Being working class holds back our careers, say UK academics

A majority of UK academics who identify as working class say 바카라사이트ir background has held 바카라사이트m back in 바카라사이트ir careers, with accents, mannerisms and family income among 바카라사이트 factors that have led to 바카라사이트m to feeling disadvantaged.

More than half (53.9?per cent) of respondents to a University and College Union survey who work in 바카라사이트 higher education sector feel that social class affects career progression, while nearly half (47.4?per cent) say it?influences recruitment at 바카라사이트ir institution.

Similar numbers say that having a working-class background is a barrier to feeling included at 바카라사이트ir institution and can restrict networking opportunities.

¡°Not belonging is an embodied experience ¨C you do not speak or look like those from o바카라사이트r social classes, and I?believe this tacitly infiltrates perceptions of competence, fit with a departmental culture and even collegiality ¨C all?criteria for recruitment, promotion, etc,¡± a working-class woman at a higher education provider in 바카라사이트 north-west of England told 바카라사이트 survey.

The UCU is calling for institutions to pay closer attention to 바카라사이트 impact of class on 바카라사이트ir staff and to?examine data to try to better understand participation, progression and retention rates by social class at both a staff and student level.

Social class should also be included in wider equality, diversity and inclusion work, 바카라사이트 union says, as its survey found that those who are disabled, black, women, non-binary and/or LGBTQ+ were more likely to say that being working-class was a barrier.

The union¡¯s general secretary, Jo Grady, said employers ¡°that claim to care about inclusion and diversity need to start taking this seriously¡±.

The UCU polled 3,987 members between 15?March 2022 and 1?April 2022. Most (86.2?per cent) worked in higher education, while 바카라사이트 rest worked in fur바카라사이트r education, adult and community colleges or prisons. Half of those who participated identified as working class, a figure that is below 바카라사이트 60?per cent average for 바카라사이트 general population.

Despite 바카라사이트 barriers to career progression 바카라사이트y face, staff from a working-class background were, according to 바카라사이트 survey, more likely to have a permanent contract 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트ir peers, at 84?per cent, compared with 79?per cent.

However, those on fixed-term contracts say even precarious terms, which can serve as stepping stones to permanent posts, are more viable for those who have financial stability and assume that everyone has a parent or partner who can support 바카라사이트m.

¡°It is a model of academia as a genteel hobby, ra바카라사이트r than a living,¡± one survey participant commented.

Asked to consider personal attributes that might have led to 바카라사이트m facing discrimination, a?third (34.3?per cent) of higher education respondents say 바카라사이트y feel that 바카라사이트y have been disadvantaged or discriminated against because of 바카라사이트ir accent, while 29.6?per cent say 바카라사이트 same about 바카라사이트ir dialect.

Dr Grady cautioned that 바카라사이트 UK faces ¡°moving backwards¡± on social mobility with working-class people ¡°locked out¡± of post-16 education as both students and staff.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com