts -- their professors -- do when they are not teaching.

"I guess I always thought they either taught summer classes or went on vacation," senior Julie Jackson said. "They probably have beach houses or something."

Many professors do typically spend part of break relaxing and traveling with their families, but much of their time is spent at work doing research in their respective fields.

"Tufts is a research university," political science professor Jeffery Berry said. "You can't be here unless you are involved and active in your field."

The ways in which professors conduct this research varies greatly depending on the subject. For some, research consists of working at home and writing. Berry uses breaks to focus on unfinished projects and start new ones. He enjoys spending numerous hours in his study writing books and articles and may also collaborate with other political science professors at Tufts to produce publications during break.

For other professors, conducting research involves traveling to places both near and far from Tufts. Hilary Crane, a lecturer in the anthropology department, has traveled to Taiwan on numerous occasions to study Buddhist nuns. She also works closer to home, doing fieldwork in Boston where she studies Catholics with Celiac Disease.

Even those professors who travel still must report and write on their findings. During the shorter winter break, when there is less time, Crane will write articles based on her previously-finished field research.

While research is a major part of what professors do over break, part of this time must be spent preparing for classes. Many will often revise classes based on feedback from students and new findings in their field. Some professors advise students during the summer and even teach a few summer courses.

"I spend a lot of time mentoring students," said Christina Economos, who teaches at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. "Since the summer tends to be less hectic I can better help students find internships and interdisciplinary study opportunities."

Professors agreed that the flexibility in their work schedule is a great advantage. Instead of a more-standard, nine to five job, they know what they hope to accomplish and can work at their own pace until they are finished. The major advantage is that they can, to some extent, work around their personal lives.

"It's a challenge to balance family and academia, but it definitely is possible in this environment," Economos said. "Tufts is very supportive of families."

Professors also use their breaks as a time to catch up on things they may have been putting off, especially at the hectic end of the semester.

"We may neglect the simple things, like cleaning, during the end of the semester, like students do," Crane said. "Break is a good time to catch up,"

Although the temptation to relax and get away from work for longer than an average vacation will always exist, the professors at Tufts tend to be very self-motivated. They enjoy being experts in their fields and are anxious to make new findings.

"The real motivation comes from within," Berry said. "I'm lucky to have a job doing what I love."