Calls made to Birmingham City University to retain Black Studies MA program
More than 100 academics, writers, and activists have signed an open letter urging Birmingham City University (BCU) to reconsider its decision to close the MA in Black Studies and Global Justice. The program was launched only months ago, and its closure follows the earlier shutdown of BCU’s undergraduate Black Studies course in 2024. The decision has raised concerns about the diminishing presence of Black studies in UK higher education.
Concerns over the closure of Black Studies programs at Birmingham City University
The closure puts five Black staff members at risk of redundancy, including Professor Kehinde Andrews, a key figure who helped develop BCU’s Black Studies program. Andrews and four colleagues were informed of the closure with just 24 hours’ notice, despite the decision having been made months earlier in February. The university cited low student recruitment as the reason, with only eight students currently enrolled in the MA course.
Professor Andrews criticized the university for the lack of consultation with staff and students and for not completing an equality impact assessment. He described the closure as an act of erasure and called on the university’s board of governors to review the decision, highlighting concerns about flawed and potentially discriminatory decision-making.
Wider implications for Black scholarship in UK higher education
The closure at BCU is part of a broader pattern affecting Black scholarship in UK universities, many of which are facing financial difficulties and implementing cost-cutting measures. Andrews pointed to similar cases, such as the redundancy of Professor Hakim Adi at the University of Chichester, where an MRes program on African and African diaspora history was cut.
Signatories to the open letter include prominent figures such as Professor Kalwant Bhopal from Birmingham University, journalist Yomi Adegoke, artist and activist Akala, Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, and Professor Nicola Rollock from King’s College London. They warn that the closure reinforces Eurocentric knowledge and Whiteness, reducing spaces for Black students and academics to challenge racism in higher education.
University response and future plans
A spokesperson for Birmingham City University stated that the decision to withdraw the MA in Black Studies was part of a review of the postgraduate portfolio and was due to low demand. The university assured that current students would be able to complete their studies and that alternative provision options are being explored. A consultation process with affected staff is ongoing to discuss the impact and explore ways to minimize job losses.
