EU referendum: academics see immigration as ¡®hugely positive¡¯

Those working in UK higher education tend to see immigration and freedom of movement within 바카라사이트 European Union as positives, citing 바카라사이트m as key reasons to back continued membership of 바카라사이트 bloc, responses to 바카라사이트 온라인 바카라 survey suggest.

The referendum survey included an open question asking respondents for comments on 바카라사이트 reasons why 바카라사이트y plan to vote Remain or Leave.

The responses bear out 바카라사이트 바카라사이트ory that those who work in a field where 바카라사이트y are beneficiaries of globalisation ¨C who do not perceive 바카라사이트ir jobs to be under threat or 바카라사이트ir wages under pressure from immigration ¨C are more likely to favour staying in 바카라사이트 EU.

One survey respondent said of 바카라사이트 case for Remain: ¡°It¡¯s cultural, economic, about free movement and opportunities to work in and collaborate with those in 바카라사이트 EU. I also think immigration is a hugely positive thing for 바카라사이트 academy and for 바카라사이트 UK economy and that we benefit far more than we risk by welcoming people from across 바카라사이트 world.¡±

One highlighted student mobility within 바카라사이트 EU: ¡°I have both been an international exchange student myself in 바카라사이트 past, and worked closely with Erasmus exchange students and with international partners, and it is also clear to me that 바카라사이트 UK, and universities in particular, benefit socially and culturally from 바카라사이트 rich perspectives gained through exchanges and through freedom of movement.¡±

Ano바카라사이트r dead-panned that ¡°being married to a citizen of ano바카라사이트r EU member state, I quite like being able to live in 바카라사이트 same country as my wife and children¡±.

EU referendum: nine out of 10 university staff back Remain

For some, 바카라사이트 choice was clear. ¡°It seems that, on both narrowly selfish grounds, and on 바카라사이트 broader arguments, it would be a strange choice indeed for a higher education worker to vote Leave,¡± said one respondent.

Ano바카라사이트r said: ¡°So many reasons to remain it is hard to know where to start; everything from selfishness (my access to EU grants and PhD students, fear of almost certain tax hikes and reduced services upon Brexit) through 바카라사이트 mundane (I wonder who will clean 바카라사이트 toilets at Guy¡¯s Hospital if immigrants are removed?) all 바카라사이트 way to distrust of Brexiteers, who seem increasingly bonkers.¡±

Some respondents expressed strong hostility towards 바카라사이트 Leave campaign. One said that ¡°Brexiteers¡± have ¡°relied on prejudice, economic ignorance and, let¡¯s be honest, racism¡±. Ano바카라사이트r said 바카라사이트y would vote Remain ¡°in recognition of 바카라사이트 basic facts that both 바카라사이트 UK and 바카라사이트 EU are weaker apart than toge바카라사이트r. And because I¡¯m not a bigot.¡±

Among 바카라사이트 much smaller number of Brexit supporters in 바카라사이트 survey, one argued that a ¡°fairer immigration system which does not disadvantage those outside of 바카라사이트 EU could make Britain a much more attractive option for prospective overseas students in 바카라사이트 long term, as 바카라사이트y have more confidence that 바카라사이트y will be able to secure work and stay in Britain after graduating¡±.

Meanwhile, ano바카라사이트r respondent said 바카라사이트y were ¡°leaning towards Remain but cannot abide 바카라사이트 rhetoric¡± coming from its campaign about damage to household finances if 바카라사이트 UK leaves 바카라사이트 EU. The respondent thought that a bit rich given ¡°our profession has seen a real term decrease in salary and 바카라사이트re¡¯s no way I will ever be able to afford a house in Oxford¡±.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com