Making professor in your 50s

[unbeliebable]

I just had the most depressing conversation with a (male) professor who described how sad it was that so many women make professor in their 50s just when they are approaching the end of their career. If I ever make professor, it will be in my 50s, and I guess as I am approaching the end of my career. It IS depressing. What do other people think about this? Is it also mildly embarrassing? What do we all think about people who languish at SL for many years (that's me)! Are they/we slightly pitied? Interested in opinions as I desperately consider what other jobs I could do ...

But what I have also noticed (and I do constantly ask myself whether I am completely imagining this) is occasions where I make a point/argument, which very shortly afterwards I hear him adopt, and then I hear it repeated back to me by other academics, as something he - the eminent (male) prof - said. It is like quite literally his voice is much louder than mine. I know this makes me sound crazy. I am embarrassed even to write it down. But ... has anyone else experienced anything like this?

Do you say something like 'well yes, I am glad you have raised this. I am pleased this point has been well received since I voiced it to XXXX last month.....'

I’m a prof since early my early 40s. I have female friends who are much more impressive than me re publications, H-index etc who have been rejected for promotion in the last few years. It is a lot harder nowadays to progress from L to SL to Prof (and the expectation that a Reader is now another step on the way doesn’t help either as you then have to demonstrate another big “improvement” in your CV to get the Prof). Any age is good to get promotion and 50s is fine as gives plenty of time to enjoy the benefits given that 67 is the normal retirement age. Part of the additional salary can be put into AVCs or other additional pension schemes to give you more flexibility when deciding when to retire.
50s may actually be peak age as many of us ditch “people pleasing” post menopause and become more assertive in the workplace.

I'm 57 and have just been turned down for promotion to Professor. I've been a Principal Lecturer for 16 years and stuck at the top of that scale for ages. I imagine there's nowhere else for me to go now so feeling a bit disheartened. It's all about income generation these days... Most of the male professors at my University are younger and have made far less of a contribution.

I find it bizarre that it's a race to the top as you g as possible.

Now we're working longer and many of us women are reaching out prime in our 50s, it's not sad! It's liberating.

In my industry (healthcare) there are bright young things for sure. But the age profile is that senior leaders are most frequently in their 50s, because they have a lifetime of experience.

Very weird to describe gravitas and achievement as "sad"

It sounds to me like he's trying to belittle you as a competitor.

I've come across this a few times in my career. Men think nothing of trampling over women in their way to the top. Outwardly charming, but inwardly Machiavellian.

I'd watch my back.

here is a classic cartoon that shows this behaviour

https://magazine.punch.co.uk/image/I0000eHEXGJ_wImQ

yes, men often take on ideas from women without crediting them etc.

this kind of thing is something that Athena Swan should, in an ideal world, try to tackle. Making sure women have opportunities to contribute and get credit for it. But in fact it has become an elaborate box-ticking exercise that doesn't seem to change much.

@anon66 - this is partly the thing. When I was younger I tended to blame myself for my own failures and I do still think my lack of progression is a sign of my mediocrity. I know too that this is classically what meritocratic models do to individuals. As I get older, I have become increasingly cynical while also knowing this could be a case of sour grapes. The thing is, this prof and many others I know present themselves as the good guys. The sensitive ones who know all about gender inequalities. Some even write about this in their academic work. In practice, they leverage every advantage they can to maintain their position, including by working very long hours and building close networks with other men. Women can thrive in this environment, of course, and many do (although I would say that in my world senior woman rarely have more than one child, if any). But I do think there is an extraordinary level of hypocrisy. I think now I am 50 I am more prepared to start calling this out.

love that cartoon @parietal - honestly, I have sat open-mouthed at times when people have credited something I have previously argued to my male colleague. The trouble is, it's so difficult to 'prove' it, especially in the moment. And when that colleague is a million times more influential and admired than me, it really could make me look ridiculous. A few years ago I was in a meeting with said colleague where we both presented, and the latter was gushed over by others for his 'passion.' A young woman came up to me afterwards and said, 'gosh unbeliebable, it must be so hard for you speaking in the same meeting as XXX when he is so knowledgeable and so handsome.' 😀Not bitter, I promise!

As I said above, I'm in the young DC years. I've come to completely disregard any man's views on equality unless they are also running out at the end of the day to make pickup etc (obviously only among those who have DC!). Walk the walk or stfu.

@JenniferBarkley I must also say the number of times I have watched other people exclaim at the wonder of male colleagues performatively attending pick-up / parent's evenings .... I need botox my eyebrows have been raised so high.

DH was praised the other day for being the only dad in the class WhatsApp group. And he is an involved dad, does half the grunt work etc. But if a mum had as little engagement with the WhatsApp group as he does, she would not be seen as a dedicated, involved parent!

Why are you years off?

Are you not doing the classic gendered thing of underestimating yourself. At 50 you have the experience.

The money says that you are worth more.