In the first of our new SolidariTea sub-series, Amy Orben talks to Robert Stenson from the University of Nottingham, UK, where he is finishing a PhD at the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies. SolidariTea episodes are short podcast conversations with Early Career Researchers around the world that highlight injustices, campaigns, struggles and discussions mainly about working conditions, diversity and equality, employment, and work-life balance. Robert Stenson tells us about how his university has outsourced all grad student teachers to a temporary staffing company and how this has affected their working conditions and ability to strike (see his tweet here: https://twitter.com/robert_stenson/status/1199260126319910912). The episode highlights how increasing amounts of universities are outsourcing workers (see https://unitemps.com) and how this precariousness affects grad students and early-career scientists. The practice implemented by the University of Nottingham sets a dangerous precedent for outsourcing teaching by the most junior and vulnerable workers, who are often crucial to delivering the courses departments offer to their students. 

Have you, or someone you know, been affected by precariousness, outsourcing or temporary contracts? Please get in touch with us! We are planning to highlight more ECR stories in future SolidariTea episodes.

Music credit:
River Meditation - Jason Shaw
https://freepd.com/misc.php

SolidariTEA 1 - Robert Stenson

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SolidariTEA 1 - Robert Stenson

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