Inside Higher Ed
reports on an idea by Robert Zemsky, who suggests that adjuncts could incorporate and offer their teaching services as groups. I am not sure if this is feasible, but I think he is ignoring the possibility already pursued by online "adjuncts" to incorporate themsleves as individuals. This trend is based described in a great book with the somewhat revolting title:
Make Money Teaching Online, and even worse sub-title: "
How to Land Your First Academic Job, Build Credibility, and Earn a Six-Figure Salary". Despite the off-putting titles, the book is an excellent one, and it describes the realities of being a professional online instructor who makes a living doing what he or she enjoys doing, which is teaching and intellectually engaging with students. It discusses a lot of practical issues, including moral and ethical issues, in a balanced and responsible way. I believe it describes an alternative version of what Zemsky is talking about, a version which is a reality for a growing number of professionals in the US, and is likely to spread beyond the geographical boundries of the US soon.
My favorite part of the book is that it refuses to see those in adjunct positions as victims of the system, but rather presents the new opportunities this adjunct status opens to professionals. It is an opportunity not to put all their eggs in one basket but rather work with a few institutions; It is an opportunity to reach the work-life balance which is right for them at every point in time; and, yes, it is also an opportunity to make as much money, and even more money, than tenured colleagues. Online instructors are knowledge workers, and as such, have the least to fear from the move away from the traditional structures (for example see this academic paper).
