Dr Matilda Fitzmaurice (Lancaster University)

Dr Matilda Fitzmaurice (Lancaster University) 

Election address 

I have long struggled with internalised misogyny and biphobia, and it took a lot for me to stand for union office as an out, proud bisexual woman. These experiences galvanised me in expressing and practising my unconditional solidarity with trans and non-binary people. Since joining UCU I have passionately defended trans rights, healthcare, dignity and inclusion and opposed cynical attempts to weaponise the concept of 'academic freedom' against LGBTQ+ people. I have done this as a member of the women members' standing committee (2020-2022), the LGBTQ+ standing committee (2021-present) and in my current capacity on NEC (2023-2025). In 2024, I brought a motion to Congress (then NEC) committing the union to opposing the politically motivated and cruel Cass Report. When this passed overwhelmingly, I moved the same motion on behalf of the UCU delegation at the TUC LGBT+ conference, where it carried unanimously. I am immensely proud to have played a role in ensuring the trade union movement stands unequivocally with queer and trans communities, especially when we face political and institutional hostility.  

There is nothing single-issue about the LGBTQ+ struggle. Casualisation and precarity are ruining lives. Having had three different jobs since I joined NEC in summer 2023, and currently that of Senior Teaching Associate in Environmental Politics at Lancaster University, I know that keeping so many people in a state of constant uncertainty is both intolerable for those it affects and unsustainable for the sector. I am now HE rep for casualised members on the NEC (2023-2025), and active on the anti-casualisation committee. A major priority has been facilitating dialogue between the union's anti-casualisation and equalities strands: which I addressed directly by organising a workshop on LGBTQ+ issues and casualisation in February 2024.  

Compassion, care and non-hierarchical methods of organising are central to my politics. I stand for union organising that is grounded in inclusive, broad and deep member consultation and that draws on the diverse research subject-specific expertise of our membership. I am an unapologetic defender of academic scholarship, and I oppose all attempts to turn UK HE into a two-tier sector that restricts some academic pursuits to the already privileged. On NEC, I have pushed to address student number distribution which reinforces this divide, and now threatens to bring down the entire sector.  

Finally, my opponent and I have a long record of working productively together and I know we will continue to do so, regardless of the election outcome. Whoever is elected, LGBTQ+ equality in our union will be in safe hands.  

I am a proud member of UCU Commons and I endorse all UCU Commons candidates. See https://ucucommons.org/nec25 for more information. I endorse Dyfrig Jones for UCU Vice President.