Sophia Woodman
@sophisteria.bsky.social
She/her. Interdisciplinary tourist, gardener, now-settled nomad, committed to building real solidarity across difference through unions and other forms of bottom-up organising.
Views my own, not representing my branch or uni.
Member of UCU Commons.
Views my own, not representing my branch or uni.
Member of UCU Commons.
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
I’ve been thinking about the intellectual and affective labor involved in reading AI Generated student papers. I’m forecasting a little of the proposal that @cnygren.bsky.social and I advance in a piece that’ll be out soon but here’s where I’ve personally landed (o speak for myself not for us both):
December 4, 2025 at 11:21 PM
I’ve been thinking about the intellectual and affective labor involved in reading AI Generated student papers. I’m forecasting a little of the proposal that @cnygren.bsky.social and I advance in a piece that’ll be out soon but here’s where I’ve personally landed (o speak for myself not for us both):
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
A little bit of history with your #BanjoAunti
It’s essential to examine the roots of our culture so we can understand how we got here, and how we can move forward.
It’s essential to examine the roots of our culture so we can understand how we got here, and how we can move forward.
December 4, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A little bit of history with your #BanjoAunti
It’s essential to examine the roots of our culture so we can understand how we got here, and how we can move forward.
It’s essential to examine the roots of our culture so we can understand how we got here, and how we can move forward.
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
UCU Left + six other HEC members who travel with UCU Left left their common sense at home on the day voted for a ballot that they were warned was doomed to fail
They and they alone own this failure
We literally warned them and they did not care
They and they alone own this failure
We literally warned them and they did not care
Hearing about alarming, defamatory all-branch emails being sent blaming the GS (who does not sit on HEC) for the failure of the #UKHE ballot.
HEC called the ballot. The GS does not sit on HEC. She did her job and acted on HEC's instruction, no matter her personal view. This isn't on her.
HEC called the ballot. The GS does not sit on HEC. She did her job and acted on HEC's instruction, no matter her personal view. This isn't on her.
December 3, 2025 at 10:49 PM
UCU Left + six other HEC members who travel with UCU Left left their common sense at home on the day voted for a ballot that they were warned was doomed to fail
They and they alone own this failure
We literally warned them and they did not care
They and they alone own this failure
We literally warned them and they did not care
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
Farage’s Glasgow Dog Whistle bellacaledonia.org.uk/2025/12/03/f...
Farage’s Glasgow Dog Whistle
Reform UK’s attack on the children of Glasgow may at first seem an oddity, a bizarre lurch even for them. But, in fact, it has direct continuity with some of their most extreme views, many of…
bellacaledonia.org.uk
December 3, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Farage’s Glasgow Dog Whistle bellacaledonia.org.uk/2025/12/03/f...
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
Our statement on yesterday’s #UKHE ballot result is now on our website. #UCU
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
Industrial Action Ballot Result Statement
UCU Commons members are disappointed in the outcome of the ballot; a failed ballot is not a result that any of us wanted. However, we know that many members have lost faith in our union’s elected comm...
ucucommons.org
December 3, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Our statement on yesterday’s #UKHE ballot result is now on our website. #UCU
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
Unfortunately the HE 2025 ballot failed at 39% turnout. I have written about why and about what desperately needs to change in UCU's national structures off the back of this result. Some HEC members need to chi up and understand their role in all this, and how disconnected they are from members.
The HE Ballot failed, now what?
If you’re reading this it is because today the UCU’s 2025 national ballot over pay and conditions in universities has failed. The last time…
hitchcockian.medium.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
Nazi psychopaths
GB News now broadcasting calls to remove the ethnic minority MPs from parliament
December 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Nazi psychopaths
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
"Academic mothers are bound not only by notions of good academia but by conflicting societal ideals of good motherhood"
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Agency and cruel optimism in the care obfuscations of UK-based academic mothers - Higher Education
This article introduces the concept of “care obfuscation”, developed from interviews with 32 UK-based academic mothers about their experience of the transition to parenthood. Care obfuscation refers t...
link.springer.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:44 PM
"Academic mothers are bound not only by notions of good academia but by conflicting societal ideals of good motherhood"
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
Will it ever comeback @sheffielduni.bsky.social?
Remember the Section 188 notice in 2020?
@sheffielducu.bsky.social
Remember the Section 188 notice in 2020?
@sheffielducu.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Will it ever comeback @sheffielduni.bsky.social?
Remember the Section 188 notice in 2020?
@sheffielducu.bsky.social
Remember the Section 188 notice in 2020?
@sheffielducu.bsky.social
It isn't 'right wing' to try to fight for what you believe in with some basic understanding of the terrain, the balance of forces and consideration of a range of tactics, rather than just one. Just saying.
December 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
It isn't 'right wing' to try to fight for what you believe in with some basic understanding of the terrain, the balance of forces and consideration of a range of tactics, rather than just one. Just saying.
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
Dave Kernohan is really angry. Which is good tbh.
NEW on Wonkhe: UCU pay ballot fails to meet threshold bit.ly/4rvwoeQ
December 3, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Dave Kernohan is really angry. Which is good tbh.
'As I feel like I have mentioned a ridiculous number of times, the decision to ballot stalled long-overdue joint work on reforming the salary spine, diversity-driven pay gaps, workload, and contract types.'
#UCU members need to wake up and focus on what's achievable rather than magical thinking.
#UCU members need to wake up and focus on what's achievable rather than magical thinking.
NEW on Wonkhe: UCU pay ballot fails to meet threshold bit.ly/4rvwoeQ
December 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
'As I feel like I have mentioned a ridiculous number of times, the decision to ballot stalled long-overdue joint work on reforming the salary spine, diversity-driven pay gaps, workload, and contract types.'
#UCU members need to wake up and focus on what's achievable rather than magical thinking.
#UCU members need to wake up and focus on what's achievable rather than magical thinking.
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
I’m not a member of UCU Commons, but I agree wholeheartedly with what is said in this blog. Will try and put some of my own thoughts down on paper over the next few days.
Our statement on yesterday’s #UKHE ballot result is now on our website. #UCU
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
Industrial Action Ballot Result Statement
UCU Commons members are disappointed in the outcome of the ballot; a failed ballot is not a result that any of us wanted. However, we know that many members have lost faith in our union’s elected comm...
ucucommons.org
December 3, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I’m not a member of UCU Commons, but I agree wholeheartedly with what is said in this blog. Will try and put some of my own thoughts down on paper over the next few days.
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
There seems to be a lot of mutual desire for UCU to be a stronger union capable of meeting the moment, but less desire (or know how?) to do the slow and less heroic work of listening to people and organising from those mundane realities.
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
Industrial Action Ballot Result Statement
UCU Commons members are disappointed in the outcome of the ballot; a failed ballot is not a result that any of us wanted. However, we know that many members have lost faith in our union’s elected comm...
ucucommons.org
December 3, 2025 at 6:53 PM
There seems to be a lot of mutual desire for UCU to be a stronger union capable of meeting the moment, but less desire (or know how?) to do the slow and less heroic work of listening to people and organising from those mundane realities.
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
ucucommons.org/industrial-b...
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
Unfortunately the HE 2025 ballot failed at 39% turnout. I have written about why and about what desperately needs to change in UCU's national structures off the back of this result. Some HEC members need to chi up and understand their role in all this, and how disconnected they are from members.
The HE Ballot failed, now what?
If you’re reading this it is because today the UCU’s 2025 national ballot over pay and conditions in universities has failed. The last time…
hitchcockian.medium.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Unfortunately the HE 2025 ballot failed at 39% turnout. I have written about why and about what desperately needs to change in UCU's national structures off the back of this result. Some HEC members need to chi up and understand their role in all this, and how disconnected they are from members.
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
It sucks that meeting a new class now involves not just going over the syllabus, setting expectations, and trying to establish a rapport, but also trying to deduce whether any of your new students are vigilante right wing operatives out to seek viral controversy at the expense of your job
If you are a chair of a department or supervise grad students, it might be important to collaborate with your colleagues on ways to strategize when a "problem essay" comes down the pike. It's one small way of protecting each other.
December 1, 2025 at 8:38 PM
It sucks that meeting a new class now involves not just going over the syllabus, setting expectations, and trying to establish a rapport, but also trying to deduce whether any of your new students are vigilante right wing operatives out to seek viral controversy at the expense of your job
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
Some of our most precarious members, tutors and demonstrators on 'guaranteed hours' contracts, have had their work hours cut or disappeared entirely in management's cost cutting spree. All the money paid to Nous could have gone to them.
#StopStaffCutsatUoE
www.theferret.scot/consultancy-...
#StopStaffCutsatUoE
www.theferret.scot/consultancy-...
‘Nousferatu’: the notorious consultancy advising Edinburgh uni amid 'huge' cuts
Scotland’s largest university has turned to Nous Group at the same time as it is making savings that could lead to nearly 2,000 job losses. Staff say they were misled about the extent of its work.
www.theferret.scot
November 30, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Some of our most precarious members, tutors and demonstrators on 'guaranteed hours' contracts, have had their work hours cut or disappeared entirely in management's cost cutting spree. All the money paid to Nous could have gone to them.
#StopStaffCutsatUoE
www.theferret.scot/consultancy-...
#StopStaffCutsatUoE
www.theferret.scot/consultancy-...
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
The University of Edinburgh has quietly paid more than £750,000 to a controversial consulting firm, fuelling suspicion it is helping bosses shape budget cuts that could see hundreds of jobs go, The Ferret has revealed
‘Nousferatu’: Notorious consultants paid £750k by Scottish university amid huge cuts
www.thenational.scot
November 30, 2025 at 12:21 PM
The University of Edinburgh has quietly paid more than £750,000 to a controversial consulting firm, fuelling suspicion it is helping bosses shape budget cuts that could see hundreds of jobs go, The Ferret has revealed
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
🔴 NEW: The University of Edinburgh has quietly paid more than £750,000 to a controversial consulting firm amid job cuts - staff say bosses ignored "repeated" questions about its role.
Read more about 'Nousferatu' 👉 www.theferret.scot/p...
Read more about 'Nousferatu' 👉 www.theferret.scot/p...
November 30, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🔴 NEW: The University of Edinburgh has quietly paid more than £750,000 to a controversial consulting firm amid job cuts - staff say bosses ignored "repeated" questions about its role.
Read more about 'Nousferatu' 👉 www.theferret.scot/p...
Read more about 'Nousferatu' 👉 www.theferret.scot/p...
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
600 ICE agents were supposed to be deployed to Canal Street. Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered instead.
Quick summary by me:
Quick summary by me:
November 29, 2025 at 6:55 PM
600 ICE agents were supposed to be deployed to Canal Street. Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered instead.
Quick summary by me:
Quick summary by me:
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
What is to be done?
VCs splurged on campus buildings. Student income now services property debt not teaching costs. So 14,000 staff must be cut. What kind of education will students get 🤷♀️
Will government resolve this privatization disaster? Or watch managers empty universities of knowledge?
VCs splurged on campus buildings. Student income now services property debt not teaching costs. So 14,000 staff must be cut. What kind of education will students get 🤷♀️
Will government resolve this privatization disaster? Or watch managers empty universities of knowledge?
November 29, 2025 at 11:08 PM
What is to be done?
VCs splurged on campus buildings. Student income now services property debt not teaching costs. So 14,000 staff must be cut. What kind of education will students get 🤷♀️
Will government resolve this privatization disaster? Or watch managers empty universities of knowledge?
VCs splurged on campus buildings. Student income now services property debt not teaching costs. So 14,000 staff must be cut. What kind of education will students get 🤷♀️
Will government resolve this privatization disaster? Or watch managers empty universities of knowledge?
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
Sought and found asylum in the UK
R.I.P. Tom Stoppard, playwright most famous for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Sir Tom Stoppard, playwright famed for his wit and depth, dies at 88
Winning an Oscar for the screenplay for Shakespeare In Love, he captivated the hearts of audiences for more than six decades.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Sought and found asylum in the UK
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
One of the few salutary things about the current moment (I’m thinking of maybe the last 20 months) is the exposure of campus governance structures. Many of us know a lot more about how our institutions work—power and influence, as well as actual rules—than might have been the case prior.
Use that.
Use that.
Do not blame institutions, which are many things to many people.
Do not blame the people who work there, who have little real say and are universally staunchly opposed. (Very often students too.)
Instead:
Blame leadership.
Blame alumni with fingers on scales.
Blame the media for normalizing.
Do not blame the people who work there, who have little real say and are universally staunchly opposed. (Very often students too.)
Instead:
Blame leadership.
Blame alumni with fingers on scales.
Blame the media for normalizing.
November 29, 2025 at 5:58 PM
One of the few salutary things about the current moment (I’m thinking of maybe the last 20 months) is the exposure of campus governance structures. Many of us know a lot more about how our institutions work—power and influence, as well as actual rules—than might have been the case prior.
Use that.
Use that.
Reposted by Sophia Woodman
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “The fact that the asphyxiation of British higher education does not instantly count as a national scandal underlines the extent to which the austerity mindset continues to constrain our political imagination”.
moneyontheleft.org/2025/01/16/u...
moneyontheleft.org/2025/01/16/u...
UK Universities in Crisis? Time to Transform Higher Ed Finance
by Rob Hawkes and Scott Ferguson Universities in the UK are in crisis. Job cuts in the sector are reaching ‘cataclysmic’ levels, with an estimated 10,000 already lost and many more at risk. Just da…
moneyontheleft.org
November 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “The fact that the asphyxiation of British higher education does not instantly count as a national scandal underlines the extent to which the austerity mindset continues to constrain our political imagination”.
moneyontheleft.org/2025/01/16/u...
moneyontheleft.org/2025/01/16/u...