Welcome to the UCU BU website. We are the representative voice for academic and support staff at Bournemouth University. On this site you will find information about who we are, what we do, and how to join. You can also find out who is on the executive committee, who your departmental rep is, and how to contact us.
Bournemouth University is a place of learning and a living part of the future of this region. It is home to internationally-recognised experts who have published research in a number of different fields, from media production to medical science to mechanical engineering.
Every year, we train the teachers in your schools, the nurses and midwives in your hospitals, the scientists running your blood tests, the engineers, the lawmakers, the journalists, the analysts, the creative media professionals, the writers, and so many others. We help students develop valuable skills, to think creatively and critically, to stretch their minds and imaginations. We support students who go on to protect your environment, care for your families, and give back to this community in a hundred ways.
We care about our students, our research, and our contributions to the region and the community (and about keeping our jobs!), and we are determined to keep our care visible. We don’t take strike action lightly, but we are determined to defend our jobs, our job security, and our vision for the university as an equitable space where knowledge and experience are valued and supported. Staff experience is student experience.
For more about our June 2025 strike action, see here, and for more about us, check out our social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@bournemouthucu
https://www.instagram.com/bournemouthucu/
https://bsky.app/profile/bournemouthucu.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/@bournemouthucu
Latest News
Free CPD Courses Autumn 2026
See descriptions of the workshops in the Workshop Catalogue, and go to the UCU’s Learning & Development site to sign up for courses. Use the links below to jump directly to areas of interest. Workshop Calendar by Month (Oct-Dec 2026) October 2026 Date Time Workshop Tuesday 6 October 10.30am-12.00 noon What Is Sustainability and How…
When the audit becomes the work
Across the university, colleagues are being asked to use new systems and follow standard processes for engaging with students. Some consistency is useful, of course! Students should receive clear information and know how to access support and a well-designed system can help staff provide that. But the language of recent communications deserves attention. We hear…
You cannot undermine staff and expect student experience to improve
This week, Bournemouth University Vice-Chancellor Allison Honour wrote to staff with an update on student recruitment. While the final position will not be known until enrolment is complete, the figures are concerning. The Vice-Chancellor rightly acknowledges the difficult recruitment environment across the sector. But the email also identifies another concern: our National Student Survey results.…
