Pagan Furrier
@paganfurrier.bsky.social
Jaded academic. ProEU. Cats rule.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Plans to cut mental health courses at the University of East Anglia have been criticised as “short-sighted” and a “dereliction of civic responsibility”.
More on the proposed Clinical Psychology course closures at UEA via @timeshighered.bsky.social - www.timeshighereducation.com/news/closure...
More on the proposed Clinical Psychology course closures at UEA via @timeshighered.bsky.social - www.timeshighereducation.com/news/closure...
Closure of UEA mental health courses ‘deeply concerning’
University says NHS and apprenticeship changes make programmes ‘no longer viable’ but union calls move a ‘dereliction of civic responsibility’
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 22, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Plans to cut mental health courses at the University of East Anglia have been criticised as “short-sighted” and a “dereliction of civic responsibility”.
More on the proposed Clinical Psychology course closures at UEA via @timeshighered.bsky.social - www.timeshighereducation.com/news/closure...
More on the proposed Clinical Psychology course closures at UEA via @timeshighered.bsky.social - www.timeshighereducation.com/news/closure...
Not again. What on earth is going on at UEA? @uea-ucu.bsky.social @qmucu.bsky.social yet another one for the list.
Add UEA to the list for the third time. The latest cuts are in clinical psychology affecting ~18 staff who train mental health professionals.
Shocking & short-sighted the cuts will be devastating for staff, students and for the region too.
@uea-ucu.bsky.social is fighting to save these jobs. ✊
Shocking & short-sighted the cuts will be devastating for staff, students and for the region too.
@uea-ucu.bsky.social is fighting to save these jobs. ✊
New redundancies in Higher Education at:
*Anglia Ruskin
*Birmingham City
*Bristol
*De Montfort
*Derby
*Goldsmiths (yet again)
*Greenwich
*Hertfordshire
*Lancaster
*Leicester
Every single day in HE is like this. Nothing will be done.
*Anglia Ruskin
*Birmingham City
*Bristol
*De Montfort
*Derby
*Goldsmiths (yet again)
*Greenwich
*Hertfordshire
*Lancaster
*Leicester
Every single day in HE is like this. Nothing will be done.
July 11, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Not again. What on earth is going on at UEA? @uea-ucu.bsky.social @qmucu.bsky.social yet another one for the list.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Our branch has declared no confidence in UCU’s SMT to protect the well-being of staff, nor in its commitment to improving industrial relations.
With the increasing victimisation of our reps, and SMT now repeatedly imposing changes in working conditions and policies, our dispute continues.
With the increasing victimisation of our reps, and SMT now repeatedly imposing changes in working conditions and policies, our dispute continues.
June 27, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Our branch has declared no confidence in UCU’s SMT to protect the well-being of staff, nor in its commitment to improving industrial relations.
With the increasing victimisation of our reps, and SMT now repeatedly imposing changes in working conditions and policies, our dispute continues.
With the increasing victimisation of our reps, and SMT now repeatedly imposing changes in working conditions and policies, our dispute continues.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Oh, here's a shock: Higher Education has a management problem because its culture is saturated with bullying and bad practice. Dundee's Gillespie is just the particular person acting as a lightning rod here.
June 26, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Oh, here's a shock: Higher Education has a management problem because its culture is saturated with bullying and bad practice. Dundee's Gillespie is just the particular person acting as a lightning rod here.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
What we're doing in the uni sector is shutting off routes for kids with Bs and Cs to do key (and prestigious) subjects, and closing down the ability of young people to go to the local uni just when it becomes ruinous expensive to go way. Will have incalculable consequences for social mobility.
June 25, 2025 at 11:38 AM
What we're doing in the uni sector is shutting off routes for kids with Bs and Cs to do key (and prestigious) subjects, and closing down the ability of young people to go to the local uni just when it becomes ruinous expensive to go way. Will have incalculable consequences for social mobility.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Oh it does, minister, and it shows them that for you their only value is as money bags from the rest of the world to subsidise the sector you’re not properly resourcing.
The value we see in international students in the brilliant minds, the experience they bring, the connections they make for life
The value we see in international students in the brilliant minds, the experience they bring, the connections they make for life
Jacqui Smith: Levy on international student fees ‘would show value of foreign students’
Smith said that if the government went ahead with the levy, it would “really demonstrate that [contribution] in terms of money that could then…be reinvested”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Smith said that if the government went ahead with the levy, it would “really demonstrate that [contribution] in terms of money that could then…be reinvested”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Jacqui Smith: Levy on fees ‘would show value of foreign students’ - Research Professional News
Skills minister says “there has been an over-dependence on international students” for higher education funding
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
June 25, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Oh it does, minister, and it shows them that for you their only value is as money bags from the rest of the world to subsidise the sector you’re not properly resourcing.
The value we see in international students in the brilliant minds, the experience they bring, the connections they make for life
The value we see in international students in the brilliant minds, the experience they bring, the connections they make for life
Other VCs, it can be done!
NO REDUNDANCIES at the University of Dundee.
Fantastic news in our fight to save jobs, as interim Principal Prof Nigel Seaton confirms that there will be no redundancies. A massive victory for everyone who has supported us.
Looking forward to receiving the removal of Section 188 in writing.
Fantastic news in our fight to save jobs, as interim Principal Prof Nigel Seaton confirms that there will be no redundancies. A massive victory for everyone who has supported us.
Looking forward to receiving the removal of Section 188 in writing.
June 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Other VCs, it can be done!
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
In use at many UK universities right now
June 23, 2025 at 7:20 AM
In use at many UK universities right now
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis.
Decision to hold fast on portability prompts criticism over potential impact on early career researchers.
One of our most-read articles this week.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Decision to hold fast on portability prompts criticism over potential impact on early career researchers.
One of our most-read articles this week.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis - Research Professional News
Decision to hold fast on portability prompts criticism over potential impact on early career researchers
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
June 22, 2025 at 7:37 AM
REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis.
Decision to hold fast on portability prompts criticism over potential impact on early career researchers.
One of our most-read articles this week.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Decision to hold fast on portability prompts criticism over potential impact on early career researchers.
One of our most-read articles this week.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Reported on by the excellent @alasdairclark.bsky.social at The Courier here
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
Dundee University auditors concerned bosses broke law
A secret letter released for the first time reveals the "serious" concerns of the university's independent auditors.
www.thecourier.co.uk
June 21, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Reported on by the excellent @alasdairclark.bsky.social at The Courier here
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
✊🥂Huge congratulations to the whole @newcastleucu.bsky.social membership and team. Compulsory redundancies withdrawn. Sends a message to university management everywhere. Just shows what you can do with organisation, solidarity, and right on your side.
June 20, 2025 at 3:24 PM
✊🥂Huge congratulations to the whole @newcastleucu.bsky.social membership and team. Compulsory redundancies withdrawn. Sends a message to university management everywhere. Just shows what you can do with organisation, solidarity, and right on your side.
Indeed. A familiar set of traits in HE “leaders”.
The previous VC had 'an "overbearing leadership style" and a dislike of potentially awkward confrontations or questioning'.
#UKHE 'leadership' has GOT to learn that the only way forward is through conversation not diktat. Stop depicting people asking questions as attackers; they're *helpful*.
#UKHE 'leadership' has GOT to learn that the only way forward is through conversation not diktat. Stop depicting people asking questions as attackers; they're *helpful*.
"Set the university up for failure". It would be good for UK university managers to read this report very carefully, before they once again set heroic income targets (and excessive capital expenditure plans) for the future.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
June 19, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Indeed. A familiar set of traits in HE “leaders”.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
The interim boss of the University of Dundee has resigned after an external investigation blamed a “hierarchical and over-confident” leadership style on the institution’s cash crisis. @julietterowsell.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky
Dundee boss quits after report finds 'poor financial judgement'
Interim vice-chancellor quits after investigators blame financial crisis on mismanagement, not external pressures
www.timeshighereducation.com
June 19, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The interim boss of the University of Dundee has resigned after an external investigation blamed a “hierarchical and over-confident” leadership style on the institution’s cash crisis. @julietterowsell.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Our tribute to our former colleagues, lost to a "voluntary" severance process under the shadow of compulsory redundancy. Each figure is a colleague gone, each door a vacancy closed to rehiring.
June 19, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Our tribute to our former colleagues, lost to a "voluntary" severance process under the shadow of compulsory redundancy. Each figure is a colleague gone, each door a vacancy closed to rehiring.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis - Research Professional News
“Unconscionable” to let universities benefit from work of those they make redundant, warn researchers
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
June 17, 2025 at 6:50 AM
REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Meaningful consultation appears to be lacking in HE.
"69% of HEIs are failing to adequately consult with trade unions" Sound familiar? zenodo.org/records/1563...
Universities Degraded: Staff Experiences & Employer Practices of Redundancies in UK Higher Education
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Conducted between August and October 2024 and publicised mainly by members of the University and College Union (UCU), the ‘Survey for UCU Members on HE Redundancies’ invited response...
zenodo.org
June 16, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Meaningful consultation appears to be lacking in HE.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
So, redundancy notices have landed in the inboxes of eight UEA colleagues…a saving of a small fraction of % of annual running costs
Really quite shaming on my own university management that they’ve continued to push for this - & the consequences on peoples’ lives - rejecting other reas alternatives
Really quite shaming on my own university management that they’ve continued to push for this - & the consequences on peoples’ lives - rejecting other reas alternatives
June 10, 2025 at 9:10 AM
So, redundancy notices have landed in the inboxes of eight UEA colleagues…a saving of a small fraction of % of annual running costs
Really quite shaming on my own university management that they’ve continued to push for this - & the consequences on peoples’ lives - rejecting other reas alternatives
Really quite shaming on my own university management that they’ve continued to push for this - & the consequences on peoples’ lives - rejecting other reas alternatives
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Missing in action at the University of Dundee.
1) Voluntary Severance scheme: Due 26 May 2025
2) Any details of Restructured Professional Services:
Announced on 1 Apr 2025
3) Financial Statements to July 2024:
Due January 2025.
4) Equality.
1) Voluntary Severance scheme: Due 26 May 2025
2) Any details of Restructured Professional Services:
Announced on 1 Apr 2025
3) Financial Statements to July 2024:
Due January 2025.
4) Equality.
May 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Missing in action at the University of Dundee.
1) Voluntary Severance scheme: Due 26 May 2025
2) Any details of Restructured Professional Services:
Announced on 1 Apr 2025
3) Financial Statements to July 2024:
Due January 2025.
4) Equality.
1) Voluntary Severance scheme: Due 26 May 2025
2) Any details of Restructured Professional Services:
Announced on 1 Apr 2025
3) Financial Statements to July 2024:
Due January 2025.
4) Equality.
Disgraceful. So much for Athena Swan and EIA.
The University of Dundee is currently trying to make 100% of female research Professors in the School of Science and Engineering redundant.
100% OF FEMALE RESEARCH PROFESSORS!
Only one female professor (teaching and scholarship) from that School will remain working on our UK campuses.
100% OF FEMALE RESEARCH PROFESSORS!
Only one female professor (teaching and scholarship) from that School will remain working on our UK campuses.
May 27, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Disgraceful. So much for Athena Swan and EIA.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
UK HE international recruitment processes are corrupt.
They were used to enrich management and sold to staff as the only reason they are not made redundant.
Now the system is falling apart.
They were used to enrich management and sold to staff as the only reason they are not made redundant.
Now the system is falling apart.
This week on Wonkhe: International students may be being misled by false promises from recruitment agents. But for Michael Salmon, constant changes to visa terms and post-study work arrangements represent a much deeper deception
It’s the Home Office that’s misselling UK higher education
International students may be being misled by false promises from recruitment agents. But for Michael Salmon, constant changes to visa terms and post-study work arrangements represent a much deeper deception
buff.ly
May 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
UK HE international recruitment processes are corrupt.
They were used to enrich management and sold to staff as the only reason they are not made redundant.
Now the system is falling apart.
They were used to enrich management and sold to staff as the only reason they are not made redundant.
Now the system is falling apart.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
“At UEA, it is understood that 22 staff are earning more than £150k and 4 staff are on £205k. At a time when university managers are pushing through large-scale job cuts, this is frankly obscene”
🎓'When will Labour tackle the crisis engulfing our schools, colleges and universities?'
🌹Please stick a repost on my piece for @labouroutlook.bsky.social. #UKHE #EducationCrisis
🚩It includes a special mention of my @uea-ucu.bsky.social colleagues. #SaveUEA
labouroutlook.org/2025/05/17/e...
🌹Please stick a repost on my piece for @labouroutlook.bsky.social. #UKHE #EducationCrisis
🚩It includes a special mention of my @uea-ucu.bsky.social colleagues. #SaveUEA
labouroutlook.org/2025/05/17/e...
Education, education, education? When will Labour tackle the crisis engulfing our schools, colleges and universities?
All levels of our education system face a systemic crisis. Yet as with so many other areas of policy, Keir Starmer doesn't seem to have any hopes for education at all, writes Connor Bollins.
labouroutlook.org
May 18, 2025 at 10:27 AM
“At UEA, it is understood that 22 staff are earning more than £150k and 4 staff are on £205k. At a time when university managers are pushing through large-scale job cuts, this is frankly obscene”
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Oh! We so seldom get to share good news!
But Glasgow managed to stave off compulsory redundancies and is developing a trial with the ucu branch to move some research staff onto open-ended contracts. 🥳
It IS possible!
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo... #UKHE
But Glasgow managed to stave off compulsory redundancies and is developing a trial with the ucu branch to move some research staff onto open-ended contracts. 🥳
It IS possible!
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo... #UKHE
May 14, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Oh! We so seldom get to share good news!
But Glasgow managed to stave off compulsory redundancies and is developing a trial with the ucu branch to move some research staff onto open-ended contracts. 🥳
It IS possible!
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo... #UKHE
But Glasgow managed to stave off compulsory redundancies and is developing a trial with the ucu branch to move some research staff onto open-ended contracts. 🥳
It IS possible!
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo... #UKHE
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
University accounting teams react to news of a new government tax especially just for them.
May 12, 2025 at 9:43 AM
University accounting teams react to news of a new government tax especially just for them.
Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Redundancies remain on the table at UEA.
"It’s time for UEA management to do the right thing, drop the threats, engage meaningfully, and commit to real accountability." @drjogrady.bsky.social
Solidarity with all striking staff. ✊
#SaveUEA #UCU
"It’s time for UEA management to do the right thing, drop the threats, engage meaningfully, and commit to real accountability." @drjogrady.bsky.social
Solidarity with all striking staff. ✊
#SaveUEA #UCU
We're back out on the picket line this morning, standing in solidarity with colleagues at risk of compulsory redundancy and demanding university management to change course. #SaveUEA
May 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Redundancies remain on the table at UEA.
"It’s time for UEA management to do the right thing, drop the threats, engage meaningfully, and commit to real accountability." @drjogrady.bsky.social
Solidarity with all striking staff. ✊
#SaveUEA #UCU
"It’s time for UEA management to do the right thing, drop the threats, engage meaningfully, and commit to real accountability." @drjogrady.bsky.social
Solidarity with all striking staff. ✊
#SaveUEA #UCU