Unions fear that cuts at the University of Derby are putting some of the institution¡¯s most experienced researchers at risk, while staff members at the University of Keele have become the latest to announce strike action.

The University and College Union (UCU) said Derby?risks causing?¡°lasting damage¡± to its academic reputation by?threatening to make up to 35 professors and associate professors redundant, amounting to what it said was half of its most senior academics.

The union claimed these will be compulsory redundancies, and follow a voluntary redundancy scheme which has seen several senior staff leave.

Derby said it?¡°remains committed¡± to investing in research but resources needed to be?¡°channelled in support of an exceptional student experience and towards research that has the greatest impact in the UK and around the world¡±.

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But a UCU spokesperson said the announcement was ¡°an unnecessary attack¡± and will have ¡°implications¡± for the institution.

¡°A university is only as strong as its academic base, and axeing half of its senior academics is a dangerous and short-sighted move. We are engaging with the university¡¯s HR department in the hope of finding an alternative way forward.

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¡°There is no justification for compulsory redundancies at this time. Rather than slashing jobs, university leadership should be joining us in demanding proper funding for the sector.¡±

More than?300 people have calling for a reversal of the cuts.

Meanwhile staff members at the University of Keele have become the latest to announce strike action, after 75 per cent of UCU members voted in favour of strike action on a turnout of 55 per cent. A further 89 per cent also backed taking action short of strike, which could include working to rule. The union said it will engage in five days of strikes across April and May.?

The industrial action comes in response to the university¡¯s plan to merge its School of Humanities and School of Social Sciences, which will reduce academic staffing in the new department by ?1.85 million ¨C equivalent to about 24 full-time-equivalent jobs.?

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Jo Grady, general secretary of UCU, said: ¡°With this vote for strike action our members at Keele have resoundingly rejected management¡¯s proposals to slash jobs and cut student provision. We hope management now begins meaningful negotiations to protect jobs, courses and the future of Keele University.¡±

A spokesperson for the university said it and the sector were facing well-publicised financial challenges and it had also seen dips in student recruitment over the past two years.?

¡°Around 5 per cent of our workforce have voted for strike action and we recognise that any potential staff losses cause uncertainty and worry for staff and students, but we need to act to protect the university¡¯s long-term future,¡± they added.

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com