Birmingham City University has blamed low demand after deciding to close its master’s course in black studies just a year after it launched.
An open letter has been signed by about 150 figures around the world in protest at the decision, including prominent names such as activist Akala, author Yomi Adegoke, and Wanda Wyporska, the chief executive officer of the Black Cultural Archives.
The planned closure of the MA course in black studies and global justice would result in the loss of three staff members. It comes just two years after BCU cancelled its undergraduate black studies course – pledging at the time that there would be no redundancies for staff.
The letter accuses BCU of a “deeply flawed” process to close the course less than a year on from launch, with no consultation of staff, adding that the university had failed to promote the course properly.
“We were obviously blindsided and deeply upset by both the news and the way it was delivered with a callous disregard for our wellbeing, expertise and the impact on students,” it says
