The Friday email: 8 December 2023

UCU Rising consultation: your responses

Your responses to the survey on the future strategy for winning in higher education are now available here and a report on the results here. Well done to everyone who took part in the survey and played a role in shaping your union.

Please continue to contribute to this process by attending your local branch meeting prior to a discussion of these results in a meeting of branch delegates and then the higher education committee next week.

Hands off higher education - backing every member under attack

We are seeing an increasing number of universities launching attacks on our members. Job cuts, department closures, and more are being threatened at over a dozen universities. We believe that these attacks are coordinated and have the support of the employer bodies. This means we much react with equal force, coordination and determination. This week we have launched a Local Defence Fund for branches under attack to support their local campaigning efforts. We will be bringing every branch affected together for a meeting next week to discuss how we can support them with a full range of campaign, comms, political and organising support.

Members in other branches should stay tuned for details on how they can provide solidarity and practical support to these branches.

Exposed: build the campaign

You can help our campaign on academic freedom and free speech in education by:

• following our Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram accounts and sharing content using #ExposedCampaign
• sharing our new campaign website and asking your friends, family and students to sign up as supporters.

Changes to immigration earnings thresholds

UCU has condemned the government's plans to raise the minimum earnings requirement for both Skilled Worker and dependents' visas to £38,700. The changes are due to come into effect in April 2024 and the union is seeking urgent legal advice on the implications for members. Any member concerned that these changes will impact their employment should contact their local branch.

Journal of Further and Higher Education editor-in-chief vacancy

The Journal of Further and Higher Education, which is published by Taylor & Francis for UCU, is currently recruiting for a new editor-in-chief. This follows the departure of Jenny Rowley from the role after over 20 years at the helm, and we wish Jenny well for the future. Anyone interested in being considered for the role can find more information here.