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Penny Welch

@pennywelch2025.bsky.social
95 followers 72 following 226 posts

Retired university teacher and UCU activist. Co-editor of Learning and Teaching: The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences

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Reposted by Penny Welch
Tom Langen @calocitta.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
US has now eliminated essentially all primary research funding for the social sciences, including Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, Geography, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Science and Technology Studies. The only country in the developed world to have done this.
science.org
‘Complete devastation’: How NSF gutted its social sciences research
Agency body that funds sociology, linguistics, and archaeology studies in U.S. gave 90% fewer new grants this year
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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The Stourbridge fire exposed what wildfire resilience looks like in the UK, after 19 homes were burnt to the ground. Firefighters don't have the proper PPE, training or numbers to deal with this growing risk. FBU general secretary Steve Wright on Channel 5 news.
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Berghahn Books @berghahnbooks.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
It's the 2026 Frankfurt Book Fair! We're happy to be in attendance, so please do come and find us at our booth to chat and see our wonderful selection of latest key titles. Browse our website and find your topic here: bit.ly/3TmmVdO #FBF2026
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Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 02/10/2026
Hey, Suella, leave them kids alone. A school's job is educate children, not force them into religious worship. Keep Christian Nationalism OUT of assemblies, classrooms, and the curriculum. Agree? Sign our petition today 👇 humanists.uk/action/keep-...
humanists.uk
Keep Christian Nationalism out of our schools
Reform UK wants to force every school to sing Christian hymns – and says there will be ‘consequences’ for schools that refuse. Add your name and help us defend inclusive education. Reform UK has unvei...
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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The FBU has won resounding support at Labour Party conference for the recruitment of 5000 firefighters and the introduction of nationally recognised wildfire training.
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Ronald Hartz @ronaldhartz.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
CfPs Journal of Business Ethics - Beyond Publish and Perish: Reimagining the Ethics of Business Ethics Research "what counts as ‘ethical’ scholarship in business ethics, whose voices are authorized, and which knowledges are excluded" link.springer.com/collections/... #OrgStudies #BusinessEthics
link.springer.com
Call for Papers - Beyond Publish and Perish: Reimagining the Ethics of Business Ethics Research
Guest Editors Emmanouela Mandalaki, NEOMA Business School, Emmanouela Mandalaki Anna-Liisa Kaasila-Pakanen, University of Oulu Business School, Anna-Liisa ...
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Birmingham UCU @birminghamucu.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Birmingham UCU members have unanimously passed a “Red Lines Crossed” motion over compulsory redundancies and concerns about procedure, equality and staff wellbeing. The branch is calling for an independent examination of the Translation and Interpreting closure and a pause to redundancy panels.
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Political Studies Association @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
*PSA27 Annual Conference - Call for Papers* For information about proposing a paper, registration fees or FAQs, visit the PSA27 conference page. Proposal deadline: 12 October 2026 ➡️ buff.ly/srTL2qE
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Amazing turnout for our joint rally with @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social at Holyrood. Thank you to all of the MSPs from the Greens, Labour, Lib Dem’s and SNP. Thanks to @ucuscotland.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk for supporting all of our efforts to stop cuts to universities across the country. No more cuts!
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University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
What a gorgeous day to stand in solidarity with your community. Thank you all for standing with us and showing this university what courage and determination looks like. Here's to our strength as the fight continues. But more importantly, here's to us winning. Solidarity, UoNUCU
A photo of the crowd at today's rally
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Lyndsey Stonebridge @lyndseystonebri.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
You're going to be needing specialists in: languages, narrative, history, psychology, information, mythology, conspiracies, etc, etc. then? #humanities #socialscience
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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Resilient public services cannot be built on fragmented ownership and private profit. It must be publicly owned, properly funded and accountable to the public. FBU national officer Adam Taylor speaking at Labour conference in support of #InsourceNow
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 30/09/2026
Israeli attacks on Gaza kill seven as ‘ceasefire’ violations continue aje.news/gnuh6f
Israeli attacks on Gaza kill seven as ‘ceasefire’ violations continue
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Berghahn Books @berghahnbooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Affordability & accessibility matter when choosing course texts. We’ve curated #academicbooks that work especially well. Filter by your subject area & browse our suggested titles: bit.ly/4rbNWNi All available to request as FREE inspection copies via their product pages. #academicsky #humanities
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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
FBU has given a statement in reaction to the Metropolitan Police submitting a Grenfell investigation file to the Crown Prosecution Service.
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Penny Welch @pennywelch2025.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Israeli settlers attack West Bank village and block Palestinian family's return home www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Israeli settlers attack West Bank village and block Palestinian family's return home
Two homes belonging to the al-Tubasi family were set on fire and Israeli security forces were also targeted by settlers.
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Defend Our Juries @defendourjuries.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
UNLAWFUL ARREST On Sunday, police forcefully detained and handcuffed a young man under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act. They stripped him of clothing while dragging him across the floor. He had not committed any crime.
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Berghahn Books @berghahnbooks.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Check out one of our top titles generating sign ups for paperback publication alerts: bit.ly/4dzrJmH This is a 1 time email alert that includes an exclusive #DISCOUNT code. Publication alert offer available across all our titles. #Anthropology #Sociology
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University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Strike action begins this week! Wednesday: meet on the steps outside Portland at noon to collect and then distribute flyers. Thursday: picket from 8:30-11:30 on University Park's West Entrance and then walk to a 12 PM Rally at Trent's South Entrance. See you there and solidarity.
JOIN US ON THE PICKET LINE

Thursday 1st October

Picket: 8:30-11:30 AM, University Park, West Entrance

Rally: 12 PM, Trent Building, South Entrance

UONUCU
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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Wildfires can burn for weeks on end, spread rapidly and ground temperatures can reach over 100°C. Firefighters put their health on the line by working in these extreme conditions. We’re calling on Labour to set a date for the national wildfire summit.
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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Full story: labouroutlook.org/2026/09/26/w...
labouroutlook.org
Wildfires are a trade union issue – Steve Wright, FBU
"The task now is to ensure that the firefighters who will be called upon to deal with them have the numbers, equipment, training and resources they need to keep communities safe."
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Birmingham UCU @birminghamucu.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Health and Safety Executive returns to the University of Birmingham Today Mon 28 Sept. Birmingham UCU and UNISON reps will raise concerns about work-related stress and the University’s response. Have feedback on stress training or risk assessments? Get in touch.
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UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Day 1 of the strike by the workers of UCU Edinburgh against the manufactured deficit (which is not really a deficit), and against a senior management earning millions while staff disappear and education suffers. Solidarity against this parasitical form of management of our higher education.
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RMT Union @rmtunion.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Avanti nationalisation should not leave outsourced workers behind Rail union RMT demanded today that Avanti West Coast outsourced staff be bought into direct employment after the government announced the train company will be brought under public ownership by next March. rmtunion.org/3Vhc0CB
rmtunion.org
Avanti nationalisation should not leave outsourced workers behind, says RMT
Rail union RMT demanded today (September 28) that Avanti West Coast outsourced staff be bought into direct employment after the government announced the train company will be brought under public owne...
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Berghahn Books @berghahnbooks.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The latest Open Access issue of Screen Bodies has published! This is a special issue titled "Screening the Physiogital." Screen Bodies is a part of the Berghahn Open Society subscribe-to-open initiative. Learn more: www.berghahnjournals.com/bos View the TOC here: bit.ly/4AMcDEH
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Plashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Best of luck to @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social members going on strike for over a month. Nobody does this willingly - it’s a last resort, unlike that enormously rich university’s slash and burn tactics.
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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Labour must deliver for firefighters. Last year, the FBU stood on this platform and warned that the fire service had been cut to the bone. This year, as wildfires raged across the UK, there weren't enough firefighters or fire engines to respond to every incident.
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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Underfunding public services is unacceptable. We need 5,000 more firefighters now to start reversing the damage. FBU general secretary Steve Wright on LBC at Labour Conference.
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Ruth! @ruthholliday.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
“The tribunal found a clear pattern of the university trying to shut down complaints made by Wyn in a bid to protect itself from reputational damage” If preventing reputational damage is Cambridge’s aim, it’s not doing very well atm. thetab.com/2026/09/07/c...
thetab.com
Cambridge professor wins tribunal after exposing alleged staff bullying
Wyn Evans, a professor of astrophysics, told the tribunal in June that he had witnessed a 'bad history of misogyny' within the Institute of Astronomy
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RMT Union @rmtunion.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
One week to go. Come and join us next Sunday, October 4, 2026, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street.
Poster inviting to the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street on October 4, 2026, with event details and historical context.
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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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RMT Union @rmtunion.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
RMT calls for action as rail assaults reach record high RAIL union RMT called for action against assaults today (September 24) after the latest figures revealed a 12 per cent increase of violence and abuse against rail workers. rmtunion.org/4rNCp7r
rmtunion.org
RMT calls for action as rail assaults reach record high
RAIL union RMT called for action against assaults today (September 24) after the latest figures revealed a 12 per cent increase of violence and abuse against rail workers.
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Amazing turnout today on Day 4 of our picket to rule out compulsory redundancies.
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Berghahn Books @berghahnbooks.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The latest OPEN ACCESS issue of Contention: The Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Protest has published! Contention is a part of Berghahn Open Society. Learn more: www.berghahnjournals.com/bos View the TOC here: bit.ly/4iJyPsr
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Day4 of 25. The sun is out and we need everyone to come and join us today on the picket line. If you’re in Dundee and well, get yourself down to the front of the Tower!
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Birmingham UCU @birminghamucu.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Reminder: Workplace stress is not an individual resilience problem. Stress-management training alone does not improve wellbeing; improvements come from changing working conditions. The University must address stress at source.
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Penny Welch @pennywelch2025.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Just signed this, the Government actually has a way to get Palantir out of our NHS, but only if they act before the end of the year. Takes one click to add your name 👉 the.organise.network/campaigns/te...
the.organise.network
Terminate the NHS contract with Palantir!
Add your name:
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Berghahn Books @berghahnbooks.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The latest Open Access issue of German Politics and Society, titled "Cultures of Climate Action in Germany," has published! German Politics and Society is a part of the Berghahn Open Society initiative: www.berghahnjournals.com/page/berghah.... View the TOC here: bit.ly/4cIkQ2b
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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
coming in 19th in an overall UK ranking - finally, we are winning in something! Read the full article here: thetab.com/2026/09/08/t... #UKHE
thetab.com
The UK universities which spent the most money on 'restructuring' and cutting staff's jobs
Several Russell Group unis spent millions on voluntary severance schemes
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Penny Welch @pennywelch2025.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
From last week
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Green autumn landscape, 1908 by painter Zinaida Serebriakova #WomensArt
Landscape painting with green striped fields and three windmills in the distance
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Calling all supporters. Join us for a public rally today - Wednesday 23rd September at Central Library in the Wellgate Centre. Support Staff. Support Students. Protect the University. #SaveDundeeUni
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 21/09/2026
Israeli attacks on Palestinians continue in Gaza despite a 'ceasefire' signed in October.
aljazeera.com
Israeli attacks on Gaza kill three, including a child
Israeli attacks on Palestinians continue in Gaza despite a 'ceasefire' signed in October.
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 21/09/2026
Israeli forces arrest dozens of Palestinians in occupied West Bank raid aje.news/dx123v
Israeli forces arrest dozens of Palestinians in occupied West Bank raid
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Penny Welch @pennywelch2025.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
secure.avaaz.org/en/campaigns...
secure.avaaz.org
Bring Our Rivers Back to Life
Sick of sewage and pollution scandals? A Clean Water Bill is coming to Parliament. Let's ensure it's as ambitious as our lakes and rivers need it to be.
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Berghahn Books @berghahnbooks.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The latest OA issue of Learning and Teaching, titled "Internationalisation of Higher Education and Conflicting Policy Worlds," has published! LATISS is a part of Berghahn Open Anthro: www.berghahnjournals.com/page/berghah.... View the TOC here: bit.ly/3VkeY9h @pennywelch2025.bsky.social
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Day 1 of 25 - Massive turnout today on our picket line. Thanks to Heather Anderson MSP and @maggiechapman.bsky.social for your support on the picket line this morning. And for all our amazing students from Students Against Cuts. No compulsory redundancies. #SaveDundeeUni
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 19/09/2026
Israeli soldiers' Gaza testimony causes backlash across much of the country's political establishment.
aljazeera.com
NAZA: Why are old Gaza allegations causing new fury in Israel?
Israeli soldiers' Gaza testimony causes backlash across much of the country's political establishment.
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 17/09/2026
Having warned London of 'consequences' for sanctions, Israel targets UK charities, campaign groups and Palestine Action.
aljazeera.com
UK charities, protest groups: Israeli ban threat ‘will not intimidate us'
Having warned London of 'consequences' for sanctions, Israel targets UK charities, campaign groups and Palestine Action.
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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Firefighters are more likely to suffer or die from cancer than the average worker. The FBU is fighting for every firefighter in the UK to get regular health monitoring. Our goal is presumptive legislation, so no firefighter or their family has to fight for recognition of occupational disease.
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