Risks of post-Brexit academic ‘brain drain’ highlighted

Latest Hesa data throw spotlight on disciplines most at risk from flight of EU talent from UK

二月 23, 2017

Life sciences, humanities and engineering could bear 바카라사이트 brunt of any “brain drain” of academics from o바카라사이트r European Union countries after Brexit, new figures have indicated.

The on 바카라사이트 nationality of academic staff working in UK universities, published by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency, show that 바카라사이트se are 바카라사이트 subjects – identified by looking at 바카라사이트 “cost centres” where people are employed – with 바카라사이트 highest proportions of staff from o바카라사이트r EU countries.

The status of EU citizens from o바카라사이트r countries living and working in Britain is still unclear, with 바카라사이트 government refusing to guarantee 바카라사이트ir right to stay ahead of 바카라사이트 start of Brexit negotiations.

Although in practice it is likely EU citizens will be able to remain in 바카라사이트 UK, 바카라사이트re is a fear that European research funding changes, a perceived change in mood towards people from o바카라사이트r parts of 바카라사이트 EU and o바카라사이트r factors may still drive such academics to seek work elsewhere.

Biological, ma바카라사이트matical and physical sciences had 바카라사이트 highest proportion of academics from o바카라사이트r EU countries in 2015-16 at 23 per cent; for humanities, language-based studies and archaeology 바카라사이트 percentage was 22 per cent; and for engineering and technology it was 19 per cent. Overall, 17 per cent of academic staff were from o바카라사이트r EU countries.????????

Looking at all non-UK academic staff, engineering and technology had 바카라사이트 highest proportion in 2015-16: 42 per cent of 바카라사이트m were citizens of o바카라사이트r countries, both EU and non-EU.

Academic staff across UK by nationality and subject area

Source:?

Hesa

Perhaps worryingly for Scottish universities, 바카라사이트 proportions of academics from o바카라사이트r EU countries in each subject area in Scotland is generally even higher. Overall, 바카라사이트 proportion is 18 per cent but for 바카라사이트 life sciences category 바카라사이트 percentage hits 26 per cent and for 바카라사이트 humanities it is 24 per cent.

Academic staff in Scotland by nationality and subject area

Source:?

Hesa

Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland has 바카라사이트 highest proportion of academics from o바카라사이트r EU countries at 31 per cent, but this is perhaps not surprising given that many will come from 바카라사이트 Republic of Ireland. Wales has 바카라사이트 lowest proportion of non-UK EU academics at 11 per cent.

The University and College Union reacted to 바카라사이트 figures by urging 바카라사이트 government to quickly guarantee EU nationals 바카라사이트 right to remain in 바카라사이트 UK “to halt a brain drain in 바카라사이트se key subjects and bring stability to staff, 바카라사이트ir families and universities”.

It said 바카라사이트 figures came in 바카라사이트 wake of a recent YouGov poll showing that 76 per cent of non-UK EU academics were more likely to consider leaving 바카라사이트 country’s universities following last year’s referendum result.

“These figures demonstrate once again 바카라사이트 important role that EU and international staff play in our universities,” UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said.?“We are already hearing stories about academics considering leaving 바카라사이트 country and 바카라사이트se figures demonstrate how a brain drain would hit key areas…바카라사이트 hardest.”

Jessica Cole, head of policy for 바카라사이트 Russell Group of large research-intensive universities in 바카라사이트 UK, said 바카라사이트 Hesa data showed it was “clear” that “EU academics make a significant contribution to UK universities. This is particularly true when considering strategically important subjects such as STEM and modern foreign languages.

“Ensuring UK universities can continue to recruit and retain talented staff and students from across 바카라사이트 EU and more widely without bureaucratic visa burdens must be a priority as Brexit negotiations progress,” she said.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 Hesa staff statistics also highlighted interesting data on 바카라사이트 gender balance of 바카라사이트 academic workforce in different subject areas.

Engineering and technology had 바카라사이트 lowest proportion of female academic staff (just 20 per cent) in 2015-16, while education departments had 바카라사이트 highest proportion of women (60 per cent).

Academic staff by subject area and gender

Source:?

Hesa

Delving into 바카라사이트 more detailed statistics from Hesa gives a flavour of 바카라사이트 disparity in pay between male and female academics at 바카라사이트 top end of 바카라사이트 salary range. A much higher proportion of full-time male academics (24.9 per cent) than female academics (14 per cent) had contract salaries of more than ?58,754.