ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Academic inbreeding

Academic inbreeding is a situation where teachers or researchers work in the same university where they received their education or where their ancestors have worked before. It's like a family tree where people who belong to the same family work and study in the same place over generations.

Let's say Professor Sarah studied at a university and after completing her studies, she got a job as a teacher in the same university. Then, her daughter Emily also studied at the same university and continued to work there after graduation. This would be an example of academic inbreeding.

While it may seem like a good thing to have a lot of experienced people in one place, academic inbreeding can cause some problems. For example, if everyone has the same background and education, they may not be exposed to new ideas or ways of thinking. They may also become too comfortable in their way of doing things and not be open to change.

Another problem is that it can limit opportunities for others who are not part of the "family." If a university only hires people who have connections to the institution, it may miss out on talented people from different backgrounds who could bring new perspectives and ideas.

Overall, academic inbreeding isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's important to have a diverse group of people to ensure that new ideas and perspectives are always brought to the table.