Wednesday 24-06-2026 - 14:36

Over the past year, we have been working with PGRs and the university on the issue of FHASS PGR spaces. You can read our previous update here. 

 

Meeting between FHASS PGR students from the Bowland Annex Collective, and Professor Caron Gentry (Interim Deputy Dean for FHASS) - 18th June.

Last year, FHASS (previously called FASS) faced a large-scale restructure, with existing departments being merged into 4 new schools – the School of Arts, School of Social Sciences, School of Global Affairs, and the School of Law.  

As part of this change, many of the schools moved to new locations across the university, resulting in staff and students relocating over the summer of 2025. 

Part of this was the relocation of all FHASS PGR students into the top floor of Bowland Annex - the PGR Hub. Previously, PGRs in FHASS had desks in smaller shared offices, with a select few having assigned desks in the annex. Now PGR students are provided with a large, single shared space with bookable desks, hot desks, and a very limited number of small bookable rooms. Provisions are also made for students who require reasonable adjustments.  

Many PGR found the new allocation to be unacceptable for both their study and socializing needs. The lack of consultation with students on the move was also evident, with just a single half hour meeting offered which was not made available online. All these concerns were collated into a report which can be found here. The report was subsequently circulated to senior university management.  

 

Where have we gotten up to? 

Since our last update, LUSU has been working with PGRs on resolving the issues relating to the Bowland Annex. This has predominantly been through the "FHASS PGR Hub – Bowland Annex" Teams group – a collective of around 80 FHASS PGRs which have collectively been working on this issue throughout the year. 

Considering the published report, wider work by FHASS PGRs, and conversations with senior leadership over the past few months, the Schools within FHASS are once again looking to relocate into new spaces across campus. 

 

What is this new relocation project all about? 

Within scope are staff offices, UG and PGT social spaces, and PGR work/social spaces. 

With this project being headed by Professor Caron Gentry (Interim Deputy Dean in FHASS), each of the 4 schools has been placed in charge of their own task-and-finish groups regarding their respective moves into their new space. 

These task-and-finish groups should have PGR student representation, with schools being asked to consult with all affected students within their school. 

On the 30th June, each task and finish group will provide an update at the faculty level Project Board. David Gott, LUSU FHASS PGR Faculty Rep will be representing students at this meeting. Here, schools will ideally provide updates on how they have carried out their student consultations and present their initial proposals for space allocations. 

This move is scheduled to be completed for the start of the new academic year (26/27) in time to welcome the new cohort of PGR students. 

 

How has LUSU gotten involved so far? 

With PGR space being seen as an important part of this move, LUSU organised a meeting between Caron and the FHASS PGR Hub – Bowland Annex collective group on the 18th June. Proving to be insightful, PGRs were able to air their concerns whilst been given a clearer picture of the scope of the upcoming relocation project. 

 

What is happening now? 

Schools should be reaching out regarding consultation, holding various focus groups over the next few days. 

From LUSUs end, we welcome this development, with there being a direct steer to ensure that PGRs this time are consulted on this move. This is noticeable improvement compared to the previous move last year, and we applaud the faculty for changing approach. 

Likewise, we welcome the fact that dedicated PGR spaces alongside academic staff are being considered as part of the relocation, reflecting the longstanding concerns of FHASS PGR students regarding the Bowland Annex space. 

With this however, the Bowland Annex collective and LUSU are working to ensure that this student consultation is taking place within each school. It is vital that the consultation is done right this time to avoid repeating any mistakes from last year. 

 

David Gott, FHASS PGR Faculty Representative 

"Early discussions have been supportive and it is positive that PGR students are part of the consultation process. Ideally the outcome will be suitable study space that meets the needs of the students alongside an understanding that it is important to include the views of the student community in the decision-making processes of the University."   

 

 

 

What do you, as FHASS PGRs, need to do? 

From this, we strongly encourage all FHASS students to engage with any school consultation which gets advertised, sharing any details with your peers and in any group chats. 

If you are not aware of any consultation taking place, or have any major concerns about the consultation itself, please email LUSU (reps@lancaster.ac.uk) and the PGR Faculty rep David (d.j.gott@lancaster.ac.uk). 

 

We will be able to share concerns with the wider Bowland Annex Collective and relevant faculty staff members. 

 

If you are a FHASS PGR student and want to join the Bowland Annex Collective Teams group, email reps@lancaster.ac.uk, and we can add you.