While the number of women academics at British universities rose slightly compared to last year, the gender pay gap widened, shows data recently made available by the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Women make up for 18,7 percent of professors (a rise from 17,5% in 2006-2007) and for 42,6 percent of the academic staff in all grades (up with 0,3% from last year). Still, male professors were paid 13,9 percent more than women in similar positions in 2007-2008, compared with 13,7 percent the previous year. Indeed, the percentual increase, equivalent with widening the pay gap to the detriment of women academics, is not dramatic. However, it emphasises the need for more sustained efforts in the future to promote gender equality.

HESA