University of Sheffield staff threaten strike over closure of archaeology department
UCU members could walk out in protest during the autumn term
Staff at the University of Sheffield are threatening to strike over plans to close the archaeology department.
Plans approved by the University Council on Monday would still see the subject being taught at Sheffield, although it won't have its own separate teaching staff.
Instead it will be 'aligned' with other departments, using their teaching staff and resources.
The department is the seventh best in the UK for the subject, according to the QS World University Rankings.
University of Sheffield University and College Union (UCU) branch officer Robyn Orfitelli said:
"Today Sheffield UCU members voted overwhelmingly to fight the planned closure of our archaeology department, which would harm students, staff and the global study of archaeology."
"At Monday’s meeting, the University Council voted to support (the closure), despite the serious ethical and procedural concerns that have been raised about how the review was conducted, and further governance concerns that have been raised about every step of the process, including Senate being denied the opportunity to vote on the proposal."
‘We had hoped management would have learned the lessons from last year’s failed ‘fire and rehire’ cost-cutting exercise."
But staff and students are still being ignored. We believe in a university which prioritises education and actively values the staff and students who are at the heart of our community, and we will escalate our fight until management is willing to listen."
UCU members at Sheffield have voted to move ahead with industrial action, unless university bosses decide to scrap the plans in the coming months.
It could mean teaching being disrupted by walk outs during the autumn term.
The Department of Archaeology has 11 teaching and research posts. 10 people currently have offers to study courses under the department in the next academic year.
The university insists teaching will remain of a 'high quality' and it will support students to complete their studies
Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said:
“The University is determined to secure the future of archaeology in Sheffield in the face of a very challenging external environment which has seen a significant decline in the number of students choosing to read archaeology, as has been experienced by many other leading universities.
“The decision by University Council to ratify the Board’s recommended course of action, following a review of the Department of Archaeology, does not alter the outcome that archaeology will continue to be taught and researched in Sheffield.
“Not only will we maintain and support archaeology at the University, we will work with our colleagues and partners to ensure it thrives through focusing on postgraduate studies and investing in key areas of excellence which have contributed to Sheffield’s reputation as a top 100 global university with world-leading research and innovation.
“This decision will ensure that many fantastic projects and the outstanding work our staff and students undertake with partners and communities within the city and far beyond it will continue to enrich our cultural heritage, knowledge of the past and people’s lives.
“We will continue to support our staff and students through this process, and will work with them collaboratively as we consider how to take the recommendation forward.”