Recent data from HESA shows 233,930 academic staff members declared a disability in 2021/22.
Given that the data is only based on declaration of disability the figure is probably much higher – as people don’t always feel comfortable to disclose for example due to fears that it may impact their career progression.
Those numbers require the culture in academia to change to be more inclusive of staff who identify as having a disability, chronic illness, or mental health condition – not least because neurodivergent staff in academia often feel the need to mask, and because currently in academia there is an epidemic of mental health illness.
The concept of authentic leadership has become increasingly popular over the last few years, especially with individuals like former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden having such a leadership style.
