Bee Hughes (Liverpool John Moores University)

Senior Lecturer in Media, Culture, Communication, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University

Election address

Experience 

I'm an ECR & Senior Lecturer in media and cultural studies at LJMU.  

From 2012-2020 I was casually employed in subjects across the Arts and Humanities - from studio teaching to social sciences. I know the value of these subjects, see the toll government policy is taking on them, and am committed to their defence.  

I've been active in UCU since 2018, becoming a branch officer in 2019. I am currently serving as Branch Secretary, working for better conditions for members alongside wider activism. 

Our branch has won: 

·             inclusive menopause policy, trans and non-binary inclusion policy; 

·             implementing Organisational Stress Risk Assessment; 

·             new promotion route from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer; 

·             institutional divestment from Barclays bank. 

I am currently Vice-Chair for NW Region and on the Conduct of Members Committee.  

I am committed to listening to members and working within and across committee spaces and democratic structures to improve our working lives and implement UCU policy to the best of my ability.  

Trans, Non-binary, Intersex and Gender Diverse Inclusion 

As a non-binary person, I've found the months since the Supreme Court ruling difficult - as have many trans, non-binary, intersex and gender diverse people. At LJMU I ensured the institution would not attempt to implement the interim EHRC guidance and will continue to fight for trans rights on our campus. 

Closer government scrutiny of EHRC guidance is welcome. But it is not enough. Trans+ people need safety, dignity, and access to healthcare and safe workplaces now. I will always stand with and for my siblings, and work for a world where we are all free to live in safety, with dignity, and without discrimination. 

HE in Crisis 

I know the stress and insecurity of being casualised - more progress is needed towards secure work for our members.  

The scale of crisis in HE must be addressed - individual branches fighting redundancies must be supported, and we must work together for a better future for the sector. 

HEIs are rushing to "embrace" AI - with little consideration of the ethical and environmental implications of LLMs. We need to be involved in how AI is brought on campus, so we can ensure any use is appropriate and not simply jumping on the expensive tech bubble bandwagon.  

Solidarity 

Solidarity is central. We must continue to fight against the far right and Reform, racism, wars and arms sales, anti-migrant policy, misogyny, and cuts to support for disabled people, and for a free Palestine. All our fights are linked. 

I'm a member of UCU Left. Please support other UCU Left candidates, including Sean Wallis for VP HE and Regi Pilling for VP FE. We need their experience and commitment at the top of our union.