Queensland University of Technology students campaign for teacher Tfer Newsome’s contract to be renewed

Queensland University of Technology students are in uproar over a shock decision not to renew the contract of one of the school’s most popular and revered teachers.

Queensland University of Technology students are fighting to have the contract of popular teacher Tfer Newsome renewed.

Students at one of Queensland’s largest universities are in uproar over a popular and revered teacher being let go from the school without warning after more than two decades of teaching.

More than 600 people have signed a petition calling for the Queensland University of Technology to reverse a decision not to renew the contract of film school academic Tfer Newsome.

An online post made on Wednesday claims Ms Newsome “has been removed from QUT faculty, without warning or reason”, after 21 years at the university.

“This is more than a creative industries issue, it’s university-wide,” the post reads.

“A dedicated individual who has devoted herself to passing on knowledge is being left out to dry, no warning.

“How many other invaluable educators will be tossed aside by the university due to their role being ‘no longer needed’?

“This is about our quality of education and set up for the future being less important to the university than being a money factory.”

Tfer Newsome, one of Queensland University of Technology's most popular teachers, has not had her contract renewed. Picture: Supplied

QUT has faced backlash from current and former staff over the past two years over allegations of a “toxic culture”, with hundreds of academic and professional staff let go since 2020.

In September, changes to the campus medical centres led to five doctors and a clinical psychologist departing within a month. QUT said at the time it was recruiting new doctors and counsellors, but a number of students expressed their distress over losing longstanding doctors from the campus.

Ms Newsome has not commented on the news, but has ‘liked’ several comments supporting her.

The academic was voted the winner of last year’s “Stumpy Award” – an annual award voted on by students for the most engaging member of QUT teaching staff to “recognise their teaching efforts”.

A change.org petition has now begun circulating widely among students and QUT staff, with the petition saying “signatures … will be used in a letter sent to the relevant staff members at QUT responsible for these decisions”.

“We are deeply disappointed to hear of the QUT’s faculty decision not to renew the contract of Ms Christine (Tfer) Newsome”, the petition states.

“Tfer Newsome is not only an exceptional teacher and qualified professional, she is also, a genuinely kind and caring person.

“Tfer has worked at QUT for 21 years and has been an integral part of many students’ successes and endeavours into the film and television industries. Without Tfer’s passion for teaching, future students are at a great disadvantage.

“Tfer is what makes QUT’s Bachelor of Film Screen and New Media course worth studying.”

One person wrote on the petition “don’t discard decades of experience. If you need to make budget cuts, I’m sure there’s an executive or five who don’t contribute anything to the organisation”.

Another posted “There is no QUT film school without her. She has been the lifeblood of that degree for so many years and it’s evident through how many students have been inspired by her and draw on her being their favourite teacher”.

“Tfer is one of the handful of academics & practitioners I’ve met throughout the last four years who genuinely cares about the craft and the students she teaches. This university will suffer without her. I beg you to right this wrong,” another wrote.

The Courier-Mail has contacted QUT and Ms Newsome for comment.