As noted last month, the Department of Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London and other units there are facing drastic cuts. The department’s graduate (post-graduate, or PGR) students have now written a letter to the administration objecting to the cuts. Kristoffer Ahlstrom-Vij, chair of Philosophy at Birkbeck, explained the severity of the cuts: The worst-case scenario savings targets that have been shared by senior management would involve a faculty reduction of up to 6 FTE in Philosophy. Since not all colleagues are at 1 FTE, this would likely involve a headcount reduction of greater than 6, and potentially 50% of the Department. We are currently working with senior management to, among other things, query the model used to arrive at this savings target, and to impress on them exactly how damaging such a reduction would be for the Department. Most importantly, it would seriously compromise our important and unique mission of providing philosophy education to a wide range of students, including through evening and part-time study, and a highly successful conversion program for students without a formal background in philosophy. Here’s the text of the students’ letter: Dear Professor Latchman, Professor Innes, Professor Swann, and Sir Andrew, We are writing as members of the 2022/23 Philosophy MPhil/PhD cohort to express our concern and opposition to the proposed staff reductions. Our department has strong grant-winning performance, an excellent research output – the 2021 REF classed 70% of it as world leading or internationally excellent – and renowned members of staff. If these proposals are realised, staff will be reduced by up to 50%, thus harming the department’s future. We have been told that after the proposed reorganisation, we will be provided with the best possible experience as philosophy PGR students. However, we are deeply sceptical about such assurances, for the following reasons: Supervision. Student/supervisor relationships are vital for successful PhDs, for not only are supervisors experts in our chosen fields, but also because we enter into a deep conversation with them over many years, and via this conversation they offer feedback and guidance. Following the proposals, many of us will have to change supervisors, and an important thread in our academic development will be severed. Academic Environment. Fewer staff will result..