Precarious Uni

Sharing the stories of precarious and casualised staff at UK universities, anonymously. Started during the 2019 #UCUStrike. DM to share your story

[Precarious Uni @PrecariousUni]

This account is being re-activated by new volunteers for the #UCUStrike, providing a platform for precariously employed academics to share their stories.
To protect anonymity of past contributors, all past DMs have been removed before the account is handed over. #ucuRISING

[sheffielducu.bsky.social @sheffielducu]

This is completely unacceptable, placing staff and students in danger.

We have written to the Director of Health & Safety to confirm that this situation is urgently rectified.

Students must have the right to peaceful freedom of expression.

[Mark Truesdale @Mark_Truesdale]

Last month, I was offered a TA job at a Russell Group uni, teaching 5 seminars a week. The pay was £15.76 weighted to £23 per seminar. I.e. £1.5k per term/£3k per year to retain the services of a qualified, experienced academic to teach students paying £9k+. #ucuRISING #UCUstrike

[Daniel P Jones | he/him @DPhilipJones]

I will be striking tomorrow and Friday. I’d say I’m sick of precarious contracts for my TA/Research Assistant work but that’s exactly it; I don’t even have a contract. As a disabled PGR wanting to stay in academia, here’s a few disability talking points for you. @NewcastleUniUCU

[Rosie Paice 🇺🇦 @Rosie_Paice]

I’m employed casually by two universities. I teach as many hours as full-time staff. At all undergraduate levels.

I research on my own time.

I don’t earn enough to pay income tax. By some margin.

I am university lecturing staff.

#UCURising #UCUstrike @BBCNews @UCUAnti_Cas

[Precarious Uni @PrecariousUni]

On the eve the #ucuRISING strikes, this account is again collecting stories of academic precarity. Do get in touch if you want to share your story, in the strictest confidence

[Precarious Liverpool @PrecariousUoL]

What does casualisation feel like?

What does 'teaching and research excellence' feel like?

[UCU Anti-Casualisation Committee @UCUAnti_Cas]

This is happening tomorrow! @aimeemle from @CoronaContract and our ACC Vice Chair and NEC member Christina Paine will be speaking. There's still time to register.

https://t.co/328N3k5oZw

[Eva Herman @evamherman1]

Useful @ucu document on your rights as a GTA. I found it useful and informative, I think this may be useful for anyone else doing a #PhD and teaching. @UM_UCU #phdlife
https://t.co/M3uLzBTg4i

[UCU Anti-Casualisation Committee @UCUAnti_Cas]

Solidarity Eve - this is what the human cost of casualisation and job losses looks like.

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

"I don't know if we have ever experienced this kind of global challenge to racism and to the consequences of slavery."

Angela Davis says anti-racism protests around the world are "a very exciting moment".

[Simukai Chigudu @SimuChigudu]

It's me! The opening of my speech talking about white supremacy at today's #RhodesMustFall protest because #BlackLivesMatter

[Jo Grady @DrJoGrady]

Universities are open now, & will be still be open in September, @BBCNews

Despite lockdown, staff have been working extremely hard to ensure all activities continue as best they can.

[Exeter Casualised Staff @execasuals]

Hot off the press: @ExeterUCU's report into casualisation and Covid-19.
https://t.co/Eu4lAgQ6Mz

Key findings:
Almost 40% of respondents said they were definitely at risk of losing work, with a further 28% stating they might be at risk #PrecarityStories

[WarwickAntiCasualisation @WarwickAntiCas]

At @warwickuni, 15% of the teaching budget goes to sessional, precarious tutors. To safe costs, Warwick wants to cut that by 50%. If each of the 183 staff earning above £100k pa agreed to cap their income at £90k, we could keep the sessional teaching budget and then some.

[Julia Corwin/Cohen 🇵🇸 @JulesCorwin]

To all permanent faculty at LSE: please sign this statement of solidarity for our precarious colleagues - https://t.co/wueGbB8biY

[Precarious Brum @PrecariousBrum]

Postgraduate teaching assistants & PhD students in the College of Arts & Law have written this open letter about cuts to PGTA positions - please sign & share! https://t.co/lxqJwxIrhR

[Dr Martha Robinson Rhodes @MRobinsonRhodes]

Bringing back this video of the 2nd (more relevant) half of a speech I gave in March, when I had no idea how much worse things would get. Now we are asking @unibirmingham to return some of the dedication that PGTAs have shown for yrs, and protect our jobs: https://t.co/L9rdPUh5qF

[Eva Herman @evamherman1]

Open letter from university of Manchester PhD Candidates to UOM managrment relating to COVID-19 asking for blanket extensions, progression reviews suitable to personal requirements and open, collaborative and transparent conversations. Please sign #phdlife https://t.co/aheIQwJFMj