Russell Ballinger
Tuesday, 01 April 2008

Defend the Industrial Relations Department
As an ex-student I'm saddened to hear the department is under attack. The trade union movement has history of educating working class people who may have left school without many qualifcations and this department is no different. All trade unionists need to defend this vital resource. We can't allow business to dictate the agenda.

Agnes KHOO
Sunday, 02 March 2008

Democratizing University education is our responsibility
I totally support your campaign to hold your University accountable for their undemocratic and short-sighted policies and actions.Cutting jobs and making teachers redundant can only affect the students and the quality of teaching adversely in the long-run. You are not alone in your campaign as your problem is faced by many others all over the world. What happens to you today will take place in another University tomorrow. A similar campaign has been initiated by undergraduates of the University of Manchester, in support of their teacher who is facing forced retirement.Pls. sign on to SAVE SHEILA ROWBOTHAM facebook group to show your support for Sheila. She is an invaluable asset to the students and the University. Accumulation of teaching knowledge and skills do not come just like that; Sheila's years of experience and her committment to her students would be lost if the University let her go. Such loss cannot be measured in monetary terms. If the University truly wants to acquire an international reputation, it has to take its academic staff and students seriously by acknowledging skilled and extremely experienced scholars as part of the University's assets, which no amount of money can replace rather than as an additional cost to be cut.

Anthony Friend
Wednesday, 20 February 2008

Keele University Special Session: British Sociological Association 2008 Annual Conference
I'm sure you're aware of the controversy surrounding Janet Finch, Keele University's Vice Chancellor. If you have the opportunity she co-edited a book in the 1980's entitled A Degree of Choice: Higher Education and the Right to Learn, really is an interesting read where she talks about what education "could and should be like" and the need to "broaden the narrow class base of Higher Education." The plans that she is looking to implement at Keele will set an extraordinary precedent as she has bypassed the University's Senate and Teaching & Learning Committee: if successful it will give her a carte blanche and other Vice Chancellors around the country are taking note and may well decide to follow her lead. Janet is the former Chair of the Executive of the British Sociological Association and the seminar below is hosted by her PhD supervisor. Such a harsh, public critique from a close personal friend demonstrates the extent to which the academic community is wary of her plans. Would be great if you could help disseminate this information. British Sociological Association 2008 Annual Conference 'Social Worlds, Natural Worlds', University of Warwick Special Session Friday 28th March 11.30-1 R0.03-4 'Sociologists, the Restructuring of Higher Education and the Erosion of Critical Social Science: the Keele case' Speakers to include Nickie Charles (Professor of Sociology, Warwick University), John Eldridge (Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Glasgow University), Hugh Willmott (Professor in Organisational Studies, Cardiff University) and staff and students from Keele University.

Dr Alex Nunn
Wednesday, 13 February 2008

Principal Research Fellow: governance, regen and social inclusion, Leeds Met
I personally know of this department and some of its staff. Both are very highly regarded in the industrial relations world. Losing such a high profile department would appear to be senseless and shortsighted. I would encourage the University to think again.

Tim Sandle
Tuesday, 05 February 2008

Trade union activist, Unite
As a student at Keele (MA, 1997- 1999; PhD 2005-) I am appalled by these proposed cuts. The IR department at Keele is one of the finest education establishments in the world and its contunuation is of vital importance to the trade union movement, especially in bridging the important gap between 'theory' and 'practice'.

denislenihan
Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Denis Lenihan
It is a shame on our society that academic institutions are run on a profit-making basis, rather than for the greater good of society. This is yet another example!!

Charles Forrestal
Wednesday, 23 January 2008

Mr
DIsgraceful way to end such an important course

Werner Nienhueser
Friday, 18 January 2008

Professor of HRM, University of Duisburg-Essen
You have my suppport; this closure must be stopped.

Gordon Cooke
Wednesday, 16 January 2008

Asst Professor, IR, MUN, Newfoundland
At a time of increasing upheaval within labour markets, it is critical that students are exposed to different perspectives of the world of work. Now is the time when IR education is becoming more, not less, important.

John Budd
Wednesday, 16 January 2008

Professor of IR (USA)
Closing an internationally-recognized IR program will undermine our understanding of work at a time when this understanding is needed more than ever, and the process that was apparently followed is shameful. You have my support. John Budd, Professor of IR, University of Minnesota