A1 Journal article (refereed)
Equal Access to the Top? : Measuring Selection into Finnish Academia (2019)

Helin, J., Koerselman, K., Nokkala, T., Tohmo, T., & Viinikainen, J. (2019). Equal Access to the Top? : Measuring Selection into Finnish Academia. Social Inclusion, 7(1), 90-100. https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v7i1.1620

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Helin, Jouni; Koerselman, Kristian; Nokkala, Terhi; Tohmo, Timo; Viinikainen, Jutta

Journal or series: Social Inclusion

ISSN: 2183-2803

eISSN: 2183-2803

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 7

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 90-100

Publisher: Cogitatio Press

Publication country: Portugal

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v7i1.1620

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/62475

Abstract

In this article, we draw a parallel between equality of opportunity in educational transitions and equality of opportunity in academic careers. In both cases, many methodological problems can be ameliorated by the use of longitudinal rather than cross-sectional data. We illustrate this point by using Finnish full-population register data to follow the educational and academic careers of the 1964-1966 birth cohorts from birth to the present day. We show how the Finnish professoriate is highly selected both in terms of parental background and in terms of gender. Individuals of different backgrounds differ greatly in the likelihood of completing different educational and academic transitions, but much less in the age at which they make these transitions. By contrast, women’s academic careers differ from those of men both in terms of timing and in terms of rates, with women’s PhDs and full professorships seemingly delayed compared to those of men. We additionally show with the help of a 2015 cross-section of Finnish professors how such differences are easily overlooked in cross-sectional data.

Keywords: academic degree holders; career development; transition period; gender; equality (values)

Free keywords: academia; academic career; educational transition; equality; Finland; higher education

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2019

JUFO rating: 1