the academic precariat

Experience life as a university lecturer for 18 months and then we’ll let you go? Just after REF closes, you say...

@UCLanUCU @markwalmsley88 @UCLan @ucu You could start by advocating for a full-time 6 month cover for a full-time role?

@markwalmsley88 @acaprecariat @UCLan @ucu Point taken - it's a laudable aim, but I doubt any employer will be happy to create a two-year post to cover (eg) six months mat leave...

We are the University of Central Lancashire, ranked in the top 3.7% of worldwide universities and awarded TEF silver status. Behind this facade, we are seeking to hire someone on a 0.5 fixed term contract to cover what former staff know to be a full-time post. @UCLan

@MattMattFinn @NRushCooper @ExeterGeography @UCUAnti_Cas To point out that these are often the default available roles and can’t lead to permanent progression isn’t throwing scholarship under the bus Matt.

@acaprecariat @NRushCooper @ExeterGeography @UCUAnti_Cas Where these are the default available roles & can't lead to permanent E&S contracts with meaningful progression opportunities I agree. Where people are having to use these as a way into E&R that's a systemic problem. But please don't throw scholarship under the bus in the process

Egregious: Promoting research excellence @ExeterGeography in advert for 9 months teaching Research 'excellence' is built on the backs of exploitative contracts When is this teacher going to do *their* research? The summer? When they're not employed? @acaprecariat @UCUAnti_Cas

@MattMattFinn @NRushCooper @ExeterGeography @UCUAnti_Cas In the era of REF, scholarship gets you hired on permanent contracts, teaching does not. The value judgment here is not ours but the dominant one in the sector. Your experience of having research time & conference allowance isn’t shared by others on E&S.

@acaprecariat @NRushCooper @ExeterGeography @UCUAnti_Cas I agree about 9 months. Aren't you making assumptions about the nature of academic work and devaluing scholarship relative to particular ideas of research? To clarify: I do get scholarship time and money which can be out towards conferences etc. as part of an E&S role.

@MattMattFinn @NRushCooper @ExeterGeography @UCUAnti_Cas Hi Matt. The expectation of conducting research unpaid is unacceptable and fosters inequality. We hear from academics like Nick again and again that E&S contracts - especially of 9 months - are exploitative. We ask that colleagues stand against these contracts, not defend them.

@NRushCooper @ExeterGeography @acaprecariat @UCUAnti_Cas I'm happy to talk more with people about this and recognise some will disagree but there is a risk of mischaracterising what these roles allow for (both the pros and cons). (2/2)

“This is no way to live. I have little or no money coming in over the summer. All three of the paid jobs have come to an end with no guarantee that there will be any work for me anywhere in September.”

“Thou shalt not imply that doing a nine-month teaching contract will lead to a more secure and sustainable post within your department and then hire someone with more publications instead” 👌🏻

#UCU #StampOutCasualisation Please read & share this moving, honest & thought-provoking article by our #FE comrade Gwen Vickers on the links between #precariouswork #fairness & #mentalhealth tes.com/news/casual-wo… @UcuLeft @CymruPrecarity @acaprecariat @PrecariousBrum

“A few days after the end of my fixed-term contract, I collapsed at home, with a severe reaction to chronic stress. I lost a lot of weight and was unable to leave the house for a fortnight. It was during this time that I decided I was done.” @catherine.oakley/how-i-left-academia-a4943b5f8438" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">medium.com/@catherine.oak…

Does anyone know of any good work on links between pensions and casualised staff e.g. numbers of casualised staff opting out of pensions for affordability reasons, etc.? @UoK_Precariat @acaprecariat

“As staff, we've allowed ourselves to be exploited. We've been told we need to do more, that we're not good enough. It's time to restore our sense of self-worth & remember how much power & authority we have”: incoming Gen Sec @DrJoGrady’s address #UCU2019 ucu.org.uk/article/10119/…

Job Alert! 18-month fixed-term Medieval History job at QUB! Exciting selection criteria. Do you fancy being hired for your juicy REF submission and then fired? If so, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. Apply now!! jobs.ac.uk/job/BRR300/lec…

@leusavage @ucu @UCUSenateHouse @theRSAorg Just seen this @leusavage and it's music to the eyes. Thanks so much for your work.

"Precarity damages mental health & careers. This branch resolves: To call on UoL/SAS to commit to modelling best practice by offering a standard post-contract support package to all academic and research-active employees on precarious contracts, and to graduating PhD students"