Monash plans to close climate crisis institute, leaving scores of staff fearing for their jobs

Monash University is proposing to close and break up its flagship climate crisis institute, leaving scores of academics and staff fearing for their jobs.

The proposal has triggered widespread consternation at this institute since staff were told in mid-September that the university was proposing to “disestablish” the 18-year-old Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) and redistribute its 200-plus staff and research units across other faculties.

This masthead has obtained a series of acrimonious emails from the centre’s director, Professor Tony Capon, addressed to vice chancellor Sharon Pickering. Capon copied several senior managers on the email chain and forwarded it to staff and PhD students at the institute.

In the emails, Capon, whose job will “no longer be required” under