MeCCSA Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association

Time 2020-12-08 05:03:18

Web Name: MeCCSA Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association

WebSite: http://www.meccsa.org.uk

ID:127189

Keywords:

Communication,Media,MeCCSA,

Description:

MeCCSA one of 49 professional academic associations to join in call for “new deal for higher education.” As UK higher education institutions reportedly fall in the global rankings, forty-nine professional associations representing diverse academic research fields and thousands of UK-based academics wrote on 16 June 2020 to Education Ministers in the UK and devolved governments calling for “a new deal for higher education.” Their letter, published below, points out that the sharp drop in universities’ income, as a result of a fall in student numbers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, will endanger the ability of the UK Higher Education sector to maintain excellence in education and research, with grave consequences for the economy and society. Dear Mr. Williamson, Ms. Donelan, Ms. Williams, Mr. Lochhead,Mr. Weir and Ms. Solloway:We are writing to you as officers of 49 professionalassociations representing diverse research fields to express our profound concernabout the future of higher education in the UK. COVID-19 has simultaneouslyhighlighted the huge importance of university research to tackling the virusand its social and economic implications as well as the unsustainability of thecurrent funding model for tertiary education. Higher education makes a fundamentally significant contribution to society. It expands our knowledge and understanding of the world through an array of research discoveries, improves the life chances of individuals by enhancing social mobility and opportunities, advances the economy by carrying out innovative research, and provides each new generation with cultural knowledge as well as cutting edge skills and expertise. Yet, currently, UK public spending on tertiary education amounts to only a quarter of university budgets, which is not only the lowest among OECD countries, but comprises considerably less than half of the average spending among the OECD’s other 34 countries. It is therefore not surprising that nearly 25 percent of all UK universities were in deficit even before the pandemic and that now, due to a dramatic drop in projected income, almost all higher education institutions in the country will face huge obstacles to carry out their mission and remain internationally competitive without government support. A vibrant and robust higher education system isabsolutely vital for the UK’s future. We believe that the current governmentfunding model for higher education is inadequate for this task and we thereforecall upon you to use the current crisis as an opportunity to create a newdeal for higher education. Rather than providing a one-time bailout, it isparamount that the UK and devolved governments substantially increases publicspending on tertiary education in line with the OECD average in order to ensurethat our tertiary institutions remain at the forefront of global research,education and innovation. Association for Welsh Writing in English Professors KirstiBohata and Matthew JarvisAssociation for the Study of Literature and Environment, UK andIreland Doctor John Miller Associationof Programmes in Translation and Interpreting Studies Doctors JC Penet andOlga CastroAssociation of University Professors and Heads of French Professor Marion SchmidIt is with great regret to announce that we will not be holding MECCSA 2021 in Aberdeen on the premises of Robert Gordon University in January 2021, as was planned. We have made this difficult decision because of the likely longer term uncertainties and impacts of Covid-19, and the social distancing measures that will probably stay with us in some form for some time to come. Given that our conferences typically attract 200-300 people from all over the UK and beyond, we feel that postponing the conference is the safe and sensible thing to do at this point.We will however organise online activities around the time of the conference in January, so there will be opportunities for our networks and members to come together in some way. There will be further announcements about these in due course.We are also keen not to miss out on the wonders of Aberdeen, thus have decided to hold MeCCSA 2022 at Robert Gordon University in January 2022. This also means that our conference in Falmouth is postponed from January 2022 to January 2023.We are all very disappointed about not physically meeting up with you in January (and miss out, among other things, on the all-important pub quiz), but hope you understand that the health and safety of our members and community is our highest priority.In the meantime, I encourage you to follow our MeCCSA discussion list where you find some exciting opportunities to engage with the work and activities of our networks and members. UPDATED: RESPONSE FROM HEFCE AND THE CHAIR OF PANEL DRecently BAFTSS and MeCCSA agreed the below joint statement in response to concern about the initial decisions by HECFCE regarding REF 2021 that included naming Film and Screen Studies explicitly in sub-panel 33 (Music, Dance, Drama, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies). This joint statement was sent to Kim Hackett at HEFCE and to Dinah Birch, Chair REF2021 Panel D. They have sent the following response that provides some helpful clarification. We will continue to ensure that these issues are understood and addressed by the relevant sub-panel Chairs and panel members:We understand the concern raised about a potential effect on submissions caused by including ‘Film and Screen Studies’ in the name of UOA33. The funding bodies’ decision to include this field of research in a UOA name sought to respond to concerns raised about visibility, and the decision of where to locate it was informed by both responses to our consultation and further engagement with the relevant subject bodies. However, the decision to include it in a UOA name is not intended to preclude the submission of film and screen research in another UOA, where this is the most appropriate place for its submission. We will ensure that the published guidance provides clarity on this point, and encourages the submission of film and screen research into the most appropriate UOA. As with the previous panel criteria, this may include explicit reference to film and screen studies in the relevant UOA descriptors. We will work in particular with the sub-panels for UOAs 33 and 34, to ensure clarity is provided on submissions into each of these UOAs, and on the sub-panels’ working methods to ensure a consistent assessment approach.Kim Hackett, HEFCE Dinah Birch, Chair, Panel D (more ) MeCCSA has produced a film to answer some of the frequently asked questions about studying subjects in our field at University. Feel free to share and use to promote your own courses as you wish.See also our information brochure: Studying Media, Film and Communication at University: choosing the right course for you (PDF, 268k) and our FAQ section. In view of the wide diversity of disciplinary orientation, methodological approach, and conceptual foundation of research in our field, MeCCSA does not publish a detailed code of research practice. Instead MeCCSA has published a statement that outlines a broad set of principles and links to a range of research practice guidelines from various associations, which we believe may be of value in the conduct of members’ research.You can read more about the background to this initiative in Peter Golding s article in Three-D Issue 15 [PDF], and also in Martin Barker s article in Three-D Issue 10 [PDF]. At the recent AGM at the University of Bedfordshire, 12th January 2012, the following resolution was passed:This AGM supports the initiative of the Coordinating Committee for Media Reform in its submission to Leveson, and further public forums, as a proper and fruitful stimulus to well-informed debate. (more )MeCCSA on JISCmailMeCCSA and its Networks operate discussion and information lists through the JISCmail system. Click the following links for information or to join:MeCCSAMeCCSA Climate Change NetworkMeCCSA Disability Studies NetworkMeCCSA Local and Community Media Network ListMeCCSA Policy NetworkMeCCSA Postgraduate NetworkMeCCSA Race, Ethnicity and Postcolonial Network ListMeCCSA Social Movements Network ListMeCCSA Women s NetworkThe MeCCSA Radio Studies Network encourages interested colleagues to subscribe to the Radio Studies list, a forum for teachers, researchers and broadcasters active since 1998.To post a message on the list if you are not a subscriber (subject to approval), please get in touch with Elizabeth Poole.Website contactsWebsite content admins are Einar Thorsen and Graham Meikle. Each MeCCSA Network and the Annual Conference Chair is responsible for updating their respective pages.For technical support, please email techsupport@meccsa.org.uk.For any queries regarding MeCCSA membership, please email the membership secretary, Gillian Mason.© MeCCSA 2002-2020By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information AcceptThe cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.Close

TAGS:Communication Media MeCCSA 

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