An Oxford University academic will be commuting to work from her parents’ home in Dublin as she can no longer afford to rent in the city.

Dr Jennifer Cassidy, a lecturer in diplomatic studies, had lived in Oxford for 12 years before having to make the decision to leave the city.

The 36-year-old plans to commute to Oxford for three days every fortnight.

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The BBC reported that the university said many staff had cost-of-living concerns and it was providing support.

Dr Cassidy does not drive so she will be flying to Birmingham and travelling by train to Oxford to start her working days.

She will then crash with a friend in London in between her work commitments.

Dr Cassidy told the BBC: “It feels strange not to be in the dreaming spires, but I’m grateful I get to go back and forth and have that link.”

For several years she received supplementary income as an assistant dean at one of Oxford’s colleges.

This meant she had to be on duty from 7pm until 7am three nights of the week.

She said to the BBC: “The core reason I’ve been able to sustain myself in Oxford is because I’d been doing three jobs.

“The lecturing, I was also an assistant dean at one of the colleges which provided me with accommodation and food, and consulting work.

“There’s no other way I would have been able to afford to live on the salary alone.”

Dr Cassidy has organised her schedule so that all of her essential face-to-face lectures take place on the three days she is in Oxford.

Speaking to the BBC, she added: “In the post-Covid world there is an option for most universities – Oxford included – for online learning, but I personally know that most students would like the in-person experience.

“I believe all students deserve this if they wish to attend.

“I have a roof over my head, food to eat, I have a job. I get to commute, but it hurts, I wanted to stay.”

Douglas Lloyd, associate director at Oxfordshire property agents Finders Keepers, told the BBC he sympathised with would-be renters.

He said the average rent in Oxford – excluding multiple occupation student housing – was about £1,500 per month.

In comparison, Dr Cassidy told the BBC she could buy flights for between £10 and £30 and her most significant expense was a return train fare from Birmingham to Oxford, which was around £30.

A University of Oxford spokesperson told the BBC the university understands many staff have concerns about the nationwide cost-of-living issues, and added that the university is a Living Wage employer.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1