Class still a barrier to success in academia, survey finds
University and College Union members state that social class has hindered their careers and prevents other from entering the academy
Is academia becoming a ‘genteel hobby’ once more, rather than a way to make a living? That is the concern of one respondent to the first University and College Union (UCU) survey on social class in post-16 education. While some from working-class backgrounds may be put off entering the sector by low pay and job insecurity, the survey finds that many of those that do work there feel they have been denied job opportunities and had their careers limited because of their background.
The survey involved around 4000 UCU members working in adult, further, higher and prison education. Around half of respondents described their background as working-class; the national average is 60%. From this group, 54% said that working-class staff face barriers in relation to recruitment at their institution; and 42% respondents from a non-working-class agreed. Over half (53%) of all respondents and 61% from a working-class background felt that a working-class background hindered career progression. The report also found that staff who are already at the greatest risk of being discriminated against, such as disabled, black, LGBTQ+ and female staff are also more likely to face class-based discrimination.