November 1, 2024
Jerlando F. L. Jackson, PhD, director and chief research scientist of the Organizational Disparities Laboratory, was featured in an article on the global challenges facing early-career Black academics.
The article highlights a recent report detailing the experiences of 97 Black early-career academics in the United Kingdom which found that institutional racism and insufficient support for Black early career academics create barriers to job security, career advancement, and lack of satisfaction and inclusion in the workplace.
Quoted in the article, Jackson shares that the challenges faced by Black early-career academics are faced by Black academics globally.
“The report finds that Black ECAs feel uncomfortable reporting issues like harassment, which likely stems from a distrust in institutional processes,” Jackson says. “This parallels findings in the U.S., where harassment reporting mechanisms often fail to protect Black faculty. The fear of reprisal, skepticism about institutional commitment, and a lack of senior Black representation contribute to this discomfort.”
The report also discusses key recommendations for addressing disparities and supporting Black academics, including the need for additional research on their career trajectories.