Bee Hughes (they/them)
@beehughes.bsky.social
Senior lecturer, UCU branch secretary. Media, cultural studies, queer & gender things. Arts & crafts when I have time! 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🇵🇸
Thank you for joining us as our guest speaker!
An appropriately gothic setting for the “Blood, Myth and Media” symposium today at Liverpool John Moores, convened by @beehughes.bsky.social and Stella Gaynor. Some great interdisciplinary papers on blood in horror, health, forensics, fashion and more.
June 18, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Thank you for joining us as our guest speaker!
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
Way passed the threshold, #LincolnUCU members have smashed it!
Unless #LincolnUniversity rule out #compulsoryredundancies, we will strike!
Unless #LincolnUniversity rule out #compulsoryredundancies, we will strike!
June 6, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Way passed the threshold, #LincolnUCU members have smashed it!
Unless #LincolnUniversity rule out #compulsoryredundancies, we will strike!
Unless #LincolnUniversity rule out #compulsoryredundancies, we will strike!
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
COME AND JOIN US in the FIGHT FOR HE! 11 JUNE
📢 National Demo Announced at Newcastle University
UCU members from across the UK will descend on Newcastle on Wednesday 11 June for a national demonstration against job cuts.
✊ Join us and make your voice heard
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
UCU members from across the UK will descend on Newcastle on Wednesday 11 June for a national demonstration against job cuts.
✊ Join us and make your voice heard
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Newcastle University academics to strike for 30 more days
Industrial action among academics at Newcastle University has been extended again, alongside a national demonstration in Newcastle next week
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
June 4, 2025 at 9:27 PM
COME AND JOIN US in the FIGHT FOR HE! 11 JUNE
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
📢 National Demo Announced at Newcastle University
UCU members from across the UK will descend on Newcastle on Wednesday 11 June for a national demonstration against job cuts.
✊ Join us and make your voice heard
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
UCU members from across the UK will descend on Newcastle on Wednesday 11 June for a national demonstration against job cuts.
✊ Join us and make your voice heard
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Newcastle University academics to strike for 30 more days
Industrial action among academics at Newcastle University has been extended again, alongside a national demonstration in Newcastle next week
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
June 4, 2025 at 1:36 PM
📢 National Demo Announced at Newcastle University
UCU members from across the UK will descend on Newcastle on Wednesday 11 June for a national demonstration against job cuts.
✊ Join us and make your voice heard
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
UCU members from across the UK will descend on Newcastle on Wednesday 11 June for a national demonstration against job cuts.
✊ Join us and make your voice heard
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
🚨🚨CALL TO ACTION🚨🚨
The new EHRC chair candidate, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, has a history of transphobic actions. MPs *must* scrutinze her.
Sign the open letter and use the template to email the WEC to demand MPs protect trans rights!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
The new EHRC chair candidate, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, has a history of transphobic actions. MPs *must* scrutinze her.
Sign the open letter and use the template to email the WEC to demand MPs protect trans rights!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Letter to member of the Women and Equalities Committee, June 2025
Please fill out the form below by Friday, 20 June 2025, to add your signature to this letter. Share this form widely to anyone who might be interested.
The author, Anna Langley, is doing this to help...
docs.google.com
June 6, 2025 at 12:44 PM
🚨🚨CALL TO ACTION🚨🚨
The new EHRC chair candidate, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, has a history of transphobic actions. MPs *must* scrutinze her.
Sign the open letter and use the template to email the WEC to demand MPs protect trans rights!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
The new EHRC chair candidate, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, has a history of transphobic actions. MPs *must* scrutinze her.
Sign the open letter and use the template to email the WEC to demand MPs protect trans rights!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
🏳️⚧️🚨🏳️⚧️Please share!
Here is the guidance from @transactualuk.bsky.social @scottishtrans.bsky.social and #Mermaids on the EHRC Code of Practice consultation.
Overview: transactual.org.uk/equality-act...
Guidance: transactual.org.uk/equality-act...
**Please excuse temporary typos!** We're on it 😅
Here is the guidance from @transactualuk.bsky.social @scottishtrans.bsky.social and #Mermaids on the EHRC Code of Practice consultation.
Overview: transactual.org.uk/equality-act...
Guidance: transactual.org.uk/equality-act...
**Please excuse temporary typos!** We're on it 😅
June 2, 2025 at 5:54 PM
🏳️⚧️🚨🏳️⚧️Please share!
Here is the guidance from @transactualuk.bsky.social @scottishtrans.bsky.social and #Mermaids on the EHRC Code of Practice consultation.
Overview: transactual.org.uk/equality-act...
Guidance: transactual.org.uk/equality-act...
**Please excuse temporary typos!** We're on it 😅
Here is the guidance from @transactualuk.bsky.social @scottishtrans.bsky.social and #Mermaids on the EHRC Code of Practice consultation.
Overview: transactual.org.uk/equality-act...
Guidance: transactual.org.uk/equality-act...
**Please excuse temporary typos!** We're on it 😅
Solidarity to all of you @ducuuo.bsky.social!
Our industrial action is at the University of Dundee due to start on Monday 24th February.
Our members can find out more about our upcoming strike action here.
Find out how to go on strike and how this will affect you.
sites.dundee.ac.uk/ducu/crisis-...
Our members can find out more about our upcoming strike action here.
Find out how to go on strike and how this will affect you.
sites.dundee.ac.uk/ducu/crisis-...
FAQs on ASOS and Strikes – Dundee University and College UnionUniversity of Dundee logoSearchcontactcloseScroll leftChevron pointing downScroll rightSearchFacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagram
www.sites.dundee.ac.uk
February 24, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Solidarity to all of you @ducuuo.bsky.social!
Thank you Rhiannon - you’ve been an inspiration since I got active in UCU. Thanks for all you do and I know you will be a VP/President all UCU can be proud of.
If you haven’t posted your ballot you’ve got a few days! Please vote Rhiannon for VP
If you haven’t posted your ballot you’ve got a few days! Please vote Rhiannon for VP
. @beehughes.bsky.social is one of the very best UCU examples of how to build our equality work outwards, and widely respected for this across our union. I am really grateful to them for this endorsement
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com/2025/02/21/e...
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com/2025/02/21/e...
Endorsement from Bee Hughes, Vice-Chair UCU LGBT+ standing committee and LJMU UCU Branch Secretary
Bee at daybreak picket with UCU signs showing equality claim and pay falling Rhiannon is one of the most compassionate and knowledgeable trade unionists I know. She’s been instrumental in building …
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com
February 21, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Thank you Rhiannon - you’ve been an inspiration since I got active in UCU. Thanks for all you do and I know you will be a VP/President all UCU can be proud of.
If you haven’t posted your ballot you’ve got a few days! Please vote Rhiannon for VP
If you haven’t posted your ballot you’ve got a few days! Please vote Rhiannon for VP
Sending all the solidarity to our sibling branch at UoL - and all of you facing these horrific cuts. Staff, students and the future of academic thought all suffer at the hands of poor leadership
Grimmer and grimmer. Voluntary Leavers Scheme opens at Liverpool with July departure date for an unspecified number of staff. 'Academics have also been told there is no money to attend conferences'. 1/2
Liverpool and Edge Hill universities both plan staff cuts
Academics at Liverpool say ‘unexpected’ announcement has left people ‘shocked’
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 15, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Sending all the solidarity to our sibling branch at UoL - and all of you facing these horrific cuts. Staff, students and the future of academic thought all suffer at the hands of poor leadership
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
Excellent piece by @illdoitanyway.bsky.social in @timeshighered.bsky.social outlining a strategy for unions to defend jobs and HE
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/only...
@ducuuo.bsky.social @uculeft.bsky.social @ucuscotland.bsky.social #elections2025 #HigherEducation #UCU
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/only...
@ducuuo.bsky.social @uculeft.bsky.social @ucuscotland.bsky.social #elections2025 #HigherEducation #UCU
Only a nationwide strike can stem the carnage in UK higher education
Limiting industrial action to defensive branch battles on redundancy is not enough. We need to politically challenge the HE funding model, says Rhiannon Lockley
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 13, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Excellent piece by @illdoitanyway.bsky.social in @timeshighered.bsky.social outlining a strategy for unions to defend jobs and HE
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/only...
@ducuuo.bsky.social @uculeft.bsky.social @ucuscotland.bsky.social #elections2025 #HigherEducation #UCU
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/only...
@ducuuo.bsky.social @uculeft.bsky.social @ucuscotland.bsky.social #elections2025 #HigherEducation #UCU
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
In midst of heavy redundancies, with branch reps working into night & weekends, it’s v difficult to see how this q doesn’t:
- position union members as passive consumers right when we need action
- treat unpaid work of volunteers as something to be performance managed
Is this trade unionism?
- position union members as passive consumers right when we need action
- treat unpaid work of volunteers as something to be performance managed
Is this trade unionism?
February 11, 2025 at 10:19 AM
In midst of heavy redundancies, with branch reps working into night & weekends, it’s v difficult to see how this q doesn’t:
- position union members as passive consumers right when we need action
- treat unpaid work of volunteers as something to be performance managed
Is this trade unionism?
- position union members as passive consumers right when we need action
- treat unpaid work of volunteers as something to be performance managed
Is this trade unionism?
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
🚨 UCU hustings uploaded🚨
The union is going to the polls while the HE sector is in crisis. Watch me and Deepa Govindarajan Driver making the case for left & independent candidates & the fightback here: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1389...
The union is going to the polls while the HE sector is in crisis. Watch me and Deepa Govindarajan Driver making the case for left & independent candidates & the fightback here: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1389...
UCU election hustings 2025
Watch the official UCU hustings with UCU vice-president (HE) and honorary treasurer candidates, which took place online on Wednesday 5 February 2025, 16:30-18:00.
www.ucu.org.uk
February 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
🚨 UCU hustings uploaded🚨
The union is going to the polls while the HE sector is in crisis. Watch me and Deepa Govindarajan Driver making the case for left & independent candidates & the fightback here: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1389...
The union is going to the polls while the HE sector is in crisis. Watch me and Deepa Govindarajan Driver making the case for left & independent candidates & the fightback here: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1389...
Sorry to have missed the UK-wide UCU VP and Treasurer hustings today, but I hear @illdoitanyway.bsky.social and Deepa Driver were articulate, and had concrete plans on how to move forward. Read more about Rhiannon here: rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com
Rhiannon for UCU VP (Higher Education)
Vote Rhiannon Lockley (she/her) for UCU Vice President (Higher Education): ballots are live 27th January till 3rd March 2025
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com
February 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Sorry to have missed the UK-wide UCU VP and Treasurer hustings today, but I hear @illdoitanyway.bsky.social and Deepa Driver were articulate, and had concrete plans on how to move forward. Read more about Rhiannon here: rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
Chaos & heartbreak. The HE funding model is broken beyond repair. Solidarity with all the individual UCU branches who are fighting heroically to defend the sector. The leverage to push Labour on from the rotten ideology causing cuts - now & still coming - demands full union mobilisation.
Quarter of leading UK universities cutting staff due to budget shortfalls
Up to 10,000 redundancies or job losses feared as institutes undergo restructuring
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Chaos & heartbreak. The HE funding model is broken beyond repair. Solidarity with all the individual UCU branches who are fighting heroically to defend the sector. The leverage to push Labour on from the rotten ideology causing cuts - now & still coming - demands full union mobilisation.
It’s been *a month* at work, so I’m a bit behind in sharing my candidacy in the upcoming UCU NEC elections, I’m standing for 2 seats in the UCU nec elections, and though I can’t do both, if elected to either position I will do my best to represent and support our members.
January 30, 2025 at 6:15 PM
It’s been *a month* at work, so I’m a bit behind in sharing my candidacy in the upcoming UCU NEC elections, I’m standing for 2 seats in the UCU nec elections, and though I can’t do both, if elected to either position I will do my best to represent and support our members.
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
A big thank you to Elizabeth Lawrence, former President UCU. I first met Liz in the freezing cold at Sheffield station when she welcomed our branch campaign against TU victimisation to Yorks with strike funds & a list of solidarity visits booked.
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/e...
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/e...
Endorsement from Elizabeth Lawrence, former President of UCU
Image shows Liz Lawrence taking part in a demonstration, carrying a placard which reads “defend jobs, defend education, NO CUTS” I have known Rhiannon for over a decade as a union …
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com
December 17, 2024 at 6:06 PM
A big thank you to Elizabeth Lawrence, former President UCU. I first met Liz in the freezing cold at Sheffield station when she welcomed our branch campaign against TU victimisation to Yorks with strike funds & a list of solidarity visits booked.
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/e...
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/e...
Grant is an excellent candidate for UCU Scotland President. If I was able to, I’d vote for him
My election address for the upcoming UCU elections, including voting recommendations. grantbuttarsucu.wordpress.com/2024/12/04/e...
Election Address 2025
I am standing for the role of UCU Scotland President. At present, I am UCU Scotland Vice President and this is my third term on UCU Scotland Executive, having also served 2 terms as an ordina…
grantbuttarsucu.wordpress.com
December 13, 2024 at 12:36 PM
Grant is an excellent candidate for UCU Scotland President. If I was able to, I’d vote for him
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
I'm not a member of @uculeft.bsky.social but fully endorse this as an accurate account of yesterday's HEC meeting uculeft.org/hec-votes-fo...
Members deserve to be told the whole story.
Members deserve to be told the whole story.
HEC votes for a ballot – and a campaign to save the sector
The fight is on to save Higher Education. UCU’s Higher Education Committee (HEC) met on Thursday 12 December to consider what the union should do in the light of the financial crisis hitting our se…
uculeft.org
December 13, 2024 at 11:53 AM
I'm not a member of @uculeft.bsky.social but fully endorse this as an accurate account of yesterday's HEC meeting uculeft.org/hec-votes-fo...
Members deserve to be told the whole story.
Members deserve to be told the whole story.
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
📣Tell Wes Streeting:
🏳️⚧️Lift the ban on Puberty blockers, trans healthcare now, protect trans kids
🗓️5pm, Monday 16th December
📍Wes Streeting’s constituency office, 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Avenue, Ilford, IG4 5EP
Organised by local community activists and trade unionists
#TransRight
🏳️⚧️Lift the ban on Puberty blockers, trans healthcare now, protect trans kids
🗓️5pm, Monday 16th December
📍Wes Streeting’s constituency office, 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Avenue, Ilford, IG4 5EP
Organised by local community activists and trade unionists
#TransRight
December 13, 2024 at 12:26 PM
📣Tell Wes Streeting:
🏳️⚧️Lift the ban on Puberty blockers, trans healthcare now, protect trans kids
🗓️5pm, Monday 16th December
📍Wes Streeting’s constituency office, 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Avenue, Ilford, IG4 5EP
Organised by local community activists and trade unionists
#TransRight
🏳️⚧️Lift the ban on Puberty blockers, trans healthcare now, protect trans kids
🗓️5pm, Monday 16th December
📍Wes Streeting’s constituency office, 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Avenue, Ilford, IG4 5EP
Organised by local community activists and trade unionists
#TransRight
The callousness of the puberty blocker ban for trans young people (not cis kids) is hard to process. We must organise in every space we can to overturn it. Solidarity with all my trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming siblings & adults supporting trans kids #PubertyBlockersSaveLives #TransRights
December 13, 2024 at 8:24 AM
The callousness of the puberty blocker ban for trans young people (not cis kids) is hard to process. We must organise in every space we can to overturn it. Solidarity with all my trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming siblings & adults supporting trans kids #PubertyBlockersSaveLives #TransRights
Solidarity to all @uniteucu.bsky.social members on strike in the coming days
Strike action Mon 9 Dec:
🪧 Pickets from 08:30
✊ Rally at 10:00
Location:
Carlow St, London @ucu HQ
Bring your banners, your friends and your solidarity
#SupportTheStrike
#ReclaimUCU
🪧 Pickets from 08:30
✊ Rally at 10:00
Location:
Carlow St, London @ucu HQ
Bring your banners, your friends and your solidarity
#SupportTheStrike
#ReclaimUCU
December 8, 2024 at 9:02 PM
Solidarity to all @uniteucu.bsky.social members on strike in the coming days
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
Oh rats. As mentioned in our @ducu.bsky.social GM on Friday -- this is what we feared *could* happen 😱
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Many unable to access eVisas to prove right to be in UK, Home Office admits
Campaigners say problems with digital transfer could affect hundreds of thousands of people on ‘10-year route’ visas
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2024 at 8:35 PM
Oh rats. As mentioned in our @ducu.bsky.social GM on Friday -- this is what we feared *could* happen 😱
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
Today marks UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
We reiterate the demands for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate & unconditional release of all hostages, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, & the lifting of the siege of Gaza.
Find out more👇
un.org/en/observanc...
We reiterate the demands for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate & unconditional release of all hostages, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, & the lifting of the siege of Gaza.
Find out more👇
un.org/en/observanc...
November 29, 2024 at 2:01 PM
Today marks UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
We reiterate the demands for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate & unconditional release of all hostages, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, & the lifting of the siege of Gaza.
Find out more👇
un.org/en/observanc...
We reiterate the demands for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate & unconditional release of all hostages, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, & the lifting of the siege of Gaza.
Find out more👇
un.org/en/observanc...
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
Solidarity with @neunion.bsky.social members on strike today ✊
Staff at Sixth Form Colleges making a stand on pay and defending national collective bargaining.
#PayUp24
Staff at Sixth Form Colleges making a stand on pay and defending national collective bargaining.
#PayUp24
November 28, 2024 at 10:27 AM
Solidarity with @neunion.bsky.social members on strike today ✊
Staff at Sixth Form Colleges making a stand on pay and defending national collective bargaining.
#PayUp24
Staff at Sixth Form Colleges making a stand on pay and defending national collective bargaining.
#PayUp24
Reposted by Bee Hughes (they/them)
We should not be in this position as a union.
Pause the restructure and engage urgently in negotiations.
Solidarity.
Pause the restructure and engage urgently in negotiations.
Solidarity.
🚨 THREE DAY WALKOUT CALLED 🚨
Our members will take strike action from 9-11 December after our employer further breached our long-running dispute & failed to prioritise finding a resolution. We take action reluctantly & are sorry to impact @ucu.org.uk members:
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2024/11/26/s...
Our members will take strike action from 9-11 December after our employer further breached our long-running dispute & failed to prioritise finding a resolution. We take action reluctantly & are sorry to impact @ucu.org.uk members:
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2024/11/26/s...
Strike notice served on the employer
Three days of continuous strike action to begin on Monday 9 December in the Campaign for a Safe and Professional Workplace Culture dispute On Friday, at our Emergency SGM on the restructure, member…
uniteucu.wordpress.com
November 27, 2024 at 7:57 AM
We should not be in this position as a union.
Pause the restructure and engage urgently in negotiations.
Solidarity.
Pause the restructure and engage urgently in negotiations.
Solidarity.