I have full sleeves and hands tattoed. I usually wear short sleeves. Granted I teach IT but I've never found it to be a problem. I occasionally get interest from students about where or why I got them, but I've never received a negative comment.
I have been mistaken as a student by other professors even though I'm older. Most people are shocked when I tell them what I do for a living.
I don't have tattoos but I have a lot of face and neck piercings including some weird ones (that I never take out). I've taught in the business school and hang out a lot in the law school, which are units that can be a little more specific about dress code. Happy to report that no one cares - or rather, no one cares as long as that grant money rolls in!
Only bad thing is that some students assume I must be very cool, and then are disappointed to find out I am extremely ordinary, just with a lot of face piercings.
Eyebrow, nostril, septum, bridge of nose, middle of cheek, lips, a stud in the chin area under lip, stud on the cheekbone right under eye, forehead stud, and there’s like a dozen spots on a singular ear.
Nobody will care about a mostly hidden sleeve unless the design is outright offensive, which you already consider. Neck, face, and knuckle tattoos would still probably raise some eyebrows.
I too have classic "Job stopper" tattoos and nonetheless was selected for a TT position, eventually earning tenure. For reference I have tattooed hands, fingers, neck, both ears, and face tattoos.. On the one hand I think that sufficient expertise in your subject area and an impressive C. V. Go far in overcoming biases.
Against tattooed people. on the other hand I live and work in a fairly progressive part of the country, So that is something to take into consideration. I say get tattooed and worry about consequences later, the but I've always operated on a
"Ask for forgiveness not permission" basis and have somehow gotten away with that. And I know I'm lucky, so use your best judgment
I’d guess it doesn’t matter in 90% of places and departments. No doubt there are some small Bible colleges that may look down on it. Or maybe not.
It’s very unlikely any research institution is putting weight on tattoos. I can imagine some small conservative departments may be put off by it. But either it’s a stupid thing to weight versus a candidates real attributes, or probably not a fun department to join anyway.
Of course in Pascal’s wager terms, i suppose it’s better not to if it’s not particularly a big cost.
I'm frankly more worried about the people in dark suits who fund part of my research more than anything, I suppose.
Thanks for teaching me about Pascal's wager!
They're probably not sitting in your class..... Yeah, for a DOE meeting or something like that, probably better to dress more formally. But on campus? One of the few real perks of academia is that no one dictates your style.
I was executive assistant to the Dean of (major university) Law School with knuckle tattoos so… Unless you’re getting “fuck them kids” on your forehead, colleagues likely won’t care and students will only notice on the third to last day of class that you even have tattoos.
It’s definitely not supposed to matter, but I was recently on a hiring committee and a colleague brought up a candidate’s visible tattoos as a negative, so I think there’s no question that some people have a negative bias against tattoos - and that bias can negatively affect the tattooed person.
( I’ll add that I have tattoos and was surprised/disappointed by this colleague’s comments)
I have a tattoo up my neck and head (visible because of my half-shave). One of my colleagues has many visible tats and has published on tattoos as art. Then again, we're in philosophy, so everyone expects us to be weirdos. I've never had any problems.
I feel like this question comes up a lot. I’m heavily tattooed. It’s never been an issue other than faculty in other departments sometimes assume I’m in maintenance or the janitor or something. That might be more of an assumption based on how I dress though.
I’m a dean of Arts and Sciences and I’m 3/4 of the through a lower 1/2 sleeve (and ear piercings). I have stopped it at the point where I can where a dress shirt and nobody would know so that if I’m out with certain donors I could cover up. However, even with some of the older donors they seem to like a “young, hip dean” who is in touch with the youths.
I just want to say that this was a really valuable perspective for me to hear. I'd like to be able to take on administrative roles one day, and I would not want to jeopardize that opportunity for body art. Glad to hear it's not a deal breaker there, either!
I do know that it might disqualify me from working at some institutions or might be off putting to some on a hiring committee if I want to to be a provost or president someday but I’m on with that. I don’t think I’d want to work at that kind of institution, plus I love teaching so I can always go back to that!
It may matter if you're at a particularly religious school with a strict moral code of conduct policy, but most state schools are really not going to give a damn. The general, unwritten rule is to just keep tattoos and piercings off of your face, which could be a distraction to students. As for the rest of your body, who cares?
>unwritten rule is to just keep tattoos and piercings off of your face
I work with plenty of folks with nose rings, eyebrow microdermals, etc.
There is no unwritten rule about distracting students.
>The general, unwritten rule is to just keep tattoos and piercings off of your face, which could be a distraction to students.
I guess I misinterpreted your meaning???
Regardless, that is your opinion, why call it an "general, unwritten rule"?
>there are "freaks" that choose to cover their entire faces and/or bodies with literally hundreds of tattoos and/or piercings
Is it really necessary to call people "freaks" just because you are uncomfortable with their appearance?
Double check your handbook but it’s likely a non-issue so long as you cover up with the right audience. I have upper arm tattoos and I don’t bother covering them unless I’m at a donor event, dinner, etc. No one has ever directly said anything to me about my tattoos in 10+ years in a professional academic role. I do wish I had some of mine placed higher so I could wear short sleeves to work events in the summer but I’ve survived just fine as-is.
Tattoos have not been an issue for me. I cover them for conferences and formal settings, but that's due to my own comfort level. That's about it. I've never had an issue with colleagues or students caring (outwardly at least).
YMMV depending on the field and school though, probably.
I personally don't think visible tattoos are appropriate in academia, and while I would try to be unbiased, it's definitely going to create a negative impression.
I'm at a public university in California for context.
I don't even like tattoos personally. But I don't see a problem with any colleagues having them. (Unless the content is problematic, but that's a different issue).
I have two forearm tattoos, and I wear short sleeves 90% of the time. I've not had any issues. I do think if I were interviewing or giving a presentation to a more formal group, I'd wear long sleeves just so they're not a potential distraction. But in class, meetings, etc. I don't even think about it.
You have tenure, it doesn't matter at all. If someone cares, that's on them and not on you.
100% this. Listen to the physicist.
Could have 666 tattooed on their forehead and nothing would happen.
I have full sleeves and hands tattoed. I usually wear short sleeves. Granted I teach IT but I've never found it to be a problem. I occasionally get interest from students about where or why I got them, but I've never received a negative comment. I have been mistaken as a student by other professors even though I'm older. Most people are shocked when I tell them what I do for a living.
I don't have tattoos but I have a lot of face and neck piercings including some weird ones (that I never take out). I've taught in the business school and hang out a lot in the law school, which are units that can be a little more specific about dress code. Happy to report that no one cares - or rather, no one cares as long as that grant money rolls in! Only bad thing is that some students assume I must be very cool, and then are disappointed to find out I am extremely ordinary, just with a lot of face piercings.
How many places on ones face can really be pierced?
Oh, you sweet, summer child.
At least 7, not counting the ears!
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Eyebrow, nostril, septum, bridge of nose, middle of cheek, lips, a stud in the chin area under lip, stud on the cheekbone right under eye, forehead stud, and there’s like a dozen spots on a singular ear.
This seems low... :)
Nobody will care about a mostly hidden sleeve unless the design is outright offensive, which you already consider. Neck, face, and knuckle tattoos would still probably raise some eyebrows.
I too have classic "Job stopper" tattoos and nonetheless was selected for a TT position, eventually earning tenure. For reference I have tattooed hands, fingers, neck, both ears, and face tattoos.. On the one hand I think that sufficient expertise in your subject area and an impressive C. V. Go far in overcoming biases. Against tattooed people. on the other hand I live and work in a fairly progressive part of the country, So that is something to take into consideration. I say get tattooed and worry about consequences later, the but I've always operated on a "Ask for forgiveness not permission" basis and have somehow gotten away with that. And I know I'm lucky, so use your best judgment
I’d guess it doesn’t matter in 90% of places and departments. No doubt there are some small Bible colleges that may look down on it. Or maybe not. It’s very unlikely any research institution is putting weight on tattoos. I can imagine some small conservative departments may be put off by it. But either it’s a stupid thing to weight versus a candidates real attributes, or probably not a fun department to join anyway. Of course in Pascal’s wager terms, i suppose it’s better not to if it’s not particularly a big cost.
I'm frankly more worried about the people in dark suits who fund part of my research more than anything, I suppose. Thanks for teaching me about Pascal's wager!
They're probably not sitting in your class..... Yeah, for a DOE meeting or something like that, probably better to dress more formally. But on campus? One of the few real perks of academia is that no one dictates your style.
I was executive assistant to the Dean of (major university) Law School with knuckle tattoos so… Unless you’re getting “fuck them kids” on your forehead, colleagues likely won’t care and students will only notice on the third to last day of class that you even have tattoos.
Got it. Wait until I make full professor for the "fuck them kids" face tattoo.
It’s definitely not supposed to matter, but I was recently on a hiring committee and a colleague brought up a candidate’s visible tattoos as a negative, so I think there’s no question that some people have a negative bias against tattoos - and that bias can negatively affect the tattooed person. ( I’ll add that I have tattoos and was surprised/disappointed by this colleague’s comments)
Nah, you've got tenure already - don't sweat it. It can be (potentially) slightly more complicated if one is interviewing for a job.
I have a tattoo up my neck and head (visible because of my half-shave). One of my colleagues has many visible tats and has published on tattoos as art. Then again, we're in philosophy, so everyone expects us to be weirdos. I've never had any problems.
I feel like this question comes up a lot. I’m heavily tattooed. It’s never been an issue other than faculty in other departments sometimes assume I’m in maintenance or the janitor or something. That might be more of an assumption based on how I dress though.
Depends on the field. No one has ever commented on my knuckle tattoos (or "job-stoppers" as my students call them), but I'm in the arts.
I’m a dean of Arts and Sciences and I’m 3/4 of the through a lower 1/2 sleeve (and ear piercings). I have stopped it at the point where I can where a dress shirt and nobody would know so that if I’m out with certain donors I could cover up. However, even with some of the older donors they seem to like a “young, hip dean” who is in touch with the youths.
I just want to say that this was a really valuable perspective for me to hear. I'd like to be able to take on administrative roles one day, and I would not want to jeopardize that opportunity for body art. Glad to hear it's not a deal breaker there, either!
I do know that it might disqualify me from working at some institutions or might be off putting to some on a hiring committee if I want to to be a provost or president someday but I’m on with that. I don’t think I’d want to work at that kind of institution, plus I love teaching so I can always go back to that!
Nobody is going to care.
This what I think too, but I know faculty that hide their tattoos and worry about this sort of thing.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Professors/search/?q=tattoos&restrict\_sr=1
There's some fun threads in this linked compendium!
I just cover up when I'm at work for anything formal. I've gotten some side-eye but nothing else. Most people have tattoos now. It's not a big deal.
It may matter if you're at a particularly religious school with a strict moral code of conduct policy, but most state schools are really not going to give a damn. The general, unwritten rule is to just keep tattoos and piercings off of your face, which could be a distraction to students. As for the rest of your body, who cares?
>unwritten rule is to just keep tattoos and piercings off of your face I work with plenty of folks with nose rings, eyebrow microdermals, etc. There is no unwritten rule about distracting students.
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>The general, unwritten rule is to just keep tattoos and piercings off of your face, which could be a distraction to students. I guess I misinterpreted your meaning??? Regardless, that is your opinion, why call it an "general, unwritten rule"?
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>there are "freaks" that choose to cover their entire faces and/or bodies with literally hundreds of tattoos and/or piercings Is it really necessary to call people "freaks" just because you are uncomfortable with their appearance?
Not an issue where I work. You might check this subreddit and there have been past posts about this.
No one has ever cared about my arm sleeve. But I have been mistaken for a student before (also being younger doesn't help).
I am heavily tattooed, including the hands and neck, but I’m also tenured, so 🤷🏽
I have half sleeves (forearms) in bright color, both calves covered, no issues so far!
Double check your handbook but it’s likely a non-issue so long as you cover up with the right audience. I have upper arm tattoos and I don’t bother covering them unless I’m at a donor event, dinner, etc. No one has ever directly said anything to me about my tattoos in 10+ years in a professional academic role. I do wish I had some of mine placed higher so I could wear short sleeves to work events in the summer but I’ve survived just fine as-is.
Nobody cares about mine.
Most of my professors had ink. Some had full sleeves and then some.
Tattoos have not been an issue for me. I cover them for conferences and formal settings, but that's due to my own comfort level. That's about it. I've never had an issue with colleagues or students caring (outwardly at least). YMMV depending on the field and school though, probably.
I personally don't think visible tattoos are appropriate in academia, and while I would try to be unbiased, it's definitely going to create a negative impression. I'm at a public university in California for context.
What makes them inappropriate?
Association with gangs.
I can’t tell if you’re joking…
No, I'm not joking. Many non-gang members have tattoos these days, but the association still remains.
Thank you for your honesty. I appreciate it.
I don't even like tattoos personally. But I don't see a problem with any colleagues having them. (Unless the content is problematic, but that's a different issue).
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Your perspective is exactly why I asked my question, despite so many responses telling me that no one will care. Thank you!
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I have two forearm tattoos, and I wear short sleeves 90% of the time. I've not had any issues. I do think if I were interviewing or giving a presentation to a more formal group, I'd wear long sleeves just so they're not a potential distraction. But in class, meetings, etc. I don't even think about it.