Navigating the Trap
The solution is not to abandon public work, but to sequence it strategically:
- The "Double Dip": Write the academic paper first (for tenure), then translate it into an op-ed (for impact).
- The "Impact Case": Document every public citation (e.g., "Cited in Congressional Record"). Modern universities are increasingly valuing "demonstrated impact."
- Post-Tenure Freedom: Once tenure is secured, the scholar has a moral obligation to pivot toward public intellectual work, using their job security to speak truth to power.
Why It Matters
If only tenured (older) professors speak to the public, the field loses the energy and innovative ideas of younger scholars. We must work to change tenure codes to recognize Public Intellectualism as rigorous work.
Field Notes
The "Popularizer" Stigma: Be warned: some traditional colleagues will view public writing as "dumbing down" or "seeking fame." Ignore them. Your duty is to the digital record, not to their gatekeeping.