University of Lincoln UCU
News & statements
The latest on jobs, pay and working life at Lincoln.
Branch eventActivism & Free SpeechThursday 26 November, 4–5 pm on Zoom. Hear from three speakers on dissent, protest and free speech.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
· Online via Zoom.
Join Lincoln UCU for a discussion of activism, free speech and the legal pressures affecting dissent at work and in public protest. The event is organised and chaired by Membership Secretary Owen Clayton.
Speakers
- Joshua Skoczylis — UCU rep and Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Counter-Terrorism Studies, University of Lincoln.
- Katie Hunt — UCU Chair and Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Lincoln.
- Mat Osmond — Defend Our Juries member and Senior Lecturer in Illustration, Falmouth University.
Registration
Vice Chair Sandra Kazlauskaite has designed the event poster.
Branch updateProfessorial Review: branch updateThe proposed extension to Associate Professors is no longer being considered.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
The University has concluded its Professorial Review, which assessed submissions against the published criteria for each professorial band.
The branch is aware of pay rises offered to Professors judged to exceed expectations. We have not heard of negative consequences for those judged below the criteria for their band.
Associate Professors
UCU strongly opposed the proposed extension of the process to Associate Professors. We are pleased to report that this extension is no longer being considered.
Support for members
Professors are outside UCU’s bargaining unit, so the branch cannot negotiate for the Professoriate collectively. Professors who are UCU members can still request individual casework and representation. Associate Professors are within our bargaining unit.
Member guidanceBoxphish training is optionalMonthly Boxphish activities are recommended but not compulsory. Tier 1 training remains mandatory.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
The monthly Boxphish training activities are recommended but not compulsory. The branch has received reports of members being chased to complete overdue activities.
Chief Digital Officer Matt Cavill has confirmed to the branch that there has been no change making Boxphish compulsory. The University strongly encourages completion as part of good cyber hygiene.
Tier 1 training is different
Tier 1 online training is mandatory. Keep this training up to date and do not confuse it with the optional monthly Boxphish activities.
If you are being told that Boxphish is compulsory or have concerns about training requirements, contact the branch for advice.
Solidarity26 October 2026Nottingham’s Halloween protestA Halloween funeral march against compulsory redundancies on Tuesday 27 October. Read the Nottingham UCU press release and event details.Read press release
Select the card above again to close this press release.
Source: University of Nottingham UCU (UoN UCU). Published here on 26 October 2026. The press release below retains its original date of 27 October 2026 and is marked “For immediate release”.
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NIGHTMARE ON CAMPUS: UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM STAFF STAGE HALLOWEEN FUNERAL MARCH TO PROTEST COMPULSORY REDUNDANCIES
Tuesday 27 October 2026 | University of Nottingham
Staff at the University of Nottingham will take to campus in Halloween costumes on Tuesday 27 October as part of a UCU day of industrial action against compulsory redundancies under the University’s controversial Future Nottingham 2 (FN2) restructuring programme, where over 2500 staff are still at risk of redundancy.
Under the banner “Halloween and Ghoul Fest: The Nightmare of Future Nottingham 2”, staff will stage a theatrical funeral procession, complete with coffins, to symbolise the death of the university as they know it.
The protest will highlight the devastating consequences that staff fear FN2 will have for jobs, students, academic provision and the future of the University of Nottingham as a public institution. With the university seeking to make more than 500 people redundant, workloads and class sizes, which are already at breaking point, will become unsustainable. As students feel the pressure on their learning conditions, the VC has decided that her best course of action is to bounce back their emails. The rule for staff having to respond within 48 hours to student enquiries does not seem to apply to her.
Staff will dress as ghosts, ghouls, skeletons and other Halloween figures to bring to life what they describe as the nightmare of a restructuring programme that threatens livelihoods, undermines morale and risks hollowing out the University’s teaching and research capacity.
The funeral procession will symbolise not only the threatened loss of jobs, but also the erosion of the values that staff believe should lie at the heart of higher education: intellectual inquiry, academic freedom, collegiality, public service and a commitment to students.
Nick Clare, president of UoN UCU said:
‘Future Nottingham 2 has become a living nightmare for staff. Colleagues who have devoted years, sometimes decades, to teaching, research and supporting students are facing the prospect of losing their jobs. Meanwhile, the University risks losing the very people, expertise and academic provision that make it what it is’.
‘Our Halloween protest uses humour, creativity and a touch of the macabre to communicate an extremely serious message. We are holding a funeral for the university we know and love because we fear that management’s plans will fundamentally change it for the worse.
But this is not a funeral we are prepared to accept. We are taking action because we believe there is still time to choose a different future: one that protects jobs, values staff and students, and puts education before cuts’.
Part of a wider fight for higher education
The Nottingham action takes place alongside industrial action at other universities, including Goldsmiths, University of London, and Edinburgh, where staff are also taking a stand against threats to jobs and higher education provision.
Across the sector, university staff are challenging restructuring programmes, job losses and management decisions that they argue are damaging the quality, accessibility and purpose of higher education.
The University of Nottingham branch of UCU is calling on University management to rule out compulsory redundancies, engage meaningfully with staff and their trade unions, and explore alternatives to cuts that threaten the institution’s long-term future.
UoN UCU President Nick Clare added:
‘What is happening at Nottingham is part of a much bigger crisis in UK higher education, although the financial mistakes made by management at UoN has created the current situation.
Universities are not simply businesses, and staff and students should not be treated as expendable in the pursuit of financial targets.
We stand in solidarity with colleagues at Goldsmiths, Edinburgh and elsewhere, who are fighting for their jobs and for the future of Higher Education. We refuse to accept that compulsory redundancies and the dismantling of academic provision are inevitable.
“On 27 October, we will be making some noise, raising some spirits and showing management that we are not going to disappear quietly.”
Event details
What: Halloween and Ghoul Fest – UCU Day of Action against compulsory redundancies.
Where: West Entrance to University Park, and Derby Road entrance to Jubilee Campus.
When: Pickets from 8.30 a.m. to 12 noon.
At 12 noon the two picket lines will march onto campus, meet in front of the Clive Granger building around 12.15 p.m. and then jointly go from there to Trent courtyard for final speeches.
Visual opportunities: Staff in Halloween costumes, theatrical coffins, a symbolic funeral march, banners and placards.
Members of the press are invited to attend, photograph and report on the action. UCU representatives will be available for interviews.
ENDS
Media contacts
Nick.Clare@nottingham.ac.uk (UCU President) 07845 293342
Andreas.Bieler@nottingham.ac.uk (UCU Vice President) 07955 143829
Notes to editors
- Future Nottingham 2 is the University of Nottingham’s restructuring programme, involving proposals for significant changes to academic provision and staffing.
- The University of Nottingham branch of the University and College Union (UCU) opposes compulsory redundancies and is campaigning for alternatives that protect jobs and educational provision.
- The Halloween and Ghoul Fest action forms part of the branch’s industrial campaign against compulsory redundancies.
- UCU members at other institutions, including Goldsmiths, are also taking action on 27 October.
- Further information about the University of Nottingham UCU campaign is available from branch representatives.
Industrial actionCompulsory redundancies disputeOur year-long mandate, the current position on jobs and what happens next.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
Lincoln UCU remains in dispute over the University’s failure to rule out compulsory redundancies in 2026/27, following four rounds of job cuts in four years.
Following the successful ballot, the branch has a year-long mandate for industrial action. As reported in the November newsletter, no new threat to jobs has been made so far. Any industrial action would need to pursue a current objective in response to a renewed threat.
What happens next?
The January 2027 student intake will help clarify the University’s financial position. Depending on recruitment, it may be possible to secure a commitment around February that there will be no compulsory redundancies this academic year, which would settle the dispute. If jobs are threatened, the existing mandate means the branch can respond quickly.
Industrial action requires approval from UCU national officers. The mandate does not announce strike dates.
Individual feedback
If your own job was placed at risk during the redundancy process, you can request your individual feedback. Contact the branch if you need support obtaining it.
Social Media Officer Andrew Defty has also been interviewed by UCU about the campaign; the newsletter highlights the video on Facebook and Twitter/X.
The ballot result
- 85% voted for strike action.
- 88% voted for action short of strike.
- 60% of eligible members took part.
UCU announced these results on .
Read UCU’s announcement of the ballot result
Earlier negotiations: October update
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 conditionsLecture recording dispute & boycottMembers have voted to enter a formal dispute. The boycott continues, with an extraordinary JCC meeting on 16 November.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
Lincoln UCU’s lecture recording boycott continues. At the October members’ meeting, the motion to enter an industrial dispute over mandatory lecture recording passed with one abstention and no votes against.
What members agreed
- Begin the formal dispute resolution procedure.
- Call an extraordinary Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting between UCU and the University to seek a settlement.
- Boycott lecture recording until the University restores a policy that allows colleagues to opt out.
We urge all members to continue refusing to record lectures, including colleagues who are normally happy to do so, in solidarity with those who do not consent to being recorded.
Next discussion with the University
The extraordinary JCC meeting is arranged for . This is a meeting between union and University representatives.
Chair Katie Hunt has been speaking to the media about the dispute, with coverage on BBC Look North, BBC News, Times Higher Education and UCU.
Members with questions about the boycott, management instructions or possible action for non-compliance should contact the branch for advice and support.
Pay2% pay rise confirmed for NovemberNovember payslips will include the 2% increase, backdated to 1 August 2026.Read update
Select the card above again to close this update.
The University has confirmed that it is implementing the 2% increase across national pay spine points.
What to expect in your payslip
November payslips will reflect the increase, backdated to .
UCEA directed universities to implement the award even though UCU and the other trade unions rejected the offer as below inflation and therefore a pay cut in real terms.
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.
Lincoln UCU
Meetings & dates
Wednesdays · 1:00–2:30 pm · UK time
Next meeting
Members’ meeting
October 2026
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
21 October · Past members’ meeting
November 2026
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 |
18 November · Members’ meeting
December 2026
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||
16 December · Members’ meeting
January 2027
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
20 January · Members’ meeting
February 2027
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
17 February · Members’ meeting
March 2027
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
17 March · Members’ meeting
April 2027
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | ||
21 April · Annual General Meeting
May 2027
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 |
19 May · Members’ meeting
June 2027
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | ||||
16 June · Members’ meeting
July 2027
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
14 July · Members’ meeting
Coming up
2026/27 branch meetings
Members’ meeting
Wednesday · 1:00–2:30 pm
Members’ meeting
Wednesday · 1:00–2:30 pm
Members’ meeting
Wednesday · 1:00–2:30 pm
Members’ meeting
Wednesday · 1:00–2:30 pm
Annual General Meeting
Wednesday · 1:00–2:30 pm
Members’ meeting
Wednesday · 1:00–2:30 pm
Members’ meeting
Wednesday · 1:00–2:30 pm
Members’ meeting
Wednesday · 1:00–2:30 pm
Previous meeting
Members’ meeting
Wednesday · 1:00–2:30 pm
Past meeting
If another work meeting clashes with a branch meeting, contact the branch for advice.