Other Research -- A Pessimistic Finding Regarding Faculty Affirmative Action in Higher Education

Abstract

A sample of university students were given resumes of hypothetical prospective faculty members which were systematically manipulated to include differences in gender, race, age, and whether the person had a disability. The students were asked to rate the hypothetical prospective faculty members on the basis of teaching and professional characteristics and whether they would recommend hiring them. In spite of growing numbers of women, African American, and a few disabled faculty members presently teaching in higher education, the old prejudices remain: older, white, male, nondisabled faculty received the higher ratings.