UCU University of Kent branch
@ucukent.bsky.social
UCU University of Kent
Fighting for a better Higher Education - staff working conditions are student learning conditions.
https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/ucuuok/
https://www.instagram.com/ucu.kent?igsh=MWRuZnZ5Y3k1ZXlhNQ==
Fighting for a better Higher Education - staff working conditions are student learning conditions.
https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/ucuuok/
https://www.instagram.com/ucu.kent?igsh=MWRuZnZ5Y3k1ZXlhNQ==
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
'Members of the University and College Union...are unhappy about the threat of compulsory redundancies, as the university seeks to cut 400 full-time posts as part of efforts to save £30m, amid rising costs and a fall in international student numbers.'
"are unhappy about" an existential crisis?
"are unhappy about" an existential crisis?
Lancaster University staff to start industrial action over job cuts
The university is looking to save £30m amid rising costs and a fall in international student numbers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
'Members of the University and College Union...are unhappy about the threat of compulsory redundancies, as the university seeks to cut 400 full-time posts as part of efforts to save £30m, amid rising costs and a fall in international student numbers.'
"are unhappy about" an existential crisis?
"are unhappy about" an existential crisis?
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Managers cite concern for students in everything they do, but never actually prioritise student opinion or voices in any of their decision making. They do irreparable harm to student courses and turn around to staff and ask: ‘right: how can we improve student satisfaction and recruitment?’
We've had 2 massive mergers in 2 years. In both cases, QMUL refused to hear students (staff was told not to talk about it with students for fear of repercussions), and *after* both of them, management said 'our bad, we'll talk to students next time'.
#UKHE managers don't prioritise students.
#UKHE managers don't prioritise students.
Did @uniofnottingham.bsky.social consult any students before announcing the proposed course closures? @uonucu.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
November 10, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Managers cite concern for students in everything they do, but never actually prioritise student opinion or voices in any of their decision making. They do irreparable harm to student courses and turn around to staff and ask: ‘right: how can we improve student satisfaction and recruitment?’
We ended up with over 100 people attending online in addition to those in the lecture theatre.
Lots of concerns about the proposed merger. Some of the points raised are in outline in this thread - I was live posting during the meeting.
Lots of concerns about the proposed merger. Some of the points raised are in outline in this thread - I was live posting during the meeting.
Our Town Hall to discuss the proposed merger with Greenwich Uni is underway - there over 80 people online and more in person in Grimmond Lecture Theatre 1.
November 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
We ended up with over 100 people attending online in addition to those in the lecture theatre.
Lots of concerns about the proposed merger. Some of the points raised are in outline in this thread - I was live posting during the meeting.
Lots of concerns about the proposed merger. Some of the points raised are in outline in this thread - I was live posting during the meeting.
Our Town Hall to discuss the proposed merger with Greenwich Uni is underway - there over 80 people online and more in person in Grimmond Lecture Theatre 1.
November 6, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Our Town Hall to discuss the proposed merger with Greenwich Uni is underway - there over 80 people online and more in person in Grimmond Lecture Theatre 1.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Mamdani got a humanities degree.
His win helps to illustrate that one of the central forces driving higher ed’s dissolution of the humanities is the fear that teaching people how power works can also lead to their interest in seizing it on behalf of the less powerful.
His win helps to illustrate that one of the central forces driving higher ed’s dissolution of the humanities is the fear that teaching people how power works can also lead to their interest in seizing it on behalf of the less powerful.
November 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Mamdani got a humanities degree.
His win helps to illustrate that one of the central forces driving higher ed’s dissolution of the humanities is the fear that teaching people how power works can also lead to their interest in seizing it on behalf of the less powerful.
His win helps to illustrate that one of the central forces driving higher ed’s dissolution of the humanities is the fear that teaching people how power works can also lead to their interest in seizing it on behalf of the less powerful.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
"Labour’s immigration crackdown could cost the UK £4.4bn, Home Office admits"
Labour’s immigration crackdown could cost the UK £4.4bn, Home Office admits
Starmer’s plan to make it harder for international students to stay in the UK will have a drastic impact on the economy, government assessment finds
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
"Labour’s immigration crackdown could cost the UK £4.4bn, Home Office admits"
Our Town Hall (WITH FREE LUNCH!!) is starting now - well, the eating part is!
Grimmond building - go an grab a sandwich.
The Town Hall starts at 1pm in Grimmond Lecture Theatre 1 and on Teams.
Grimmond building - go an grab a sandwich.
The Town Hall starts at 1pm in Grimmond Lecture Theatre 1 and on Teams.
November 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Our Town Hall (WITH FREE LUNCH!!) is starting now - well, the eating part is!
Grimmond building - go an grab a sandwich.
The Town Hall starts at 1pm in Grimmond Lecture Theatre 1 and on Teams.
Grimmond building - go an grab a sandwich.
The Town Hall starts at 1pm in Grimmond Lecture Theatre 1 and on Teams.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Compulsory team teaching on every module is perhaps the biggest ever threat to the quality of teaching in UK universities.
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
November 6, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Compulsory team teaching on every module is perhaps the biggest ever threat to the quality of teaching in UK universities.
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Vote!
#WeAreTheUni
#WeAreTheUni
Bought some ice cream from the cornershop & posted my @ucu.org.uk ballot.
As my dept rep said this week, pensions took 5 years to win, we've got to be dogged & stubborn even when we're tired.
There's no way (higher) education will get better without education workers fighting for it
#WeAreTheUni
As my dept rep said this week, pensions took 5 years to win, we've got to be dogged & stubborn even when we're tired.
There's no way (higher) education will get better without education workers fighting for it
#WeAreTheUni
November 5, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Vote!
#WeAreTheUni
#WeAreTheUni
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
The fortnightly newsletter from @ucucommons.bsky.social feels like a calm breath of insight + reflection, even when - as now - our HE sector is on fire. Thoughtful perspectives on developments + issues that matter.
The latest issue of our fortnightly newsletter includes a report from the HEC held on 10 October. Also featuring @davehitchcock.bsky.social, @matildaf.bsky.social, @hagenilda.bsky.social and more! #UKHE #UCU
ucucommons.substack.com/p/ucu-common...
ucucommons.substack.com/p/ucu-common...
UCU Commons newsletter #3, 5 November 2025
Our fortnightly round-up of union and sector specific news
ucucommons.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
The fortnightly newsletter from @ucucommons.bsky.social feels like a calm breath of insight + reflection, even when - as now - our HE sector is on fire. Thoughtful perspectives on developments + issues that matter.
Undergraduates studying the media examine this as a key part of their degrees.
This is another reason why the humanities are important.
This is another reason why the humanities are important.
School pupils are to be taught how to tackle conspiracy theories, spot 'fake news' & root out misinformation. The Daily Mail, ajudged by Wikipedia to be an unreliable new source, is furious. You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to work out why.
November 5, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Undergraduates studying the media examine this as a key part of their degrees.
This is another reason why the humanities are important.
This is another reason why the humanities are important.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Staff at Dundee University are taking action again next week to defend jobs and resist compulsory redundancies.
A year after the university’s financial crisis, uncertainty still hangs over hundreds of staff.
Solidarity with Dundee UCU members fighting for fairness and job security. ✊
A year after the university’s financial crisis, uncertainty still hangs over hundreds of staff.
Solidarity with Dundee UCU members fighting for fairness and job security. ✊
News that further job cuts are coming is just another shocking revelation in a year when staff have been told one thing only to be told something different over the number of jobs to be cut and the need for compulsory redundancies.
DUCU co-president, Melissa D’Ascenzio
news.stv.tv/north/dundee...
DUCU co-president, Melissa D’Ascenzio
news.stv.tv/north/dundee...
University staff strikes set to continue amid job cut threats
Further strike action is expected from UCU members from November 10 next week amid a long running dispute with university bosses.
news.stv.tv
November 5, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Staff at Dundee University are taking action again next week to defend jobs and resist compulsory redundancies.
A year after the university’s financial crisis, uncertainty still hangs over hundreds of staff.
Solidarity with Dundee UCU members fighting for fairness and job security. ✊
A year after the university’s financial crisis, uncertainty still hangs over hundreds of staff.
Solidarity with Dundee UCU members fighting for fairness and job security. ✊
Tomorrow we're holding a Town Hall event (with lunch provided!) to discuss the proposed merger with Greenwich University. All Kent UCU members have been sent an email about it, but do bring your non-union colleagues.
It's being held in Grimond Lecture Theatre 1 and on Teams.
It's being held in Grimond Lecture Theatre 1 and on Teams.
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Tomorrow we're holding a Town Hall event (with lunch provided!) to discuss the proposed merger with Greenwich University. All Kent UCU members have been sent an email about it, but do bring your non-union colleagues.
It's being held in Grimond Lecture Theatre 1 and on Teams.
It's being held in Grimond Lecture Theatre 1 and on Teams.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
I have to say as a former chair of the UCU Disabled Members Committee… this is becoming beyond bearable to watch happening inside of our own union. My branch @ucukent.bsky.social Has discussed this several times and on each occasion offered solidarity to our staff.
Being disabled shouldn’t mean you’re on a lower wage, or that you’re afraid to ask for support at work because it could hit you financially.
Having a reasonable adjustment should never lead to a pay cut.
But this is what’s happening to some UCU staff right now.
Short 🧵
Having a reasonable adjustment should never lead to a pay cut.
But this is what’s happening to some UCU staff right now.
Short 🧵
October 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I have to say as a former chair of the UCU Disabled Members Committee… this is becoming beyond bearable to watch happening inside of our own union. My branch @ucukent.bsky.social Has discussed this several times and on each occasion offered solidarity to our staff.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
I’m old enough to remember when everybody agreed that higher education was a “market” and offering “choice” was how the universities were meant to grow
on.ft.com/3WTwBue
on.ft.com/3WTwBue
October 27, 2025 at 7:32 AM
I’m old enough to remember when everybody agreed that higher education was a “market” and offering “choice” was how the universities were meant to grow
on.ft.com/3WTwBue
on.ft.com/3WTwBue
Solidarity from Kent!
Imperial UCU members are on strike today and tomorrow.
This action covers all parts of the College — academic, technical, administrative, and operational.
It’s about fairness, dignity, and pay that keeps pace with the cost of living.
This action covers all parts of the College — academic, technical, administrative, and operational.
It’s about fairness, dignity, and pay that keeps pace with the cost of living.
Joint Trade Unions
Joint Trade Unions
imperial.ac.uk
October 27, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Solidarity from Kent!
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Women in Iceland on #strike marking 50ys since the large women's strike
Focus on stopping violence against women and domestic violence
And on low paid jobs in care. Improving wages here needed to ensure closing the gender pay gap
@epsu.bsky.social
@strikemap.org
Focus on stopping violence against women and domestic violence
And on low paid jobs in care. Improving wages here needed to ensure closing the gender pay gap
@epsu.bsky.social
@strikemap.org
‘Still work to be done’: Iceland marks 50 years since Women’s Day Off protests
President says country is not free from feminist backlash being seen around world
www.theguardian.com
October 25, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Women in Iceland on #strike marking 50ys since the large women's strike
Focus on stopping violence against women and domestic violence
And on low paid jobs in care. Improving wages here needed to ensure closing the gender pay gap
@epsu.bsky.social
@strikemap.org
Focus on stopping violence against women and domestic violence
And on low paid jobs in care. Improving wages here needed to ensure closing the gender pay gap
@epsu.bsky.social
@strikemap.org
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Come to Nous for the 'competitive advantage', stay for exactly the same pret-a-porter cliches that they are hawking to everyone else.
October 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Come to Nous for the 'competitive advantage', stay for exactly the same pret-a-porter cliches that they are hawking to everyone else.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
The answer to "what is your USP?" is becoming ever more hard to answer given the sector wide shift to generic skills modules.
I see the hand of Nous consulting in this sudden shift too.
I see the hand of Nous consulting in this sudden shift too.
five years ago open days up and down the country, subjects like history giving talks about “unparalleled range of choice at [name of university]”. presumably in the near future the pitch will be more like: “we still offer some history!”
October 27, 2025 at 8:22 AM
The answer to "what is your USP?" is becoming ever more hard to answer given the sector wide shift to generic skills modules.
I see the hand of Nous consulting in this sudden shift too.
I see the hand of Nous consulting in this sudden shift too.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
At least at my institution, we don't have to _gain_ funding for promotion, we just have to _apply_ for it. However, we are increasingly told that we have to apply for BIG, multi-person projects, not piddly little 10-30k grants, and that we can only apply for grants that provide overheads.
October 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
At least at my institution, we don't have to _gain_ funding for promotion, we just have to _apply_ for it. However, we are increasingly told that we have to apply for BIG, multi-person projects, not piddly little 10-30k grants, and that we can only apply for grants that provide overheads.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Not to mention that in order to be competitive for the big grants, you have to have experience applying for, and -- if successful -- managing the small grants. Expecting ECRs to jump straight to a major UKRI/ERC grant is unrealistic.
October 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Not to mention that in order to be competitive for the big grants, you have to have experience applying for, and -- if successful -- managing the small grants. Expecting ECRs to jump straight to a major UKRI/ERC grant is unrealistic.
We're seeing plans for regular teaching observations by senior management being suggested.
With a depleted teaching body who've faced repeated redundancy and endless cost-cutting, to now micro-manage is not a way to improve staff morale.
Student learning conditions are our working ones.
With a depleted teaching body who've faced repeated redundancy and endless cost-cutting, to now micro-manage is not a way to improve staff morale.
Student learning conditions are our working ones.
'Proposals to reform assessment and the way teaching quality is measured risk standardising university curricula and treating institutions like big schools, critics have warned.'
'Big schools' does rather appear to sum up DfS's conception of universities, sadly. 1/3
'Big schools' does rather appear to sum up DfS's conception of universities, sadly. 1/3
Risk of ‘standardisation’ as ministers mull progression measures
Universities would look to ‘game’ new metric for testing learning gain, critics warn, with external examination defended as ‘best we’ve got’
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:07 AM
We're seeing plans for regular teaching observations by senior management being suggested.
With a depleted teaching body who've faced repeated redundancy and endless cost-cutting, to now micro-manage is not a way to improve staff morale.
Student learning conditions are our working ones.
With a depleted teaching body who've faced repeated redundancy and endless cost-cutting, to now micro-manage is not a way to improve staff morale.
Student learning conditions are our working ones.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
'Proposals to reform assessment and the way teaching quality is measured risk standardising university curricula and treating institutions like big schools, critics have warned.'
'Big schools' does rather appear to sum up DfS's conception of universities, sadly. 1/3
'Big schools' does rather appear to sum up DfS's conception of universities, sadly. 1/3
Risk of ‘standardisation’ as ministers mull progression measures
Universities would look to ‘game’ new metric for testing learning gain, critics warn, with external examination defended as ‘best we’ve got’
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:30 AM
'Proposals to reform assessment and the way teaching quality is measured risk standardising university curricula and treating institutions like big schools, critics have warned.'
'Big schools' does rather appear to sum up DfS's conception of universities, sadly. 1/3
'Big schools' does rather appear to sum up DfS's conception of universities, sadly. 1/3
This is the success rate for some major grant funding.
The system is broken.
UK Higher Education is broken.
14,000 people have left the sector in the past year.
The system is broken.
UK Higher Education is broken.
14,000 people have left the sector in the past year.
Given that people is asking me for the numbers, here the table provided by UKRI:
October 24, 2025 at 7:22 AM
This is the success rate for some major grant funding.
The system is broken.
UK Higher Education is broken.
14,000 people have left the sector in the past year.
The system is broken.
UK Higher Education is broken.
14,000 people have left the sector in the past year.