In a recent article published in the journal Nature researchers used Academic Analytics data (via special permission through AARC) on faculty hiring and retention at over 200 universities in the United States to investigate the hiring dynamics within Academia. In their article, “Quantifying hierarchy and dynamics in US faculty hiring and retention,” Wapman and colleagues found that there is a clear hierarchy among universities, with elite institutions having a disproportionate influence on the hiring and retention of faculty. Faculty at elite universities were more likely to be hired by other elite universities and less likely to leave their positions compared to faculty at non-elite institutions.
This hierarchy was especially pronounced in fields where research is more labor-intensive, such as the sciences. In these fields, faculty at elite universities were even more likely to be hired by other elite institutions. The researchers also found that hiring and retention patterns were influenced by gender, race, and age. Female, minority, or older faculty were less likely to be hired by elite institutions and more likely to leave their positions compared to their male, non-minority, or younger counterparts.
These findings have significant implications for the academic world and beyond. They suggest that the academic hierarchy where elite institutions have more power and influence operates and regenerates itself through the academic job market. This research also highlights the need for universities to address issues of diversity and inclusion in the hiring and retention of faculty, ultimately creating a more equitable and diverse academic environment.
Citation to the original article:
Wapman KH, Zhang S, Clauset A, Larremore D. 2022. Quantifying hierarchy and dynamics in US faculty hiring and retention. Nature. DOI 10.1038/s41586-022-05222-x
