According to a report on the early career in academia, only a third (33%) of black academics believe that their workplace is inclusive.
The report, produced by the Society of Black Academics (SBA), the Higher Education Policy Institute(HEPI), and the public sector search specialist GatenbySanderson found that only 34% of Black Academics felt inclusive in their workplace, and that 32% did not feel they were paid fairly for the role.
38%) of respondents thought that they received adequate support to maintain their mental and physical health.
Researchers examined the challenges faced by black academics at an early stage of their career. The researchers examined the effectiveness of different initiatives, programmes and suggestions put in place to address these challenges.
The researchers interviewed 100 early-career black academics in Britain, along with 24 university staff members who were involved in initiatives to support black academics.
45% of respondents said that they felt they couldn’t be themselves at work despite 68% saying they have good relationships with colleagues.
49 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with their job. Researchers felt that perceptions about pay gaps could be addressed to improve this. Many respondents said they felt unconscious bias in the workplace and that there was no clarity about career advancement.
Ninety-one percent of academics surveyed agreed that they face challenges at work, while only 10% disagreed.
The report’s project manager, Dr Mercy Denedo of Durham University Business School, said that “despite the multitude of initiatives adopted by institutions in higher education, it is clear that black academics feel like they are flying blind”, without any support and conspicuous, but invisible when it comes to promotion, pay and opportunities.
The most effective way to increase inclusivity was to train staff, along with initiatives to “decolonise” aspects of curriculum and research. A third of universities are home to black staff networks that support positive change.
The report makes a number recommendations to universities on how to improve their inclusivity and support of black academics. These include access to more open-source data about diversity, strengthening support networks, as well as increased opportunities for mentoring and sponsorship.
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