Public research universities continue to be challenged on a number of fronts--declining state revenues, increasing enrollment, calls for accountability and transparency from the public, and increasing scrutiny by governing boards. In addition, the composition of faculty at public research universities is changing. Understanding the impact that these changes have on how public research universities function at both an organizational level and individual level is of critical importance if public research universities are to adapt and thrive. This dissertation focuses on the study of faculty roles and governance in public research universities. It considers the impact of both fiscal pressures and stress caused by the external environment as well as the influence of internal and external stakeholders on how public research universities are adapting institutionally--from a governance perspective, and individually--from a role perspective. It considers the structures, processes, and role demands that impact academic governance utilizing organizational theory, higher education governance theory, and role theory. It considers the critical importance of the organizational context of the public research university vis-à-vis society focusing on key aspects of the university as an organization and the importance of dimensionality of role. Six hypotheses will be tested using two data sets. Data from the Integrated Post- Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS) of the National Center for Education Statistics for the period between 1987 and 2007 will be utilized to identify trends regarding faculty hiring (tenure system, non-tenure system, and part-time). A second data set from the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA's Cooperative Institutional Research Program for the period between 1989 and 2004 will be used to identify trends regarding faculty roles, stress, and satisfaction. Based on the empirical findings, a discussion of the implications for public research universities related to these changes will follow, including evolving structures, processes, and roles in governance. Future research will be proposed that is aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between the role of the institution in society and the role of the individual within public research universities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]