A glass ceiling in the educational labour market

Abstract

This paper examines the new Dutch language policy for international instructors in Dutch universities and its impact on their careers. While the policy aims to make Dutch higher education bilingual, the paper argues that it acts as a barrier to career advancement and a glass ceiling for international instructors. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with international instructors at the University of Groningen. The findings suggest that the language requirement creates tensions around policy implementation and actual practices at the university. The paper contextualises the study within the broader context of internationalisation in Dutch higher education and the use of language as a labour-control mechanism. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that aim to create a fairer workplace in higher education. It contributes to the literature on internationalisation in higher education and highlights the need for further research on the experiences of international instructors.