Attempts to attract and retain academic talent are being hindered by universities’ inability to offer competitive salaries, with barely one in 10 higher education leaders feeling well prepared to address this challenge.
In a global survey of 115 academic leaders and funders, publisher Elsevier found that 75 per cent of academic leaders believe tackling the challenges associated with attracting and retaining talent is a high priority for them, but only 11 per cent feel well prepared to address the challenge of providing competitive compensation and benefits. Ninety-three per cent of respondents say they need more funding to attract the best talent.
Since the pandemic, researchers have greater bargaining power, sometimes choosing to leave universities for better-paid private sector jobs.
Nick Fowler, Elsevier’s chief academic officer, said universities faced a “war for talent” and that some risked finding that “when they lose talent they get into a negative spiral where their reputation becomes damaged and it becomes harder to attract [academics]”.
