The Open University is joining the South East Physics network (SEPnet) effective from Thursday 1 August 2013.
The South East Physics Network (SEPnet) was formed after receiving a £12.5 million grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in 2008 as a network of six Physics departments in South East England at the Universities of Kent, Queen Mary University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Southampton, Surrey and Sussex.
The inclusion of new partners The Open University and University of Hertfordshire broadens the range of teaching and postgraduate research in the network.
Announcing the investment, SEPnet’s Independent Chair Professor Sir William Wakeham said: “This is a major success for physics both in the region and nationally. HEFCE’s contribution via SEPnet has enabled the partners in the consortium to grow and develop their physics departments for the long term.
“Before SEPnet, physics departments had falling student numbers and lacked research diversity.
Now they are robust and sustainable and the SEPnet consortium is an exemplar of collaboration in Higher Education.”
David Sweeney, Director of Research, Innovation and Skills, HEFCE said: “We are delighted to see the fruits of a very successful intervention to support what was once a vulnerable subject. HEFCE are pleased to provide funding for a new phase, particularly to address new challenges in the field of postgraduate training and widening participation. The expansion to include new physics departments is a testament to the success of the network and can only act to strengthen and diversify the collaboration.”
For further information on SEPnet, please contact its Executive Director, Dr James West at the University of Southampton or on executivedirector@sepnet.ac.uk
Learn more at the SEP net website.
19 June 2013