We wish to raise concerns about the proposed ‘One UOW’ model. We are specifically concerned about impact on the ability of senior academic staff to continue to contribute to improvements in UOW’s research rankings and performance. We dispute the claim made in the One-UOW materials that the ‘core function’ of research will not be impacted by these changes.

Research at UOW relies on strong administrative support at the local level. In particular, the availability of local administrative staff to support the everyday work of the University is what allows academics to do research. Plans to decrease the level of administrative support that Academics receive in all areas of University life will have an immediate and pernicious effect on research productivity at UOW. Under the proposed model it seems likely that senior academic staff will inevitably be required to take on work that should be delegated to level 3-6 administrative staff, thus reducing their effective research capacity.

There has been insufficient mapping of the very significant work that local professional staff do to support academic productivity. As we are frequently reminded by the Vice Chancellor, UOW has been advancing in measures of research performance. If UOW wishes to retain the high quality researchers generating this performance, it is imperative that productive academic work is not undermined by the removal of administrative support services.

It has not yet been explained how the ONE-UOW model will allow the core functions of the University, including the work of the professoriate, to be maintained. Given the already significant staff losses, including of senior staff through the Voluntary Early retirement Scheme, we have significant concerns about loss of research leadership and capacity at our University.

We object to the extent and the depth of job losses that will come from the One-UOW model; we have serious concerns about the quality of consultation and the information available; and we have grave concerns about the impacts on professional staff colleagues and the profound loss to quality research that their departure will mean for all staff at UOW.