Humanities departments to transfer to new Schools

The three subject departments within the School of Humanities will transfer to new Schools after Council gave its backing to the proposal.

At the latest Council meeting last week, members were presented with the plans to improve the resilience of the subjects of History, Classics, and Philosophy by realigning them with appropriate alternative Schools within our existing framework to create greater collaboration opportunities.

The Department of Philosophy will transfer to the School of Politics, Economics and International Relations, while the Departments of Classics and History will move to the School of Literature and Languages.

The moves will formally take effect from 1 January 2024, with a transition period until the end of the academic year. Departmental processes will remain in place during this period, while the Schools review and align their internal processes to reflect the change.

The change is structural only, and will have no impact on students and their studies. Modules, programmes, postgraduate research supervision arrangements, and student support arrangements remain unchanged.

The changes follow two recruitment processes for a new Head of School for Humanities this year ending without appointment. This led to a broader discussion on how to best support these subjects into the future.

Professor Gail Marshall continues as temporary Head of School for Humanities until the end of 2023.

Professor Dominik Zaum, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Planning and Resource), said: “Research and teaching in the Humanities make an important contribution to our academic breadth and reputation, and this change will enable these disciplines to continue to contribute to the University of Reading’s academic excellence.”

“I am grateful for the active and positive engagement of colleagues in all three Departments with the proposed changes, and thank Gail for her leadership of the School of Humanities over the past year.”