Professor Paul Anderson (Queen Mary University of London)

Election address

I am Professor of Oral Biology at Queen Mary University, London

The Hon. Treasurer is a strategic key role within UCU, as a senior elected position. The role-holder needs to generate vision for UCU, (not just be reactive to ongoing situations) on behalf of members who fund the organisation. The Hon. Treasurer is not only a financial figurehead, but also an elected representative requiring political trade union viewpoints.  The Hon. Treasurer needs to be someone who ensures that UCU has sufficient funds in its Support Fund to sustain industrial action and that funds are spent according to the decisions of Congress and our democratic accountability procedures.

As a university employee I am involved in teaching, research, with senior academic administrative positions as Professor of Oral Biology. I have senior positions on national and international teaching and research organisations, and associate editor of two leading research journals. I have been on QMUL Council, interacting with oversight and governance of post-18 education management. I am Hon. Secretary/Treasurer of organisations, with experience of treasurer roles.

As a UCU member, I have been active for 30 years, a Branch Committee member, Branch Chair, and member of London Region. I have been a UCU NEC member. My nomination for Treasurer included members indicating support from branches across the UK.

Throughout I have been a supporter of UCU Left.

I have pursued Branch campaigns for members including against; appraisal, performance management, gender pay gap, bullying, casualisation, racism. I have led successful local campaigns against restructurings, performance management, work allocation models, appraisal schemes, and intolerable work-loads.  I have been active in organising effective picket lines during recent UCU strikes. Strike action is necessary to change the trajectory of university employers. Marketisation is the evil in post-18 education sector. The increased use of casualised staff jeopardises the student experience, demotivates early career research staff, and creates an intolerable working environment for all.  COVID has escalated that crisis.

UCU needs to continue the 4 Fights dispute. It needs to campaign against inappropriate metrics. UCU must work to show solidarity with other education sector Trade Unions, and with NUS. UCU need to empower branches to continue to campaign putting members, first enabling them to ensure that their voices are heard. I see the role of the Hon. Treasurer as critical in this, and I will use my experience to make that work for the membership.

Please vote for me for an active campaigning and effective Trade Union representing you. I also support the following candidates: Mark Abel, Sunil Banga, Alan Barker, Maria Chondrogianni, Dharminder Chuhan Deepa Driver, Marion Hersh, Margot Hill, Bee Hughes, Rhiannon Lockley, Lesley McGorrigan, Marian Mayer, Sam Morecroft, Juliana Ojinnaka, Saleem Rashid, Philip Wilson, Saira Weiner.