Backlash grows over Exeter University plans to cut 150 humanities jobs

The University of Exeter is facing mounting pressure to abandon plans to axe approximately 150 academic posts, with a petition attracting over 21,000 signatures from students, staff and supporters. The proposed redundancies would fall heavily on the humanities, arts and social sciences faculties for which the Russell Group institution is renowned, prompting an outcry from prominent figures including former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and film critic Mark Kermode. The campaign highlights growing concerns about the "hollowing out" of humanities disciplines across the higher education sector, particularly at research-intensive universities. Critics argue that the cuts represent a significant threat to academic diversity and the cultural contribution of universities, whilst signalling a broader shift in institutional priorities away from non-STEM subjects. For local authorities overseeing education and skills strategies, these developments raise important questions about the future landscape of higher education provision and graduate pipelines within their local economies. The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between institutional financial pressures and the maintenance of broad, inclusive curricula that serve varied student needs and labour market demands.