35.484, FYI: Linguistics under threat at the University of Kent

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LINGUIST List: Vol-35-484. Sat Feb 10 2024. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 35.484, FYI: Linguistics under threat at the University of Kent

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Date: 09-Feb-2024
From: Christina Kim [c.s.kim at kent.ac.uk]
Subject: Linguistics under threat at the University of Kent


Colleagues and friends: Linguistics is going to be shut down at the
University of Kent (UK). Some context below, but please take a look at
this petition, consider signing, and share widely.

https://www.change.org/p/save-arts-humanities-and-social-sciences-subj
ects-at-the-university-of-kent

Academic staff were informed last Wednesday (1/31/24) that we are in a
30-day period of formal ‘consultation’ about a proposal to terminate
several subjects, mostly in Humanities: Modern Languages, Comparative
Literature, English Language and Linguistics, Philosophy and Religious
Studies, Art History, Anthropology, Music and Audio Technology, and
Health and Social Care. The careers of 58 academic staff are at risk;
the stated goal is to save £5m in the context of ongoing financial
difficulties at institutional level. The subjects will be ‘phased
out’, with details (of ‘teaching out’, etc.) to be confirmed. The
rationale is that student numbers are too low (not true for all the
subjects being cut) and that Kent cannot compete in these areas, so
the future focus will be on subjects where there is ‘growth’ such as
Business, Law, and Psychology. The University will likely retain
minimal staff on alternative contracts to teach out existing students;
however, should the proposal be implemented, Linguistics and other key
humanities subjects will effectively no longer be available in a local
region with a population of roughly two million.

Additional info:
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kent-looks-close-courses-nin
e-areas-58-jobs-risk
https://university-council-for-languages.org/2024/02/05/institutional-
reform-at-kent/

Internally, colleagues are pushing back against the institution’s
narrative and the reasoning behind the decision, especially since we
have spent the last few months writing completely new programs to fit
the University’s proposed new term and credit structure, but we would
appreciate your help in spreading the word about this as widely as
possible, and circulating the petition above in whatever ways you can.

Linguistic Field(s): General Linguistics




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