Do Higher Education Strikes Affect University Outcomes? Evidence From Pension Disputes in UK Universities

Nils Braakmann and Barbara Eberth

Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, 2026, vol. 65, issue 1, 45-63

Abstract: The impact of strikes in higher education institutions remains understudied. This paper investigates the impact of education strikes in UK universities from 2018 to 2022, primarily due to pension disputes. Using data from the Guardian University Guide and the UK's Research Excellence Frameworks and leveraging a difference‐in‐differences approach, our findings suggest significant declines in several student‐related outcomes, such as student satisfaction, and a more mixed picture for student attainment and research performance. These results highlight the substantial, albeit indirect, cost unions can impose on university employers during strikes.

Date: 2026
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https://doi.org/10.1111/irel.12392

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:indres:v:65:y:2026:i:1:p:45-63

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Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society is currently edited by Christopher (Kitt) Carpenter, Steven Raphael and stevenraphael@berkeley.edu

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