[Responsible-digital-futures] Fwd: Supporting Humanities and Social Science

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues,

The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with
compulsory redundancies “at this time”.

I would like to thank colleagues, students, alumni from all over the world
who supported and signed our petition to defend humanities, arts and social
science. Standing in solidarity together has been what has got us this
far.  I hope this news will bring some hope to colleagues in other UK
universities who are going through “restructuring” and compulsory
redundancies. I want to express my solidarity with all colleagues affected
by risk of redundancy in all universities.

While there is some relief in the threat of compulsory redundancies being
removed , it is important to remember the amazing colleagues that we are
losing through so-called voluntary redundancy. These colleagues are experts
in their fields, they are our academic community, and they are fantastic
educators who have inspired generations of students. Their leaving is a
huge loss for our university community. Pressures on remaining staff will
increase and students’ experience will be impacted. And all this time, we
haven’t seen convincing arguments as to why so many members of staff should
have to go.

As the cofounder of GeoForAll initiative, I have been working all my career
for expanding geography education opportunities for all. So I am deeply
disappointed with the University of Exeter management’s decision to close
BA, BSc Geography and associated joint undergraduate programmes at the
university's Penryn campus in Cornwall.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62edpv9l53o

https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2026-July/006684.html

Thanks again to all colleagues from across the world for signing the open
letter and petition for defending Humanities, Arts and Social Science.

Best wishes

Suchith






On 23 Jul 2026, at 22:04, Suchith Anand  wrote:

Dear colleagues,

Thank you all for the huge support and solidarity for defending Humanities
and Social Science. Over 35000 have signed the petition to stop
redundancies at the University of Exeter. Details at
https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2026-July/006684.html

This Guardian Editorial on 20 July 2026 highlights the importance of
Literature, the arts and social sciences.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/20/the-guardian-view-on-humanities-cuts-in-universities-academic-departments-are-more-than-cost-centres

The UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is a Humanities graduate. In 2023, Andy
gave this excellent interview about his experience studying a Humanities
degree.

Humanities Degrees - An Interview with Andy Burnham
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dJGnGiYy7T4&pp=iggUQAFKEF91OFZlaUloX2lrcnhlSU0%3D

I request the UK Government to support Humanities and Social Science in all
UK universities.

Best wishes

Suchith

Professor Suchith Anand
Professor of Practice in Science Policy | Senior Adviser to Governments and
International Organisations | Scientist | Global Citizen | Science
Diplomacy |  SDG Volunteer and Advocate
https://spspa.exeter.ac.uk/people/profile/index.php?username=sa1131
https://ethicaldatainitiative.org
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