Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Setting The Agenda for Change in Higher Education: Lessons from Australia

7 8

Reposted by UCU Commons

Tom Cutterham @tomcutterham.bsky.social · 7d

UCU hasn't focused on university governance, but it should. Like their Australian counterparts, British universities are "profoundly undemocratic." @markpendleton.bsky.social is right we should learn from those in Australia who are taking the fight forward on this! ucucommons.org/2025/10/03/s...

A discussion paper by Mark Pendleton (UK-elected HE) [Featured photo: the Australian national flag flying beside the Aboriginal Flag of Australia] Preface UCU Commons has long argued for more delib…

Setting The Agenda for Change in Higher Education: Lessons from Australia

1 4 15

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 7d

UK-elected rep @markpendleton.bsky.social is bringing this discussion paper to HEC on 10 October 2025, about what we can learn from our counterparts in Australia, the NTEU, who are beginning to change the narrative about the future of higher education. #UKHE #UCU

ucucommons.org/2025/10/03/s...

A discussion paper by Mark Pendleton (UK-elected HE) [Featured photo: the Australian national flag flying beside the Aboriginal Flag of Australia] Preface UCU Commons has long argued for more delib…

3

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 7d

Congrats to Dave! We’re really excited about this 💫 #UKHE

Dr Dave Hitchcock @davehitchcock.bsky.social · 7d

I'm honoured to have been elected one of three incoming @royalhistsoc.org council members for a three year term. The Society does an immense amount of good for historians in the UK and beyond and I am flattered I get a chance to play a part in that work.

4

Reposted by UCU Commons

Mark Pendleton @markpendleton.bsky.social · 8d

A new initiative from @ucucommons.bsky.social - key updates from our work in UCU, the union more widely, and highlight news from our sectors. Expect it to drop every two weeks.

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 8d

The first issue of our fortnightly newsletter has landed!

Featuring @markpendleton.bsky.social’s discussion paper to this Friday’s HEC, @hagenilda.bsky.social’s plea to Frances Corner’s successor and other interesting links and news. #UCU #UKHE #AcademicSky

ucucommons.substack.com/p/ucu-common...

A new fortnightly round-up of union and sector specific news

3 5

Reposted by UCU Commons

Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 8d

The first of @ucucommons.bsky.social new fortnightly newsletter bringing news and points of interest around the sector #ucu

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 8d

The first issue of our fortnightly newsletter has landed!

Featuring @markpendleton.bsky.social’s discussion paper to this Friday’s HEC, @hagenilda.bsky.social’s plea to Frances Corner’s successor and other interesting links and news. #UCU #UKHE #AcademicSky

ucucommons.substack.com/p/ucu-common...

A new fortnightly round-up of union and sector specific news

3 4

Reposted by UCU Commons

Lisa Rullsenberg @rullsenberg.bsky.social · 8d

Excellent newsletter ❤️💜🩷💜

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 8d

The first issue of our fortnightly newsletter has landed!

Featuring @markpendleton.bsky.social’s discussion paper to this Friday’s HEC, @hagenilda.bsky.social’s plea to Frances Corner’s successor and other interesting links and news. #UCU #UKHE #AcademicSky

ucucommons.substack.com/p/ucu-common...

A new fortnightly round-up of union and sector specific news

Cutting Corners: a message to the next Vice Chancellor at Goldsmiths

1 2

Reposted by UCU Commons

Jo Edge 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @hagenilda.bsky.social · 8d

I wrote something on my time on returning to Goldsmiths as an associate lecturer, 17 years after graduating with my first degree. It’s a plea to Frances Corner’s successor to learn from mistakes made over the last 6 years and change course. #UCU #UKHE

ucucommons.org/2025/10/06/c...

On 1 October 2025, a short announcement was put on Goldsmiths’ website to say that Vice Chancellor Frances Corner was stepping down with immediate effect. This came off the back of an announcement …

1 22 60

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 8d

The first issue of our fortnightly newsletter has landed!

Featuring @markpendleton.bsky.social’s discussion paper to this Friday’s HEC, @hagenilda.bsky.social’s plea to Frances Corner’s successor and other interesting links and news. #UCU #UKHE #AcademicSky

ucucommons.substack.com/p/ucu-common...

A new fortnightly round-up of union and sector specific news

UCU statement on Manchester synagogue attack

6 7

Reposted by UCU Commons

Matilda Fitzmaurice @matildaf.bsky.social · 12d

#ucu: statement from @drjogrady.bsky.social on the Manchester synagogue attack: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1421...

UCU said it is horrified by the appalling attack at the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur.

www.ucu.org.uk

3 7

Reposted by UCU Commons

Plashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 13d

If a university thinks it’s the ‘best’ it should take people with low or no prior attainment and prove it. Otherwise it’s just cherry-picking and claiming unearned credit.

Patrick Dunleavy @patrickdunleavy.bsky.social · 14d

Elite school students end up in better universities than expected, based on their grades blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...

Elite school students end up in better universities than expected, based on their grades | British Politics and Policy at LSE

Students of private and grammar schools are over-represented in elite universities, but only part of that is explained by better grades.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

6 22 64

Reposted by UCU Commons

Jess O'Thomson @jessothomson.co.uk · 14d

If you use, or would like to use, the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds, it is absolutely worth your time to respond to this consultation.

www.hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is

Future access to the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds

Inviting feedback from pond users, the local community, and stakeholders on how the Kenwood Ladies’, and Highgate Men’s ponds should operate in the future.

www.hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is

1 25 73

Reposted by UCU Commons

Jim Dickinson @jimdickinson.bsky.social · 14d

"International students left in limbo by UCL after university exceeds visa allocations"

International students left in limbo by UCL after university exceeds visa allocations

Hundreds of students accepted on courses facing costs and even deportation after being told to defer studies until 2026

bit.ly

1 4 4

Reposted by UCU Commons

Matilda Fitzmaurice @matildaf.bsky.social · 16d

academics who teach: is it just me who worries about not having enough variety in my small group sessions? Generally I think giving students a chance to discuss things in a dedicated environment is good in itself, but please can I have your activity suggestions to mix things up a bit? #academicsky

2 1 4

Reposted by UCU Commons

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 16d

'University of Sussex leader Sasha Roseneil said she felt opposition to higher education was often grounded in an explicit rejection of the expansion of access that has taken place in recent decades.' 1/2

Universities victims of ‘relentless negativity campaign’

Sussex v-c says media attacks motivated by view that fewer people should obtain a degree

www.timeshighereducation.com

1 24 58

Reposted by UCU Commons

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 17d

Great to have support from parliamentary allies ✊

Adam Thompson, MP and a proud UCU member is standing with us as we prepare to ballot for fair pay and secure jobs.

#WeAreTheUniversity #ucu

1 3

Reposted by UCU Commons

Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 17d

Congrats to the wonderful @matthewbarnard.phd and commiserations to the others who ran. Having people who care is vital for the Union, and I know that Matt is one of those who truly do. #UCU

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 23d

The #ucu NEC casual vacancy results are in! 🗳️

We are thrilled that our candidate @matthewbarnard.phd has been elected as a UK-wide rep! Matt will join existing Commons members on NEC immediately.

Results and scrutineers' reports available here:

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1405...

National executive committee casual vacancies 2025

www.ucu.org.uk

2 7

Reposted by UCU Commons

Karen Gregory @karengregory.bsky.social · 17d

Thanks to @edi.bike and @edinburghminute.bsky.social for picking up news of the @workersobservatory.org workshop this week:

We Deserve Fair Work - Workshop for Delivery Riders in Edinburgh

luma.com/3r5hmptg

We Deserve Fair Work - Workshop for Delivery Riders in Edinburgh · Luma

Food delivery workers in Edinburgh, join the Workers' Observatory and ROOM for our workshop titled "We Deserve Fair Work!" For too long, delivery workers have…

luma.com

9 11

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 17d

Two of our members, the brilliant @hagenilda.bsky.social and Ben Pope, have appeared on the Early Career Researcher Podcast recently talking all things neurodiversity and academia! Well worth a listen. #ucu

Early Career Researcher Podcast @ecrpodcasters.bsky.social · 17d

Hugely proud of this NEW EPISODE: @rozierhistorian.bsky.social @rosiebonte.bsky.social joined by the amazing @hagenilda.bsky.social and Ben, as we talk ‘Neurodiversity + Academia’:

- Definitions
- Pros + Cons of our neurodivergent brains
- Work by @ucu.org.uk on neurodiversity

Links in bio!

5 6

Reposted by UCU Commons

Lisa Rullsenberg @rullsenberg.bsky.social · 20d

I've been privileged to be part of the @ucu.org.uk Women Members' Standing Committee since being elected in November 2023. Please consider registering to attend whichever Equalities conferences you self-identify with (I'll be attending the womens + disabled members conferences).

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 20d

New on our Substack: would you like to take part in UCU's extensive equality work? Here, we provide a breakdown of how to get involved in the annual Equality conference, and how to nominate for the Equalities Standing Committees. #ucu

open.substack.com/pub/ucucommo...

Your guide to UCU Equality Conference 2025: registration and nomination

How to participate in this year's Equality Conference.

Your guide to UCU Equality Conference 2025: registration and nomination

5 9

Reposted by UCU Commons

Matilda Fitzmaurice @matildaf.bsky.social · 20d

Equalities work is a great way to get more involved in UCU. It's not a big time commitment, and more members feeding in their diverse expertise and lived experience can only be a good thing! All registration and nomination is on a self-ID basis. Do let me know if you have questions. #ucu

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 20d

New on our Substack: would you like to take part in UCU's extensive equality work? Here, we provide a breakdown of how to get involved in the annual Equality conference, and how to nominate for the Equalities Standing Committees. #ucu

open.substack.com/pub/ucucommo...

How to participate in this year's Equality Conference.

Your guide to UCU Equality Conference 2025: registration and nomination

5 5

Reposted by UCU Commons

Jo Edge 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @hagenilda.bsky.social · 20d

Come to the @ucu.org.uk Equality Groups Conference/s this November! Handy details in this Substack from us 👇

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 20d

New on our Substack: would you like to take part in UCU's extensive equality work? Here, we provide a breakdown of how to get involved in the annual Equality conference, and how to nominate for the Equalities Standing Committees. #ucu

open.substack.com/pub/ucucommo...

How to participate in this year's Equality Conference.

Your guide to UCU Equality Conference 2025: registration and nomination

1 2

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 20d

UCU does a lot of work on equalities, and this work can only be enhanced with the experience and expertise of its diverse membership. So why not come along to any relevant Equalities conferences, or nominate to one of the standing committees? This all works on a self-ID basis.

2

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 20d

New on our Substack: would you like to take part in UCU's extensive equality work? Here, we provide a breakdown of how to get involved in the annual Equality conference, and how to nominate for the Equalities Standing Committees. #ucu

open.substack.com/pub/ucucommo...

How to participate in this year's Equality Conference.