Breaking Barriers: Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in academic career progression at The University of Oxford

29 May 2024, 2pm to 4pm 

Said Business School, Park End Street, and via Zoom

Join co-authors Dr Mahima Mitra and Professor Sue Dopson, Professor Tim Soutphommasane (Chief Diversity Officer), the University’s Equality and Diversity team and Saïd Business School as they launch the Breaking Barriers report. Breaking Barriers explores the barriers to progression faced by under-represented academics at the University of Oxford and proposes recommendations for how equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) can be better supported in academic career pathways at the University.

Funded by the Oxford-Wellcome Institutional Strategy Support Fund (ISSF), the research presented in the report is based on 104 interviews with academics at different careers stages from across the Humanities, Social Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences. It marks a significant milestone as the first qualitative study examining the barriers encountered by underrepresented academics at the University.

The findings in the report are structured along five different types of under-representation: gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and social class. Within these, the report identifies five sets of barriers that challenge underrepresented academics’ careers: 

  1. The accomplishment barrier 
  2. The agency barrier 
  3. The credibility barrier 
  4. The ‘do more’ barrier 
  5. The productivity barrier 

The authors will provide an overview of research findings and recommendations emerging from this work, followed by a Q&A and wider discussion of how to attach actions to these findings.

The event will be held at the Saïd Business School, Park End Street, and followed by tea and cakes. Attendees will also be able to join online via Zoom, and the event will be recorded and available for those not able to attend on the day.

 

Register here to join the session