Navigating states of precarity: a toolkit for early career academics
Who is this toolkit for?
This toolkit is designed for colleagues who are currently employed on fixed-term contracts, or who are likely to take up fixed-term or otherwise precarious contracts within UK higher education (HE) departments.
What is the purpose of the toolkit?
The States of Precarity in UK Higher Education Geography report describes academic precarity as "employment conditions that do not enable the living of a fulfilling life and which prevent employees from planning for the future" (Participant, States of Precarity Survey, 2023). The report highlights how precarity affects colleagues across a range of career stages and includes resources aimed at addressing both its causes and its impacts.
The report also demonstrates that colleagues on fixed-term contracts may be especially vulnerable to precarious working conditions and can experience precarity in distinct ways. Developed in response to requests from PhD researchers and colleagues on fixed-term contracts, this toolkit provides an accessible resource that outlines key considerations for navigating different stages of fixed-term employment and shares practical suggestions contributed by geographers with relevant experience.
The toolkit draws on evidence gathered through the States of Precarity research project, which surveyed colleagues navigating precarious employment conditions within UK higher education geography.
The advice and suggestions presented in this resource are not intended to be universal, nor should they be considered legal advice. Rather, the toolkit brings together reflections, recommendations and practical insights based on colleagues' experiences. While many contributors found the approaches described here valuable, they may not be useful, accessible or applicable in all circumstances or institutional contexts.
Many respondents reflected on the intersectional dimensions of their experiences, describing how factors such as disability, racism, energy-limiting health conditions, visa status and caring responsibilities could compound the challenges of navigating fixed-term employment. These challenges included pressure to conform to idealised notions of academic work, managing repeated relocations, and feeling unable or unwilling to invest in new relationships and social networks.
The diversity of colleagues' circumstances means that some readers may be unable or choose not to pursue some of the actions outlined in this resource.
How was the toolkit made?
This toolkit is an evolving document informed by colleagues' responses to the 2024/25 States of Precarity survey. It reflects the experiences and contributions of 364 colleagues from across the higher education geography sector and may be updated to incorporate further insights submitted by users.
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is pleased to host and share this resource as part of its work to support the higher education geography community. The content of the toolkit has been developed by the States of Precarity project team and draws on findings from their research.
Feedback and additional suggestions can be sent to statesofprecarity@googlemail.com