‘Victimised’ academic says Cardiff University should not use his work in research excellence submission
Martin Shipton
A retired academic who believes he was victimised by Cardiff University says it would be unethical for the university to use his publications as part of its submission to be validated as an institution of research excellence.
Until earlier this year Dr James Whitley was a highly regarded Professor of Mediterranean Archaeology at Cardiff University, a post he had held since 2008.
As part of this year’s round of cuts, the university decided to close the School of Ancient History, and in May Mr Whitley accepted voluntary redundancy.
Retiring professors are often allowed to take the title professor emeritus as a mark of respect for their status, but Dr Whitley was refused the distinction. He was offered no explanation, but says he has no doubt the title was withheld spitefully because of his outspoken opposition to the cuts programme, which involved sending a letter of strong condemnation to the University Council.
Every few years Cardiff University submits examples of research for evaluation under the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The REF is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. It first took place in 2014 and 2021. The next exercise is planned for 2029.The REF outcomes are used to inform the allocation of around £2bn per year of public funding for universities’ research.
In a letter to the REF’s panel of assessors, Dr Whitley has now questioned the ethics of his work being included as part of Cardiff University’s next submission.
He states: “I am writing concerning an ethical matter relating to the REF, in relation to the next REF submission. I have been employed by Cardiff University for almost 35 years, from September 1990 to May 2025. I retired with the status of full professor, having been granted the title in 2008. My field of study is Classical Archaeology, and my REF publications have normally been submitted to the Archaeology rather than the Classics/Ancient History panel (normally on behalf of the School of History and Archaeology, Cardiff University). If you look up my publications on Cardiff University’s ORCA site (where all research publications — and therefore potential REF submissions — are posted) you will see that many publications are listed –101 in total.
“Of these, several published since 2021 were being considered as possible ‘REF’ submissions.
“When I retired in May 2025 I did so in the reasonable expectation that I would be granted emeritus status. This has been denied me for no good reason. Indeed there is good reason to believe that the motivation was nothing more than spite on the part of a particular Pro-Vice Chancellor.
“My question is this: is it ethical for an institution to submit publications on behalf of a unit of assessment, when one member of that unit (whose publications are being submitted as part of the REF submission) has been ‘cancelled’ in this way? I should add that I have not simply been robbed of a title, but also an institutional affiliation, access to the library (including online journals), to OneDrive and academic emails.”
Rules
We asked Dr Whitley whether he was sure the university planned to submit some of his research papers to the REF.
He responded: “I don’t know – I’m trying to find out what the rules are. If I were an emeritus they would clearly be entitled to do so. That they have removed me from the list of ‘honorary staff’ while at the same time continuing to list my publications on ORCA suggests that they are at least considering this. My firm view is that this would be unethical – though that, of course, would not stop them.”
The REF administrators responded to say that guidance for the next round of submissions was currently underway.
A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “At this stage no decisions have been made about the University’s submissions for REF 2029. As such, it would be inappropriate for us to comment. For clarity, ORCA is a digital repository of all of Cardiff University’s research outputs to help make our research more widely and freely available. It includes, for example PhD theses, as well as peer-reviewed papers and academics are free to submit their work themselves.”
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Completely agree with him. But, while Wendy is still in charge, then, let’s face it, Cardiff Uni will continue its descent into being an utter circus.
At the school of business, no emeritus professor applications were turned down.Is it just a coincidence? There is no ethics at cardiff university.
the gentleman should remember he was drawing a salary from Cardiff university when he was doing this work.
I can’t think any other profession in the work that thinks you can leave your employer and take any ownership, or IP, with you!
If it’s any consolation, even if his outputs are returned, it won’t generate the uni much QR funding- Welsh unis don’t get much money and most of what they get is directed towards STEM activity
He has a point. If I were him I would obtain a post retirement chair elsewhere if possible. Also if the university no longer has a department in his subject they can’t really use his research as they no longer conduct research in that area. It is an example of the petty nitpicking corrupt banana republic the UK has become full of nasty mediocre managers who couldn’t manage their way out of a paper bag.
“Every few years Cardiff University submits examples of research for evaluation under the Research Excellence Framework (REF)… about time that there was a compulsory category for the submission of patent applications too.
Cardiff Uni has descended rapidly in the last few years. Exceptionally poor leadership making dreadful decisions. Sadly, this is echoed around many of our universities. Welsh Government should hold an urgent inquiry into Higher Education. We lack vison and direction, and there are far too many senior managers who are clueless about our nation, our culture, language and society. Perhaps it is time to re-established the University of Wales, with one home grown Vice Chancellor.
Academic institutions in Wales go out of their way showering washed up Labour politicians like Leighton Andrews, Carwyn Jones and Jane Davidson. Dished out like confetti. Yet we see here genuine excellence and achievement bypassed.
Who would want an emeritus title anyway? Just leave and get on with something more worthwhile.
It’s not just a title. It has practical implications. I don’t have access to the library or online journals, nor to all my earlier files stored on OneDrive. And to an earlier point about university employees: my understanding of a university is that it is (or should be) an association of scholars, scientists and students collectively trying to find out the truth about things. It is not (and should not be) just a bureaucracy concerned with the ‘delivery’ of various insubstantial goods. This is another reason why the title is more than just a title.