That concludes #IFUTADC2026. A strong day of debate, solidarity and collective action on the future of higher education in Ireland. ✊

Motion 18 passed. Conference reaffirmed IFUT’s solidarity with Palestine and support for human rights, international law and the principles of the BDS movement. #IFUTADC2026 #Palestine #HumanRights

Conference has passed Motion 17 supporting accessible, publicly funded trans healthcare and reaffirming solidarity with trans and gender-diverse colleagues and students. #IFUTADC2026 #TransRights #Equality

Conference called on universities to ensure that research partnerships fully align with human rights, ethics and the public good. #IFUTADC2026 #HumanRights #HigherEducation

Conference has passed Ammended Motion 15 supporting for Irish neutrality, international law and opposition to the militarisation of research funding. #IFUTADC2026 #Peace #HigherEducation

Motion 14 passed. Conference reaffirmed IFUT’s commitment to defending academic freedom and institutional autonomy in higher education. #IFUTADC2026 #AcademicFreedom

Conference has passed Motion 13 reaffirming the value of arts and humanities education and the importance of protecting critical thinking and liberal education. #IFUTADC2026 #Arts #HigherEducation

Motion 12 passed. Conference expressed solidarity with research staff affected by research centre closures and highlighted the damaging impact of insecure funding and restructuring. #IFUTADC2026 #Research #WorkersRights

Conference has passed Motion 11 supporting democratic oversight, transparency and ethical governance in the use of AI across higher education. Delegates reaffirmed that human learning, critical inquiry and academic labour must remain at the centre of education. #IFUTADC2026 #AI #HigherEducation

Motion 10 passed. Conference backed calls for consistent research career frameworks, stronger researcher representation and opposition to the privatisation of research infrastructure. #IFUTADC2026 #Research #HigherEducation

Conference has passed Motion 9 calling for stronger action to tackle the gender pay gap through transparency, structural reform and clear action plans. #IFUTADC2026 #GenderEquality #HigherEducation

Motion 8 passed. Conference called for stronger institutional measures to safeguard and promote researcher wellbeing across the higher education sector. #IFUTADC2026 #Research #HigherEducation

Conference has passed Motion 7 calling for direct engagement between IFUT and senior university management on industrial relations matters. #IFUTADC2026 #TradeUnions

Motion 6 passed. Conference reaffirmed IFUT’s commitment to challenging precarious employment practices and advancing fair and transparent employment across higher education. #IFUTADC2026 #Precarity #WorkersRights

Conference has passed Ammended Motion 5 opposing the growing culture of managerialism within higher education institutions and calling for stronger democratic participation, transparency and collegial governance. #IFUTADC2026 #AcademicFreedom #HigherEducation

Motion 4 passed. Conference reaffirmed the importance of fair and open sabbatical policies for staff balancing teaching, research and administrative commitments. #IFUTADC2026 #HigherEducation

Conference has passed Motion 3 recognising the essential role of professional, technical and support staff in higher education and calling for fair, transparent and structured promotion pathways. #IFUTADC2026 #WorkersRights #HigherEducation

Motion 2 passed. Conference backed a sector-wide approach to improving pay, working conditions and career progression for Teaching Fellows. #IFUTADC2026 #Precarity #HigherEducation

Conference has passed Motion 1 calling for fair and transparent promotions policies across Irish universities that properly recognise and reward staff contributions. #IFUTADC2026 #HigherEducation #WorkersRights

Emergency Motion passed at #IFUTADC2026 on Local Bargaining and precarious employment. Delegates backed continued pressure on employers and government to deliver meaningful change — including the use of industrial action if necessary. ✊

Brendan Palmer (UCC) presented IFUT’s updated Precarious Employment Survey at #IFUTADC2026. 87.8% said precarity remains pervasive across higher education, while staff reported unpaid work, insecure contracts and long delays before permanency. Delegates backed continued organising and action.

A powerful address from IFUT General Secretary Frank Jones at #IFUTADC2026 focused on precarious employment, managerialism, academic freedom and the growing strength of IFUT across higher education. A strong call for collective organisation and action across the sector.

Professor Philip Terry addresses #IFUTADC2026 on managerialism, academic life and the role of the arts in higher education.

A barnstorming address from IFUT Deputy General Secretary Miriam Hamilton at #IFUTADC2026 outlining the vision, mission and purpose of the union through the Unions 21 Project. A clear call to build a larger, stronger and more democratic union for higher education workers. ✊

Congratulations to Dr Edward Lahiff on being elected incoming IFUT President. #IFUTADC2026

Dr Michael Hinds addresses #IFUTADC2026 on resisting managerialism, defending collegial governance and protecting academic freedom.

Delegates from across Ireland are gathering for #IFUTADC2026 under the theme: “Empowering Academics in the Age of Managerialism” Today’s motions include precarity, academic freedom, AI, democratic governance, equality and the future of higher education. ✊

Academic freedom, staff participation, and institutional autonomy in higher education are under increasing pressure across Europe. IFUT encourages members to complete this European survey on fundamental values &nto share it with colleagues. 🗓 Deadline: 10 June tinyurl.com/56zjnvxw

Probation in higher ed can shape careers; staff remain unclear about their rights Join us for a session on: • Probation-Irish employment law • Fair procedures • Employee & managerial perspectives • Union support Register:https://tinyurl.com/3pha9c5n #HigherEducation #IFUT #WorkplaceRights

Happy Labour Day! @maynoothuniversity.ie recorded € 11 million surplus last year. It's time for tenured academics to stand with precarious academic workers. Solidarity is just lip service if not rooted in campaigns to build pressure for change. @ifut.bsky.social www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...

Maynooth University pays €47,000 tax bill over college president’s accommodation

College’s 2025 annual report says university under-estimated benefit-in-kind tax liability for housing provided to Eeva Leinonen

irishtimes.com