big blow for the department - reputation wise anyway

Lets be honest, Pert was never an academic and and his position as 'head of research'/ Professor was always a bit of a vanity title. (anyone ever seen any research by Alan Pert? - Has he got a PHD? Nope) For anyone that knows about universities, it is research that get s you funding - not appointing your star pupils. He was getting a lot of money for acting as an ambassador for the school whilst boosting his own reputation. Hope they spend his salary more wisely.

surely there must be others whom also do this

How rude! Alan Pert is an excellent tutor/mentor/academic. He certainly does more for the school than others within the department. You know nothing.

@concerned: Alans research is the only researh income that the department has at the moment! Once he is gone, then there will be none!

As a student, I and many of my peers look up to and are hugely inspired by Alan and the rest of the Nord staff who've helped us through our time at Strathclyde. They are a very talented and influential bunch in the studio. This article saddens but doesn't surprise me. Will be sad to see him leave. His passion and links for the school and every student will be missed but it is clear the department is going through a period of transition - whether its for the good or bad, I'm glad I'm getting out at the end of the current academic year.

I agree with no.4 - 'concerned' are you actually concerned about what this means for the students? Architects in the profession are a great asset to the school and this will be a huge loss to the students who I personally know value Alan Pert as a tutor. No he hasnt done a PHD...he has become an Architect - better? no?

You know what they say, rats are always the first to leave a sinking ship

This is a sad loss for the department. However, it typifies Nords clique attitude. Alan Pert should be leading by example not shying away from the institution which has given him and Nord so much.

I actually agree with concerned. While there is do doubt that Pert has a lot of value as a tutor or as a visiting prof- in terms of keeping the department open, what it needs i research money. This needs a Head of Research is is actually committed to this not running his own business - one who is actually an academic. Needs of the pupils and needs of an academic department are not exactly the same. You can't call yourself an architect without Part3 - so don't call yourself academic if you are not one.

I actually agree with concerned. While there is do doubt that Pert has a lot of value as a tutor or as a visiting prof- in terms of keeping the department open, what it needs i research money. This needs a Head of Research is is actually committed to this not running his own business - one who is actually an academic. Needs of the pupils and needs of an academic department are not exactly the same. You can't call yourself an architect without Part3 - so don't call yourself academic if you are not one.

In my opinion, they should just close the entire department. I have never once seen anything interesting being produced here. That is because there no quality in the tutoring, yet during the crits, they have the guts to condemn and judge us in a sense that they have done a good job in tutoring us. I have done my student’s exchange and honestly, these architects can spend 30minutes a week telling you shit, why bother coming to tutorials? Furthermore, the environment here is depriving, it is devastating its student interest.

Another thing is that students are expected to pay for tutors on their study trips, not 2 tutors, but 6-10 tutors. And based on my own experience, these tutors have little help during the trips. This is pure corruption and is ethically disgusting. If the university wants to organise study trips for students, IT IS THE UNIVERSITY WHO SHOULD PAY, NOT THE STUDENTS. This really render a very bad image to the university, and upon reviewing university policies of study trips, the policies are departmental based- how very political. Please close the damn department already, I can’t possibly study under such disgusting figure that just paints an awful picture of the architectural profession. The university could be benefitted so much more from other healthier courses.

I

@ comment 12: The students pay for the tutors to come on study trips because the department cannot afford to - this is an issue the students are currently fighting to change. As a student we respect our tutors and we work very hard DESPITE our "depriving" environment, we recognise the departments successes are irrespective of our facilities and this is because of the quality tutoring we receive. It is disgraceful you say you "I have never once seen anything interesting being produced here. That is because there no quality in the tutoring" - why did you chose to exchange at Strathclyde? Student work is currently being showcased in the Rotterdam Biennale, in Archiprix, and built community centres in Bangladesh to help flood victims, (amongst other achievements). How dare you say the dept should be closed. What gives you such a right to decide this if you haven't been here longer than on exchange? You are right in saying that students paying for tutors to come on study visits "render a very bad image to the university" - the students recognise the benefit of the tutoring staff, respect their expertise and welcome their input which is why we go out or way to pay for them. And can you please give an example of a "healthier" course?

This is a huge loss for the department, they are amazing tutors/head of research and first year respectively and truly inspirational. Absolutley gutted.

We hope someone as dedicated replaces him, whom actually does a days work & is not just here for political SIZE?

"The resignations were tendered against a background of apprehension amongst staff and students as to future funding for the department". Yes, the resignations were also tendered against the backdrop of unrest in Syria and an economic crisis in Greece! However, perhaps it would be more pertinent for Urban Realm to ask whether the resignations were tendered against the backdrop of both individuals having been hired by the Mackintosh School of Architecture...

Is that the inner circle again looking after their own.... sighs...

My understanding of research money does not depend on Pert. Every 4/5 years the department submits documentation as part of the REF / RAE. The grading of this exercise allocates each university and / or department a chunk of the governments research budget. The university and / or department will get this allocation until the next REF / RAE. The next one is not until 2013?

I’m sure the other Architecture schools in Scotland are all in the same boat. Edinburgh’s schools have already merged!

strathclyde is falling apart.

Stop exaggerating! Everyone is replaceable . . . and what comes around goes around . . . the schools have all seen and been through this before . . . change what a b#st##d . . .

PS agree that part time staff are real value for money . . . they give alot for what they actually cost :-)

As a former student of Alan's he brought something far more valuable than a bit of paper that says he can witter on about other folks work - he brought experience of the industry and some pretty impressive creds.

@concerned: I'd much rather have him teaching me than some chinless wonder with qualifications coming out their hairy ears.

I had to double check the date of this, as this has been news in Glasgow for months now. This is part of a decline that has sped up in the last 6 months. If the rumours are correct, there will only be one department of architecture in Glasgow in 10 years time - even though Strathclyde has persistently out performed the School of Art in independent surveys.

I would urge any students to look into where the investment has been going at Strathclyde, and I am sure in many other universities in Scotland. The money is being spent on buildings that house research students - not undergraduates. Scottish undergraduate students simply don't bring in enough money, so universities have to increase their profile and balance sheets by improving facilities that PHD students will use.

The architecture department at Strathclyde, as far as I am aware, has not taken many (if any) of its Masters students onto PHD research positions in the last few years. So I would be interested to see what research the department has been doing (with the exclusion of the Urban Design Unit)?

The clock is ticking down on the department.

Anonymous

it is sad to see two tutors with such reputation feeling that they have to resign. i agree that yes ideally they should stick it out and see if they can get the department through it however how many of us could honestly say in todays world that u would stay in a job where your future employment is at stake? i personally dont blame kathy li for goin to the mac, a desicion that i know was not taken lightly with the amount of time and effort that she has put into the department at strathclyde, and got her voted best tutor in scotland last year. With regards to Alan pert i have never been taught by him but all i have heard is good things, with regards to the experience he brings from working in practice and he is more passionate and respected than many of the supposed phd holders many of whom appear to be nothing more than a name on a door. The department is going through a difficult time which us as students are tryin to make the best of and get through while still producing the same high quality of work. it saddens me when people comment on forums such as this with points are that are either purposely hurtfull to the department or are a result of a one off bad experience due to the fact that no architecture school is perfect or just a general attitude problem.
The problem in terms of funding is that the department is rated by the uni in terms of research income, which the rumour is that it was a 4 figure sum last year. However the key point there is that it is a rumour!
regarding what ethnic said i have to say that all sounds like some sort of fabrication, or something that happened long before i started the course. The part time tutors are more often than not, not paid to come on the trips and do so due to their passion about architecture and sharing their knowledge with us students and also to get to know us better as individuals. if they were unhappy then the large group of excellent external tutors who are still teaching would not go on the trips. Also ur comment saying you have never seen anything good produced at the department must make you one of those individuals who doesnt come into the department and work within the studio culture that our building and those who use it have created. your loss.
it is sad to see our department goin through this hard time however the students and dedicated staff are doing our best to get through it. all we ask is a bit of support

Have they both gone to the Mack right enough?

Lets be honest, Pert was never an academic and and his position as 'head of research'/ Professor was always a bit of a vanity title. (anyone ever seen any research by Alan Pert? - Has he got a PHD? Nope) For anyone that knows about universities, it is research that get s you funding - not appointing your star pupils. He was getting a lot of money for acting as an ambassador for the school whilst boosting his own reputation. Hope they spend his salary more wisely.

At the end of the day, Bye Alan, your Resignations have been many. We wish you well at the Mac.

As for Kathy Li, she is a little gem, sadly she is going to the Mac as a promotion and other opportunities. Good luck.

A nice new 'family' nurturing each other.

So who's the Daddy?

The gentlemen

A source close to Alan says "TOO MUCH!"

I always wondered what Pert did?

As Graham Spiers would say........what a load of pish. Alan's a good bloke - a bit of a self promoter and quite vain. He's an OK architect. Has had some things built and has made some money. He's not the messiah!

As Graham Spiers would say........what a load of pish. Alan's a good bloke - a bit of a self promoter and quite vain. He's an OK architect. Has had some things built and has made some money. He's not the messiah!

I am in my fourth year of Architecture at Strathclyde and my questions is;

Who the heck is Alan Pert?

to Year 4 student.

If you turn to page 111 in your year handbook which you would have been issued you will clearly see the departmental structure plan. Please read it.

Do you know all the other names within that structure? and crucially - how often have you seen them?

Professor Alan Pert is our director of research, and has been a professor for a number of years now. He was also the University of Strathclyde's Alumnus of the year 2007.

Unlike certain other members of staff who have risen through the ranks over the last summer (two in particular), Professor Pert actually teaches architecture in the school and also, knows what we are designing - as he turns up for the moderating panels and takes a direct interest in it.

Our current Head of Department doesn't even know how many units are in year 5!

Prof Pert resigned from being director of reserarch a few months ago.

He was only in the position for a few weeks, it got dark and he packed it in.

I hear a certain Mr Dunlop has some free time... :)

The inner circle is tightening

@ #38

Lighten up and sense the tone.

I am well aware of who he is but I was merely stating, in jest, that after four years at the school I had never had a face to face encounter.

Perhaps, the dark over-dramatic portrait shot in this article sums up his time at the school...

An ego in the shadows. Step forth into the limelight old pal.

@4th year student:
you clearly haven't been doing enough brown-nosing around the department then - when i was there, if you tried to be one of his piles there was lots of chummery, if you didn't it was as if you were invisible...

Pert and Platt new partners.
Prospective new owners are holding meetings with Rangers' administrator as it seeks to prevent widespread redundancies at the Scottish champions.

Having been a student at UoS, I do know Alan, even though he was 'only' tutoring at my times. He was always intersting to listen to and was supportive in Crits.
In terms of the Architecture Department, I have to say that the folks are all lovely there, particularly the Support Staff. Unfortunately, the Department is too disjointed and inflexible and the slow demise of the Department was evidential even when I was ther over 10 years ago. What they need is a strong leader with a clear vision, but also the the determination to turn this Department around. Seems recently people might have been 'buying their time'.

Ex Student from 10 years ago? Clearly you haven't been in the dept or seen the advances within the dept that are many. As for leadership just wait and see. The future is now!
We have the best students in the country, with the best tutors and year directors. Please re visit and see for yourself.

So who is Stalin?

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke forum rules.
http://www.urbanrealm.com/terms

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke forum rules.
http://www.urbanrealm.com/terms

Wow! Censorship police on ultra sensitive alert today.
To protect the innocent, can the arbitrators of offense please e-mail to clarify which rules were broken.

It all turned to s**t when Harvey Sussock left.

From BD
Mackintosh architecture head defends appointments

15 March 2012 | By Elizabeth Hopkirk

After international search, Christopher Platt picks candidates from his former school


?The Mackintosh School of Architecture has added to the woes of its Glasgow rival by appointing two Strathclyde University tutors.

Alan Pert and Kathy Li were appointed by Christopher Platt, the Mac’s new head of architecture and their former colleague at Strathclyde.

Platt denied he had unfairly poached staff from his old school, saying: “We advertised a lectureship after the death of Jochen Bub and had an amazing trawl of 62 applications from around the world,” he said.

“There were some spectacular candidates of which we fortunately got two who are sharing the post. It was a very rigorous process; difficult but ultimately fruitful.

“It does look as if, because the two candidates are from just along the road, that we didn’t look very far,” he conceded. “But that says more about the calibre of people at Strathclyde.”

Pert will take up the new post in June and said he remained committed to his existing students.

Platt said it was common for the two departments to collaborate. He, Pert and Strathclyde’s head of school, Gordon Murray, published a joint paper this month.

The appointments come as Strathclyde was hit by a 2% cut in budgets for built environment courses.

The post started by Elizabeth Hopkirk above is not accurate, like who is writting this rubbish. Chris get a life!

It's 100% accurate, actually.

Ah Trotsky, you will split the party.

Trotsky READ AND WEEP! Accurate??????
http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3413/Pert_reassures_students_amidst_press_speculation.html

Dad, you know Trotsky was always the one with the brains. My inclinations is to believe Chris Platt. Perty's always been a bit prone to double speak

????????? ?????????? ??????????. My Svetiana
you could be right, Chris is honest.
Vous passerez un séjour agréable à Paris.

?? ?????? ????????? ? ???? Josef ?? ??????????

L

Cyrillic script ends up as a ????? Let's keep it to English Leon.

ne vous inquiétez pas, votre secret est bien gardé avec moi

L

Trotsky écoutez, je ne dirai qu'une seule fois. Mon identité est sûr.

Bien sûr, comme les prêts hypothécaires subprime et le Costa Concordia.

vous gagnez

The dept of Architecture, has suffered over the years, teaching is under strain, there are no support facilities for students due to no staff, no I.T, no Librarian and no Technical staff. Teaching budget is to be further reduced.