Published: 23rd July, 2020
To add you signature to this Open Letter follow this link. [To see the response, received on 29 July, see here.]
23 July 2020
Dear Professor Canagarajah and Lord Willetts
The University of Leicester is ONE community, and now, more than ever, we must stand together and support one another as we face the teaching, research and personal challenges presented by COVID-19. We write as the precariously employed of this university community, and our friends and supporters both at the University of Leicester and across the Higher Education sector.
Each and every day, we work together to create a successful and vibrant research and education community. This ethos has been palpable during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during which our university community has successfully come together for the benefit of our students and this institution. Yet, as staff, the security and future prospects of our employment vary greatly. Astonishingly, higher education is second only to hospitality as the most casualised sector of the UK economy. Universities and colleges are twice as likely to use zero-hours contracts than other workplaces. Within the UK higher education sector, one third of academic staff and two-thirds of research staff are on fixed-term contracts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks facing precarious colleagues are ever increasing, and are disproportionally affecting precariously-employed, first-generation professionals, ethnic minority and women academics, as well as those with caring responsibilities or health concerns. At the University of Leicester, colleagues on precarious contracts are seeing extensions and contract renewals disappear, which means that their livelihoods and career opportunities are paused or cancelled, because of the way our institution and higher education in this country is responding to the current crisis. Compounding the plight of Leicester’s precarious workers, the vast majority of Unitemps-employed staff were not furloughed, despite better examples from other institutions who took steps to support these employees. All of this poses a grave threat both to the individuals themselves and to widespread industry efforts to diversify academia and reduce pay and achievement gaps due to historical inequities.
Over the coming months Leicester colleagues will pull together to deliver “ignite”, a blended model of digital and on-campus learning. We all want to deliver an exceptional educational experience for our students, but developing effective dual-delivery courses for the first time is going to require an immense effort from academic, non-academic, technical and professional services staff that is significantly above our currently allocated workload, particularly without the retention of precariously employed staff. We need all our educational experts working together to manage this monumental shift in teaching and learning. Now is not the time for the university to abandon teaching- and research-critical activities by subjecting hardworking staff to job losses. We call on the University of Leicester to hold an independent review of the role of precarious workers at the University of Leicester, including the justification for these insecure contracts.
We, the undersigned, believe that it is of utmost importance to support precarious colleagues through the coming months and years ahead. These staff are crucial partners in meeting our student-facing obligations and retaining the institutional research and teaching expertise that will otherwise be pushed out of academia due to the misfortune of current global events. Our precarious colleagues deserve our support, our mentorship, and our guidance, and the future of Higher Education desperately needs these exceptional individuals, who have demonstrated their full commitment to academic pursuits despite adverse circumstances. These colleagues are – in many cases literally – the future generation that all of us, including Professor Canagarajah, wish to preserve the University of Leicester for.
Signed: [click here to sign.]
Prof. Stephen Pollock, Viscount Hanworth and Professor Emeritus of Econometrics and Computational Statistics, University of Leicester
Jonathan Ashworth, MP
Cllr Adam Clarke FRSA, Deputy City Mayor and Councillor for Aylestone, Leicester City Council
Cllr Dr Lynn Moore, Councillor for Knighton, Leicester City Council
Cllr Patrick Kitterick, Councillor for Castle Ward, Leicester City Council
Cllr Danny Myers, Councillor for Castle Ward, Leicester City Council
Cllr Lindsay Broadwell, Councillor for Western Ward, Leicester City Council
Cllr Gary O’Donnell, Councillor for Western Ward Leicester City Council
Cllr Laurie Needham, Chair of Charnwood Borough Council and Chair of Charnwood Green Party
Cllr Jacky Nangreave, Councillor for Westcotes, Leicester City Council
Cllr Ross Wilmott Councillor for Rushey Mead, Leicester City Council
Dr Jo Grady, General Secretary UCU
Mia Nembhard, President, Leicester Students Union
Adnan Rahman, Education Officer, Leicester Students Union
Hannah Belcher, Sports Officer, Leicester Students Union
Karli Wagener, Wellbeing Officer, Leicester Students Union
Elle Phipps, Activities Officer, Leicester Students Union
Prof. Simon Lilley, Professor of Information and Organisation, University of Leicester
Prof. Steve Milan, Professor of Heliospheric Physics, Radio & Space Plasma, University of Leicester
Prof. Caroline Upton, Professor of Environmental Geographies, University of Leicester
Prof. Clare Madge, Professor Emeritus, Geography, University of Leicester
Prof Susan Page, Professor of Physical Geography, University of Leicester
Prof. Anne-marie Greene, Professor of Work, Employment and Diversity, University of Leicester
Prof. Gavin Brown, Professor of Political Geography and Sexualities & LGBT Equalities officer, Leicester UCU
Dr Sarah Seaton, Chair of Leicester UCU, University of Leicester
Dr Emma Battell Lowman, Vice-Chair Leicester UCU, Teaching Fellow in History of the Americas, University of Leicester
Dr Gareth Brown, Co-Secretary, Leicester UCU, University of Leicester
Dr Gabby Provan, Leicester UCU Anti-Casualisation officer
Rashida Vora, Equalities officer, Leicester UCU, University of Leicester
Sharron Sturgess, Disability Equalities officer, Leicester UCU, University of Leicester
Dr David Harvie, Communications officer, Leicester UCU, University of Leicester
Keir Birchall, Leicester UCU Students Union Liaison Officer & PhD Student, University of Leicester
Robin Clarke, rep for academic related and professional services staff, Leicester UCU, University of Leicester
Chris Willars, President of Leicester & District Trades Union Council
Andrea Burford, Branch Secretary, Unite Community Leicestershire
Peter Flack, Chair Leicester Unite Community Branch, Chair of Leicester Everybody’s Reading Festival.
Tony Church, vice-chair Unite Community Leicester and Leicestershire and former secretary of Leicester and District Trades Union Council and life member
Mark Mizzen, Secretary, Leicester Unemployed Workers Centre Limited
Michael Barker, Unison steward and Assistant Secretary of the Leicester and Districts Trade Union Council
Lindsey Morgan Leicester Socialist Party Branch Secretary, Secretary of Safety First Leics and Unite Community member
Mike Thompson, Vice President Leicester & District Trades Union Council
Tom Barker, Unison Steward, Save Our NHS Leicestershire Secretary
Paul Henderson, Retired Member of Staff, University of Leicester
Rebecca Linnett, PhD candidate, Department of Health Sciences
Dr. Furaha Asani, University of Leicester Unitemps worker
Millie Roonay, University of Leicester Undergraduate Student
Liz Yeates, University of Leicester undergraduate student
Dr Paul Martin, Unitemps Associate tutor
Dr Stefano Bertea, Law School, University of Leicester
Tessa Warrington, Unite member
Dr Emi Mise, University of Leicester
Dr Deborah Toner, Associate Professor of History, University of Leicester
Keith Nockels, Academic Librarian, University of Leicester, and UCU rep for the University Library
Dr Alex Patel, Educational Developer, University of Leicester
Dr. Jacqueline Sánchez Taylor, 20 years a Lecturer in Sociology, currently at University of Leicester.
Dr Claire Jenkins UoL
Dr Zoe Groves, Lecturer in History, University of Leicester
Dr Jenny Stewart (fixed-term teaching fellow until June 30 2020 – now unemployed)
Dr Robert James Sutton, Teaching Fellow, University of Leicester
Dr. Lin Feng, School of Arts, University of Leicester
Dr Guy Barefoot, University of Leicester
Dr Stephanie Bowry, Teaching Fellow (fixed-term)
Dr. Giovanna Puppin, Lecturer, School of Media, Communication and Sociology, University of Leicester
Dr Gozde Naiboglu, University of Leicester
Ruth Luthi-Carter, Professor of Neurobiology of Behaviour and LUCU Rep, Univ. of Leicester
Dr Mary Ann Lund, School of Arts
Martín Agnone, Languages at Leicester Coordinator
Carmen (Teaching Fellow in Spanish)
Nick Adkins, Leicester UCU co-secretary
Selina Lock, Library research Services Consultant, University of Leicester
Adam Millar, PhD Candidate, University of Leicester
Cllr. Sharmen Rahman
Jacob Drew, Leicester University Student
Olivia Taylor, PhD student, School of Criminology
Dr Mary Ann Lund, School of Arts, University of Leicester
Prof John E Lees, University of Leicester
Dr Miriam Gill, VCLL, Unitemps associate lecturer
Dr Sophie Cooper, Teaching Fellow in Irish History, University of Leicester
Dr Neil Humpage, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester
Professor Phil Shaw, School of Arts, University of Leicester
Max John, PhD student, University of Leicester
Dr. Julian North, School of Arts, University of Leicester
Maria Guarnieri, University of Leicester
Dr Nataly Papadopoulou, LLB (Leicester), PhD (Leicester) (currently fixed-term Law Lecturer at QMUL)
Dr Helen Collins, Research Assistant, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester
Maria Berghs, Dr., De Montfort University
Dr Lucy Faire, Lecturer in Humanities and Arts, University of Leicester
Dr Briony Pulford, Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Leicester
Dr Agneta M-L Svalberg, Associate Professor, Applied Linguistics
Ashley J. Armstrong, Library Assistant
Dr Mike Mulheran Lecturer University of Leicester Medical School
Dr Matt Wilde, Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Leicester
Dr Matt Wilde, Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Leicester
Arwen Joyce, GTA, Leicester Law School
Dr Tom Stallard, University of Leicester
Dr Maite Usoz de la Fuente, Lecturer in Spanish, University of Leicester
Emma Westbrook, MA student
Natasha Krywald BCAv
Prof. Andrew Colman, Professor of Psychology, University of Leicester
Jarvis Suslowicz, University of Leicester graduate
Dr Kathleen Bell, formerly Associate Professor of Creative Writing at De Montfort University, former external examiner at Vaughan College and University of Leicester
Evan Whelan, President of the UoL Marxist Society
Ayman OMar, Assistant professor of finance, University of Leicester
Pablo Cortes, professor of civil justice, UoL
Dr Carolyn Walker, Associate Tutor (& Unitemps worker), MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics
Dr Patrick White, Associate Professor, University of Leicester
Andrea Vear. Administrator. School of Arts.
Sophie Chessman-Smith, UoL alumni.
Jose C. Carvajal Lopez, Lecturer in Historical Archaeology, University of Leicester
Harrison Jowett, Student, University of Leicester
Dr Kate Loveman, Associate Professor in English, University of Leicester
Edward Jones, Leicester Law School
Ross Gibson, branch officer, Strathclyde UCU
Dr Emma Butcher, University of Leicester
Jon Lapington, Professor of Space Physics, University of Leicester
Gillian Willingale, Library Assistant
Miss Esme Bonner, recent graduate
Jennifer Bergevin, Teaching Fellow, University of Leicester
Luke Shaw, Undergraduate Student, University of Leicester
Laura Albertini, PhD GTA, University of Leicester
Dr Anthony O’Tierney, Lecturer in Accounting and Finance, University of Leicester
Terese Bird, Leicester Medical School
Pip Brown, undergraduate student
Robert Greenhill, Alumnus, University Of Leicester
Dr Raul Carstocea, Lecturer in Modern European History, University of Leicester
Ms Ellie Rowley-Conwy R&R project at Palace of Westminster
Ruth R. N. Fraser, Quaker Chaplain to Leicester Unoversity
PETER TOBIN
Martín Agnone, Languages at Leicester Coordinator
Simon Robinson, President, Leicester District, National Education Union
Tim Clamp, Loughborough Labour Party Secretary, NEU Young Workers national council member
Cathi Rae… currently an MA student
Nichola Plumtree, Ms, NEU member
Michaelina Jakala, PhD, CovEntry
Dr Alexandra Woodall, Lecturer in Arts Management, University of Sheffield
Dr Caren Frosch, Lecturer in Psychology, University of Leicester
K Jenkin NEU member
Jonathan Taylor, Creative Writing
Katie Morris, University of Leicester Alumna
Bethan Jones, Ms, Student
James Butler, Mr, 2020 graduate
Marianne Mincher, Undergraduate Student, University of Leicester
Megan Pearson, Law School PhD student, unitemps worker
Mr. Christopher Stocker, University of Leicester
Jane John
Stephen Hopkins, Dr University of Leicester
Dr Naomi Hetherington, University Tutor, University of Sheffield
Dr Elizabeth Howard-Ahern (formerly UoL)
Rachel Downey, Ms, ANU
Amy Shapiro, former University of Leicester student
Dr Alice Samson
Dr Alistair Fryatt, Research associate, Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester
Dr Gozde Naiboglu, University of Leicester
Aneesah Yousuf, Student, University of Leicester
Ellie EPridgeon, Uni of Leicester, Vaughan Centre
Briony Neilson, sessional academic, University of Sydney
Lauren M Foster, MA graduate, University of Leicester
Dr Mandi Jamalian
Dr Jo Appleby, Associate Professor of Archaeology
Mel Jones, Mx, PhD Researcher, Geography, University of Leicester
Dr Angela Muir, Lecturer in British Social and Cultural History, University of Leicester
Nicola Pratt, Reader, University of Warwick
Ed Vollans, Teaching Fellow, , University of Leicester
Dr Alan Bevington, Associate Professor in Renal Biochemistry, University of Leicester
Gibson Burrell, Professor of Organization Theory, Universities of Manchester and Leicester
Sue Reilly. Student
Ewan Kissane
Amy Zala, Graduate Teaching Assistant and PhD Researcher, University of Leicester
Amy Ryall, University of Sheffield
Dr Jess Shahan, Teaching Fellow in IR, University of Leicester
Guillaume Wilemme, Lecturer, ULSB
Dr Mrunmayee Satam (worked as an Associate Tutor at UoL from 2017-19)
Dr Jen Walklate, Lecturer, University of Aberdeen (MA and PhD, Leicester, former fixed term Teaching Fellow, Leicester)
Ellen Bishop. PhD Researcher, UoL
William Wolstenholme, postgrad student Uni of Leeds, former student of Uni of Leicester
Matthew Field- former student (2016-2019)
Dr Tom Harvey, Lecturer in Geosciences, University of Leicester
Dan Orr, Women’s Officer, Leicester Students’ Union
Lewis Collins, Dr., University of Leicester Department of Genetics and Genome Biology
Jim Roberts, Honorary Fellow, University of Leicester
Emily Duckett, former University of Leicester student
Andreas Anastasiou, Teaching Fellow, University of Leicester
Laila Eldarwish, Miss, graduate 2020
Rebecca Hughes, student
Dr Zalfa Feghali, Lecturer in American Literature, University of Leicester
Martín Agnone, Languages at Leicester Coordinator
Dr Svenja Bethke, Lecturer in Modern European History, University of Leicester
Loveday Hodson, University of Leicester
Caitlin Davies, recent graduate
Mark Harrison, Mr, Graduate
Chloe Smyth
Caroline Collins, BA (Hons), AFHEA, University of Derby
Michael Guest.
Khushali Patel, BA Graduate 2020, Student
Aneesha Hussain, Student at the University of Leicester
Bronwyn James, former University of Leicester student
Jonny Birch, former University of Leicester student
Nozipho Dube, Miss, Class of 2020 Graduate
Dr Samuel Shaw, Open University (formerly University of Leicester, HAF)
(Emeritus Professor, Rev) William Myers
Minda Mahil, Undergraduate, UOL
Julie Archer, History Graduate, University of Leicester.
Professor Jo Brewis, The Open University (ex UoL)
Arvinder Kandola, Branch Chair, Communist Party of Britain (Leicester)
Liz Blackshaw (former employee of UOL)
Dave Deverick, Associate Tutor
Donald Provan, B.Sc Cand. Phil., Ph.D
Beatriz Sanchez-Cano, Dr, PDRA University of Leicester
Dr Helen Eborall, University of Edinburgh (previously University of Leicester 2008-20)
Dr Felicity James, School of Arts, University of Leicester
Sean Coules
Samina Randall NEU
Samina Randall NEU
Dr Sally Horrocks, University of Leicester
Dr David Wharton, School of Education, University of Leicester
Helen Clayson, Mrs, unite
Hayden Woods, Undergraduate, University of Leicester
Rebecca L
Dr Claire Sedgwick
Dr Amy Jane Barnes , The Open University (prior to which I was precariously employed at the University of Leicester for nearly a decade)
Dr Matthew Winston, Teaching Fellow
Joseph Earley, Mr, PhD student Chemistry University of Leicester)
Dr Julian Wells (Economic History, LSE)
Peter Armstrong, professor emeritus, University of Leicester
Dr Delyth Edwards (former UoL postdoc)
Jane Greaves, professor, Cardiff university
Mark Fuller
Mary Edmunds Otter, Former Information Specialist, University of Leicester
Natasha Bailey, PhD student- School of History, University of Leicester
Dr Patricia McManus, University of Brighton
Peter Shukie, Lecturer, University Centre Blackburn College
Becky Talbott
Theresa O’Keefe, Lecturer, University College Cork
Dr Dr Hazel Kent (University of Leicester graduate)
Dr Steven Stanley, Cardiff UCU Chair Elect, Cardiff University
Dr John-Paul Smiley
Michael Reeve, Academic Skills Tutor, Leeds Beckett University
Felix Milan, Mr, Student
Jen McDerra, Ms, University of East Anglia
Dr Rebecca Styler, Associate Professor of English, University of Lincoln and former student + hourly-paid lecturer at University of Leicester
Dr Elizabeth Howard-Ahern
Emily Duckett, former University of Leicester student.
Samantha Middleton
Dr Helen Baker, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Edge Hill University
Davey Ivens, DMU Unison.
Stephanie Hubbard, Dr, Dept of Health Sciences
Dr Michelle Harrison, School of Arts, University of Leicester
Pablo Cortes, professor of civil justice, UoL
Dr Rebecca Barnes, Health Sciences, University of Leicester
Dr Rebecca Styler, Associate Professor, Univ Lincoln, former student Univ Leicester
Dr Rebecca Styler, Associate Professor, Univ Lincoln, former student Univ Leicester
Dr Rebecca Styler, Associate Professor, Univ Lincoln, former student Univ Leicester
Dr Rachel Winter, clinical lecturer, Leicester Medical School
Dr Emma Butcher, University of Leicester
Theresa Butler
Dr Eleanor Peters, Senior Lecturer
Prof. Sarah Knight, School of Arts
Melissa Cosgrove
Charlotte Mills, GTA, University of Leicester
Dr Kate Herrity (alumna of Leicester). University of Cambridge.
Ms Herne ( teacher and alumni of University of Leicester)
Dr Teresa Raventos, Research & Business Development Manager, University of Leicester
Dr Emma Staniland, UoL
Toby Lincoln Associate professor, University of Leicester
Amy Wood, University of Leicester graduate
Florence Heath
Melinda Phillips, Unite and GMB member
Lily Patrick – previous student & Leicester SU manager
Dr Joshua Stuart-Bennett
Laura Parsons, PhD researcher, De Montfort University
Ms Suzanne Barbalet
Dr Paul Youngman, retired member of staff, UOL
Julie Walton USDAW and Socialist Alternative member
Ms Kate Nicholls
Ms Jackson alumni
Sue Ryan
Dr Gurpreet Leader (local)
Raegan Oates
Junko Tamaki, Language Leader, Languages at Leicester, Modern Languages
Emilio Tuosto, Dr, University of Leicester
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