A prominent American civil rights scholar has urged Birmingham City University to reverse its decision to close its postgraduate black studies course, comparing the move to political attacks on diversity initiatives in the United States.
Kimberlé Crenshaw, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles and Columbia University, made the call during a UK book tour.
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The university decided to withdraw its MA in black studies and global justice just months after the program began.
University officials cited low student recruitment for the decision, noting that only eight students are currently enrolled in the postgraduate course.
The program is scheduled for withdrawal from September after a portfolio review.
Scholar Warns of 'Systematic Dismantling'
"The systematic dismantling of Black studies in the United States is mirroring a dangerous parallel in the United Kingdom, where the discipline now faces the threat of total erasure," Crenshaw said.
She emphasized that preserving, teaching, and championing the history and lived experiences of Black people remains essential across the global diaspora.
"It remains absolutely essential that the truth regarding the history, contributions, perspectives and lived experiences of Black people in Britain and across the global diaspora is preserved, taught and championed," Crenshaw added.
Crenshaw framed the curriculum changes as a broader threat to academic scholarship rather than a simple operational adjustment.
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"This dismantling is not merely an institutional realignment; it is a direct attack on the production of critical knowledge," she said.
The curriculum reduction follows the elimination of the university's undergraduate black studies program in 2024.
Academics have raised concerns about the disproportionate impact of higher education cost-cutting on specific disciplines.
Professor Kehinde Andrews, who pioneered the academic program, stated that university staff and students received no meaningful opportunity to challenge the cancellation before it was finalized.
An open letter requesting a formal reconsideration of the program closure has gained signatures from British politicians, cultural figures, and prominent academics.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City University stated that low demand prompted the closure of a small number of postgraduate courses.
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The spokesperson confirmed that existing students can complete their studies while the university explores alternative provisions.
