Historians renew solidarity to Goldsmiths as educational vandalism continues
The London Socialist Historians Group, which organises the socialist history seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, has offered renewed solidarity to the UCU branch at Goldsmiths College.
UCU members at Goldsmiths are in the middle of a two week strike that concludes on 28th June
Goldsmiths has seen a series of redundancy exercises in recent years which staff in the UCU and students have contested.
The latest proposed cuts which currently put over 130 people at risk of redundancy focus once again in the areas of arts and humanities. While Goldsmiths claim they are committed to these areas the continuing cuts suggest otherwise. They appear to echo the current Government’s view that degrees in the humanities do not lead to high earnings potential.
That is contentious in itself but it also throws out of the window any idea of a liberal education and learning and research as part of the general good of society.
A previous plan in 2022 was for a business University where the tune was called not by educational priorities but by banks including Lloyds and NatWest who drew up a business plan for Goldsmiths. What is taught was to be determined by what was profitable not for any intrinsic educational value.
LSHG Convenor Dr Keith Flett said, what is being attempted again at Goldsmiths is a prototype of Tory plans for the future of higher education. Any idea of a liberal education valued in itself is out. In future value will be judged on a profit and loss basis. We offer solidarity to Goldsmiths UCU in continuing to resist this. That they succeed is vital.
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