As staff from universities throughout the UK, we read Sonia Sodha’s criticism of universities (“Our arrogant universities must be ready to change”, Commen) with incredulity.
She alleges lack of accountability and innovation in universities, yet both of these have been core features of academia since the 1990s. Universities have been subject to an intense regime of external audits, inspections, targets, monitoring exercises, statutory obligations, restructuring and strategic reviews. Meanwhile, academics have been extremely innovative in their teaching, with new courses, new methods of teaching, new modes of assessments, visits to relevant institutions or field trips, guest speakers and experts and study abroad.
As to Sodha’s complaint that arts and humanities students only receive about eight hours per week of teaching, she seems unaware that universities are not merely an extension of school. Students are supposed to be “reading” for a degree, which requires many hours each week immersed in books and journal articles which supplement lectures and seminars. Would she prefer that universities engage in teaching to the test, rather than fostering critical thinking? That would not enhance the quality of a university education, nor actually provide students with value for money. Nor would it imbue them with the skills today’s employers need in order to remain competitive.
Professor Pete Dorey
Professor Nicky Priaulx
Professor Garthine Walker
Cardiff University
Dr Andrew Denham University of Nottingham
Prof John H Arnold, University of Cambridge
Dr Kate Devlin, University of London
Prof Edward Newman, University of Leeds
Prof Muireann Quigley, Newcastle University
Dr Richard Hayton, University of Leeds
Professor Rosa Freeman, University of Reading
Professor Anna Grear, Cardiff University
Professor Marysia Zalewski, Cardiff University
Dr Victoria Honeyman, Leeds University
Professor Ray Bush, University of Leeds
Professor Elaine Chalus, University of Liverpool
Professor Andrew Bowie, University of London
Professor Jackie Leach Scully, Newcastle University
Professor Marie Fox, University of Liverpool
Professor Kathryn Hollingsworth, Newcastle University
Dr Gavin Byrne, Birmingham University
Dr Stephen W Smith, Cardiff University
Dr Martin Weinel, Cardiff University
Dr Jessica Guth, Leeds Beckett University
Heidi Colthup, Canterbury Christ Church University
Dr Illan rua Wall, University of Warwick
Katie Richards, Cardiff University
Dr Rachel Cahill O’Callaghan, Cardiff University
Dr Daniel Newman, Cardiff University
Professor Adam Hedgecoe, Cardiff University
Dr Imogen Jones, University of Leeds
Professor Fabio Vighi, Cardiff University
Dr Sharon Thompson, Cardiff University
Professor Angela Devereux, Cardiff University
Dr Gordon Clubb, University of Leeds
Dr Kerri Woods, University of Leeds
Dr Ruth Stirton, University of Sussex
Dr Máiréad Enright, University of Birmingham
Dr Elisa Wynne-Hughes, Cardiff University
Dr Hannah Hughes, Cardiff University
Dr Robert G Lee, University of Central Lancashire
Dr Emma Kennedy, University of London
Dr Lauren Redhead, Canterbury Christ Church University
Dr Rhian Newman, University of South Wales
Professor James A. Green, University of Reading
Dr Yasemin J. Erden, St Mary’s University
Dr Sara Kendall, University of Kent
Dr Geoffrey Cox, University of Huddersfield
Dr Mic Spencer, University of Leeds
Dr Neal Spowage, De Montfort University
Dr Katie Beswick, University of Exeter
Dr. Guy Harries, University of East London
Dr Mark Berry, University of London
Dr Demetra Arsalidou, Cardiff University
Dr Patricia Alessandrini, University of London
Dr Sharron FitzGerald, formerly Aberystwyth University
Dr Rodger Kibble, University of London
Dr Adam Strickson, University of Leeds
Dr Kirsty Horsey, University of Kent
Dr Deirdre Duffy, Manchester Metropolitan University
Professor Alastair Hudson, University of Exeter
Dr Aoife O’Donoghue, Durham University
Professor Lindsay Stirton, University of Sussex
Professor Julian Rushton, University of Leeds
Dr Ilke Turkmendag, Newcastle University
Dr Marianne O’Doherty, University of Southampton
Dr Rachel Hann, University of Surrey
Kelly Preece, University of Exeter
Dr Sophie Vigneron, University of Kent
Dr Kim Barker, University of Stirling
Dr Victoria M Basham, Cardiff University
Dr Natasha Hammond-Browning, Southampton University
Dr Andreas Kotsakis, Oxford Brookes University
Dr Christine Campbell, St Mary’s University
Dr Kit Kapphahn, Aberystwyth University
Dr Jonathan Hughes, Keele University
Dr Chris Lloyd, Oxford Brookes University
Dr Jonathan Marsh, Cardiff University
Dr Chrissie Rogers, Aston University
Dr Laura Chuhan Campbell, Durham University
Dr Lucy Michael, Ulster University
Dr Charlotte Skeet, University of Sussex
Dr Sorcha Uí Chonnachtaigh, Keele University
Dr Andrzej Zieleniec, Keele University
Dr Stephen Rainey, De Montfort University
Dr Jane Krishnadas, Keele University
Professor Anthony Arnull, University of Birmingham
Professor Gordon Woodman, University of Birmingham
Professor Richard Young, University of Birmingham
Professor Carol Jones, University of Birmingham
Professor Joanna Gray, University of Birmingham
Professor Robert Cryer, University of Birmingham
Dr Hakeem Yusuf, University of Birmingham
Dr Claire McIvor, University of Birmingham
Dr Bharat Malkani, University of Birmingham
Dr Adrian Hunt, University of Birmingham
Dr Neil Evans, Cardiff University
Dr Mark Williams, Cardiff University
Dr Bronach Kane, Cardiff University
Dr Sophie Coulombeau, Cardiff University
Dr David Hitchcock, Canterbury Christ Church University
Professor Laura Gowing, University of London
Dr Nicola Williams-Burnett, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Dr Cathy McClive, Durham University
Professor Joanne Begiato, Oxford Brookes University
Dr David Doddington, Cardiff University
Professor Diane Purkiss, University of Oxford
Dr James Ryan, Cardiff University
Professor Keir Waddington, Cardiff University
Professor Hanna Diamond, Cardiff University
Dr Emily Danvers, Dr Lloyd Bowen, Cardiff University
Dr Catriona Louise Pennell, University of Exeter
Dr Victoria Bates, University of Bristol
Dr Stephanie Ward, Cardiff University
Dr David Wyatt, Cardiff University
Professor Patricia Skinner, Swansea University
Dr Mark Hailwood, University of Exeter
Dr Daniel Grey, University of Plymouth
Dr Simon Sandall, University of Winchester
Professor Karen Harvey, University of Sheffield
Dr Martin Atherton, University of Central Lancashire
Dr Emma-Louise Anderson, University of Leeds
Professor Rosemary Englander, Open University
Dr Martin Wright, Cardiff University
Dr Roberta Anderson, Bath Spa University
Dr Steven Biddlecombe, Nottingham Trent University
Prof Anthony Mandal, Cardiff University
Dr Adam de la Cour, University of Kent
Dr Iain Brassington, University of Manchester
Professor Kate Chedgzoy, Newcastle University
Dr Jane Henderson, Cardiff University
Professor Kevin Passmore, Cardiff University
Dr Jan Machielsen, Cardiff University
No winners in AI’s advance
As a retired AI professor, I’m compelled to congratulate Carol Cadwalladr for her sharply written and well-researched piece “Robert Mercer: the big data billionaire waging war on mainstream media” (Review). The technological state of the art does not surprise me as much as learning of its pervasive deployment; it seems many of us who knew better were all caught napping!
If the same technology had been used to secure victories for Hillary Clinton in the US and Remain in the UK, would those of us in a celebratory mood now be crowing smugly about its clever deployment, the way we did following the Obama election team’s savvy use of social media in 2008?
There is nothing to be smug about. The trends exposed by Cadwalladr are alarming This explains the urgent push for accountability in industrial/academic alliances such as the Partnership on AI, OpenAI and the UK’s Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence.
Marc Eisenstadt
Milton Keynes
Moving Pentecost mosaic
The other mosaic by Mayer-Marton you refer to, which is now in the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (“Church closure threatens masterpiece”, News), depicts Pentecost. It was originally displayed in the Holy Ghost church in Netherton, near Liverpool. When the building was reconstructed, the roof was lowered and this large mosaic was removed to the cathedral. For a (very young) member of staff at the Holy Ghost primary school, opposite the church, almost 50 years ago, this beautiful mosaic formed an important part of the school’s religious and art studies. Visits to the cathedral now to enjoy it are still a personal delight.
Paul Taylor
Litherland, Merseyside
Erase a name, destroy history
I take issue with David Olusoga’s claims when calling for the renaming of Colston Hall in Bristol (Comment). To say that Bristol is “wilfully blind to its history” is egregious. On my way to school, I walk past Colston’s statue. Perhaps only 30 metres away stands a statue of Edmund Burke, MP for the city from 1774 to 1780, whose “Sketch of a Negro Code” had great influence on those who fought for emancipation in 1833.
The poignancy of Burke’s place at the heart of the city is amplified by it being surrounded by Colston’s statue, Colston Tower and Colston Hall. It stands as a reminder of both the embarrassment of riches and the city’s desire to make liberty rise from the ashes of its tainted past. Take away either Colston’s or Burke’s monuments and Bristol’s appreciation of its history would be diminished.
Gabriel Osborne
Bristol
A benefit cut too far
As not-for-profit organisations working with some of the most vulnerable people in our society, we voice our deep concern at the government’s plans to radically change the way they pay for supported housing.
Such housing provides safe and independent long- or short-term support for people with learning disabilities, women and children escaping domestic violence, older people, people living with mental illness, people who are homeless and others. Until now, they could rely on housing benefit to cover their rent and some service charges. Yet, under government plans, their benefit will be capped and most will need a top-up from their local authority to fund this crucial help. As local councils already face vast budget cuts, this will cause problems and uncertainty. The current funding system is not perfect, but the proposed system jeopardises the wellbeing and safety of many vulnerable people - the human and financial costs could be great. This can only spell bad news for our NHS, care and other public services left to pick up the pieces.We urge a new fair funding system, built on the actual needs of vulnerable people.
Mark Winstanley Rethink Mental Illness
Caroline Abrahams Age UK
Lord Adebowale Turning Point
and 16 others. See observer.co.ukAlison Burns and Sallie Bridgen, Diversity Housing Network
Jacqueline De-Rose, Progress Housing Group
Matthew Eddisford, Care Housing Association
Jenny Edwards, Mental Health Foundation
Paul Farmer, Mind
Alastair Graham, Golden Lane Housing
Sarah Hughes, Centre for Mental Health
Peter Jenkins, Leonard Cheshire Disability
Brian Johnson, Metropolitan
Rick Henderson, Homeless Link
Gillian Morbey, Sense
Polly Neate, Women’s Aid
David Orr,National Housing Federation
Jacob Tas, Nacro
Jan Tregelles, Mencap
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