Sol Gamsu
@solgamsu.bsky.social
Sociologist/sociologue/soziologe of education (elites, geographies, social mobility, dreaming/fighting for another education).
Union rep UCU: organising in various capacities. Working/living in Durham/Newcastle mostly. https://linksta.cc/@Sol%20Gamsu
Union rep UCU: organising in various capacities. Working/living in Durham/Newcastle mostly. https://linksta.cc/@Sol%20Gamsu
Pinned
Sol Gamsu
@solgamsu.bsky.social
· Feb 27
If You Want the University to Change, Don't Theorise—Organise!
Organising as workers to build industrial power within our universities is a key element of how we respond to redundancies, marketisation and other political pressures on higher education. This piece...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
I wrote this for @bjsociology.bsky.social on organising in universities & the work we all need to do to defend & remake the university.
It's a reflection on being heavily involved in UCU with practical tips on what everyone can do, esp. now with redundancies.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
It's a reflection on being heavily involved in UCU with practical tips on what everyone can do, esp. now with redundancies.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
A fascist state boycott Israel.
"We’re monitoring what you do online. Disseminating, writing, or publishing inciting content online is considered a terrorist crime in every sense and may lead to arrest or imprisonment. We have warned you."
Israel warns Palestinians that posting about their suffering will be considered terrorism.
Israel warns Palestinians that posting about their suffering will be considered terrorism.
December 25, 2025 at 4:06 AM
A fascist state boycott Israel.
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
A reminder that my book on the history of protest is now published. It is superbly produced with a great cover. Buy it now from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 8:59 AM
A reminder that my book on the history of protest is now published. It is superbly produced with a great cover. Buy it now from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
The Labour govmt's actions are vile.
The silence of the media is grotesque, callous and servile.
The silence of the media is grotesque, callous and servile.
December 21, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The Labour govmt's actions are vile.
The silence of the media is grotesque, callous and servile.
The silence of the media is grotesque, callous and servile.
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
Two Palestine Action-linked hunger strikers taken to hospital
Two Palestine Action-linked hunger strikers taken to hospital
MPs and next of kin of prisoners Amu Gib, 30, and Kamran Ahmed, 28, call for immediate government intervention
Two Palestine Action-affiliated prisoners taking part in a hunger strike have been taken to hospital, as their next of kin and MPs expressed concern over prison conditions and called for immediate government intervention.
Amu Gib, 30, who was being held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey while awaiting trial, is on day 50 of the hunger strike and 28-year-old Kamran Ahmed was being held at Pentonville prison in London and on day 42 of his hunger strike. The two are the latest of eight prisoners who have been admitted to hospital since the hunger strike action began on Balfour day, 2 November, according to Prisoners for Palestine. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Two Palestine Action-linked hunger strikers taken to hospital
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
@northumbriauni.bsky.social want to freeze our pay unless we move pension? @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social say #Wham bam no thank you man! @ucu.org.uk @ducu.bsky.social @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ducuuo.bsky.social @umucu.bsky.social @uswucu.bsky.social @chroniclelive.co.uk @danhollandnews.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM
@northumbriauni.bsky.social want to freeze our pay unless we move pension? @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social say #Wham bam no thank you man! @ucu.org.uk @ducu.bsky.social @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ducuuo.bsky.social @umucu.bsky.social @uswucu.bsky.social @chroniclelive.co.uk @danhollandnews.bsky.social
A really cracking set of conference panels here for anyone with an interest in critical and democratic perspectives on education.
www.scuolademocratica-conference.net/panel-sessio...
www.scuolademocratica-conference.net/panel-sessio...
Panel sessions – Fourth International Conference of the journal Scuola Democratica
Fourth International Conference of the journal “Scuola Democratica” LEARNING FOR DEMOCRACY DEMOCRACY FOR LEARNING1-2-3-4 September 2026, “Sapienza” University of Rome (Italy) Browse the Conference Pro...
www.scuolademocratica-conference.net
December 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
A really cracking set of conference panels here for anyone with an interest in critical and democratic perspectives on education.
www.scuolademocratica-conference.net/panel-sessio...
www.scuolademocratica-conference.net/panel-sessio...
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
This reminds me of the VW emissions scandal from 2015, when VW intentionally allowed cars to release x40 the permitted emissions. Later, we found that politicians knew about it in 2010. Instead of VW going bankrupt, the laws were changed to allow the pollution...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK’s largest proposed datacentre ‘understating planned water use’
Analysis suggests consumption at Northumberland site could be 50 times higher than US operator QTS estimates
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:47 AM
This reminds me of the VW emissions scandal from 2015, when VW intentionally allowed cars to release x40 the permitted emissions. Later, we found that politicians knew about it in 2010. Instead of VW going bankrupt, the laws were changed to allow the pollution...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
A few snaps from that demo (ft. @michaelchessum.bsky.social)
December 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A few snaps from that demo (ft. @michaelchessum.bsky.social)
FREE EDUCATION NOW!
After the 2015 free education demo organised by NCAFC in London
After the 2015 free education demo organised by NCAFC in London
December 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
FREE EDUCATION NOW!
After the 2015 free education demo organised by NCAFC in London
After the 2015 free education demo organised by NCAFC in London
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
'Health and Safety' is not 'red tape'.
'Health and Safety' is the red line between you and accidents, injury, long-term harm.
'Health and Safety' is the red line between you and accidents, injury, long-term harm.
" 124 people died in accidents at work in 2024-25. In 2023-24, the estimated annual cost of workplace injuries and new cases of work-related ill health reached £22.9bn" www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Don’t weaken health and safety rules in the name of growth | Letter
Letter: Ruth Wilkinson says good regulation allows business to thrive without risking workers’ health
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:41 AM
'Health and Safety' is not 'red tape'.
'Health and Safety' is the red line between you and accidents, injury, long-term harm.
'Health and Safety' is the red line between you and accidents, injury, long-term harm.
Some international campaigns to support workers being targetted by employers around the globe www.labourstartcampaigns.net/actnowen.cgi...
Act NOW - online campaigns on LabourStart
Act NOW - online campaigns on LabourStart.
www.labourstartcampaigns.net
December 18, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Some international campaigns to support workers being targetted by employers around the globe www.labourstartcampaigns.net/actnowen.cgi...
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
This book is brilliant
December 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
This book is brilliant
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
MPs laughed. David Lammy tells families of hunger strikers he doesn’t know anything about it’ Social media is awash with jokes about food and thousands of people can’t tell the difference between charge and conviction. We all die a bit now. www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Prison diary tells us how it feels when the state decides to wait
IN five months’ time, it will be 45 years since Bobby Sands died on hunger strike in a British prison. In May 1981, Sands was a 27-year-old Irish…
www.thenational.scot
December 18, 2025 at 3:09 PM
MPs laughed. David Lammy tells families of hunger strikers he doesn’t know anything about it’ Social media is awash with jokes about food and thousands of people can’t tell the difference between charge and conviction. We all die a bit now. www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
The prison which reportedly denied an ambulance to hunger striker Qesser Zurhah, HMP Bronzefield, is fully privatised (Sodexo runs prison & medical) & has had a string of scandals including 2 recent deaths & an earlier baby death metro.co.uk/2025/08/04/t... & www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Two prisoners die in UK women's jail within days of each other
The jail is holding both Lucy Letby and Constance Marten.
metro.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The prison which reportedly denied an ambulance to hunger striker Qesser Zurhah, HMP Bronzefield, is fully privatised (Sodexo runs prison & medical) & has had a string of scandals including 2 recent deaths & an earlier baby death metro.co.uk/2025/08/04/t... & www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
Our paper on clusters of schools across the UK is out.
We find five clusters: multi-racial & super-diverse middle & working-class schools of towns & cities, suburban white middle class schools, established elite schools & (post-)industrial white working class schools.
doi.org/10.1002/berj...
We find five clusters: multi-racial & super-diverse middle & working-class schools of towns & cities, suburban white middle class schools, established elite schools & (post-)industrial white working class schools.
doi.org/10.1002/berj...
August 5, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Our paper on clusters of schools across the UK is out.
We find five clusters: multi-racial & super-diverse middle & working-class schools of towns & cities, suburban white middle class schools, established elite schools & (post-)industrial white working class schools.
doi.org/10.1002/berj...
We find five clusters: multi-racial & super-diverse middle & working-class schools of towns & cities, suburban white middle class schools, established elite schools & (post-)industrial white working class schools.
doi.org/10.1002/berj...
Startling really when you think about regional educational inequality in England just how deep-rooted it is.
In the early 2010s everyone was talking about the London effect in school performance as if it was something new (not least thanks to @chriscook.news's great reporting). It wasn't though.
In the early 2010s everyone was talking about the London effect in school performance as if it was something new (not least thanks to @chriscook.news's great reporting). It wasn't though.
December 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Startling really when you think about regional educational inequality in England just how deep-rooted it is.
In the early 2010s everyone was talking about the London effect in school performance as if it was something new (not least thanks to @chriscook.news's great reporting). It wasn't though.
In the early 2010s everyone was talking about the London effect in school performance as if it was something new (not least thanks to @chriscook.news's great reporting). It wasn't though.
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
They keep coming in from @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social ! Out the vote is definitely being got, as Yoda might say.
December 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
They keep coming in from @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social ! Out the vote is definitely being got, as Yoda might say.
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
Sent my Christmas card to Civica Election Sevices! #YesYes @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social
December 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Sent my Christmas card to Civica Election Sevices! #YesYes @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
Sophy Ridge to someone from Trussell: "Can I just ask, demand for food banks is going up and this is often seen as a negative thing basically, that it shows that more people are in need turning to food banks. Could you flip that and say its a good thing..."
er, no.
er, no.
December 18, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Sophy Ridge to someone from Trussell: "Can I just ask, demand for food banks is going up and this is often seen as a negative thing basically, that it shows that more people are in need turning to food banks. Could you flip that and say its a good thing..."
er, no.
er, no.
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
Just got back from HMP Bronzefield.
Most importantly: Qesser Zuhrah was transferred to hospital via the ambulance she’d been demanding since 5pm yesterday.
David Lammy, Keir Starmer — you are on the brink of causing the deaths of multiple young Palestine hunger strikers.
Most importantly: Qesser Zuhrah was transferred to hospital via the ambulance she’d been demanding since 5pm yesterday.
David Lammy, Keir Starmer — you are on the brink of causing the deaths of multiple young Palestine hunger strikers.
December 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Just got back from HMP Bronzefield.
Most importantly: Qesser Zuhrah was transferred to hospital via the ambulance she’d been demanding since 5pm yesterday.
David Lammy, Keir Starmer — you are on the brink of causing the deaths of multiple young Palestine hunger strikers.
Most importantly: Qesser Zuhrah was transferred to hospital via the ambulance she’d been demanding since 5pm yesterday.
David Lammy, Keir Starmer — you are on the brink of causing the deaths of multiple young Palestine hunger strikers.
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
Have deactivated my Twitter account finally. Trying to make some connections lost since the change of owners. Hoping to start new networks especially around organising around abolition, migrants and protest.
December 17, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Have deactivated my Twitter account finally. Trying to make some connections lost since the change of owners. Hoping to start new networks especially around organising around abolition, migrants and protest.
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
Is it odd that the police are vowing to arrest people for something they have been explicitly told is not a criminal offence? Well, even the political editor at the Times thinks it’s an eyebrow-raiser, which should indicate something weird is happening.
Amazing scenes, nothing at all dubious is happening here, as you can clearly see.
December 17, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Is it odd that the police are vowing to arrest people for something they have been explicitly told is not a criminal offence? Well, even the political editor at the Times thinks it’s an eyebrow-raiser, which should indicate something weird is happening.
Reposted by Sol Gamsu
"Which is why they and their adherents have a keen interest in diffusing their class interests, their way of thinking, into the common sense throughout all strata of the tech world — even among workers"
Well put and a process I've seen working itself through the tech workforce
Well put and a process I've seen working itself through the tech workforce
Gruesome tour of the opportunists and new fusionists publishing the tech Zeitgeist in SF
bayareacurrent.com/meet-the-new...
bayareacurrent.com/meet-the-new...
Meet the New Right-Wing Tech Intelligentsia
Libs and the far-right ‘link and build’ in the Bay’s tech publication scene.
bayareacurrent.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:13 PM
"Which is why they and their adherents have a keen interest in diffusing their class interests, their way of thinking, into the common sense throughout all strata of the tech world — even among workers"
Well put and a process I've seen working itself through the tech workforce
Well put and a process I've seen working itself through the tech workforce
Very positive news for UNISON - about time it became a more active union at the top as well as in some great local branches!
December 17, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Very positive news for UNISON - about time it became a more active union at the top as well as in some great local branches!