1. Passing the Whiteness Threshold: The Lived Experiences of UK-Based Turkish Academics
- Author
-
Tugay Durak
- Abstract
This paper examines the underexplored implications of long-term international academic mobility on the lives of Turkish academics in the United Kingdom (UK). Within this international context, the study probes how ethnicity, gender, and religion intersect to shape these migrant academics' experiences while working at UK higher education institutions (HEIs). Grounded in social constructivism and employing intersectionality as a theoretical framework, the methodology entails 50 semi-structured interviews analyzed through NVivo to uncover thematic insights into the experiences of UK-based Turkish academics. This paper discusses the experiences of UK-based Turkish academics across two distinct yet interconnected spheres: the professional and the social. The professional sphere centers on the opportunities and challenges associated with an academic career in the UK, while the social sphere critically examines the societal dimensions of this career path. Here, intersecting identities emerge as pivotal forces, shaping these academics' experiences in profound and nuanced ways. The main finding reveals a "Whiteness threshold" impacting the integration and success of Turkish academics. Those who pass this threshold experience professional recognition and inclusion, while others face discrimination, isolation, and estrangement. This study contributes to comparative and international higher education by offering fresh insights into the diversity of migrant academic experiences, which are intricately shaped by various intersecting characteristics and identities. Consequently, the study advocates for nuanced policy considerations that recognize and address these diverse experiences.
- Published
- 2024