Postgraduate researchers (PGRs) funded at the UKRI stipend rate receive less than the take home pay of a minimum wage worker.
Self-funded PGRs have to rely on additional jobs to support their research. Despite this already sordid state of affairs, UKRI announced earlier this year that the stipend will only be increased by 2.9%. This is despite the UK being faced with RPI inflation already at 11.8% and set to hit 17.7% in the next academic year. In short, a real terms pay cut.
In response, hundreds of PGRs launched a grassroots campaign called “PGRs Against Low Pay”, with three key aims:
- draw attention to the cost of living crisis affecting PGRs
- demand that the real terms pay cut is cancelled
- call on UKRI, universities and the government to work together on a package of support for self-funded PGRs and those with additional needs such as carers, migrants and disabled PGRs.
