Dear Professors Palmowski, Trainor, and Hoggart,
Researchers in the area of philosophy, linguistics, computer science, and logic in Sweden are deeply concerned about the news that, as a consequence of reorganizing Humanities at KCL, Prof Shalom Lappin, Dr Wilfried Meyer-Viol, and Dr. Jonathan Ginzburg are to face compulsory redundancy as of autumn 2010, and Prof Charles Travis is to be forced into retirement contrary to the contract on which he was hired in 2005. Even if KCL decides to "divest computational linguistics" -- in itself a very dubious move -- this is a poor excuse for the measure taken against these three persons, and presumably others as well. None of them is mainly a computational linguist. More importantly, they are all internationally renowned scholars whose excellence contributes to KCL's own reputation of excellence.
Moreover, we are shocked and dismayed to learn that Prof Lappin turned down an attractive offer from Hebrew University only six months ago, since he was given reassurances that his job was not in danger. Is it even legal, in Britain, to impose forced redundancy in such a situation?
We do not understand why this is happening, but we are certain that if these measures are carried through, they will taint the reputation of KCL for many years to come, in view of its apparent disregard not only for excellence but also for a decent treatment of its academic staff. We hope that some mistake has been committed, and we urge you to reconsider.
Sincerely,
Prof Dag Westerståhl, Dr Christian Bennet, Prof Margareta Hallberg, Prof Torbjörn Lager, Dr Staffan Larsson
Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science
University of Gothenburg
Prof Peter Pagin, Prof Kathrin Glüer-Pagin, Dr Sören Häggqvist, Prof Åsa Wikforss
Department of Philosophy
Stockholm University
Prof Jens Allwood
IT University, Chalmers and University of Gothenburg
Prof Sven-Ove Hansson
Department of Philosophy and the History of Technology
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Prof Wlodek Rabinowicz
Department of Philosophy
Lund University
Prof Erik Palmgren
Department of Mathematics
Uppsala University
Prof Sten Lindström, Dr Pär Sundström
Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies
Umeå University
Prof Eva Strangert
Department of Language Studies
Umeå University