Stick together. Keep fighting. UCU members at the Durham Miners’ Gala on what the day means to them and their message for everyone facing job cuts right now ✊

LinkedIn is the one website that would be exactly the same if it were entirely LLM generated.

Jo Edge @hagenilda.bsky.social, co-chair of @ucu.org.uk's Anti-Casualisation Committee, is bringing the following paper and motion to the meeting of ACC on 8 July. If passed and then approved by NEC, it will make the process of nominating to ACC much easier. #UCU ucucommons.org/rule-change-...

Rule Change to Anti-Casualisation Committee Nomination Process

Jo Edge, co-chair of UCU's Anti-Casualisation Committee (ACC) is bringing the following paper and motion for discussion and decision to the meeting of the committee on 8 July 2026. Explanatory paper...

ucucommons.org

'The government data finds that when comparing people with the same sex and similar GCSE results, the proportion in sustained employment or further study 10 years after GCSEs is “consistently higher” for degree holders than for those with no higher level qualification.' 1/3

Graduates out-earn peers with same GCSEs but no degree

Newly revised outcomes data show men who studied philosophy and history earned less than non-graduates with similar GCSE grades

timeshighereducation.com

A statement from Exeter UCU branch @ucu.org.uk - please share far and wide.

Appalling. Hard to believe that Higher Ed has been one of the most successful areas of power and discovery. Far too many jobs being lost. Destruction of talent and insight.

Despicable: Uni of Exeter putting over 500 staff at risk of compulsory redundancy. Thoughts are with all Exeter branch comrades. #UCU #UKHE

Ben Phillips@benphillips1989.bsky.social · last mo.

A statement from Exeter UCU branch @ucu.org.uk - please share far and wide.

ICYMI from our blog: Michael Bartlett's wonderful reflective piece on Congress, which deservedly received high praise at Friday's NEC! #UCU #UKHE

UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · 2mo ago

NEW on the UCU Commons blog: Michael Bartlett, a first-time Congress attendee, reflects on the similarities and differences between UCU's annual Congress and the yearly meeting of Quakers Britain. A great read! #UCU26 ucucommons.org/comparing-th...

This is really good. Read it.

Matilda Fitzmaurice@matildaf.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Hi #UCU. l wrote a response to Lorna Finlayson's latest NLR piece, 'Irreversible'. It's from the heart as a precarious academic, a trade unionist and, frankly, someone who thinks the climate change metaphor used in the original piece is unhelpful and damaging. ucucommons.org/we-shouldnt-...

I'd love to see #UCU off X altogether. Looking forward to discussing it at my first NEC meeting.

UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · 2mo ago

Great blog post from @matthewbarnard.phd on his motion setting out the rationale for UCU to leave X. The motion will be debated at this Friday's NEC meeting. #UCU #UKHE

Again for the morning crowd. I wrote this because I'm troubled by the recent rash of 'lamentation' pieces about the so-called death of the university, and because I strongly feel climate analogies need to be used ethically and responsibly. #UKHE #UCU

Matilda Fitzmaurice@matildaf.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Hi #UCU. l wrote a response to Lorna Finlayson's latest NLR piece, 'Irreversible'. It's from the heart as a precarious academic, a trade unionist and, frankly, someone who thinks the climate change metaphor used in the original piece is unhelpful and damaging. ucucommons.org/we-shouldnt-...

I'm so happy to have been re-elected as Chair of UCU Equality Committee! This is going to be a crucial year and I'm so glad my fellow NEC members trust me with this position. #UCU

UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · 2mo ago

From NEC, congrats to: @sophisteria.bsky.social: vice chair, HEC @matildaf.bsky.social: chair, Equality committee @matthewbarnard.phd: TPS panel @profalexp.bsky.social: Strategy and Finance committee @matthewbarnard.phd, @drgillhistory.bsky.social: Education committee /2

Especially glad to see @sophisteria.bsky.social elected to such an important position: her talent and skill as a negotiator (which HEC vice chairs do ex officio) is much needed. #UCU #UKHE

UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · 2mo ago

From NEC, congrats to: @sophisteria.bsky.social: vice chair, HEC @matildaf.bsky.social: chair, Equality committee @matthewbarnard.phd: TPS panel @profalexp.bsky.social: Strategy and Finance committee @matthewbarnard.phd, @drgillhistory.bsky.social: Education committee /2

Excellent post and motion from Matt. I'll be voting for the motion at Friday's NEC.

Dr Matt Barnard@matthewbarnard.phd · 2mo ago

I’ve submitted a motion to UCU NEC on looking into the possibility and impacts of the Union leaving X, following the motion to exit X from University of Southampton branch falling off the Congress agenda. I’ve blogged about the rationale over on @ucucommons.org ucucommons.org/motion-on-x/

From NEC, congrats to: @sophisteria.bsky.social: vice chair, HEC @matildaf.bsky.social: chair, Equality committee @matthewbarnard.phd: TPS panel @profalexp.bsky.social: Strategy and Finance committee @matthewbarnard.phd, @drgillhistory.bsky.social: Education committee /2

Newsletter #20! Today: @rullsenberg.bsky.social on trans solidarity, @matildaf.bsky.social reply to Lorna Finlayson, @choochod.bsky.social and the Scottish tertiary ed minister, @matthewbarnard.phd 's X motion, our reply to Policy Exchange & much more! #UCU #UKHE ucucommons.org/ucu-commons-...

UCU Commons newsletter #20, 17 June 2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome a...

ucucommons.org

This is such a clear articulation from Matt of why the issue of UCU leaving X should be looked at thoughtfully. What do we gain / lose / facilitate by being on that particular platform or not? Always glad to see evidence explored + hard questions asked about the justifications+ practicalities.

Dr Matt Barnard@matthewbarnard.phd · 2mo ago

I’ve submitted a motion to UCU NEC on looking into the possibility and impacts of the Union leaving X, following the motion to exit X from University of Southampton branch falling off the Congress agenda. I’ve blogged about the rationale over on @ucucommons.org ucucommons.org/motion-on-x/

Great blog post from @matthewbarnard.phd on his motion setting out the rationale for UCU to leave X. The motion will be debated at this Friday's NEC meeting. #UCU #UKHE

Dr Matt Barnard@matthewbarnard.phd · 2mo ago

I’ve submitted a motion to UCU NEC on looking into the possibility and impacts of the Union leaving X, following the motion to exit X from University of Southampton branch falling off the Congress agenda. I’ve blogged about the rationale over on @ucucommons.org ucucommons.org/motion-on-x/

I’ve submitted a motion to UCU NEC on looking into the possibility and impacts of the Union leaving X, following the motion to exit X from University of Southampton branch falling off the Congress agenda. I’ve blogged about the rationale over on @ucucommons.org ucucommons.org/motion-on-x/

Motion on X for June 2026 NEC

By Matt Barnard I have submitted a motion, in consultation with others, to the upcoming NEC on Friday June 19 asking for a report into the usage of X, formerly known as Twitter, by UCU and potential ...

ucucommons.org

An excellent piece from @matildaf.bsky.social

Matilda Fitzmaurice@matildaf.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Hi #UCU. l wrote a response to Lorna Finlayson's latest NLR piece, 'Irreversible'. It's from the heart as a precarious academic, a trade unionist and, frankly, someone who thinks the climate change metaphor used in the original piece is unhelpful and damaging. ucucommons.org/we-shouldnt-...

I find it intolerable to analogise about climate change without, at the very least, acknowledging the resistance efforts of those who are facing down widespread indifference to their fate armed with far less material security than ourselves.

Hi #UCU. l wrote a response to Lorna Finlayson's latest NLR piece, 'Irreversible'. It's from the heart as a precarious academic, a trade unionist and, frankly, someone who thinks the climate change metaphor used in the original piece is unhelpful and damaging. ucucommons.org/we-shouldnt-...

‘We shouldn’t mourn those who are not dead’: A reply to Lorna Finlayson’s ‘Irreversible’

By Matilda Fitzmaurice There is no arguing with many of the facts stated up front in Lorna Finlayson’s ‘Irreversible’, published in the New Left Review’s ‘Sidecar’ on 29th May. Climate change is irre...

ucucommons.org

Having had the opportunity to read an early draft of this, I can't wait to read the final published version. Congratulations Matt and Keith! #GenAI

Dr Matt Barnard@matthewbarnard.phd · 2mo ago

Really happy that mine and Keith Crome’s article on #AI and Plagiarism has been published in @futurehumanities.bsky.social in open access. We argue that focus on policing students conduct misses the more profound challenge to our assessments from #GenAI onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Really happy that mine and Keith Crome’s article on #AI and Plagiarism has been published in @futurehumanities.bsky.social in open access. We argue that focus on policing students conduct misses the more profound challenge to our assessments from #GenAI onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

The Plagiarist in the Machine? Generative AI and the Will to Fail

This paper argues that the real challenge posed by Large Language Models (LLMs) in Higher Education lies not in their potential for plagiarism, but in their creation of a new form of writing that is ...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Awesome. Literally didn’t see that coming. Somehow still a little proud. #AIEthics #AILaw #Deutschland Cc @hertieschool.bsky.social

The Internet Ethics program--Markkula Center for Applied Ethics@iethics.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"Landmark German ruling declares Google's #AI Overviews are Google's own words and makes it liable for false answers": the-decoder.com/landmark-ger... #ethics #law #internet #tech #business h/t @garymarcus.bsky.social

I was invited to attend the Women and Equalities Committee this week, in my role as a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, to question the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about the recently tabled Code of Practice.

I've written to my MP @liamconlon.bsky.social, to ask that he please sign. Keep up the pressure!

Ruth Pearce@notrightruth.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Over 100 MPs have now signed Early Day Motion 240, which calls for the EHRC's government-backed segregation charter to be "disapproved". Is your MP among them? If not, you can write to them, call them, or demand a meeting about this today!

Have a read of @matildaf.bsky.social's recent GJ commentary on reproductive futures, featured in last month's RGS-IBG Journals highlights: doi.org/10.1111/geoj...

RGS-IBG Higher Ed@rgs-ibghe.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Every month we spotlight papers from across the Society’s journals, capturing the latest in geographical research. Explore May’s highlights. 👇 Dobson: https://ow.ly/XAlo50Z5vVP Fitzmaurice: https://ow.ly/KYiX50Z5vQQ Mosso et al.: https://ow.ly/nPAE50Z5vQN Davies et al.: https://ow.ly/Ufku50Z5vQM

UCU imposes ‘global academic boycott’ on Sheffield in pay row Union objects to withholding of pay after strike action, but university says few staff affected www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

UCU imposes ‘global academic boycott’ on Sheffield in pay row - Research Professional News

Union objects to withholding of pay after strike action, but university says few staff affected

researchprofessionalnews.com

"This dismantling is not merely an institutional realignment; it is a direct attack on the production of critical knowledge". #HigherEd #UKHE www.theguardian.com/education/20...

UK university’s axing of black studies MA has ‘dangerous parallel’ with US, says academic

Civil rights scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw warns Birmingham City University’s decision part of extremist campaign that has ‘travelled across Atlantic’

theguardian.com