Stresses of academic life under discussion in Paris

A debate about how to improve working conditions for France's researchers and students has taken place in Paris.

The debate, organised by several student and academic staff unions, was held on 9 April. Participants discussed job insecurity, teaching assessments, salary reductions and the changing nature of academic research. The goal of the debate, according to a statement published on Démosphère, a Parisian networking site, was to “make visible and discuss the seriousness of the situation of staff and students”.

A large part of the discussion centred on changes to the social security system for academics, with the government having reduced employer contributions from universities. Such changes affect both students and staff at higher education institutions, in particular putting pressure on students who are forced to work long hours alongside their degrees, the statement said.