The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
@ucudmu.bsky.social
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
University of Brighton management has given notice to terminate its recognition agreement with UCU alongside collective agreements covering key terms and conditions.
This isn't just about Brighton. What happens here could have implications for branches across the UK.
This isn't just about Brighton. What happens here could have implications for branches across the UK.
September 30, 2026 at 12:33 PM
University of Brighton management has given notice to terminate its recognition agreement with UCU alongside collective agreements covering key terms and conditions.
This isn't just about Brighton. What happens here could have implications for branches across the UK.
This isn't just about Brighton. What happens here could have implications for branches across the UK.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
The University of Dundee is making over 100 people redundant next month
At the same time it is having to explain why it has so much cash that the Scottish Funding Council won’t release £27m of extra funding!
Join our strike to rule out compulsory redundancies.
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/business-...
At the same time it is having to explain why it has so much cash that the Scottish Funding Council won’t release £27m of extra funding!
Join our strike to rule out compulsory redundancies.
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/business-...
Dundee University emergency cash paused as auditors probe 'too much money' claims
External auditors PwC are reviewing the university at the request of the Scottish Funding Council.
www.thecourier.co.uk
September 30, 2026 at 6:07 AM
The University of Dundee is making over 100 people redundant next month
At the same time it is having to explain why it has so much cash that the Scottish Funding Council won’t release £27m of extra funding!
Join our strike to rule out compulsory redundancies.
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/business-...
At the same time it is having to explain why it has so much cash that the Scottish Funding Council won’t release £27m of extra funding!
Join our strike to rule out compulsory redundancies.
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/business-...
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Strike action begins this week!
Wednesday: meet on the steps outside Portland at noon to collect and then distribute flyers.
Thursday: picket from 8:30-11:30 on University Park's West Entrance and then walk to a 12 PM Rally at Trent's South Entrance.
See you there and solidarity.
Wednesday: meet on the steps outside Portland at noon to collect and then distribute flyers.
Thursday: picket from 8:30-11:30 on University Park's West Entrance and then walk to a 12 PM Rally at Trent's South Entrance.
See you there and solidarity.
September 28, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Strike action begins this week!
Wednesday: meet on the steps outside Portland at noon to collect and then distribute flyers.
Thursday: picket from 8:30-11:30 on University Park's West Entrance and then walk to a 12 PM Rally at Trent's South Entrance.
See you there and solidarity.
Wednesday: meet on the steps outside Portland at noon to collect and then distribute flyers.
Thursday: picket from 8:30-11:30 on University Park's West Entrance and then walk to a 12 PM Rally at Trent's South Entrance.
See you there and solidarity.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
DMU Politics & IR is proud to contribute to the Institute of Global Challenges and Cultures’ 2026–27 Migration, Integration and Conflict research seminar series. A great line-up of speakers and topics, beginning with Andreas Bieler in a couple of weeks! @dmuhistory.bsky.social @campolis.bsky.social
September 28, 2026 at 11:34 AM
DMU Politics & IR is proud to contribute to the Institute of Global Challenges and Cultures’ 2026–27 Migration, Integration and Conflict research seminar series. A great line-up of speakers and topics, beginning with Andreas Bieler in a couple of weeks! @dmuhistory.bsky.social @campolis.bsky.social
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
if anyone wants to understand the finances at the University of Edinburgh, the unions have done excellent work on this:
The Joint Universities Financial Working Group has produced detailed analysis of the university's actual financial position: www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk/ju-finance-w...
Dispute analysis by the Joint Unions Finance Working Group — UCU Edinburgh
www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk
September 28, 2026 at 8:40 AM
if anyone wants to understand the finances at the University of Edinburgh, the unions have done excellent work on this:
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
UCU picket at the Infomatics Building, Edinburgh University
September 28, 2026 at 8:55 AM
UCU picket at the Infomatics Building, Edinburgh University
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Day 1 of the strike by the workers of UCU Edinburgh against the manufactured deficit (which is not really a deficit), and against a senior management earning millions while staff disappear and education suffers.
Solidarity against this parasitical form of management of our higher education.
Solidarity against this parasitical form of management of our higher education.
September 28, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Day 1 of the strike by the workers of UCU Edinburgh against the manufactured deficit (which is not really a deficit), and against a senior management earning millions while staff disappear and education suffers.
Solidarity against this parasitical form of management of our higher education.
Solidarity against this parasitical form of management of our higher education.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Best of luck to @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social members going on strike for over a month. Nobody does this willingly - it’s a last resort, unlike that enormously rich university’s slash and burn tactics.
September 28, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Best of luck to @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social members going on strike for over a month. Nobody does this willingly - it’s a last resort, unlike that enormously rich university’s slash and burn tactics.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Indian oil and gas heir made professor of sustainability at Newcastle University
Indian oil and gas heir made professor of sustainability at Newcastle University
Incredulity over role for Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest person, who also runs a controversial mega-zoo
Newcastle University is facing a backlash from conservationists over the appointment of the heir to an Indian oil and gas fortune who runs a controversial mega-zoo as a professor of sustainability.
The university announced that Anant Ambani had been given a professorship of practice for “his work in conservation, biodiversity protection, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship” and “significant contributions to advancing a more sustainable future”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Indian oil and gas heir made professor of sustainability at Newcastle University
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
It's the classic “sustainable footing” argument from University of Essex
Axe 400 jobs, close a campus & tell the people left behind to do the extra work that it’s all for the future
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Axe 400 jobs, close a campus & tell the people left behind to do the extra work that it’s all for the future
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Essex university staff walk out in Colchester over 400 job cuts
About 50 people wave their placards on the picket line in Colchester.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 23, 2026 at 6:27 PM
It's the classic “sustainable footing” argument from University of Essex
Axe 400 jobs, close a campus & tell the people left behind to do the extra work that it’s all for the future
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Axe 400 jobs, close a campus & tell the people left behind to do the extra work that it’s all for the future
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Amazing turnout today on Day 4 of our picket to rule out compulsory redundancies.
September 24, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Amazing turnout today on Day 4 of our picket to rule out compulsory redundancies.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
It's a simple message...
September 24, 2026 at 7:41 AM
It's a simple message...
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Day4 of 25. The sun is out and we need everyone to come and join us today on the picket line.
If you’re in Dundee and well, get yourself down to the front of the Tower!
If you’re in Dundee and well, get yourself down to the front of the Tower!
September 24, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Day4 of 25. The sun is out and we need everyone to come and join us today on the picket line.
If you’re in Dundee and well, get yourself down to the front of the Tower!
If you’re in Dundee and well, get yourself down to the front of the Tower!
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
between 15,000 and 20,000 jobs in UK universities are actively at risk of being cut, on top of the tens of thousands already lost. 50% of UK universities are actively cutting staff.
Solidarity with anyone losing their job at the altar of corporate greed, but "some jobs are real jobs" indeed.
Solidarity with anyone losing their job at the altar of corporate greed, but "some jobs are real jobs" indeed.
I think it's absolutely mad that today there's a *national news story* about 400 oil platform workers losing their jobs, and the government being blamed.
25% of the UK TV industry lost their jobs in the last 4 years and we never hear a peep about it!
Some jobs are 'real jobs' I guess.
25% of the UK TV industry lost their jobs in the last 4 years and we never hear a peep about it!
Some jobs are 'real jobs' I guess.
September 22, 2026 at 8:58 AM
between 15,000 and 20,000 jobs in UK universities are actively at risk of being cut, on top of the tens of thousands already lost. 50% of UK universities are actively cutting staff.
Solidarity with anyone losing their job at the altar of corporate greed, but "some jobs are real jobs" indeed.
Solidarity with anyone losing their job at the altar of corporate greed, but "some jobs are real jobs" indeed.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Day 1 of 25 - Massive turnout today on our picket line. Thanks to Heather Anderson MSP and @maggiechapman.bsky.social for your support on the picket line this morning. And for all our amazing students from Students Against Cuts.
No compulsory redundancies.
#SaveDundeeUni
No compulsory redundancies.
#SaveDundeeUni
September 21, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Day 1 of 25 - Massive turnout today on our picket line. Thanks to Heather Anderson MSP and @maggiechapman.bsky.social for your support on the picket line this morning. And for all our amazing students from Students Against Cuts.
No compulsory redundancies.
#SaveDundeeUni
No compulsory redundancies.
#SaveDundeeUni
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
I’ve suddenly realised what actually happened in my workload meeting yesterday.
My head of dept offered me hourly-paid teaching on top of the proposed 0.5 role *to cover the shortfall caused by my own half-sacking*. (I said no - it’s a proper job or nothing).
My head of dept offered me hourly-paid teaching on top of the proposed 0.5 role *to cover the shortfall caused by my own half-sacking*. (I said no - it’s a proper job or nothing).
September 19, 2026 at 12:37 PM
I’ve suddenly realised what actually happened in my workload meeting yesterday.
My head of dept offered me hourly-paid teaching on top of the proposed 0.5 role *to cover the shortfall caused by my own half-sacking*. (I said no - it’s a proper job or nothing).
My head of dept offered me hourly-paid teaching on top of the proposed 0.5 role *to cover the shortfall caused by my own half-sacking*. (I said no - it’s a proper job or nothing).
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
'In the most notable case, the University of Nottingham’s University and College Union (UCU) branch has declared strike action of 67 days, expected to last for the majority of the autumn term, as the institution looks to cut 600 full-time equivalent jobs.'
UK universities face autumn of chaos as ‘prolonged’ strikes planned
Unprecedentedly long strikes at Nottingham, Edinburgh and Dundee could be the shape of things to come, observers say
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 21, 2026 at 6:41 AM
'In the most notable case, the University of Nottingham’s University and College Union (UCU) branch has declared strike action of 67 days, expected to last for the majority of the autumn term, as the institution looks to cut 600 full-time equivalent jobs.'
What if academics set up their own institutions?
Has the time come for us binned staff to start setting up our own actual universities? Leave the wreckage of neoliberal academia and publishing to the corporate warlords and their enablers and start again? I switch between this thought and settling down with the cat for a quiet life.
September 14, 2026 at 5:02 PM
What if academics set up their own institutions?
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Today my heart is with all colleagues facing redundancy (some for the umpteenth time), who were made redundant over the summer or who have simply had enough and left. Our sector is having its guts ripped out.
September 14, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Oooh a new tool! That's exciting. Wonder if it'll come with a new survey that takes up loads of time and ultimately both fails to protect jobs AND allows for job cuts in underperforming areas.
Listening to Universities Minister Jacqui Smith at the UUK conference. She mentions that the OFS is building a new tool to help understand local strengths in teaching and research which will be shared soon
September 10, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Oooh a new tool! That's exciting. Wonder if it'll come with a new survey that takes up loads of time and ultimately both fails to protect jobs AND allows for job cuts in underperforming areas.
Sure, why not add some unpaid labour to the cost of university.
At @universitiesuk.bsky.social conference with president Malcolm Press unveiling plan for all undergraduates in England to do work experience as part of their degrees. Coverage from @jgro-the.bsky.social: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/all-und...
September 10, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Sure, why not add some unpaid labour to the cost of university.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
What a MAMMOTH result. 100% the product of everyone's efforts over the summer.
September 9, 2026 at 5:33 PM
What a MAMMOTH result. 100% the product of everyone's efforts over the summer.
Our move, a few years ago, to "block teaching" means modules last 6-7 weeks. Entire programmes lost optionality and now have precisely 12 modules (if that). The pressure of intensive working is driving up stress: a moderate illness means people miss up to 1/3 of an entire module.
Many of my students work full-time and study full-time: I worried about how they could do both at all well. My university has now cut class hours to 348 across 3 years for the same fees as before. That’s both thin and greedy. A student could finish for the week by Monday afternoon, including lunch.
September 9, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Our move, a few years ago, to "block teaching" means modules last 6-7 weeks. Entire programmes lost optionality and now have precisely 12 modules (if that). The pressure of intensive working is driving up stress: a moderate illness means people miss up to 1/3 of an entire module.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
Many of my students work full-time and study full-time: I worried about how they could do both at all well. My university has now cut class hours to 348 across 3 years for the same fees as before. That’s both thin and greedy. A student could finish for the week by Monday afternoon, including lunch.
September 9, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Many of my students work full-time and study full-time: I worried about how they could do both at all well. My university has now cut class hours to 348 across 3 years for the same fees as before. That’s both thin and greedy. A student could finish for the week by Monday afternoon, including lunch.
Reposted by The UCU branch at De Montfort University Leicester
If you’re working in UKHE at an institution that doesn’t support time for research and scholarship, then you’re not working in a university. You’re working in a sort of debt processing plant that issues certificates and awards.
September 9, 2026 at 7:57 AM
If you’re working in UKHE at an institution that doesn’t support time for research and scholarship, then you’re not working in a university. You’re working in a sort of debt processing plant that issues certificates and awards.