Sussex Not For Sale

A good speaker making a good point. But is the University really suggesting to turn itself in to something that produce robot students? No, it's still proposing to teach as before. However, Sussex has slipped behind over the last 10 years or so. We may be a 'niche' and known for our unique way of looking at things critically, but we are no longer known as a research University. I'm sorry if this sounds management but the truth is while i have worked here i have watched as we have basically stood still for years, while a former peers (the 1994 group of universities, and those built in the 60s) have grown and gained a greater reputation. And that does count. Go to York, or Surrey or Warwick websites and you will see news of new buildings, campuses and departments and large research announcements. Sussex does not have this and never will unless something changes. I don't think anyone here can say we don't lack resources and need some improvements. The most successful Universities have large departments that focus on research. My understanding is that these research themes will help us, a small university with small departments, have a chance, with academics across departments working in large themes that can compete with large departments at other unis. It is not excluding those who do not fit these themes and it is not suddenly forcing those in IR who research the social bits of security to suddenly research the nasty bits of security. So while I agree that we do not want to produce robot-students, nor loose sussex's critical thinking and research, what i am saying is that we need to do something in order for Sussex to be heard at all and not become a small unimportant organisation that no one listens to. and with that in mind, there isn't anything THAT wrong with the green paper.

Thanks for an interesting post. I will point out just one misconception. As you say, management have claimed that colleagues will be free to work outside the research themes. But the VC also admitted that it would be 'an aspriation' for everyone to be working under the themes. Perhaps they're not planning to do this coercively but I can't imagine someone working outside the themes would be made to feel particularly welcome. It is this gradual but comprehensive shift in research focus which I find troubling. Notwithstanding the above, I would like to know just what it is about other universities' large departments that gets them the research reputation. Is it just about 'critical mass' or are they better at playing to the strategic objectives of the funding councils? If the latter, is this really what we want to do?