UCU Commons
LightNews LightNews
ucucommons.org
UCU Commons
@ucucommons.org
1.3K followers 640 following 280 posts
UCU Commons is a broad activist community working within and alongside the University and College Union (UCU). We are also on http://UCUCommons.org #UCUCommons
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
ucucommons.org
UCU Commons @ucucommons.org · 7d
Newsletter #26! Including: goodbye to @vthuppil.bsky.social from NEC (😭), cas vacancy elections, @exeterucu.bsky.social news, UCU equality & anticas events, devolved nations HE funding, Lincoln Bishop's takeover, OfS v Sussex, & VCs at Reform conference (🤮) #UCU #UKHE

ucucommons.org/ucu-commons-...
UCU Commons newsletter #26, 9 September 2026
Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome a...
ucucommons.org
Reposted by UCU Commons
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
'Staff at the University of Essex are set to strike next week over cuts to 400 full-time jobs.

The union, Unison, said admissions advisors, IT technicians, admin workers and other professional services staff would walk out on Monday over the proposals.'
Essex University staff to strike over plans to cut 400 jobs
Staff will walk out over a plan to cut 400 jobs, which the university says will protect its future
www.bbc.co.uk
September 16, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
ucu.org.uk
UCU members at Brighton University face the threat of derecognition. We have called an emergency rally tomorrow at 1:15pm.

It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.

58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
September 14, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by UCU Commons
vthuppil.bsky.social
Just posted my vote for Madeleine Moore (1st pref) & Tilia Lenz (2nd pref) & for Helen Kelsall (Women's Rep FE)

The vote closes Thursday. So if like me, you have your completed ballot envelope sitting on your coffee table for weeks, get it to a letterbox by tomorrow to make sure it reaches on time!
Ballot paper for Madeleine Moore & Tilia Lenz (1st and 2nd preference respectively) for UK elected HE and for Helen Kelsall for Women's Rep FE being posted into a Royal Mail letterbox
September 14, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by UCU Commons
hagenilda.bsky.social
Hi, #UCU. UCU's Anti-casualisation committee are running an Equality & Anticas webinar on 23rd September, at 12.30pm and 5pm. Come and hear from chair Ben Pope, and speakers Suzi Toole, Andy Ward and Kevin Daws.

Links to register and more info in linked post. Please share and pass to contacts!
September 14, 2026 at 12:15 PM
ucucommons.org
Attention #UCU: today (10th Sept) is the LAST DAY to get replacement ballots ordered! It's now the last week to get your ballots in.

Replacement ballot link: yoursay.ucu.org.uk/s3/UCU-Casua...
September 10, 2026 at 8:35 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
drgillhistory.bsky.social
Lots of news this fortnight, and the academic year has hardly started!
September 9, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
rullsenberg.bsky.social
Enormously grateful for all the work and camaraderie provided by @vthuppil.bsky.social during my time being most active in UCU. His work on behalf of Migrant Members has been extensive but represents only a part of his activism within UCU. Thank you 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
September 9, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
rullsenberg.bsky.social
As ever, for an inside track on all manner of UCU activities and commentary, the @ucucommons.org newsletter is a cracking read. Sign up to ensure you get the insight!
September 9, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
matildaf.bsky.social
This edition of our newsletter is packed! VCs have obviously picked up a signal to start doing awful things again. #UCU #UKHE
September 9, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
hagenilda.bsky.social
I'm delighted for @vthuppil.bsky.social finding work putting his prodigious talents to good use, but I speak on behalf of the entire Commons crew when I say how gutted we are to lose him from NEC. He's a beautiful person with a strong moral compass and he leaves a nicer committee than he joined. 😭
September 9, 2026 at 8:08 AM
ucucommons.org
Newsletter #26! Including: goodbye to @vthuppil.bsky.social from NEC (😭), cas vacancy elections, @exeterucu.bsky.social news, UCU equality & anticas events, devolved nations HE funding, Lincoln Bishop's takeover, OfS v Sussex, & VCs at Reform conference (🤮) #UCU #UKHE

ucucommons.org/ucu-commons-...
UCU Commons newsletter #26, 9 September 2026
Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome a...
ucucommons.org
September 9, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
ucu.org.uk
Reform routinely attack universities as a "scam" and denigrate the value of higher education.

The VC of Manchester Met and president of Universities UK should be defending the sector. Not cosying up to those who want to undermine it. Full response ⬇️

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1463...
University boss criticised for appearing at Reform UK conference
The University and College Union (UCU) today criticised Universities UK president and Manchester Metropolitan University vice-chancellor, Malcolm Press, for appearing at Reform UK's conference in Birm...
www.ucu.org.uk
September 7, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by UCU Commons
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
'The need to outsource services following redundancy programmes may be increasing universities’ costs rather than lowering them, as well as impacting staff productivity, a report warns.'
Restructuring ‘too often adding cost rather than removing it’
Universities are ‘underestimating’ the challenges caused by outsourcing services amid major professional services staff redundancies, report warns
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 8, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
ucucommons.org
Attention, #UCU! There's 2 casual vacancy elections underway in which all HE members can vote.

Our recommendations are:

UK elected rep: Madeleine Moore 1, Tilia Lenz 2
Women's rep (FE): Helen Kelsall 1

More: ucucommons.org/madeleine/

Please vote in all categories on your ballot paper!
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 25, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Reposted by UCU Commons
ucu.org.uk
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.
September 2, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by UCU Commons
ucu.org.uk
The general secretary is spot on here. Our own poll exposed Reform’s data and now this report has exposed the dodgy money that paid for it.
A tweet by the general secretary Dr Jo Grady The poll commissioned by Reform was paid for by dodgy money. This poll said union members were backing reform. UCU commissioned our own poll and overwhelming members rejected that lie. Get Farage and his fake working class act out of politics.
September 4, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
exeterucu.bsky.social
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.
NO COMPULSORY REDUNDANCIES photo of Nicole Kidman looking incredibly joyful and free after her divorce from Tom Cruise was finalised
September 3, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by UCU Commons
www.theguardian.com/education/20...

A UCU spokesperson said: “We are horrified but hardly surprised to learn that management at Exeter are more interested in flogging military training to despotic regimes than in defending world-class humanities and social sciences teaching.”
Exeter University approves deal with Saudi Arabia to train military officers and officials
In move that could generate millions, Exeter academics to deliver MA at National Defense University in Riyadh
www.theguardian.com
August 29, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by UCU Commons
rullsenberg.bsky.social
Heartily endorse these recommendations and urge UCU folks to get their voting papers in!
ucucommons.org UCU Commons @ucucommons.org · 22d
Attention, #UCU! There's 2 casual vacancy elections underway in which all HE members can vote.

Our recommendations are:

UK elected rep: Madeleine Moore 1, Tilia Lenz 2
Women's rep (FE): Helen Kelsall 1

More: ucucommons.org/madeleine/

Please vote in all categories on your ballot paper!
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 29, 2026 at 9:31 AM
ucucommons.org
Still lots of time to dig out your ballot for the #UCU NEC casual vacancy elections, fill it in and send it back!

Deadline for receipt of all ballots 17 September.

Not received your ballot? Request a replacement: yoursay.ucu.org.uk/s3/UCU-Casua...

Our recommendations 👇👇👇
ucucommons.org UCU Commons @ucucommons.org · 22d
Attention, #UCU! There's 2 casual vacancy elections underway in which all HE members can vote.

Our recommendations are:

UK elected rep: Madeleine Moore 1, Tilia Lenz 2
Women's rep (FE): Helen Kelsall 1

More: ucucommons.org/madeleine/

Please vote in all categories on your ballot paper!
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 29, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
ucu.org.uk
A university is not a commodity.

Lincoln Bishop University is set to be effectively privatised following its takeover by Global University Systems.

Staff did not create this crisis and must not pay for it.

UCU will fight to protect jobs, conditions and the university’s educational mission.
UCU response to takeover of Lincoln Bishop University by Global University Systems
The University and College Union (UCU) has today responded to the takeover of Lincoln Bishop University by Global University Systems (GUS).
www.ucu.org.uk
August 28, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Reposted by UCU Commons
profalexp.bsky.social
My 3rd thread on the dispute at Exeter Uni. What are we fighting for? Is it just to save jobs? No. We need a workplace that is run by the expert professionals that make up the staff body. This 🧵 explains the governance reform proposals we have put to Council, Senate and the Uni Exec
#DefendExeterUni
profalexp.bsky.social Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 21d
This initiative, like so many others our members led on autonomously, is amazing and very simple. It demands a more equal balance of academic staff on Council, that senate have more elected members, that council is only quorate with 50% academic reps etc. ‘Lay’ council members are just not qualified
August 28, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
matildaf.bsky.social
This reminds me of a piece @drdiongeorgiou.bsky.social & I wrote a couple of years back, central to which is the brilliant Alex Sharpe's argument that academic freedom, paradoxically, involves subjecting oneself to rules governing disciplinary engagement & practice.

ucucommons.org/academic-fre...
August 27, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by UCU Commons
profalexp.bsky.social
A thread on the dispute at Exeter Uni. #ucu #defendexeteruni @ucu.org.uk

On 15 June HR called Exeter UCU into a confidential meeting and informed us they would be putting over 500 colleagues at risk of redundancy and expected to loose around 200 staff. The number of c.150 you’ll have seen is FTE.
August 26, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Reposted by UCU Commons
profalexp.bsky.social
Two tricky things for the UCU exec to explain to members in the early days: 1) the difference between a legal dispute and an industrial dispute. We could not win the former in time. Yes, getting lawyers involved helps make any redundancies unfair, but redress comes after you’ve lost your job
August 26, 2026 at 12:44 PM