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This is the response of Cambridge University to the article in The Observer. Of course, any survey has sampling error and biases. The results always need careful interpretation. However, many of the responses in the University Culture Survey give grave cause for concern at the effectiveness of the University’s anti-bullying Read more…

The Guardian has just published an article on the endemic bullying and harassment in some Cambridge University departments. It is here. Toxicology, Pathology, Cancer Research UK, Oncology, History, Physics, Earth Sciences and Astronomy are named as amongst the worst performers. (We still do not have data at departmental level for Read more…

The position of Chancellor of Cambridge University is vacant following the resignation of Lord Sainsbury of Turville. An election will shortly take place. The role is unpaid and has been seen in recent years as largely ceremonial. However, by Statute A4, the Chancellor has powers ‘to see that all officers of Read more…

University senior management are really good at some things — like evading responsibility for monumental cock-ups (see Dundee University here) or awarding each other big pay rises (see Stirling University here). And cover-ups. The home of the cover-up is Oxbridge. We’ll be dealing with massive cover-ups at Oxford and Cambridge Read more…

Some of the most vulnerable people in the desolate landscape of UK universities are postdocs. Nowadays, few independent research fellowships are available. Instead, many postdoctoral positions are project-related, supported by a grant obtained by the Principal Investigator (PI) Postdoctoral research associates (PDRAs) often spend most of their time on semi-directed Read more…

The Staff Culture Survey at Cambridge University is not just restricted to bullying and harassment, prevalent though these are in academic life. It also asked questions about career progression. And this revealed another shocker of a statistic. I think there are sufficient opportunities for career progression at the University … 32 Read more…

In January 2024, Cambridge University carried out a Staff Culture Survey. All academics, professional service staff, researchers and technical support were canvassed and invited to respond to questions on work-life balance, bullying, discrimination, mental health and flexible working There has been no official communication on the results from this survey, Read more…

(Image Credit: Simon Walker, licensed under Creative Commons) Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University, has offered up ‘Six Tips to Flourish as a Leader‘ in the Times here “1. Don’t let other people frame your agenda. Everyone will try, whether they intend to or not. Listen and respond, but Read more…

In October 2023, Oxford University and College Union (UCU) published a report on the effects of casualisation at the University. They found over 66% of academics employed by Oxford University are on fixed-term contracts. Similarly, Cambridge’s UCU branch found that 69% of research staff were working on fixed-term contracts, with 13% Read more…

The Royal Society elected Elon Musk into a Fellowship in 2018. Musk was honoured for his work in technology and engineering, particularly in the fields of space exploration and sustainable energy, This has become a controversial election. Musk’s reputation in scientific circles has crashed. On 25 November 2024, Prof Dorothy Read more…