Amy Ryall
@amyryall.bsky.social
Academic-related staff in HE, UCU member, Trustee, Eyam Museum.
Would rather be in Wales, Berlin and/or out of Higher Education.
Would rather be in Wales, Berlin and/or out of Higher Education.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
The poll in the article needs some help… Looks like it has been TERFed.
Metro article on the Hampstead swimming ponds.
They are conducting a poll at the end of the article, please give your feedback (and share)!
metro.co.uk/2026/01/29/h...
They are conducting a poll at the end of the article, please give your feedback (and share)!
metro.co.uk/2026/01/29/h...
Trans people like me are rightly welcome at Hampstead Ladies’ Pond
As someone who has used the Ladies’ Pond myself, I am glad that it will remain an inclusive and safe space for all women.
metro.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 6:22 PM
The poll in the article needs some help… Looks like it has been TERFed.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
my dad didn’t go to university and he was extremely happy to pay taxes for his four children to do so; and, indeed, for the doctors who treated him at Addenbrookes to have gone to university as well.
Rachel Reeves: "It is not right that people who don't go to university bear the cost for others to." I don't use local leisure centres and I don't drive, so will I be made exempt for taxation that pays for all that stuff? Or is it only education we'll be going after
January 29, 2026 at 10:22 PM
my dad didn’t go to university and he was extremely happy to pay taxes for his four children to do so; and, indeed, for the doctors who treated him at Addenbrookes to have gone to university as well.
Some good news about access to Hampstead ponds for trans men and trans women. It's not perfect, dismissed on procedural grounds, but anything that makes these spurious legal challenges by the likes of Maya Forstater and her ilk more difficult is a good thing.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hampstead ponds trans access challenge dismissed by High Court
The current policy is that trans men and trans women are entitled to use the pond of their choice.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Some good news about access to Hampstead ponds for trans men and trans women. It's not perfect, dismissed on procedural grounds, but anything that makes these spurious legal challenges by the likes of Maya Forstater and her ilk more difficult is a good thing.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Recommended reading on the government’s loudly trumpeted AI skills course - quite a rollercoaster.
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Recommended reading on the government’s loudly trumpeted AI skills course - quite a rollercoaster.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Regrettably our members will be commencing strike action from 9 February over the victimisation of our Health and Safety Officer.
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2026/01/28/u...
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2026/01/28/u...
January 28, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Regrettably our members will be commencing strike action from 9 February over the victimisation of our Health and Safety Officer.
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2026/01/28/u...
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2026/01/28/u...
Eff off, Liz.
BREAKING: Free AI training will be offered to every adult in the UK, with short courses to teach people how to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
January 28, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Eff off, Liz.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Monday and the start of a second week of being prevented from working by my employer, the University of Sheffield. Management has decided that massive damage to staff morale, student experience and the university’s reputation is worth it in a futile attempt to break the union. Shame on them.
Well that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
January 26, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Monday and the start of a second week of being prevented from working by my employer, the University of Sheffield. Management has decided that massive damage to staff morale, student experience and the university’s reputation is worth it in a futile attempt to break the union. Shame on them.
Sheffield have been doing these reviews since at least 2018. They're always awful, done without any notion that there are human beings behind job titles.
For senior management to announce more, now, when the current dispute is ongoing smacks of punishment.
Solidarity @sheffielducu.bsky.social
For senior management to announce more, now, when the current dispute is ongoing smacks of punishment.
Solidarity @sheffielducu.bsky.social
Myself & many colleagues are facing this at Sheffield Uni - double punishment for strike action. In the midst of this, yesterday many departments got an email announcing imminent structural reviews (ie redundancies). @sheffielducu.bsky.social
The University of Sheffield has stopped paying staff.
Not for striking but for refusing to work unpaid to make up for strike days they were already docked for.
This is punishment, not negotiation. And it’s completely reckless.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
Not for striking but for refusing to work unpaid to make up for strike days they were already docked for.
This is punishment, not negotiation. And it’s completely reckless.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
January 23, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Sheffield have been doing these reviews since at least 2018. They're always awful, done without any notion that there are human beings behind job titles.
For senior management to announce more, now, when the current dispute is ongoing smacks of punishment.
Solidarity @sheffielducu.bsky.social
For senior management to announce more, now, when the current dispute is ongoing smacks of punishment.
Solidarity @sheffielducu.bsky.social
Reposted by Amy Ryall
I doubt if anyone respects me, but:
1. I've worked in AI on and off since 1985
2. I have a PhD
3. I used to manage an academic department of ~40 AI researchers
4. I've published ~100 articles on it
This AI tech is a con. It's a play for corporations to steal industries, wealth, & governance.
1. I've worked in AI on and off since 1985
2. I have a PhD
3. I used to manage an academic department of ~40 AI researchers
4. I've published ~100 articles on it
This AI tech is a con. It's a play for corporations to steal industries, wealth, & governance.
Calling all the PhDs I know to make monumental annoyances of themselves (and honestly, who better)
January 21, 2026 at 10:08 PM
I doubt if anyone respects me, but:
1. I've worked in AI on and off since 1985
2. I have a PhD
3. I used to manage an academic department of ~40 AI researchers
4. I've published ~100 articles on it
This AI tech is a con. It's a play for corporations to steal industries, wealth, & governance.
1. I've worked in AI on and off since 1985
2. I have a PhD
3. I used to manage an academic department of ~40 AI researchers
4. I've published ~100 articles on it
This AI tech is a con. It's a play for corporations to steal industries, wealth, & governance.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Solidarity with my colleagues who are experiencing this - as the leaflets we handed out to students on the picket lines said - when you go on strike you lose your wage because you stop working. It's ridiculous to have to make up the work you've already lost pay for 😡
Well that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
January 20, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Solidarity with my colleagues who are experiencing this - as the leaflets we handed out to students on the picket lines said - when you go on strike you lose your wage because you stop working. It's ridiculous to have to make up the work you've already lost pay for 😡
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Lockout at University of Sheffield! Yesterday, @sheffielduni.bsky.social members were told we'll lose 100% pay for the foreseeable as we refuse to replace teaching scheduled during strike action. They've docked pay once for this, now they're at it again! Donate here support us! gofund.me/ac2b3adcb
Donate to Support University of Sheffield striking staff!, organized by Mark Pendleton
I'm the branch treasurer for the University of Sheffield University and… Mark Pendleton needs your support for Support University of Sheffield striking staff!
gofund.me
January 20, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Lockout at University of Sheffield! Yesterday, @sheffielduni.bsky.social members were told we'll lose 100% pay for the foreseeable as we refuse to replace teaching scheduled during strike action. They've docked pay once for this, now they're at it again! Donate here support us! gofund.me/ac2b3adcb
Reposted by Amy Ryall
The people who came to Brianna's vigil were the many friends, as an isolated trans girl, she had made on social media. The people who were convicted of her murder knew her in real life, and used transphobic slurs to discuss her.
January 19, 2026 at 7:27 PM
The people who came to Brianna's vigil were the many friends, as an isolated trans girl, she had made on social media. The people who were convicted of her murder knew her in real life, and used transphobic slurs to discuss her.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Sheffield merely the latest university to claim that legally withdrawing your labour should actually be postponing your labour, and punishing people further. Here’s how strikes work:
1. You legally stop working for a period of time. You don’t get paid.
2. Win or lose you go back to work.
1. You legally stop working for a period of time. You don’t get paid.
2. Win or lose you go back to work.
Well that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
January 19, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Sheffield merely the latest university to claim that legally withdrawing your labour should actually be postponing your labour, and punishing people further. Here’s how strikes work:
1. You legally stop working for a period of time. You don’t get paid.
2. Win or lose you go back to work.
1. You legally stop working for a period of time. You don’t get paid.
2. Win or lose you go back to work.
Beyond appalling from the University of Sheffield, who are willfully ignoring staff's right to take industrial action and double deducting because they refuse to reschedule teaching which they already haven't been paid for.
Solidarity with @sheffielducu.bsky.social
Please donate if you can.
Solidarity with @sheffielducu.bsky.social
Please donate if you can.
Well that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
January 19, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Beyond appalling from the University of Sheffield, who are willfully ignoring staff's right to take industrial action and double deducting because they refuse to reschedule teaching which they already haven't been paid for.
Solidarity with @sheffielducu.bsky.social
Please donate if you can.
Solidarity with @sheffielducu.bsky.social
Please donate if you can.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Important event in Westminster today with UCU Union: A 25% cut in FE salaries since 2009 -this cannot go on: we need a new deal for FE
January 16, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Important event in Westminster today with UCU Union: A 25% cut in FE salaries since 2009 -this cannot go on: we need a new deal for FE
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Missing from the coverage of redundancies at Edinburgh: this was done in such a haphazard, uncoordinated way, there are now core teams who have gone from 5 people to 1 with no change in workload or pressure and huge loss in knowledge of institutional process. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576321...
Hundreds of staff leave Edinburgh University amid cuts drive
According to the university, 345 of these departures were the result of a targeted voluntary severance (VS) scheme run by the institution in 2025.
www.heraldscotland.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:36 AM
Missing from the coverage of redundancies at Edinburgh: this was done in such a haphazard, uncoordinated way, there are now core teams who have gone from 5 people to 1 with no change in workload or pressure and huge loss in knowledge of institutional process. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576321...
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Tomorrow, we strike.
This week, several college leaders have come to the table but for many staff the fight continues.
Our members will be on picket lines bright and early! Show your support and solidarity. ✊
This week, several college leaders have come to the table but for many staff the fight continues.
Our members will be on picket lines bright and early! Show your support and solidarity. ✊
January 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Tomorrow, we strike.
This week, several college leaders have come to the table but for many staff the fight continues.
Our members will be on picket lines bright and early! Show your support and solidarity. ✊
This week, several college leaders have come to the table but for many staff the fight continues.
Our members will be on picket lines bright and early! Show your support and solidarity. ✊
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Heba Muraisi, who is on day 72 of her hunger strike, has told her friend she is dying.
I have signed @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social's letter urging David Lammy to engage with the legal representatives of the pro-Palestine hunger strikers.
I have signed @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social's letter urging David Lammy to engage with the legal representatives of the pro-Palestine hunger strikers.
January 13, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Heba Muraisi, who is on day 72 of her hunger strike, has told her friend she is dying.
I have signed @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social's letter urging David Lammy to engage with the legal representatives of the pro-Palestine hunger strikers.
I have signed @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social's letter urging David Lammy to engage with the legal representatives of the pro-Palestine hunger strikers.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
helpful thread here. And sign up for the meeting on 12 January at 3:30: ucl.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
@sheffielducu.bsky.social isn't going through this on their own!
@sheffielducu.bsky.social isn't going through this on their own!
January 9, 2026 at 11:31 AM
helpful thread here. And sign up for the meeting on 12 January at 3:30: ucl.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
@sheffielducu.bsky.social isn't going through this on their own!
@sheffielducu.bsky.social isn't going through this on their own!
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Dear David Willis @ the BBC, award winning #Goldenglobe actor #JessieBuckley is not a Brit. Please try harder. #Thebritsareatitagain
January 12, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Dear David Willis @ the BBC, award winning #Goldenglobe actor #JessieBuckley is not a Brit. Please try harder. #Thebritsareatitagain
This. 👇
(see also not hiring enough skilled admin staff in workplaces and expecting everyone to do it for themselves)
(see also not hiring enough skilled admin staff in workplaces and expecting everyone to do it for themselves)
Digital technology,
it seems to me, is mostly a way of transferring work from corporation to consumer.
No wonder we’re all exhausted.
it seems to me, is mostly a way of transferring work from corporation to consumer.
No wonder we’re all exhausted.
January 10, 2026 at 10:37 AM
This. 👇
(see also not hiring enough skilled admin staff in workplaces and expecting everyone to do it for themselves)
(see also not hiring enough skilled admin staff in workplaces and expecting everyone to do it for themselves)
👏👏👏
I've been sitting on this for over a month...but given how cross I am with @royalsociety.org at their ongoing inaction over #Elon #Musk I thought I'd share this.
They invited me to serve on their Public Engagement Committee; I could have been more eloquent, but I had to give a firm "no"...
They invited me to serve on their Public Engagement Committee; I could have been more eloquent, but I had to give a firm "no"...
January 9, 2026 at 9:46 PM
👏👏👏
Reposted by Amy Ryall
'Authors of the study, carried out by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Caucus based at Heriot-Watt University, said that structural reforms are needed to push back on entrenched inequalities in the research sector.' 1/2
Inequalities in UK research ‘intensified’ after Covid
Inequities “not only persisted but deepened” in pandemic, @edicaucus.bsky.social study finds, with bullying culture worsening
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Inequities “not only persisted but deepened” in pandemic, @edicaucus.bsky.social study finds, with bullying culture worsening
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Inequalities in UK research ‘intensified’ after Covid - Research Professional News
Inequities “not only persisted but deepened” in pandemic, study finds, with bullying culture worsening
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:49 PM
'Authors of the study, carried out by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Caucus based at Heriot-Watt University, said that structural reforms are needed to push back on entrenched inequalities in the research sector.' 1/2
Reposted by Amy Ryall
“Another has refused food longer than 80% of Irish republican hunger strikers who died in 1981.”
Palestine Action Hunger Striker Hospitalised With Heart Muscle Shrinkage
novaramedia.com/2026/01/08/p...
Palestine Action Hunger Striker Hospitalised With Heart Muscle Shrinkage
novaramedia.com/2026/01/08/p...
Palestine Action Hunger-Striker Hospitalised With Heart Muscle Shrinkage
Kamran Ahmed, who hasn’t eaten for 60 days, is experiencing shrinkage to the muscle of his heart and is at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Harriet Williamson reports.
novaramedia.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:24 PM
“Another has refused food longer than 80% of Irish republican hunger strikers who died in 1981.”
Palestine Action Hunger Striker Hospitalised With Heart Muscle Shrinkage
novaramedia.com/2026/01/08/p...
Palestine Action Hunger Striker Hospitalised With Heart Muscle Shrinkage
novaramedia.com/2026/01/08/p...
Reposted by Amy Ryall
People living in UK - especially GB - should not be thinking 'at least we're not as bad as America,' when Northern Ireland exists and civilians were being shot by state forces there for decades, and recent governments have given those forces amnesty. @grantsana.bsky.social leading bsky voice here.
January 8, 2026 at 9:25 AM
People living in UK - especially GB - should not be thinking 'at least we're not as bad as America,' when Northern Ireland exists and civilians were being shot by state forces there for decades, and recent governments have given those forces amnesty. @grantsana.bsky.social leading bsky voice here.