Still a stigma? Social background and careers in academia

A person's social background has a profound impact on their career prospects—especially in academia. Students from non-academic backgrounds face tougher challenges when they try to build a career at university. They often feel “stuck-in-between” their families, who do not understand their wish to continue on a path of financial insecurity and the university sphere that has many invisible rules and often feels unwelcoming. I will also talk about these challenges as well as the ways our non-profit organisation "Erste Generation Promotion"/ "First Generation Doctorates" advocates for more equity in higher education.