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A University of Birmingham lecturer was left shocked after none of her 400 students turned up to her lecture.

Dr Deborah Longworth, who is the Head of English Literature, wrote an email to the class saying she was shocked by the "total lack of interest" at her lecture, before emailing a photo of the empty lecture theatre to the whole department.

The lecture on 'demystifying marking criteria and assessment' attracted none of her second year English literature undergraduates, despite the lecturer saying it was compulsory.

In an email, the senior lecturer said: "The picture below is of the second year lecture in the Vaughan Jefferies lecture theatre on Tuesday.

(Image: Annabelle Penhaligon)

“I was frankly shocked at this total lack of interest, from roughly 400 students in second year, in a lecture explaining marking criteria and our marking processes.

“I can only assume that these are not areas of concern after all.”

The same lecture for first year undergraduates on the same day was attended by eight students.

Dr Longworth claimed that because the lecture on November 6 was scheduled it was compulsory, even though it was during the university reading week.

"Please remember that scheduled hours are compulsory and come under the University's requirement for due diligence, and that we monitor absences from these sessions," said Dr Longworth.

The lecturer warned in her email that attendance and contributions in seminars are "key things that we are asked to comment on in references".

Student Annabelle Penhaligon, who writes for the Birmingham Tab, said: “The lecture was over reading week with many students going home, and as it was not arranged until a few days before the lecture; many had already booked tickets home to avoid hiked up fees.

“Myself and many others did not know the lecture was happening, it was only mentioned in the (department-wide) email and not advertised elsewhere.

“Our essays were submitted the week before, so the timing of the ‘demystifying marking criteria’ was odd.”

Speaking to The Birmingham Tab, one English student said they "genuinely had no clue" about Tuesday's lecture and "neither did anyone else".

Registers will now be taken in all compulsory lectures, and any student with two or more absences will have a meeting with the welfare team.

(Image: Marc Daniels / newsteam)

A spokesperson for the University of Birmingham said: “The session was an optional addition to enrich the standard timetable and was held during reading week, therefore students were not obligated to attend.

"Similar non-compulsory sessions on assessment skills have been held and were attended voluntarily by students.

“As part of our work to ensure we protect our students’ welfare, we make contact with students to inquire if they need any support should they miss two consecutive compulsory seminars or lectures.

"As in common with other Universities, we routinely monitor attendance of compulsory lectures and seminars."

The lecturer's email was originally reported in the Birmingham Tab, after students felt her response to being stood up during reading week, the equivalent to half term, was unfair.

University students returned to Birmingham this week as reading week came to an end.

