Discrimination

Discrimination in academia occurs when individuals are treated unfairly or unequally based on characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socioeconomic status. This behavior undermines equity in education and perpetuates systemic inequality.

Examples of Academic Discrimination

Racial Discrimination

Definition: Unequal treatment of students or employees based on race or ethnicity, often manifesting through stereotypes, bias, or systemic inequities.

• Examples for Students:

  • Professors disproportionately questioning the academic capabilities of students from underrepresented racial groups.

  • Being excluded from study groups or team projects based on racial stereotypes.

  • Receiving harsher penalties for similar infractions compared to peers of different racial backgrounds.

  • Microaggressions:

    • Asking, “Where are you really from?” despite the student being born in the country.

    • Attributing academic success to affirmative action, e.g., “You’re lucky they’re looking for diversity.”

    • Referring to a student’s contributions as “surprisingly good.”

• Examples for Employees:

  • Faculty of color being overlooked for leadership roles or tenure-track positions despite qualifications.

  • Being assigned a disproportionate share of “diversity work” (e.g., sitting on diversity committees) without compensation or career advancement.

  • Microaggressions:

    • Comments like, “You’re so articulate,” implying surprise.

    • Assuming Black or Hispanic faculty are support staff rather than professors.

    • Jokes or stereotypes about an individual’s cultural background.

Gender Discrimination

Ability Discrimination (Ableism)

LGBTQ+ Discrimination

Socioeconomic Discrimination

Religious Discrimination

Pregnancy and Parental Discrimination

The Impact of Academic Discrimination

Academic discrimination can have far-reaching consequences, including:

• Diminished self-esteem and academic confidence.

• Higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Loss of opportunities for growth, mentorship, and networking.

• Long-term damage to career prospects.

• Feelings of shame, isolation, self-doubt, and even suicidal ideation.

• Staff turnover.

• Career rethinks.

• Exiting prior to degree completion.

How to Recognize Academic Discrimination

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Are others given opportunities that you are systematically excluded from?

2. Are your contributions ignored or minimized compared to peers?

3. Have you been subjected to derogatory remarks or stereotypes?

4. Do institutional policies seem to disproportionately disadvantage you or people like you?

If the answer is “yes” to any of these, you may be experiencing academic discrimination.

What Can You Do?

1. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of incidents, including dates, times, and witnesses. If you at any point in time feel unsafe, you are permitted by law to record the conversation. Check your university's privacy policy beforehand.

2. Seek Support: Reach out to trusted peers, mentors, or counselors.

3. Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with university policies on discrimination.

4. Report it: While you can go to your department chair as a first step, bear in mind that each stakeholder in the university has an agenda. If the chair is unresponsive, this is a sign that the agenda is to manage the department's reputation or "keep the peace" at all costs. You can escalate by reporting to institutional channels like Title IX offices, ombuds offices, or HR departments. This will require persistence and documentation. While ombuds are a confidential "thought partner" resource, they have no authority. And Title IX offices and HR departments will require evidence in order to "investigate" fairly. If you choose to report, be sure to keep a close watch for retaliation. If you feel you are being retaliated against, once again, document everything, and file additional reports if you feel safe doing so.

5. Consult Legal Help: If internal channels fail, consider external resources like the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

6. File an EEOC Complaint: If you feel that you are being bullied due to your status as a protected class, and you are an employee of the university, you can file an EEOC complaint. This will open the door to settlement negotiations, which are necessary before you can file a lawsuit.

7. Find Allies: Connect with student organizations or advocacy groups for additional support.

Take Action

Discrimination has no place in academia. By recognizing the signs, knowing your rights, and utilizing available resources, you can advocate for equity and protect yourself and others from harm. You deserve an educational experience free from bias and inequity.

Additional Information

Articles and Research

• Gender inequality in academia: Problems and solutions for women faculty in STEM [Journal of Neuroscience Research]

• Gender Equality in Academia: Bad News from the Trenches, and Some Possible Solutions [Cambridge University Press]

• Gender Matters, Too: The Influences of School Racial Discrimination and Racial Identity on Academic Engagement Outcomes Among African American Adolescents [pdf]

• Academic affect shapes the relationship between racial discrimination and longitudinal college attitudes [pdf]

• Adverse racial climates in academia: Conceptualization, interventions, and call to action [pdf]

• Institutional Betrayal: Inequity, Discrimination, Bullying, and Retaliation in Academia [Sociological Perspectives]

Helpful Resources

Mental Health Support

The National Grad Crisis Line	Free, confidential telephone counseling, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and information and referral services provided by specially-trained call-takers. Caring, professional staff and well-trained volunteers answer around the clock.
BetterHelp Grad	A month of free therapy for grad students and a reduced rate for ongoing support.