Uni responds to course allegation

The University of Chichester has refuted claims it terminated a groundbreaking programme in the history of Africa and the African Diaspora.

A group of students have launched a discrimination case against the university, alleging discrimination and breach of contract. The 14 students were all studying on the Masters by Research (Mres), History of Africa and the African Diaspora course or conducting research for a PHD. According to law firm Leigh Day, which is representing the students, the course was ‘unique in Europe’ and attracted people from all over the world, as well as many from the UK. A spokesperson for Leigh Day said: “It was led by Professor Hakim Adi, one of the UK’S pre-eminent historians and the first African-british historian to become a Professor of History in the UK. Professor Adi was shortlisted for the Wolfson History prize in 2023. Despite the course’s highly respected reputation, it was suspended without warning in July 2023 with the university stating that the programme was no longer economically viable. Professor Adi was made redundant shortly afterwards. The move came as a complete shock to the students and staff, as well as fellow historians, teachers, activists, and advocates of the importance of African history. Professor Adi’s redundancy is being challenged.”

After ‘failing to achieve a resolution’ through the university’s internal complaints procedure, the 14 students are bringing legal action. Their civil claim alleges that the university discriminated against them and is in breach of contract as a result of both the action and the process.

In a statement to this newspaper, the university strongly denied the allegations. A spokesperson stated: "The University of Chichester refutes the press release as both inaccurate and misleading. For clarity, the Mres programme referred to has not been ‘terminated’ for existing students but is only suspended to new applicants pending a review. PHD students study individual programmes of research and should not be conflated with the Mres programme.

The university is committed to ensuring that all existing students are able to complete their studies successfully and that alternative teaching and supervisory arrangements are in place for these students."

‘In a linked case’, the Black Equity Organisation is also bringing legal action and ‘issued a Judicial Review of the university’s actions’, last month. The students’ case has seen a motion being tabled in the House of Commons. An online petition gained over 14,000 signatures and an open letter has been signed by more than 300 academics and teaching staff from history courses in the USA and Europe.

The students – who are crowdfunding for their legal claim – are urging the university to reverse its decision.