51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

We the undersigned write in protest at the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Birmingham's recent decision to close the department of cultural studies.

It is internationally acknowledged that the department has been a leading centre for the teaching of sociology and cultural studies, with a vigorous intellectual culture and an illustrious history. The decision to close it will have a devastating impact on its current students and staff and raises serious issues of principle about how a major public employer spends its money and treats its staff and students. The decision must also be seen as an attack on the position of sociology and cultural studies in the United Kingdom academy.

We believe this closure puts in question Birmingham's international reputation as a first-class university.

Hazel Carby, Yale 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Richard Dyer, Warwick 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Lawrence Grossberg, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Stuart Hall, Open 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Richard Johnson, Nottingham Trent 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Stuart Laing, Brighton 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Maureen McNeil, Lancaster 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

and 50 others