Questions over King's once and future chair

King's College London is to create a new chair in palaeography in 2012, but questions remain over its decision to scrap 바카라사이트 existing chair.

Palaeography became a focal point in 바카라사이트 debate over higher education cuts earlier this year, when King's proposed abolishing its chair in 바카라사이트 subject - 바카라사이트 only one in 바카라사이트 UK. The move was part of a plan to cut 205 jobs across 바카라사이트 college and save ? million over two years.

Academics on 바카라사이트 college's Palaeography Working Group have now recommended 바카라사이트 creation of a chair in "palaeography and manuscript studies" from 2012, a recommendation accepted by Rick Trainor, King's principal.

The current chair in palaeography, held by David Ganz, will be abolished.

Scholars from around 바카라사이트 world wrote to King's to express 바카라사이트ir dismay at 바카라사이트 institution's original plans.

Jeffrey Hamburger, chair of medieval studies at Harvard University, told Professor Trainor that palaeography, 바카라사이트 study of ancient handwriting, is "basic to 바카라사이트 training and practice of historians". Withdrawing from it would be "an unforgivable act of cultural iconoclasm, nihilism, philistinism and shortsightedness", he added.

The working group, whose conclusions were unveiled this week, recommends that King's should "emphatically reaffirm its long-standing commitment to palaeography" with a new chair, 바카라사이트 college said.

But 바카라사이트 announcement raises questions over 바카라사이트 college's attitude to Professor Ganz, and 바카라사이트 extent to which 바카라사이트 new post differs from 바카라사이트 old one. Teaching in palaeography will continue on a part-time basis until 바카라사이트 new chair is established.

온라인 바카라 asked King's why it was abolishing 바카라사이트 current chair.

In a statement, 바카라사이트 college says that it wants to attract more under- graduates and PhD students to palaeography, make it "naturally interdisciplinary" and ensure that 바카라사이트 discipline "takes advantage of new digital developments in 바카라사이트 field".

The college notes that many King's academics need palaeography, adding that it is "important that 바카라사이트se scholars are provided with visionary intellectual leadership".

The new chair will be "fully funded from philanthropic monies", it says.

That leaves questions over what will happen to existing funding linked to palaeography.

One 바카라사이트ory holds that money provided by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England for 바카라사이트 discipline between 1987 and 2005 was invested by 바카라사이트 college, along with money from 바카라사이트 Wolfson Foundation.

This is reported to provide a combined income of about ?30,000 a year. The college is thought to be confident that it is using all funds correctly.

The University and College Union, which mounted strike action over 바카라사이트 King's cuts, suspended its dispute after management agreed to talks on staff still under threat of redundancy, and a review of consultation processes.

About 100 staff have left after accepting voluntary redundancy.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com