Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

C. B. Tansel @cbtansel.net · Aug 12

Please consider donating to this fundraiser organised by colleagues with direct links to families in Gaza.

Direct Action for Palestinians in Desperate Need: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/gaza-hunge...

Direct Action for Palestinians in Desperate Need

We are fundraising for direct action for Gaza to ensure that we can keep as many people fed and safe as possible.

www.crowdfunder.co.uk

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · Jul 30

Having just been through something similar at Newcastle University, full solidarity to colleagues at Lancaster.

Over 400 jobs at risk, with all the wider reverberations cuts at that scale will involve.

Please sign and share their petition.

chng.it/6yPC66XSKB

Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?

Stop Mass Redundancies at Lancaster University – Hold Senior Management Accountable

chng.it

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Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · Jul 27

An open letter has been launched today (27/7/25) for members of the UK academic community (academics and other university staff) to sign, to press the UK Home Office to facilitate safe passage out of Gaza for 40+ students with offers for UK universities.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Open letter from UK university staff: Request for biometric deferral and safe evacuation of incoming Palestinian students and scholars from Gaza to UK Universities

More than 40 students currently trapped in Gaza with full scholarships to UK Universities are asking for a safe route to come and study. We, the academic community hoping to welcome these scholars, ca...

docs.google.com

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · Jul 23

The UK government is blocking Palestinian students in Gaza from taking up UK scholarships.

Some have been killed while waiting @theguardian.com

We’ve written to the Home Secretary demanding action and @drjogrady.bsky.social will be on @lbc.co.uk at 4 PM urging the govt to step in.

tr.ee/HjzPtS

Ministers urged to help students trapped in Gaza with places at UK universities

Forty people who have been offered scholarships unable to travel without biometric data they have no way of getting

www.theguardian.com

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The Syllabus @the-syllabus.bsky.social · Apr 7

Sheinbaum’s rise to power marks a critical chapter for Mexico, but it offers little reprieve from the issues plaguing the nation. This piece shows how she deepens ties between state power and the military.

By Inés D. Matute & @alkejenss.bsky.social in @phenomenalworld.bsky.social

Militarized Capitalism | Phenomenal World

Under López Obrador, the Mexican state granted the military a primary role in business—in civilian functions such as constructing public infrastructure and transportation. As a result, Mexico’s…

buff.ly

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UNRWA @unrwa.org · Jul 21

We are receiving desperate messages of starvation from #Gaza, including from our colleagues.

Food prices have increased 40 fold.

UNRWA has enough food for the entire population for over three months, stockpiled just outside Gaza.

Lift the siege and let aid in safely and at scale.

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Mark Griffiths @casesofyou.bsky.social · Jul 4

Job announcment: post-doc at Newcastle on the War & Geos project (warandgeos.co.uk). Please share and email me with questions!

www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DNU169/p...

Postdoc RA in Military Support Chains at Newcastle University

Searching for an academic job? Explore this Postdoc RA in Military Support Chains opening on jobs.ac.uk! Click to view more details and browse other academic jobs.

www.jobs.ac.uk

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BRISMES @brismes.bsky.social · Jul 3

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at #BRISMES2025 — to our plenary and keynote speakers, our conference organising team and student volunteers, and to our amazing hosts at Newcastle University, including the support staff who made the event possible.

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BRISMES @brismes.bsky.social · Jul 3

On 1 July, following the #BRISMES2025 keynote lecture by Dr Rana Barakat, BRISMES members and conference participants stood in solidarity with all those affected by Israeli bombardments. #StopArmingIsrael #EndTheGenocide

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · Jun 27

A MASSIVE WIN AT NEWCASTLE UNI ICU

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · Jun 20

🚨IT'S A WIN 🚨

Well done to every single @newcastleucu.bsky.social member

44 days on the picket line

ZERO compulsory redundancies

University bosses need to look at what our members have achieved in Newcastle & heed the warning: work with us or face disruption

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1406...

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Jun 22

'The university has informed staff of plans to cut 400 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions by July 2026, with academics the first to go.'

Professor Andy Schofield, VC at Lancaster University since 2020, will take up position of Principal & VC at Glasgow University on 1 October 2025.

Lancaster University to cut one in five academic jobs

Institution says it is ‘not immune’ to financial challenges as it looks to axe 400 jobs

www.timeshighereducation.com

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

“Mass redundancies will trash the global reputation of UK universities”

As @nickmegoran.bsky.social
of writes, cuts aren’t just short-sighted they’re self-destructive.

✊ Join UCU and Fight back.

www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/mass...

Mass redundancies will trash the reputation of UK universities

It may be difficult to enter on to a balance sheet but some weaker institutions may struggle to recover from reputational damage, says Nick Megoran

www.timeshighereducation.com

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C. B. Tansel @cbtansel.net · Jun 13

This statement, unfortunately, is silent on the practical avenues of support that EISA can consider/adopt. Similar initiatives were previously designed to support colleagues in other emergencies from Ukraine to Turkey and Syria.

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C. B. Tansel @cbtansel.net · Jun 13

Dear EISA board,

Your members have been repeatedly asking for the association to
1 - commit concrete resources to support Palestinian colleagues,
2 - take practical steps to join international campaigns against scholasticide, or, at least, consult the membership on the feasibility of such ventures.

European International Studies Association (EISA) @europeanisa.bsky.social · Jun 13

📣 The EISA Governing Board feels compelled to issue this statement in response to ongoing global events and to the events unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank under the world’s eyes:

🔗 bit.ly/44giune

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Vicky Blake UCU (she/her) @vickyblake.bsky.social · Jun 11

Solidarity with @newcastleucu.bsky.social and all branches taking action in defence of jobs and conditions right now. We’re in Newcastle today for a national demo to #DefendHE #NoRedundancies #DefendEducation #StopTheCuts

t.co/ZzwgiJ3gSs

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C. B. Tansel @cbtansel.net · Jun 11

HE funding is under attack across Europe as highlighted in this EISA statement. Though I wish my own professional association wouldn't reproduce the 'projected deficit' logic that thousands of university workers have been fighting against in the UK...

European International Studies Association (EISA) @europeanisa.bsky.social · Jun 11

📣 The EISA Governing Board has issued a statement regarding attacks to higher education funding

🔗 Read the full statement here: bit.ly/43Gh8C9

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C. B. Tansel @cbtansel.net · Jun 11

A qualifier: Yes, there are limits (particularly in the UK due to associations' charity status), but some of these are self-imposed. PAs represent thousands of academic workers, are part of global networks and maintain significant resources. These strengths can and must be further utilised.

Paragraph from the BISA statement: 'We recognise that there are limits to what professional associations can achieve in the face of systemic challenges. Letters and statements do not always reverse decisions. Nonetheless, BISA remains committed to defending our discipline, to standing in solidarity with our members, and to working collaboratively across the sector to promote a sustainable, inclusive, and thriving higher education system.'

C. B. Tansel @cbtansel.net · Jun 11

Much to commend here in this detailed and precise intervention from BISA, PSA & UACES, offering an overview of what associations are doing and steps to mobilise their members.

If you are in the UK, write to your MP (template letter in the link).

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · Jun 10

After our open letter with @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social and @uaces.bsky.social to the UK Government we have now created an MP template for you to contact your local MP and detailed how BISA is responding! 🌟

find it here - buff.ly/oKRVLDm
@julietdryden.bsky.social @juanitamarieelias.bsky.social

Statement on challenges facing higher education and the impact on International Studies

We are deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis in UK higher education and the threats it poses.

buff.ly

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · Jun 10

Our members are on strike for over 30 days, Solidarity in the form of donations to our hardship fund are VERY welcome! All details and a template motion can be found here. ncl.web.ucu.org.uk/newcastle-uc...

Newcastle UCU Local Hardship Fund: Policies and Procedures

For the upcoming dispute, the Newcastle University UCU branch has created a local fund specifically aimed at assisting hourly paid / casual staff and those for whom the loss of income due to strike ac...

ncl.web.ucu.org.uk

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C. B. Tansel @cbtansel.net · May 23

End unnecessary redundancies at Newcastle University.

Please sign, share and circulate this @newcastleucu.bsky.social petition amongst your colleagues and networks.

chng.it/BXNkGMFNJS

Sign the Petition

End unnecessary redundancies at Newcastle University

chng.it

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Adam David Morton @morton.bsky.social · May 19

Great overview from @elifuzgoren.bsky.social on her new book *Political Economy of Turkey’s Integration with Europe, Uneven Development and Hegemony* with @manchesterup.bsky.social - the latest in the @ppesydney.bsky.social Book Series!
@abieler.bsky.social

The Political Economy of Turkey’s Integration with Europe: Uneven Development and Hegemony - Progress in Political Economy (PPE)

In my recently published book, Political Economy of Turkey’s Integration with Europe: Uneven Development and Hegemony, rather than highlight the form of integration, I address the socio-economic conte...

www.ppesydney.net

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · May 13

Solidarity with @newcastleucu.bsky.social and all those back on the picket lines this morning.

Staff and Students deserve better than cuts and casualistaton.

#ProtectEducationNow #UCU

UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · May 12

Solidairy pickets join us all!

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · May 13

£274M. This they proudly present, at the same time they are making 38 people compulsory redundant…. To save £3.8M

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Newcastle Uni's £274m Castle Leazes halls set for approval

Planners are set to approve Newcastle University's plans on Friday despite concerns from residents.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Jessa Loomis @jessaloomis.bsky.social · May 9

A fantastic, collegial department (w/ the highest QS ranking in the Uni) just had the majority of Professors be threatened with redundancy.

Newcastle geographers will obvi fight for our colleagues & the future of higher ed (& geography!) with all we've got, but SUPPORT & SOLIDARITY VERY WELCOME!

Sarah Marie Hall @smhall.bsky.social · May 9

Seeing yet more stories of unis moving to compulsory redundancy, with Geography colleagues (and of course others) at risk.

Today, it's Newcastle Uni, a department that produces incredible scholarship with a vibrant culture.

Sharing in solidarity x

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

Newcastle University compulsory job cut fears grow amid £4.2m savings shortfall

As industrial action continues, union bosses continue their plea with Newcastle University chiefs to reject any potential compulsory job losses

www.chroniclelive.co.uk

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