For months I collected data about the representation of Dalit, Adivasi and OBC students and researchers at various levels of academia in some of the elite universities in India.
The results were stark. That story for @Nature in 6 charts.
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nature.com/immersive/d415…
The results were stark. That story for @Nature in 6 charts.
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nature.com/immersive/d415…
At undergrad levels, Dalits and Adivasis are better represented in arts courses than STEM courses.
But that’s not because they like arts more. Science teachers/courses tend to be fewer in areas the students come from.
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But that’s not because they like arts more. Science teachers/courses tend to be fewer in areas the students come from.
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At master’s level the representation dips slightly in STEM but stays well in arts courses.
Many who reach masters are first learns in their families. Some drop out because they don’t get the support they need from teachers and universities.
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Many who reach masters are first learns in their families. Some drop out because they don’t get the support they need from teachers and universities.
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Fewer make it to PhDs.
“Let’s face it, a PhD is somewhat of an elite pursuit” requiring financial support from families + the students often lack the recommendation networks and interview training to get recruited to PhD programmes, one professor told me.
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“Let’s face it, a PhD is somewhat of an elite pursuit” requiring financial support from families + the students often lack the recommendation networks and interview training to get recruited to PhD programmes, one professor told me.
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Even after they get admitted in PhDs, many students told me that they struggle to find supervisors who are willing to take them.
It is “quite common” for privileged-caste professors not to supervise students from marginalized communities, said students and researchers.
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It is “quite common” for privileged-caste professors not to supervise students from marginalized communities, said students and researchers.
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Beyond the PhD the representation falls off a cliff.
At higher-tier IITs and the IISc, 98% of professors and more than 90% of assistant or associate professors are from privileged castes.
Some institutes don’t have even one Dalit or Adivasi professor.
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At higher-tier IITs and the IISc, 98% of professors and more than 90% of assistant or associate professors are from privileged castes.
Some institutes don’t have even one Dalit or Adivasi professor.
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Some of the underrepresentation is determined by funding researchers win.
Between 2016-2020, 80% recipients of INSPIRE Faculty fund were from privileged castes, just 6% were Dalits and less than 1% Adivasis.
The selection was “strictly based on merit” the govt said.
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Between 2016-2020, 80% recipients of INSPIRE Faculty fund were from privileged castes, just 6% were Dalits and less than 1% Adivasis.
The selection was “strictly based on merit” the govt said.
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These data are a result of a much deeper problem--India’s caste system which has historically suppressed marginalized communities.
"The playing field is not equal at any stage” of education and research.
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"The playing field is not equal at any stage” of education and research.
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This quote by one of the Adivasi PhD students I interviewed tells a lot--
“The day I would be able to say my full name without hesitation in an institute, I will feel that equality has arrived."
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“The day I would be able to say my full name without hesitation in an institute, I will feel that equality has arrived."
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Deeply grateful to my editor @Richvn at @Nature for working with me and and shaping this story. Learnt so much from you, Richard. Thank you!
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