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UCU Newcastle University

@newcastleucu.bsky.social

Official account of the Newcastle university branch of the university and college union

139 Posts399 Follower193 Folgt
UCU Newcastle University@newcastleucu.bsky.social · last wk.

Since we put this out, power has moved from @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social to @lucympowell.bsky.social but the number of jobs on the line has not reduced because of it. The future of higher education means nothing to @labouruk.bsky.social ?

UCU Newcastle University@newcastleucu.bsky.social · 3w ago

Many more people in universities will lose their jobs if nothing changes in the way HE is (under) funded. Even more prospective students will not be able to go to university, especially here in the Norheast. @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social @markfergusonmp.bsky.social @chionwurah.bsky.social

21 Group@21group.bsky.social · 2w ago

Universities exist to teach students & produce research This brings in the money. Academics generate the value. Everyone else is paid from that income stream. University senior management has forgotten who creates the income & who depends on it They behave as if system runs the other way around

Beth DeBold@elizaaudacis.bsky.social · 2w ago

A perfect summation of the joy & despair that so many PGRs are being asked to hold simultaneously right now. I may be biased (Sam is my partner), but UK universities are letting the incredible talent they’ve invested in just go to waste, and it’s criminal. @newcastleucu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk

Dr Sam Bailey@18thcenturysam.bsky.social · 2w ago

My graduation on Friday was a wonderful but bittersweet experience. I have long called the English department at Newcastle my home, and my fellow scholars there are so dear to my heart. Seeing the culmination of three degrees over nine years has felt like a homecoming...

Me (non-binary femme) in floral blouse with black, white and red academic gown smiling next to Kate (my supervisor) in scarlet and navy gown.
21 Group@21group.bsky.social · 3w ago

It goes like this 1 Many universities collapse over next 2 years 2 Govt notices 3 Public inquiry into decline of once thriving HE sector 4 It states that causes were complex & doesn't mention policies that made collapse inevitable In House of Lords, Baroness Shearer West agrees

Northumbria UCU Branch@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 3w ago

@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social obviously dead chuffed that the brilliant Jill Halfpenny got an honorary degree from @northumbriauni.bsky.social. 🎭 Just a shame - a tragedy, even - the same uni is cutting Theatre and Performance... 😢 @ucu.org.uk www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2627205...

Beloved North East actress and Strictly star 'thrilled' after getting honorary degree

Award-winning actress Jill Halfpenny, who is from Gateshead, has been awarded an honorary degree from Northumbria University.

thenorthernecho.co.uk

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…
Joshi Herrmann@joshih.bsky.social · 4w ago

BIG NEWS from @molliesimpson.bsky.social: Three people have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering, fraud and bribery at University of Greater Manchester. Police say opened their investigation a year ago “after we received allegations from The Mill". manchestermill.co.uk/breaking-thr...

BREAKING: Three people arrested on suspicion of money laundering, fraud and bribery at University of Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester Police are investigating the alleged misuse of as much as £1.7 million

manchestermill.co.uk

Northumbria UCU Branch@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 4w ago

@ucu.org.uk @ucucommons.org @uculeft.bsky.social @newcastleucu.bsky.social @tucneyh.bsky.social @tuc.org.uk @unisoninhe.bsky.social @unison.org.uk www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

Northumbria University staff 'outraged' at job cuts after pension row strikes

After lecturers staged weeks of strike action over a pension dispute earlier this year, a fresh row over job losses at Northumbria University has now broken out

chroniclelive.co.uk

University of Nottingham UCU branch@uonucu.bsky.social · last mo.

This isn't just a fight for UoN. This is a fight for the future of higher education in the UK and globally. Colleagues from across the country have supported us in our efforts, financially and otherwise. We thank these members and others for their generous donation which will help us keep fighting!

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!
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!
Northumbria UCU Branch@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@ucu.org.uk @21group.bsky.social @timeshighered.bsky.social @julietterowsell.bsky.social @chroniclelive.co.uk @danhollandnews.bsky.social @georgeclarke.bsky.social @tucneyh.bsky.social @unisoninhe.bsky.social @newcastleucu.bsky.social @ducu.bsky.social @moneyontheleft.bsky.social

21 Group@21group.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A Vice Chancellor speaks "We cut our pension contributions in half, offer you a trivial payment ... & if you don’t accept, you’ll be left worse off" Grim from VC Andy Long of Northumbria -- who was present at the torching of Nottingham University www.timeshighereducation.com/news/northum...

Northumbria UCU Branch@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@ucucommons.org @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ducu.bsky.social @ducuuo.bsky.social @unison.org.uk @newcastleucu.bsky.social @georgeclarke.bsky.social

Northumbria UCU Branch@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 2mo ago

First management @northumbriauni.bsky.social came for our pensions and pay - for no good reason. Now they're coming for our colleagues. This is terrible news for staff, students, and the region. @timeshighered.bsky.social @chroniclelive.co.uk @ukhenews.bsky.social @21group.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk

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!
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.
Northumbria UCU Branch@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@ducu.bsky.social @ucucommons.org @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ducuuo.bsky.social @unisoninhe.bsky.social @timeshighered.bsky.social @privateeyenews.bsky.social @julietterowsell.bsky.social @danhollandnews.bsky.social @chroniclelive.co.uk @chionwurah.bsky.social @newcastleucu.bsky.social

Northumbria UCU Branch@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 2mo ago

🛑NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY CENSURED BY UCU🛑 On 28 May @ucu.org.uk wrote to management @northumbriauni.bsky.social regarding censure.

@ucustandrews.bsky.social · 3mo ago

URGENT - UCU St Andrews Member - Antonis Vradis is on the Qannir La Cirena boat in the Global Summid Flotilla which has been intercepted by Israel Contact your MP and MSP Contact the Principal Please share

Bild
Northumbria UCU Branch@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 3mo ago

And so @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social's fight for pay and pension justice goes on... @nasuwt-official.bsky.social @neunion.bsky.social @nasuwtnewcastle.bsky.social @ntyneside-nasuwt.bsky.social @tucneyh.bsky.social @newcastleucu.bsky.social @timeshighered.bsky.social @chroniclelive.co.uk

Northumbria UCU Branch@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Looks like employer contributions for @teacherspensions.bsky.social will be going down next year. What does that mean for @northumbriauni.bsky.social bosses saying they need to save £11m by cutting staff pay unless people move from that scheme to USS? Nothing. Cuts still planned. Thanks a lot.