Early Career Academics Lack Voice in University Leadership Across Europe

Early career academics face serious barriers in leadership, according to a new study published in Higher Education Quarterly. The research shows that many institutions still exclude them from key decisions. It also highlights the urgent need to improve representation and inclusion.

Representation Gaps Across Europe

Researchers examined universities in countries like Germany, Netherlands, and Spain. They defined early career academics as those pursuing a PhD or within eight years after completing it. However, many universities still limit their role in governance.
Cultural norms strongly influence representation levels. For example, countries with lower hierarchy allow more participation from junior academics. In contrast, nations such as Malta and Cyprus often restrict their involvement. As a result, access to decision-making varies widely.
Even when institutions include early career academics, their influence remains limited. They often sit on committees with little control over budgets or strategy. Therefore, representation does not always lead to real power.

Gender Inequality and Limited Impact

The study also highlights a strong gender gap. Women take part in departmental roles in several countries. However, they rarely reach senior governance positions.
In addition, science and engineering fields show wider disparities. Female early career researchers face fewer opportunities to grow. This pattern reflects deeper structural issues in academia.
The research also reviewed Gender Equality Plans introduced by the European Commission. However, these plans show limited results. They often ignore career stage and discipline differences.
Researchers urge universities to act quickly. They recommend clear targets for inclusion and stronger collaboration with academic groups.