The Professor of Practice role in academia is relatively new, possibly inspired by the Clinical Professor role in medical schools. It is a non-tenure track role, can be either full- or part-time, and emphasizes practical skills instead of theory. Given the practicality of starting and running new ventures, the Entrepreneurship Professor of Practice role can serve as a wonderful addition to a faculty focused on theoretical research.
Business schools across the world – and especially in the US – have actively recruited Professors of Practice in the last decade. This trend will only accelerate as students and stakeholders strive to align entrepreneurship theory and practice. Not only can such a person bring their practitioner insights to entrepreneurial education but she can also identify areas of research for PhD students and entrepreneurship scholars to pursue.
Given the professional expertise and experience that a Professor of Practice brings to the table, she is expected to participate in academic collaborations with industry and government. Moreover, the business school can benefit from her skills in handling large teams, access to international networks, and ability to nurture professional ecosystems.
Thus, the Entrepreneurship Professor of Practice is an ideal career path for an industry veteran with entrepreneurial skills and an inclination towards knowledge creation and dissemination.