Author: QMUCU

Along with the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, another part of Queen Mary that is being extensively 'restructured' is the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD). This was another case where management issued plans for sweeping changes, in this case to address a suddenly revealed £6m budget deficit. As usual, rather than managers being … Continue reading School of Medicine and Dentistry: 43 posts under threat

At the request of UCU representatives, Queen Mary's Principal, Simon Gaskell, visited the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences to hear the deep concerns of staff and students at the ill-thought-out plans to restructure the School. The meeting was recorded - without those present having been asked, which is typical of the disrespect for staff … Continue reading QM Principal’s Cavalier Remarks on Teaching ‘Risk’ and Research in SBCS

The following motion was passed at QMSU's Council meeting on 28 February. 12.0  Protecting the teaching of students in SBCS Proposer:  Oscar Williamson (Vice President Education and Welfare) Seconder:  Ozzy Amir (Mile End Campaigns Officer) QMSU notes: 1.  The proposed restructuring of the school of biological and chemical sciences (SBCS) circulated to members of staff … Continue reading SBCS: QMSU Respond

Students in the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences have written to the Head of School, Principal and Vice-Principals to express their concern about the proposed restructuring. We, the undersigned students of Queen Mary, University of London, are writing to express our concerns regarding the proposed restructuring of the University’s School of Biological and Chemical … Continue reading SBCS: Students’ Response

UCU has now drafted its formal response to the restructuring proposals for the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, which you can access below. This includes both a devastating critique of the proposals and a positive alternative to improve research outcomes while safeguarding teaching and jobs. Executive Summary UCU agrees that SBCS should aspire to … Continue reading SBCS Restructuring: UCU Response

Following on from our post about the response of current and former students, another striking aspect of our petition against the restructuring of SBCS has been the response from the global scientific community. Scientists from Britain, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and South Africa have expressed their support for … Continue reading Scientists from Around the World Respond to SBCS Restructuring Proposals

In a little over one week, over 1,300 academics, scientists and current and former students of SBCS from around the world have signed our petition calling for a halt to the proposed restructuring of the School. Below we reproduce some of the comments left by current and former students who are in no doubt as … Continue reading Current and Former Students Respond to SBCS Restructuring Proposals

QM UCU is currently finalising its official response to the SBCS restructuring proposals and we will post a copy here when it's done. In the meantime, here are some responses from individual staff members who wanted to share their views publicly. They give a very detailed insight into the problems in that school. Adrian Dobbs's … Continue reading SBCS Staff Responses to Restructuring Proposals