Precarity and PhD Students

Precarity is, unfortunately, a familiar experience for many PhD students - particularly in the strange times that we find ourselves in.  This week’s episode touches on both the precarity brought about by the pandemic but also the on-going precarious nature of employment within the Higher Education sector.   Bee talks about their own experience of the PhD process and the importance of assembling a team that support the work you are doing.    We explore researching during the pandemic and the challenges of undertaking a viva via MS Teams!     We also discuss Bee’s frustration with the precarity of working as a sessional lecturer which led them to their work with the union.     Bee outlines some of UCU’s current campaigns and how the union can support you if you are working within HE.   Here are links to further information: UCU membership FAQs: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/10509/Future-of-the-profession-free-membership-FAQs UCU pages on casualisation, including links to employment law commentary and campaigning resources: https://www.ucu.org.uk/socc_memberinfo UCU Report Second Class Academic Citizens: The dehumanising effects of casualisation in higher education (Megoran & Mason, 2020) https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/10681/second_class_academic_citizens/pdf/secondclassacademiccitizens UCU Guidance on requesting permanent contract: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/3567/Fixed-term-regulations-requesting-confirmation-of-permanence UCU Anti-Casualisation mailing list sign up (for members only): https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/5364/Login?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ucu.org.uk%2Felists PGRs as staff, not studets: https://fundthefuture.org.uk/event/pgrs-as-staff-not-students/ #CoronaContract: https://coronacontract.org/ UCU Solidarity Movement: https://www.ucusolidaritymovement.org/ Pandemic PGRs Report: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/11396/Falling-Short-report-Pandemic-PGRs?list=7268 Here are Bee’s contact details: Website: www.beehughes.co.uk Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeeHughes_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beehughes_art/     And here is the link to the association for Art History that we mention in the episode: https://forarthistory.org.uk/   You can sign up to Note from the Life Raft a weeklyish email with lots of information to inspire and support you on your PhD journey - just click here: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft