The University of Sheffield said there will be no compulsory redundancies ahead of its archaeology department closure but campaigners say the “fight will never be over”.
University of Sheffield forces through closure of world-renowned archaeology department
The University of Sheffield has confirmed it will close its renowned archaeology department. Despite widespread local and international revulsion at this act of cultural vandalism, an online petition opposing the closure attracting 45,000 signatures and a campaign by the department’s staff, students, and supporters to keep the department open, management decided to close the department.
On July 13, the University Executive Board (UEB) officially ratified recommendations made by the University’s Senate in the spring that the department cease to exist. Staff numbers have been reduced in the department for years, with only 11 remaining. An unspecified number of staff will be retained, with management proposing they are attached to other university departments to focus on specialist areas of postgraduate study. Undergraduate study will cease.
University of Sheffield confirm archaeology department will be closed in decision staff call unequivocal end yorkshirepost.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yorkshirepost.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
University of Sheffield plans to close world-leading Archaeology Department
The University Executive Board (UEB) of the University of Sheffield plans to close its world-renowned Department of Archaeology. This act of wanton cultural vandalism could be greenlighted in a matter of weeks as early as September with the loss of the remaining 11 jobs.
The University of Sheffield is one of only seven of the 24 Russell Group universities (the UK’s highest-ranking) with a dedicated archaeology department. Established in 1976, Sheffield archaeology is currently ranked 5th in the UK, and 12th worldwide. It is conducting groundbreaking and crucial research and teaching, including valuable work at Stonehenge.