University of Lincoln UCU
News & statements
The latest on jobs, pay and working life at Lincoln.
Industrial action9 October 2026Industrial action ballotThe result, the branch’s priorities and what happens next.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
Lincoln UCU members have delivered a strong mandate for industrial action in the dispute over job cuts and redundancies. Thank you to everyone who voted and helped get the vote out.
- 85% voted for strike action.
- 88% voted for action short of strike.
- 60% of eligible members took part.
These results were announced by UCU on .
What happens next?
The branch continues to seek an assurance that there will be no further compulsory redundancies in 2026/27. Industrial action requires approval from UCU national officers. The ballot result provides a mandate; it is not an announcement of strike dates.
Protecting jobs
Conciliation through Acas has concluded. Senior leadership did not rule out further compulsory redundancies, but discussions identified measures that could reduce the likelihood of forced job losses.
The branch is exploring:
- Enhanced redeployment options, including potential opportunities with external employers.
- Reskilling and retraining during employment, to support colleagues considering careers outside academia.
- Teaching-only contracts as a possible option for colleagues currently on teaching, scholarship and professional practice (TSPP) profiles, with a focus on course delivery.
These options remain under discussion and are not agreed changes to colleagues’ contracts.
Working conditions9 October 2026Lecture recording boycottThe branch’s position and the latest from the 9 October JCC meeting.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
Lincoln UCU’s lecture recording boycott continues. The branch opposes the University’s policy of requiring lecture recording except in limited circumstances and is calling on members to refuse to record teaching sessions until the policy recognises academics’ choice to opt out.
Update from the Joint Consultative Committee
At the meeting on , senior leadership maintained its position. Management said it was taking legal advice and that staff who did not comply would be subject to “normal management processes”.
The branch maintains that staff should not be recorded without their consent and disputes that compulsory recording is a reasonable management instruction.
Next steps
The committee is drafting an industrial dispute motion for the members’ meeting on 21 October.
Members with questions about the boycott, management instructions or possible action for non-compliance should contact the branch for advice and support.
Pay9 October 2026The 2% pay upliftThe national position and what members can expect to hear from Lincoln.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) has instructed universities to implement a 2% increase across national pay spine points, backdated to August, following pay talks that concluded without agreement.
UCU and the other higher education unions rejected the offer as below inflation and therefore a real-terms pay cut. The offer also includes a commitment to a joint review of the national pay spine.
What does this mean at Lincoln?
As at 9 October 2026, the branch is awaiting an announcement from PPC confirming when and how the uplift and back pay will be implemented at Lincoln.
We will update members when local arrangements are confirmed.
Branch people9 October 2026Meet your committeeWelcome to Andrew Defty, Chavan Kissoon and Rob Dean.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
We welcome three colleagues taking on roles in the 2026/27 branch committee:
- Andrew Defty joins the committee as Social Media Officer, taking over from Nic DeVeaux.
- Chavan Kissoon joins as Trade Union Learning Officer.
- Rob Dean returns as a School Representative for Creative Arts & Design, alongside Sandra Kazlauskaite.
Nic DeVeaux remains a School Representative for Health & Care Sciences. Thank you to Nic for supporting the branch’s social media, and welcome to Andrew, Chavan and Rob.
Get involved9 October 2026Become a school representativeHelp colleagues in your area and strengthen local representation.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
UCU has recommended that schools with more than 30 union members should have two school representatives. Additional representatives would help more colleagues have a named local contact and share the work of supporting members.
Based on current membership, additional representation would be welcome in all areas except:
- Engineering & Physical Sciences
- Creative Arts & Design
- Psychology, Sport Science & Wellbeing
- Law & Political Sciences
- Medical School
- NCFM
If your area is not listed, please consider volunteering or encouraging a colleague who would make a good representative.
To express an interest, contact Enass at UCU@lincoln.ac.uk.
Solidarity9 October 2026Solidarity with NottinghamWays to offer encouragement, join a picket line or make a personal donation.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
Colleagues at the University of Nottingham are taking extended industrial action this term in response to large-scale job losses and the closure of music and languages departments.
Lincoln UCU members can show solidarity through messages of encouragement, attendance at picket lines or personal donations. Members who live in or near Nottingham may be particularly well placed to offer support in person.
For current picket arrangements or information about making a donation, contact the Nottingham branch directly at uonucubranch@gmail.com.
Get involved9 October 2026East Midlands vacanciesOpportunities to serve as Regional HE Chair or Regional Secretary.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
UCU’s East Midlands Regional Committee has two vacancies:
- Regional HE Chair
- Regional Secretary
Any UCU member in the region can put themselves forward. A branch selects a delegate and refers their name to the Regional Committee.
If you would like to put yourself forward through Lincoln UCU, contact Enass at UCU@lincoln.ac.uk.
For questions about the roles, contact ucu@christopherpritchard.co.uk.
Member guidance2026/27 guidanceAcademic workloadingThe 2026/27 allocation process, dashboards and how to raise concerns.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
The University has announced an updated approach to academic workloading for 2026/27, including revised allocations and new dashboards. Its stated aim is to improve transparency, consistency and equity across Schools.
What is changing?
- Workloads expressed in hours. Some elements will still be allocated as a percentage and converted into hours.
- Updated activity allocations. Changes cover Personal Academic Tutoring, teaching-related administration, programme leadership and other key roles.
- Workload records outside AAPR. Heads of School will be able to update allocations independently of the AAPR cycle. AAPR will link to the dashboard, and workload discussions will continue through AAPR and local planning.
- More local flexibility. Heads of School can reflect local priorities while maintaining institutional consistency. They remain responsible for fair, transparent allocations that follow the guidance.
How will it work?
- School allocationsHeads of School complete the workloading spreadsheet on SharePoint.
- Model calculationsThe spreadsheet calculates allocations against the institutional model, including the notional 100% workload benchmark.
- Dashboard updatesSpreadsheet data feeds the central dashboards, which update overnight.
Colleagues supporting Heads of School with the process will need to request access to the relevant files.
What will the dashboards show?
Your individual view
Academic staff will be able to view their own workload allocation across activity categories.
School-level oversight
School-level dashboards will be restricted to Heads of School and Heads of College, supporting monitoring and comparison across Schools.
Availability: the University’s announcement states that dashboards will not be live until the allocation spreadsheets have been populated. Dashboard suggestions or proposed changes can be submitted by raising an incident through UniHelp.
Source: University of Lincoln announcement on academic workloading for the 2026/27 cycle, summarised for members.
Meetings & dates
2026/27 branch meetings · Wednesdays, 1:00 pm–2:30 pm (UK time).
October 2026
Highlighted date: members’ meeting
November 2026
Highlighted date: members’ meeting
December 2026
Highlighted date: members’ meeting
January 2027
Highlighted date: members’ meeting
February 2027
Highlighted date: members’ meeting
March 2027
Highlighted date: members’ meeting
April 2027
Highlighted date: Annual General Meeting
May 2027
Highlighted date: members’ meeting
June 2027
Highlighted date: members’ meeting
July 2027
Highlighted date: members’ meeting
Open a month, then select its highlighted date for meeting details.
If another work meeting clashes with a branch meeting, contact the branch for advice.