The Biological Sciences Working Party , chaired by John Willmott, professor of physics, investigated the University's life sciences departments and proposed a far-reaching reorganization, which led to the establishment of the School of Biological Sciences in 1986.The working party was appointed by the Joint Committee on University Development in 1984 and reported the following year. The Willmott Report advocated the replacement of traditional single discipline departments with a smaller number of interdisciplinary departments (Biochemistry, Cell and Structural Biology, Environmental Biology and Physiological Sciences.) The new School incorporated staff from the former departments of zoology, botany, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, virology, and immunology. The Working Party undertook a detailed assessment of the teaching and research capabilities of existing departments, including reports by external experts.
The file comprises working papers of the Working Party including its final report, as well as commentary by members of staff on the proposed restructuring. There is also a copy of a document " School of Biological Sciences: Development Proposals"(December 1986), on post-Wilmott situation.
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