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Injustice in higher education
ROBIN JERVIS analyses the particular difficulties faced by academic researchers on zero-hours or short-term contracts

Higher education has been headline news repeatedly this year as members of the University and College Union (UCU) have repeatedly taken strike action over pay and conditions and face the prospect of further industrial action later in spring as an assessment boycott takes effect.

The situation of academic staff at universities is one which is typical of many workers in today’s post-recession world.

According to UCU, pay has declined in real terms by 13 per cent since 2008 despite the sector hoarding a surplus of over £1 billion and allowing salary increases for many senior managers and vice-chancellors.

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