Centre dodges axe

The University of Kent has no plans to close the Canterbury Centre for Medieval and Tudor History as part of its restructuring of the School of History ("Kent 'axes' medieval history to save cash", THES , September 26).

We intend to extend the centre's activities to include archaeology. Links with the Cathedral Archives will remain and those with the Canterbury Archaeological Trust will hopefully be strengthened. The MA programme in medieval and Tudor studies will be delivered as advertised, and teaching and research in medieval studies and history will continue.

The restructuring is a strategic move to build on success in student recruitment and to achieve a grade 5 research assessment exercise submission. It involves a reorientation of work in medieval studies, placing greater emphasis on the earlier period while retaining provision for the later. Discussions will continue in the humanities faculty about the direction of the centre.

David Nightingale
Deputy vice-chancellor
University of Kent