Survey by American Association of Professors shows nearly quarter of respondents are switching due to states’s politics
Many professors in the US south, particularly in Florida, South Carolina and Texas, are considering leaving their state because of the impact the political climate is having on education, according to a new survey by the American Association of Professors.
The survey received responses from approximately 4,000 faculty members across the south and included other states, such as Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky, in its findings. About 25% of the professors in Texas who responded said they have applied for teaching roles in other states in the last two years, with another 25% saying they intend to start a search.
Last year, salary was the top reason as to why educators across the south were seeking employment elsewhere. In this year’s findings, however, “broad political climate” was the top motivator.
That’s a horrible headline. “One in four professors are leaving” is way different than what the survey showed, which is “one in four that responded to the survey are considering leaving”.
Some of the other details they bring up are relevant, though. 25% of Texas professors actively applying for positions in other states, with a further 25% stating they plan to do so soon, is still very significant.
The thing about a brain drain is that it is a cascading effect, too. No one wants to be the last person left on a sinking ship. When some leave, more will want to follow.
A professor looking for a role outside their current uni is essentially, leaving already.
They’ve already decided to forgo tenure track, and start over, which is really the biggest hurdles.
Its only a matter of time before a uni reaches out to them, and it usually takes about a year.
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