Joanne Tatham
@tathamjoanne.bsky.social
I’m an artist working within public spaces of exhibition and publication, thinking about who gets to make art and how, where and why 👀 Reader in Contemporary Art + Co-lead of MFA Arts & Humanities at Royal College of Art 🤡 UCU rep.✊ 🪱
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
Feels like a good time to remind people: pensions are deferred wages. Moving someone forcibly to a worse pension is wage theft. Always unjustifiable, but particularly appalling in the context of years and years of real-terms pay cuts. Why do they NEVER have any solution other than paying us less?
Please sign and share: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/no...
November 24, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Feels like a good time to remind people: pensions are deferred wages. Moving someone forcibly to a worse pension is wage theft. Always unjustifiable, but particularly appalling in the context of years and years of real-terms pay cuts. Why do they NEVER have any solution other than paying us less?
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
Don't know if you'd be interested in a bit of work on Saturday 1st July, they're booking people to roam around in wild animal costumes uptown.
November 24, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Don't know if you'd be interested in a bit of work on Saturday 1st July, they're booking people to roam around in wild animal costumes uptown.
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
‘The art school dance goes on forever’ . Making it to the 200th anniversary of state funding of UK art schools in 2037 will be a miracle.
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 AM
‘The art school dance goes on forever’ . Making it to the 200th anniversary of state funding of UK art schools in 2037 will be a miracle.
The RCA isn’t always included in these summaries, probably because it’s small and the overall figures are low, but the % impact is potentially the worst of all. As a PG only specialist institution it’s funding model is also different to other universities, i.e. no fees via UG student loans.
2023 news report on variations in share of income from international students
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
November 24, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The RCA isn’t always included in these summaries, probably because it’s small and the overall figures are low, but the % impact is potentially the worst of all. As a PG only specialist institution it’s funding model is also different to other universities, i.e. no fees via UG student loans.
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
I wanted to share some personal good news. Friday was the cat’s annual trip to the vet. She has successfully lost 0.7kg! It’s been a struggle (to ignore the plaintive meiows) but she is apparently now perfect.
November 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I wanted to share some personal good news. Friday was the cat’s annual trip to the vet. She has successfully lost 0.7kg! It’s been a struggle (to ignore the plaintive meiows) but she is apparently now perfect.
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
Doubtless all true, but a successful university will be one whose leadership takes its staff—who, for good reason, might not see some of this as part of their job—with it.
'What We Need To Do Now' ... an agenda for universities in the new post-16 system ... set out by @profserious.bsky.social profserious.substack.com/p/what-we-ne...
What We Need To Do Now
an agenda for universities in the new post-16 system
profserious.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Doubtless all true, but a successful university will be one whose leadership takes its staff—who, for good reason, might not see some of this as part of their job—with it.
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
Join the Rally at Parliament on Wednesday, if you're in Edinburgh:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rally-to-s...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rally-to-s...
Rally to Save Jobs at UoE
UCU, with the Joint Unions, EUSA and the SSSN, will rally at Parliament as the big finish to our upcoming 3 days of strike action.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Join the Rally at Parliament on Wednesday, if you're in Edinburgh:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rally-to-s...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rally-to-s...
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
TL:DR- University wants to force faculty into cheaper (for them) USS pension plan by freezing pay for staff in the TPS pension INDEFINITELY.
This is a massive pay cut on top of the continuing devaluation of academic salaries due to not being adjusted for inflation.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/14256
This is a massive pay cut on top of the continuing devaluation of academic salaries due to not being adjusted for inflation.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/14256
Strike ballot looms at Northumbria University over attack on pay & pensions
Staff at Northumbria University have taken steps towards a strike ballot over plans by the university to force staff from the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (...
www.ucu.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:42 AM
TL:DR- University wants to force faculty into cheaper (for them) USS pension plan by freezing pay for staff in the TPS pension INDEFINITELY.
This is a massive pay cut on top of the continuing devaluation of academic salaries due to not being adjusted for inflation.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/14256
This is a massive pay cut on top of the continuing devaluation of academic salaries due to not being adjusted for inflation.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/14256
I did my BA at Duncan of Jordanstone. This was when it was independent, before it became part of the university, and it’s very concerning to see it now disintegrating within this wider disaster there. Art education feels at real risk of becoming thinned out in Scotland rn.
"How is the dispute at Dundee University affecting students?"
How is the dispute at Dundee University affecting students?
Students say they are feeling the effects across studios, classrooms and workshops.
bbc.in
November 14, 2025 at 7:58 AM
I did my BA at Duncan of Jordanstone. This was when it was independent, before it became part of the university, and it’s very concerning to see it now disintegrating within this wider disaster there. Art education feels at real risk of becoming thinned out in Scotland rn.
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
The senior leadership team at @edinburghuniversity plan to cut staff expenditure by £90m, which is more than 10%.
This would mean about 1 in 8 members of staff losing their jobs. With hundreds of jobs already lost, a further 1,000+ jobs are on the line.
www.instagram.com/p/DQuFjwBjHB5/
This would mean about 1 in 8 members of staff losing their jobs. With hundreds of jobs already lost, a further 1,000+ jobs are on the line.
www.instagram.com/p/DQuFjwBjHB5/
November 12, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The senior leadership team at @edinburghuniversity plan to cut staff expenditure by £90m, which is more than 10%.
This would mean about 1 in 8 members of staff losing their jobs. With hundreds of jobs already lost, a further 1,000+ jobs are on the line.
www.instagram.com/p/DQuFjwBjHB5/
This would mean about 1 in 8 members of staff losing their jobs. With hundreds of jobs already lost, a further 1,000+ jobs are on the line.
www.instagram.com/p/DQuFjwBjHB5/
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
The Barbellion Prize celebrates and promotes writing that represents the experience of chronic illness and disability. Since the re-launch laste week we've raised 10% of our target, so there's still a way to go. Pllease support this unique literary award barbellionprize.org Thank you!
The Barbellion Prize | A prize recognising literary representation of chronically disabled lives.
barbellionprize.org
November 9, 2025 at 12:25 PM
The Barbellion Prize celebrates and promotes writing that represents the experience of chronic illness and disability. Since the re-launch laste week we've raised 10% of our target, so there's still a way to go. Pllease support this unique literary award barbellionprize.org Thank you!
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
This article has now been amended to include a statement from UCU.
Put more accurately - it is pension cuts or pay cuts. That's the 'choice'.
Northumbria University attempts to move employees to cheaper pension scheme to bring down sky-high contribution rates
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/northumbria-freeze-staff-pay-if-they-refuse-switch-pensions
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/northumbria-freeze-staff-pay-if-they-refuse-switch-pensions
November 7, 2025 at 10:13 AM
This article has now been amended to include a statement from UCU.
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
If you missed it, here’s the interim Principal talking about substantial future job cuts at University of Dundee.
He refers to the number of job losses recommended in the recovery plan. This is 390FTE with 340FTE via redundancies.
We believe redundancies are not necessary. #SaveHE #SaveDundeeUni
He refers to the number of job losses recommended in the recovery plan. This is 390FTE with 340FTE via redundancies.
We believe redundancies are not necessary. #SaveHE #SaveDundeeUni
November 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM
If you missed it, here’s the interim Principal talking about substantial future job cuts at University of Dundee.
He refers to the number of job losses recommended in the recovery plan. This is 390FTE with 340FTE via redundancies.
We believe redundancies are not necessary. #SaveHE #SaveDundeeUni
He refers to the number of job losses recommended in the recovery plan. This is 390FTE with 340FTE via redundancies.
We believe redundancies are not necessary. #SaveHE #SaveDundeeUni
Liam Gillick. Simpler times!
November 3, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Liam Gillick. Simpler times!
Me after I ask Any Questions?
October 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Me after I ask Any Questions?
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
'Are you from a professional family, went to private school, have a postgraduate degree, and live in London with a load of cash in the bank?
If so, congrats – you’re three times more likely to become an artist than anyone else.' 1/2
If so, congrats – you’re three times more likely to become an artist than anyone else.' 1/2
Who gets to be an artist?
Are you from a professional family, went to private school, have a postgraduate degree, and live in London with a load of cash in the bank?
wonkhe.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
'Are you from a professional family, went to private school, have a postgraduate degree, and live in London with a load of cash in the bank?
If so, congrats – you’re three times more likely to become an artist than anyone else.' 1/2
If so, congrats – you’re three times more likely to become an artist than anyone else.' 1/2
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
Where is the money? @qmul.bsky.social haven't paid many cleaners their overtime since August; unions haven’t had their Facilities Time paid since August; many Teaching Associates & Teaching Fellows have not had any pay in September. All since the new financial year.
October 13, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Where is the money? @qmul.bsky.social haven't paid many cleaners their overtime since August; unions haven’t had their Facilities Time paid since August; many Teaching Associates & Teaching Fellows have not had any pay in September. All since the new financial year.
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
I’m desperately sorry for staff at these institutions. I’m also sorry it wasn’t news when my institution did it to us two years in a row, 2020-2022.
'Staff at some institutions will not get even get the small rise due to them because of a clause in the negotiations that allows for a delay for up to 11 months if a university is facing financial difficulties.' So far, Dundee, Kent, Brunel, Coventry, Swansea.
Five UK universities tell staff they can’t afford pay rises
Negotiations over whether to honour 1.4 per cent increase ongoing at several other institutions amid financial crunch
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:52 AM
I’m desperately sorry for staff at these institutions. I’m also sorry it wasn’t news when my institution did it to us two years in a row, 2020-2022.
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
October 6, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
International agents get the moment the students they recruited are enrolled. If they drop out after, if they aren't actually prepared, that doesn't matter to them, because the measure of their success is the fee at point of enrollment.
Should we rely on them this much?
www.ft.com/content/3f49...
Should we rely on them this much?
www.ft.com/content/3f49...
September 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
International agents get the moment the students they recruited are enrolled. If they drop out after, if they aren't actually prepared, that doesn't matter to them, because the measure of their success is the fee at point of enrollment.
Should we rely on them this much?
www.ft.com/content/3f49...
Should we rely on them this much?
www.ft.com/content/3f49...
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
GWL is commissioning new works for our #WeMakeMuseums project to be exhibited at Glasgow International 2026.
We’re seeking women artists with socially engaged, intersectional practices informed by environmental, class-aware, & anti-racist approaches.
womenslibrary.org.uk/2025/09/24/a...
We’re seeking women artists with socially engaged, intersectional practices informed by environmental, class-aware, & anti-racist approaches.
womenslibrary.org.uk/2025/09/24/a...
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
GWL is commissioning new works for our #WeMakeMuseums project to be exhibited at Glasgow International 2026.
We’re seeking women artists with socially engaged, intersectional practices informed by environmental, class-aware, & anti-racist approaches.
womenslibrary.org.uk/2025/09/24/a...
We’re seeking women artists with socially engaged, intersectional practices informed by environmental, class-aware, & anti-racist approaches.
womenslibrary.org.uk/2025/09/24/a...
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
Short-term post-doc for arts/humanities researchers! Do you love rare books, manuscripts, archives, art and/or objects? Would you like to explore one of our amazing Cultural Collections @universityofleeds.bsky.social for c. 6 weeks (longer part-time)? Find out more lahri.leeds.ac.uk/brotherton-f...
Brotherton Fellowship | Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute
lahri.leeds.ac.uk
September 17, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Short-term post-doc for arts/humanities researchers! Do you love rare books, manuscripts, archives, art and/or objects? Would you like to explore one of our amazing Cultural Collections @universityofleeds.bsky.social for c. 6 weeks (longer part-time)? Find out more lahri.leeds.ac.uk/brotherton-f...
Reposted by Joanne Tatham
You what now? Who gets to define 'hobbyist'? The REF 'funds' research.
Anti-intellectual, utilitarian, ignorant approach from the UUK president.
Anti-intellectual, utilitarian, ignorant approach from the UUK president.
Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ .
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ - Research Professional News
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:29 AM
You what now? Who gets to define 'hobbyist'? The REF 'funds' research.
Anti-intellectual, utilitarian, ignorant approach from the UUK president.
Anti-intellectual, utilitarian, ignorant approach from the UUK president.