2022–2023 University of Sheffield protests
Student protests in England
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The 2022–2023 University of Sheffield protests were student protests at the University of Sheffield in England. The protests ended in October 2023.
- 2022–2023: University to cut ties with companies involved in arms manufacturing (Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and Boeing).
- 2023–2023: Solidarity with ongoing UCU strikes
- Occupation
- Online activism
| 2022–2023 University of Sheffield protest | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Occupation in The Diamond building | |||
| Date | 24 October 2022 – September 2023 | ||
| Location | |||
| Goals |
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| Methods |
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| Status | Ended | ||
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Background
Timeline
2022
Occupations
On 24 October 2022 Sheffield Action Group occupied the faculty of engineering's "The Diamond" building at the University of Sheffield.[1] The group held up banners in support of removing companies involved in the arms industry from campus.[3][4] In response to the occupation, the university relocated all teaching activities to other venues around campus.[5][6] On 28 October 2022 High Court enforcement evicted the students from the building.[7]
On 24 November 2022 Sheffield Action Group occupied the Hicks Building in solidarity with the University and College Union, and to continue to demand arms companies be removed from campus.[8]
2023
Occupations
On 12 February 2023 the group occupied the Jessop West building,[9] and on 15 February 2023 they occupied the Hicks Building again,[10][11] later expanding to occupy five buildings.[9]
On 28 September 2023 around 7 pm 20 students occupied Arts Tower, both in protest against arms companies on campus and in solidarity with the ongoing UCU strikes.[12] The occupation is currently ongoing.[13][14] Classes due to take place in this building are being relocated or ran online, and the university HR department has been disrupted as a result of the occupation.[15]
Incidents
Investigation
The university has been criticised for its handling of the occupations after two students received letters on 9 November 2022 stating that the university has hired private investigation firm Intersol Global to look in to possible involvement in the occupations.[18] The university spent £39,615 on the investigation in total.[19] Both students were able to prove they were not in the city. They believe they were profiled for earlier activism work.[20][21]
The university was again criticised for using another firm, Horus Security Consultancy Ltd, which provided the university with information about a at the university group called Solidarity Slate.[22]