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Pagan Furrier

@paganfurrier.bsky.social
70 followers 57 following 34 posts

Jaded academic. ProEU. Cats rule.

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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
UEA UCU says join a union @uea-ucu.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
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...
timeshighereducation.com
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’
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Pagan Furrier @paganfurrier.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Not again. What on earth is going on at UEA? @uea-ucu.bsky.social @qmucu.bsky.social yet another one for the list.
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Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
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.
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
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.
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
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.
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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
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
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Pagan Furrier @paganfurrier.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Other VCs, it can be done!
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Martin Paul Eve @eve.gd · 23/06/2025
In use at many UK universities right now
A refuse skip that says "PROFESSOR BIN" on the side
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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
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...
researchprofessionalnews.com
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
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Reported on by the excellent @alasdairclark.bsky.social at The Courier here www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
thecourier.co.uk
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.
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Northumbria UCU Branch @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
✊🥂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.
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Pagan Furrier @paganfurrier.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Indeed. A familiar set of traits in HE “leaders”.
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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
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
timeshighereducation.com
Dundee boss quits after report finds 'poor financial judgement'
Interim vice-chancellor quits after investigators blame financial crisis on mismanagement, not external pressures
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Durham UCU @ducu.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
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.
A washing line with over a dozen pieces of paper, each representing either five lost colleagues, or five vacancies.The line continues...The line ends.
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
REF 2029: splitting staff from outputs ‘distressing’ in jobs crisis. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
researchprofessionalnews.com
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
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Pagan Furrier @paganfurrier.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Meaningful consultation appears to be lacking in HE.
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
David Mead @seethingmead.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
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
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
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.
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Pagan Furrier @paganfurrier.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Disgraceful. So much for Athena Swan and EIA.
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
UK HE News @ukhenews.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
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.
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Lorna Richardson @lornarichardson.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
“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”
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
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
Glasgow put 80 staff members in the Social and Public Health Sciences Unit in at risk of redundancy in November 2024 as a result of funding withdrawal by MRC and the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office. After a brief dispute in March 2025, the university improved its VS offer for the unit, guaranteed it for all staff at risk of redundancy, and instead is now developing a trial with the branch to move some research staff onto open-ended contracts.
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
University accounting teams react to news of a new government tax especially just for them.
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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 07/05/2025
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
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
UEA UCU says join a union @uea-ucu.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
⁉️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
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21 Group @21group.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
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...
bbc.co.uk
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.
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
Paul Langley @paullangley.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
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.
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Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
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?
Extract from email to members threatening disciplinary action if they mention strikes in future out of office replies.
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UEA UCU says join a union @uea-ucu.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
🎙️"Compulsory redundancies [...] would represent a new low in the history of the institution." 🎧 Nick Grant, co-chair of UEA UCU, explains on BBC Radio Norfolk why staff at the university are taking strike action. 🚩Resisting further cuts is in the interests of both staff and students. #SaveUEA
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Pagan Furrier @paganfurrier.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Yikes! And unacceptable @ucu.org.uk
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UCU University of Kent branch @ucukent.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Come catch us on the picket line again tomorrow! (There may be cake)
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Pagan Furrier @paganfurrier.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
WTF? Disgusting.
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
UEA UCU says join a union @uea-ucu.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
🚩Nadine Zubair, UEA UCU co-chair, writes for the BBC: 📣"We will use our strike day to celebrate staff, to remind the employer that we are the university, that we matter, and that we have a clear and unified voice." ✊Join us on Weds 26th March. #SaveUEA www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
UEA students warned of UCU strike action over staff cuts
The University of East Anglia plans to cut 170 full-time positions as part of efforts to save £11m.
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UEA UCU says join a union @uea-ucu.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
📣UEA UCU Day of Action: Join us from 8am outside AHB on Weds 26th. 🚩We are striking for our colleagues at risk of redundancy. 🚩We are striking to protect the education of our students. 🚩We are striking for a better future for UEA. ✊Join us. #SaveUEA
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Pagan Furrier @paganfurrier.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Solidarity!
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Reposted by Pagan Furrier
UEA UCU says join a union @uea-ucu.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
📣REMINDER FOR UEA UCU MEMBERS! 📣Our industrial action will begin with a day of strike action on Wednesday 26th March. 📣We will commence continuous action short of a strike (ASOS) from this date. 📣Further details to follow. #SaveUEA #UKHE
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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
How on earth do these senior managers keep blaming everyone but themselves? Happy to take the six-figure salaries, discretionary funds, and paid-for travel across the planet. But not happy to have the actual responsibility that supposedly justifies those nauseating salaries.
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Katherine Stiles @katherinestiles.org · 16/03/2025
🏛️Higher Education News🏛️ Bolton Council hears University of Greater Manchester probe
theboltonnews.co.uk
Investigation into 'financial matters' at university raised at town hall
Investigations surrounding the University of Greater Manchester, formerly Bolton, have been discussed at town hall
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Sheffield UCU @sheffielducu.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Today our members voted to call on the University of Sheffield to cap salaries at £135k, as well as a range of other concrete measure that will reduce spending without cutting jobs.
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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 24/02/2025
A message from @ducuuo.bsky.social 📢 We're calling on university management to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies 🔥
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
The BBC visited and reported our picket line this morning. The comment from the University is wrong. We have already lost colleagues and many more are being threatened with redundancies. We’re acting now to save your jobs, our jobs at the University of Dundee. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Dundee University staff begin three-week strike
Members of the University and College Union are taking industrial action over potential job cuts
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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 24/02/2025
Strike ballot opens today at University of Sheffield 📣 1,000 staff at risk of redundancy 🚨 "The leadership of this university needs to hold itself accountable for what it is doing to staff", branch president Robyn Orfitelli 🗣️
ucu.org.uk
University of Sheffield strike ballot opens today over plan to put as many as 1,000 staff at risk of redundancy
Staff at the University of Sheffield are being asked to vote in support of strike action in a ballot that opened this morning.
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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 21/02/2025
University leaders have pushed the sector to the brink Our members can help rebuild it but universities need to start making decisions democratically & transparently Excellent piece from @uea-ucu.bsky.social who have won their largest ever mandate for strike action.
timeshighereducation.com
Staff voice can bring proper scrutiny of UK higher education meltdown
More transparent and democratic decision-making within UK universities could have helped institutions avoid the financial mistakes that are now resulting in mass redundancies, argue Nicholas Grant and...
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UCU Westminster @ucuwestminster.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
A union isn't an outside organization that comes in to help you. A union is YOU and your colleagues coming together to empower each other as a collective. And that's way more powerful.
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Rob 🏳️‍🌈 @rotster.net · 30/01/2025
“HR are not on your side” is probably the singular most importantly thing that employees need to know these days.
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Durham UCU @ducu.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Solidarity with colleagues at Cardiff. This is horrifying.
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Sarah May @sarahmay1.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
For those of you (not) following along at home, job losses in UK Higher Education now significantly exceed job losses in Steel. A rough count through this list (I'm sure someone has a better count) adds up to more than 7500, with more announced everyday. UK HE shrinking search.app/Yfg3QSQrpkfv...
search.app
UK HE shrinking
This is a live page of all the redundancies, restructures, reorganisations, and closures taking place across the sector at the moment. Solidarity to all. This sector is vital to the country’s…
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Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
UK Universities “‘They’re hopeless’, one Labour insider told me before the general election. In the eyes of many on the left, they lost the plot on excessive vice chancellor pay and perks, student experience and teaching quality.” #UKHE #AcademicSky #PhDSky #HigherEd
spectator.co.uk
Can our universities be saved?
Universities are facing their biggest crisis in modern history, yet most are in denial and living in la-la land. Warning bells have been ringing for some years, but the descent has been precipitous. J...
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