Birmingham City University urged not to axe Black studies MA

"More than 100 academics, writers and activists from around the world have signed an open letter condemning plans to close an MA in Black studies and global justice at Birmingham City University (BCU), just months after it was first launched. The move follows the controversial closure of BCU's undergraduate course in Black studies in 2024, and has prompted warnings that Black studies are being erased from UK higher education. Five Black members of staff are at risk of redundancy, including Prof Kehinde Andrews, a leading commentator who pioneered the development of BCU's Black studies programme."

"Andrews said he and four colleagues were called into a meeting with just 24 hours' notice to be told that a decision had been taken in February to close down the MA. The university has blamed low recruitment. Eight students are currently on the MA course. Andrews added: The MA only started this year, so they have given it a few months before deciding to cut it, with zero consultation with staff or students. They have also admitted to not completing an equality impact assessment."

"Andrews added: The MA only started this year, so they have given it a few months before deciding to cut it, with zero consultation with staff or students. They have also admitted to not completing an equality impact assessment. He told the Guardian: It really is about erasure. The university should be ashamed. Andrews has now written an open letter to the university's board of governors, calling for the decision to be reviewed. He claims the conduct of the university and its decision-making are deeply flawed and potentially discriminatory."

"UK universities are currently engulfed in a financial crisis and many have implemented widespread cost-cutting measures. There are claims, however, that cuts are disproportionately affecting Black scholarship. Andrews cites the case of Prof Hakim Adi, who was made redundant in 2023 by the University of Chichester, which cut his MRes on the history of Africa and the African diaspora, and described it as a worrying trend. In the US there is an attack on Black intellectual thought, in the UK there is so little of it on offer in higher education that the bigger problem is neglect."

More than 100 academics, writers, and activists signed an open letter condemning plans to close an MA in Black studies and global justice at Birmingham City University, launched only months earlier. The proposal follows the 2024 closure of a Birmingham City University undergraduate Black studies course and has raised warnings that Black studies are being erased from UK higher education. Five Black staff members face redundancy, including Prof Kehinde Andrews, who helped develop the Black studies programme. Andrews said he and colleagues were informed with 24 hours’ notice that the MA would be closed, citing low recruitment as the university’s reason. He also said there was no consultation and no completed equality impact assessment, and he called for the decision to be reviewed. Claims of disproportionate cuts to Black scholarship are linked to prior redundancies elsewhere.

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