All one has to do is simply search the Maxwell Institute’s list of authors to see the sheer number of contributions, let alone classic examples of LDS scholarship directly associated with this list of writers. If these authors no longer contribute to Maxwell publications, how will the Institute continue to foster academic research on LDS scripture? Without these scholars, who is left at BYU to contribute scholarly observations on LDS scripture? The only ones who remain are instructors in BYU’s Religious Education departments of Ancient Scripture and Church History and Doctrine.
Perhaps they are the ones who will now move the work forward into increased academic prestige?
I believe it's important to note, however, that none of the aforementioned pioneers and primary contributors to ancient studies and LDS scripture are connected with Religious Education at BYU. Historically, the contributions of BYU’s religion professors to FARMS and the Maxwell Institute have been trivial at best.
And this lack of scholarship is by design. Recent hires in the department of ancient scripture have focused primarily upon LDS seminary teachers with degrees in Instructional Technology, and Education; those currently being considered seriously for research positions in the department of Ancient Scripture include teachers with degrees in Public Administration, etc. The current Department Chair over Ancient Scripture holds a PhD in Sociology, and the former Department Chair over Ancient Scripture has a degree in P.E.
Without the apologists, the quality of the articles submitted will not only have less scholarship, but will lack the important contributions from the FARMS Bureau of Investigation.
http://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/58179-why-byu-and-the-maxwell-institute-are-in-serious-serious-trouble/
by the way, the highlighted portion was one of those gotcha moments for me. I just knew there was some real world application for a degree in P.E.