A paper co-authored by SSPSSR Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Sociology Dr Robert de Vries and Dr Aaron Reeves from the University of Oxford’s Department of Social Policy and Intervention, has won the 2020 British Journal of Sociology (BJS) Prize.

The paper, ‘Can cultural consumption increase future earnings? Exploring the economic returns to cultural capital’ analyses the results from a large-scale quantitative study. The study found that participating in cultural activities is likely to have a positive effect on future earnings, and on the chances of promotion and upward social mobility.

The BJS Prize is awarded biannually for an article published in the BJS during a 24-month period that makes an outstanding contribution to sociological knowledge.

In their paper, Dr de Vries and Dr Reeves suggest the most likely explanation for the effect they found is that economic gatekeepers (such as members of hiring or promotion committees) value cultural participation as an indication of an interesting and well-rounded candidate. They suggest that, when it comes to cultural participation, the message is not that only ‘high-brow’ activities count, but more generally that ‘more is better’.

Their study is based on data from Understanding Society (USoc), the UK’s largest ongoing longitudinal social survey. The USoc sample is considered to be highly representative of the British population, including data from roughly 20,000 USoc participants.

Dr de Vries said: ‘The primary focus of our analysis was the effect of cultural participation on future earnings. We examined the relationship between respondents’ current economic situation and their participation in cultural activities one year previously. In the Understanding Society survey, respondents are asked if they participated in each of a list of 14 activities. These activities include watching a film at the cinema, visiting an art exhibition, visiting a street arts display, attending a carnival, attending the theatre, attending the opera, attending a classical music concert, and attending a rock or pop performance.

‘We found that people who participated in a larger number of cultural activities earned significantly higher salaries a year later than did people who participated in fewer cultural activities. People who participated in one additional cultural activity earned an average of £175 more per month in the subsequent year.’

Microsoft Yammer is now available to all staff, following a successful pilot.

Yammer is a University-wide staff social networking tool. You can use it to connect and engage with colleagues across Kent on topics of mutual interest.

• Start conversations, share ideas and knowledge, and interact with University news
• Discover communities: find community groups that interest you (or set up a new community) based on your personal or workplace interests

How much you use Yammer is up to you; it’s optional. It certainly isn’t something that you need to keep up with and check every day. If you want to, use it to discuss the deeper meaning of life, the universe and everything – or share your cat photo to make someone smile! It’s your community and your social space online.

• Where Yammer fits as part of Microsoft 365 collaboration tools
• Access Yammer via office.com with your Kent IT Account; or use the mobile app in your phone’s app store
• More about using Yammer: Microsoft Yammer for staff guide
• How to control which email notifications you see

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Communications team

Recruiting for a student-staff role? Get in touch with the Work-Study Scheme, you could be eligible for match-funding.

The Work-Study Scheme (based in the Careers & Employability Service) has some match-funding available to Professional Service Departments and Academic Divisions who want to hire student-staff this academic year*. We support Widening Participation students in securing paid work on- and off-campus, take them through a series of activities to ensure they are work-ready, including 1-2-1 CV and application advice, and skills workshops to build up their confidence, and support in applying and interviewing for work opportunities.

We advertise your vacancy to students, collate and send you the applications, shortlist to your requirements and support you in interviewing (if required), and undertake all right to work checks and employment paperwork. We take the student(s) on our cost code and manage their timesheets (sent to us by you) and pay.

Working whilst studying is a fantastic way for students to build confidence and skills, and having student-staff in your team can bring a fresh approach. Undertaking paid work really makes a difference to students’ lives, and helps them prepare for the world post-graduation:

“This scheme is the best resource the university has to offer. CV help, interview tips, unique job opportunities and an amazingly kind staff all combine to give you the best help out there.”

– Nicola, English & American Literature and Film (2020)

“Through your scheme and help I have achieved so much, I am not only more skilled but more confident and motivated to achieve my goals. Tomorrow I start my new role at the Civil Service, and honestly do not believe I would have been able to do it without the Work-Study Scheme.

Zoe, History and Politics (2018)

If you are interested in employing a Work-Study Scheme student, or to discuss any aspect of this, please contact: Hannah Greer / Jen Davey, Work-Study Scheme, Careers & Employability Service – workstudy@kent.ac.uk

*In order to be eligible for funding, the student being employed must be categorised as Widening Participation. We can check this; you do not have to, and we will only advertise the role to WP students, unless otherwise instructed. Funding is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, up to a maximum of £1000 per Academic School/Professional Service Department during 2020-21, and all work must be completed by July 2021.