Press Release

Embargo: not for publication or broadcast before 00.01am, Friday 18 June

Report highlights need for action on ethnic equality in higher education

A new study published today for the leading organisations in UK higher education reveals that ethnic minorities are disadvantaged in the academic labour force.

The study, Ethnicity and Employment in Higher Education, is the first major research project to look at ethnicity in higher education. The report was commissioned by a consortium of higher education organisations (see note 1) working with the Commission for Racial Equality, and was conducted at the University of Bristol. Institutions, funding bodies and unions supported the work in recognition of the need to open the debate in this area. It is published by the Policy Studies Institute.

Key findings from the report include:

• More than one in four minority respondents reported that they had personally experienced discrimination in job applications; 15 per cent said the same about promotion and nearly one in five reported experiences of racial harassment from staff or students.

• Ethnic minorities with nine or more years of service are half as likely as their white peers to be professors.

• Ethnic minorities form over 6 per cent of academic staff but are concentrated in fixed-term posts. As many as 68 per cent of non-white non-British academic staff are on fixed term contracts, and nearly half of British ethnic minorities are on fixed term contracts compared to a third of their white peers.

• Groups such as Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Black Caribbeans and 'Black Others' (mainly British-born of Caribbean descent) are half as likely or less to be in higher education posts as their white peers, although groups such as the Chinese and Africans are better represented than their population size.

• A third of institutions do not have a specific racial equality policy, but almost all have equal opportunities policies.

• The situation is improving among younger age groups, where ethnic minorities are generally better represented, and in subjects such as medicine.

Recommendations

The report recommends courses of action for higher education institutions that include the universal adoption of equal opportunities policies that cover race in the important areas of contract status and promotion. It also calls for greater emphasis on training for managers, monitoring, and giving racial equality the same priority as sex equality.

The funding councils in both England and Scotland will use the results of the study to inform policy decisions in this critical area. Both councils are already working to support higher education institutions as they address issues of racial equality.

Authors: Professor Tariq Modood, University of Bristol, the project leader, said: 'There are signs of an emerging diversity but this level of reporting discrimination and harassment is worrying.' Dr Steve Fenton, co-researcher, added: 'Unless higher education institutions give greater priority to these issues ethnic inequalities will persist.

AUT: David Triesman, general secretary, said: 'Institutional racism in higher education, as in other sectors of society, cannot surprise anyone. The joint effort required to get this research off the ground shows how we all share awareness of the problem and the need for action. The association's starting point is a programme of training for local representatives in October, enabling them to tackle racism more effectively.'

CRE: Sir Herman Ousely, chief executive, said: 'The findings of this report require those in leadership positions in higher education to take determined, systematic action. The research, sponsored by a consortium of higher education interests as part of their contribution to the Commission for Racial Equality's 'Leadership Challenge' carries the authority of its sponsors and cannot be ignored. It makes uncomfortable reading. Higher education leaders must now demonstrate their resolve to ensure that unfairness and discrimination do not distort their sector by implementing the report's recommendations without delay.'

CVCP: Diana Warwick, chief executive, said: 'This synopsis marks the completion of an important step in CVCP's and SCOP's programme for promoting racial equality in higher education. Using the evidence collected in this study and its other researches, CUCO is devising an equality strategy for higher education for the next five years to which CVCP and SCOP will give every support.'

NATFHE: Paul Mackney, general secretary, said: 'Years of good intentions have not been enough. NATFHE will be seeking clear targets and published performance indicators to help tackle discrimination. Black staff must be guaranteed an equal chance of fair appointment, promotions and an anti-racist environment in all UK higher education institutions.'

Contacts:

PSI: Michelle McNally (press coordinator), Policy Studies Institute 0171 468 2201
Authors: Professor Tariq Modood, University of Bristol 0117 928 8218, Dr Steve Fenton, University of Bristol 0117 928 8216
AUT: Monica M Hicks, Association of University Teachers 0171 670 9705
CRE: Chris Myant, Commission for Racial Equality 0171 932 5380
CVCP: Poppy, Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals 0171 419 5407
HEFCE: Roger Grinyer, Higher Education Funding Council for England 0117 931 7307
NATFHE: Midge Purcell, The University & College Lecturers' Union 0171 520 3207
SCOP: Steve Phillips, Standing Conference of Principals 0171 387 7711
SHEFCE: Judith Evans, Scottish Higher Education Funding Council 0131 313 6500