Amy Ryall
@amyryall.bsky.social
Academic-related staff in HE, UCU member, Trustee, Eyam Museum.
Would rather be in Wales, Berlin and/or out of Higher Education.
Would rather be in Wales, Berlin and/or out of Higher Education.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Into week 2 of our strike action @sheffielducu.bsky.social as we fight for no compulsory redundancies and a pause to the programme of unjustified reviews and restructure. Donations from branches/orgs/individuals very welcome as we financially support members to stay out: tinyurl.com/yxrz3p5d
Donate to the Sheffield UCU Industrial Action Solidarity Fund
What is the Sheffield UCU Industrial Action Solidarity Fund, and how to contribute.
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Into week 2 of our strike action @sheffielducu.bsky.social as we fight for no compulsory redundancies and a pause to the programme of unjustified reviews and restructure. Donations from branches/orgs/individuals very welcome as we financially support members to stay out: tinyurl.com/yxrz3p5d
Reposted by Amy Ryall
If you still have your HE postal ballot in hand, please vote as soon as possible. Wednesday 26 November is the last 'safe' date to post the HE ballot. @ucu.org.uk #UCUstrike @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ucuhallam.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
If you still have your HE postal ballot in hand, please vote as soon as possible. Wednesday 26 November is the last 'safe' date to post the HE ballot. @ucu.org.uk #UCUstrike @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ucuhallam.bsky.social
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Reposting this for more leads - please, ANY contacts in the licensing dept for the Science Museum?? I've waited months for email replies, and calling the numbers I've been given just gets hold music, answerphones and occassionally weird calls where they cut out or it's just white noise.
🗃️
🗃️
Has anyone had dealings with the Science Museum picture library recently & have any alternative contact info? I've had zero luck getting a response from them at the general email (it's been months since my first email) & my request is getting urgent :/ www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/contact.asp 🗃️
Contact Us - Science & Society Picture Library
View and buy rights managed stock photos at Science & Society Picture Library.
www.scienceandsociety.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposting this for more leads - please, ANY contacts in the licensing dept for the Science Museum?? I've waited months for email replies, and calling the numbers I've been given just gets hold music, answerphones and occassionally weird calls where they cut out or it's just white noise.
🗃️
🗃️
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Day 3 Sheffield Uni UCU strike against threat of extensive redundancies. 400 academic staff gone. Nearly 100 more now confirmed. They want another £10m staff saving this year, despite being in a strong position financially. #SheffieldUCU @sheffielducu.bsky.social www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
November 19, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Day 3 Sheffield Uni UCU strike against threat of extensive redundancies. 400 academic staff gone. Nearly 100 more now confirmed. They want another £10m staff saving this year, despite being in a strong position financially. #SheffieldUCU @sheffielducu.bsky.social www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
Hard to know what to say about this in the middle of a UCU strike ballot except that we shouldn’t be able to categorically compare our union senior management with our higher education employers.
May they come to their senses soon.
May they come to their senses soon.
Please see our statement for further information.
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/11/17/s...
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/11/17/s...
Statement from Unite UCU
After once again being denied an observer, it has come to our attention that on Friday 7th of November UCU’s General Secretary, Jo Grady, told the National Executive Committee that there was only o…
uniteucu.wordpress.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Hard to know what to say about this in the middle of a UCU strike ballot except that we shouldn’t be able to categorically compare our union senior management with our higher education employers.
May they come to their senses soon.
May they come to their senses soon.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Lots of university strikes happening at the moment (from the UCU union) over the funding crisis and cuts in the sector. Via StrikeMap:
November 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Lots of university strikes happening at the moment (from the UCU union) over the funding crisis and cuts in the sector. Via StrikeMap:
Reposted by Amy Ryall
For anyone still unsure of how appalling this government’s immigration policy is – this is what the Nazis did this as people arrived at concentration camps.
Refugees’ jewellery could be seized to pay for asylum costs, says Home Office minister
Refugees’ jewellery could be seized to pay for asylum costs, says Home Office minister
Idea borrowed from Denmark is latest attempt to reduce number of refugees coming to UK
Refugees could have jewellery or other valuables taken to pay for the costs of processing their cases, a Home Office minister has said, in another detail of changes to migration policy likely to cause worries among Labour MPs.
Speaking to broadcasters before the formal announcement of sweeping changes to asylum policy on Monday, the Home Office minister Alex Norris said while this would not involve seizing wedding rings, jewellery without sentimental value could be taken. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:21 AM
For anyone still unsure of how appalling this government’s immigration policy is – this is what the Nazis did this as people arrived at concentration camps.
Solidarity with friends and former colleagues @sheffielducu.bsky.social who start strike action today. Staff at Sheffield have been subjected to relentless and unnecessary attack for years now and have been badly let down by management.
Special shout out to all the ARPS staff taking action. 💪✊
Special shout out to all the ARPS staff taking action. 💪✊
November 17, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Solidarity with friends and former colleagues @sheffielducu.bsky.social who start strike action today. Staff at Sheffield have been subjected to relentless and unnecessary attack for years now and have been badly let down by management.
Special shout out to all the ARPS staff taking action. 💪✊
Special shout out to all the ARPS staff taking action. 💪✊
Reposted by Amy Ryall
"These cuts have probably already taken about 3,000 jobs out of the local economy"
We report from the frontline as @ucuhallam.bsky.social members begin a fresh wave of strike action against @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social 🪧
✍️ @rose-mason.bsky.social
#Sheffield @ucu.org.uk @drjogrady.bsky.social
We report from the frontline as @ucuhallam.bsky.social members begin a fresh wave of strike action against @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social 🪧
✍️ @rose-mason.bsky.social
#Sheffield @ucu.org.uk @drjogrady.bsky.social
Sheffield Hallam staff are going on strike – but will the university listen?
This week marks the first of strike action at Sheffield Hallam. Now Then headed down to the picket line to find out why staff are choosing to swap their lanyards for placards over the next few weeks.
nowthenmagazine.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
"These cuts have probably already taken about 3,000 jobs out of the local economy"
We report from the frontline as @ucuhallam.bsky.social members begin a fresh wave of strike action against @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social 🪧
✍️ @rose-mason.bsky.social
#Sheffield @ucu.org.uk @drjogrady.bsky.social
We report from the frontline as @ucuhallam.bsky.social members begin a fresh wave of strike action against @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social 🪧
✍️ @rose-mason.bsky.social
#Sheffield @ucu.org.uk @drjogrady.bsky.social
On a train. The WiFi works. Think I must be in a parallel universe.
a man with curly hair and glasses is making a funny face .
Alt: a man with curly hair and glasses is making a confused face
media.tenor.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:37 AM
On a train. The WiFi works. Think I must be in a parallel universe.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
When you really need to listen to Indigenous peoples: “We can’t eat money… We want our lands free from agribusiness, oil exploration, illegal miners and illegal loggers.” An exemplar of #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs.
November 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
When you really need to listen to Indigenous peoples: “We can’t eat money… We want our lands free from agribusiness, oil exploration, illegal miners and illegal loggers.” An exemplar of #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs.
Solidarity with SHU UCU on strike. I’m on a research project based there just now and the loss of so many Professional Services staff is acutely noticeable.
It’s inexplicable to treat a sector that brings so much to the UK as disposable and its staff as if they aren’t people. Stop it.
It’s inexplicable to treat a sector that brings so much to the UK as disposable and its staff as if they aren’t people. Stop it.
It is the second time this year members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Sheffield Hallam have taken action....
Bob Jeffery... [UCU Sheffield Hallam], said: "Massive cuts have been pushed through, so we've lost about 1,000 staff in the last two years."'
Bob Jeffery... [UCU Sheffield Hallam], said: "Massive cuts have been pushed through, so we've lost about 1,000 staff in the last two years."'
Fresh strike action begins at Sheffield Hallam University
Union members at Sheffield Hallam Uni strike in a dispute over job losses, workload and welfare.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Solidarity with SHU UCU on strike. I’m on a research project based there just now and the loss of so many Professional Services staff is acutely noticeable.
It’s inexplicable to treat a sector that brings so much to the UK as disposable and its staff as if they aren’t people. Stop it.
It’s inexplicable to treat a sector that brings so much to the UK as disposable and its staff as if they aren’t people. Stop it.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Closing vital programmes is not the answer to resolving the issues faced by Universities- senior management need to work with students and staff to find long term solutions.
Closing vital programmes is not the answer to resolving the issues faced by Universities- senior management need to work with students and staff to find long term solutions.
University of Nottingham students fight 'insane' cull of courses
Traitors composer Sam Watts is among those against plans to cut University of Nottingham courses.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 11:12 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Closing vital programmes is not the answer to resolving the issues faced by Universities- senior management need to work with students and staff to find long term solutions.
Closing vital programmes is not the answer to resolving the issues faced by Universities- senior management need to work with students and staff to find long term solutions.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
Horrific, stupid news from @uniofnottingham.bsky.social — they are closing their music department. Apparently they all found out suddently in a meeting yesterday.
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Horrific, stupid news from @uniofnottingham.bsky.social — they are closing their music department. Apparently they all found out suddently in a meeting yesterday.
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Amy Ryall
I was once on a validation panel for a partnership degree with a uni in Malaysia. The documentation promised that staff / students in Malaysia would have the same rights & protections as in the UK. I asked how this was possible in a country where same sex relationships were illegal.
Tumbleweed.
Tumbleweed.
Note the ‘British soil’ bit. My uni has plans to open a campus in China. The VC scoffed at me when I expressed concern that staff and students wouldn’t be able to speak freely, and that - as he said - the curriculum would be censored. It’s the price of doing business.
November 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
I was once on a validation panel for a partnership degree with a uni in Malaysia. The documentation promised that staff / students in Malaysia would have the same rights & protections as in the UK. I asked how this was possible in a country where same sex relationships were illegal.
Tumbleweed.
Tumbleweed.
This sounds LOVELY!
#Exhibition
If you haven't already been, please pop by and see the Stories from the Stores exhibition. It finishes this Sunday, 9 November.
This co-produced exhibition, the Dynamic Collections project volunteer team share some of the inspiring stories they have encountered through their work.
If you haven't already been, please pop by and see the Stories from the Stores exhibition. It finishes this Sunday, 9 November.
This co-produced exhibition, the Dynamic Collections project volunteer team share some of the inspiring stories they have encountered through their work.
November 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This sounds LOVELY!
Paging @teamlabouruk.bsky.social
Repeat until this message is understood… by politicians and media.
‘Catherine Connolly garnered 914,000 first preference votes, the highest number ever recorded for any presidential candidate in Irish history, by explicitly rejecting far-right narratives throughout the course of her campaign’
‘Catherine Connolly garnered 914,000 first preference votes, the highest number ever recorded for any presidential candidate in Irish history, by explicitly rejecting far-right narratives throughout the course of her campaign’
November 3, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Paging @teamlabouruk.bsky.social
Reposted by Amy Ryall
ASOS which is "work in the same way you’ve done for years" is not irresponsible. It's protecting our members until a fair & equitable hybrid policy is agreed.
UCU SMT then deducting 100% of daily pay from staff taking ASOS & undermining its own policy?
Now that’s irresponsible.
UCU SMT then deducting 100% of daily pay from staff taking ASOS & undermining its own policy?
Now that’s irresponsible.
November 3, 2025 at 9:47 AM
ASOS which is "work in the same way you’ve done for years" is not irresponsible. It's protecting our members until a fair & equitable hybrid policy is agreed.
UCU SMT then deducting 100% of daily pay from staff taking ASOS & undermining its own policy?
Now that’s irresponsible.
UCU SMT then deducting 100% of daily pay from staff taking ASOS & undermining its own policy?
Now that’s irresponsible.
Eff off, Nigel.
🔴Nigel Farage Says Minimum Wage Should Be Cut for Young People
The Reform leader said cutting the minimum wage for young people would boost business, as he attacked plans to raise taxes on the wealthy
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/03/n...
The Reform leader said cutting the minimum wage for young people would boost business, as he attacked plans to raise taxes on the wealthy
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/03/n...
Nigel Farage Says Minimum Wage Should Be Cut for Young People
The Reform leader said cutting the minimum wage for young people would boost business, as he attacked plans to raise taxes on the wealthy
bylinetimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Eff off, Nigel.
Monday morning ballot posting for @ucu.org.uk ballot.
If you’re an eligible UCU member please post your ballot. Union democracy can’t function without members indicting what they want.
If you’re an eligible UCU member please post your ballot. Union democracy can’t function without members indicting what they want.
November 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Monday morning ballot posting for @ucu.org.uk ballot.
If you’re an eligible UCU member please post your ballot. Union democracy can’t function without members indicting what they want.
If you’re an eligible UCU member please post your ballot. Union democracy can’t function without members indicting what they want.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
As @cathamclarke.bsky.social said to me the other week; it’s clear there’s a NEED for history - just look around you. But there’s a disconnect between that and the realisation that there’s a need to train historians.
I think it’s even worse: the lack of recognition that there even *is* such a thing as professional training in historical research!
November 1, 2025 at 9:52 AM
As @cathamclarke.bsky.social said to me the other week; it’s clear there’s a NEED for history - just look around you. But there’s a disconnect between that and the realisation that there’s a need to train historians.
Really really basic public health.
Vaccines make a difference!
Please read, sign, and share, this petition to urge the UK government to overturn its policy regarding access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Make it universally available, free of charge, regardless of age - subject to our own medical history.
www.change.org/Make-Covid-V...
Please read, sign, and share, this petition to urge the UK government to overturn its policy regarding access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Make it universally available, free of charge, regardless of age - subject to our own medical history.
www.change.org/Make-Covid-V...
Sign the Petition
Make COVID vaccine universally available in the UK - free of charge.
www.change.org
November 1, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Really really basic public health.
Reposted by Amy Ryall
I would genuinely ask how are they going to know? I had HEIF funding about ten years ago for public engagement activity that fed into a project that has since made money for my own company and informed commercial work by several other people. 1/2
'On 29 October, Research England revealed that a shake-up in the purpose of HEIF will see the programme—which distributes £280 million annually towards knowledge exchange activities in universities—narrow its funding focus towards activities that can be proven to drive economic growth.' 1/3
HEIF funding ‘refreshed’ to drive government’s growth mission.
Funding formula to be changed as part of shake-up, while institutions will demonstrate EDI commitments.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Funding formula to be changed as part of shake-up, while institutions will demonstrate EDI commitments.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
October 29, 2025 at 8:33 AM
I would genuinely ask how are they going to know? I had HEIF funding about ten years ago for public engagement activity that fed into a project that has since made money for my own company and informed commercial work by several other people. 1/2
I work in a drama school. We do loads of really great knowledge exchange which makes a massive difference. Almost none of it contributes to ‘economic growth‘ in narrow Research England terms. We can’t even meet the HEIF threshold now.
What do we do with this?
UURRRGGGHHH
What do we do with this?
UURRRGGGHHH
'On 29 October, Research England revealed that a shake-up in the purpose of HEIF will see the programme—which distributes £280 million annually towards knowledge exchange activities in universities—narrow its funding focus towards activities that can be proven to drive economic growth.' 1/3
HEIF funding ‘refreshed’ to drive government’s growth mission.
Funding formula to be changed as part of shake-up, while institutions will demonstrate EDI commitments.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Funding formula to be changed as part of shake-up, while institutions will demonstrate EDI commitments.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
October 29, 2025 at 8:37 AM
I work in a drama school. We do loads of really great knowledge exchange which makes a massive difference. Almost none of it contributes to ‘economic growth‘ in narrow Research England terms. We can’t even meet the HEIF threshold now.
What do we do with this?
UURRRGGGHHH
What do we do with this?
UURRRGGGHHH
Reposted by Amy Ryall
We tried to place this story - very expensive polling, the first of its kind, strong quantitative data about what trans people feel about Britain: bluntly there is no better way to tell the story - with the BBC but it said it was "too weak".
But it will pick up any old piece of transhating garbage.
But it will pick up any old piece of transhating garbage.
In @yougov.co.uk polling of the trans community, to the best of our knowledge the first of its kind ever conducted, an astonishing 84% said Britain is “fairly unsafe” or “very unsafe” for trans people.
goodlaw.social/ncfw
goodlaw.social/ncfw
‘Abject terror’: survey shows 84% of trans people feel Britain is unsafe
YouGov poll reveals safety crisis for trans people in the UK
goodlaw.social
October 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM
We tried to place this story - very expensive polling, the first of its kind, strong quantitative data about what trans people feel about Britain: bluntly there is no better way to tell the story - with the BBC but it said it was "too weak".
But it will pick up any old piece of transhating garbage.
But it will pick up any old piece of transhating garbage.