Is chemistry below creationism in government priorities?
from The Observer Sunday November 28, 2004: Cristina Odone's DiarySave our Bunsen burners
Chemistry students at Exeter University have been spending their time outside the classroom rather than it. They are protesting at their university's plans to phase out the highly popular chemistry course. Exeter blames government cuts - departments rated as 'internationally excellent' will be receiving the lion's share of the council funds available for higher education. Given that this government continues to speak of its commitment to keeping Britain's competitive edge in science, the move seems questionable. All the more so when multimillionaire Sir Peter Vardy can rely on government funding for his Christian academies, where teachers regard both evolution and creationism 'as faith positions'. Despite New Labour's protestations that their vision is of Britain at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs, as long as chemistry ranks below creationism on its list of priorities, this remains a distant hope.
The chemists' only hope lies not with Tony Blair but with one of Exeter's alumni: JK Rowling. Perhaps she could be pressed into donating an infinitesimally small portion of her fortune to keeping the Bunsen burners alight and the litmus paper changing colour? The Harry Potter Laboratory has a certain ring to it.
Further news re the closure of Exeter University's chemistry department
From The Independent 30 November 2004:Nobel winner returns degree in protestFrom The Independent 23 November 2004:
Nobel prize-winning chemist Professor Sir Harry Kroto ... has handed back his honorary degree to Exeter University in protest at its plans to close its chemistry department. ... Exeter plans to cut a predicted deficit of nearly £4.5m by cutting up to 130 jobs in three departments.
Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education, has expressed concern about the closures and has asked cabinet colleagues to submit lists of "subjects of strategic national importance". He plans to ask the funding council to devise plans to protect these subjects. Chemistry is expected to be included.