Academics have long been calling for better ethics of care and more inclusive working environments, yet situational and structural barriers within academia are complex and often hidden. Advocating the need for diverse voices in discussions on systemic inequality, this edited volume provides a vital platform for sharing lived experiences of intersectional identities navigating systemic barriers alongside academic pressures.

These personal essays offer powerful narratives of resistance, perseverance and hope from within the ‘ivory tower’ of academia, addressing religion, disability, geography, race, gender identity and language. They illuminate frequently invisible obstacles, examining issues such as tokenism, performativity and imposter syndrome.