[Geo4All] 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



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>>> 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
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>>> 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
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>>> 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 <https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/>
>>> 
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