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Analysis and Opinion

On the likelihood of being made redundant from the School of Business

Published: 23rd March, 2021

Statistical modelling shows no evidence to support the claim that redundancies in the School of Business are about disinvesting from political economy and Critical Management Studies. By far the most statistically significant factor is union activism. An underperforming Economics, Finance & Accounting professor who researches in political economy has a 5% chance of redundancy if…

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Libary User Services – Counter Proposal

Published: 19th March, 2021

Colleagues at risk of redundancy have been encouraged to offer counter proposals to the business cases against them. In several of the eight targeted units and departments, at-risk staff have done just that, spending many hours. Here is the Counter Proposal created by our colleagues in the library. It’s a redacted version, in which direct…

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On dignity and respect…

Published: 19th March, 2021

“I no longer have words for the University’s executives. At least not words I can utter here without breaching the policy.” On dignity & respect at our University, where our “leaders” give us none.

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TEN THESES

Published: 18th March, 2021

Is the governance of our University at Leicester ‘fit for purpose’, when it has allowed our University to come to such reputational and financial harm?  How can the governance of our University be changed to ensure this never happens again? Where is the University’s Strategic plan? How can staff be expected to align their work…

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Leicester UCU in 2 – Mar 15

Published: 15th March, 2021

In this week’s 2-minute summary, we reflect on what it means, during the week of International Womens’ Day, for so many women at the University of Leicester to be at risk of redundancy.

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2021: the year of no research?

Published: 10th March, 2021

Is University of Leicester ‘one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities’. The executive board continues to claim it is. Is University of Leicester in a financial crisis? The executive board continues to deny this ­– or least to deny that the 145 redundancies it is seeking to force through have anything to do with money….

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Will you be a Citizen of Change?

Published: 5th March, 2021

The University of Leicester is highly indebted. Do you think it’s time for a change? Will you be an agent of change? Will you be a #CitizenOfChange?

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“Angry is good”: on the selection of targets

Published: 3rd March, 2021

As the University executive charges ahead with its ‘cases for change’, one of our professional services colleagues offers insights into how senior managers conduct the more unpalatable aspects of running what is essentially a business – and how they can be confronted. This colleague draws on the example of the School of Business (ULSB) –…

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This is not normal! (Which side are you on?)

Published: 2nd March, 2021

[Updated: 4 March.] Nishan Canagarajah and his executive board have repeated claimed that the overwhelming opposition to their plans is ‘normal’. Judge for yourself whether this looks normal. If you’ve expressed a view which isn’t recorded here, please get in touch, as we’re constantly updating the graphic. We want to know, which side are you…

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On the 2019–20 accounts…

Published: 1st March, 2021

Earlier today the University of Leicester executive finally published its financial statements for the year ending 31 July 2020. Normally, universities must publish their accounts in mid-January. Although the Office for Students sanctioned an extension of the deadline this year – because of COVID – our employer was still one of few not able to…

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