This pilot study looked at the British lay public's evaluation of 20 different disciplines by asking them to rank-order them. In a cutting-saving exercise those departments (disciplines) thought most worthy of saving were English, mathematics, and computer science; those rated as least important were anthropology, film and media studies, and…

Studied the influence of demographic variables on the British public's perceptions of the usefulness of retaining faculties from different disciplines. Found that people's perceptions of what is worthy are not based on political affiliation but are dependent on a number of socioeconomic variables. (EV)