Bee Hughes (Liverpool John Moores University)

Election address

I hold the post of Lecturer in Media, Culture & Communication at Liverpool John Moores University. I've worked as a lecturer since 2012, holding several casualised contracts before gaining permanency in September 2020.

As a nonbinary person, I aim to lead by example in making all spaces I am in as inclusive and open as possible - as a lecturer, within the union, or when 'off the clock'. I believe strongly in making positive interventions on a daily basis - as well as undertaking large-scale campaigning - and things as mundane as including pronouns in your email signature (mine are they/them) and Zoom name are practices which normalise and improve trans visibility and inclusion.

I am currently Chair of LJMU UCU, Chair of UCU Left, and LGBT+ Officer for North West Region. At LJMU UCU, I am in the process of re-invigorating our LGBT+ equalities work. This work includes setting up a UCU LGBT+ members group and a cross-campus unions group which will feed into campaigning and policy work within our branch. I am a member of the LJMU Together LGBT+ network, newly in the role of the network's Community Liaison Officer, and will be part of the team organising our LGBT History Month events.

Outside academia I am one of the first cohort of GIANTS (Gendered Intelligence Activists Network of Trans Spokespeople), an activist-led project aimed at raising awareness about trans people and increasing positive trans representations, with the trans-led charity Gendered Intelligence.

As UK HE LGBT+ NEC member, I will work with the NEC Equalities Reps and Equalities Committees to:

• identify key concerns and issues facing LGBT+ members in HE, FE, Adult & Community Education and Offender Learning;
• seek ways of supporting LGBT+ members who are not able to be out in the workplace;
• strengthen UCU's work on trans and nonbinary inclusion within the union and our workplaces;
• create space(s) for LGBT+ members to share experiences within and across sectors;
• identify and develop resources and events that support LGBT+ members' needs and development;
• identify and develop resources and events to support the education of allies and the wider UCU community on LGBT+ representation and what they can do to support the LGBT+ community;
• develop guidance for the review of policies which directly impact LGBT+ members, for example, parental leave policies, gender affirmation policies;
• ensure that I take an intersectional approach in recognition that our identities are multifaceted, and work collaboratively with all NEC equalities reps and officers;
• work with Regional LGBT+ Officers to promote a joined-up approach between national, regional, and local campaigns;
• work with NEC to advance international solidarity with LGBT+ people in countries where there is discrimination and severe oppression.