Abstract: Using cross sectional data from the National Center of Educational Statistics we find a strong correlation between regional production of masters or doctoral degrees and the percentage of faculty working part-time at collegiate institutions.   Where earlier research has shown that urban and rural institutions have different levels of reliance upon part-time faculty, no attempt was made to link those differences to regional supply.  Our research finds graduate degrees are more significantly correlated to part-time employment than is the degree of urbanization.  We are very hesitant to suggest that oversupply of graduates causes increased casualization of the faculty, but feel much more comfortable with the proposition that higher output of graduate degrees accommodates a high level of demand for part-time faculty.   Our finding suggests that local conditions matter and that graduate degree-granting institutions that wish to protect the investments of their students may need to work with local partners and labor unions to improve their prospects.  To this point, few if any institutions have shown a proclivity to move in this direction.  Traditionally labor unions have understood the importance of controlling the supply of labor to improve conditions for their members.  We welcome discussion of strategies to improve prospects for aspiring academics. 

About: The Labor Studies Workshare features UW faculty and graduate students presenting works-in-progress on labor-related topics for feedback from an interdisciplinary audience of labor scholars from across campus. Workshares are held over the lunch hour and attendees are invited to bring their lunches.

Workshare Format: Workshare papers are circulated to registered attendees a week in advance of the workshare. Participants are expected to have read the paper before the meeting and be prepared for a discussion. Registration required. To register, e-mail hbcls@uw.edu