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-subjects-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-nine-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.