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How Diverse are Politics and IR Departments?
It is great to see the second set of data highlighting the progress and gaps within the social sciences. This year, the Academy of Social Sciences (ACSS) has published its summary report on EDI in the social sciences, leading to the availability of a broader set of data. This is following from the 2021 novel report launched by PSA and BISA, which identified important EDI issues within Politics and IR departments in UK Universities.
The recent ACSS report was drawn from a selection of 2021/22 HESA and POLAR4 data for academic and teaching staff and student populations in the social sciences. This shows that:
- There are now more female students of Politics and International Relations than male students.
- A higher percentage of female students in the social sciences being awarded first class honours classification than male students.
- The sex split among the total academic staff population (regardless of contract type) within the social sciences is almost equal, at 51% female and 49% male. However, there is a stark disparity when looking at the seniority level: of the total male academic staff employed within the social sciences, 14% are professors, 4% are in senior management positions and 82% are in other contract levels. Of the total female academic staff within the social sciences, 8% are professors, 3% are in senior management positions and 89% are in other contract levels. Proportionally, there are almost twice as many male professors as there are female professors in the social sciences.
- The data on ethnic diversity equally reveals a fundamental gap in the staff and student population.
- About 82% of academic staff in politics and international relations are White, 4% are Asian, 1% are Black, 3% are Mixed and 10% are unknown.
- Differences can also be seen in the ethnic breakdown at senior management and professor contract levels.
- Of the total white academic staff within the social sciences, 12% are professors, 4% are in senior management positions and 84% are in other contract levels.
- Of the total Asian academic staff within the social sciences, 12% are professors, 3% are in senior management positions and 85% are in other contract levels.
- Of the total Black academic staff within the social sciences, 5% are professors, 2% are in senior management positions and 93% are in other contract levels.
- Of the total Mixed academic staff within the social sciences, 8% are professors, 3% are in senior management positions and 89% are in other contract levels.
- About 73% of students in politics and international relations are White, 9% are Asian, 7% are Black, 6% are Mixed and 5% are unknown.
- Black undergraduate students receive a lower proportion of first-class degrees than other ethnic groups across all social sciences.
While the figures reveal the critical state of the discipline, the availability and accessibility of these data is indeed a laudable step. As Chris Hanretty notes in the 2021 career trajectories “Knowing about these disparities is the first step in combating them.”
Indeed, the PSA is currently working with the British Academy on its disciplinary analysis of Politics & International Relations (due Autumn 24) which will provide us with further evidence of the diversity and health of our discipline.
The PSA is committed to encouraging an inclusive and equitable environment where diversity thrives. This is demonstrated by our recognition of the invaluable contribution that women and people of colour bring to the discipline and our support in their career advancement. The PSA’s Women and Politics Specialist Group provides a good network and platform for women to advance their work and careers in the discipline. The Diverse Voices Programme is another initiative by the PSA that supports black and minority ethnic PhD students with scholarships. The programme also provides early career researchers from underrepresented groups with small grants to advance their research.
Crucially this analysis will help inform PSA’s new 2025+ strategy as it places EDI at the heart of its operations and activities that support the higher education teaching and research landscape.
Author biography:
Joan McDappa is the PSA’s Diversity and Projects Officer.
The PSA is a member of The Academy of Social Sciences and is part of its EDI working group which has helped pull together a hub of data and good practice initiatives from across the academe which will hopefully be useful and inspiring to our community: PSA ACSS REPORT ON EDI IN SOCIAL SCIENCES (AN OVERVIEW)
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the social sciences: summary data report - https://acss.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/AcSS-ESRC-Publication-EDI-in-the-social-sciences-summary-report-March-2024.pdf
