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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 18h

General Secretary Jo Grady is on the picket line today in Dundee and at a mass solidarity rally in Edinburgh at lunchtime. UCU president Dyfrig Jones and vice president Mark Pendleton are on the picket line in Nottingham. Solidarity to every member taking action and fighting back.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 18h

'At least eight universities have announced industrial action for the coming year'. Edinburgh: 5 weeks, £140m cuts, 90 degree programmes, 1,800 potential job losses. Dundee, Essex, Exeter, Glasgow Caledonian, Heriot-Watt, Nottingham, Sussex and where next?

novaramedia.com

UK Universities Set to Strike in ‘Last-Ditch Fight Over Existential Cuts’

'It is carnage'.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

UCFL Early Career Academics Special Interest Group @ucfl-eca.bsky.social · 18h

Join us at our first ECA event of the academic year! The ECA Experience: Publishing 9th October 10-11am A roundtable discussion with early career colleagues around experiences of publishing Meeting link in part 2...

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Melissa Terras @melissaterras.bsky.social · 20h

I haven’t said anything about the strikes yet (I am so ANGRY but despite all my rage I’m still just a rat in a cage etc etc). So it can’t be me the carefully worded HR email is about, telling us all to be nice to everyone (implying SMT?) including on socials, on threat of disciplinary action?

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 30/09/2026

Four universities on strike today. One map to find them all. Nottingham, Dundee, Glasgow Caledonian and Edinburgh are out. And today we launch the UCU strike map: every dispute across the union, in one place. Find a dispute near you. Visit a picket. Share the map.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Our strike action began today. The management at our university has seemingly shackled itself to course closures and compulsory redundancies, despite neither being financially necessary. So we fight for our members, our students, and our community until they change their minds.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Given many UK universities' decision to jettison Arts and Humanities (and some Social Science) subjects, it's interesting to see that top-ranking global universities tend to rank highly in these areas. MIT (ranked 2nd globally here) is ranked 1st in both Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences.

timeshighereducation.com

World University Rankings 2027: results announced

Asian universities’ resumed upward trajectory takes them past mainland Europe for the first time, as reputational lustre protects US and UK for now

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 30/09/2026

Nottingham today. Everywhere tomorrow. 2,700 staff put at risk. 600+ jobs targeted. At least 48 courses facing closure. What happens here sets the template for the sector. Stand with Nottingham.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 30/09/2026

Our members at Nottingham University commence strike action today over threats to hundreds of jobs and course closures. Please show them solidarity as they head onto picket lines this morning.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Scenes from the Picket Lines: Day 2 of the UCU workers' strike against the University of Edinburgh's avaricious, exorbitantly paid senior management and their campaign of mass cuts against staff.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 29/09/2026

Our members at the University of Nottingham begin strike action tomorrow over devastating job and course cuts. They will walk out tomorrow and Thursday, before beginning sustained strike action from 5 October. Share, like and comment to show your solidarity with our members.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

University of Leeds @universityofleeds.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Thinking about studying at Leeds? Join us for our Open Days on Saturday 3 October and Saturday 17 October to: 🎓Find out more about your course 💬Speak to staff and students 🏛️Get a feel for campus life Book your place 👇 www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduat...

A group of people stand on an ornate staircase inside the Great Hall building with stained glass windows. One person holds a sign reading "University of Leeds Open Day." The others listen attentively.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Dundee University is continuing with compulsory redundancies. It argues this is required for the financial survival. However, the University’s cash is so high they may not qualify for £27m of the £40m additional SFC funding. The SFC have asked PWC to investigate. www.theferret.scot/dundee-unive...

theferret.scot

Dundee university might have too much cash to qualify for its taxpayer bailout

The university has continued to argue staff cuts are needed to make ends meet. But a growing cash balance has raised questions about the need for more redundancies, and whether it qualifies for millio...

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Day 2 of the UCU workers' strike at the University of Edinburgh. The 1,800 jobs UCU estimates will be cut is unprecedented in Scottish higher education. It is happening in the wealthiest Scottish university, and the third richest in the UK, currently sitting with over £3billion reserves.

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Claire E. Aubin @ceaubin.com · 28/09/2026

I was on strike or actions-short-of-strike every single year of my PhD at Edinburgh. In the snow, in the rain, in a pandemic, fighting for a better future for my colleagues and students. The cuts Edinburgh is facing right now are devastating and I urge you to care.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Day 1 of our strike at the University of Edinburgh while senior management shrugs and says 'crisis, what crisis?' at the complaints about the inevitable falling educational standards and job losses.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

'Members of the University and Colleges union (UCU) will stop work until 30 October. The union said the cuts could lead to 1,800 job losses, and hundreds of staff had already lost work when contracts were not renewed. The university announced the closure of 90 courses earlier this month.'

bbc.co.uk

Edinburgh University lecturers begin five-week strike over cuts

Members of the University and Colleges Union are walking out in part of a long-running dispute over job and course cuts.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 28/09/2026

Our members at Edinburgh University commence a 5 week strike today over crippling job cuts. Please show them solidarity as they head onto picket lines this morning.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

'University and College Union (UCU) branches refused to grade coursework and exams at the universities of Nottingham and Edinburgh and Goldsmiths, University of London, in response to managers’ plans for sweeping job cuts.'

timeshighereducation.com

Hundreds of students still without marks after boycotts – union

Learners left unable to graduate or progress by ‘last resort’ industrial action

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

British Library @britishlibrary.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

It's European Day of Languages, so here are some of our favourite untranslatable and wonderfully-specific words from across Europe that we wish we had in English ✨

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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Day 5 of 25. It's never too late to join the strike. If you're a member come and join us on the picket line at the front of the Tower Building from 8am this morning. The turnout has been higher than ever, so you'll be joining a successful collective action to save the jobs of your colleagues.

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Laurel Plapp @laurelplapp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The W+IGS Book Prize deadline has been extended until 15 October! Don’t miss out! More information below @wigsblog.bsky.social @helencfinch.bsky.social @katherinestone.bsky.social #GermanStudies

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

'This year, more than 81,000 UK 18-year-olds said in their accepted university application they intended to live at home, according to Ucas figures.' That's nearly a third of the new intake.

bbc.co.uk

Kent 'commuter students' are swapping residential halls for home

Some young people are staying at home while attending university as they cannot afford to move.

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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

QMUL made it into the news...again. Instead of investing in a sustainable future that centres the experiences of students and the working conditions of its staff, management, according to The Tab, spent £4,820,000 on restructuring, (1/2)

QMUL spent
£4,820,000
in 2024/25 on restructuring
instead of investing in a sustainable future of the institution and ranks 19th amongst Britain’s universities.

picture of the newspaper article stating "The UK universities which spent the most money on 'restructuring' and cutting staff's jobs"

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Day 2 of 25 of our strike action. Students, colleagues, members come and join us on the picket line as e fight for the future of the University of Dundee. Who’s University. Our University.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

'LSBU is far from alone in its desire to drive research academics into teaching-only roles. Similar plans have been explored by the University of Brighton and Sheffield Hallam University, among others, with the latter’s decision rolled back after a major public backlash.'

timeshighereducation.com

Have teaching-only contracts created a two-tier workforce?

The past decade has seen a dramatic rise in teaching-only roles in the UK, particularly outside the sciences. But does that amount to a welcome focus on education or a cost-saving wheeze that constric...

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

“If you can’t take significant action when there are 750 [people’s] jobs on the line in this job market, then I don’t really know when you can.” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-univ...

timeshighereducation.com

UK universities face autumn of chaos as ‘prolonged’ strikes planned

Unprecedentedly long strikes at Nottingham, Edinburgh and Dundee could be the shape of things to come, observers say

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

'In the most notable case, the University of Nottingham’s University and College Union (UCU) branch has declared strike action of 67 days, expected to last for the majority of the autumn term, as the institution looks to cut 600 full-time equivalent jobs.'

timeshighereducation.com

UK universities face autumn of chaos as ‘prolonged’ strikes planned

Unprecedentedly long strikes at Nottingham, Edinburgh and Dundee could be the shape of things to come, observers say

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

21 Group @21group.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Edinburgh University adds another entry to the imaginative lexicon universities use to say, “We’re cutting” "We are refreshing our programme to consolidate our offering for future students and make their degree pathways easier to navigate" www.heraldscotland.com/news/2656140...

heraldscotland.com

University defends closure of 48 language and literature courses, including Celtic

Forty-eight programmes in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) are among the casualties.

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

No surrender until the University of Dundee rule out making colleagues compulsory redundant. Donate to our campaign as we seek crowdfund support for a Judicial Review of the governance decisions that led the University Court to approve staff and programme cuts www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/judicial-r...

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Nina Markl 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 @ninamarkl.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

massive solidarity with staff at Dundee University who are about to be on strike for the first 5 weeks of term — they have been through so much over the last few years and further cuts would be disastrous for staff, students and the wider community in/around Dundee

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University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

With strike action set to begin in a week and a half, here is a quick overview of what is happening at your university, why it is happening, what UCU is doing about it, and how you can support us as we fight for the future of UoN. #UCU #UoN #UoNUCU #UniversityOfNotting #StopTheCuts #SaveHE

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Plashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Is it ok for management to phone students asking them to take modules not validated on their degree because they’ve sacked people and can’t staff the modules listed? A working day before teaching starts? Hypothetically, obviously.

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 18/09/2026

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class institution and our members are determined to protect it. With an estimated 1,800 jobs at risk, staff are ready to strike for 25 days to defend jobs and the future of the university. Management can end this dispute: rule out compulsory redundancies.

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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

NINETY programmes, fucking hell

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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

By making out trafficking is an "immigration issue" it ignores the largest group trafficked in the UK are UK citizens by UK citizens. By conflating trafficking with smuggling, it undermines protections for trafficking victims, among other things. Media and politicians need to use correct terms. 5/

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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Your universe is a photocopy of a photocopy of a… on.ft.com/4ahkNKa

Al-generated content has surpassed human-written articles
Graph

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Higher Education risks irreversible damage, says British Academy president Prof Susan Smith, with humanities and social sciences disciplines disappearing in many cold spots. BA is tracking subject provision & calling for a comprehensive review www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/stateme...

thebritishacademy.ac.uk

British Academy President: UK higher education crisis risks irreversible damage

As course closures, shrinking provision and widening regional inequalities threaten the future of UK higher education and research, President of the British Academy, Susan J Smith calls for an immedia...

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Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Tom Cutterham @tomcutterham.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

In my part of the university they cut the support staff, then cut the joint honours programmes "because they're creating too much work for the support staff." We no longer offer History & Philosophy (among many other things).

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UCU Scotland @ucuscotland.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

5 week strike at Edinburgh University at start of new academic term. Incl UCU branch co-president quote: “...UCU members are prepared to take action for our colleagues and our students – want to safeguard students’ education not just for five weeks in autumn but for the future." #StopTheCuts #SaveHE

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Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I’ve heard UK academics say that complex degree programmes involving cooperation between departments are targeted for cuts because they are more costly to run. Disastrous if true and goes against intellectual trends of interdisciplinary thought. Very shortsighted.

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Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco @joshpizpom.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

EXC: 90 programmes in Edinburgh University's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are to be closed. The casualties, which include 48 language and literature programmes, will be 'taught out', w/ no admissions after 2027. @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2655839...

heraldscotland.com

Ninety programmes to close at leading university as savings plan takes shape

According to the document, a total of 90 programmes will be “taught out” over the next several years, including 48 in the School of Language.

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Pavel Iosad @anghyflawn.net · 17/09/2026

Among the degrees that have been cut at Edinburgh are Persian Studies (and Persian and Middle Eastern Studies), and Africa and International Development. If only there was any need for specialists in any of these areas in the current state of affairs.

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

'The University and College Union (UCU)’s Edinburgh branch said staff had been called into “informal meetings at less than 24 hours' notice” and told not to bring union representatives.'

heraldscotland.com

Fear and anger as university set to announce 'massive course and programme closures'

Asked to respond, a university spokesperson said that staff and students were recently informed of changes to “our future academic offering across…

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

RPN Playbook: 'Nottingham has “suspended entry” to most of its modern language degrees; the University of Leicester has confirmed the closure of its modern language departments; and the University of Aberdeen has phased out single honours language degrees, including, unbelievably, Gaelic.'

hepi.ac.uk

Language GCSEs in English schools: a postcode lottery? - HEPI

Reversing the “death spiral” in language learning: New report highlights severely unequal participation in language GCSEs. A new Policy Note from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), Language...

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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

We are taking 25 days of strike action starting on Monday. We want the University of Executive Group rule out compulsory redundancies. To our students - this is a last resort to retain jobs that are essential for your education during your degree at the University of Dundee. Support the strike!

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

'The strike action, planned for 22 September, marks the first time staff have organised to walk out in The Lancet’s 200-year history. The Lancet Group, now owned by the Elsevier publishing conglomerate, comprises 29 monthly specialty titles, in addition to the flagship weekly medical journal'.

timeshighereducation.com

Staff at prestigious medical journal set to strike over pay

For the first time in The Lancet’s 200-year history, union members plan to strike over “unacceptable” pay offer

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

'Staff at the University of Essex are set to strike next week over cuts to 400 full-time jobs. The union, Unison, said admissions advisors, IT technicians, admin workers and other professional services staff would walk out on Monday over the proposals.'

bbc.co.uk

Essex University staff to strike over plans to cut 400 jobs

Staff will walk out over a plan to cut 400 jobs, which the university says will protect its future

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Plashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I mean, either the University of Brighton is about to go bust and they’re desperately trying to do anything to fend off collapse OR their senior management are 19th-century coal barons intent on sweating the poor just for fun.

Reposted by Dr Corinne Painter

Daniel C. Blight @danielcblight.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

***URGENT PLEASE SHARE*** University of Brighton management have announced today that they ‘give notice of termination of all collective agreements’. This is a fundamental erasure of workers' rights. Management have announced the termination of all contractual documents, which includes:

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