

‘The Automatic University’: the new normal for higher education?
In 2019 UCU Scotland commissioned work to review and understand the expansion of data systems and automation in higher education. We wanted to be able to pre-empt and respond to the challenges that artificial intelligence and automation bring to our sector. A year on and Covid-19 has made these challenges all too real for staff and students in education.
This UCU webinar will hear from the report’s author, Dr Ben Williamson, an academic from the University of Edinburgh; from Ann Gow, UCU Scotland immediate past-president, who was involved in the working group for the report; and from Jenny Lennox of the union’s bargaining and negotiations team. UCU’s Scotland official, Mary Senior will chair the session.
The report, and its recommendations for the union are available on the UCU website.
Chair: Mary Senior, Scotland official, University and College Union
Panellists:
Dr Ben Williamson, report author, University of Edinburgh
Ann Gow, UCU Scotland immediate past president, University of Glasgow
Jenny Lennox, bargaining policy and negotiations official, UCU.