Dr Matilda Fitzmaurice

TL;DR: Sociology has made huge contributions to research on childless/childfree lives, but I argue that geography is best equipped to take forward a broader focus on 'life without children'.

Our banner is up, the gravestones ghouls and pumpkins are out @uonucu.bsky.social

To honour the memory of their former president Agnes Flues, @uonucu.bsky.social will be participating in the 3rd Agnes Flues memorial parkrun at Wollaton Hall on Sat 7 Nov, 9am. UCU members from all branches are warmly invited to come along & take part. Further info: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/event/agnes-...

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CN: Jason Arday This is a good thread (though we do not know for sure that Arday took his own life, which is what the thread author states)

Tomorrow evening, from 17:30 GMT, join us at the IHR or online to hear @drgillhistory.bsky.social present 'Girls on the margins in renaissance Florence', followed by a time for discussion. Register through the link. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

I would like it if we could honestly face up to the serious challenges facing UCU, and work together to overcome them. I think the HE strategy is something that we should be able to build consensus around, and would love it if we could try to do that.

Today is the 40th anniversary of bus deregulation. I’m considering celebrating the occasion by poring over copies of the pre deregulation Tyne and Wear timetables with that warm glow of memories of the days when buses always ran to time and there was seamless integration with the Metro……..

Super cool! The newest issue of Social Forces has a theme of "gendered lives: inequality across the life course." My article on childlessness in Japan and the U.S. is included, as well as many articles I can't wait to read 🤩 academic.oup.com/sf/issue/105...

Organising and hard graft is spot on! Get yourself geared up for Nov 20th!

Latest #UCU brief on governance is brilliantly clear and lays out what's urgently needed to address the severe lack of accountability in universities. Read and pass on, including to your political representatives! #EducationItsOurs educationitsours.org.uk/home/ucu-bri...

Academics, students, anyone. Let authors know that you enjoyed reading their work. It matters.

the irony of the reply guys insisting that 'nobody is doing anything'

BREAKING: University of Sunderland staff have declared a formal industrial dispute over plans for sweeping cuts. Management wants to slash £40m from its budget, putting jobs and students’ education at risk. Staff are ready to fight back. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1467...

Whether you're on strike, balloting or facing the threat of cuts, another UCU branch is facing similar challenges. Through Education. It's ours., we're connecting branches across the UK to share experiences, learn from each other and build solidarity. Get involved via the website.

A couple of lovely shout outs to our branch from @ucu.org.uk on the latest episode of "No Shortcuts: a UCU Podcast." The country is looking at the organising we're doing, getting inspired, and standing in solidarity. Keep up the pressure to save this university! feeds.acast.com/public/shows...

There are no shortcuts to building a stronger union. As UCU vice president Mark Pendleton explains, real change takes sustained organising, both locally and across the UK. In episode 2 of No Shortcuts, we discuss how we build the collective strength needed to fight back and win.

Max level grifter

Today is Intersex Awareness Day. I am intersex – and did not find out until I was 26! Intersex people are also impacted by the decision in FWS, but this is much less talked about. Intersex people continue to be subjected to non-consensual medical interventions. Intersex rights are human rights.

Ecstatic at tiramisu

Re Raye's Mercury win: I don't think that album is all killer no filler and she doesn't always pull it off, but I do think it's a reward for a big bold statement in favour of the album format, and that's good

JADE COME ON WOR LASS #Mercury2026

#ClimateSky

I guess today is as good a day as any to boost this @theconversation.com article I wrote with @nicholasbeuret.bsky.social back on March: theconversation.com/the-un-is-tu...

Here is @orieloxford.bsky.social, hosting a white supremacist race "scientist" as an educational treat. Oriel's Provost, Neil Mendoza, can be contacted via his secretary rebecca.bricklebank@oriel.ox.ac.uk, or his parliamentary address mendozan@parliament.uk

Danny Tommo's 'patriot platform' vigilantes were refused service in The George Inn, Portsmouth. They demanded to know why, despite the fact they do not have to be given a reason. Always make bigots feel unwelcome. Show the pub some love for doing the right thing. Things you love to see ✊❤️

The first genuinely honest ad for generative AI I've ever seen, from Microsoft / CoPilot A mediocre white guy sees his non-white colleague getting praised for good work, he asks AI to *literally copy it*, and then he gets all the praise instead: www.ispot.tv/ad/SoDi/micr...

Our next speaker is @drgillhistory.bsky.social on 27th October. Join us at the IHR or online to hear 'Girls on the Margins In Renaissance Florence'. If you know someone who might be interested, pass the message on. Everyone is welcome. share.google/8zUoCeghL1dM...

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In case anyone else wonders, this isn’t some bananas columnist, it’s the official Times editorial view. The official, racist, xenophobic, hatred-inciting, Times editorial view.

HE in the media today

60 years since the Aberfan Disaster - one of those historical events where no matter how bad you think it was it was actually much worse. www.bbc.com/news/article...

This fortnight's newsletter from us! So much happening at the moment. #UCU #UKHE

💬 Why don't some 'popular' climate policies always land in reality? Adam Corner reflects on how perceptions of fairness, inequality and place influence public responses to climate action, as part of a new research collaboration between @climatebarometer.bsky.social and JUST. 👉 tinyurl.com/w2zyx7k8

We have advertised a 3-year postdoctoral position in environmental humanities, to develop and run the Greenhouse Games Lab, a new initiative for research, development, education and innovation in environmentally themed board games. #envhum #boardgames

Ministers approving new oil and gas licences as the world passes 1.5C are pouring petrol on a burning building. They’re arsonists.