PandemicPGRs

[^ This tweet was redrafted because we didn't originally think about the ableist implications of 'crippling exploitation'. We'd like to apologise, and thank those who point these things out to us - we're always happy to visibly learn and grow from thoughtless mistakes ]

@UCU and @DrJoGrady have just launched their #FundTheFuture campaign, and PGRs represent the future of the sector. We need funding now to ensure that teaching and research can survive without relying on furthering horrifying exploitation. [fin]

Furthermore, we are yet to hear from @ASollowayUK @GavinWilliamson @michelledonelan @AlokSharma_RDG (or for that matter @ChiOnwurah @RLong_Bailey @EmmaHardyMP @Ed_Miliband).

At the same time universities are refusing to provide the vast majority of PGRs with support to ensure that we can continue to be valuable (and productive) workers within our departments.

Each week more universities are making casualised staff, (many of whom are PGRs) redundant, and we are fighting against these cuts alongside @CoronaContract.

While we received acknowledgement from @UKRI_News and @URKI_CEO & many research councils, we're yet to hear from @AlistairJarvis @ @UniverisitiesUK, Tim Bradshaw @ @RussellGroup, Gordon Marshall @ @LeverhulmeTrust, @JeremyFarrar @ @wellcometrust or Julie Maxton @ @royalsociety

OPEN LETTER UPDATE We sent off our open letter at the beginning of the month, demanding that PGRs in the UK be given the support that they have been promised and that they deserve. [1/7]

Anti-Casualisation committees all over the UK are doing amazing and very necessary work throughout this pandemic: sign below to support UEA in particular! https://twitter.com/UEA_UCU/status/1273170463179575296 …

In place of a meeting this week, we're preparing a short newsletter. Everyone's timeline is pretty busy at the moment - so if you'd like to have it in your email inbox rather than on your Twitter feed, please sign up here: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?SUBED1=PGR-COVID19-ORGANISING&A=1 …

"It is high time to end the failed experiment in marketisation. Universities can and must be turned around; run in the interests of democratic collective education and training, of the common good" https://twitter.com/Cmmonwealth/status/1269922763608862721 …

https://twitter.com/CorelliLauren/status/1268163162894974979 …

We are therefore calling on @UKRI_News to ensure we are robustly represented within subsequent decision-making in relation to COVID-19 support and that we have the ability to meaningfully influence the structural conditions that are placed upon us beyond the pandemic. [6/7]

So, no, we don’t trust you when you tell us that you hear our struggles and that we will be supported, and, no, we don’t trust you when you tell us not to worry and that we should consider ourselves lucky. [4/7]

We're held in a liminal position between staff and student with a lack of rights & representation. Where efforts are made to include PGR voices they're often tokenistic. Reps have no opportunity to shape key decisions that are made both before and away from meetings. [3/7]

PGRs requiring support are bewildered at how needs are being systematically ignored; how universities & funders are determining how PGRs are impacted without consultation; & how concerns arising from PGR communities are met with public and private rebuke from management. [2/7]