Margaret Sallee

Margaret Sallee’s research focuses on the work culture of universities, examining the professional environment for faculty members on college campuses as well as the graduate student experience.

She studies how gender and other social identities operate within the culture of higher education, and how men and women have different experiences, both within the professoriate and in graduate school.

At the organizational level, she considers how the practices of various departments and the university as a whole produce a culture that privileges one gender over others. She frequently considers how individual experiences are shaped by the culture and practices of the institution.

Sallee is also interested in the ways in which faculty, staff and students navigate the demands of work and family, or other life obligations, and the role that the university plays in supporting people’s efforts.

Her book, “Faculty Fathers: Toward A New Ideal in the Research University” (SUNY Press, 2014), explored the challenges that fathers — from assistant professors to endowed chairs — face in finding a work/life balance. She also is editor of the book, "Creating Sustainable Careers in Student Affairs: What Ideal Worker Norms Get Wrong and How to Make It Right" (Stylus Publishing, 2020), which considers how the field of student affairs — and by extension much of the structure and culture of universities — needs to be transformed to better retain and support employees.

Margaret Sallee, PhD
Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy
University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education

• 716-645-1091
• mwsallee@buffalo.edu
• Margaret Sallee’s website