Dear Vice-Chancellor,

I am writing to express my dismay on hearing of plans to close the Philosophy programmes at Middlesex. This is an area in which the university has achieved an international reputation for research and teaching that is the envy of many other institutions.

Last year when I was asked to cover for a member of the Middlesex English Department who was on sick leave I was deeply impressed not only by the high standard of teaching and pastoral care at Middlesex but by the internal cohesion of the School for Arts and Education. To lose such an innovative and successful part of your provision  is surely  short-sighted in the extreme and I very much hope that you will reconsider the decision.

Yours sincerely,

John Stokes

Emeritus Professor of Modern British Literature, King’s College London
Special Professor of English and Drama, University of Nottingham