UCLA Astrophysics Lecturer Goes Public About Low Pay and Homelessness

Dr. Daniel McKeown, an astrophysics lecturer at UCLA, has been placed on leave after speaking out about his low pay and housing issues. McKeown, who earns $70, 000 a year, says he can't afford the $2, 500 monthly rent in Los Angeles and has had to move his belongings into storage. He first shared his story on TikTok in September, garnering over 1. 6 million views. McKeown claims that his department head, Stuart Brown, retaliated against him by taking away his courses and placing him on leave. Brown reportedly refused to accommodate McKeown's request to teach online due to health reasons. The lecturer believes that his situation reflects a larger issue of low pay and lack of value for educators in the physics field.McKeown started working at UCLA in September 2023 and has been actively trying to renegotiate his contract to make ends meet. He argues that the low pay not only affects him but also discourages current and future students from pursuing physics. Despite his high reviews and accolades, McKeown feels that his university prioritizes money over the value of education. He is currently living with a friend in San Diego and teaching remotely, which his department head disapproves of. The lecturer's story highlights the challenges faced by educators in high-cost areas like Los Angeles. It also raises questions about the support and compensation universities provide to their faculty members.