'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

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

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

This is really good. Read it.

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

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

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

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

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

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-...

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.

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

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/

An excellent piece from @matildaf.bsky.social

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-...

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

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/...

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

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...

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...

"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...

FCC To Investigate TV Shows Where The Mom Has Job https://theonion.com/fcc-to-investigate-tv-shows-where-the-mom-has-job/

top 3 things that get stuck in my head to the tune of "Jive Talkin'" 3. Vibe Coding 2. Weehauken 1. Chive Dumpling

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was released 44 years ago today. It remains the best cinematic adaptation of Moby Dick primarily because it is told from the perspective of the whales.

BAN THE PERVERT GLASSES

are you just going to do this for every generation

Email your MP! equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/rejectthecode Here's what I wrote: "Dear Afzal Khan MP, The latest proposed guidance from the EHRC on "single sex" spaces is unworkable, unjust, and oppressive.…"

A wonderful and thought provoking piece on the UCU Congress last week by Michael Bartlett

trampled and pawed awake three times in the night. All cats are doms

Our newsletter #19 is now out! Featuring Congress news and reflections, a new data project from @bparsia.bsky.social, @davehitchcock.bsky.social on the post-92 branches meeting, @sophisteria.bsky.social on Collini's piece in the LRB & more! #UCU #UCU26 ucucommons.org

A wonderful and thought provoking piece on the UCU Congress last week by Michael Bartlett

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...

Really fascinating piece on AI chat bots - thanks @matthewbarnard.phd for writing it and @hagenilda.bsky.social for bringing it to my attention!

You need to read this by @matthewbarnard.phd on AI: 'It’s done, it’s finished. The experience you have with a free account using ChatGPT, Claude or DeepSeek is more or less as good as this particular technology is ever going to get'. matthewbarnard.phd/posts/llms-h...

We were delighted with how well-attended our social yesterday evening was - thank you to everyone who came along and chatted to us! #UCU26

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our social event yesterday evening! It was amazing to see so many people there and it was a fitting opening to this year's Congress. #UCU

For all attending #UCU Congress 2026! On Tuesday 26th May, 7–10pm, we are hosting an informal social event upstairs at North Bar, 2d Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1DA. The first few arrivals can enjoy a drink (alcoholic or otherwise) on us, and there will be pizza available (also on us). 1/2

My new paper is out in @thegj.bsky.social: and asks how to build affirmative, (non)reproductive futures. What would it mean to affirm climate-related reproductive anxieties? What does climate adaptation mean for family & caring relationships? 1/3 rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Newsletter #17 is out! Featuring reports from recent meetings, @matthewbarnard.phd on HoC Education Committee HE funding report, @vthuppil.bsky.social on settlement proposals, @matildaf.bsky.social on UCU Workload Survey & @uhertfordshireucu.bsky.social petition! #UCU ucucommons.org/ucu-commons-...

Coincidentally, the number of staff currently at risk of redundancy (2700) at the University of Nottingham is the same as the number of jobs at risk at British Steel. Yesterday, the govt said they aren't neutral on job losses & so pledged to save those steel jobs. Watch as they blithely ignore HE.

East Asian Studies is being gutted at Sheffield - all staff at risk with 8.6 FTE proposed to go (a third of us). Biggest cuts in Chinese and Japanese Studies. We’ll be taking a few days to process. Solidarity to Materials and Chemistry colleagues who are also dealing with similarly bad news.

Yet more evidence, if it was needed, that 'integration' discourse is a trap. Apparently political participation through voting in elections doesn't count as 'integration' any more.

Good thread on the burgeoning citation discourse

Our report for the NEC Meeting on 13th March 2026 is now up! #ucu ucucommons.org/nec-report-1...