End Unjust Redundancies

There seems to be no correlation whatsoever between the quality of faculty and whose jobs are on the line. In reading other comments it seems that most people agree w/me on this. Haphazard management of resources at UCL is not only embarrassing and condemnable but, very practically speaking, it makes me far less likely to recommend/report a positive opinion on UCL to people outside the university. Commitment to diversity, inclusion and progressiveness at UCL read as corporate, disingenuous and slimy considering when push comes to shove they side with their bottom line.

To have these redundancies is outrageous and unfair. Tom Penfold has taught me for 3 modules though out my experience at UCL, and they have not only been well done but have also been the modules I have done the best at. The fact that they are getting rid of one of the only Africa tutors and will now have even less modules focusing on the region is ludicrous. He has been a great support throughout. Similarly with Mitch has been nothing but amazing during my time at UCL in all the modules I have had him in. He’s always prepared, supportive and his teaching is immaculate. For UCL to let go of these staff would be an absolute detriment to the department and really sours my experience of going here for 3 years.

I want to apply UCL PhD History programme. If this happens, nobody will supervise my research since the History department gets rid of excellent researchers in my research field. Also it's unfair to do this as it will destroy these researchers' careers and lives.

Compulsory redundancy seems to be indicative of a lack of creativity, compassion and problem solving ability

I'm on my year abroad this year and this is such disappointing news. The list of subjects available to study for my final year next year is smaller than I expected for a university that has been ranked as the 4th best for historical research by The Complete University Guide as of 2024. Half of the research modules for the dissertation options don't even have an academic tied to them yet -- as this choice would affect 50% of my final year grade, I find this very concerning. I really hope UCL do not proceed with these redundancies, as they would only serve to damage the reputation of the department and the experience of the students. Reducing the size of the History staff like this will undoubtedly increase class sizes, resulting in a worsened quality of tutoring (regardless of how good the tutors may be!). Considering how few contact hours we have in the first place, it seems more and more like UCL is happy to take our tuition fees whilst having us teach ourselves.

Unfair on so many levels. Give lecturers job security.

These redundancies have been really disappointing to hear about. As a study abroad student, the lack of choice in modules for my final year (which was what brought me to UCL History in the first place) is very troubling. My first year was made completely worthwhile by the breadth of interests and knowledge we were given in core modules, and it's a real shame that future generations of students won't be able to experience the same from these tutors.

Depressing news demonstrating a complete lack of respect and appreciation for their dedicated and inspirational staff. Shame on you, UCL.

I have been taught by both Tom Penfold and Joe Cozens and both provided me with great academic guidance and support. It would be a huge loss if they were no longer part of the UCL history department.

My experience of being taught by Alessandro de Arcangelis will perhaps remain with me forever. His global intellectual history research seminar was fundamental to my development as a historian. He instilled his passion for intellectual history within me, and I will forever remain grateful. UCL would be worse off if they proceed with enacting the proposed redundancies.

When I heard about these redundancies, I was shocked. The work of staff such as Adela Halo and Tom Penfold has been fundamental to my experience at UCL. Adela was the most supportive and incredibly understanding member of staff who aided my return from my year abroad. Without her I do not know what I would’ve done, and what state I would be in right now. Her ability to support students whilst also provide such great academic achievements is something UCL should not take for granted. Another key example is Tom Penfold, who whenever is mentioned amongst students, is praised for his unique and engaging teaching style and ability to conjure such debates and discussions in a class. My Cities of Gold survey module with him was my favourite, as he managed to create such interesting lectures and seminars week by week. To say I would be disappointed if these staff were made redundant is an understatement, I would be disgraced and repulsed! UCL has a responsibility to care for it’s staff who students stand by!

I have been taught by both Alessandro and Adela who have been extremely supportive over the course of my degree, not only providing me with an amazing teaching experience, but support and feedback outside of lessons that have truly helped shape me into a strong academic writer. Adela is so integral to providing students with insights into political thought and her subjects have always been extremely popular amongst the student body, and Alessandro’s ‘Enlightenment and Revolutions’ was one of the best thematics I’ve taken.

Given the limited amount of contact hours at UCL the ability to form a personal connection with module tutors is vital and the capricious way that lecturers are being made redundant will have a severely adverse effect on the quality of student experience at UCL

It seems that the damage has already been done considering the stress and anxiety that the staff members in question will likely experience in the face of potential unemployment. However, I find myself very confused as to how the decision to make so many employees redundant will affect UCL's history department positively in any way. Having been taught by both Dr Simon Macdonald and Dr Alessandro de Arcangelis over the course of my time at UCL, I can say with certainty that their evident expertise in their respective subjects and their passion for teaching is invaluable to the department, especially in light of the unavailability of modules covering popular periods such as the 18th and 19th centuries which will occur along with the loss of these academics and their colleagues. I believe that the lack of a broad choice of historical time periods and themes in the department's modules, which is what initially drew me to UCL, will negatively affect student intake in the future, as will the loss of reputation should any unjust practices become public knowledge.

It's hard to overstate just how incredible the teaching staff are in the History Department. Throughout my entire degree, the one consistently amazing part of my academic experience was being taught by academics such as Dr Jack Saunders, Dr Joe Cozens, and Dr Tom Penfold. The only reason I've considered an (exorbitantly expensive) MA at UCL is because of the incredible teaching staff that have made me seriously consider an academic career. Gutting the best academics in this department is beyond ridiculous and a betrayal to both the academics and the students who will be affected by this.

Jack Saunders and Joe Cozens have both made my academic time here. My academic experience would have been much more negative had I not been taught my them. Plus isn't it literally illegal to keep renewing temporary contracts? All these individuals are considered permanent staff by the department and it's a dreadful idea all round for employee-university relations as well as student happiness.

Keep this up and congrats on starting this petition!

The UCL history department fundamentally relies on the skill and passion of its dedicated staff. My degree is incredibly important to me, especially considering I would like to pursue a career in history, and it is the hard work of my lectures and tutors that ensures I constantly feel as if I am learning and improving. Without them - and without the broad and highly knowledgeable subject matters they cover - the UCL history course would not be the same. I chose to come to UCL based on the variety the course could offer, and the high standard it is kept to - without the department’s current staff, this would not be the case.

Alessandro is a UCL asset!

I have been fortunate to have had some incredible teachers in my life. Dr Alessandro de Arcangelis is quite possibly the best I have ever had. His lessons have made me better at nearly everything I pursue. I am a better, writer, historian and even a better person. No one else has positioned the very intention behind the study of history, to learn from the past and question our reality, as he has. Professor de Arcangelis taught in such a way as to illuminate the present world through understanding the past. Letting go of teachers like him would be a colossal loss, not just for UCL's standing as an institution, but for future students. It is the people who make a university great. Though I am not surprised by this decision, I am saddened by it. I have borne witness in my time at UCL to the erosion of the history department as classes are cut and professors are not even given classrooms to teach in. As history has shown us, when the arts suffer, so do we all. By making such cuts, UCL is shooting itself in the foot. I sincerely hope the decision to let go of what makes this department is reconsidered.