Mark Pendleton
@markpendleton.bsky.social
Historian (mostly of Japan) and trade unionist (mostly in UCU). UCU Vice-president for Higher Ed. He/him
Pinned
UCU’s elections concluded this week and I am honoured to have been elected as the next Vice-President for Higher Education, to become President in 2029-30.
Thank you for all the support.
A short statement about the election and what’s to come after I take up the role in May.
Thank you for all the support.
A short statement about the election and what’s to come after I take up the role in May.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Huge. Huge testament to the power of organising. Huge relief for Exeter friends and colleagues. Huge waste of time and resources. Huge reputational damage done. Huge warning to universities who want to treat their staff like they don’t matter.
The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.
September 3, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Huge. Huge testament to the power of organising. Huge relief for Exeter friends and colleagues. Huge waste of time and resources. Huge reputational damage done. Huge warning to universities who want to treat their staff like they don’t matter.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.
September 3, 2026 at 3:10 PM
The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
A victory of sorts. We may have lost around 100 colleagues, who left ‘voluntarily’, but no one was sacked, our ballot closes on Wednesday and not all our conditions have been met (eg workloads), and we are in a very different place as staff and Union. Time to #ReclaimExeterUni
@ucu.org.uk
@ucu.org.uk
The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.
September 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM
A victory of sorts. We may have lost around 100 colleagues, who left ‘voluntarily’, but no one was sacked, our ballot closes on Wednesday and not all our conditions have been met (eg workloads), and we are in a very different place as staff and Union. Time to #ReclaimExeterUni
@ucu.org.uk
@ucu.org.uk
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Sheffield UCU members have had enough.
Repeated restructures, job cuts and relentless change facing staff at the University of Sheffield.
84% of voting staff and PhD students recently said they have no confidence in university management.
Please watch and share.
Repeated restructures, job cuts and relentless change facing staff at the University of Sheffield.
84% of voting staff and PhD students recently said they have no confidence in university management.
Please watch and share.
September 2, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Sheffield UCU members have had enough.
Repeated restructures, job cuts and relentless change facing staff at the University of Sheffield.
84% of voting staff and PhD students recently said they have no confidence in university management.
Please watch and share.
Repeated restructures, job cuts and relentless change facing staff at the University of Sheffield.
84% of voting staff and PhD students recently said they have no confidence in university management.
Please watch and share.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
🎥 We are putting together a package to support and amplify every single dispute in the union.
Today is our first ever local dispute video from the brilliant Glasgow Caledonian UCU Branch who are fighting to protect jobs.
Please give it a watch and share.
Today is our first ever local dispute video from the brilliant Glasgow Caledonian UCU Branch who are fighting to protect jobs.
Please give it a watch and share.
August 29, 2026 at 12:28 PM
🎥 We are putting together a package to support and amplify every single dispute in the union.
Today is our first ever local dispute video from the brilliant Glasgow Caledonian UCU Branch who are fighting to protect jobs.
Please give it a watch and share.
Today is our first ever local dispute video from the brilliant Glasgow Caledonian UCU Branch who are fighting to protect jobs.
Please give it a watch and share.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Our second local dispute video comes from Nottingham UCU, where members are fighting to protect more than 700 jobs and defend vital courses.
They’ve already taken action and are gearing up for more.
Please give it a watch and share in solidarity with Nottingham UCU.
They’ve already taken action and are gearing up for more.
Please give it a watch and share in solidarity with Nottingham UCU.
September 2, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Our second local dispute video comes from Nottingham UCU, where members are fighting to protect more than 700 jobs and defend vital courses.
They’ve already taken action and are gearing up for more.
Please give it a watch and share in solidarity with Nottingham UCU.
They’ve already taken action and are gearing up for more.
Please give it a watch and share in solidarity with Nottingham UCU.
84% of staff and research students at Sheffield Uni vote no confidence in the current leadership. This is no surprise after years of upheaval, lack of direction and “change” for the sake of change.
Nobody, least of all the VC, knows what he’s doing or why.
@sheffielducu.bsky.social
Nobody, least of all the VC, knows what he’s doing or why.
@sheffielducu.bsky.social
August 21, 2026 at 5:17 PM
84% of staff and research students at Sheffield Uni vote no confidence in the current leadership. This is no surprise after years of upheaval, lack of direction and “change” for the sake of change.
Nobody, least of all the VC, knows what he’s doing or why.
@sheffielducu.bsky.social
Nobody, least of all the VC, knows what he’s doing or why.
@sheffielducu.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Hi #UCU. My voting recommendations for the NEC casual vacancy ballots which drop this week. Please share!
For UK-wide HE:
Madeleine Moore 1
Tilia Lenz 2
For Women's rep FE:
Helen Kelsall 1
More on our wonderful Maddie here! ucucommons.org/madeleine/
For UK-wide HE:
Madeleine Moore 1
Tilia Lenz 2
For Women's rep FE:
Helen Kelsall 1
More on our wonderful Maddie here! ucucommons.org/madeleine/
Casual NEC vacancies
Casual NEC vacancies
UK-elected member (HE)
UCU Commons is delighted that our member Madeleine Moore (Loughborough University) is standing for the current casual vacancy (UK-elected membe...
ucucommons.org
August 21, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Hi #UCU. My voting recommendations for the NEC casual vacancy ballots which drop this week. Please share!
For UK-wide HE:
Madeleine Moore 1
Tilia Lenz 2
For Women's rep FE:
Helen Kelsall 1
More on our wonderful Maddie here! ucucommons.org/madeleine/
For UK-wide HE:
Madeleine Moore 1
Tilia Lenz 2
For Women's rep FE:
Helen Kelsall 1
More on our wonderful Maddie here! ucucommons.org/madeleine/
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
The UK is in its fifth heatwave.
Wildfires. Drought. Record-breaking heat.
Exeter University’s response? Close Geography in Cornwall and put vital climate expertise at risk.
We need this expertise more than ever.
#DefendExeterUni
Wildfires. Drought. Record-breaking heat.
Exeter University’s response? Close Geography in Cornwall and put vital climate expertise at risk.
We need this expertise more than ever.
#DefendExeterUni
August 14, 2026 at 9:47 AM
The UK is in its fifth heatwave.
Wildfires. Drought. Record-breaking heat.
Exeter University’s response? Close Geography in Cornwall and put vital climate expertise at risk.
We need this expertise more than ever.
#DefendExeterUni
Wildfires. Drought. Record-breaking heat.
Exeter University’s response? Close Geography in Cornwall and put vital climate expertise at risk.
We need this expertise more than ever.
#DefendExeterUni
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
I've just heard that the BA/BSc Geography programme is to close at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Geography and Environmental Science (CGES) in Cornwall. This programme was made up of excellent modules with original and content, taught brilliantly—often with real innovation—by extremely 1/9
August 13, 2026 at 12:54 PM
I've just heard that the BA/BSc Geography programme is to close at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Geography and Environmental Science (CGES) in Cornwall. This programme was made up of excellent modules with original and content, taught brilliantly—often with real innovation—by extremely 1/9
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Great to see the Guardian champion the SHAPE (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) subjects, but this piece gives impression that they are expensive, whereas many are 'cheap to teach' subjects subsidising more expensive subjects, mainly in STEM and medicine. The crisis demands better understanding.
The Guardian view on humanities cuts in universities: academic departments are more than cost centres | Editorial
Editorial: Literature, the arts and social sciences must not be sacrificed as higher education funding is squeezed
www.theguardian.com
July 21, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Great to see the Guardian champion the SHAPE (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) subjects, but this piece gives impression that they are expensive, whereas many are 'cheap to teach' subjects subsidising more expensive subjects, mainly in STEM and medicine. The crisis demands better understanding.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
CDBU’s Chair has penned an open letter to the new Prime Minister, read now on our blog: cdbu.org.uk/open-letter-...
Open Letter to the Prime Minister - CDBU
20 July 2026 Dear Prime Minister On behalf of the Council for the Defence of British Universities (CDBU), I request a meeting with you to discuss Higher Education. The sector needs a review of managem...
cdbu.org.uk
July 20, 2026 at 7:49 AM
CDBU’s Chair has penned an open letter to the new Prime Minister, read now on our blog: cdbu.org.uk/open-letter-...
It was great to get out amongst the many UCU members who were at the Durham Miners Gala last weekend.
Stick together and keep fighting is the message.
For our sector, our colleagues, our disciplines and departments, and our value as educators and workers.
#ucu
Stick together and keep fighting is the message.
For our sector, our colleagues, our disciplines and departments, and our value as educators and workers.
#ucu
Stick together. Keep fighting.
UCU members at the Durham Miners’ Gala on what the day means to them and their message for everyone facing job cuts right now ✊
UCU members at the Durham Miners’ Gala on what the day means to them and their message for everyone facing job cuts right now ✊
July 16, 2026 at 2:50 PM
It was great to get out amongst the many UCU members who were at the Durham Miners Gala last weekend.
Stick together and keep fighting is the message.
For our sector, our colleagues, our disciplines and departments, and our value as educators and workers.
#ucu
Stick together and keep fighting is the message.
For our sector, our colleagues, our disciplines and departments, and our value as educators and workers.
#ucu
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
What can we learn from data about the current trends in university staffing in the humanities, social sciences and arts subjects? 🧵
Read on for key insights or see the full analysis: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
Read on for key insights or see the full analysis: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
July 15, 2026 at 7:02 AM
What can we learn from data about the current trends in university staffing in the humanities, social sciences and arts subjects? 🧵
Read on for key insights or see the full analysis: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
Read on for key insights or see the full analysis: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Hey #UCU,
I just released v1 of another @ucucommons.org project: JNCHES vs Inflation.
Site: jnchesvinflation.streamlit.app
Blog post: ucucommons.org/project-jnches-vs-inflation/
It's depressing but may be helpful!
I just released v1 of another @ucucommons.org project: JNCHES vs Inflation.
Site: jnchesvinflation.streamlit.app
Blog post: ucucommons.org/project-jnches-vs-inflation/
It's depressing but may be helpful!
Project: JNCHES vs Inflation
We're happy to announce a new UCU Commons Project: JNCHES vs. Inflation. We've extracted pay spine point data going back to 2005 and plotted it in a number of ways against several inflation measures.
ucucommons.org
June 2, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Hey #UCU,
I just released v1 of another @ucucommons.org project: JNCHES vs Inflation.
Site: jnchesvinflation.streamlit.app
Blog post: ucucommons.org/project-jnches-vs-inflation/
It's depressing but may be helpful!
I just released v1 of another @ucucommons.org project: JNCHES vs Inflation.
Site: jnchesvinflation.streamlit.app
Blog post: ucucommons.org/project-jnches-vs-inflation/
It's depressing but may be helpful!
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
If I hear one more university leader say they're making "tough decisions" about redundancies or worsening our employment conditions, I will scream. They are not making tough choices, they're making the easiest decisions in the world. Tough decisions would be fighting the inevitability of job losses
May 29, 2026 at 10:59 AM
If I hear one more university leader say they're making "tough decisions" about redundancies or worsening our employment conditions, I will scream. They are not making tough choices, they're making the easiest decisions in the world. Tough decisions would be fighting the inevitability of job losses
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Equality is not conditional. Dignity at work is not negotiable.
The EHRC Code of Practice has been published. UCU is examining it urgently.
This is a significant and unsettling moment and we will not leave branches to navigate it alone.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1451...
The EHRC Code of Practice has been published. UCU is examining it urgently.
This is a significant and unsettling moment and we will not leave branches to navigate it alone.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1451...
May 22, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Equality is not conditional. Dignity at work is not negotiable.
The EHRC Code of Practice has been published. UCU is examining it urgently.
This is a significant and unsettling moment and we will not leave branches to navigate it alone.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1451...
The EHRC Code of Practice has been published. UCU is examining it urgently.
This is a significant and unsettling moment and we will not leave branches to navigate it alone.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1451...
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Everyone read the end of it:
"Governments in Scotland and Wales have finally realised that a viable, meaningful higher education sector needs greater oversight and control, and cannot be left wholly to the market. Now Westminster needs to wake up to this need for joined-up thinking"
"Governments in Scotland and Wales have finally realised that a viable, meaningful higher education sector needs greater oversight and control, and cannot be left wholly to the market. Now Westminster needs to wake up to this need for joined-up thinking"
The Society's President and Council have released the following statement on the proposed closure of undergraduate degrees at the University of Hertfordshire, in #History and the wider humanities bit.ly/4dmV5oO
This comes at a time of further bad news from Essex and Nottingham #Skystorians
This comes at a time of further bad news from Essex and Nottingham #Skystorians
History and the humanities at the University of Hertfordshire – a statement from the Royal Historical Society - RHS
Even for those familiar with bleak times, this has been a particularly bad few weeks in UK higher education. Confirmed job losses at the University of Essex were followed by further bad news from Hert...
bit.ly
May 21, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Everyone read the end of it:
"Governments in Scotland and Wales have finally realised that a viable, meaningful higher education sector needs greater oversight and control, and cannot be left wholly to the market. Now Westminster needs to wake up to this need for joined-up thinking"
"Governments in Scotland and Wales have finally realised that a viable, meaningful higher education sector needs greater oversight and control, and cannot be left wholly to the market. Now Westminster needs to wake up to this need for joined-up thinking"
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
The Society's President and Council have released the following statement on the proposed closure of undergraduate degrees at the University of Hertfordshire, in #History and the wider humanities bit.ly/4dmV5oO
This comes at a time of further bad news from Essex and Nottingham #Skystorians
This comes at a time of further bad news from Essex and Nottingham #Skystorians
History and the humanities at the University of Hertfordshire – a statement from the Royal Historical Society - RHS
Even for those familiar with bleak times, this has been a particularly bad few weeks in UK higher education. Confirmed job losses at the University of Essex were followed by further bad news from Hert...
bit.ly
May 21, 2026 at 11:19 AM
The Society's President and Council have released the following statement on the proposed closure of undergraduate degrees at the University of Hertfordshire, in #History and the wider humanities bit.ly/4dmV5oO
This comes at a time of further bad news from Essex and Nottingham #Skystorians
This comes at a time of further bad news from Essex and Nottingham #Skystorians
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Solidarity with all trans + people today.
And if you're cis like me and have any agency in shaping your institution's policies regarding toilets etc, please exercise it in defence against those who want to take away human rights.
And if you're cis like me and have any agency in shaping your institution's policies regarding toilets etc, please exercise it in defence against those who want to take away human rights.
May 21, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Solidarity with all trans + people today.
And if you're cis like me and have any agency in shaping your institution's policies regarding toilets etc, please exercise it in defence against those who want to take away human rights.
And if you're cis like me and have any agency in shaping your institution's policies regarding toilets etc, please exercise it in defence against those who want to take away human rights.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
Today @drjogrady.bsky.social wrote to the University of Reading.
Trans staff and students are being forced into formal grievances just to find out why policies that affect their daily lives exist.
That is not legal compliance. It is institutional opacity. We’re calling on Reading to act.
Trans staff and students are being forced into formal grievances just to find out why policies that affect their daily lives exist.
That is not legal compliance. It is institutional opacity. We’re calling on Reading to act.
May 20, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Today @drjogrady.bsky.social wrote to the University of Reading.
Trans staff and students are being forced into formal grievances just to find out why policies that affect their daily lives exist.
That is not legal compliance. It is institutional opacity. We’re calling on Reading to act.
Trans staff and students are being forced into formal grievances just to find out why policies that affect their daily lives exist.
That is not legal compliance. It is institutional opacity. We’re calling on Reading to act.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
The UKHE sector needs ofc government intervention asap. But we also need to find a way to end the professionalisation of university upper management. We need to end the insulation of upper management from the rest of colleagues. We need to end revolving doors for VCs between institutions.
May 19, 2026 at 8:52 PM
The UKHE sector needs ofc government intervention asap. But we also need to find a way to end the professionalisation of university upper management. We need to end the insulation of upper management from the rest of colleagues. We need to end revolving doors for VCs between institutions.
Reposted by Mark Pendleton
China Studies and Chemistry: don't be fooled into thinking their only connection is that they both start with 'Ch'. Our disciplines are connected organisationally, financially, and intellectually in more ways than you think in the university system. Stronger together, weaker without each other.
May 19, 2026 at 9:43 PM
China Studies and Chemistry: don't be fooled into thinking their only connection is that they both start with 'Ch'. Our disciplines are connected organisationally, financially, and intellectually in more ways than you think in the university system. Stronger together, weaker without each other.
Actually, I shouldn’t write this in the passive tense. This is an active choice by these people: sheffield.ac.uk/ueb/team-pro...
We should take steps to revoke the professional recognition of colleagues who are destroying our fields. They are not worthy of membership of our communities.
We should take steps to revoke the professional recognition of colleagues who are destroying our fields. They are not worthy of membership of our communities.
May 19, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Actually, I shouldn’t write this in the passive tense. This is an active choice by these people: sheffield.ac.uk/ueb/team-pro...
We should take steps to revoke the professional recognition of colleagues who are destroying our fields. They are not worthy of membership of our communities.
We should take steps to revoke the professional recognition of colleagues who are destroying our fields. They are not worthy of membership of our communities.