Protest Against Crippling Cuts to the Roskilde University Philosophy Department

On Wednesday the 25th of March, Roskilde University decided to fire scientific staff on three institutes to offset a sudden budget deficit caused by the government's recent reforms. One of the departments most affected by these measures is the Section for Philosophy and Science Studies, where three positions are being abolished while a planned assistant professorship in philosophy of technology has been cancelled. The cuts amount to 33% of the department.

We students fear that this is only the beginning, and we view the cuts as a dangerous legitimation of the general devaluing of philosophy and other classical disciplines that has been going on around the country for some time. For these reasons, and in solidarity with the affected personel, we have formulated a letter of protest (so far only available in Danish, but basically detailing the issues explained here), that we intend to deliver to the rector of Roskilde University, Hanne Leth Andersen. In this letter, we request that the cuts be drawn back.

We greatly appreciate all the support that this petition has already gathered and hope to mobilise even more people in the days to come. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the initatior using the form below.