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dani #JoinAUnion

Nov 21, 2019 • 9 tweets • 3 min read • Read on X

Something that was asked of me this week was, “how can we warn students of the potential danger of the academy without scaring them off?”

I have a few thoughts...

#AcademiaToo, A thread:

If you think students are mature enough to enter an enviro statistically filled w/ racism, sexism, homophobia, sexual harassment (rates 2nd only to the military), then they are mature enough to know about these risks beforehand. #AcademiaToo

Only by knowing the potential risks can these risks be mitigated against. As researchers you all (hopefully) understand the importance of explaining all potential risks, however small or unlikely, to potential research participants... why not potential students? #AcademiaToo

I understand the concern, because a lot of people have worked very hard for a long time to try and diversify the application pool of STEM subjects, and worry these convos might be detrimental to that.

...

...

But ‘diversity’ of applicants means nothing if we enter a toxic environment we then have to leave. Or face so much trauma that it leaves life-long scars. 🤷🏼‍♀️

S/t I urge senior staff to think about: when you create ‘diversity recruitment’ initiatives, are you doing so in good conscience, truly believing students will be safe, happy, successful? Or because arbitrary rankings of ‘diversity’ looks good to funding bodies? #AcademiaToo

I’m not saying: don’t enter academia, it’s awful, it will ruin your life.

I’m saying: senior officials, invest more in the welfare of your *current students* before encouraging more to apply. I’m saying: evaluate w/in yourself what your current motives are.

#AcademiaToo

Just so it’s clear, we definitely shouldn’t have to be warning potential students of any kind of risks or danger in their education.

This is why I believe investing more in retention & welfare rather than recruitment is currently what’s necessary.

@ucu

To end this thread I’d like to say, staff-student solidarity is vital. U.K. folks, support striking staff in your institutions who are fighting against the marketisation of HE & for fair working conditions for all. @ucu

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More from @anthroqveer

dani #JoinAUnion

@anthroqveer

Sep 26, 2020

As cases start to rise in student populations remember:

They were promised “COVID secure” & safe campuses.

They were promised an “authentic” university experience.

They were promised F2F teaching & socialising.

So they move across the country, between countries, pay thousands of pounds with expectations that can’t be safely meet.

And as soon as they arrive they find out they have a couple hours of contact with staff per week and F2F social events are often being cancelled.

They start to miss their 1hr of F2F bc they have to isolate.

They find out they might not be able to go home at Christmas and instead have to spend it in cramped halls with people they met a couple months ago, and for some this will the first time they’ve lived away from home.

Read 7 tweets

dani #JoinAUnion

@anthroqveer

Sep 21, 2020

@hertssu

This week our amazing staff are on campus helping students settle in & feel welcome in these uncertain times. Throughout the year we signpost students to support when needed, & represent their academic interests & wellbeing to the University. #LoveSUs @hertssu @UniofHerts @nusuk

https://twitter.com/HSUVPcommunity/status/1307973057118601216

@hertssu

SUs are invaluable.

Student loneliness is a national issue - 4/10 students feel lonely on a daily or weekly basis. Disabled and LGBT students are more likely to feel lonely. SUs help provide community and a sense of belonging. #LoveSUs @hertssu @UniofHerts @nusuk

Students that report a feeling of belonging at uni are more likely to report feeling confident in completing their degree.

Students that are satisfied w/ their SU are more confident about their degree. They are also more likely to be confident about their career. #LoveSUs

Read 5 tweets

dani #JoinAUnion

@anthroqveer

Aug 17, 2020

I'm so glad that students have received the U-Turn they deserve, after such a stressful and upsetting time for many. I am, however, concerned at how Universities will manage this in practice. #ALevelsResults

For example, if a Uni genuinely cannot give places to everyone who now will have the required grades (because of accommodation, number of teaching staff, need to social distance etc) will this be a breach of contract? Grounds for denied students to take legal action?

Or do Unis have clauses to protect them from this? Can they force deferrals?

Will Unis go over "capacity" w/out increasing staff numbers or pay, and further worsen the current workload crisis and number of insecure staff?

Will there be enough support services for students?

Read 4 tweets

dani #JoinAUnion

@anthroqveer

Aug 10, 2020

I’ve been going back and forth in my head for months about whether to address this publicly or not, and if so when. But after receiving so much unexpected kindness & support over the last few weeks I want to do so now.

Around March this year I had to make the decision to withdraw my legal case against my former university for discrimination, a case which I took after reporting sexual misconduct from my former supervisor during my time at university.

The case went on for nearly 2 years. But come the new year I was unemployed, with no income & no financial cushion, but not entitled to legal aid. I couldn’t financially continue the case, & was left in debt as a result.

Read 8 tweets

dani #JoinAUnion

@anthroqveer

Jul 16, 2020

I’ve been trying to make the perfect toad in the hole for months now. Today I decided that tonight was the night. I even measured out each ingredient into individual cups so they were perfect.

And then accidentally poured my wine glass into the batter rather than milk.

Still going to cook it though, obviously. Who would waste a perfectly good glass of wine?

Stay tuned for updates.

On first inspection (before tasting, with the offending glass of wine for reference): arguably a bit on the burnt side, but the fork I stuck in it came out clean so at least it’s not a pool of wine inside...

Read 4 tweets