Something that was asked of me this week was, “how can we warn students of the potential danger of the academy without scaring them off?”
I have a few thoughts...
#AcademiaToo, A thread:
If you think students are mature enough to enter an enviro statistically filled w/ racism, sexism, homophobia, sexual harassment (rates 2nd only to the military), then they are mature enough to know about these risks beforehand. #AcademiaToo
Only by knowing the potential risks can these risks be mitigated against. As researchers you all (hopefully) understand the importance of explaining all potential risks, however small or unlikely, to potential research participants... why not potential students? #AcademiaToo
I understand the concern, because a lot of people have worked very hard for a long time to try and diversify the application pool of STEM subjects, and worry these convos might be detrimental to that.
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But ‘diversity’ of applicants means nothing if we enter a toxic environment we then have to leave. Or face so much trauma that it leaves life-long scars. 🤷🏼♀️
S/t I urge senior staff to think about: when you create ‘diversity recruitment’ initiatives, are you doing so in good conscience, truly believing students will be safe, happy, successful? Or because arbitrary rankings of ‘diversity’ looks good to funding bodies? #AcademiaToo
I’m not saying: don’t enter academia, it’s awful, it will ruin your life.
I’m saying: senior officials, invest more in the welfare of your *current students* before encouraging more to apply. I’m saying: evaluate w/in yourself what your current motives are.
#AcademiaToo
Just so it’s clear, we definitely shouldn’t have to be warning potential students of any kind of risks or danger in their education.
This is why I believe investing more in retention & welfare rather than recruitment is currently what’s necessary.
To end this thread I’d like to say, staff-student solidarity is vital. U.K. folks, support striking staff in your institutions who are fighting against the marketisation of HE & for fair working conditions for all. @ucu
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