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Indian-origin professor criticizes UK academic salaries
Anant Sudharshan’s comments stem from his experience trying to hire staff for his department.
Sudarshan took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his frustration. / University of Warwick
Anant Sudarshan, an Indian-origin professor at the University of Warwick, has highlighted that uncompetitive academic salaries in the UK are driving talented individuals out of the country.
Sudarshan took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his frustration, explaining that low wages for contractual academic staff are causing potential hires to choose universities in India over the UK.
"UK salaries are becoming an absolute joke, especially for contractual staff. I have failed to hire people eligible for the UK’s special high-potential individual visa because a government university in India is willing to pay them slightly more in absolute terms than here," Sudarshan posted on Dec.16, 2024.
UK salaries are becoming an absolute joke especially for contractual staff. I have failed to hire people eligible for the UKs special high potential individual visa because a *government* university in *India* is willing to pay them slightly more *in absolute terms* than here.
— Anant Sudarshan (@anantsudarshan) December 16, 2024
Although the UK might seem appealing due to its purchasing power parity (PPP), Sudarshan argued that it is increasingly unattractive to the world’s top academic talent. "To be clear—there is no comparison in absolute terms on average, and thus for most people (although PPP looks different). But on the margins, for the best people, the UK is now stunningly unattractive, especially in academia," he added.
Sudharshan’s comments stem from his experience trying to hire staff for his department. While India's University Grants Commission (UGC) pay scales are lower, some short-term project staff in India can still earn more than their UK counterparts, he pointed. For instance, contract teachers in the UK earn approximately $31204 ( £30,000 and around Rs 30 lakh), which when adjusted for PPP is roughly equivalent to $8800 (Rs 7.5 lakh)—lower than what some Indian project staff earn.
The debate took a contentious turn when some users criticized Sudarshan for his international hiring preference, even suggesting he "go back" to his home country. In response, Sudarshan clarified, "The point isn't whether someone is a citizen or not. The point is whoever is hired is paid too little—citizens don’t get more."
A user, responding to Sudarshan's comments, wrote: "Why anyone would live in the UK is beyond me. The US has much higher pay and better research. Australia has far better weather. Europe has a better quality of life. India has much better food and culture. On top of that, the rudeness, racism, and lack of safety."
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