Dear Colleagues
I am writing to seek your support in both signing and further disseminating a petition against the potential closure or phased withdrawal of the English Language and Linguistics (ELL) programme at the University of Hertfordshire.
The programme is currently under review, with decisions being driven primarily by application targets and recruitment figures. On this basis, there is a risk that ELL provision may be reduced or discontinued as early as the end of April. We are deeply concerned that this approach does not adequately reflect the wider academic, disciplinary, and institutional value of English Language and Linguistics.
As you will be aware, linguistics as a discipline plays a critical role across the humanities and social sciences, contributing to areas such as education, communication, social justice, and interdisciplinary research. Decisions based solely on short-term recruitment metrics risk undermining both the subject’s long-term sustainability and its broader contributions to higher education.
ELL staff have therefore created a petition to raise awareness of this issue and to advocate for a more holistic evaluation of the programme’s value. The link below will take you to a Google document containing both the petition and a link to a detailed letter outlining their position:
We would be extremely grateful if you could sign this petition and then circulate this within your institution, networks, and any relevant professional or disciplinary bodies.
Thank you very much for your time and support—this is a critical moment not just for our Linguistics programmes, but for the wider visibility and sustainability of linguistics within the sector.
With best wishes
The English Language & Linguistics Staff at UH; Christina, Joanne, Gwyneth, Cathy and Theodora.