Contacts:

Niall Ingham, History, niall.ingham@glasgow.ac.uk

Riyoko Shibe, Economic and Social History, riyoko.shibe@glasgow.ac.uk

Remit: 

The UCU Glasgow Postgraduate Researchers (PGR) Subcommittee will begin working towards the long-term goal of achieving formal recognition of PGRs as Staff at the University of Glasgow (see the UCU ‘PGRs as Staff’ manifesto here). This involves ensuring that the University recognises and values the research work carried out by PGRs as equal to that of other members of staff and therefore provides them with the same rights, protections and working conditions. The existence of the subcommittee reflects the University of Glasgow branch’s recognition that PGRs face a unique set of issues due to the current unhelpful separation of their ‘student’ and ‘staff’ roles. 

This subcommittee aims to: 

– Increase PGR membership density in the University of Glasgow branch. 

– Develop materials to publicise the ‘PGRs as Staff’ campaign amongst the PGR community at Glasgow and ensure that PGRs in all schools are provided with trade union orientation and education, e.g. at induction events. 

– Gather information on PGR conditions at the University of Glasgow to identify current best and worst practice. 

– Work towards a campaign for interim ‘PGRs as Staff’ goals such as (but not limited to): better funding coverage, childcare funding, parental leave, sick pay, improved accessibility and reasonable adjustments for disabled PGRs, and the eradication of continuation fees. 

– Establish links with PGR members/groups at other UCU branches.