Chris Pritchard
@chrispritchard.co.uk
Senior Lecturer in Paramedic Practice and Emergency Care at NTU. NTU @UCU.org.uk Branch Secretary, East Midlands Regional Secretary & National Executive Committee Member.
#OpenResearch #EduSky
also on #FediVerse https://mastodon.me.uk/@chrispritchard
#OpenResearch #EduSky
also on #FediVerse https://mastodon.me.uk/@chrispritchard
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
Automation is a means, not an outcome.
Our @sinisavilaakso.bsky.social, @nealhaddaway.bsky.social , @chrispritchard.co.uk latest commentary argues that we should be careful not to equate AI-assisted automation with demonstrated efficiency in evidence synthesis. rdcu.be/frFVC
Our @sinisavilaakso.bsky.social, @nealhaddaway.bsky.social , @chrispritchard.co.uk latest commentary argues that we should be careful not to equate AI-assisted automation with demonstrated efficiency in evidence synthesis. rdcu.be/frFVC
Automation is not evidence of efficiency
rdcu.be
July 2, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Automation is a means, not an outcome.
Our @sinisavilaakso.bsky.social, @nealhaddaway.bsky.social , @chrispritchard.co.uk latest commentary argues that we should be careful not to equate AI-assisted automation with demonstrated efficiency in evidence synthesis. rdcu.be/frFVC
Our @sinisavilaakso.bsky.social, @nealhaddaway.bsky.social , @chrispritchard.co.uk latest commentary argues that we should be careful not to equate AI-assisted automation with demonstrated efficiency in evidence synthesis. rdcu.be/frFVC
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
The Certification Officer has issued his decision in Blake & McGaughey v UCU. My initial response is here: vickyblakeucu.uk/2026/03/31/t...
I urge members to read the full ruling rather than relying on the summary emailed to all members by HQ today. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69cbcb...
I urge members to read the full ruling rather than relying on the summary emailed to all members by HQ today. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69cbcb...
The Certification Officer’s ruling: Blake & McGaughey v UCU
The Certification Officer has now issued his decision in Blake and McGaughey v UCU. One complaint was upheld in part as a technical breach. The rest were dismissed, and no rerun or further remedy w…
vickyblakeucu.uk
March 31, 2026 at 8:48 PM
The Certification Officer has issued his decision in Blake & McGaughey v UCU. My initial response is here: vickyblakeucu.uk/2026/03/31/t...
I urge members to read the full ruling rather than relying on the summary emailed to all members by HQ today. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69cbcb...
I urge members to read the full ruling rather than relying on the summary emailed to all members by HQ today. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69cbcb...
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
Staff aren’t allowed to say they’re on strike.
UCU members aren’t allowed to mention it to strike-breaking staff.
Regional committees can’t talk about it.
The NEC can’t talk about it.
Congress can talk about it but motions are declared out of order.
Is this the accountability Jo was meaning?
UCU members aren’t allowed to mention it to strike-breaking staff.
Regional committees can’t talk about it.
The NEC can’t talk about it.
Congress can talk about it but motions are declared out of order.
Is this the accountability Jo was meaning?
February 19, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Staff aren’t allowed to say they’re on strike.
UCU members aren’t allowed to mention it to strike-breaking staff.
Regional committees can’t talk about it.
The NEC can’t talk about it.
Congress can talk about it but motions are declared out of order.
Is this the accountability Jo was meaning?
UCU members aren’t allowed to mention it to strike-breaking staff.
Regional committees can’t talk about it.
The NEC can’t talk about it.
Congress can talk about it but motions are declared out of order.
Is this the accountability Jo was meaning?
Posted my ballot paper yesterday for the @ucu.org.uk NEC elections! Make sure you use your vote!
February 13, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Posted my ballot paper yesterday for the @ucu.org.uk NEC elections! Make sure you use your vote!
What is happening within UCU is disgraceful - solidarity with @uniteucu.bsky.social
This is a thread about UCU & what it has become over the last few years. But the first thing I want to say is I didn’t join a union to stay silent or turn my back on a single parent of three facing dismissal on the basis of their trade union activities. Marie Monaghan is the Unite UCU 1/12
February 13, 2026 at 4:23 PM
What is happening within UCU is disgraceful - solidarity with @uniteucu.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
NEW on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson unpacks the bleak new numbers behind England’s student loans — and the growing pressure on repayments and fiscal rules buff.ly/BOKyj0k
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
NEW on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson unpacks the bleak new numbers behind England’s student loans — and the growing pressure on repayments and fiscal rules buff.ly/BOKyj0k
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
The @timeshighered.bsky.social has reported that @ewanmg.bsky.social and I have applied to the Certification Officer regarding concerns over the 2024 UCU general secretary election. UCU has characterised this as “smearing”, via a spokesperson.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
/1
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
/1
Jo Grady’s UCU election win challenged over ‘unfair advantage’
Candidates who stood in 2024 poll seek rerun of campaign after claiming incumbent broke rules by using union resources
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:41 AM
The @timeshighered.bsky.social has reported that @ewanmg.bsky.social and I have applied to the Certification Officer regarding concerns over the 2024 UCU general secretary election. UCU has characterised this as “smearing”, via a spokesperson.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
/1
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
/1
I’ve not been massively active on social media for various reasons (mainly busy), but I’d like to take this opportunity to endorse @seanawallis.bsky.social for UCU VP (HE). We don’t always agree on everything, but I know sean will put in the hard work needed to fight for post-16 education in the UK!
January 26, 2026 at 6:35 PM
I’ve not been massively active on social media for various reasons (mainly busy), but I’d like to take this opportunity to endorse @seanawallis.bsky.social for UCU VP (HE). We don’t always agree on everything, but I know sean will put in the hard work needed to fight for post-16 education in the UK!
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
Why are you threatening #UCU staff with pay deductions for ASOS?
UCU policy is to oppose punitive deduction for ASOS
And why are you asking staff to fill out a form when UCU members at QMUL were advised not to do this?
UCU policy is to oppose punitive deduction for ASOS
And why are you asking staff to fill out a form when UCU members at QMUL were advised not to do this?
September 22, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Why are you threatening #UCU staff with pay deductions for ASOS?
UCU policy is to oppose punitive deduction for ASOS
And why are you asking staff to fill out a form when UCU members at QMUL were advised not to do this?
UCU policy is to oppose punitive deduction for ASOS
And why are you asking staff to fill out a form when UCU members at QMUL were advised not to do this?
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
UCU policy: “To work with the TUC and other TUs to campaign for a change to the law to prevent such deductions, including lobbying government and opposition parties”
Maybe while @drjogrady.bsky.social is at @tuc.org.uk in Brighton she can work on thi… oh!
policy.web.ucu.org.uk/motion-infor...
Maybe while @drjogrady.bsky.social is at @tuc.org.uk in Brighton she can work on thi… oh!
policy.web.ucu.org.uk/motion-infor...
UCU: Fighting punitive ASOS deductions
Motion from UCU Congress 2022-2023: Fighting punitive ASOS deductions
policy.web.ucu.org.uk
September 6, 2025 at 10:02 AM
UCU policy: “To work with the TUC and other TUs to campaign for a change to the law to prevent such deductions, including lobbying government and opposition parties”
Maybe while @drjogrady.bsky.social is at @tuc.org.uk in Brighton she can work on thi… oh!
policy.web.ucu.org.uk/motion-infor...
Maybe while @drjogrady.bsky.social is at @tuc.org.uk in Brighton she can work on thi… oh!
policy.web.ucu.org.uk/motion-infor...
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
Why is our trade union emulating the worst behaviour of our employers towards UCU staff? How many of our letters, motions, attempts to bring motions from lay members pressing for resolution have been ignored now? Solidarity with all @uniteucu.bsky.social #UnionStrong #ReclaimUCU
🚨 Third consecutive vote for industrial action 🚨
✅ strike action: 76%
✅ action short of a strike (ASOS): 80%
✅ turnout: 77%
ASOS begins today with @ucu.org.uk threatening staff: "We'll deduct your wages."
Double standards and vindictive attacks undermine us all.
#ReclaimUCU
✅ strike action: 76%
✅ action short of a strike (ASOS): 80%
✅ turnout: 77%
ASOS begins today with @ucu.org.uk threatening staff: "We'll deduct your wages."
Double standards and vindictive attacks undermine us all.
#ReclaimUCU
September 4, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Why is our trade union emulating the worst behaviour of our employers towards UCU staff? How many of our letters, motions, attempts to bring motions from lay members pressing for resolution have been ignored now? Solidarity with all @uniteucu.bsky.social #UnionStrong #ReclaimUCU
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
I stand by this. Solidarity with fellow workers is the first principle of trade unionism. An injury to one is an injury to all. reclaimucu.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/s...
Statement on NEC Meeting of 2 May 2025
On Friday, members of Unite UCU will be taking the final day of an unprecedented six weeks of industrial action. It is also the penultimate NEC meeting before Congress. One of the core principles o…
reclaimucu.wordpress.com
May 1, 2025 at 10:05 PM
I stand by this. Solidarity with fellow workers is the first principle of trade unionism. An injury to one is an injury to all. reclaimucu.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/s...
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
Glad @timeshighered.bsky.social is covering @uniteucu.bsky.social's dispute with @ucu.org.uk -resolution is beyond urgent (has been for over a year). But the content & tone of the UCU's anon quoted spokesperson feels emblematic of the underlying issues...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-mem...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-mem...
UCU members boycott key meeting over staff strike
Members of national executive committee claim they were ‘prohibited’ from discussion of dispute with staff in Unite union
www.timeshighereducation.com
May 1, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Glad @timeshighered.bsky.social is covering @uniteucu.bsky.social's dispute with @ucu.org.uk -resolution is beyond urgent (has been for over a year). But the content & tone of the UCU's anon quoted spokesperson feels emblematic of the underlying issues...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-mem...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-mem...
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
STATEMENT RE UCU NEC 2 MAY reclaimucu.wordpress...
I am proud but saddened to be a signatory to this: I will not cross a picket line and I am in full solidarity with @uniteucu.bsky.social, on strike again this week. So I will not attend #UCU NEC on Friday this week. We all urgently need resolution.
I am proud but saddened to be a signatory to this: I will not cross a picket line and I am in full solidarity with @uniteucu.bsky.social, on strike again this week. So I will not attend #UCU NEC on Friday this week. We all urgently need resolution.
Statement on NEC Meeting of 2 May 2025
On Friday, members of Unite UCU will be taking the final day of an unprecedented six weeks of industrial action. It is also the penultimate NEC meeting before Congress. One of the core principles o…
reclaimucu.wordpress.com
April 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
STATEMENT RE UCU NEC 2 MAY reclaimucu.wordpress...
I am proud but saddened to be a signatory to this: I will not cross a picket line and I am in full solidarity with @uniteucu.bsky.social, on strike again this week. So I will not attend #UCU NEC on Friday this week. We all urgently need resolution.
I am proud but saddened to be a signatory to this: I will not cross a picket line and I am in full solidarity with @uniteucu.bsky.social, on strike again this week. So I will not attend #UCU NEC on Friday this week. We all urgently need resolution.
Saddened that the dispute that @uniteucu.bsky.social has with @ucu.org.uk as an employer is still ongoing and, had my tenure on the NEC started, I would be signing this letter and not attending the NEC meeting taking place tomorrow reclaimucu.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/s...
Statement on NEC Meeting of 2 May 2025
On Friday, members of Unite UCU will be taking the final day of an unprecedented six weeks of industrial action. It is also the penultimate NEC meeting before Congress. One of the core principles o…
reclaimucu.wordpress.com
April 30, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Saddened that the dispute that @uniteucu.bsky.social has with @ucu.org.uk as an employer is still ongoing and, had my tenure on the NEC started, I would be signing this letter and not attending the NEC meeting taking place tomorrow reclaimucu.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/s...
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
"When market share becomes a dominant decision criterion, broader societal benefits remain invisible on the balance sheet. The market doesn’t price in what we collectively lose when the last medieval history department in a region closes, ..."
NEW on Wonkhe: Universities serve purposes beyond market demands. Jim Dickinson asks if the pendulum between planning and markets is about to swing back - and what that should mean to protect student interests bit.ly/3XDc1z6
April 4, 2025 at 9:51 AM
"When market share becomes a dominant decision criterion, broader societal benefits remain invisible on the balance sheet. The market doesn’t price in what we collectively lose when the last medieval history department in a region closes, ..."
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
I hoped #UCU would redouble efforts to resolve the @uniteucu.bsky.social staff dispute
Instead our own union-as-employer has issued management instructions NOT to use tactics #UCU members have routinely been advised to use *by #UCU*
Then this page was deleted: web.archive.org/web/20230218...
1/7
Instead our own union-as-employer has issued management instructions NOT to use tactics #UCU members have routinely been advised to use *by #UCU*
Then this page was deleted: web.archive.org/web/20230218...
1/7
April 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I hoped #UCU would redouble efforts to resolve the @uniteucu.bsky.social staff dispute
Instead our own union-as-employer has issued management instructions NOT to use tactics #UCU members have routinely been advised to use *by #UCU*
Then this page was deleted: web.archive.org/web/20230218...
1/7
Instead our own union-as-employer has issued management instructions NOT to use tactics #UCU members have routinely been advised to use *by #UCU*
Then this page was deleted: web.archive.org/web/20230218...
1/7
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
Resolution of the dispute between @uniteucu.bsky.social and UCU (as employer) is now far beyond urgent. Reading these testimonials (linked in post⬇️) from UCU staff is heartbreaking & reading the recent 'management instruction' excerpt v unnerving, esp in the wake of the Hon Treasurer's resignation.
This dispute needs to be resolved - we cannot function as a union when the internal culture is so broken. It is in everybody’s interest to find a way through that restores trust & achieving this in a constructive way requires properly listening to staff voices uniteucu.wordpress.com/unite-voices/
Unite voices
In their own words: the lived experiences of UCU staff.
uniteucu.wordpress.com
March 3, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Resolution of the dispute between @uniteucu.bsky.social and UCU (as employer) is now far beyond urgent. Reading these testimonials (linked in post⬇️) from UCU staff is heartbreaking & reading the recent 'management instruction' excerpt v unnerving, esp in the wake of the Hon Treasurer's resignation.
Happy to endorse @illdoitanyway.bsky.social for UCU VP (HE)
I have really valued getting to know Chris through my work reporting to East Midlands UCU, and in our work for locked-out branches, and have seen how much he cares for our union. Thank you @chrispritchard.co.uk for this endorsement for my campaign.
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com/2025/02/21/e...
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com/2025/02/21/e...
Endorsement from Chris Pritchard, Secretary and HE Chair of East Midlands UCU Regional Committee and Branch Secretary at NTU UCU
Chris in UCU pink beanie outside NTU I started working with Rhiannon when I started being involved with the East Midlands Regional Committee, and at my first congress in 2023. As one of our Midland…
rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com
February 21, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Happy to endorse @illdoitanyway.bsky.social for UCU VP (HE)
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
QMUL UCU is doing the kind of work we need UCU to do nationally to highlight the catastrophic destruction of higher education across the regions & nations. Thousands of jobs & so much talent and expertise lost. Shame on this Govt for sitting by & letting it happen qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
UK HE shrinking
This is a live page of all the redundancies, restructures, reorganisations, and closures taking place across the sector at the moment. Solidarity to all. This sector is vital to the country’s…
qmucu.org
February 14, 2025 at 1:22 PM
QMUL UCU is doing the kind of work we need UCU to do nationally to highlight the catastrophic destruction of higher education across the regions & nations. Thousands of jobs & so much talent and expertise lost. Shame on this Govt for sitting by & letting it happen qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
Whilst a more formal endorsement is coming soon™️ I would definitely support @illdoitanyway.bsky.social for UCU VP (HE), see rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com for her policy platform!
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 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Whilst a more formal endorsement is coming soon™️ I would definitely support @illdoitanyway.bsky.social for UCU VP (HE), see rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com for her policy platform!
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
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...
Reposted by Chris Pritchard
This year’s ESHackathon is back at the NIHR Innovation Observatory at Newcastle University. We have 15 evidence synthesis projects this year ranging from fixing bibliographic records to tackling issues around AI use in systematic reviews. Watch this space for news from the next 3 days!
December 16, 2024 at 8:25 PM
This year’s ESHackathon is back at the NIHR Innovation Observatory at Newcastle University. We have 15 evidence synthesis projects this year ranging from fixing bibliographic records to tackling issues around AI use in systematic reviews. Watch this space for news from the next 3 days!