Dr Rhian Elinor Keyse
drrhianelinor.bsky.social
Dr Rhian Elinor Keyse
@drrhianelinor.bsky.social
Socialist feminist. HE worker (historian: gender based violence/medicine/psychiatry/🇬🇭/🇰🇪). Trade unionist: UCU NEC. Cat lady. 🏳️‍🌈.
Thank you Anna. Unfortunately the motion fell off the agenda due to time. If we need to bring it back next year, we will. The issue isn't going anywhere and neither are survivors in UCU.
May 27, 2025 at 9:32 AM
I used to live 2 mins from RAMM and considered it my personal collection. Loved that place. Glad to see wonderful things still happening
May 21, 2025 at 8:34 PM
It's almost like people are making excuses for things they don't want to do for other reasons isn't it
May 17, 2025 at 8:59 PM
thank you my love. and thank you for your support in this work, always. I know it matters to us both (and is partly how we became friends!) Almost can't believe we're still having the same arguments but I'm really hoping delegates will stand with survivors, and evidence, here.
May 17, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Honestly, I feel sick at having to stand up at Congress for what must be the 6th year in a row to speak about attitudes to GBV in our union. As a survivor, it's wearing and the trauma symptoms are strong this week in the run-up. Please stand with survivors and support this motion this week.
May 17, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I'll end with two practical steps:
Find out who your congress delegates are and urge them to support HE38 - and ask them how they voted when they get back.
Pass the @the1752group.bsky.social model motion in your own branch.
May 17, 2025 at 9:48 AM
"But what if my wife wants to study a degree at my institution?"

On these edge cases: no one is asking anyone to get a divorce! This is about staff *entering into* new relationships with students.
May 17, 2025 at 9:45 AM
1752group.com/ucu/

The pack has a model branch motion, along with a range of interesting research and resources that members can use to learn more about why this matters.
UCU resource pack
This page introduces a FAQ and a model motion to support UCU branches in the UK in putting forward a motion to prohibit staff from entering into intimate relationships with students over whom they …
1752group.com
May 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Several UCU branches have passed motions calling for bans on staff-student intimate relationships already. I was pleased to work with @the1752group.bsky.social on this resource pack for @ucu.org.uk branches, setting out the research and the need for a strong UCU stance, with some practical steps.
May 17, 2025 at 9:41 AM
In short, these issues aren't going anywhere. From a purely practical point of view we need to decide where we stand, and I hope it's with survivors.
May 17, 2025 at 9:40 AM
In Wales, Medr is gathering information on tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence in higher education:

www.medr.cymru/en/News/medr...
Medr/2024/05: Tackling violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence in higher education - Medr
www.medr.cymru
May 17, 2025 at 9:39 AM
For institutions in England, OfS is introducing a regulatory duty on this issue from August - institutions will be expected to demonstrate clear steps to protect students. UCU needs a clear stance in the inevitable negotiations with employers.
1752group.com/office-for-s...
Office for Students’ regulation: our perspective
The Office for Students (OfS) has published their regulatory requirements – to come into effect from 1 August 2025 – for all higher education institutions (HEIs) in England to address harassment an…
1752group.com
May 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
HEC passed a motion last year to be discussed at the HESC which was sadly cancelled due to the failure of UCU management to resolve the dispute with their own staff around workplace racism and toxicity. So, we go again this year.
May 17, 2025 at 9:34 AM
UCU claims to challenge 'all forms of sexual violence'. Let's start with action rather than platitudes. and take a strong position on this. Clear rules protect staff and students alike.
May 17, 2025 at 9:33 AM
When the union fails to stand against this kind of abuse, it sends a message to survivors (who are often members) that it's not just their abuser against them, nor their institution, but their whole *trade union*.
May 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
It's all there, in union branding, in the 2021 UCU Sexual Violence Task Group report: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1081...
Sexual violence task group
The sexual violence task group was made up of 13 UCU members who worked together to produce research and recommendations which will inform UCU's campaigning in this area.
www.ucu.org.uk
May 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM