My problem here is making a Johnsonian distinction between fleas and lice.  That is to say I have very little time for abstract defence of the role of the traditional intellectual which is the core of the opposition to impact assessment.  On the other hand I have equally no time for a research agenda dictated by the needs of ‘UK PLC’.  However, a contest about what is relevant research is actually an important part of organic intellectual activity – in other words if people involved with Capital and Class think their research has no impact then they should be doing something else. It is a matter of what impact and for whom and that is something where we fight instead of pretending to be little intellectual tin gods way above the sordid issues of what knowledge actually does in the world.

 

David Byrne

 

 

This is likely to be already on the agenda of many CAPITAL-AND-CLASS list members – so this is a note to suggest that you move it to the top of your personal agenda right now: it only takes a few seconds to sign up, and the HEFCE proposals have ominous implications for the kind of research programmes of relevance to the journal.

 

 

 

Dear colleague

STAND UP FOR RESEARCH

Please join the six UK Nobel Laureates and many other leading academics who have already signed UCU's statement opposing proposals from HEFCE to change funding criteria.

To sign click: http://www.ucu.org.uk/standupforresearch

If implemented, the proposals would mean that 25% of future research funding would be allocated according to its ‘economic and social impact’.

HEFCE has put these proposals out to consultation and the deadline for submissions is 16 December.

The UCU believes that these ‘impact’ proposals represent an attack on the knowledge process and constitute a threat to the existence of basic research activity in the UK.

Our statement calls on HEFCE to withdraw these proposals. We intend to submit this statement to the funding council and to publish the list of names.

It is already abundantly clear that these proposals do not have the support of the academic community.

We need every member to sign this statement and to then pass on the link to colleagues to ensure that the voice of the profession is heard.

Please add your name to the list here and circulate this link among your colleagues: http://www.ucu.org.uk/standupforresearch

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Please contact me if you want to discuss it further.

Best wishes

Sally Hunt
UCU general secretary


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