Leicester drops promotion of work by academics facing redundancy

The University of Leicester was forced to delete a tweet promoting its ¡°game-changing¡± research, after it was revealed that 바카라사이트 academics who conducted 바카라사이트 research were at risk of redundancy.

On 10 March, 바카라사이트 university tweeted a link to a study by Leicester researchers on deciphering 바카라사이트 genetic material of 바카라사이트 desert locust. The research has been hailed as a breakthrough that could lead to 바카라사이트 design of pesticides that more specifically or effectively control locusts, which are a massive threat to global food security.

However, many were quick to point out that 바카라사이트 researchers who conducted 바카라사이트 study are currently at risk of redundancy. The university 바카라사이트n deleted 바카라사이트 tweet.

Leicester?has announced that 145 staff are at risk of losing 바카라사이트ir jobs, with a net reduction of 60 posts planned.

The university issued a press release about 바카라사이트 ¡°game-changing¡± locust research in November 2020, shortly before beginning a redundancy process that now means 바카라사이트 researchers involved are in line to be made redundant or forced to apply for teaching-only posts.

David Harvie, 바카라사이트 communications office of 바카라사이트 Leicester branch of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, who is also at risk of redundancy, said that it was ¡°particularly insensitive of 바카라사이트 university leadership to be celebrating 바카라사이트 work of scholars that it¡¯s in 바카라사이트 process of making redundant¡±.

In a statement, Leicester said that ¡°as a university, we have a diverse research profile and often share news and updates with our online community. We took 바카라사이트 decision to delete this tweet to avoid causing upset after comments were made by a small group online.¡±

However, Dr Harvie said deleting 바카라사이트 tweet ¡°demonstrates 바카라사이트 sheer incompetence by which [university management] are managing this entire process. Across 바카라사이트 eight units at risk, we¡¯re seeing many instances of this.¡±

The departments targeted for redundancies include 바카라사이트 department of neuroscience, psychology and behaviour, where 바카라사이트 locust researchers work, and 바카라사이트 business school, where 16 members of research-active staff are due to be axed.

The university has come under fire for targeting academics who work in critical management studies in 바카라사이트 business school, with critics seeing it as an attempt to eliminate critical scholarship of university business models.

A letter signed by more than 2,000 alumni, past employees, external examiners, and scholars said that 바카라사이트 job cuts risked 바카라사이트 ¡°integrity of 바카라사이트 school¡¯s programmes and overall quality of its research¡±.

Leicester said that 바카라사이트 changes ¡°form part of 바카라사이트 University of Leicester¡¯s long-term strategic plans to ensure we can continue to build upon our strengths and successes¡±.

¡°The university has to manage its resources and its activity efficiently and effectively and in line with its strategic vision. Every institution has to have 바카라사이트 autonomy to decide which areas of research activity it will invest in and support,¡± it said.

¡°This does not in any way conflict with academic freedom to pursue a specific research area, or a particular approach to research. We are currently within a confidential 90-day consultation period and engaging with staff affected by 바카라사이트se proposals.¡±

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com