We, the undersigned, express our deep concern and opposition to Northumbria University's recent decisions to forge partnerships and accept investments from Lockheed Martin, a major aerospace and defence company known for it’s manufacture of weapons.

Northumbria University, the 2022 THE University of the Year, says its “values and behaviour” include being “compassionate” and fostering “inclusivity”, so people “respect everyone”, “support one another to succeed”, and “Do the right thing”. The university’s recent decision to forge a partnership with and accept investments from Lockheed Martin, a major aerospace and defence company, threatens these values.

Northumbria’s own 'Treasury Management and Investment Policy' (2018) will not allow the university to invest funds in “arms companies”, because that might risk “alienating current students [or] staff”. It cannot, then, be acceptable to receive investment from or collaborate with an arms company like Lockheed Martin. Doing so raises serious ethical and moral concerns, because such collaborations have the potential to contribute to activities that end innocent lives and displace countless people.

As the BBC has reported, Lockheed Martin products have been widely used in recent war zones across the world, considerably by the IDF in their recent bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Considering this, Northumbria University management have said that they cannot “guarantee” research and technologies developed by Northumbria in partnership with Lockheed Martin will not be put to military use.

The argument that this investment is from Lockheed Martin’s ‘Space’ section and is therefore not related to military uses does not stand valid. Lockheed Martin themselves say that their ‘Space’ section helps “government and commercial customers gather, analyse, and securely distribute critical intelligence data”, whilst providing “various classified products and services in support of vital national security systems and international missions”.

Given recent protests at Lockheed Martin plants in the UK, there is a risk the university could become a focus for concerns too, compromising the security and wellbeing of staff and students.

A university should be better, and should mean more, than this. Good local jobs, regional investment, and innovative research for sustainable growth matter, but cannot come at the expense of people’s lives.

As advocates for peace, justice, and ethical investments, we believe that institutions of higher education, such as Northumbria University, must prioritise partnerships that align with values of human rights, international law, and social responsibility. Accepting funds and engaging in collaborations with organisations connected to conflicts and human rights abuses contradicts the principles of academic integrity and ethical conduct that universities like Northumbria should be proud to uphold.

This petition calls upon Northumbria University to reconsider its partnership with Lockheed Martin and to review its investment decisions, ensuring that its affiliations align with a commitment to peace, justice, and the well-being of all. By signing this petition we stand together with all those urging Northumbria to end connections with companies involved in activities that contribute to conflict and human rights violations.

We take a principled stance against collaborations that undermine the pursuit of a just and peaceful world. And we express our belief in the power of education to create positive change and foster a global community that values human dignity, equality, and the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of society.