British universities fail equality test

By Selwyn Parker

Britain's universities have been marked a D for human resources.

After a Cambridge University lecturer, Dr Gillian Evans, took the institution to the High Court claiming sex discrimination in its secretive way of choosing professors, an independent inquiry has warned the universities that they risk legal action for giving women less money and fewer promotions than male academics.

The survey found that all senior clinical academics were men and only six per cent of clinical professors were women. According to the inquiry, conducted by senior businessman Sir Michael Bett, chairman of Cellnet, universities have "yet to become model employers as regards equal opportunities."

He also highlighted the absence of clear criteria for promoting academics. Though Dr Evans' challenge ultimately failed, it did have a salutary effect. Cambridge University now publishes its criteria and informs candidates of reasons for their failure.

However most other universities have yet to follow suit.

* Contributing writer Selwyn Parker is available at wordz@xtra.co.nz