DISABLED ACADEMICS GO MISSING FROM STATISTICS

There are 14,000 "missing" disabled academics working in higher education, according to recent research by the Association of University Teachers (AUT).

Figures show that data collected by universities only records 1,060 disabled lecturers and academics working in UK universities. However, the larger and more accurate data from the government's Labour Force Survey shows that there are 15,000 disabled academic staff.

The AUT points out that many staff are reluctant to reveal a disability due to the threat of discrimination. However the union also says: "Inadequate data collection methods by universities appeared to be a significant factor in the discrepancy."

The AUT has called for better information to be collected by universities and for improved equality measures. General secretary David Triesman said: "Universities must start to work harder to promote equality. This new research indicates that discrimination and the fear of prejudice on campus is still a real barrier to many talented lecturers."

Triesman also said it was "shocking to see that only one per cent of professors and lecturers are disabled. Universities are at the heart of learning and should be setting new standards on equality and access to higher education."

Full results from the latest Labour Force Survey on disabled people are in Labour Market Trends, May 2001, published by National Statistics.