Here’s the latest UK university round-up, covering recent stories at other universities.
Cardiff University
Cardiff University has announced plans to cut its music department amidst widespread budget shortfalls.
The decision comes alongside the dismissal of up to 400 academic staff, following The Guardian’s revelation of an operating deficit of £31.2m for the 2023–24 period.
Widespread condemnation has emerged in light of the development, with staff at the university set to protest on 4 February.
In a statement released on 30 January, Cardiff University Music Society said that it “completely condemns” the proposal to close the School of Music.
The University of Plymouth
The University of Plymouth is set to collaborate with the NHS in a £6.5m project, aimed at revolutionising mental health treatment using ultrasound.
The trial, funded by the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency, will test the efficiency of a brain-computer-interface device.
If successful, the brain implant could help to improve patients’ mood and reduce depression.
Professor Elsa Fouragnan, who will be responsible for the project’s experimental design, stated, “This is an incredibly exciting project, and we will be working with technologies that could transform the lives of people with mental health and other neurological conditions”.
The three-and-a-half-year project is set to commence before the end of 2025, following rigorous screening procedures starting in March.
The University of Dundee
Financial concerns have also been raised at the University of Dundee, where job-cut plans have resulted in strike action.
After the university revealed a potential deficit of £30m for 2024/25, staff were warned of the threat of “inevitable” job losses.
In a ballot held by the University and College Union (UCU) Scotland on 30 January, it was revealed that university staff would back strike action against the potential of compulsory redundancies.
Of the 64% of UCU Scotland members who participated in the ballot, 74% backed strike action.
