The Cambridge University Department of Colloid Science, founded in 1930, was suppressed by the University after the retirement of the Department head, Roughton, in 1966. The closure was long and acrimonious, requiring two debates in the University Senate House and a University-wide vote. Decisions were taken by committees that included three Nobel Prize winners and many distinguished Cambridge scientists, but there was little consultation with the wider UK colloid science community, either academic or industrial. In times of financial stringency it is sometimes necessary to close university departments, and this review of an unsatisfactory closure may help future generations of university administrators to avoid some of the potential pitfalls.
J. N. Sherwood (Sun,) studied this question.