Swansea University has reversed its previous decision to sever career and recruitment connections with fossil fuel companies, a move described as “shameful” by student and staff campaigners. This decision comes as the nation experiences its fourth record-breaking heatwave of the year amidst an official drought.
Professor Paul Boyle, Swansea University’s vice-chancellor, along with his team, have removed significant commitments from the Ethical Careers Policy. These pledges included refraining from advertising roles that contribute to the harmful effects of fossil fuels, mining, arms, and tobacco industries, and barring oil, gas, and tar sands companies from participating in careers fairs and employer events.
By eliminating these statements, the university’s senior management has effectively opened the door for fossil fuel companies to market their opportunities to students. The prohibition on tobacco companies, however, remains intact.
Shameful
A staff member expressed profound disappointment over the university’s choice to eliminate the clause excluding fossil fuels, mining, and arms careers from any marketing efforts. The staff member noted that Swansea University, which prides itself on enhancing the “health, wealth, culture, and well-being of a global society,” seems to be moving in the wrong direction. They urged the university to reconsider, emphasizing its capacity and obligation to demonstrate moral leadership for its community.
Josie Mizen, co-director of climate justice at People & Planet, criticized the university’s decision, stating that after enduring months of severe heatwaves, it is disgraceful for Swansea University to retreat from its promise not to engage with the industry largely accountable for the climate crisis.
Student-led
Mizen added that this decision sends a clear message to students and staff: their futures and communities, along with the planet they inhabit, are valued less than the university’s comfortable relationship with an industry prioritizing profit over lives. She called on Swansea University to reverse its decision and pledged full support to students and staff resisting the university’s involvement in climate degradation.
In 2023, Swansea University became the seventh UK institution to exclude the fossil fuel industry from its careers and recruitment activities. This decision followed an 18-month campaign by students and staff, part of the national Fossil Free Careers initiative coordinated by the student-led charity People & Planet.
