Statement from Goldsmiths Sociology on the closure of philosophy at Middlesex

2 May 2010

To: Michael Driscoll, Vice-Chancellor, Middlesex University

We are academics in the Department of Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London who are horrified by the decision to close Philosophy programmes at Middlesex. As you well know, Philosophy is the highest research-rated subject at your University, with 65% of its research activity judged ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the last RAE. The Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy is, as your own website rightly points out, ‘the leading centre for postgraduate level study and doctoral research in Continental Philosophy in the London area’ and has a deserved international reputation.

We understand that the decision to close the programmes was made not because they are in deficit but because of a strategic decision to focus on higher-band programmes. We also understand that the Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities acknowledged the excellent research reputation of Philosophy at Middlesex, but said that it made no ‘measurable’ contribution to the University.

We deplore such a statement and urge you to reconsider your decision to pursue what we believe can only be described as a clear case of academic vandalism.

Prof. Les Back
Prof. Vikki Bell
Dr. Kirsten Campbell
Dr. Mariam Fraser
Dr. Monica Greco
Dr. Yasmin Gunaratnam
Dr. Aidan Kelly
Prof. Caroline Knowles
Prof. Celia Lury
Prof. Mike Michael
Prof. Kate Nash
Dr. David Oswell
Dr. Nirmal Puwar
Dr. Marsha Rosengarten
Prof. Bev Skeggs
Dr. Alberto Toscano