Student campaign group People and Planet staged a protest against the University of Sheffield’s careers on the 14th October, gathering at the Octagon Centre from 11:30 a.m.
The protest drew around 50 people and marked the third coordinated action in the UK’s #FossilFreeCareers month of activism.
Alongside the Pro-Palestine Society, members blockaded the fair entrance for over an hour. They voiced opposition to certain companies present, which they claim are involved in fossil fuels, arms, and mining industries
On Instagram (@peopleandplanetsheffield) and (@palestine.sccp) wrote: “Fossil fuel, arms, and mining companies are being promoted to students, including MBDA Missiles, JCB, Fraser Nash, and Ineos.”
Protesters marched to the Octagon Centre chanting slogans and holding banners with messages such as “Students say fossil-free careers” and “Careers fair fuels warfare.”
Security and police were on-site from the start, with additional University security staff helping some students enter the fair by guiding them around the blockade. Some were even lifted up over protesters.
Tensions rose as security attempted to manage the protest by moving activists, physically moving their arms and legs to stop the entrance being blocked. Although, the event started off peacefully.
SU officers said in an official statement “We are aware of questions from some of our members surrounding the response from security and police on the day, and are actively looking into this.”
A protester, who did not wish to be named, told Forge Press “This type of protest seems extreme, but it’s definitely not extreme enough for the level of exploitation and environmental neglect the University is complicit in while having companies like that in the fair.”
The group argues The University of Sheffield is ‘bringing genocidal arms companies and planet destroying fossil fuel companies onto campus’ and demands that the University make an effort to cut ties with such organisations. This is in the hopes that the University will create and enforce an ‘ethical careers policy’.
“We fully support freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest within the law,” a spokesperson from the University of Sheffield said. “However, we also have a responsibility to maintain a safe, effective, and welcoming environment for everyone.”
“We have been clear that protests should not disrupt any teaching, events or University business, or intimidate students, staff and visitors. At last week’s Careers Fair, protesters made a significant attempt to disrupt the event and prevent other students from gaining entry.
“We are committed to providing our students with opportunities to research and meet a wide range of organisations offering placements and graduate jobs at our careers fairs so they can make their own informed decisions about their future careers.”
The Students union say the companies invited go against their moral and ethical goals.They put out in a statement “We stand against the decision to invite representatives and companies that promote armed conflict and unsustainable practices.”
They also call for students to be “offered more sustainable and ethical career prospects.”
This protest comes amid a broader trend at UK universities, where student-led campaigns are pressuring institutions to end relationships with fossil fuel companies. According to a joint study by Sheffield Students’ Union and the University, 58% of students surveyed support the idea
Since 2022, multiple universities including Cambridge and York have made efforts to reduce or cut their ties with Fossil Fuel Companies. While others like University of the Arts and Bedfordshire have adopted an ‘Ethical Careers Policy.’
The University of Sheffield have not followed suit and student led organisations like People and Planet continue to protest this.
Image credits: @peopleandplanetsheffield and @palestine.sccp on Instagram
