Higher Education and Working-Class Academics: Precarity and Diversity in Academia

This book explores the experiences of working-class academics in higher education, examining how their habitus interacts with the elite culture of academia. It demonstrates the complexity of class and academia in the UK and proposes ways to support working-class academics and students from all backgrounds.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 147 pages
Publication date: 11 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate interplay between a working-class habitus and the esteemed culture of academia in higher education. Drawing upon extensive qualitative data and guided by the insightful work of Pierre Bourdieu, the author offers fresh perspectives on examining impostor syndrome, alienation, and microaggressions, which are prevalent experiences for individuals from working-class backgrounds in the academic realm. The book unveils that the term "working-class academic" is far from monolithic, instead illuminating the complex web of class and academia. Through a thorough exploration of intersections such as ethnicity, gender, dis/ability, and place, the author sheds light on the multifaceted nature of class and academia in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the author raises thought-provoking questions about how we can foster a supportive environment for working-class academics, enabling them to not only support each other but also provide valuable guidance and mentorship to students from diverse backgrounds. This insightful and thought-provoking work contributes to our understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by working-class academics in higher education and offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and individuals seeking to promote equity and inclusivity in the academic sphere.

This captivating book delves into the intricate interplay between a working-class habitus and the esteemed culture of academia in higher education. Drawing upon extensive qualitative data and guided by the insightful work of Pierre Bourdieu, the author offers fresh perspectives on examining impostor syndrome, alienation, and microaggressions, which are prevalent experiences for individuals from working-class backgrounds in the academic realm. The book unveils that the term "working-class academic" is far from monolithic, instead illuminating the complex web of class and academia. Through a thorough exploration of intersections such as ethnicity, gender, dis/ability, and place, the author sheds light on the multifaceted nature of class and academia in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the author raises thought-provoking questions about how we can foster a supportive environment for working-class academics, enabling them to not only support each other but also provide valuable guidance and mentorship to students from diverse backgrounds. This insightful and thought-provoking work contributes to our understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by working-class academics in higher education and offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and individuals seeking to promote equity and inclusivity in the academic sphere.

Weight: 219g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030583545
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020