Plans to cut mental health courses at the University of East Anglia have been criticised as “short-sighted” and a “dereliction of civic responsibility”. More on the proposed Clinical Psychology course closures at UEA via @timeshighered.bsky.social - www.timeshighereducation.com/news/closure...

Closure of UEA mental health courses ‘deeply concerning’

University says NHS and apprenticeship changes make programmes ‘no longer viable’ but union calls move a ‘dereliction of civic responsibility’

timeshighereducation.com

Not again. What on earth is going on at UEA? @uea-ucu.bsky.social @qmucu.bsky.social yet another one for the list.

Nadine Zubair@nadinezubair.bsky.social · last yr.

Add UEA to the list for the third time. The latest cuts are in clinical psychology affecting ~18 staff who train mental health professionals. Shocking & short-sighted the cuts will be devastating for staff, students and for the region too. @uea-ucu.bsky.social is fighting to save these jobs. ✊

Our branch has declared no confidence in UCU’s SMT to protect the well-being of staff, nor in its commitment to improving industrial relations. With the increasing victimisation of our reps, and SMT now repeatedly imposing changes in working conditions and policies, our dispute continues.

Oh, here's a shock: Higher Education has a management problem because its culture is saturated with bullying and bad practice. Dundee's Gillespie is just the particular person acting as a lightning rod here.

What we're doing in the uni sector is shutting off routes for kids with Bs and Cs to do key (and prestigious) subjects, and closing down the ability of young people to go to the local uni just when it becomes ruinous expensive to go way. Will have incalculable consequences for social mobility.

Oh it does, minister, and it shows them that for you their only value is as money bags from the rest of the world to subsidise the sector you’re not properly resourcing. The value we see in international students in the brilliant minds, the experience they bring, the connections they make for life

Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social · last yr.

Jacqui Smith: Levy on international student fees ‘would show value of foreign students’ Smith said that if the government went ahead with the levy, it would “really demonstrate that [contribution] in terms of money that could then…be reinvested”. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

Other VCs, it can be done!

Dundee UCU@ducuuo.bsky.social · last yr.

NO REDUNDANCIES at the University of Dundee. Fantastic news in our fight to save jobs, as interim Principal Prof Nigel Seaton confirms that there will be no redundancies. A massive victory for everyone who has supported us. Looking forward to receiving the removal of Section 188 in writing.

In use at many UK universities right now

REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis. Decision to hold fast on portability prompts criticism over potential impact on early career researchers. One of our most-read articles this week. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis - Research Professional News

Decision to hold fast on portability prompts criticism over potential impact on early career researchers

researchprofessionalnews.com

Reported on by the excellent @alasdairclark.bsky.social at The Courier here www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...

Dundee University auditors concerned bosses broke law

A secret letter released for the first time reveals the "serious" concerns of the university's independent auditors.

thecourier.co.uk

✊🥂Huge congratulations to the whole @newcastleucu.bsky.social membership and team. Compulsory redundancies withdrawn. Sends a message to university management everywhere. Just shows what you can do with organisation, solidarity, and right on your side.

Indeed. A familiar set of traits in HE “leaders”.

QM_UCU@qmucu.bsky.social · last yr.

The previous VC had 'an "overbearing leadership style" and a dislike of potentially awkward confrontations or questioning'. #UKHE 'leadership' has GOT to learn that the only way forward is through conversation not diktat. Stop depicting people asking questions as attackers; they're *helpful*.

The interim boss of the University of Dundee has resigned after an external investigation blamed a “hierarchical and over-confident” leadership style on the institution’s cash crisis. @julietterowsell.bsky.social reports #AcademicSky #EduSky

Dundee boss quits after report finds 'poor financial judgement'

Interim vice-chancellor quits after investigators blame financial crisis on mismanagement, not external pressures

timeshighereducation.com

Our tribute to our former colleagues, lost to a "voluntary" severance process under the shadow of compulsory redundancy. Each figure is a colleague gone, each door a vacancy closed to rehiring.

REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis - Research Professional News

“Unconscionable” to let universities benefit from work of those they make redundant, warn researchers

researchprofessionalnews.com

Meaningful consultation appears to be lacking in HE.

@stirlingucu.bsky.social · last yr.

"69% of HEIs are failing to adequately consult with trade unions" Sound familiar? zenodo.org/records/1563...

So, redundancy notices have landed in the inboxes of eight UEA colleagues…a saving of a small fraction of % of annual running costs Really quite shaming on my own university management that they’ve continued to push for this - & the consequences on peoples’ lives - rejecting other reas alternatives

Missing in action at the University of Dundee. 1) Voluntary Severance scheme: Due 26 May 2025 2) Any details of Restructured Professional Services: Announced on 1 Apr 2025 3) Financial Statements to July 2024: Due January 2025. 4) Equality.

Disgraceful. So much for Athena Swan and EIA.

Dundee UCU@ducuuo.bsky.social · last yr.

The University of Dundee is currently trying to make 100% of female research Professors in the School of Science and Engineering redundant. 100% OF FEMALE RESEARCH PROFESSORS! Only one female professor (teaching and scholarship) from that School will remain working on our UK campuses.

UK HE international recruitment processes are corrupt. They were used to enrich management and sold to staff as the only reason they are not made redundant. Now the system is falling apart.

Wonkhe@wonkhe.bsky.social · last yr.

This week on Wonkhe: International students may be being misled by false promises from recruitment agents. But for Michael Salmon, constant changes to visa terms and post-study work arrangements represent a much deeper deception

“At UEA, it is understood that 22 staff are earning more than £150k and 4 staff are on £205k. At a time when university managers are pushing through large-scale job cuts, this is frankly obscene”

Conor Bollins@conorbollins.bsky.social · last yr.

🎓'When will Labour tackle the crisis engulfing our schools, colleges and universities?' 🌹Please stick a repost on my piece for @labouroutlook.bsky.social. #UKHE #EducationCrisis 🚩It includes a special mention of my @uea-ucu.bsky.social colleagues. #SaveUEA labouroutlook.org/2025/05/17/e...

Oh! We so seldom get to share good news! But Glasgow managed to stave off compulsory redundancies and is developing a trial with the ucu branch to move some research staff onto open-ended contracts. 🥳 It IS possible! qmucu.org/qmul-transfo... #UKHE

University accounting teams react to news of a new government tax especially just for them.

Redundancies remain on the table at UEA. "It’s time for UEA management to do the right thing, drop the threats, engage meaningfully, and commit to real accountability." @drjogrady.bsky.social Solidarity with all striking staff. ✊ #SaveUEA #UCU

UEA UCU says join a union@uea-ucu.bsky.social · last yr.

We're back out on the picket line this morning, standing in solidarity with colleagues at risk of compulsory redundancy and demanding university management to change course. #SaveUEA

⁉️Why are students at UEA supporting members of staff on strike? 📽️Watch this video to hear from the amazing students who came to join lecturers and professional services staff on the picket line. 📣Stop the cuts! #SaveUEA

UK universities are where ambition goes to die Still more cutting @aberdeenuni Nothing says 'world-class institution' like gutting departments & calling it strategy Scottish & Welsh universities are in huge trouble www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Aberdeen University could cut less popular courses under savings plan

The university says it wants to reshape the range of degrees it offers as it addresses a £5.5m budget gap.

bbc.co.uk

Yet more evidence that 'property not people' is the management mantra in UK universities. Accounting moves that make 'capital expenditure' appear separate from day-to-day spending underpin redundancy programmes to reduce running costs.

The Ferret@theferret.scot · last yr.

🔴 NEW: Unions have called for urgent clarity from Edinburgh university after it published an “incorrect” memo that said the cash-strapped institution had purchased an iconic A-listed office block while it was laying off staff. Find out more: theferret.scot/edinb...

It gets worse… Members back at work today after taking lawful strike action are now being threaten with disciplinary procedures if their auto-replies mention the reason for their absence during future strikes. In what trade union world is this acceptable?