The University of Cambridge has voted to retain its controversial retirement policy for academic staff, but will raise the age at which people are made to leave the institution from 67 to 69.
A ballot of the Regent House, the governing body of the university, backed keeping what is known as the Employer Justified Retirement Age (EJRA) with changes that were due to come into effect from 1 September 2024.
Using a single transferable vote system, a total of 3,498 votes were cast, with a 64 per cent majority voting to keep a retirement age in the final round.
A university spokesperson said: “A decision to retain the Employer Justified Retirement Age for academic officers, but increase their retirement age to 69, was made by the Regent House, the governing body of the university.
“The turnout for the vote was high and followed extensive discussion, consultation and engagement across the university. We will now take the necessary steps to implement the decision.”
The university has come under increasing pressure over the policy – which has been in place since 2012 to create greater opportunities for younger academics – after 120 current and former professors signed a letter urging its vice-chancellor, Deborah Prentice, to call a vote on the rule.
The University of Oxford, the only other English institution to enforce retirement, last year lost a legal case against four of its former staff members after a judge ruled the policy had a discriminatory effect despite having a legitimate aim to improve diversity.
Academics have argued that the policy makes it harder for academics over the age of 60 to win research grants, as they are unable to apply for grants that extend beyond their forced retirement date.
But others have argued that the rule is necessary to make way for new talent. Data from the university found that while academics at other institutions typically retire between 62 and 67, 70 per cent of established Cambridge academics in STEM subjects and 60 per cent in other subjects do not retire until they hit 67.
