The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
@ucudmu.bsky.social
Defend DMU!
ucu@dmu.ac.uk
ucu@dmu.ac.uk
All Leicester-area DMU UCU members, please join our friends today!
January 23, 2026 at 9:18 AM
All Leicester-area DMU UCU members, please join our friends today!
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Univeristy management claim that there is no money to keep people in jobs, yet look at their expenses…
Our university leadership published their expenses for most of 2025. Reviewing these is a traumatic experience. We note the following:
Total ULB expenses since May 2022 are at £347,923.38
Expenses since August 2024 are at £118,985.24 (during which time they aggressively pursued redundancy...
Total ULB expenses since May 2022 are at £347,923.38
Expenses since August 2024 are at £118,985.24 (during which time they aggressively pursued redundancy...
January 22, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Univeristy management claim that there is no money to keep people in jobs, yet look at their expenses…
Our university leadership published their expenses for most of 2025. Reviewing these is a traumatic experience. We note the following:
Total ULB expenses since May 2022 are at £347,923.38
Expenses since August 2024 are at £118,985.24 (during which time they aggressively pursued redundancy...
Total ULB expenses since May 2022 are at £347,923.38
Expenses since August 2024 are at £118,985.24 (during which time they aggressively pursued redundancy...
January 22, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Our university leadership published their expenses for most of 2025. Reviewing these is a traumatic experience. We note the following:
Total ULB expenses since May 2022 are at £347,923.38
Expenses since August 2024 are at £118,985.24 (during which time they aggressively pursued redundancy...
Total ULB expenses since May 2022 are at £347,923.38
Expenses since August 2024 are at £118,985.24 (during which time they aggressively pursued redundancy...
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
In 2024-25 alone, the #UKHE sector paid out £303.3 million to make people redundant. That's a whole lot of money that could have gone to education & research, now used to put education & research on a less secure grounding for the future. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
Pay-off spend up by two-thirds as universities shed 13,000 jobs
Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:45 AM
In 2024-25 alone, the #UKHE sector paid out £303.3 million to make people redundant. That's a whole lot of money that could have gone to education & research, now used to put education & research on a less secure grounding for the future. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
DMU's annual accounts are out!
£151m cash and short term investments. £300k on the VC.
www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/ab...
£151m cash and short term investments. £300k on the VC.
www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/ab...
January 13, 2026 at 11:21 AM
DMU's annual accounts are out!
£151m cash and short term investments. £300k on the VC.
www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/ab...
£151m cash and short term investments. £300k on the VC.
www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/ab...
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Average salary among Russell Group vice-chancellors increased above £350,000 last year, despite these universities losing almost 7,000 staff members due to cost-cutting www.timeshighereducation.com/news/russell... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Russell Group v-c salaries rise as 7,000 job losses confirmed
Leaders of research-intensive universities see pay top £350,000 despite financial strife faced by institutions
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Average salary among Russell Group vice-chancellors increased above £350,000 last year, despite these universities losing almost 7,000 staff members due to cost-cutting www.timeshighereducation.com/news/russell... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Three short paragraphs, and you've got the whole mind-bending mess that is #UKHE finance & governance neatly laid out.
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
January 10, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Three short paragraphs, and you've got the whole mind-bending mess that is #UKHE finance & governance neatly laid out.
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
Many colleagues saw their summer 2025 consultations go something like this:
"Has the university considered <important thing>?"
"Yes we have"
"And?"
no response
"Has the university considered <important thing>?"
"Yes we have"
"And?"
no response
"This decision was not taken lightly, with staff feedback taken into consideration throughout the consultation.” I’ve seen an awful lot of consultations in HE & it’s so strange that universities always claim to have taken staff feedback into consideration whilst never acting on any of it.
"Solent University faces strike action after staff forced out of pension scheme"
December 16, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Many colleagues saw their summer 2025 consultations go something like this:
"Has the university considered <important thing>?"
"Yes we have"
"And?"
no response
"Has the university considered <important thing>?"
"Yes we have"
"And?"
no response
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
"This decision was not taken lightly, with staff feedback taken into consideration throughout the consultation.” I’ve seen an awful lot of consultations in HE & it’s so strange that universities always claim to have taken staff feedback into consideration whilst never acting on any of it.
"Solent University faces strike action after staff forced out of pension scheme"
Solent University faces strike action after staff forced out of pension scheme
Staff at Solent University have voted to take strike action after management forced hundreds of employees out of their existing pension scheme.
www.dailyecho.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 9:57 AM
"This decision was not taken lightly, with staff feedback taken into consideration throughout the consultation.” I’ve seen an awful lot of consultations in HE & it’s so strange that universities always claim to have taken staff feedback into consideration whilst never acting on any of it.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Very similar at universities. Yes, I've been striking to try to save colleague's jobs. But there's so much anger about restructures forced from above, unthinking programme closures, just a feeling that management doesn't understand what a university is and holds its workers in disdain.
I have spoken to many resident doctors about strike action and the one thing that always stands out for me - on an individual level it is rarely about pay. It's always about how they are treated by their employer and a lot of anxiety about training and job progression.
December 16, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Very similar at universities. Yes, I've been striking to try to save colleague's jobs. But there's so much anger about restructures forced from above, unthinking programme closures, just a feeling that management doesn't understand what a university is and holds its workers in disdain.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
🚨🚨 BRANCH UPDATE 🚨🚨
With our current industrial action mandate nearly expired and strike action called off after winning our demand for no compulsory redundancies through most of next year, our branch saw the need to keep up the pressure against the administration.
With our current industrial action mandate nearly expired and strike action called off after winning our demand for no compulsory redundancies through most of next year, our branch saw the need to keep up the pressure against the administration.
December 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM
🚨🚨 BRANCH UPDATE 🚨🚨
With our current industrial action mandate nearly expired and strike action called off after winning our demand for no compulsory redundancies through most of next year, our branch saw the need to keep up the pressure against the administration.
With our current industrial action mandate nearly expired and strike action called off after winning our demand for no compulsory redundancies through most of next year, our branch saw the need to keep up the pressure against the administration.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
British Academy's pioneering 'cold spots' work now replicated by HESA.
'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
University students facing course 'cold spots' as enrolments fall
New data analysis suggests courses like artificial intelligence are surging in popularity as languages fall.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 8:53 AM
British Academy's pioneering 'cold spots' work now replicated by HESA.
'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Our branch committee are campaigning on the following issues:
1. The VC’s decision to pay a miserly staff bonus of only £100, a cut of 72% on last year’s £350, despite commending our “hard work, dedication and commitment” (VC email ‘Herts achieves top 50 UK university ranking’ of 13 September’)
1. The VC’s decision to pay a miserly staff bonus of only £100, a cut of 72% on last year’s £350, despite commending our “hard work, dedication and commitment” (VC email ‘Herts achieves top 50 UK university ranking’ of 13 September’)
December 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Our branch committee are campaigning on the following issues:
1. The VC’s decision to pay a miserly staff bonus of only £100, a cut of 72% on last year’s £350, despite commending our “hard work, dedication and commitment” (VC email ‘Herts achieves top 50 UK university ranking’ of 13 September’)
1. The VC’s decision to pay a miserly staff bonus of only £100, a cut of 72% on last year’s £350, despite commending our “hard work, dedication and commitment” (VC email ‘Herts achieves top 50 UK university ranking’ of 13 September’)
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
This is *exactly* the same phrasing as the management used @qmul.bsky.social.
This is work that has been withdrawn as part of legal industrial action. Management is demanding staff undoes their own industrial action and performs the work they have not been paid for, on top of their existing work.
This is work that has been withdrawn as part of legal industrial action. Management is demanding staff undoes their own industrial action and performs the work they have not been paid for, on top of their existing work.
December 3, 2025 at 7:11 PM
This is *exactly* the same phrasing as the management used @qmul.bsky.social.
This is work that has been withdrawn as part of legal industrial action. Management is demanding staff undoes their own industrial action and performs the work they have not been paid for, on top of their existing work.
This is work that has been withdrawn as part of legal industrial action. Management is demanding staff undoes their own industrial action and performs the work they have not been paid for, on top of their existing work.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
We don’t actually ask overseas students what their hopes and dreams are. We just treat them as a mass with a collective desire to learn about DIY capitalism, which feels colonialist and ideologically blinkered. We don’t even tell them about art, literature or environmental science. Just business.
December 11, 2025 at 8:39 AM
We don’t actually ask overseas students what their hopes and dreams are. We just treat them as a mass with a collective desire to learn about DIY capitalism, which feels colonialist and ideologically blinkered. We don’t even tell them about art, literature or environmental science. Just business.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Here's a musical message for all @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social members, and those @northumbriauni.bsky.social who want to freeze their pay! @ucu.org.uk @ducu.bsky.social @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ducuuo.bsky.social @umucu.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Here's a musical message for all @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social members, and those @northumbriauni.bsky.social who want to freeze their pay! @ucu.org.uk @ducu.bsky.social @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ducuuo.bsky.social @umucu.bsky.social
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
'The British Academy developed the Innovation Fellowship to enable researchers in the humanities and social sciences to partner with institutions in both the public and private-sector and tackle global challenges.' The scheme is advertised annually, funded by DSIT. 1/2
British Academy fellowship awarded to DMU Balkans Expert
A DMU expert on the modern history of the Balkans will be working with the UK
www.dmu.ac.uk
December 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
'The British Academy developed the Innovation Fellowship to enable researchers in the humanities and social sciences to partner with institutions in both the public and private-sector and tackle global challenges.' The scheme is advertised annually, funded by DSIT. 1/2
One might be tempted to argue that the long run of aggressive redundancy processes experienced by UK academics, DMU included, has dealt a hammer blow to research excellence already.
December 9, 2025 at 11:50 AM
One might be tempted to argue that the long run of aggressive redundancy processes experienced by UK academics, DMU included, has dealt a hammer blow to research excellence already.
December 8, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Solidarity with our colleagues at Coventry! Their fight is our fight as we all push back against the collective and individual attacks on higher education. Please sign and share!
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/vote-of-no-c...
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/vote-of-no-c...
Vote of no confidence in the vice-chancellor at Coventry University
Why sign this petition? An unhealthy workplace The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has demanded answers from CU about workload and stress management. A recent UCU workload survey revealed that 74%…
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Solidarity with our colleagues at Coventry! Their fight is our fight as we all push back against the collective and individual attacks on higher education. Please sign and share!
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/vote-of-no-c...
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/vote-of-no-c...
(Text from UCU Derby FB post)
While we were striking to save jobs and protect education yesterday… the Vice-Chancellor was picking up an honorary degree.
😲
While we were striking to save jobs and protect education yesterday… the Vice-Chancellor was picking up an honorary degree.
😲
December 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
(Text from UCU Derby FB post)
While we were striking to save jobs and protect education yesterday… the Vice-Chancellor was picking up an honorary degree.
😲
While we were striking to save jobs and protect education yesterday… the Vice-Chancellor was picking up an honorary degree.
😲
Derby University is sleepwalking into a disaster – as the UCU has exposed www.thecanary.co/long-read/20...
Derby University is sleepwalking into a disaster - as the UCU has exposed
The Canary speaks to the UCU chair at Derby University - as staff prepare to take strike action over redundancies
www.thecanary.co
December 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Derby University is sleepwalking into a disaster – as the UCU has exposed www.thecanary.co/long-read/20...
More from the University of Derby picket as it marches through the city. @ucu.org.uk
December 3, 2025 at 12:17 PM
More from the University of Derby picket as it marches through the city. @ucu.org.uk
Great picket at the University of Derby today as they fight back against massive cuts outside their new £75m building in the centre of the city.
December 3, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Great picket at the University of Derby today as they fight back against massive cuts outside their new £75m building in the centre of the city.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
“One person is an autocratic president of the university for decades” certainly wasn’t a flawless system but it’s clear that “admins hop from job to job scaling the career ladder by filling their CV with ‘accomplishments’ that are expensive burdens to the schools they leave behind” is even worse.
The worst thing to happen to academia was the emergence of a nomadic administrative class like the one in corporations who just move from institution to institution setting fires and walking away.
Say what you will about the flaws of faculty governance, but at least they believe in the mission.
Say what you will about the flaws of faculty governance, but at least they believe in the mission.
December 1, 2025 at 4:28 PM
“One person is an autocratic president of the university for decades” certainly wasn’t a flawless system but it’s clear that “admins hop from job to job scaling the career ladder by filling their CV with ‘accomplishments’ that are expensive burdens to the schools they leave behind” is even worse.