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covucu.bsky.social

@covucu.bsky.social

UCU Coventry University branch

42 Posts75 Follower68 Folgt
Glen O'Hara@gsoh31.bsky.social · 3d ago

So it's farewell to the History subject area at the University of Hertfordshire, not the first nor the last to go. One of the best departments in the country, just extinguished like a snap of the fingers. Think of the waste. (1/2)

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Margot Finn@eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 3w ago

'There has been a 12 percentage point leap in the number of UK universities reporting cutbacks to research, according to a survey carried out this year by Universities UK.' Being a global research power when you're reducing research by 12% in a year may prove a wee bit of a challenge.

Proportion of universities cutting research increases - Research Professional News

Universities UK survey shows worsening picture but more optimism about future backing for research

researchprofessionalnews.com

elia ayoub@ayoub.bsky.social · 3w ago

Jesus. 35 UK universities quietly- without debate - joined the Ministry of Defence’s “Battlefield Alliance” which seeks to “reorientate academia towards Defence and National Security” They’re destroying the social sciences and humanities while militarising the institutions

• Durham University • Newcastle University • Northumbria University • Lancaster University • University of Cumbria • University of Lancashire • University of Liverpool • University of Manchester • University of Huddersfield • University of Sheffield • University of York • Loughborough University • University of Lincoln • University of Nottingham • Aston University • University of Birmingham • University of Warwick • King's College London • Kingston University • Queen Mary University of London • University College London • University of Oxford • University of Portsmouth • University of Surrey • University of Bath • University of Bristol • University of Exeter • University of Plymouth • University of Edinburgh • University of Glasgow • University of Strathclyde • Cardiff University • Swansea University • Queens University Belfast • Cranfield UniversityFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14 July 2026 UK Universities Betray Public Trust by Joining MoD's 'Battlefield Advantage' Alliance Without Debate A coalition of campaign groups has accused UK universities of quietly integrating themselves into Britain's defence infrastructure after 35 institutions signed up to the Ministry of Defence's Defence Universities Alliance (DUA). The Ministry of Defence says the alliance aims to "reorientate academia towards Defence and National Security", strengthen links between universities and the defence sector, and translate research into "battlefield advantage". Campaigners say the move represents a significant shift in the role of higher education and has taken place without meaningful public debate. Among the founding members are the University of Oxford, University College London, King's College London, the University of Manchester, the University of Edinburgh, Cardiff University and Queen's University Belfast. "We are witnessing the formal incorporation of Britain's universities into the defence ecosystem," said Jinsella Kennaway, Founder and Executive Director of Demilitarise Education. "The Ministry of Defence is explicit about its intentions. Universities exist to advance knowledge and foster critical inquiry, not to become pipelines for military research and defence recruitment. Students and staff deserve to know who agreed to this and why." Campaigners are calling on all 35 universities to publish the governance documents and board minutes relating to their decision to join the alliance, and to explain whether staff and students were consulted. Many UK universities already maintain relationships with major defence companies, including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo, Thales, Lockheed Martin and QinetiQ. Critics argue that the DUA formalises and accelerates the integration of academia, industry and the state. The coalition warns that, at a time of rising defence spending, universities risk becoming increasingly aligned with governme…
covucu.bsky.social@covucu.bsky.social · 3w ago

Coventry University uses TUPE to move staff into subsidiaries, strip them out of UCU national agreements, and refuse to recognise UCU for collective bargaining. TUPE exists to protect workers, not sidestep unions. If it's happening here, it can happen anywhere.

UCU Newcastle University@newcastleucu.bsky.social · last mo.

Solidarity works! Colleagues in History, Classics and Archaeology (HCA) at Newcastle have raised £586 for the UCU Nottingham fighting fund in support of members taking strike action against compulsory redundancies. The collection was organised in recognition that what happens at one

image showing a Solidarity Fund pot for Nottingham Uni UCU to show that we are all in this fight together, and that doing twinning between sections and branches makes a material difference!
George Monbiot@georgemonbiot.bsky.social · last mo.

Something deeply troubling & shocking is happening at Exeter University*, where a mass cull of staff is planned, even though it's in surplus. No good justifications given. @jamesgdyke.info provides the details: www.technosphere.earth/the-bonfire-... *Disclosure: I have a Visiting Fellowship here. +🧵

The bonfire of the humanities

150 academic posts at the University of Exeter are to be cut, most in the humanities but also in social sciences, engineering and environmental sciences

technosphere.earth

covucu.bsky.social@covucu.bsky.social · last mo.

Reflecting on CU's drop in world rankings our VC's email to staff: "We need everyone to redouble their efforts to improve our reputation." Well VC, perhaps a university's reputation is linked to how it treats the staff whose expertise create it in the first place? Just a thought

Satirical illustration of university leaders focusing on improving rankings while exhausted staff hold up a building labelled “Reputation”. Beneath them, the foundations are being dismantled through restructuring, redundancies, TUPE transfers and increased workloads. Caption: “Trying to improve rankings while dismantling the people who create them.”
covucu.bsky.social@covucu.bsky.social · 2mo ago

When 93.5% of UK vice-chancellors are white and 68% are men, is it reasonable to ask whether the people making decisions about EDI genuinely reflect the communities affected by those decisions?

Infographic about diversity in UK university leadership. The top section shows that of 153 UK vice-chancellors, 49 (32%) are women and 104 (68%) are men, illustrated with rows of purple and grey figures. The middle section shows that only 10 of 153 vice-chancellors (6.5%) are people of colour, while 93.5% are white, illustrated with blue and grey figures. A large headline asks: “How can leadership understand the diversity of our students if leadership does not reflect it?” Below, a photograph shows a diverse group of students standing together in front of a university building. The infographic includes messages such as “Our students are diverse. Our leadership should be too,” “Representation matters,” and “Who gets to lead our universities?” A source note cites a 2025 HEPI/GatenbySanderson analysis of 153 UK vice-chancellors.
QM_UCU@qmucu.bsky.social · 2mo ago

In case you had any doubt that government's anti-immigration stance is anything but shooting itself in the foot: they're currently shutting out UK students holding UK degrees. Let's keep challenging the broader anti-immigration policy, and in the short-term this injustice #UKHE

As a medical student at QMUL, I know firsthand the rigorous standard of clinical training our university upholds. Our university runs a fully GMC-accredited overseas programme where students study the exact same curriculum and sit the identical UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) and Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) as the London cohort. However, the recent Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 has inadvertently created a geographic loophole affecting British overseas campuses. Despite our equivalent training, the final-year cohort on this programme has faced structural exclusion from the UK Foundation Programme, resulting in zero primary allocations this past March. From a health policy perspective, the inconsistency is stark. The new legislation explicitly prioritises graduates from Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein for NHS foundation posts. Furthermore, students graduating from other international cross-border programmes—such as an Irish-run medical campus based in Malaysia where students complete half their training outside of Europe—inexplicably retain full priority status. Conversely, students trained to the GMC's standards, graduating from a UK university's own overseas programme have been pushed into a lower priority tier.
QM_UCU@qmucu.bsky.social · 2mo ago

These are @qmul.bsky.social students who are taking their degree on our Malta campus. They started the programme with the assurance that this was a UK degree; now their futures are in jeopardy. Staff has been doing everything to find placements. Co-sign this petition: #UKHE #NHS

QM_UCU@qmucu.bsky.social · 2mo ago

These are @qmul.bsky.social students who are taking their degree on our Malta campus. They started the programme with the assurance that this was a UK degree; now their futures are in jeopardy. Staff has been doing everything to find placements. Co-sign this petition: #UKHE #NHS

Petition: Include GMC accredited degrees from UK medical campuses outside of the UK

The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill should be amended to include GMC accredited medical degrees from UK medical campuses outside of the UK within the definition of UK Primary Medical Qualificat...

petition.parliament.uk

Jim Dickinson@jimdickinson.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"UK medics fear they won’t get NHS job because they studied abroad"

QM_UCU@qmucu.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Any parent and applicant planning to attend the Sussex University Open Day today, we can save you the trouble: these are the non-answers staff is told to give you. To send your staff out with this nonsense and treat visitors to this ChatGPT approach is disrespectful to all.

BRIEFING FOR OPEN DAY STAFF AND STUDENT AMBASSADORS: UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX CONSULTATION – VISITOR & APPLICANT Q&A Top tips and key messages • Lead with stability, continuity, and student experience • Avoid over-detailing internal changes o keep messages clear and outward-facing • Use phrases like: “remains our priority,” “continues as planned,” “committed to providing” Q: I’ve heard the University is consulting on redundancies. What does this mean? A: • Like many UK Universities, Sussex is proposing changes to some roles and structures, and is currently undertaking a formal consultation with staff as part of this process. • This is part of ensuring the University of Sussex remains sustainable and continues to invest in high-quality teaching, facilities, and student support. Q: Will this affect teaching quality? A: • No: maintaining an excellent teaching experience is our top priority. • Courses will continue to be delivered as planned, with the same focus on high-quality learning, expert staff, and student outcomes. Q: Will my course still run? A: • Yes. If you have applied for or accepted an offer, your course is expected to run as normal. • If any changes were to affect your programme directly, you would be contacted promptly with clear information and support. Q: Will there be fewer staff teaching students? A: • Teaching, research, and the experience of our students remains central to everything we do. • Any proposed changes are carefully planned to ensure students continue to receive the guidance, contact time, and academic expertise they expect. Q: Is the University financially stable? A: • Yes. Like many universities, Sussex is adapting to a changing sector environment. • These proposals are part of proactive steps to strengthen the University’s long-term sustainability and protect the student experience. Q: Will student services be affected (e.g. wellbeing, careers, accommodation)? A: • Core student services will continue to operate as normal. • Supporting student wellbeing, employability, and campus life remains a key priority throughout this process. Q: Is it still a good time to apply or accept my offer? A: • Absolutely. The University remains committed to providing a high-quality education and a vibrant student experience. Q: Will campus life and activities be impacted? A: • No. Student life - including societies, events, and campus activities - will continue as usual. • We are committed to maintaining a welcoming, engaging and supportive community. Q: How are you supporting staff during this process? A: • We are working closely with staff and representatives through a formal consultation process, with a strong focus on transparency, fairness, and support for those affected. Q: Where can I get more information? A: • You can contact our admissions teams at any time. • We are happy to answer your questions and provide reassurance about your application or study plans.
Jo Grady@drjogrady.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Tens of thousands at risk of redundancy Student debt out of control Dozens of Universities on the brink The government is standing by as the Higher Education Sector is suffering death by a thousand cuts Organising is our only option - join UCU today join.ucu.org.uk

UCU - Join UCU Today

Welcome to UCU’s Membership Portal where you can join the union, manage and update your personal information and find answers to the most frequently raised questions relating to Membership, Employment...

join.ucu.org.uk

University and College Union (UCU)@ucu.org.uk · 3mo ago

Labour say further education is central to their growth mission. But they're cutting adult education budgets. Staff are haemorrhaging from the sector and FE workers in England are paid less than anywhere else in the UK.