Is This My Place

Is This My Place, the sequel to In Strange Places continues the story of Susan Barron, a young academic struggling to start her career. It is 1978 and women psychologists are entering academe in increasing numbers, but the working climate continues to be dominated by men and the university policies they have created. Susan, having completed a transition from New York to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and James Douglas University, is beginning her fifth year as a faculty member in the JDU psychology department. Based on her academic performance, her department encourages her to seek tenure a year earlier than usual for most junior faculty. Susan reluctantly agrees, but knows tenure, if granted, will not alter her status as a department misfit. Susan's worst fears are confirmed when her tenure year is fraught with unwelcome pressures. A conversation with a disgruntled colleague causes her to distrust the department's motives for offering early tenure. The presence of a new department chairman, a department emergency, and a chance encounter with a former colleague fuel her anxiety. She becomes increasingly apprehensive as the protracted and secretive tenure application process drags on. Feeling overwhelmed, Susan secretly interviews for a faculty position in her dream department at another university. The academic year ends and her dream department, with its reputation for research excellence and its distinguished faculty, beckons her to join. Conflicted, Susan also sees the advantages of remaining in Victoria with job security and the promise of a new romance. As Susan struggles with her dilemma, she asks herself about Victoria and JDU, Is This My Place?

Clare Porac is a psychologist and Professor Emerita of Psychology and an Academy Professor at Penn State University. She is a dual citizen (Canada/USA) and has taught in universities in both countries. She has authored/coauthored textbooks, scientific monographs, and over two hundred scholarly articles and presentations. Her most recent books are Laterality: Exploring the Enigma of Left-handedness published in 2016 and In Strange Places, her first novel, published in 2021. Is This My Place, her second novel, is the sequel to In Strange Places. Her blog, In Your Hands, is found at sites.psu.edu/clarep. Clare Porac lives in Pittsburgh, PA.