Mark Pendleton
@markpendleton.bsky.social
Historian (mostly of Japan) and trade unionist (mostly in UCU). Also into queer stuff. Uk-wide elected HE rep - UCU NEC. He/him
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Getting ready for the #picket line! And I won't miss our rally with @sheffielducu.bsky.social & @ucuhallam.bsky.social (12.30 Barkers Pool). All that we ask is to get on with our work without being subjected to continuous harassment. @ucu.org.uk #ucustrike #Sheffield www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
Mass strikes to hit University of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam in November and December over job cuts
A combined 28 days of strike action will hit the city of Sheffield over the next two months in rows over job cuts at Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam universities, UCU announced today.
www.ucu.org.uk
November 17, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Getting ready for the #picket line! And I won't miss our rally with @sheffielducu.bsky.social & @ucuhallam.bsky.social (12.30 Barkers Pool). All that we ask is to get on with our work without being subjected to continuous harassment. @ucu.org.uk #ucustrike #Sheffield www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
Been a while since the pink beanie came out. Sheffield pickets here we come.
Our message to management is simple: No redundancies. Stop the incessant restructures. Listen to your staff. There is no University of Sheffield without us.
Our message to management is simple: No redundancies. Stop the incessant restructures. Listen to your staff. There is no University of Sheffield without us.
November 17, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Been a while since the pink beanie came out. Sheffield pickets here we come.
Our message to management is simple: No redundancies. Stop the incessant restructures. Listen to your staff. There is no University of Sheffield without us.
Our message to management is simple: No redundancies. Stop the incessant restructures. Listen to your staff. There is no University of Sheffield without us.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
JOINT RALLY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Join us on Monday 17th November, 12:30PM @ Bakers Pool, Sheffield. For a joint rally with Uni of Sheffield. There will be speakers from both branches and we will hear from Dave Pike, TUC Regional Secretary, NE Yorkshire and Humber.
Join us on Monday 17th November, 12:30PM @ Bakers Pool, Sheffield. For a joint rally with Uni of Sheffield. There will be speakers from both branches and we will hear from Dave Pike, TUC Regional Secretary, NE Yorkshire and Humber.
November 14, 2025 at 2:48 PM
JOINT RALLY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Join us on Monday 17th November, 12:30PM @ Bakers Pool, Sheffield. For a joint rally with Uni of Sheffield. There will be speakers from both branches and we will hear from Dave Pike, TUC Regional Secretary, NE Yorkshire and Humber.
Join us on Monday 17th November, 12:30PM @ Bakers Pool, Sheffield. For a joint rally with Uni of Sheffield. There will be speakers from both branches and we will hear from Dave Pike, TUC Regional Secretary, NE Yorkshire and Humber.
Tomorrow I’m back on strike with @sheffielducu.bsky.social over the university’s refusal to rule out redundancies and stop the neverending cycle of unjustified restructures. East Asian studies remains under explicit threat of job cuts, but I’d be there even if we weren’t. We stand together.
November 16, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Tomorrow I’m back on strike with @sheffielducu.bsky.social over the university’s refusal to rule out redundancies and stop the neverending cycle of unjustified restructures. East Asian studies remains under explicit threat of job cuts, but I’d be there even if we weren’t. We stand together.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
We are in full solidarity with the @pcsunion.bsky.social members at the @britishlibrary.bsky.social who will be on strike for the next two weeks. Let's get out to their pickets and rallies to show our support, @ucu.org.uk members! Details below. @pcspress.bsky.social
The risible wages are well-known in the wider field of the library, museum, gallery and archive world. I’d like to think public opinion is with the people who make the place click day-in-day-out; they deserve better.
Knowledge may be free but labour isn’t: spread the wealth and pay the workers!
Knowledge may be free but labour isn’t: spread the wealth and pay the workers!
October 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
We are in full solidarity with the @pcsunion.bsky.social members at the @britishlibrary.bsky.social who will be on strike for the next two weeks. Let's get out to their pickets and rallies to show our support, @ucu.org.uk members! Details below. @pcspress.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
I wrote about the stupid white paper.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
Somewhere in the Department for Education, a phone is ringing
On October 20th at a bit after 5pm, the UK government introduced its Education and Skills white paper to Parliament, to absolutely no…
hitchcockian.medium.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I wrote about the stupid white paper.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
I’ve had a few times in my now not-so-short life when I’ve get to experience something truly special. I’ll add tonight to that list. Love, community, radicality all from an elder who is belatedly getting his dues. Thank you.
‘What I do with my body is none of your business’: musician Beverly Glenn-Copeland on trans rights, cult stardom and living with dementia
‘What I do with my body is none of your business’: musician Beverly Glenn-Copeland on trans rights, cult stardom and living with dementia
His music was ignored for decades. Now, at 81, he is collaborating with pop stars. He and his wife talk about his extraordinary life – and facing severe illness
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:49 PM
I’ve had a few times in my now not-so-short life when I’ve get to experience something truly special. I’ll add tonight to that list. Love, community, radicality all from an elder who is belatedly getting his dues. Thank you.
I was meant to be at the @ucu.org.uk #academicfreedom conference in person today but a head cold has sadly kept me curled up at home. Glad I can tune in online though and help our union consider how to confront the numerous assaults on academic scholarship, from job insecurity to outright repression
October 15, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I was meant to be at the @ucu.org.uk #academicfreedom conference in person today but a head cold has sadly kept me curled up at home. Glad I can tune in online though and help our union consider how to confront the numerous assaults on academic scholarship, from job insecurity to outright repression
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
For reasons, it would be v. helpful to have information from a broad range of academic and non-academic (incl. GLAM) users of the BBC Written Archives OTHER THAN historians, briefly on: 1) What you've used it for and 2) How the proposed changes would impact on your research.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposts welcomed.
Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...
Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research
observer.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:09 AM
For reasons, it would be v. helpful to have information from a broad range of academic and non-academic (incl. GLAM) users of the BBC Written Archives OTHER THAN historians, briefly on: 1) What you've used it for and 2) How the proposed changes would impact on your research.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposts welcomed.
Brilliant news out of ANU. We are watching in admiration for all you’ve achieved in pushing back collectively at management’s attempts at destruction. Lots of lessons for us in #ukhe and @ucu.org.uk
#Breaking | ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences will not face structural changes at this time. No renaming, merging, or disestablishment of areas. Change management appears to have been halted, even walked back completely. It’s unclear the impacts of this announcement on the school of music.
October 9, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Brilliant news out of ANU. We are watching in admiration for all you’ve achieved in pushing back collectively at management’s attempts at destruction. Lots of lessons for us in #ukhe and @ucu.org.uk
I’m doing a talk on Monday, 20th October @thejapansociety.bsky.social if anyone is interested in hearing more about my current research! Register at www.japansociety.org.uk/event?event=...
The Japan Society - HIV and AIDS in Japan: Labels, Bodies and Legacies - with Mark Pendleton
www.japansociety.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I’m doing a talk on Monday, 20th October @thejapansociety.bsky.social if anyone is interested in hearing more about my current research! Register at www.japansociety.org.uk/event?event=...
A new initiative from @ucucommons.bsky.social - key updates from our work in UCU, the union more widely, and highlight news from our sectors. Expect it to drop every two weeks.
The first issue of our fortnightly newsletter has landed!
Featuring @markpendleton.bsky.social’s discussion paper to this Friday’s HEC, @hagenilda.bsky.social’s plea to Frances Corner’s successor and other interesting links and news. #UCU #UKHE #AcademicSky
ucucommons.substack.com/p/ucu-common...
Featuring @markpendleton.bsky.social’s discussion paper to this Friday’s HEC, @hagenilda.bsky.social’s plea to Frances Corner’s successor and other interesting links and news. #UCU #UKHE #AcademicSky
ucucommons.substack.com/p/ucu-common...
UCU Commons newsletter #1
A new fortnightly round-up of union and sector specific news
ucucommons.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A new initiative from @ucucommons.bsky.social - key updates from our work in UCU, the union more widely, and highlight news from our sectors. Expect it to drop every two weeks.
Don’t like to have to keep doing this, but management has left us again with no choice. We will vote again to take action and massive numbers will again be out on picket lines. And like last year, management will again back down. All of that can be prevented if management chooses to negotiate.
Ballot papers drop today for local industrial action to defend jobs at the University of Sheffield against redundancy and further workload pressures.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1415...
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1415...
Strike ballot opens at University of Sheffield staff over job cuts
Staff at the University of Sheffield are being asked to vote for strike action, announced the University and College Union (UCU) today. The ballot opened yesterday and will close on Tuesday 30 September.
www.ucu.org.uk
August 27, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Don’t like to have to keep doing this, but management has left us again with no choice. We will vote again to take action and massive numbers will again be out on picket lines. And like last year, management will again back down. All of that can be prevented if management chooses to negotiate.
Just exercised my vote for @royalhistsoc.org council. Some excellent candidates again this year, including @davehitchcock.bsky.social and @djrgrey.bsky.social. Good luck to all willing to put their names forward and stand up for our profession!
August 21, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Just exercised my vote for @royalhistsoc.org council. Some excellent candidates again this year, including @davehitchcock.bsky.social and @djrgrey.bsky.social. Good luck to all willing to put their names forward and stand up for our profession!
I’m conscious of some speculation about proposed changes to toilet policies at a university. Please be reassured that the local branch is on the case, and getting support. Updates hopefully coming soon, but in the meantime, please let me know if similar cases or concerns pop up so I can follow up.
May 13, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I’m conscious of some speculation about proposed changes to toilet policies at a university. Please be reassured that the local branch is on the case, and getting support. Updates hopefully coming soon, but in the meantime, please let me know if similar cases or concerns pop up so I can follow up.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Just out! Our peer-reviewed critique of the Cass Review has been published by BMC Medical Research Methodology. Please read and share. We show that the Cass Review is fatally flawed and should not be the basis for policy or practice in transgender healthcare.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
May 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Just out! Our peer-reviewed critique of the Cass Review has been published by BMC Medical Research Methodology. Please read and share. We show that the Cass Review is fatally flawed and should not be the basis for policy or practice in transgender healthcare.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Sheffield UCU took part in the Workers Day of Action on Trans Rights from our picket lines today! The UK Trade Union movement stands behind our trans siblings
#tradeunionists4transrights
#tradeunionists4transrights
May 7, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Sheffield UCU took part in the Workers Day of Action on Trans Rights from our picket lines today! The UK Trade Union movement stands behind our trans siblings
#tradeunionists4transrights
#tradeunionists4transrights
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
At UCU we are urgently drafting comprehensive guidance that will go to all our members and branches. Trade unions have a critical role in educating others about why we must fight this dangerous ruling (which paves the way to discrimination), and in organising mass resistance.
May 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM
At UCU we are urgently drafting comprehensive guidance that will go to all our members and branches. Trade unions have a critical role in educating others about why we must fight this dangerous ruling (which paves the way to discrimination), and in organising mass resistance.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Workers Day of Action for Trans Rights
⏰ Today!
📍Your workplace!
It is incumbent on trade unionists to resist the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC interim update.
Trans rights are human rights. Trans rights are workers rights.
A thread of inspiration, ideas, and action.
⏰ Today!
📍Your workplace!
It is incumbent on trade unionists to resist the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC interim update.
Trans rights are human rights. Trans rights are workers rights.
A thread of inspiration, ideas, and action.
May 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Workers Day of Action for Trans Rights
⏰ Today!
📍Your workplace!
It is incumbent on trade unionists to resist the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC interim update.
Trans rights are human rights. Trans rights are workers rights.
A thread of inspiration, ideas, and action.
⏰ Today!
📍Your workplace!
It is incumbent on trade unionists to resist the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC interim update.
Trans rights are human rights. Trans rights are workers rights.
A thread of inspiration, ideas, and action.
It’s Day 3 of @sheffielducu.bsky.social strike today and also the national day of action for trans rights. I can’t make it to pickets today, but whether on the line, striking from home, or when back at work, this trade unionist will always back my trans colleagues and students! #unions4transrights
May 7, 2025 at 7:24 AM
It’s Day 3 of @sheffielducu.bsky.social strike today and also the national day of action for trans rights. I can’t make it to pickets today, but whether on the line, striking from home, or when back at work, this trade unionist will always back my trans colleagues and students! #unions4transrights
I’m going to head down to London for this. Join me. We need to all come together and fight for proper funding for post-16 education in this country.
📢 7 DAYS TO GO
On Saturday 10 May, we’re taking to the streets to say: enough is enough.
Cuts. Closures. Crises. It’s time to fight back.
Join us in London for a national rally to protect education now.
✊ Meet: 1PM at Bessborough Gardens
✊ Rally: 2PM at Old Palace Yard
On Saturday 10 May, we’re taking to the streets to say: enough is enough.
Cuts. Closures. Crises. It’s time to fight back.
Join us in London for a national rally to protect education now.
✊ Meet: 1PM at Bessborough Gardens
✊ Rally: 2PM at Old Palace Yard
May 3, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I’m going to head down to London for this. Join me. We need to all come together and fight for proper funding for post-16 education in this country.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Keep writing!
On our website now - a guide to what to say in your email to your MP plus briefing notes for a meeting with them.
Stay strong - share this - and keep fighting!
This is NOT over.
www.translegalproject.org
On our website now - a guide to what to say in your email to your MP plus briefing notes for a meeting with them.
Stay strong - share this - and keep fighting!
This is NOT over.
www.translegalproject.org
May 2, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Keep writing!
On our website now - a guide to what to say in your email to your MP plus briefing notes for a meeting with them.
Stay strong - share this - and keep fighting!
This is NOT over.
www.translegalproject.org
On our website now - a guide to what to say in your email to your MP plus briefing notes for a meeting with them.
Stay strong - share this - and keep fighting!
This is NOT over.
www.translegalproject.org
Really glad to see this critically important forum out now in @historyworkshop.org.uk. Congratulations @ankahajkova.bsky.social and @oksanadudko.bsky.social and all the contributors!
Over the last 22 months, @oksanadudko.bsky.social and I have been plotting this forum in @historyworkshop.org.uk
It offers input on decolonizing Eastern European history and how why we urgently need Eastern Europe when doing postcolonial history.
academic.oup.com/hwj/advance-...
It offers input on decolonizing Eastern European history and how why we urgently need Eastern Europe when doing postcolonial history.
academic.oup.com/hwj/advance-...
Teaching Eastern Europe in the Age of Russia’s Imperial Invasions: A Conversation On Being Postcolonial When No One Takes Any Notice
Abstract. This forum brings together six historians of Eastern Europe who discuss decolonizing approaches. In the aftermath of the Russian genocidal war, t
academic.oup.com
May 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Really glad to see this critically important forum out now in @historyworkshop.org.uk. Congratulations @ankahajkova.bsky.social and @oksanadudko.bsky.social and all the contributors!
I won’t be attending Friday’s NEC, for the same reasons as Caroline.
Resolution of this dispute is well overdue. No more excuses - both sides need to get it done, and urgently.
Resolution of this dispute is well overdue. No more excuses - both sides need to get it done, and urgently.
In solidarity with the principles of trade unions, I will not be crossing a picket line this Friday, and I will therefore not be attending NEC as representative for the Midlands.
I urge UCU to work with Unite UCU to establish positive actions for resolution of this dispute.
I urge UCU to work with Unite UCU to establish positive actions for resolution of this dispute.
April 30, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I won’t be attending Friday’s NEC, for the same reasons as Caroline.
Resolution of this dispute is well overdue. No more excuses - both sides need to get it done, and urgently.
Resolution of this dispute is well overdue. No more excuses - both sides need to get it done, and urgently.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Great day of action today! @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk @sheffieldtribune.bsky.social @nowthenmag.bsky.social #universitystrike #againstculturalvandalism
April 30, 2025 at 7:15 PM