I am a junior faculty and there is a faculty chairperson of research/scholar in our department who's much older and has been there for almost 25 years. She makes it seem as if I should consult her every time that I'm engaging in any sort of research. She seems a bit offended(?) if I don't discuss with her in detail my research plan.

Do you think it's necessary that I ask her EVERY time that I engage in new research, including collaborating with other faculty, choosing a research topic, etc.? OR should I just consult with her if I have questions?

I told her today that I was collaborating with a faculty outside our department who has slightly different research interests. She got a bit upset and told me to be careful to protect my data and acted suspicious that a senior associate faculty would want to work with me.

She keeps saying that since she has a lot of years of experience and I am a junior faculty, she basically knows better than me and I should take her advice.

Or do you think she's trying to assert her dominance and keep me in line since I've only been working there for a little over a year and didn't discuss my research plans with her ahead of time? Honestly, she does not seem positively supportive of me although she SAYS she is acting in my best interest.

I have 3 manuscripts being reviewed but nothing published yet. By the way, I work quite efficiently and fast unlike some people in my department and she says I'm moving fast and may not be able to handle it all.