this is a sector that has reached the end of the road

[GoodTaste]

“There is a sense that this is a sector that has reached the end of the road. The conditions under which people are working are unsustainable and they’re feeling burned out,” says Felicity Callard, a geographer at the University of Glasgow.

Source: Nature
When does “this” refer to? It seems referring to the Academic community. I am not sure. The speaker appears saying that researchers or scientists are no more desirable people well paid and well respected.

 

[jutfrank]

It refers to the industrial sector within which those people who work as academic researchers in the UK work.

 

[Tarheel]

Source: Nature
When does “this” refer to? It seems to be referring to the Academic community. I am not sure. The speaker appears to be saying that researchers or scientists are not desirable people who are well paid and well respected.