Lecturers don’t want a marking boycott, either. But we must fight those wrecking UK universities

‘The framing of the dispute in terms of ‘four fights’ shows the erosion of pay is only one aspect of a wider crisis.’ Picket line outside the Courtauld Institute of Art, part of the University of London, November 2019. Photograph: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock

Since late April, staff at 145 UK universities have been refusing to mark students’ work. The marking and assessment boycott is the most recent action by the University and College Union (UCU), which represents academics and other university staff. With graduation ceremonies now upon us, the boycott is causing significant havoc. Just how significant is a matter of some dispute. But what is indisputable is that many students have had their marks delayed, and some will be unable to graduate as normal this summer.

Industrial action by (mainly) academic staff is always a hard sell. Lecturers are seen as relatively privileged people. The students being hit by their latest action have already had their studies disrupted by a pandemic and a series of strikes. Seen this way, the current marking boycott can look like a selfish step too far.