Former Newcastle University lecturers say they were left feeling disposable after not having their fixed-term contracts renewed.
Around 33% of staff in universities are on fixed-term contracts. Yet, in Russell Groups this is often higher, with 42% of staff at Newcastle University being on short-term contracts.
The Universities and College Union says the number of casualised staff is more than 33% as these figures don’t account for atypical staff
Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy institute, said there is a perception that academia is a cosy job for life that comes with a good pension.
“But in reality, it’s almost the exact opposite,” he said.
Fixed-term staff often have to move jobs on a yearly basis if their contracts aren’t renewed. Lecturers say going through the redundancy process each time can make you feel ‘disposable.’
Dr Lucrezia Canzutti, a former lecturer at Newcastle University, said “there is that feeling that you’re not being valued and it doesn’t matter how good you are at your job. Ultimately you as an individual don’t matter, you’re just a number.”
Other lecturers from Newcastle University also felt this. Dr Ben Coulson said the institution treated him with contempt and indifference during his redundancy.
“The university insinuated that we didn’t understand what a fixed-term contract was. That and the process overall was quite humiliating,” he said.
‘It took me years just to decide to get a cat’
Staff also say the use of short-term contracts affects their ability to plan their lives.
Dr Canzutti said, “there’s this complete inability to plan in advance. It took me years just to decide to get a cat.”
“But also when you picture your life somewhere, I don’t know where that somewhere is because wherever a job comes up I will take it,” she continued.
An effort has been made by the Universities and College Union to try and stamp out the use of fixed-term contracts. Yet Nick Hillman said fixed-term contracts made it easier for universities to be flexible.
“Universities are in more of a free market than they used to be. [They’re] expected to increase their popular courses, shut down their less popular courses. Obviously with casualised staff that’s easier to do.”
Newcastle University declined an interview but said they were introducing measures to recognise the contributed of fixed-term staff.
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HeadlineLecturers on fixed-term contracts say they are left feeling ‘disposable’
Short Headline'We're disposable,' say lecturers on fixed-term contracts
StandfirstUniversities claim they are making changes designed to recognise the contributions of fixed-term staff.
Former Newcastle University lecturers say they were left feeling disposable after not having their fixed-term contracts renewed.
Around 33% of staff in universities are on fixed-term contracts. Yet, in Russell Groups this is often higher, with 42% of staff at Newcastle University being on short-term contracts.
The Universities and College Union says the number of casualised staff is more than 33% as these figures don’t account for atypical staff
Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy institute, said there is a perception that academia is a cosy job for life that comes with a good pension.
“But in reality, it’s almost the exact opposite,” he said.
Fixed-term staff often have to move jobs on a yearly basis if their contracts aren’t renewed. Lecturers say going through the redundancy process each time can make you feel ‘disposable.’
Dr Lucrezia Canzutti, a former lecturer at Newcastle University, said “there is that feeling that you’re not being valued and it doesn’t matter how good you are at your job. Ultimately you as an individual don’t matter, you’re just a number.”
Other lecturers from Newcastle University also felt this. Dr Ben Coulson said the institution treated him with contempt and indifference during his redundancy.
“The university insinuated that we didn’t understand what a fixed-term contract was. That and the process overall was quite humiliating,” he said.
‘It took me years just to decide to get a cat’
Staff also say the use of short-term contracts affects their ability to plan their lives.
Dr Canzutti said, “there’s this complete inability to plan in advance. It took me years just to decide to get a cat.”
“But also when you picture your life somewhere, I don’t know where that somewhere is because wherever a job comes up I will take it,” she continued.
An effort has been made by the Universities and College Union to try and stamp out the use of fixed-term contracts. Yet Nick Hillman said fixed-term contracts made it easier for universities to be flexible.
“Universities are in more of a free market than they used to be. [They’re] expected to increase their popular courses, shut down their less popular courses. Obviously with casualised staff that’s easier to do.”
Newcastle University declined an interview but said they were introducing measures to recognise the contributed of fixed-term staff.
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