UCU University of Kent branch
@ucukent.bsky.social
UCU University of Kent
Fighting for a better Higher Education - staff working conditions are student learning conditions.
https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/ucuuok/
https://www.instagram.com/ucu.kent?igsh=MWRuZnZ5Y3k1ZXlhNQ==
Fighting for a better Higher Education - staff working conditions are student learning conditions.
https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/ucuuok/
https://www.instagram.com/ucu.kent?igsh=MWRuZnZ5Y3k1ZXlhNQ==
One bit of good news from the update about the merger - there's a commitment to keep us all on our existing pensions.
Our new name is still not definite, but it's likely to be London & SE University Group.
We'll also ALL remain on our existing contracts.
Our new name is still not definite, but it's likely to be London & SE University Group.
We'll also ALL remain on our existing contracts.
February 4, 2026 at 2:07 PM
One bit of good news from the update about the merger - there's a commitment to keep us all on our existing pensions.
Our new name is still not definite, but it's likely to be London & SE University Group.
We'll also ALL remain on our existing contracts.
Our new name is still not definite, but it's likely to be London & SE University Group.
We'll also ALL remain on our existing contracts.
We're expecting to hear more at 2pm about the merger as a Town Hall has been organised.
People at Kent have received an email with the link to join.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kent-an...
People at Kent have received an email with the link to join.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kent-an...
Kent and Greenwich hail ‘key milestone’ as merger terms inked
Greenwich to change name to London and South East University Group before Kent joins as new ‘superuniversity’ takes shape
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:36 PM
We're expecting to hear more at 2pm about the merger as a Town Hall has been organised.
People at Kent have received an email with the link to join.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kent-an...
People at Kent have received an email with the link to join.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kent-an...
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Together we are stronger. Join the Union join.ucu.org.uk
Stronger together ✊
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
February 4, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Together we are stronger. Join the Union join.ucu.org.uk
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Also, maybe don't use this as an excuse to cut courses and programs that are currently profitable? And make faculty who bring in research funds redundant?
Seems, I don't know, obvious?
#stopthecuts #savehe #UCU #UoNUCU #UON #UniversityOfNottingham
Seems, I don't know, obvious?
#stopthecuts #savehe #UCU #UoNUCU #UON #UniversityOfNottingham
February 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Also, maybe don't use this as an excuse to cut courses and programs that are currently profitable? And make faculty who bring in research funds redundant?
Seems, I don't know, obvious?
#stopthecuts #savehe #UCU #UoNUCU #UON #UniversityOfNottingham
Seems, I don't know, obvious?
#stopthecuts #savehe #UCU #UoNUCU #UON #UniversityOfNottingham
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Funny* how often that seems to be the other way round.
*not funny at all.
*not funny at all.
And I'm also not in charge of the university, but I also feel like maybe the people who are in charge of making financial choices for the university should be the ones who face the consequences of these horrible decisions. Not staff, not students, not faculty, not the community.
February 3, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Funny* how often that seems to be the other way round.
*not funny at all.
*not funny at all.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
A higher education commissioner should be appointed to take responsibility for supporting universities before crisis strikes, according to a thinktank. Helen Packer reports #HigherEd #EduSky
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-commissioner-needed-oversee-mergers-and-cuts
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-commissioner-needed-oversee-mergers-and-cuts
February 4, 2026 at 8:30 AM
A higher education commissioner should be appointed to take responsibility for supporting universities before crisis strikes, according to a thinktank. Helen Packer reports #HigherEd #EduSky
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-commissioner-needed-oversee-mergers-and-cuts
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-commissioner-needed-oversee-mergers-and-cuts
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Universities of Kent and Greenwich agree merger terms after months of negotiations - Greenwich to become London and South East University Group, a company limited by guarantee, and Kent will then join that, reports @twilliamsthe.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kent-an...
Kent and Greenwich hail ‘key milestone’ as merger terms inked
Greenwich to change name to London and South East University Group before Kent joins as new ‘superuniversity’ takes shape
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Universities of Kent and Greenwich agree merger terms after months of negotiations - Greenwich to become London and South East University Group, a company limited by guarantee, and Kent will then join that, reports @twilliamsthe.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kent-an...
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Over recent weeks we’ve listened to members about workload, stress and the University’s HSE action plan. You raised serious concerns about excessive workload and poor recognition of unplanned work and admin. We’ll keep pushing for enforceable workload limits.
February 4, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Over recent weeks we’ve listened to members about workload, stress and the University’s HSE action plan. You raised serious concerns about excessive workload and poor recognition of unplanned work and admin. We’ll keep pushing for enforceable workload limits.
A lot of people outside of Higher Education have very little idea of how physically and mentally demanding lecturing can be...and that's when all the other demands of the job are ignored.
UK universities need more full time permanent staff.
UK universities need more full time permanent staff.
Phased return and reduced hours are hard. Some days I feel back to normal, over-do it and then end up shattered. Tomorrow will be a challenge with teaching 9-1, then 5-7 - that's my 6 hours for the day right there.
I really hope employers take note of the Birmingham HSE case on work-place stress.
I really hope employers take note of the Birmingham HSE case on work-place stress.
February 4, 2026 at 10:54 AM
A lot of people outside of Higher Education have very little idea of how physically and mentally demanding lecturing can be...and that's when all the other demands of the job are ignored.
UK universities need more full time permanent staff.
UK universities need more full time permanent staff.
In the South East coastal regions we need to have education and employment.
We're currently being failed by our government who hold the purse strings of our employers.
We're currently being failed by our government who hold the purse strings of our employers.
some further context to this excellent piece: we have still not seen any
modelling on how closing Southend campus will improve the overall finances long-term and what the costs may be and, unlike the other cuts, this has been presented as a done decision in the middle of a teaching day in December
modelling on how closing Southend campus will improve the overall finances long-term and what the costs may be and, unlike the other cuts, this has been presented as a done decision in the middle of a teaching day in December
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
February 4, 2026 at 10:49 AM
In the South East coastal regions we need to have education and employment.
We're currently being failed by our government who hold the purse strings of our employers.
We're currently being failed by our government who hold the purse strings of our employers.
Higher Education in the UK right now lacks strategic thinking. We see it in the closing of Essex's Southend campus, and we certainly see it in a variety of ways at Kent.
But there's only so much we can do without government funding and support.
Reinstating the cap would be an easy win.
But there's only so much we can do without government funding and support.
Reinstating the cap would be an easy win.
February 4, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Higher Education in the UK right now lacks strategic thinking. We see it in the closing of Essex's Southend campus, and we certainly see it in a variety of ways at Kent.
But there's only so much we can do without government funding and support.
Reinstating the cap would be an easy win.
But there's only so much we can do without government funding and support.
Reinstating the cap would be an easy win.
Aside from today's news we are continuing to ask questions and negotiate on workloads as that's one of the biggest issues staff are currently facing.
*Everything* has changed this academic year.
*Everything* has changed this academic year.
February 4, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Aside from today's news we are continuing to ask questions and negotiate on workloads as that's one of the biggest issues staff are currently facing.
*Everything* has changed this academic year.
*Everything* has changed this academic year.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
This is the promise that @universityofessex.bsky.social & government is betraying.
Excellent discussion of the impact of the closure of the Southend campus on the local community: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Excellent discussion of the impact of the closure of the Southend campus on the local community: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
February 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM
This is the promise that @universityofessex.bsky.social & government is betraying.
Excellent discussion of the impact of the closure of the Southend campus on the local community: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Excellent discussion of the impact of the closure of the Southend campus on the local community: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Feel somewhat heartbroken tbh
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Greenwich and Kent announce merger to become UK’s first ‘super-university’
Formal approval given for new university group to operate from August, with both institutions keeping their names
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Feel somewhat heartbroken tbh
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
We're not having a great time in Higher Education in the South East of England.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#AcademicSky
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#AcademicSky
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM
We're not having a great time in Higher Education in the South East of England.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#AcademicSky
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#AcademicSky
Finally the contracts are signed and the merger is set to take place in August. What will happen to staff at Kent and Greenwich? We keep asking but not much is forthcoming.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Greenwich and Kent announce merger to become UK’s first ‘super-university’
Formal approval given for new university group to operate from August, with both institutions keeping their names
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Finally the contracts are signed and the merger is set to take place in August. What will happen to staff at Kent and Greenwich? We keep asking but not much is forthcoming.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Ballots across Scotland from Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde, Stirling & Aberdeen are going in the post
Vote now Save jobs
Post your ballot (with or without a dog) (don't post the dog they're not covered by the prepaid stamp) @ucuscotland.bsky.social
#UCU #Scholar #GTVO #Heriot-Watt #dogsPostingBallots 🐕
Vote now Save jobs
Post your ballot (with or without a dog) (don't post the dog they're not covered by the prepaid stamp) @ucuscotland.bsky.social
#UCU #Scholar #GTVO #Heriot-Watt #dogsPostingBallots 🐕
January 13, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Ballots across Scotland from Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde, Stirling & Aberdeen are going in the post
Vote now Save jobs
Post your ballot (with or without a dog) (don't post the dog they're not covered by the prepaid stamp) @ucuscotland.bsky.social
#UCU #Scholar #GTVO #Heriot-Watt #dogsPostingBallots 🐕
Vote now Save jobs
Post your ballot (with or without a dog) (don't post the dog they're not covered by the prepaid stamp) @ucuscotland.bsky.social
#UCU #Scholar #GTVO #Heriot-Watt #dogsPostingBallots 🐕
Branch meeting on NOW.
So far we have discussed the proposed new academic promotions process.
A great deal of discussion and concerns particularly around how budgets will prevent staff from developing their career at Kent.
So far we have discussed the proposed new academic promotions process.
A great deal of discussion and concerns particularly around how budgets will prevent staff from developing their career at Kent.
January 15, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Branch meeting on NOW.
So far we have discussed the proposed new academic promotions process.
A great deal of discussion and concerns particularly around how budgets will prevent staff from developing their career at Kent.
So far we have discussed the proposed new academic promotions process.
A great deal of discussion and concerns particularly around how budgets will prevent staff from developing their career at Kent.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Imagine this... and then realising that it doesn't even fund the HE system properly anyway. One of the worst Public Policy Disasters in decades. Willetts and Osborne have obvs dined out on it and gone on to great success tho. That's Britain, always failing upwards! 🇬🇧
This is clearly depressing and radicalising in a way a tax wouldn't have been.
January 15, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Imagine this... and then realising that it doesn't even fund the HE system properly anyway. One of the worst Public Policy Disasters in decades. Willetts and Osborne have obvs dined out on it and gone on to great success tho. That's Britain, always failing upwards! 🇬🇧
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Slightly misleading assumption in the article is that it’s all academics that have chosen to leave. At Exeter, over half of those who accepted TERS were in profesional services. Suspect the same sector-wide. Administrative capacity in the sector is being decimated.
Ninety UK universities to have posted accounts so far cut 13,300 jobs last year, spending £303 million on severance pay - sector-wide total clearly going to be well in excess of predicted 10,000. Great reporting by @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
Pay-off spend up by two-thirds as universities shed 13,000 jobs
Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Slightly misleading assumption in the article is that it’s all academics that have chosen to leave. At Exeter, over half of those who accepted TERS were in profesional services. Suspect the same sector-wide. Administrative capacity in the sector is being decimated.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
@sheffielducu.bsky.social, remain steadfast and resolute in your fight for a better tomorrow. Lancaster UCU members stand with you in your dispute.
January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM
@sheffielducu.bsky.social, remain steadfast and resolute in your fight for a better tomorrow. Lancaster UCU members stand with you in your dispute.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Like, I posted this and then immediately realised that nowhere near enough staff in university marketing teams will have thought this through (though unis do have a range of policies around images of their students and where/when to use them), and now I absolutely have to get stuck into this don't I
We teach young people, some of whom kindly consent to feature in our marketing and branding images, they do this based on a sense of trust in their institutions not to misuse those images or put them at risk!
and yet, how many of those images now end up on X? has that risk been assessed at all?
and yet, how many of those images now end up on X? has that risk been assessed at all?
January 15, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Like, I posted this and then immediately realised that nowhere near enough staff in university marketing teams will have thought this through (though unis do have a range of policies around images of their students and where/when to use them), and now I absolutely have to get stuck into this don't I
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
How is this 'responsible financial management'? Explain it to us like we're 5. Because that's how staff gets talked at when we point out that cutting your core resource has never led to magic growth anyway.
Change this financial system. Yesterday.
Change this financial system. Yesterday.
Ninety UK universities to have posted accounts so far cut 13,300 jobs last year, spending £303 million on severance pay - sector-wide total clearly going to be well in excess of predicted 10,000. Great reporting by @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
Pay-off spend up by two-thirds as universities shed 13,000 jobs
Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:12 AM
How is this 'responsible financial management'? Explain it to us like we're 5. Because that's how staff gets talked at when we point out that cutting your core resource has never led to magic growth anyway.
Change this financial system. Yesterday.
Change this financial system. Yesterday.
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
Jesus, hadn't realised it had gotten to over 13,000 jobs (academic and professional services) - any other industry facing this level of job losses would be having crisis meetings with government... (gov took emergency control of British Steel to save 2,700...)
Ninety UK universities to have posted accounts so far cut 13,300 jobs last year, spending £303 million on severance pay - sector-wide total clearly going to be well in excess of predicted 10,000. Great reporting by @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
Pay-off spend up by two-thirds as universities shed 13,000 jobs
Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Jesus, hadn't realised it had gotten to over 13,000 jobs (academic and professional services) - any other industry facing this level of job losses would be having crisis meetings with government... (gov took emergency control of British Steel to save 2,700...)
Reposted by UCU University of Kent branch
💥New: UK academia’s presence on X is reaching a tipping point
✍️ @andytattersall.bsky.social
#X #AcademicSocialMedia #AcademicSky
✍️ @andytattersall.bsky.social
#X #AcademicSocialMedia #AcademicSky
UK academia’s presence on X is reaching a tipping point - Impact of Social Sciences
Data collected on UK universities’ use of social media shows academic engagement with X is at a tipping point with more institutions off the platform than on.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 14, 2026 at 11:08 AM
💥New: UK academia’s presence on X is reaching a tipping point
✍️ @andytattersall.bsky.social
#X #AcademicSocialMedia #AcademicSky
✍️ @andytattersall.bsky.social
#X #AcademicSocialMedia #AcademicSky