UK workers are being asked to share their experiences of how their accents influence life at work, in an anonymous survey as part of University of Leeds research.
Accents are uniquely influenced by people's upbringing, language background and life experiences, and they often affect how people perceive each other within seconds of speaking.
Now, Leeds researchers are launching a survey of UK workers to understand how their accents have shaped their experience of the workplace.
By sharing your story, you will help us understand how accents influence workplace experiences and contribute to creating fairer, more inclusive work environments.
The anonymous Voices at Work survey is open to adults working in the UK, and asks participants to consider whether they have felt advantaged or disadvantaged by people's reactions to their accent at work.
Dr Gisela Tomé Lourido, Associate Professor of Sociophonetics in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, is leading the research. Dr Tomé Lourido said: "Accents are an integral part of who we are, yet they often lead to quick, and sometimes unfair, judgements about people's characteristics and abilities, shaping opportunities and experiences.
"Because accents are closely tied to social identity, these judgements can disadvantage individuals based on class, race, nationality, gender and more, perpetuating existing inequalities. By sharing your story, you will help us understand how accents influence workplace experiences and contribute to creating fairer, more inclusive work environments."
All Accents Welcome
The research comes after the launch of All Accents Welcome, a University of Leeds campaign that aims to highlight the importance of accents to individuals' identities, as well as challenging accent bias in higher education.
Universities bring together diverse groups of people whose accents and language backgrounds may differ widely, shaped by growing up in different regions of the UK or other parts of the world, being raised in a multilingual environment, or learning English at different stages of life.
Research by the Sutton Trust found that, in the UK, 30% of university students and 25% of professionals report having their accent mocked or criticised in academic or workplace settings.
These harmful behaviours can damage confidence, reduce participation and affect a person's sense of belonging and wellbeing, according to research by Dr Tomé Lourido and Professor Julia Snell in Leeds' School of English.
Dr Tomé Lourido and Niamh Mullen, Associate Professor in English for Academic Purposes, co-created the All Accents Welcome campaign with students and staff in response to the issue, which affects not just the higher education sector, but the whole of society.
Niamh Mullen said: "We need to have conversations about accent bias to create truly inclusive workplaces and universities. Starting these conversations in any setting involves reflecting on the assumptions you make based on people's accents, listening respectfully without judgement and reporting accent-based discrimination. To make meaningful progress, organisations must implement structural changes to ensure all voices are truly welcome and respected."
The initiative is being shared in conjunction with Leeds City of Languages – a citywide festival from 10-24 November that celebrated the linguistic diversity of Leeds, where 170 languages are spoken.
My accent is an integral part of who I am. It's like my cultural identity, my roots.
As part of the campaign, staff and students reflected on what their accents mean to them and shared their experiences of accent bias in a video.
One participant said they "thought twice before speaking in class" because they were worried about "being mocked" because of the way they spoke. Another participant added: "My accent is an integral part of who I am. It's like my cultural identity, my roots".
Co-created by its community of staff and students from many accent and language backgrounds, the University of Leeds shared its commitment to promoting the value of linguistic diversity and tackling accent bias in an Accent Equality statement in 2024.
Professor Kenneth McDowall, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Education at the University, is a key supporter of the All Accents Welcome campaign. He said: "At the University of Leeds, we are proud to champion the rich diversity of voices that make up our community. Every accent tells a story and reflects a unique journey that deserves to be heard and valued.
"Through the All Accents Welcome campaign, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, included, and empowered to contribute, regardless of how they speak. By embracing linguistic diversity, we not only enrich our university but also set a standard for fairness and inclusion across society."
The results of the Voices at Work survey will be used to inform academic research into accent bias and will contribute to the development and sharing of good practice around inclusion in the workplace.
