Earlier this year it came to light that the Arts and Humanities Research Council may have been put under political pressure to include the Big Society in its delivery plan, or face losing its funding. Thom Brooks started a mass campaign to remove the Conservative party slogan from the AHRC delivery plan, and here argues that political campaign slogans have no place in research council delivery plans: something which the AHRC must accept or they risk facing a mass resignation from its peer reviewers.
Everything happened suddenly in what has become known as ‘Observergate’. The Observer ran a story in March with allegations that political pressure had been exerted on the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to include the “Big Society” in its delivery plan or it would lose funding. This was swiftly denied by the AHRC and the government. The story might have died before it had been born.
But something wasn’t quite right with the AHRC response. The AHRC made clear that there was no political pressure to include the “Big Society” in its delivery plan, but this was perhaps a more damaging admission. No political pressure was even necessary: the AHRC had included the “Big Society” in its delivery plan of its own free choice! But why?
The Conservative Party campaigned using the slogan the “Big Society” in the last general election. After joining the Liberal Democrats in a coalition government, austerity measures have been rolled out. Many have criticised the Big Society for being little more than a euphemism for cuts.
The AHRC includes several references to the “Big Society” in its delivery plan (published in December 2010). These references relate to the “Connected Communities” research programme. This programme was agreed before the general election and it is jointly supported with other research councils. However, only the AHRC’s delivery plan includes references to the “Big Society” and the plan is clear: its Connected Communities theme will “enable the AHRC to contribute to the government’s initiatives on localism and the ‘Big Society’” (sect. 2.4.4). Moreover, the AHRC delivery plan clearly states that it aspires to make a “contribution” to the “‘Big Society’ agenda” (sects. 3.10, 3.12). The Big Society is mentioned five times and there are other references on the AHRC website.
The campaign for change
I launched a mass campaign to remove the Big Society from the AHRC delivery plan. This began with a petition that led to 4,000 colleagues supporting the campaign including Fellows of the British Academy and Royal Society. More than 30 learned societies agreed a joint statement supporting the petition. The University and College Union has come out in support of this position as well. Furthermore, the Universities Minister David Willetts has recently stated that “the research councils will doubtless want to reflect on the hazards of referring at all to current political slogans!”
The campaign to remove the Big Society from the AHRC’s delivery plan has attracted unprecedented supported from across the sector. There is widespread agreement across both disciplinary and political divides. This is a position of principle, not politics: political campaign slogans have no place in research council delivery plans. Period. It is crucial to note that from the beginning the campaign has argued that we would equally oppose inclusion of the Third Way. This is not about opposing any political party; it is about standing up for an important principle that should guide public policy in higher education research funding.
The AHRC response has been very disappointing. They continue to reject the call for change. Even when the academic community appears to be in such agreement the AHRC refuses to join this far reaching consensus. The AHRC CEO Rick Rylance has said that it is important to “use” the language of our politicians in seeking to win funding settlements. But it is doubtful that any government minister would look more generously on funding arts and humanities research if its link with their political campaign slogan was more explicit, or at least so I would conjecture.
The Big Society and strategic research funding priorities
It is worth reflecting on a further related idea. Arts and humanities research funding has come under renewed scrutiny. The AHRC delivery plan presents not merely a plan to fund research, but a plan to fund strategic research funding priorities. How did this come about? The Big Society is controversial and vague: we have seen four launches and the early resignation of the so-called Big Society tsar, Lord Wei. There is virtually no peer reviewed research on the Big Society – or at least it cannot be claimed that it is a substantial research project amongst academics presently – and we still await the government’s White Paper spelling out their own plans for the Big Society initiative. It is therefore all the more curious that the AHRC would freely choose this political campaign slogan – an idea still in its intellectual infancy – as a strategic funding priority in the arts and humanities.
Two important qualifications must be made. The first is that endorsing the principle that political campaign slogans should have no place in research council delivery plans does not entail that political campaign slogans should go without funding. The issue is not whether research into the Big Society should be funded, but whether this research should be earmarked as part of a strategic research funding priority. There is no problem with funding this research, but there is a problem in giving it special priority as found in the AHRC delivery plan.
The second important qualification is that some might believe I am opposed to the Big Society idea: this is untrue. My research covers many topics in political and legal philosophy, such as democratic thought, global justice, punishment, and theories of justice. My public stand on the AHRC and its delivery plan is not motivated by personal animosity towards the Big Society. In fact, its mention in the AHRC delivery plan might even be beneficial to my professional interests broadly conceived.
The Brooks principle
My opposition is based upon a simple idea. Many endorse the Haldane principle. This principle is often understood to demand that research funding decisions should be made independently of government interference. Of course, this principle suggests that there are clear lines to draw on where the government may permissibly engage with funding bodies and where they should not. The Brooks principle is more narrow and it claims no more than this: political campaign slogans have no place in research council delivery plans.
The Brooks principle is more readily applicable to situations like this. It can be unclear where governments attempt to shape research funding priorities. It would be legitimate perhaps that a government wanted to fund additional research into tackling youth unemployment or climate change. Here it can be argued that no political party can be said to ‘own’ such positions: the Green Party may have strong views on the environment, but it is also true that the Conservative Party has promised the most green government yet.
However where ideas are ones that a party can said to ‘own’, such as the Big Society, this must be avoided to ensure the integrity of research. This does not mean that it is permissible for governments to influence funding decisions short of endorsing their political campaign slogans. I would emphatically support the Haldane principle in letter and spirit. My argument is that we can identify a clear area where boundaries can be drawn. This is where the Brooks principle comes into play.
I state that the principle will help ‘ensure the integrity of research’. The Haldane principle addresses the problem of direct government interference. The Brooks principle is more sensitive to indirect government interference. We might readily accept – as I do – the AHRC’s denial about government interference in the decision to include the Big Society in the AHRC delivery plan. It is no less objectionable that the Big Society is included in the delivery plan because the AHRC chose it than if it had been pressured into including it. Either way, the Big Society should be removed in full. This position makes good sense of why so many people have raised objections to what the AHRC has done.
It is time to act
There should be no further delay. The AHRC must act now. There is unprecedented support for change from across the sector that bridges disciplinary and political divisions. Many have supported this campaign because so many of us care deeply about the AHRC. If this campaign does not succeed, the AHRC will risk alienating a great many it should serve. The Guardian has correctly noted recently that my fellow AHRC Peer Review College members are organizing a possible en masse resignation for next week if there is no clear developments on removing the Big Society from the AHRC delivery plan. This story has also caught the attention of the Shadow Universities Minister who has now taken up the campaign. I can speak for all Peer Review College members that have contacted me about resigning that this is a last resort. This can be avoided and the ball is in the AHRC’s court. I am very hopeful that the unity amongst the academy is now crystal clear and the case for change highly compelling. It is time we come together to face critical times ahead and I have every faith that the AHRC will soon accept this wise change.
Thom Brooks is Reader in Political and Legal Philosophy at Newcastle University. He is editor and founder of the Journal of Moral Philosophy. He is currently working on theories of justice. His books include Hegel’s Political Philosophy (2007), The Global Justice Reader (2008), New Waves in Ethics (2011), and Punishment (forthcoming). His personal blog can be found at the Brooks Blog.
There is a problem here with the Brooks Principle, which is a good idea, but runs into the issue that there is no consensus dividing line between political slogan and ‘general good’ . Beyond things like reducing infant mortality, access to safe water and universal literacy, almost every other social issue is a political choice, and therefore could be a political slogan. Unless the Brooks principle is that something that appears in party manifestos cannot be a strategic priority for research councils, which seems too restrictive, it is very difficult in practice to draw this dividing line.
An academic campaigns against the government shamelessly self-publicising its ideals through a funding council by proposing “The Brooks Principle”? Oh the irony. Its almost too much to take….
There will always be a problem of where to draw the line. The Haldane principle and its application has become increasingly controversial for some — even referred to as a “myth” by colleagues. While this is not my view, I wanted to stake out a principled position that was more clear. It would be too strictive to say that we *only* oppose campaign slogans, but we would surely want to ensure that (however we define such a principle) such items were included as beyond what is acceptable.
Some colleagues have referred to this alternative principle — the principle that political campaign slogans have no place in research council delivery plans — as “the Brooks principle,” perhaps jokingly. We could perhaps call it “the principle of good sense” instead and I’m happy to call it by many other names. The name isn’t important, but its substance.
Finally, I do not accept the view that the government has had any involvement in the AHRC’s decision to include the “Big Society” in in the delivery plan. Both ministers and the AHRC have been swift to confirm that the AHRC took this decision alone. I disagree with John about the issue: it is not about shameless actions by the government, but a breach of principle by the AHRC. These two issues are very distinct. I tried to draw attention to this. Again, my hope is we will see positive action on this shortly.
Colleagues may be interested in the following important press release:
For immediate release: 23rd June 2011
SENIOR ACADEMICS THREATEN RESIGNATIONS OVER BIG SOCIETY
Senior academics have declared their intention to resign from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Peer Review College if there are no clear steps taken to remove the “Big Society” from the AHRC’s delivery plan by Monday, 27th June 2011. The academics include many of the most senior and well respected figures in leading university departments. Further resignations from the AHRC Peer Review College may follow their lead. This will not be done lightly: the Peer Review College provides invaluable assistance in vetting research proposals submitted to the AHRC.
The AHRC delivery plan outlines the research council’s strategic priorities. The plan states that it aspires to make a “contribution” to the “Big Society” agenda (sects. 3.10, 3.12). One research programme (“Connected Communities”) will “enable the AHRC to contribute to the government’s initiatives on localism and the ‘Big Society’” (sect. 2.4.4).
The inclusion of the “Big Society” in the AHRC delivery plan has proved highly controversial. Petitions calling for the removal of the “Big Society” from the AHRC delivery plan have attracted signatures from nearly 4,000 academics. There have been several letters and opinion essays published in national and international news media. This position has won the support of more than 30 learned societies. This widespread and unprecedented public support crosses disciplinary and political divisions. The AHRC has refused to remove the “Big Society” from the delivery plan. Senior academics now call on the AHRC to change the delivery plan or they will lead a mass exodus.
“This is a position of principle, not politics: political campaign slogans have no place in research council delivery plans. Period,” says Dr Thom Brooks, an academic at Newcastle University who has led this important campaign for change. “We call on the AHRC to agree the removal of the ‘Big Society’ from its delivery plan without further delay to avoid the need for resignations.”
Notes for Editors:
• More than 40 leading academics threatening en masse resignations.
• The campaign to remove the “Big Society” from the AHRC delivery plan has attracted unprecedented widespread support from across disciplinary and political divisions.
• More than 4,000 academics have signed public statements calling on the AHRC to make this change. This statement is endorsed by 30+ learned societies.
PRESS CONTACT:
Name: Dr Thom Brooks
Tel: (0191) 222 5288
Email: thom.brooks@newcastle.ac.uk
We are Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Peer Review College members. We intend to resign from the AHRC Peer Review College if there are no clear steps taken to remove the “Big Society” from the AHRC delivery plan. Our stand is personal as members of the academic community and it does not represent our home institutions.
Professor Grenville G. Astill, Professor of Archaeology, University of Reading
Professor Elleke Boehmer, Professor of World Literature in English, University of Oxford
Professor Stephen Bottoms, Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies, University of Leeds
Professor Emma Borg, Professor of Philosophy, University of Reading
Dr Thom Brooks, Reader in Political and Legal Philosophy, Newcastle University
The Revd Professor Mark D. Chapman, Vice Principal, Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford
Professor Sarah Colvin, Professor in the Study of Contemporary Germany, University of Birmingham
Dr Peter M. Day, Reader in Archaeological Materials, University of Sheffield
Professor Antony Duff FBA FRSE, Professor of Philosophy, University of Stirling
Professor Steven French, Professor of Philosophy of Science, University of Leeds
Professor David Gillespie, Professor of Russian, University of Bath
Professor Leslie Green, Professor of the Philosophy of Law, University of Oxford
Professor Valerie A. Hall FSA FHEA, Professor Emerita of Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast
Professor Paul L. Halstead, Professor of Archaeology, University of Sheffield
Professor John Harrington, Professor of Law, University of Liverpool
Professor Matti Häyry, Professor of Bioethics and Philosophy of Law, University of Manchester
Professor Nicholas Hewlett, Professor of French Studies, University of Warwick
Professor Maggie Humm, Professor in Humanities, University of East London
Professor Mark Humphries, Professor of Ancient History, Swansea University
Professor Dina Iordanaova, Director of Centre for Film Studies, University of St Andrews
Professor Glynis Jones, Professor of Archaeology, University of Sheffield
Professor Debra Kelly, Professor of French and Francophone Literary and Cultural Studies, University of Westminster
Dr Elizabeth Eva Leach, University Lecturer in Music, University of Oxford
Professor Karen Leeder, Professor of Modern German Literature, University of Oxford
Professor Alison MacLeod, Professor of Contemporary Fiction, University of Chichester
Professor Paul McDonald, Professor of Cinema, University of Portsmouth
Professor Alexander Miller, Professor of Philosophy, University of Birmingham
Prof¬essor Anthony Milton, Professor of History, University of Sheffield
Dr Catherine Moriarty, Principal Research Fellow, University of Brighton
Professor Rosalind O’Hanlon, Professor of Indian History and Culture, University of Oxford
Professor David Owen, Professor of Social and Political Philosophy, University of Southampton
Dr Paul B. Pettitt FSA, Reader in Palaeolithic Archaeology, University of Sheffield
Professor Julian Preece, Professor of German, Swansea University
Professor Ritchie Robertson FBA, Taylor Professor of German, University of Oxford
Professor Irit Rogoff, Professor of Visual Cultures, Goldsmiths, University of London
Professor Karen Ross, Professor of Media and Public Communication, University of Liverpool
Professor Sean Sayers, Professor of Philosophy, University of Kent, Canterbury
Professor Ricarda Schmidt, Professor in German, University of Exeter
Professor Patrick Stevenson, Professor of German and Linguistic Studies, University of Southampton
Professor David Walker, Professor of French, University of Sheffield
Professor Paul Williams, Professor of Indian and Tibetan Philosophy, University of Bristol
Professor Ian Wood, Professor of Early Medieval History, University of Leeds
AHRC Peer Review College members who have resigned already on this issue:
Professor Bob Brecher, Professor of Ethics, University of Brighton
Professor M. M. Lisboa, Professor of Portuguese Literature and Culture, University of Cambridge