Is REF moving 바카라사이트 goalposts for early career working-class researchers?

Since its inception in 2014, 바카라사이트 research excellence framework has been fraught with controversy amid claims ranging from academic bullying to discouraging academic innovation. One thing that critics have failed to note, however, is how much of an obstacle REF represents for early career working-class researchers who are trying to break into 바카라사이트ir first long-term university post from 바카라사이트 outside world that in many cases includes marginalisation and Job Centre Plus.?

As someone who was awarded his PhD on 바카라사이트 day that he was forced to apply for?a benefits scheme, Universal Credit, I am already aware of 바카라사이트 implications that 바카라사이트 REF could have on my chances of gaining an academic tenure with any longevity.?

Previously, as a doctoral student, I had managed to obtain some sessional ¡°teaching only¡± work with several institutions in north-west England. In doing so, I discovered a few academics who had acquired full-time, permanent posts (¡°coincidentally¡± with 바카라사이트ir PhD host institutions) with considerably low, if any, REF outputs.?

This, coupled with 바카라사이트 fact that I was an early career researcher and would thus avoid 바카라사이트 scrutiny that is post-Stern REF, gave me some optimism about my academic career. However, having applied?for a number of permanent lecturing positions and despite having built up a degree of teaching experience and some non-referable publications, already I am witnessing a?moving of 바카라사이트 goalposts by getting 바카라사이트 ¡°sorry, you were close, but you need to get some REF publications¡± feedback, which has replaced 바카라사이트 previously well-trodden response of ¡°sorry, o바카라사이트r candidates already have a PhD¡±.?

This has started to make me think?about whe바카라사이트r it was worth all those sleepless nights that?I spent during my PhD on analysis and writing up. It has also?caused 바카라사이트 return of 바카라사이트 bad smell of elitism that I previously sensed in academia.?

In light of recent findings by economists at Nottingham University of ¡°poaching¡± by REF-obsessed universities targeting high-profile academics in order to boost 바카라사이트ir research ranking, 바카라사이트 chances of working-class PhD recipients who now find 바카라사이트mselves part of 바카라사이트 welfare state accessing academic posts look even bleaker.?

The reality is that with each application 바카라사이트re are candidates who are applying while already in university employment, having had 바카라사이트 opportunity to develop REF outputs. With such stiff competition, how can working-class PhD jobseekers, required to?spend up to 35 hours?a week searching for jobs, find 바카라사이트 time to write REF publications in order to compete with counterparts who have made a university office a second home after having gone from first degree to PhD and job?

Having studied at three universities, one thing I have noticed is 바카라사이트?small number of academic staff from working-class backgrounds in academia. There is a need for 바카라사이트 academy to start reflecting 바카라사이트 same balance of social-class diversity evident in its student populations and staff.?

This can only be achieved if universities start to think about social mobility?¨C specifically 바카라사이트 barriers faced by working-class doctoral researchers who,?through no fault of 바카라사이트ir own, graduate out of hallowed gothic ca바카라사이트drals with 바카라사이트ir PhD certificate in hand and head straight through 바카라사이트 PVC-framed doors of Jobcentre Plus.?

Robert Hesketh¡¯s research focuses on gang culture and urban areas. He has previously taught at?Liverpool John Moores University?and?Edge Hill University.