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...

The Irish Times reports that staff at University of Galway were “blindsided” by proposed Arts reforms. IFUT has convened well-attended meetings and raised concerns about consultation and data framing. Structural change deserves proper engagement. Read more: tinyurl.com/57fzcwnu

IFUT joined trade union colleagues in Cork today to oppose the proposed EU “28th Company Regime” (EU Inc.), which could undermine national labour law and worker protections. Workers across Europe stand together in defence of fair standards and democratic representation. www.ifut.ie/content/ifut...

IFUT joined fellow unions at the ICTU group meeting with the Higher Education Authority to press the case for properly funded, sustainable higher education and secure academic careers. A constructive but important engagement. Read more 👇 www.ifut.ie/content/ictu... #HigherEd #TradeUnions

IFUT welcomes the launch of the Research Ireland Strategy 2026–2030. Ambition is important — but researchers must be placed at the heart of delivery. Secure careers, fair progression and academic freedom are essential to research excellence. Read more: www.ifut.ie/content/ifut...

Proposed changes to Arts at University of Galway have sparked a major debate. We’ve formally responded. This isn’t just about one degree — it’s about the place of Arts in higher education and who gets to shape its future. Read IFUT’s statement: www.ifut.ie/content/arts...

Proposed changes to Arts at University of Galway have sparked a major debate. We’ve formally responded. This isn’t just about one degree — it’s about the place of Arts in higher education and who gets to shape its future. Read IFUT’s statement: www.ifut.ie/content/arts...

IFUT @dublincityuni.bsky.social members are mobilising for fair promotions reform. Promotions must be transparent, equitable and recognise the full breadth of academic work' Fair progression. Read more: www.ifut.ie/content/dcu-... #IFUT #HigherEd #TradeUnion

The student accommodation crisis won’t be solved by reducing the number of days on campus. Students need affordable housing and full access to education. Read our response: www.ifut.ie/content/stud... #HousingCrisis #HigherEd #IFUT

The student accommodation crisis won’t be solved by reducing the number of days on campus. Students need affordable housing and full access to education. Read our response: www.ifut.ie/content/stud... #HousingCrisis #HigherEd #IFUT

In DCU you can be deemed promotable but they may not promote you. If such is the case they offer you the option to enter the hunger games arena once again - “may the odds be ever in your favour” You have failed, try again, fail again, fail better. @ifut.bsky.social @dublincityuni.bsky.social

IFUT’s submission to the National Conversation calls for an education system that values multiple pathways equally. Further education, apprenticeships and higher education must all be properly supported. Education must reflect diverse talents. www.ifut.ie/content/nati... #IFUT#FutureOfEducation

Speaking before the Joint Oireachtas Committee this morning, IFUT General Secretary Frank Jones stated: the only way to guarantee fair terms for Doctoral Candidates is to recognise them as workers, grant employee status, and require collective bargaining — locally or sectorally — with trade unions.

🗓 Money Under the Microscope 📅 5 February ⏰ 11.00am A free, practical webinar for IFUT members focusing on understanding and managing your finances. 🔗 Register here: cornmarket.newsweaver.com/IFUTMoneyUnd...

The IFUT Executive, gathered today for a strategy session, sends its full solidarity to the @Covalen workers and the @cwuireland.bsky.social in their strike for fair pay, secure employment and respect at work. An injury to one is an injury to all. ✊ #Solidarity #CovalentStrike #CWU #TradeUnion

The IFUT Executive, gathered today for a strategy session, sends its full solidarity to the @Covalen workers and the @cwuireland.bsky.social in their strike for fair pay, secure employment and respect at work. An injury to one is an injury to all. ✊ #Solidarity #CovalentStrike #CWU #TradeUnion

Great to meet @LauraHarmanTD (Labour Party) to discuss staff voice and trade union representation in university governance — a key omission in the HEA Act. Our delegation: Paul Gavan (ICTU), Frank Jones (IFUT), Edward Lahiff (UCC) & John Walsh (TCD). #HEAAct #IFUT #HigherEd #Governance

"Since October, 2023, all university campuses in Gaza have been subject to intensive bombing, with dozens of buildings completely destroyed and many more irreparably damaged." www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...

““Standing up for researchers” is more than a slogan—it’s IFUT’s mission. Miriam Hamilton shares how the union is tackling precarity in Irish HE. 📖 Read: www.ucc.ie/en/rsa/newss... #ResearcherRights #IFUT #HigherEd #UnionStrong

IFUT welcomes the budget, which features a reduction in student fees— a positive step for students and families — but calls for urgent, sustained investment to properly fund higher education. 👉 ifut.ie/content/ifut... #HigherEd #EducationFunding #IFUT

Based on our report into global higher education for @eduinternational.bsky.social. This work by @ifut.bsky.social members at Maynooth University was fantastic.