On Tuesday 6 July, the University of Western Australia’s Management made a shocking announcement. UWA Management proposed drastic cuts to the School of Social Sciences, including dissolving the disciple of Anthropology and Sociology (read the full proposal here).

The proposal was released with a two week consultation period, which closes on 27 July 2021. In response, the Executive Committee of the Australian Anthropological Society (AAS) and submitted the following letter of support:

• AAS Supports UWA Anthropology Sociology

Support from other associations have also been forthcoming, including the following:

• Statement issued by the Australian Archaeological Association
  
• Letter of support from the American Anthropological Association
• Letter of support from the Anthropological Society of Western Australia

How can you help?

Note: the deadline for submissions to oppose the changes has been extended to 27 July 2021.

Sign the petitions

AND share on social media and among your networks:

• General Petition: http://chng.it/XhVkBdknkt
• Postgraduate Student Petition: http://chng.it/7Q4Vdt8h9s

Send a short Personal Statement that can be used publicly

This can be anonymous or with your name. You could include details such as: what you studied and when, how this has helped you in your current position, how you feel about your department and the proposal to close it.

If you’re happy to use your name and provide a photo, that would be great but they can also be posted anonymously. These may also be appended to a collective response to the proposal if you give permission. Submit your Personal Statement to: savesocsci@gmail.com

Write a Letter of Support

@Alumni - It would be wonderful if you could share what you have done with your degree - your success stories - along with any rebuttal of the points they make. @Friends/Collaborators/Organisations - If your organization has benefited from one of our alumni, please let UWA Management know how and why it matters.
 
Please send your Letter of Support to:

• The official submissions portal: socialsciencesproposal@uwa.edu.au
• The Honorable Robert Shenton French, AC, Chancellor of The University of Western Australia & Chair of the UWA Senate: university-secretary@uwa.edu.au / robert.s.french@uwa.edu.au 
• Members of the UWA Senate: Dr Nin Kirkham nin.kirkham@uwa.edu.au; Winthrop Professor Raymond Da Silva Rosa, Chair of the Academic Board ray.dasilvarosa@uwa.edu.au 
• Please copy/CC your letters to: savesocsci@gmail.com. This group is collating responses for Asian Studies and Anthropology & Sociology and will include external submissions as appendices, and these will be sent on to the union for possible inclusion on their website.
  

Send a short video message

(in LANDSCAPE) for use in publicity to savesocsci@gmail.com   

Join the protest

On July 16: https://fb.me/e/7NfmedAb8

Stay stay up to date

Website: https://www.savesocialsciencesuwa.net/
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/SaveSocialSciencesUWA
Twitter: @SaveSocSciUWA
Email: savesocsci@gmail.com