Dyfrig Jones
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dyfrigjones.bsky.social
Dyfrig Jones
@dyfrigjones.bsky.social
1.1K followers 2.6K following 220 posts
Darpar Lywydd (AU) Undeb Prifysgol a Choleg (UCU)

President Elect (HE) of University and College Union (UCU)
Posts Replies Media Videos
dyfrigjones.bsky.social
I went along to the Certification Office today, so you didn’t have to.

A brief update on McGaughey and Blake vs UCU

dyfrigjones.substack.com/p/brief-repo...
Brief report from the Certification Officer hearing
McGaughey and Blake vs UCU
dyfrigjones.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:02 PM
dyfrigjones.bsky.social
I’m really proud of Bangor University students today. Very much in the spirit of Penrhyndeudraeth lad Bertrand Russell, when he said that “nothing fruitful or sincere could ever emerge from an association between us”, when invited to debate Oswald Mosley.
Official statement from Bangor University Debating and Political Society, rejecting Reform UK’s demand that they be allowed to address the society.
February 10, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
vthuppil.bsky.social
Excellent as always from @markpendleton.bsky.social

I just posted my ballot voting for @markpendleton.bsky.social @suzitoole.bsky.social and the entire @ucucommons.org slate!
February 10, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
davidkhopps.bsky.social
“ I want to live in Dubai” said nobody ever
February 10, 2026 at 8:15 AM
dyfrigjones.bsky.social
Excellent piece on casualisation from @hagenilda.bsky.social

cdbu.org.uk/our-employer...
Our employers say they care about precarious staff. Here are five low cost things they could do right now to help us – and them - CDBU
cdbu.org.uk
February 7, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
ukrainesol.bsky.social
📅 24 February marks 4 years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Four years of resistance. Four years of solidarity.
But the fight for justice isn’t over. 🧵⬇️
February 6, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
profalexp.bsky.social
I really did intend to read all the election addresses, but then decided not to bother and used the @ucucommons.org cheat sheet (below) instead. Apologies to my fellow candidates, and good luck!
hagenilda.bsky.social Jo 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 PROTECT TRANS KIDS @hagenilda.bsky.social · 7d
My #UCU NEC ballot paper arrived! Voted for @markpendleton.bsky.social and @suzitoole.bsky.social obviously plus a bunch of other @ucucommons.org and independent candidates at the list below.
Me posting my ballot at a postbox in an overpriced area of south east London Info at https://ucucommons.org/who-else-should-i-vote-for/
February 6, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
markpendleton.bsky.social
A huge turnout of staff, students and community members against the proposed closure of the Uni of Essex campus in Southend.

Thanks to @ucuessex.bsky.social for the invitation to speak about what’s happening at Sheffield - your fight is our fight! And solidarity for your picket lines next week!
February 5, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
aurelmondon.com
This is so grim and it happening under a so-called Labour government is unforgivable

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
michaelabberton.bsky.social
Just published this - UCU belongs to its members - these elections matter! Please use your vote in the upcoming union election. michaelabberton.medium.com/ucu-belongs-...
UCU Belongs to Its Members — These Elections Matter
UCU is about to begin elections for its officers and national committees at a difficult and, frankly, exhausting moment. We are dealing…
michaelabberton.medium.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:17 PM
dyfrigjones.bsky.social
My ballot papers just arrived for the @ucu.org.uk NEC and VP elections. I’ll be voting for @markpendleton.bsky.social and @suzitoole.bsky.social for the Vice Presidential posts, as well as the candidates on this slate: campaignforucudemocracy.com/2025/11/26/2...
Photo of UCU ballot envelope
February 3, 2026 at 2:32 PM
dyfrigjones.bsky.social
Wedi mwynhau cyfrannu at Y Sgwrs Fawr am ddyfodol darlledu cyhoeddus ar bodlediad Andy Bell. Linc isod:
Y Sgwrs Fawr: Dyfrig Jones
Podcast Episode · Rhaglen Cymru · 30/01/2026 · 28m
eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
markpendleton.bsky.social
Today’s start of LGBT+ history month is a great time to focus on and recommit to the important work UCU does to advance LGBTQ+ and wider equality.

My contributions to that have led to endorsement from the chairs of all five of UCU’s equality committees. Thank you.

ucucommons.org/endorsements/
Text reads: “Tomorrow is the start of LGBT+ History Month, a time when we acknowledge, remember and celebrate our queer pasts. Our union has a strong history of advancing LGBTQ+ equality in our workplaces, in the trade union movement and beyond.” Text reads: “At a time when the rights of marginalised people are under attack, we need people across our institutions to stand up for all of us - that classic trade union line of ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’ has never been more important.” Text reads: “That’s why we’re proud today to be endorsed by the chairs of all five of UCU’s equality committees - Black members, disabled members, LGBTQ+ members, migrant members and women members.” A photograph of Suzi Toole and Mark Pendleton wearing UCU beanies, accompanied by this text: “Our commitment to advancing the union’s equality agenda is unwavering and will be a cornerstone of our work as hopefully your next UCU vice-presidents. Suzi Toole & Mark Pendleton”
February 1, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
markpendleton.bsky.social
From this Friday, #ucu members will receive ballot papers for this year’s elections. I am running for election as Vice-President (Higher Education), to become President in 2029–30. Read why below and at ucucommons.org/mark4vp/

I also support @suzitoole.bsky.social for VP (Further Education).
Text reads: “Our union needs to come together and work across differences. Years of neglect and often outright hostility have taken post-16 education very close to the edge. Our employers don’t have a plan, and neither do successive governments, including the deeply disappointing current one. This can and must change. “In that climate of neglect, we as education workers must make the case for education as a public good, change the narrative and build more coherent and impactful campaigns using the full resources of the union.” Text reads: “We also need to be better at harnessing the brilliant expertise, experience and potential of you, our members. I know that is possible from the work we’ve done in my local branch at Sheffield. We have developed ways to work alongside each other, despite differences, and have increased membership density in key areas and built member confidence and engagement in challenging management’s agenda of job cuts and spiraling workloads. “I am asking for your vote as I believe I am best placed to help our union become a more effective force for change over the next four years. Read more about my background and what I bring to this role at commons.org/mark4vp” Text reads: “Unusually this year we have a double vice-presidential election, one from higher education and one from further education. All members should vote for both positions, regardless of which sector you vote in. I’m proud to be supporting Suzi Toole for the VP (FE) post. Suzi and I know each other well from joint work across the union’s equalities agenda, and on national committees. “As a resident of the northwest, I’ve also witnessed first-hand Suzi’s brilliant leadership at Bolton College, building a strong and engaged membership that has achieved significant wins, including two pay uplifts in a single year. Check out Suzi’s website at www.suzitooleforvp.com if you want to know more about why you should vote for her.” Image of Suzi Toole and Mark Pendleton wearing pink UCU beanies outside Bolton College. Text reads: “Alongside a suite of exceptional candidates for other posts, Suzi and I are committed to helping guide our union to be more responsive, effective and powerful. We will help build a member-led union that can lead the change we so desperately need across post-16 education.”
January 27, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
suzitoole.bsky.social
From Friday 30th of Jan, you will receive ballot papers for this year’s UCU elections. I am standing for election as Vice-President (Further Education) of #UCU and am asking for your vote.
Find out more about me and the candidates I support at suzitooleforvp.com

I hope I can count on your support
January 27, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
eduinternational.bsky.social
📣Education International sends a strong message to #Palestinian educators after a delegation of education leaders from 15 countries was detained and interrogated for hours.

‼️Attempts to intimidate, isolate, or silence educators will only strengthen our collective determination and solidarity.
January 24, 2026 at 6:07 AM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
ucu.org.uk
📅 Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 Join our webinar on Tue 27 Jan, 13:00- 14:00 (Zoom) with Prof Eve Rosenhaft from the University of Liverpool.

We will outline what we know about the genocide of Europe’s Roma, the gaps that remain, and its lessons and legacies today.

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: UCU Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 - Lunchtime webinar . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
The Genocide of Europe’s Roma Between the 1930s and 1945, Romani people across Europe faced internment, forced labour, sterilisation, deportation, and mass murder under Nazi rule—violence rooted in lo...
us02web.zoom.us
January 23, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
af65.bsky.social
UCU - Write to your MP: Defending university staff pensions www.ucu.org.uk/DefendUniver...
Write to your MP: Defending university staff pensions
Please email your MP to ask that sign Early Day Motion 2479 which opposes higher education pension cuts.
www.ucu.org.uk
January 16, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
petefrasermusic.bsky.social
BBC report at a headline level that Grok will now not make sexually exploitative images any more. An actual reporter comes on and explains that it will do no such thing, and will just make the images invisible in the UK. These are two very, very different things.
January 15, 2026 at 6:44 AM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
ucucommons.org
We've written a motion to open up the nomination process to UCU's advisory equality standing committees, which is long overdue. This would bring it in line with that for our decision-making NEC. More details of the process and our reasons at the link. #UCU #UKHE

ucucommons.org/rule-change-...
Rule Change to Equality Standing Committee Nomination Process
With the help and advice of UCU staff, UCU Commons members have proposed a rule change for the equality standing committee nomination process. The goal of this is to make the process of nominating to ...
ucucommons.org
January 10, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
drjogrady.bsky.social
UCU members are on strike today in 25 colleges across the UK.

Their starting salaries are just above minimum wage and well below their equivalents in schools and 6th form colleges.

This has to change. Let our members know you back them.
January 14, 2026 at 7:52 AM
dyfrigjones.bsky.social
I love an end-of-year list, so will inflict mine on all of you. Some film, mainly TV, a bit of music and a book that I’ve enjoyed in 2025.
Things I've enjoyed in 2025
Mainly telly, to be honest.
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
mrfw17thc.bsky.social
England's Long Reformation finally reaches its end as Paddington becomes its St Peter for all who enter the afterlife.
tdward.bsky.social Wardy™ @tdward.bsky.social · Dec 22
Fucking HELL
December 22, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by Dyfrig Jones
kenwhite.bsky.social
Me: I don’t see the appeal of boxing

TV: OK but what if it’s professional boxers savagely brutalizing influencers

Me:
December 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
dyfrigjones.bsky.social
Daniel Gwydion Williams, of Swansea University, has set down some really eloquent thoughts about the marginalisation of critical voices in the humanities, and academia generally.

Shared here with his permission.

#ukhe
#ucu #highereducation #humanities
Daniel Gwydion Williams on a bruising semester
Daniel Gwydion Williams, from Swansea University, wrote the following at the end of a bruising semester.
open.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM