Penny Welch
@pennywelch2025.bsky.social
Retired university teacher and UCU activist. Co-editor of Learning and Teaching: The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences
Reposted by Penny Welch
At a branch meeting today we voted to begin immediately the formal process to seek UCU authorisation for a statutory ballot for industrial action, including strike action and action short of a strike.
We will not accept any compulsory redundancies at UoB ✊
We will not accept any compulsory redundancies at UoB ✊
September 17, 2026 at 8:28 PM
At a branch meeting today we voted to begin immediately the formal process to seek UCU authorisation for a statutory ballot for industrial action, including strike action and action short of a strike.
We will not accept any compulsory redundancies at UoB ✊
We will not accept any compulsory redundancies at UoB ✊
Reposted by Penny Welch
"The concern is with image, not reality: so long as the good headlines come and the bad ones go, such categories as true and false or right and wrong are merely the affairs of philosophers."
#HigherEd
#UKHE
www.varsity.co.uk/comment/32046
#HigherEd
#UKHE
www.varsity.co.uk/comment/32046
Ministry of truth
This is becoming part of a pattern: A tribunal found eleven counts of retaliation against a whistleblower. The University's response: it is 'carefully reviewing' the judgment.
www.varsity.co.uk
September 17, 2026 at 10:45 AM
"The concern is with image, not reality: so long as the good headlines come and the bad ones go, such categories as true and false or right and wrong are merely the affairs of philosophers."
#HigherEd
#UKHE
www.varsity.co.uk/comment/32046
#HigherEd
#UKHE
www.varsity.co.uk/comment/32046
Reposted by Penny Welch
Affordability & accessibility matter when choosing course texts. We’ve curated #History books that work especially well. Filter by your subject area & browse our suggested titles: bit.ly/4rbNWNi
All available to request as FREE inspection copies via their product pages.
#academicsky #humanities
All available to request as FREE inspection copies via their product pages.
#academicsky #humanities
September 17, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Affordability & accessibility matter when choosing course texts. We’ve curated #History books that work especially well. Filter by your subject area & browse our suggested titles: bit.ly/4rbNWNi
All available to request as FREE inspection copies via their product pages.
#academicsky #humanities
All available to request as FREE inspection copies via their product pages.
#academicsky #humanities
Reposted by Penny Welch
Israel weaponises AI for West Bank demolitions https://aje.news/4a81h9
September 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Israel weaponises AI for West Bank demolitions https://aje.news/4a81h9
Reposted by Penny Welch
We are taking 25 days of strike action starting on Monday. We want the University of Executive Group rule out compulsory redundancies.
To our students - this is a last resort to retain jobs that are essential for your education during your degree at the University of Dundee.
Support the strike!
To our students - this is a last resort to retain jobs that are essential for your education during your degree at the University of Dundee.
Support the strike!
September 17, 2026 at 7:24 AM
We are taking 25 days of strike action starting on Monday. We want the University of Executive Group rule out compulsory redundancies.
To our students - this is a last resort to retain jobs that are essential for your education during your degree at the University of Dundee.
Support the strike!
To our students - this is a last resort to retain jobs that are essential for your education during your degree at the University of Dundee.
Support the strike!
Reposted by Penny Welch
The Centre of African Studies is the only academic institute in Scotland of its kind - with its own budget, space, and leadership - and has produced, and brought to Edinburgh, generations of scholars. The proposal to close ('restructure') it diminishes the university, and Edinburgh, as a whole.
September 17, 2026 at 7:12 AM
The Centre of African Studies is the only academic institute in Scotland of its kind - with its own budget, space, and leadership - and has produced, and brought to Edinburgh, generations of scholars. The proposal to close ('restructure') it diminishes the university, and Edinburgh, as a whole.
Reposted by Penny Welch
Full story: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2026/09...
FBU gains TUC support for firefighters' concordat on health and wellbeing
The Fire Brigades Union has won unanimous backing from the TUC for the firefighters' concordat on health and wellbeing, in a step forward for the union's DECON campaign.Congress welcomed the…
www.fbu.org.uk
September 15, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Full story: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2026/09...
Reposted by Penny Welch
Israeli strikes on Palestinian territory persist despite a 'ceasefire' brokered by the United States https://aje.news/a2inhd
September 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Israeli strikes on Palestinian territory persist despite a 'ceasefire' brokered by the United States https://aje.news/a2inhd
Reposted by Penny Welch
I know all university leaders hate trades unions but at Brighton they’re about to find out what happens when their workforce doesn’t have a structure and negotiating team to represent them and to head off trouble. It won’t be pretty. Employees won’t submit - they’ll resist in unpredictable ways.
***URGENT PLEASE SHARE*** University of Brighton management have announced today that they ‘give notice of termination of all collective agreements’. This is a fundamental erasure of workers' rights. Management have announced the termination of all contractual documents, which includes:
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
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 10:54 PM
I know all university leaders hate trades unions but at Brighton they’re about to find out what happens when their workforce doesn’t have a structure and negotiating team to represent them and to head off trouble. It won’t be pretty. Employees won’t submit - they’ll resist in unpredictable ways.
Reposted by Penny Welch
US Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to tighten mail-in voting rules ahead of critical midterm elections.
US Supreme Court rejects Trump mail ballot restrictions ahead of midterms
US Supreme Court rejects Trump's bid to tighten mail-in voting rules ahead of critical midterm elections.
www.aljazeera.com
September 15, 2026 at 4:00 AM
US Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to tighten mail-in voting rules ahead of critical midterm elections.
Reposted by Penny Welch
Full story: morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wild...
Wildfire devastation should be an alarm call to action for all of us
THE wildfire summer that firefighters and fire control staff endured is still fresh in my mind during this week’s TUC Congress.We had members hospitalised, fatigued, and pushed to their absolute limit...
morningstaronline.co.uk
September 14, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Full story: morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wild...
Reposted by Penny Welch
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
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
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
It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.
58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
Reposted by Penny Welch
Please read and share this open letter from staff at risk of compulsory redundancy in Modern Languages at the Uni of Birmingham.
It calls for the redundancies to be halted, for the equality impact assessment to be released, and for meaningful consideration of alternatives.
It calls for the redundancies to be halted, for the equality impact assessment to be released, and for meaningful consideration of alternatives.
“A national catastrophe” at home: open letter on redundancies
We write as Translation and Interpreting staff at risk of compulsory redundancy at the University of Birmingham, together with the Birmingham UCU Committee. In brief: a University whose Vice-Chance…
birminghamucu.org
September 12, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Please read and share this open letter from staff at risk of compulsory redundancy in Modern Languages at the Uni of Birmingham.
It calls for the redundancies to be halted, for the equality impact assessment to be released, and for meaningful consideration of alternatives.
It calls for the redundancies to be halted, for the equality impact assessment to be released, and for meaningful consideration of alternatives.
Reposted by Penny Welch
Cleveland FRS has lost 33% of its firefighters since 2010. And yet, the service plans further cuts to nighttime cover.
FBU members are organised and fighting back against frontline cuts that put public safety at risk.
FBU members are organised and fighting back against frontline cuts that put public safety at risk.
September 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Cleveland FRS has lost 33% of its firefighters since 2010. And yet, the service plans further cuts to nighttime cover.
FBU members are organised and fighting back against frontline cuts that put public safety at risk.
FBU members are organised and fighting back against frontline cuts that put public safety at risk.
Reposted by Penny Welch
Full quote: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2026/09...
FBU marks 25 years since 9/11 terrorist attacks
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) today paid tribute to firefighters who were injured or killed on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.Almost 3000 people were killed including 343…
www.fbu.org.uk
September 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Full quote: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2026/09...
Reposted by Penny Welch
#PSA27 Call for Papers
📢 Paper & panel proposals invited for the PSA27 Annual Conference at the University of Hull, 22-24 March 2027.
📆 CfP Deadline 12 October 2026
🌎️ Conference theme: 'Seismic Politics – impacts and responses from the global to the local'
📢 Paper & panel proposals invited for the PSA27 Annual Conference at the University of Hull, 22-24 March 2027.
📆 CfP Deadline 12 October 2026
🌎️ Conference theme: 'Seismic Politics – impacts and responses from the global to the local'
PSA27 Annual Conference - Political Studies Association
Join us in Hull for PSA27 to discuss Seismic Politics – impacts and responses from the global to the local “PSA [conference] was really great. It gave much-needed exposure to interact with…
buff.ly
September 11, 2026 at 12:15 PM
#PSA27 Call for Papers
📢 Paper & panel proposals invited for the PSA27 Annual Conference at the University of Hull, 22-24 March 2027.
📆 CfP Deadline 12 October 2026
🌎️ Conference theme: 'Seismic Politics – impacts and responses from the global to the local'
📢 Paper & panel proposals invited for the PSA27 Annual Conference at the University of Hull, 22-24 March 2027.
📆 CfP Deadline 12 October 2026
🌎️ Conference theme: 'Seismic Politics – impacts and responses from the global to the local'
Reposted by Penny Welch
Every worker facing redundancy at the University of Birmingham is from a migrant or minority ethnic background.
UCU members will meet on 17 September to decide whether to ballot for strike action.
No compulsory redundancies. Release the equality impact assessment.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1463...
UCU members will meet on 17 September to decide whether to ballot for strike action.
No compulsory redundancies. Release the equality impact assessment.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1463...
University of Birmingham staff to consider strike ballot over redundancies that fall entirely on minority ethnic staff
Staff at the University of Birmingham will meet next week to consider potential strike action in a battle against redundancies, the University and College Union (UCU) said today (11 September).
www.ucu.org.uk
September 11, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Every worker facing redundancy at the University of Birmingham is from a migrant or minority ethnic background.
UCU members will meet on 17 September to decide whether to ballot for strike action.
No compulsory redundancies. Release the equality impact assessment.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1463...
UCU members will meet on 17 September to decide whether to ballot for strike action.
No compulsory redundancies. Release the equality impact assessment.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1463...
Reposted by Penny Welch
#WeRemember the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attacks, 25 years ago today.
Many more firefighters have since suffered from diseases likely linked to toxic substances present at ground zero.
Many more firefighters have since suffered from diseases likely linked to toxic substances present at ground zero.
September 11, 2026 at 8:59 AM
#WeRemember the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attacks, 25 years ago today.
Many more firefighters have since suffered from diseases likely linked to toxic substances present at ground zero.
Many more firefighters have since suffered from diseases likely linked to toxic substances present at ground zero.
Reposted by Penny Welch
Today, Firefighters will observe a minute's silence at 13.46 – the time in the UK when the first plane impacted the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
September 11, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Today, Firefighters will observe a minute's silence at 13.46 – the time in the UK when the first plane impacted the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Reposted by Penny Welch
This year, firefighters from across the UK took part in the memorial stair climb, climbing 110 floors in solidarity.
This was the largest international movement of firefighters for a memorial event in UK history.
This was the largest international movement of firefighters for a memorial event in UK history.
September 11, 2026 at 8:59 AM
This year, firefighters from across the UK took part in the memorial stair climb, climbing 110 floors in solidarity.
This was the largest international movement of firefighters for a memorial event in UK history.
This was the largest international movement of firefighters for a memorial event in UK history.
Reposted by Penny Welch
The Voluntary Exit Scheme "opens today (9 September) until Friday 2 October".
So, it's only three weeks to decide to leave your job, your colleagues, your students behind you. Brutal, imho.
So, it's only three weeks to decide to leave your job, your colleagues, your students behind you. Brutal, imho.
"The University of Hull has launched a call for volunteers to leave, as a steep decline in international student numbers impacts its finances."
#UKHE #AcademicSky
#UKHE #AcademicSky
University of Hull launches 'voluntary exit' call amid cost-cutting measures
New Vice Chancellor Tom Lawson also warns 'It is unlikely that this scheme is going to be the only measure that we need to implement'
www.hulldailymail.co.uk
September 11, 2026 at 9:57 AM
The Voluntary Exit Scheme "opens today (9 September) until Friday 2 October".
So, it's only three weeks to decide to leave your job, your colleagues, your students behind you. Brutal, imho.
So, it's only three weeks to decide to leave your job, your colleagues, your students behind you. Brutal, imho.
Reposted by Penny Welch
Today marks Emergency Services Day.
I want to say a huge thank you to all those across Wolverhampton West and beyond who keep our communities safe, often in the most difficult circumstances.
We owe them our gratitude, our respect and our support. 🚒👏
I want to say a huge thank you to all those across Wolverhampton West and beyond who keep our communities safe, often in the most difficult circumstances.
We owe them our gratitude, our respect and our support. 🚒👏
September 9, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Today marks Emergency Services Day.
I want to say a huge thank you to all those across Wolverhampton West and beyond who keep our communities safe, often in the most difficult circumstances.
We owe them our gratitude, our respect and our support. 🚒👏
I want to say a huge thank you to all those across Wolverhampton West and beyond who keep our communities safe, often in the most difficult circumstances.
We owe them our gratitude, our respect and our support. 🚒👏
Reposted by Penny Welch
Anyone working in the sector already knows, but still good to see it in black & white. Professional services *people*--not just interchangeable hubs of administration--are essential to a good university. Their institutional knowledge has been consistently undervalued & their loss is catastrophic.
'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 7:06 AM
Anyone working in the sector already knows, but still good to see it in black & white. Professional services *people*--not just interchangeable hubs of administration--are essential to a good university. Their institutional knowledge has been consistently undervalued & their loss is catastrophic.