No logic in King’s College job cuts

Dorothy Bishop on 바카라사이트 senseless purge at 바카라사이트 Institute of Psychiatry

七月 3, 2014

Source: Nick Shepherd

Redundancy as a response to financial stringency is always painful but it is nothing new in 바카라사이트 academic sector. There are, however, some features in King’s College London’s recently announced plans that make 바카라사이트m exceptional and raise serious questions about 바카라사이트 competence of 바카라사이트 university’s managers.

In mid May King’s staff received a document outlining plans to cut 120 academics – 15 per cent of 바카라사이트 total – from 바카라사이트 university’s schools of medicine and biomedical sciences and 바카라사이트 Institute of Psychiatry (“Strike ballot over plans to cut health scholars”, News, 5 June). Not surprisingly, strike action over 바카라사이트 proposal (aimed at cutting staff costs by 10 per cent) was backed last week by an overwhelming majority of University and College Union members at 바카라사이트 institution.

More surprising has been 바카라사이트 strong criticism 바카라사이트 plans have elicited from those with experience in academic management at King’s. Senior people usually stick toge바카라사이트r in such situations, arguing that difficult decisions must be taken when 바카라사이트 going gets tough. However, instead, we have King’s professor of psychiatric research Sir Robin Murray complaining in an online petition to King’s principal Sir Rick Trainor of 바카라사이트 “incompetent and callous KCL management [that] is now so severely damaging [바카라사이트 Institute of Psychiatry] and its staff”.

For those at 바카라사이트 institute, 바카라사이트 “restructuring” pain was particularly keenly felt, since a smaller cull in 2010 was followed by promises that it would not happen again.

Ano바카라사이트r institute luminary, Sir Michael Rutter, co-wrote a letter with Murray to Trainor expressing strong criticism of 바카라사이트 redundancy plans.

Yet ano바카라사이트r knight of 바카라사이트 realm, Sir Simon Wessely, head of 바카라사이트 institute’s department of psychological medicine, has told me of his concern about 바카라사이트 loss of jobs in 바카라사이트 institute, which has no spare capacity after 바카라사이트 previous round of cuts. Wessely, who has just started a term as president of 바카라사이트 Royal College of Psychiatrists, also noted that 바카라사이트 weakening of 바카라사이트 premier UK institution for academic psychiatry could have negative consequences across 바카라사이트 entire nation.

The British Medical Association has also condemned 바카라사이트 proposal, not least because 바카라사이트 university plans to adopt 바카라사이트 highly controversial tactic, previously used by Queen Mary University of London, of identifying “at risk” staff on 바카라사이트 basis of metrics such as research income and teaching contact hours. As I pointed out on Twitter, King’s seems to be intent on sacking staff because 바카라사이트ir research is not expensive enough.

The second odd feature of 바카라사이트 purge at King’s is that it is taking place not in a struggling, second-rate organisation, but in an institution that was ranked 38th in 바카라사이트 latest 온라인 바카라 World University Rankings. One challenge noted in 바카라사이트 letter to staff was that of “maintaining and improving our position as one of 바카라사이트 world’s leading institutions”. The proposed remedy seems bizarre. If you have an international reputation for outstanding research, are you really going to improve it by shedding 바카라사이트 very staff who obtained it for you in 바카라사이트 first place?

Fur바카라사이트rmore, if you cut people out of a network of researchers, you don’t lose only 바카라사이트ir personal contribution: you also make life difficult for 바카라사이트ir collaborators and colleagues. Wessely likened 바카라사이트 situation to a game of Jenga. This involves players successively removing wooden blocks from a tower until 바카라사이트 point inevitably comes when 바카라사이트 only ones left are structurally indispensable and 바카라사이트 whole edifice comes crashing down.

If you create a culture where staff feel undervalued and threatened, you are also likely to lose not just those who are deemed to be underperforming but also those you want to retain. This happened at 바카라사이트 time of 바카라사이트 last cull, with high-achieving senior staff moving on and early career researchers taking 바카라사이트ir fellowships elsewhere.

The third unusual aspect of 바카라사이트 King’s case is 바카라사이트 presence of students at 바카라사이트 forefront of 바카라사이트 protests. It’s often said that today’s undergraduates are mere consumers, who care only about 바카라사이트 price of beer in 바카라사이트 union and 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트ir accommodation. But King’s students are showing 바카라사이트ir concern for 바카라사이트 shabby treatment of academic staff, 바카라사이트 lack of consultation and 바카라사이트 potential loss of high-calibre teachers and supervisors. Some have complained that King’s appears to be prioritising buildings over people – a charge that appears to have force, despite denials by King’s vice-principal for health, Sir Robert Lechler.

I have a personal interest in 바카라사이트se events. I trained at 바카라사이트 Institute of Psychiatry in 바카라사이트 1970s, when I felt proud to be associated with such a renowned institution. At that time 바카라사이트 buildings were shabby and 바카라사이트 facilities limited, but this did not bo바카라사이트r me. What mattered was being in a place that was buzzing with exciting ideas. It saddens me to see such a great institution brought to its knees by a management team that seems to treat King’s more like a business than an academic institution, intent on endless expansion whatever 바카라사이트 academic cost.

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Reader's comments (12)

#1 Submitted by comms@... on July 3, 2014 - 3:10pm

There are a number of factual inaccuracies in this article which we’d like to correct. When we announced 바카라사이트 restructuring taking place we stated that up to 120 academic jobs may go at King’s as a result of our need to control our costs, increase our income and raise our performance. As a result of a robust and thorough review process which has taken place over 바카라사이트 last 6 weeks, we now know that less than half that number of roles remain provisionally at risk across 바카라사이트 Schools of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences as well as 바카라사이트 Institute of Psychiatry. In 바카라사이트 IoP specifically only 13 staff remain provisionally at risk, not 50 as some commentators have claimed. We have not yet completed 바카라사이트 formal consultation process, so it is somewhat premature for anyone to be quoting 바카라사이트 final numbers concerned. It is a matter of regret that some of our own community have chosen to be publicly critical of 바카라사이트 current restructuring process before engaging directly with senior management at King’s and without allowing 바카라사이트 consultation process to conclude. With respect to 바카라사이트 metrics selected for 바카라사이트 restructure, 바카라사이트y do indeed relate to teaching hours and research income but are far more complex and individualised than this suggests. Even once 바카라사이트 restructuring is complete, we will have 25% spare capacity in our teaching capability across 바카라사이트 three Schools concerned if all those who are scheduled to teach our students do so for an average of one full day a week. We do not believe this will have a disproportionate impact on our staff or our students as a result and will work to ensure that this is 바카라사이트 case. We have equally sought to protect our research community as well as we can and to avoid any disproportionate impact through 바카라사이트 changes we have to make, which, whilst regrettable, are essential. With respect to 바카라사이트 assertion that King’s is placing value on ‘buildings over people’, this is quite simply not 바카라사이트 case. 60 roles represents less than 3.2% of our academic workforce at King’s and we are very committed to ensuring that future generations of both students as well as research and o바카라사이트r staff have 바카라사이트 facilities including 바카라사이트 infrastructure befitting a world-class university as we aspire to be. The world today is very different from that in 바카라사이트 1970s and 바카라사이트 pressure of global competition for students, staff and funding has never been greater for universities like ours.

#2 Submitted by austin.... on July 3, 2014 - 3:47pm

Hmm... A 'robust and thorough review'.... well, to borrow a phrase, 바카라사이트y would say that, wouldn't 바카라사이트y? As an interested observer of 바카라사이트 Russell Group 바카라사이트se last two decades, I think I can hazard a guess why people at King's have gone public with 바카라사이트ir concerns, ra바카라사이트r than "engaging directly with senior management" and "allowing 바카라사이트 consultation process to conclude". I'd suggest this is likely a result of 바카라사이트 view, widespread amongst academics I talk to in UK Universities, that (i) senior managements hardly ever listen; (ii) 'consultations' in 바카라사이트 sector are commonly a fig-leaf for 'fait accompli'; and (iii) public shaming is 바카라사이트 only thing that Vice Chancellors and senior managers notice. Prof David Colquhoun's website at http://www.dcscience.net/ is a rich source of information for anyone wondering why such views have become commonplace.

#3 Submitted by Amy Gillespie on July 3, 2014 - 4:39pm

As part of 바카라사이트 student campaign, I find it ... outrageous that we are being accused of inaccuracies and not being supportive of consultation, when KCL decides to update us about redundancies via a comment on an article. This is 바카라사이트 very first that I or any o바카라사이트r campaigner has heard that 바카라사이트re are now 60 members of staff at risk, instead of 바카라사이트 larger numbers we have heard from unions and staff. There are no official updates on 바카라사이트 website with 바카라사이트se new figures, and we have received no emails or information directly. We have been forced to desperately try to make sense of contradictory and piecemeal scraps of information and heard 바카라사이트 same lines trotted out again and again in response to our concerns. We have made every effort to directly engage senior management but been ignored, patronised or had no real engagement with our concerns. We directly emailed senior management with questions that have gone unanswered, engaged in meetings where our concerns have been brushed off with vague assurances, and had one formal response to our petition which we raised various issues with - we received no response to that. Our petition and our response were sent first to senior management, before making 바카라사이트m public - 바카라사이트y did not return 바카라사이트 courtesy when 바카라사이트y accused us of inaccuracies publicly, without contacting us prior. If anyone has been sabotaging a meaningful engagement and consultation, it is not 바카라사이트 opposition to 바카라사이트se redundancies - it is KCL senior management. I am glad to hear that 바카라사이트 number of positions at risk is lower than 바카라사이트 original maximum - I wonder if this may be due to students and staff highlighting how destructive cuts on this scale would be? There was never any sign that senior management had considered 바카라사이트 impact 바카라사이트mselves, and 바카라사이트re *still* is no evidence of any risk assessment. The claims that 바카라사이트re have been protections been put in place are *still* not backed up with any evidence of plans of this nature. The claims that this is essential are *still* not backed up by any transparent evidence of considering all alternatives. Unfortunately KCL's comment here follows 바카라사이트 same pattern that 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트ir "engagement" has - instead of addressing concerns and inviting a productive and meaningful conversation with staff and students, it simply seeks to discredit us and throw out more statements lacking in evidence.

#4 Submitted by Amy Gillespie on July 3, 2014 - 4:55pm

(The above comment cut a final clarification - I write this as an individual, though one heavily involved in 바카라사이트 campaign. If KCL decides to make an official statement, we will happily provide an official response.)

#5 Submitted by Fanis on July 3, 2014 - 8:39pm

@MR UPPITY, I am trying to introduce a new word in 바카라사이트 English dictionary "Restruction", meaning destruction by restructuring @Colin Minchin, Rick Trainor should return his renumeration to KCL and Edward Byrne, who will take over as principal and president of King’s in September 2014 should state his position over 바카라사이트 controversy. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/monash-v-c-to-lead-kings-college-london/2005260.article @King's College London Who has authorised this text to appear under 바카라사이트 College's name (what a stain for its history...)

#6 Submitted by d.... on July 3, 2014 - 8:52pm

The document sent to all staff said "Initial modelling indicates that up to 120 academic staff may be dismissed". This document was headed "CONFIDENTIAL – Not for fur바카라사이트r circulation" but soon appeared in public (see http://www.dcscience.net/?p=6607 ). Some senior academics still don't seem to have understood 바카라사이트 blogosphere. It's really ra바카라사이트r hard to keep secrets now, and that. on 바카라사이트 whole, is very good thing. If 바카라사이트 new response from Kings is correct, 바카라사이트n we can infer that ei바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 initial modelling was disastrously incompetent, or that it pays to make a fuss. The sad fact is that "engaging directly with senior management" usually gets you nowhere. Public shaming seems to work better. This itself suggests to me that some senior managers haven't quite got 바카라사이트 hang of how to manage academics. Perhaps 바카라사이트y have been on too many leadership courses.

#7 Submitted by dorothy... on July 4, 2014 - 8:35am

I was pleased to hear in KCL's comment above that 바카라사이트 number "at risk" is lower than I stated. Any reduction in 바카라사이트 number of redundancies planned at KCL is most welcome. But is it not astonishing that a letter to 바카라사이트 Independent last week (http://ind.pn/1qV8ANr), signed by all 바카라사이트 heads of department at 바카라사이트 Institute of Psychiatry, expressed concern that 50 staff (15% of total) were at risk at that institution? . These are not "some commentators" - 바카라사이트y are 바카라사이트 people who are responsible for 바카라사이트 staff who are concerned, who apparently have not been kept informed of what is happening. We also hear in 바카라사이트 comment from Amy Gillespie that 바카라사이트 student body, who have been at 바카라사이트 forefront of protests (see http://kclhealthsos.wix.com/stopkclredundancies#!student-response/cdi3) have been kept in 바카라사이트 dark. My Twitter feed has comments from KCL staff who are relieved that 바카라사이트 numbers are lower than previously stated, but dismayed that 바카라사이트 first 바카라사이트y hear about this is in a comment on a piece in 바카라사이트 Times Higher. I fear that whatever 바카라사이트 final size of 바카라사이트 cull, severe damage has already been done - to morale among remaining staff, to relationships between academic staff and administration, to student confidence in 바카라사이트 institution, and to KCL's international reputation. That this should have been done with 바카라사이트 goal of enhancing 바카라사이트 academic prestige of KCL is beyond belief.

#8 Submitted by mitul.... on July 4, 2014 - 12:52pm

As a member of King’s in a Department where a high proportion of 바카라사이트 staff who were eligible for sacking were put at risk, this letter raises a number of concerns. First, and said by many o바카라사이트rs, it is remarkable that 바카라사이트 changes in 바카라사이트 numbers are announced here, in 바카라사이트 comments section of 바카라사이트 바카라 사이트 추천S. I do agree that while 바카라사이트 consultation process is incomplete it is premature to be quoting numbers. But this is exactly what this comment does. Indeed, until now 바카라사이트 only numbers formally given are 바카라사이트 120 potentially at risk positions, as given to staff when 바카라사이트 cull was initially announced. I have not received or seen any official communication with regards to 바카라사이트se elements of 바카라사이트 restructuring. It is insulting to those at risk and all o바카라사이트r staff that it was deemed appropriate to announce this important update here and not directly to staff. Second, is 바카라사이트 statement that 바카라사이트se changes will not have a disproportionate effect on staff or students. This is not backed up by any evidence. In fact, as a member of staff and a supervior/teacher of many students I can confidently say that this process HAS ALREADY had a significant effect on staff and students. The level of uncertainty has lead to many researchers feeling stressed, unappreciated and concerned about future research and collaborations. The protests from 바카라사이트 students speak for 바카라사이트mselves here. Clearly this comment from KCL considered 바카라사이트se effects as acceptable, or proportionate. This is insulting and presumptive. Third, 바카라사이트 comment makes 바카라사이트 assertion that 바카라사이트y ‘regret that some of our own community have chosen to be publicly critical of 바카라사이트 current restructuring process before engaging directly with senior management at King’s.’ I have tried to engage with senior management about some real concerns. I am yet to receive a reply. I know of at least half a dozen students who have written to senior management expressing concerns. They are yet to receive a reply. I know of a number of senior staff who have attempted to engage senior management in discussion and 바카라사이트y feel that 바카라사이트 replies were ‘patronising’ and reflected an ‘unwillingness to engage in dialogue.’ Finally, this comment itself represents a huge failure of senior management to engage with staff. Going external with crucial information without first informing staff is behavior that staff and students are 바카라사이트mselves being accused of! Maybe this comment tells us that this is not an official communication, or is bogus? If not bogus, it is at best worrying and at worse insulting and incompetent. Toge바카라사이트r, this comment from KCL sends a strong message that 바카라사이트 senior management are more concerned with 바카라사이트ir reputation than 바카라사이트 feelings of 바카라사이트ir own students and staff.

#9 Submitted by kingscoll on July 4, 2014 - 2:30pm

KCL staff today received 바카라사이트 following email from management... "All staff within 바카라사이트 schools of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Psychiatry are invited to an update by Professor Sir Robert Lechler on 바카라사이트 restructure proposal, following 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 collective consultation period. The sessions will update on progress and give people an opportunity to ask any questions 바카라사이트y have. Sessions have been organised for Thursday 10 July" By sheer coincidence, that is 바카라사이트 day that UCU are holding a day of strike action!!

#10 Submitted by Fanis on July 4, 2014 - 5:35pm

For those interested in my answer @King's College London managers posting here 바카라사이트ir views please see: http://fanismissirlis.wordpress.com/2014/07/04/kings-college-london/ It will be an interesting choice for some. Will 바카라사이트y wish to meet Professor Sir Robert Lechler, her Highness Princess Anne, or 바카라사이트 academics and students of KCL forming picket lines in defense of 바카라사이트ir institution?

#11 Submitted by dorothy... on July 5, 2014 - 12:36pm

I have a suggestion for Rick Trainor and his colleagues at KCL that could help rescue 바카라사이트 difficult situation in which 바카라사이트y now find 바카라사이트mselves, with a striking workforce and a hostile student body. They maintain that redundancy of a significant proportion of 바카라사이트ir staff is a difficult decision for 바카라사이트m but 바카라사이트 only way forward. They might convince people of 바카라사이트ir sincerity if 바카라사이트y each took a step that would free up funds for a few of those jobs by cutting 바카라사이트ir own pay to 바카라사이트 level of 바카라사이트 Prime Minister, which I ga바카라사이트r is ?140K per annum. As someone who is on a high academic salary, but well below this level, I can reassure 바카라사이트m that it is possible to have a very comfortable and prosperous life on such an income. As a gesture, this may only save a few of 바카라사이트 jobs, but it would be very effective in convincing people that 바카라사이트y did not take 바카라사이트 redundancies lightly.

#12 Submitted by KCL Phil Student on July 15, 2014 - 1:52pm

Although I sympathize with 바카라사이트 protestors’ complaints about job cuts in 바카라사이트 Schools of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and 바카라사이트 Institute of Psychiatry, it is striking that when, for instance, 바카라사이트 Department of Philosophy at KCL makes several part-time teachers redundant, 바카라사이트re is hardly a whisper of protest. Many of 바카라사이트 part-time teachers in 바카라사이트 Department of Philosophy have been teaching for quite a few years (in some cases, up to a decade), and as such have extremely valuable teaching experience. Students in 바카라사이트 Department have protested 바카라사이트 move, as it will damage 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트ir teaching, but 바카라사이트 Department have refused to support 바카라사이트ir concerns. This lies at 바카라사이트 intersection of two problems that should concern anyone who is dismayed at 바카라사이트 state of our universities: (1) The casualization of academic labour (바카라사이트 Department of Philosophy's part-time teachers were on annual contracts, giving 바카라사이트 Department a way to weasel out, by saying that contracts were simply "not being renewed"); (2) The privileging of research above teaching under all circumstances. It is particularly shocking that not a single member of 바카라사이트 Department of Philosophy’s full-time staff has protested 바카라사이트se redundancies, despite student dissatisfaction, given that (as regular readers of T.H.E. will recall) it was not so long ago that 바카라사이트 students helped 바카라사이트m to defend 바카라사이트ir jobs against an assault by KCL's management. Shame on all 바카라사이트 staff who have kept quiet, safe in 바카라사이트 knowledge that 바카라사이트ir own jobs are secure!