Dr Marion Hersh (University of Glasgow)

Senior lecturer, Biomedical Engineering, University of Glasgow

Election address

Senior Lecturer, Engineering

· NEC 2007-2009, 2010-2012, 2013-2017, 2018-25

· Equality Committee 2007-2009, 2010-2012, 2013-2017

· UCU Scotland Equality Officer 2018-2019

· UCU Scotland Green Officer 2024-2027

· USS negotiator/alternate 2011-12, 2013-26

· Glasgow Committee 1990-2026

· Disabled Members' Committee 2025-2027

· UCU-Left

· Support Sean Wallis and Regi Pilling for HE and FE VPs

Lifelong anti-racist, anti-fascist, anti-war campaigner, campaigner for social justice.

Higher education should be free, publicly-funded, accessible to all; value diversity; value the contributions of Black, ethnic minority women, trans, non-binary, Disabled, LGBT+ people, migrants; use technology to support not control workers. We need academic freedom in teaching and research, without it being abused to undermine campaigns for minority rights, e.g. of trans people and Palestinians.

We're facing a major crisis with threats to jobs, departments, institutions and HE. If elected, I'll support branches in dispute, including with increased access to strike fund; support solidarity with wider union movement taking action for rights; support international solidarity campaigns and a more democratic and activist union,

As a USS negotiator I've been instrumental in getting the 2022 benefit cuts overturned and a progressive flat rate payment for all members to make up the loss. I've also worked to improve the valuation to avoid the threat of cuts from an artificial defect; for ethical/sustainable investment; and for more accessible USS communications.

As UCU Scotland Green officer I've set up a Green network which meets regularly; worked

with the Network to survey branches on institutional green policies and their ability to influence them; and produced a report of the results. I'm active in the Trade Union Climate-Change Network

In my branch I'm active in casework, GTVO for industrial action, pickets, working with member of unit threatened with closure to minimise the impact by calling a dispute early; setting up a group for disabled, neurodivergent and Deaf members.

Inequality, discrimination and oppression, within and beyond HE, anger me. We're strongest collectively and when showing solidarity. I campaign actively, promote collective approaches to equality and anti-casualisation. I try to generalise from individual cases to campaign for policy changes in my institution and throughout HE. I regularly attend Scottish-TUC LGBT+ and disabled workers' conferences. I'm actively campaigning against Reform and Far Right, have spoken at two Stand-Up-To-Racism rallies and am active in campaigns to support refugees.

As an activist I juggle a heavy workload and union activities, while trying to maintain some work-life balance. As a disabled worker, I experience major accessibility barriers and have had to fight hard for reasonable adjustments. I've hopefully won my battle with depression, but still experience anxiety and stress.

HE and knowledge generation must be open to all to transform society for the better.