A Redbrick article dating back to January 2020 has received renewed attention amid a campaign demanding that the University of Birmingham (UoB) sets the record straight on its Nobel winnings.

The original article found that the University had used the names of eleven Nobel Laureates associated with the university, despite the official number being ten.

The eleventh of UoB’s named Laureates, UoB alumnus Professor Peter Bullock, although heavily involved in the work that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, was not named as the winner of the prestigious award. Instead, the accolade was shared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – which Professor Bullock worked for – and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

Redbrick’s article on the matter, written by News Reporter Dylan Morgen, criticised the University for using Professor Bullock’s name and the inaccurate figure of eleven Nobel Prize winners in advertising material and student prospectuses.

The University of Birmingham’s response to the original article promised to ‘review how the university reflects/references his role in this important work.’

Fast-forward eighteen months, and the story has received increased attention following an article in the Sunday Mercury that reported the continuing conflict regarding the matter, with Redbrick’s Dylan Morgen still determined to hold the University to account.

Dylan argues, ‘The Uni Council should investigate why it has taken the uni administration 18 months to correct mistakes, which has potentially caused reputational damage to the uni,’ while also stating the article finding itself in a local paper is ‘vindication for student reporters who UoB appeared to be ignoring.’

However, the issue is far from being resolved. Since the original article was published, and the University’s subsequent inaction, Dylan Morgen has raised the issue with the Chancellor of the University, Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea. He has also reported the University to the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA), after billboards and posters displayed around campus – including several at University Station – repeating the false claim were neither edited nor removed. At present, the University has been given a grace period to rectify the issue before any further action takes place.

For Dylan, though, the issue goes beyond Nobel Prize winners and advertising. He observes that ‘[the University] seems to have belittled student journalists and Redbrick itself, [which is] contrary to valuing students and their feedback,’ while raising the possibility that the University has ‘prioritised marketing over academic integrity.’

In a statement to Redbrick, UoB said that the University is ‘incredibly proud of its ten Nobel Prize winners’, praising Professor Bullock’s ‘significant work.’ The University also stated that they were ‘continuing to review and update any legacy promotional materials’ that include Professor Bullock as a Nobel Prize winner.

Like this article? Here are some more stories from News:

Solihull MP Backs Petition to Ban Racists from Football Stadiums

University Announces New Vice-Chancellor

Holdsworth Holds Annual Presidential Speech in Virtual Style