Royal Holloway UCU
@rhucu.bsky.social
Account of the Royal Holloway UCU branch. Photo: Ray Campbell
https://royalhollowayucu.wordpress.com
https://royalhollowayucu.wordpress.com
New on the blog: a post before tomorrow's Emergency General Meeting, outlining plans for a discussion about how to seek to engage with SMT over the coming term, and a motion for the Equalities Conference:
Don’t miss the branch’s Emergency General Meeting on Wednesday 17th September
We hope that everyone has been able to take some leave over the summer and that we are all looking forward to a new academic year. Sadly, the lack of widespread clarity on Clearing numbers and the …
royalhollowayucu.wordpress.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:11 AM
New on the blog: a post before tomorrow's Emergency General Meeting, outlining plans for a discussion about how to seek to engage with SMT over the coming term, and a motion for the Equalities Conference:
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
🎓To all students getting results today - congratulations on your hard work and achievements.
Whatever your next step, we’re fighting for a fairer, properly funded education system where all students can thrive without debt or hardship.
Whatever your next step, we’re fighting for a fairer, properly funded education system where all students can thrive without debt or hardship.
August 14, 2025 at 8:53 AM
🎓To all students getting results today - congratulations on your hard work and achievements.
Whatever your next step, we’re fighting for a fairer, properly funded education system where all students can thrive without debt or hardship.
Whatever your next step, we’re fighting for a fairer, properly funded education system where all students can thrive without debt or hardship.
*internal anti-casualised screaming*
New circle of UK academic job market hell just dropped: a 3 month .8 temp cover
August 12, 2025 at 12:09 PM
*internal anti-casualised screaming*
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
This.
The government has created those conditions but they are then described as though"that's just the way it is".
The government has created those conditions but they are then described as though"that's just the way it is".
Lastly: "Universities operate in a competitive and resource-constrained environment with high variability in reputation and associated reward"
YES. But that environment's contours are a public policy CHOICE. It's not a sui generis natural development, hell it is barely ten years old!
YES. But that environment's contours are a public policy CHOICE. It's not a sui generis natural development, hell it is barely ten years old!
August 12, 2025 at 8:34 AM
This.
The government has created those conditions but they are then described as though"that's just the way it is".
The government has created those conditions but they are then described as though"that's just the way it is".
As we move into the next phase of the admissions cycle with results on Thursday, and the inevitable implications of that for 2025-26 institutional budgets, we strongly encourage everyone to keep a close eye on how those budgets are being managed in their institutions...
"The figures simply don’t add up."
Tuition fees are rising, staff are underpaid, and universities are in crisis but politicians still won’t face the truth.
Thanks to Zoe Williams for highlighting the crisis in The Guardian today.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Tuition fees are rising, staff are underpaid, and universities are in crisis but politicians still won’t face the truth.
Thanks to Zoe Williams for highlighting the crisis in The Guardian today.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Tuition fees are rising again and nobody is happy – it’s time to actually fix our broken university sector | Zoe Williams
The figures simply don’t add up for higher education in England and Wales. Yet delusional politicians from all parties seem intent on avoiding the issue, says Guardian columnist Zoe Williams
www.theguardian.com
August 12, 2025 at 12:07 PM
As we move into the next phase of the admissions cycle with results on Thursday, and the inevitable implications of that for 2025-26 institutional budgets, we strongly encourage everyone to keep a close eye on how those budgets are being managed in their institutions...
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
The results of our Vote of No Confidence are now out. Members voted in favour of a VONC, with a very strong preference for expressing no confidence in both the VCP and SMT. Find out more on the blog, and watch out for an invitation to an EGM in September.
Vote of No Confidence Result
In our Annual General Meeting in June, following a lengthy discussion over whether to hold a vote of no confidence (VONC) and in whom, we concluded to hold a vote and to ask members to indicate who…
royalhollowayucu.wordpress.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The results of our Vote of No Confidence are now out. Members voted in favour of a VONC, with a very strong preference for expressing no confidence in both the VCP and SMT. Find out more on the blog, and watch out for an invitation to an EGM in September.
Now up on the blog: a reflection on the urgency of developing a sustainable strategy in order to preserve the College's legacy.
Preserving Royal Holloway’s Legacy: A Call for a Sustainable Strategy
Royal Holloway, University of London, is one of the most striking educational institutions in the United Kingdom. Founded through the extraordinary vision and philanthropy of Thomas and Jane Hollow…
royalhollowayucu.wordpress.com
August 12, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Now up on the blog: a reflection on the urgency of developing a sustainable strategy in order to preserve the College's legacy.
...I mean, we'd hope this might prompt some reflection on value for money from consultants, but we know that's far too optimistic.
The University of Warwick has paid a lot of money, I'm guessing, for their internet banner ads on the Guardian and elsewhere.
But they can't spell "curiosity". This isn't a US-UK variant. They just, genuinely, have a massive spelling error in their banner ads.
But they can't spell "curiosity". This isn't a US-UK variant. They just, genuinely, have a massive spelling error in their banner ads.
August 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
...I mean, we'd hope this might prompt some reflection on value for money from consultants, but we know that's far too optimistic.
The results of our Vote of No Confidence are now out. Members voted in favour of a VONC, with a very strong preference for expressing no confidence in both the VCP and SMT. Find out more on the blog, and watch out for an invitation to an EGM in September.
Vote of No Confidence Result
In our Annual General Meeting in June, following a lengthy discussion over whether to hold a vote of no confidence (VONC) and in whom, we concluded to hold a vote and to ask members to indicate who…
royalhollowayucu.wordpress.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The results of our Vote of No Confidence are now out. Members voted in favour of a VONC, with a very strong preference for expressing no confidence in both the VCP and SMT. Find out more on the blog, and watch out for an invitation to an EGM in September.
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
Are you involved in preventing harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education? Ever wondered about how to reach postgraduate research students with your work?
We've just launched a toolkit to help!
ukcge.ac.uk/assets/resou...
We've just launched a toolkit to help!
ukcge.ac.uk/assets/resou...
ukcge.ac.uk
July 4, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Are you involved in preventing harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education? Ever wondered about how to reach postgraduate research students with your work?
We've just launched a toolkit to help!
ukcge.ac.uk/assets/resou...
We've just launched a toolkit to help!
ukcge.ac.uk/assets/resou...
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
Members have been e-mailed this morning about a Vote Of No Confidence. Please do check your inboxes for details and the voting link.
July 3, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Members have been e-mailed this morning about a Vote Of No Confidence. Please do check your inboxes for details and the voting link.
Members have been e-mailed this morning about a Vote Of No Confidence. Please do check your inboxes for details and the voting link.
July 3, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Members have been e-mailed this morning about a Vote Of No Confidence. Please do check your inboxes for details and the voting link.
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
We are pleased that at the Townhall with University staff and in an interview with The Courier, Prof. Nigel Seaton confirmed that
“There’s no plan to have redundancies afterwards [after VS]. There’s no secret plan B where we might have redundancies.”
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
“There’s no plan to have redundancies afterwards [after VS]. There’s no secret plan B where we might have redundancies.”
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
New Dundee University boss says he wouldn't have paused retirement for any other job
In an exclusive sit down with The Courier, interim Dundee University principal Nigel Seaton sets out how he plans to win back trust and stabilise the troubled institution.
www.thecourier.co.uk
July 3, 2025 at 11:18 AM
We are pleased that at the Townhall with University staff and in an interview with The Courier, Prof. Nigel Seaton confirmed that
“There’s no plan to have redundancies afterwards [after VS]. There’s no secret plan B where we might have redundancies.”
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
“There’s no plan to have redundancies afterwards [after VS]. There’s no secret plan B where we might have redundancies.”
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
Please sign to halt outsourcing plans 👇
University of Surrey proposes to employ all new Professional Services staff through a subsidiary company on lesser T&Cs.
This is an existential threat to our university & sector.
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/operate-surr...
@ucu.org.uk
University of Surrey proposes to employ all new Professional Services staff through a subsidiary company on lesser T&Cs.
This is an existential threat to our university & sector.
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/operate-surr...
@ucu.org.uk
Operate Surrey - Halt Outsourcing Plans at University of Surrey
The University of Surrey proposes to employ all new Professional Services staff through its subsidiary company: Operate Surrey: Operate Surrey - Jobs at the University of Surrey. This constitutes outs...
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk
June 12, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Please sign to halt outsourcing plans 👇
University of Surrey proposes to employ all new Professional Services staff through a subsidiary company on lesser T&Cs.
This is an existential threat to our university & sector.
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/operate-surr...
@ucu.org.uk
University of Surrey proposes to employ all new Professional Services staff through a subsidiary company on lesser T&Cs.
This is an existential threat to our university & sector.
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/operate-surr...
@ucu.org.uk
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
The results of the De Montfort university UCU branch's formal No Confidence ballot have now been confirmed: a resounding 90% voted no confidence in the VC and the ULB
This is the fourth significant No Confidence vote passed during the current round of proposed redundancies
This is the fourth significant No Confidence vote passed during the current round of proposed redundancies
June 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The results of the De Montfort university UCU branch's formal No Confidence ballot have now been confirmed: a resounding 90% voted no confidence in the VC and the ULB
This is the fourth significant No Confidence vote passed during the current round of proposed redundancies
This is the fourth significant No Confidence vote passed during the current round of proposed redundancies
Huge congratulations to our comrades at @ducuuo.bsky.social - an absolutely outstanding result, and one that hopefully indicates a new way of collaborating with the incoming management team picking up quite a lot of pieces.
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 26, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Huge congratulations to our comrades at @ducuuo.bsky.social - an absolutely outstanding result, and one that hopefully indicates a new way of collaborating with the incoming management team picking up quite a lot of pieces.
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
Question: does NOUS simply not do contracts? That’s a whole lot of money to spend without a contract, especially since all the other consultancies (Deloitte: £600,000; QS: £250,000) in that same Freedom of Information request did draw up paperwork. #UKHE
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
June 26, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Question: does NOUS simply not do contracts? That’s a whole lot of money to spend without a contract, especially since all the other consultancies (Deloitte: £600,000; QS: £250,000) in that same Freedom of Information request did draw up paperwork. #UKHE
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
DMU has made it back into Private Eye's latest edition thanks to the legal situation around its Dubai campus. As noted by @privateeyenews.bsky.social the apparent lack of due diligence on this matter is deeply troubling.
June 26, 2025 at 9:45 AM
DMU has made it back into Private Eye's latest edition thanks to the legal situation around its Dubai campus. As noted by @privateeyenews.bsky.social the apparent lack of due diligence on this matter is deeply troubling.
Members should check their inboxes for what looks like an interesting @ucu.org.uk CPD session on Divestment, Reinvestment, and Ethical Finance Training on 8th July - given the proposed restructuring plans currently in development, this is a great chance to get more familiar with university finances.
June 26, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Members should check their inboxes for what looks like an interesting @ucu.org.uk CPD session on Divestment, Reinvestment, and Ethical Finance Training on 8th July - given the proposed restructuring plans currently in development, this is a great chance to get more familiar with university finances.
Amazing work by @newcastleucu.bsky.social - shows what can be done with solidarity and persistence!
✊🥂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 4:08 PM
Amazing work by @newcastleucu.bsky.social - shows what can be done with solidarity and persistence!
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
This is what happens when SMT's refuse to be transparent with or accountable to the community they serve
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Dundee University bosses quit after damning report into financial collapse
A report into Dundee University says its financial crisis was caused by a "self-inflicted" failure of its oversight system.
www.bbc.com
June 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
This is what happens when SMT's refuse to be transparent with or accountable to the community they serve
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
Standing behind what our co-president has named "The Wall Of Lost Staff". We're striking because we need to know that the wall isn't going to get any longer.
June 19, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Standing behind what our co-president has named "The Wall Of Lost Staff". We're striking because we need to know that the wall isn't going to get any longer.
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
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 Royal Holloway UCU
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...
Dundee University bosses quit after damning report into financial collapse
A report into Dundee University says its financial crisis was caused by a
www.bbc.co.uk
June 19, 2025 at 8:26 PM
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*.
Reposted by Royal Holloway UCU
Today I am ON STRIKE. I'm striking because the University of Edinburgh has claimed the need for 'savings' in staff costs amounting to £90 million. The Union estimates this to be more than 1000 staff. (Not because of everyone being on 90k+, but because of the attendant 'savings' from mass layoffs)
June 20, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Today I am ON STRIKE. I'm striking because the University of Edinburgh has claimed the need for 'savings' in staff costs amounting to £90 million. The Union estimates this to be more than 1000 staff. (Not because of everyone being on 90k+, but because of the attendant 'savings' from mass layoffs)