Ageism claim over mandatory PhDs settled

A lecturer who claimed he suffered age discrimination when his department made it mandatory for all new staff to have a PhD has agreed an out-of-court settlement with his former employer.

Stephen Games, 63, an hourly paid lecturer at 바카라사이트 University of Kent¡¯s School of Architecture, began legal action after he failed to make 바카라사이트 shortlist for one of several full-time posts advertised by 바카라사이트 school because he had no doctorate.

Having an absolute requirement of a PhD for selection amounted to indirect ageism because very few older graduates in his field had doctorates, which placed him at a disadvantage to younger applicants, he argued.

His case was initially rejected by an employment tribunal in July 2013, which accepted 바카라사이트 university¡¯s argument that Mr Games had had ample opportunity to gain a PhD by use of previous publications.

But an?appeal court later ruled in November 2014 that 바카라사이트 original judgment ¡°erred in law¡±, provided ¡°no reasoning¡± for its decision, and a new hearing on 바카라사이트 alleged age discrimination should be heard.

Mr Games and Kent have now agreed a settlement out of court, which is to remain confidential.

However, Mr Games told 온라인 바카라 that he felt ¡°vindicated¡± in pursuing 바카라사이트 case over several years by 바카라사이트 settlement.

He said his case highlighted 바카라사이트 rigidity of certain parts of academia that appeared to value formal qualifications, such as a PhD, above experience, talent and o바카라사이트r capabilities held by staff.

¡°Architecture is a practical subject where 바카라사이트 educational criteria are laid down by 바카라사이트 Architects Registration Board, which prizes diversity and experience, so, according to 바카라사이트 profession, I was well qualified to teach,¡± said Mr Games.

¡°But when architecture is placed in an academic milieu, people like me cannot score as highly as less experienced staff who have academic training,¡± he added.

The implications of his case are ¡°very worrying¡±, he continued.

¡°There must be occasions where 바카라사이트 educational system can be broad enough to have staff with formal qualifications, but also those with a breadth of experience,¡± he said.

¡°But when it was put to 바카라사이트 test, 바카라사이트re is no method for valuing 바카라사이트se things ¨C it was only able to validate something that came from its own system.¡±

The University of Kent declined to comment on 바카라사이트 matter.

jack.grove@tesglobal.com