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Sally-Anne Wherry

@sawherry.bsky.social

720 followers 580 following 1.7K posts

Advanced Practice Academic, PhD student studying the intergenerational impact of the contaminated blood scandal in haemophiliac familes Orcid ID: 0000-0002-2496-1178 Alt text for profile picture: grey haired woman smiling with glasses and a grey scarf

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · Nov 10

With all the new people, I should do another intro. I'm a geek, who is owned by a boxer dog called Harley, living in Gloucestershire. I have two and a bit kids, one and a bit of which are found family trans boys who are joyous to have with us. I sew when I have spoons. I have bipolar.

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 5h

an interesting turn of events. Maybe things will blow the old guard away... (sorry not sorry)

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UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 10h

The first issue of our fortnightly newsletter has landed!

Featuring @markpendleton.bsky.social’s discussion paper to this Friday’s HEC, @hagenilda.bsky.social’s plea to Frances Corner’s successor and other interesting links and news. #UCU #UKHE #AcademicSky

ucucommons.substack.com/p/ucu-common...

UCU Commons newsletter #1

A new fortnightly round-up of union and sector specific news

ucucommons.substack.com

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Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · 4d

"Now Rae — a PhD student and science communicator who grew up in a small Scottish town before moving to London — says he finds himself constantly weighing risks and assessing where it is safe — or unsafe — for him to be." www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-...

'Where am I safe?': U.K. court ruling leaves trans people's lives in turmoil

The U.K. Supreme Court ruled in April that "sex" refers to biological sex, and transgender people say the judgment has made them feel less safe.

www.nbcnews.com

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Paul Crider @paulcrider.liberalcurrents.com · 4d

He's right.

Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 4d

Macron remarks are notable- some quotes: "We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks that are controlled either by large American entrepreneurs or large Chinese companies, whose interests are not at all the survival or proper functioning of our democracies."

Defend Democracy @defenddemocracy.bsky.social · 4d

President Macron: “Europeans, let's wake up!

We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.”

defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 9d

Congrats to the wonderful @matthewbarnard.phd and commiserations to the others who ran. Having people who care is vital for the Union, and I know that Matt is one of those who truly do. #UCU

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 15d

The #ucu NEC casual vacancy results are in! 🗳️

We are thrilled that our candidate @matthewbarnard.phd has been elected as a UK-wide rep! Matt will join existing Commons members on NEC immediately.

Results and scrutineers' reports available here:

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1405...

National executive committee casual vacancies 2025

www.ucu.org.uk

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 9d

I do keep saying that our different brains give us a strength - my family has neurospiciness galloping in it. We play our strengths :)

My brain can pattern match like a machine, including planning options. It is honestly a superpower (unless undermined by a lack of data, which just ...argh)

Early Career Researcher Podcast @ecrpodcasters.bsky.social · 9d

Hugely proud of this NEW EPISODE: @rozierhistorian.bsky.social @rosiebonte.bsky.social joined by the amazing @hagenilda.bsky.social and Ben, as we talk ‘Neurodiversity + Academia’:

- Definitions
- Pros + Cons of our neurodivergent brains
- Work by @ucu.org.uk on neurodiversity

Links in bio!

Reposted by Sally-Anne Wherry

The Research Whisperer @therealrw.bsky.social · Jun 25

Recent post on the blog:

Help! I’m an Early Career Researcher and genAI doesn’t know who I am

"Discovering that my work was being inaccurately represented by genAI was frustrating and concerning." - Tess Shirefley
researchwhisperer.org/2025/05/20/h...

#AcademicSky

Help! I’m an Early Career Researcher and genAI doesn’t know who I am

I’ve been a relatively slow-adopter of the genAI movement in academia. For a while now I’ve been under the (misguided?) perception that if I used genAI in any way to conduct my research, I would so…

researchwhisperer.org

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 12d

Sadly @gloucestershirecc.bsky.social highways are refusing to take the ones in my local town down. Recently there was a racially motivated attack here and it is more inoperable that it isn't acceptable but it seems some people in the council disagree

Simon Hancock 🦋 @newsmansimon.bsky.social · 12d

South Gloucestershire Council co-leaders say Union and St George's Cross flags will be removed because they are "intimidating" and "divisive". They are also not allowed without permission under the Highways Act 1980
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...

'Intimidating' and 'divisive' flags will be removed, says council

Unauthorised Union Jacks and St George's crosses will be taken down

www.bristolpost.co.uk

Reposted by Sally-Anne Wherry

Stuart Palmer @spalm.bsky.social · 12d

r/Monash post.
Q: "Caught in gen ai breach. Meeting is in person. What will they ask and what should I do ? What is the process is like ??"
A: "Chat GPT might know".

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Good News Break @goodnewsbreak.bsky.social · 12d

In Health Advancements:
Huntington's Disease has been successfully treated for the first time! (BBC)

bbc.com/news/article...

Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time

One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.

bbc.com

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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 12d

Hope not Hate's CEO Nick Lowles says Reform's rise is mainstreaming ideas that were previously taboo even on parts of the far-right

Nigel Farage's Reform a Bigger Far-Right Threat Than the BNP, Says UK’s Leading Anti-Racism Campaigner

www.bylinesupplement.com

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 12d

It is so maddening! Straws and camels...

Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 12d

Gravity is only a theory, right? In fact, the earth sucks...

Reposted by Sally-Anne Wherry

Prof Nisreen Alwan @nisreenalwan.bsky.social · 19d

The 6th US veto on this.

Saul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 19d

The 10 non permanent members of the UN security council proposed a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional & permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with the release of all hostages

When it came to the vote, 14 countries voted for it but the US voted against, vetoing it.

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Simon Opher @simonforstroud.bsky.social · 20d

As a medic and MP, I wanted to bear witness to the suffering in the West Bank. But Israel denied us entry.

Read my full piece for The New Statesman below.

Israel must let us help Palestine

As a medic and MP, I wanted to bear witness to the suffering in the West Bank. But Israel denied us entry

www.newstatesman.com

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 20d

Just to flag this on the commons one - when I went to sign up it said this. Not a fan of that either. There seem to be no good platforms left...

Terms and conditions: by posting ucer content on the network you grant MU a nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use the user content which use includes and is not limited to reproduction, distribution, tranmitting, publicly displaying and performing and incorportating the uer content into a collective work

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Jan Tegze @jantegze.com · 20d

Senior professionals don’t just appear.
They become senior through years of practice, mistakes, and experience.

If AI eliminates junior roles, we’re not just cutting entry-level jobs. We’re cutting off the very path that creates future seniors.

No juniors → no seniors.
It’s that simple.

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 20d

Worthy of note. I guess I will also jump ship

Dr. Nick Posegay @nposegay.bsky.social · 21d

I'm sorry, worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive, transferable permission to my voice and likeness? For what now? In any manner for any purpose???

This is in academia/.edu's new ToS, which you're prompted to agree to on login. Anyway I'll be jumping ship. You can find my stuff at hcommons.org.

By creating an Account with Academia.edu, you grant us a worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive, transferable license, permission, and consent for Academia.edu to use your Member Content and your personal information (including, but not limited to, your name, voice, signature, photograph, likeness, city, institutional affiliations, citations, mentions, publications, and areas of interest) in any manner, including for the purpose of advertising, selling, or soliciting the use or purchase of Academia.edu's Services.

Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 29d

Thanks for that! I can avoid them.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 29d

I've sounded like a broken record during our 'Future Nottingham' programme of cuts. I even bore myself.

Join the Union. Join the Union. Join the Union.

I've said it to individuals, I've said it in whole Departmental 'town halls'. I'll still say the same thing and I'll still mean it. But...

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 29d

Full Special HEC report available now. Thanks as ever to our HEC members for preparing and writing them.

Matilda Fitzmaurice @matildaf.bsky.social · 29d

Our full report from 1st September's special HEC meeting is now out. Please read and share.

ucucommons.org/2025/09/08/u...

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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 29d

This is infuriating. What is the point of a Marine Protected Area if trawlers are allowed to keep ploughing it?
Yet again, the government has succumbed to commercial lobbying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Bottom trawling to continue in English protected waters, government rules

Defra says blanket ban on ‘destructive’ fishing practice disproportionate as MPs urge minister to reconsider

www.theguardian.com

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 29d

£200,000 wasted on a ballot that won't do anything but prove that people are not engaging. Honestly, it might be the first time I don't return a ballot.

UCU Commons @ucucommons.bsky.social · 29d

Full Special HEC report available now. Thanks as ever to our HEC members for preparing and writing them.

Matilda Fitzmaurice @matildaf.bsky.social · 29d

Our full report from 1st September's special HEC meeting is now out. Please read and share.

ucucommons.org/2025/09/08/u...

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Jo (unfunded hobbyist) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @hagenilda.bsky.social · Sep 8

Want change? You need a different HEC frankly. Vote for @matthewbarnard.phd in the current casual vacancy elections.

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Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 29d

Also saying solidarity every ten seconds means nothing if you toss it up in the air when you want the shiny shiny strike. Honestly. Just... how can the union be taken seriously by anyone? I cannot persuade my colleagues to leave their beloved RCN and this type of shite is why.

Sally-Anne Wherry @sawherry.bsky.social · 29d

I hide angry well! Except with certain people these days...