Research project exploring the experiences and effects of precarious employment within UK higher education geography departments. Supported by the Royal Geographical Society and Antipode. www.statesofprecarity.co.ukhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mkkb7i6nm22v📯Call for help from our Warwick colleagues researching #academicfailure @johnmacartney.bsky.social wants to speak with UK based academics (any career stage, contract, or department) about their experiences of "failure" or non-success in research. Most of us have experienced this, so please help!28 Apr 2026 09:24 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkkb7i6nm22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mcttirtcq22zToday, we are featured in Science|Business, promoting our #precarity findings to European policymakers, research funders, companies and universities. Article: https://sciencebusiness.net/node/60789/preview/77kTnORzTbRxodn86UfT9LwNNF_pzbiWuoz3kAOJjVI20 Jan 2026 09:23 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcttirtcq22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mcjtskg3bs2cOur report is cited in the Times Higher Education today. Thanks again to everyone involved in the project. #EndPrecarity https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/use-fixed-term-posts-stifling-more-critical-research16 Jan 2026 10:02 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcjtskg3bs2chttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mchhsqhfgs2lThank you to our incredible speakers, Lekan Adekola, Gillian Rose, Matilda Fitzmaurice and Jay Todd, who really made our report launch event. Thanks too, to everyone who attended and contributed. Stay tuned for next steps.15 Jan 2026 11:22 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mchhsqhfgs2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mceo4ra2ds2fToday we launch States of Precarity in UK HE Geography. Thank you to the 364 colleagues whose experiences shaped this work. Download the report, share widely, and join us in advocating for change. Launch event (1:00-2:30GMT): https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/states-of-precarity-report-launch Read report: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography14 Jan 2026 08:37 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mceo4ra2ds2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mccidvsems24TOMORROW: Report Launch and Discussion 1:00-2:30PM GMT Guest Speakers: Matilda Fitzmaurice (@matildaf.bsky.social) Jay Todd (@jaytoddgla.bsky.social) Lekan Adekola Gillian Rose (@profgillian.bsky.social) Register: https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/states-of-precarity-report-launch13 Jan 2026 11:48 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mccidvsems24https://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mc7rrhkoak2cCuts, mergers, and redundancies risk hollowing out the discipline and eroding its interdisciplinary core. Geography’s future depends on confronting precarity head-on. Join us for our launch event on Wednesday! https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/states-of-precarity-report-launch12 Jan 2026 09:59 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mc7rrhkoak2chttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mbybgt5kvs2oPrecarity isn’t just contractual. It’s about whether academic work allows people to live fulfilling, stable lives. Join us for our report launch event on Wednesday. Speakers: Gillian Rose, Lekan Adekola, Matilda Fitzmaurice, Jay Todd Register👇 https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/states-of-precarity-report-launch09 Jan 2026 10:18 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbybgt5kvs2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mbw2ppy5g22sWhy this report matters now: A collapsing HE funding model is deepening insecurity. Our findings show how precarity is reshaping the discipline. Report: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography08 Jan 2026 13:13 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbw2ppy5g22shttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mbtbjdfjkk2kRegister: https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/states-of-precarity-report-launch07 Jan 2026 10:36 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbtbjdfjkk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mbtb25im4s2kJoin us for our report launch event next Wednesday, 1pm-2.30pm [Online] Guest speakers: Prof. Gillian Rose, Lekan Adekola, Matilda Fitzmaurice, Jay Todd Register 👇 https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/states-of-precarity-report-launch07 Jan 2026 10:28 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbtb25im4s2khttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mbqonxakjc2jPrecarity is shaping what kinds of knowledge get produced. Risk-taking, interdisciplinarity, and radical research are increasingly difficult under insecurity. Read more: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography06 Jan 2026 09:54 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbqonxakjc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mbo6u7lfvk2dHappy New Year everyone - we have one week to go until the launch event for States of Precarity in UK HE Geography! Join us to discuss the findings, their implications, and routes for action. Register: https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/states-of-precarity-report-launch05 Jan 2026 10:05 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbo6u7lfvk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3maecfmc37s2rSigning off for Christmas now - Join us in January for our report launch event. https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/states-of-precarity-report-launch19 Dec 2025 18:17 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3maecfmc37s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3mabdgfpdvs2rPrecarity is having serious effects on the future of geography, with many PhD students facing a challenging job market. Intersectional pressures make a big difference. Students from minoritized backgrounds reported further structural and cultural barriers. Read more: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography18 Dec 2025 13:57 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mabdgfpdvs2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3ma6f6vgt5k2g43.8% of PhD respondents were unsure about staying in academia; 14.6% had already decided not to. The reason? Insecurity, mobility expectations, and an oversaturated job market.17 Dec 2025 09:51 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3ma6f6vgt5k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3ma3x3yr43s2fPhD researchers told us that expectations of 4–10 years of insecurity shape how they experience their doctorates. Anticipated precarity affects wellbeing long before the first academic job. #StatesOfPrecarity16 Dec 2025 10:33 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3ma3x3yr43s2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m7rohqfjj22lWe have created a series of shareable posters and template letters to help colleagues advocate for change in their institutions. Access all resources here: www.statesofprecarity.co.uk/resources https://www.statesofprecarity.co.uk/resources12 Dec 2025 08:32 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7rohqfjj22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m7rocaxwqk2lProbation periods have (unsurprisingly?) emerged as a major contributor to academic precarity, with many colleagues experiencing extensions, unclear expectations, and pressure to over-perform. Full details: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography12 Dec 2025 08:29 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7rocaxwqk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m7pwfpcghs2xThe psychological impacts of academic precarity linger long after permanent employment is secured. Find out more about precarity's long term effects here: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography11 Dec 2025 15:49 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7pwfpcghs2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m7pvplalos2xDepartments can make a difference to experiences of academic #precarity. Transparency in contract use, clear mentoring structures, workload mapping, and inclusion of FTC staff in decision-making are key first steps. Download our Action Plans to reduce precarity here: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography11 Dec 2025 15:37 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7pvplalos2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m7kbhnmpyk2l71.7% of permanent staff who previously held FTCs still feel the long-term effects. Many describe ongoing anxiety, disrupted personal lives, and slower career progression. Learn more: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography09 Dec 2025 09:51 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7kbhnmpyk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m7hpt2esfs2fI’ve moved four times in seven years. It’s exhausting. I don’t know if I can keep doing this.’ — FTC participant #StatesofPrecarity Read our report and recommendations 👇 https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography08 Dec 2025 09:30 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7hpt2esfs2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m76gv4qg722fThe wellbeing impacts are stark: 84.9% of FTC colleagues reported negative effects on their mental health. Stress, anxiety, burnout, and chronic worry recur across responses. Full details: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography04 Dec 2025 16:56 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m76gv4qg722fhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m6wjuousek2xWhilst one wheel cannot capture the complexities of academic privilege, this is a useful tool for thinking about where it lies. We suggest a new spoke on contract status be added to signal that this as a key issue that intersects with every other indicator of privilege. https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography01 Dec 2025 13:28 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6wjuousek2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m6wjmyho5k2xOver half of colleagues on fixed-term contracts cannot plan for their future. A further 37.6% say FTCs limit their ability to plan. #StatesOfPrecarity01 Dec 2025 13:24 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6wjmyho5k2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/statesofprecarity.bsky.social/post/3m6oocwqhos2mOur report includes Best Practice Action Plans for institutions, departments, and Heads of School. These are practical, implementable steps for change. #StatesofPrecarity Download them: https://www.rgs.org/research/higher-education-resources/states-of-precarity-in-uk-higher-education-geography28 Nov 2025 10:26 +0000at://did:plc:6d3uv6qphb4ecag3vnurwadn/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6oocwqhos2m