On international women’s day we organised a rally jointly with Cambridgeshire NEU in solidarity with Palestinian women as part of a national day of action calling for a ceasefire and an end to occupation and apartheid. Around 100 people took…
CUCU executive committee statement opposing ‘race science’ in the University
Cambridge UCU unequivocally condemns all racism within our university and in the world at large. We are particularly dismayed to see how Dr Nathan Cofnas, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at Emmanuel College and the Faculty of Philosophy of the University…
Solidarity with the “Women, Life, Freedom” uprising in Iran: stop the crackdown – Statement
We note with grave concern that over 350 people (50 of whom are under 18) have been killed since September 16th in the Iranian state’s brutal crackdown on protests which erupted after the so-called “morality police” murdered a young Kurdish…
Why should we go on strike? Reasons why it matters
As we approach another set of strike days, you might be wondering why we should strike again, and whether it will make any difference. This is why striking continues to matter, and how it can still make a difference: USS…
Priya Gopal, ‘Why Do I Strike?’ – Rally Speech, 17 February
At our lunchtime rally on Thursday, CUCU’s Priya Gopal gave this barnstorming speech on why we’re out on strike again, and why our action is so vital: First of all, a big shoutout to all of you here and all…
Vice Chancellor’s email – our response
On Thursday, the Vice Chancellor used an all-staff email to discuss the strike ballots for UCU members which open on Monday 18th November. Although the VC adopted a complacent tone, the letter effectively misrepresents the two disputes on pensions and…
Papers for HR Committee: Time to Think Again
On 7 July, the University’s HR Committee will be meeting to discuss the cuts announced by the Vice Chancellor for 2020/1. We don’t get a seat on the HR Committee, but we’ll be there in spirit, thanks to two papers…
Cambridge UCU Statement on Institutional Racism in Higher Education
Cambridge UCU stands in solidarity with staff and students who face deeply embedded and largely unacknowledged racism at the University of Cambridge. We stand with students and staff who have been working at every level to name and challenge the…
Vote ‘Yes’ on 18 June to change the student disciplinary framework
Image by Kairat Muratalievo on Unsplash Content note: This blog contains mention of sexual assault On 18 June, members of Regent House have an opportunity to transform the University of Cambridge into a safer, more supportive place for our…
Statement on Athena Swan Silver Award
The University of Cambridge have just announced the retention of their Silver Athena SWAN award. CUCU congratulates the staff whose hard work went into this submission and recognises that participation has prompted the University to commit to a range of gender equality initiatives. However, Athena SWAN is no silver bullet in resolving gender inequalities. In fact, the targets and action plans set out in Cambridge’s recent Athena SWAN submission fall disappointingly short of what one would expect from a leading university that prides itself on innovation and excellence.