Sam Bracey for Chair
Since 2022, I have proudly served my colleagues at Richmond UCU Branch, first as RIASA officer, then as Secretary, and currently as Chair. Leading a dedicated executive committee, I have been instrumental in pay negotiations and securing stable contracts for adjuncts. My efforts behind the scenes have focused on advocating for improved working conditions for all faculty and holding senior management accountable. I have consistently challenged policy changes and worked constructively towards positive transformations, particularly in terms of workload and work-related stress.
In the upcoming term, my goals include:
– Enhancing job security for all faculty members.
– Improving mental health support and resources.
– Strengthening our collective bargaining power.
I am committed to continuing this vital work and ensuring our collective voice remains strong and effective. I would be honoured to serve again in 2025-26. Together, we can achieve even greater successes and build a brighter future for all.
Catherine Dille for Branch (Co-)Secretary
I have taught History at Richmond for nearly ten years and joined the Executive Committee of the Richmond UCU Branch a year after its formation. I was elected Adjunct Officer in 2021 and have since served as the Branch’s Green Officer before stepping into the role of Co-Secretary last year. Concerns around precarious employment and promoting sustainability at the University remain important issues to me, and I continue to campaign in these areas. Alongside supporting the smooth running of the Executive, I have been involved in reviewing University policies, casework, negotiations on pay and working conditions, improvements to employee benefits, support for members opting for voluntary severance and discussions on role profiles and progression. If elected, I would be pleased to continue in the role of Co-Secretary, working to represent the interests of colleagues, both individually and collectively, across the University.
Lucia Morawska for Branch (Co-)Secretary
Fiona Ffoulkes for Green Secretary

I hope to continue to bring my knowledge of ethical and sustainable issues, plus my enthusiasm, to the role of Green Officer. By building relationships, and listening to everyone’s ideas, we can find ways to turn talk into action. After teaching Ethical Fashion and Sustainability for several years I realise there are no easy solutions, but we can improve the impact of our actions on our environment when the will is there.
Kandida Purnell for Equalities Officer

Kandida Purnell (Associate Professor of International Relations) has experience working for UCU at University of Aberdeen (2014-2016) and here at Richmond where she has previously fulfilled the Committee role of Health and Safety Officer (2022-2023) and is the current Equalities Officer (2024-Present). If Kandida were to be re-elected as Equalities Officer she would prioritise working to close Richmond’s gender pay gap (currently 5.82% and rising in the last 12 months) and focus on advocating for Richmond to introduce a maternity pay scheme in line with sector norms (there is currently no scheme in place meaning Richmond staff and faculty on maternity leave lose their salary completely and live on UK Government provided ‘Statutory Maternity Pay’ (SMP) of £184.03 per week after the first six weeks of their maternity leave). In this role Kandida would also continue UCU Richmond’s work on reducing gender, race, and class-based inequalities by working Richmond’s executive on issues including flexible working, absence management, harassment, equal pay or undertaking equality impact assessments.
Emmanuel Okyere for Treasurer
I have been working at Richmond for the last 6 years. I am an Assistant Professor of Economics and Mathematics at RIASA, on Leeds campus.
During my time in post as a treasurer, I have been involved in the drafting of the pay negotiation document specifically helped in gathering data for the document. I am currently part of the UCU team negotiating with senior management on pay and pay scales.
I am very passionate about getting a fair wage for workers and determined to help end the gradual reduction of in our pay. Specifically, workers have lost over 37% (using the RPI index) in pay over the past 5 years.
That is why I hope to be elected again, so I can keep fighting for better pay along with my peers at UCU.
Shuna Neilson for Membership/Recruitment Secretary

I have been with the Richmond UCU Branch since its formation, first as Equality Officer, and more recently as Membership Officer. I have attended UCU workshops, attended and minuted Branch meetings, and campaigned with UCU colleagues for the improvement of conditions for Adjuncts. I have also participated in meetings with RAUL Exec regarding the formation of the new contracts, as well as pay review meetings – and devoted many hours to scanning the relevant paperwork to suggest improvements. 2025 will be the second year I represent our Branch by attending the national UCU Congress. With the ongoing changes that RAUL faces, a healthy UCU Branch membership is crucial to give a united voice to all Faculty – and, hopefully, when possible, also to Staff. I would like to continue in the role of Membership Secretary. I believe that my commitment to increasing Branch membership among Faculty and Staff, together with my organisational expertise, will continue to be helpful in this role, where I would also continue to offer my services to the UCU Exec.
Piola Massarotto for Adjunct Officer

In these challenging times, the issues facing zero-hour-contract faculty remain unresolved and are compounded by the rollout of Faculty Education roles. Having moved from an adjunct contract into one of these new positions, I am witnessing firsthand the inequalities and tensions they can create.
Both groups deserve fair treatment, clear communication, and strong union representation.
I am committed to defending the rights of all adjunct and education faculty, and pushing back against structures that divide us. I want to foster spaces for solidarity, collaboration and collective action. Through our UCU branch, we can build unity and fight together for real, lasting change.
Martin Brown for Health and Safety Officer

I have been a member of UCU for over 20 years. I’ve been proud to serve on the branch’s executive committee since its inception.
Over the years I’ve been both an adjunct lecturer, and a full-time faculty member at Richmond, and have served in several other roles, including the associate Dean of Research and as Faculty Representative, and more recently as Health and Safety Officer. These experiences provide me with a solid foundation upon which to support the work of colleagues across several core issues, especially in our key campaigns tackling stress, inequality, pay related issues and the implementation of the workload model. I would hope to be re-elected again as H&S Officer to continue improving our working conditions for all members of the UCU, across both campuses.