This week, the University of Edinburgh entered its fifth week of strike action, with staff continuing industrial action in solidarity with the UCU in opposition to course cuts and compulsory redundancies. The strikes have prompted a wide range of responses across campus, from cancelled lectures to the performance of an anti-fascist Macarena. Most importantly, however, they have encouraged students to discuss, analyse, and critically engage with university politics and finances more than ever.
Meanwhile, the EUSA sabbatical officers successfully passed their ‘Say Yes to the Ref’ campaign, securing a large voter turnout in support of a democracy review examining how university officers and course representatives operate and represent the student body. Taken together, these developments demonstrate that student participation in university democracy is well and truly alive.
While I think it is encouraging that students are as politically active and engaged as ever, it unfortunately feels, at times, as though making noise and causing disruption are the only ways to get attention. Strikes undoubtedly cause significant disruption to teaching, affecting pay, contact hours, and students’ education. As an honours student, I understand the stress they can cause. However, Edinburgh’s situation is reaching a point where remaining silent is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly when meaningful alternatives appear limited. The fact that strike action has maintained its momentum is itself a signifier of the severity of the situation. This week’s occupation of Gordon Aikman and 40 George Square by the EUJPS, in solidarity with striking staff, is another example of collective action keeping the conversation about the university’s financial situation alive.
This is not an issue confined to Edinburgh. Student protests in France have made headlines this week, amid escalating unrest over public education standards and wider anger about the cost-of-living crisis. Reports of violence and the introduction of partial evening curfews have further highlighted the tensions surrounding these demonstrations. With similar unrest and demonstrations emerging in Spain, Portugal, and multiple other European nations, the parallels between international protests and the situation at our own university raise an uncomfortable question: at what point will those in power listen to public concerns before frustration escalates into violence, injuries, and the destruction of property?
As these current weeks of strikes draw to a close without a current agreement with the UCU, the most significant development has been Principal and Vice-Chancellor Sir Peter Mathieson’s announcement that he will not seek another term when his current tenure ends in 2028. Looking ahead, I fear that further industrial action may be on the horizon for the remainder of the academic year. If the patterns emerging both locally and internationally tell us anything, it is that people will continue to make their voices heard until they feel those in power are listening.
Photo by Jenny Krasic for The Student
Related
In the mood for strikes
This week, the University of Edinburgh entered its fifth week of strike action, with staff continuing industrial action in solidarity with the UCU in opposition to course cuts and compulsory redundancies. The strikes have prompted a wide range of responses across campus, from cancelled lectures to the performance of an anti-fascist Macarena. Most importantly, however, they have encouraged students to discuss, analyse, and critically engage with university politics and finances more than ever.
Meanwhile, the EUSA sabbatical officers successfully passed their ‘Say Yes to the Ref’ campaign, securing a large voter turnout in support of a democracy review examining how university officers and course representatives operate and represent the student body. Taken together, these developments demonstrate that student participation in university democracy is well and truly alive.
While I think it is encouraging that students are as politically active and engaged as ever, it unfortunately feels, at times, as though making noise and causing disruption are the only ways to get attention. Strikes undoubtedly cause significant disruption to teaching, affecting pay, contact hours, and students’ education. As an honours student, I understand the stress they can cause. However, Edinburgh’s situation is reaching a point where remaining silent is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly when meaningful alternatives appear limited. The fact that strike action has maintained its momentum is itself a signifier of the severity of the situation. This week’s occupation of Gordon Aikman and 40 George Square by the EUJPS, in solidarity with striking staff, is another example of collective action keeping the conversation about the university’s financial situation alive.
This is not an issue confined to Edinburgh. Student protests in France have made headlines this week, amid escalating unrest over public education standards and wider anger about the cost-of-living crisis. Reports of violence and the introduction of partial evening curfews have further highlighted the tensions surrounding these demonstrations. With similar unrest and demonstrations emerging in Spain, Portugal, and multiple other European nations, the parallels between international protests and the situation at our own university raise an uncomfortable question: at what point will those in power listen to public concerns before frustration escalates into violence, injuries, and the destruction of property?
As these current weeks of strikes draw to a close without a current agreement with the UCU, the most significant development has been Principal and Vice-Chancellor Sir Peter Mathieson’s announcement that he will not seek another term when his current tenure ends in 2028. Looking ahead, I fear that further industrial action may be on the horizon for the remainder of the academic year. If the patterns emerging both locally and internationally tell us anything, it is that people will continue to make their voices heard until they feel those in power are listening.
The violence of radical nationalism
Photo by Jenny Krasic for The Student
Share this:
Like this:
Related