My wife, the guest speaker

[acsumama]

Next semester, I'm teaching a geography class that has a section on #TOPIC. I'd like to have someone who deals with #TOPIC in the real world come in for a guest lecture in one class period. My wife happens to be a #TOPIC lawyer, so she would be suitable, except that I have a sense that it would be ethically dubious to have her as the speaker. Due

Comments

Anecdata

[bibliofilen]

The former head of the Swedish Academy (that chooses the Nobel price winner in literature) Horace Engdahl has a long-term deal with his wife, professor Ebba Witt Brattström, that he gives her students a lecture or two and she dresses up and joins him for the Nobel festivities.

[max_ambiguity]

I would hope a spouse would be more understanding that you want to avoid the appearance of impropriety, but it's not actually a problem to have her speak. Some students might interpret it as a biased choice of speaker on your part (if they are aware she is your wife), but that's their problem. As long as she is an expert in the field, she's an appropriate guest speaker.

I suppose if your wife guest spoke three or four times a year people might question why. But then, "people" should come hear her speak to find out why - maybe she's just that good.

[starrbear]

the fact that it isn't really a big deal is probably why she might be offended- from the possible wife point of view.

[max_ambiguity]

And nevertheless I would hope that my spouse would understand why I might want to avoid any hint of impropriety (in this or any other situation) and not be offended.

[dreadpirateange]

Oh, also, if for some reason, this guest gig would offer her a significant career advantage then maybe it would be questionable.

[knut_hamson]

Not unethical.

[sensaes]

If you're really worried about it, and you have no logical reason to be, disguise your wife as someone else and call her by a different name - no one will be any the wiser. Problem solved.