Richard Wild

Richard Wild for UK-Elected HE

I am a Principal Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Greenwich. I have
previously worked at pre- and post-92 universities for over 30 years. I am Branch Co-
Chair at UCU Greenwich and HE Secretary UCU London Region.

Although a long-time member of UCU, it was my experience acting as Department
Rep before, and running pickets during, the last disputes that encouraged me to step
up and actively build the union. I want to strengthen our union and build democracy
through what are undoubtedly very challenging times. Locally we fought hard to
protect our members with the pivot to online delivery, demanding employers provide
a safe working environment.  Unions can make a real difference. 
 
I have always volunteered alongside my teaching and research most recently working
with The International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC) but
previously for over ten years with the Fédération Internationale des ligues des Droits
de l’Homme (FIDH), an international human rights organisation, against the death
penalty worldwide and against terrorism. I was recently elected to the board of
Amnesty International UK. 
 
This activism, I believe, coupled with my research interests around critical pedagogy,
social justice and the impact of neoliberalism in the criminal justice system
complement my approach to union activism in universities.  
 
I believe that UCU is only as strong as its members. I am post-92 but represent all
members. We need to get organised to face the challenges together; fighting for a
fully-funded pay rise, for equality, against casualisation and ever-increasing
workloads that dehumanise us, put colleagues under intolerable pressure, imperil our
physical and mental health, and degrade university education for everyone. 
 
I listen to a variety of members through UCU London Region, UCU Left, and UCU
Solidarity, and support the principle of a strong active member-led union defending
our collective rights and the values of a free public higher education system rather
than a marketised, exploitative system driven by a competitive, financialised culture.  
 
I ask you to elect me to your NEC so that I can speak for you in defence of terms and
conditions, academic freedom and our pensions including TPS. We must embody the
values that we stand for namely equality, anti-racism, and fairness. These should be
reflected in the way we speak and act driving real change for all members.  
 
I also need to mention our students and the wider community we support through our
teaching, research, tutoring and activism. This is all at threat like never before,
brutally evidenced through austerity, Brexit, Covid, the environmental catastrophe and
now Trump.  We must work with our students, other trade unions and local
communities to tackle these threats and build a sustainable education system for the
future.