21 Group
banner
21group.bsky.social
21 Group
@21group.bsky.social
The 21 Group campaigns against the complaisant acceptance of bullying by UK Universities. We provide support for those experiencing bullying in academia.
Voice of Victim

"My university has created new poster for Anti-Bullying Week

It features lots of bullies & one of the University's single most dangerous persons as go-to individual

It says "If something is not Right, Speak Up"

Sure, if you speak up, something will go very wrong"
November 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Oxford University finally dumps Peter Mandelson

Civic awards from Hull & Hartlepool, honorary doctorate from Manchester Metropolitan Uni removed quickly in September

Where the North of England leads, Oxford eventually follows

www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2560848...
Oxford University cuts ties with Peter Mandelson over Epstein links
Peter Mandelson has cut ties with an Oxford University college over his links with Jeffrey Epstein.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
Sexual harassment exposed in all its grotesque ugliness in the David Sabatini case (ex Professor MIT)

Many people like this exist in academia, intoxicated with their power & success. "I'm untouchable"

They're often Heads of Labs, Depts or Schools

forbetterscience.com/2025/03/28/s...
March 28, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
MIT Prof Sabatini fostered toxic lab culture marked by sexualised power imbalance & threats

Exposed, he turned not to reflection but litigation — the refuge of men who think they're too brilliant for consequences

Case against the Whitehead Institute dismissed

www.science.org/content/arti...
Biologist David Sabatini loses again in legal fight against Whitehead Institute
Judge dismisses final claim against scientist’s former employer and curtails lawsuit directed at woman who accused him of sexual harassment
www.science.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Reposted by 21 Group
Senior management at Lancaster University insist cuts of 1 in 4 jobs are “difficult but necessary”

This means “we messed up the finances & you’ll be paying for it”

www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/nationa...
Lancaster University industrial action begins Monday with 1 in 4 jobs set to be axed
Staff at Lancaster University will begin industrial action on Monday November 10 over management’s threat to axe one in four staff, the University and College Union (UCU) announced.
www.lancasterguardian.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
UK universities cannot thrive while continually cutting academic staff

No amount of wellness webinars, Lego play workshops, communal climbing events, bounce back sessions, desk yoga, jigsaw puzzle nights or Vice Chancellor's Special Awards for Resilience can change this
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
MIT Prof Sabatini fostered toxic lab culture marked by sexualised power imbalance & threats

Exposed, he turned not to reflection but litigation — the refuge of men who think they're too brilliant for consequences

Case against the Whitehead Institute dismissed

www.science.org/content/arti...
Biologist David Sabatini loses again in legal fight against Whitehead Institute
Judge dismisses final claim against scientist’s former employer and curtails lawsuit directed at woman who accused him of sexual harassment
www.science.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:48 PM
UK universities cannot thrive while continually cutting academic staff

No amount of wellness webinars, Lego play workshops, communal climbing events, bounce back sessions, desk yoga, jigsaw puzzle nights or Vice Chancellor's Special Awards for Resilience can change this
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Senior management at Lancaster University insist cuts of 1 in 4 jobs are “difficult but necessary”

This means “we messed up the finances & you’ll be paying for it”

www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/nationa...
Lancaster University industrial action begins Monday with 1 in 4 jobs set to be axed
Staff at Lancaster University will begin industrial action on Monday November 10 over management’s threat to axe one in four staff, the University and College Union (UCU) announced.
www.lancasterguardian.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
Presidency of Limerick University — Now Open

Previous President distinguished herself by vastly overpaying for unapproved student housing

We seek a seasoned bunglocrat — someone with no discernible skills beyond spending public funds on poor governance

jobs.ac.uk/job/DPD353/p...
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
On the passing of James Watson

Intellect & morality are distinct; abundance in one doesn’t guarantee the other

His book 'The Double Helix' is engrossing & troubling portrayal of scientific research

Dr Rosalind Franklin died in 1958, 10 years before this misogynistic portrayal
November 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
A university can signal either: ‘We take victims of bullying & harassment seriously’

Or: ‘we protect the accused until proven guilty, beyond the tiniest scintilla of doubt’

All universities choose the latter

So real & harmful harassment is ubiquitous in academia
November 7, 2025 at 8:14 AM
On the passing of James Watson

Intellect & morality are distinct; abundance in one doesn’t guarantee the other

His book 'The Double Helix' is engrossing & troubling portrayal of scientific research

Dr Rosalind Franklin died in 1958, 10 years before this misogynistic portrayal
November 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Presidency of Limerick University — Now Open

Previous President distinguished herself by vastly overpaying for unapproved student housing

We seek a seasoned bunglocrat — someone with no discernible skills beyond spending public funds on poor governance

jobs.ac.uk/job/DPD353/p...
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
UK universities have undergone academic version of the Post Office’s corporatisation

Inflated salaries at the top, institutional opacity, reputation management over justice & power asymmetry are recreating the same conditions for systemic harm

New blog posting 21percent.org?p=2896
November 8, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Leicester University reviews 163 jobs, affecting geography, modern languages, history

Vice Chancellor Prof Canagarajah says "We care & offer support including mindfulness webinars & chance to apply for job that doesn’t exist

True peace of mind comes with severance"😉

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University of Leicester to consult on redundancies
University bosses are also planning to stop a number of courses.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 11:20 AM
UK universities have undergone academic version of the Post Office’s corporatisation

Inflated salaries at the top, institutional opacity, reputation management over justice & power asymmetry are recreating the same conditions for systemic harm

New blog posting 21percent.org?p=2896
November 8, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
Voice of Victim

"An ancient university appointed a barrister to investigate serious allegations against a powerful academic

He spent some time talking about his teenage daughter, who was applying to read law at St Barabbas College

He dismissed the allegations, of course"
November 1, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
After squandering millions on Castle Meadows purchase, University of Nottingham is now axing modern languages & music

It also plans to cut its nursing programme

Leaders of the bungleocracy continue to draw handsome salaries

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
Nothing says “university in perfect health” quite like power struggles, toxic culture & intimidating senior management

Don’t worry -- external consultants advise that a few “clarified roles” & “shift away from blame culture” should fix things at University of Aberdeen

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Power struggles and toxic culture' at University of Aberdeen
A review says the structure at the University of Aberdeen is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
Post Office scandal could’ve happened elsewhere

What’s so very British is decades of inertia & obstruction before it was exposed & victims compensated

Paralysis runs through all our institutions — NHS, Civil Service, Govt & universities

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Sir Alan Bates agrees multimillion-pound settlement over Post Office scandal
Government settles claim from former post office operator more than 20 years after he began his campaign for justice
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:39 AM
After squandering millions on Castle Meadows purchase, University of Nottingham is now axing modern languages & music

It also plans to cut its nursing programme

Leaders of the bungleocracy continue to draw handsome salaries

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 8:37 AM
A university can signal either: ‘We take victims of bullying & harassment seriously’

Or: ‘we protect the accused until proven guilty, beyond the tiniest scintilla of doubt’

All universities choose the latter

So real & harmful harassment is ubiquitous in academia
November 7, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Reposted by 21 Group
"I will not give up on this issue” said Alan, “whether it takes 3 months or 3 years"

It took 22 years

How very British!

Sir Alan Bates has now settled his claim against the Post Office

Still no legal proceedings against Vennells, Fujitsu, etc

How very British!

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Alan Bates to get multi-million-pound payout over Post Office saga - BBC News
Sir Alan led a group of 555 subpostmasters who took part in a landmark group legal action against the Post Office.
www.bbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:52 AM
"I will not give up on this issue” said Alan, “whether it takes 3 months or 3 years"

It took 22 years

How very British!

Sir Alan Bates has now settled his claim against the Post Office

Still no legal proceedings against Vennells, Fujitsu, etc

How very British!

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Alan Bates to get multi-million-pound payout over Post Office saga - BBC News
Sir Alan led a group of 555 subpostmasters who took part in a landmark group legal action against the Post Office.
www.bbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:52 AM