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Conversations with bedders. Working with students can be both ‘rewarding’ and frustrating. College bedders share their experiences. Features 12
No. 858 Friday 18th January 2019 varsity.co.uk
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‘We’ll lose our edge’: academics express fears over Brexit Kiran Khanom Senior News Editor “All faculties are concerned about funding,” said Professor Catherine Barnard. “Brexit doesn’t just take us down a dead-end, it takes us into the danger zone”, said Dr Victoria Bateman. In light of the current uncertainties surrounding Brexit, Varsity has spoken to several academics at Cambridge about their opinions on the UK’s departure from the EU and its effects on the University and higher education. Research was a primary point of concern for many, with both funding and collaboration across Europe potentially affected. Barnard, Professor of European Union and Employment Law, said: “Clearly [Brexit] will be serious in that we will lose access to EU funding, although current EU funds will be underwritten by the UK government.” Cambridge is likely to be particularly affected by any changes in funding from the EU. According to the University, EU research grants account for almost 18%
Fitzwilliam overrules JCR election of intermitting student Stephanie Stacey Deputy Editor Matt won a JCR election, but his College overruled the result on the grounds – unknown to the students involved – that intermitting students, even those living in College, cannot be members of their College’s political body. According to Matt, who requested that he be referred to by his first name only, the decision was a case of “not allowing intermitting students to participate in the political life of the University or College”, with senior members “intervening in the otherwise healthy functioning of the JCR”. Although he intermitted early in Michaelmas Term, Matt, who is an HSPS student at Fitzwilliam College, continues to live in Cambridge, in part due to his lack of permanent address. When, midway through term, JCR elections opened up, he was persuaded to put himself forward for the role of Male Welfare Officer. Matt was “really excited” for the JCR position, noting that he has “a lot of experiences which would have been very informative”, having gone through many College and University support systems
of Cambridge’s total research income. Professor Gerard Evan, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, described the European Research Council (ERC) as “one of the great achievements of the EU”, saying that it has “allowed scientists to build an independent research council” that isn’t “run by politics”. He said that ERC grants “have become very much part of the woodwork of what we do”. The ERC is part of the Horizon 2020 funding programme. The UK government has given assurances that it will fund any programmes enrolled in the programme up until 2020, but no framework has yet been confirmed for future funding partnerships. ERC grants account for nearly 60% of the University’s EU research funding, and therefore around 10% of Cambridge’s total research income. According to the University, Cambridge and Oxford, which receive equal levels of funding, have more ERC grants than any other university in Europe. Wolfson fellow and chief scientific Full story Page 7 ▶
▲ Europe Day in May saw a pro-EU rally in Cambridge (LOUIS ASHWORTH)
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Inside ● Uptick in use of Cambridge foodbanks Pg.6 ● Doubts over Cambridge carbon reduction targets Pg.8