A third candidate has thrown her name into the hat to become the next general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU).

Jo Grady, who was elected to a HE spot on the UCU’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) earlier this month, is the latest candidate announcing their intention to stand in the UCU general secretary election.

Dr Grady is a senior lecturer in employment relations at the University of Sheffield. She joined the union in 2006 and in 2016 became co-branch secretary at the Leicester UCU branch, before moving to Sheffield UCU where she became a pensions officer. In 2018, she was also elected on to the UCU national dispute committee for the universities pensions scheme (USS).

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FE has witnessed 'devastating cuts'

A former Wakefield College student, Dr Grady said she was disturbed by the impact of “devastating cuts witnessed in the sector”. She added: “The issues we see in HE are invariably more developed and stark in FE. It is important we defend FE from further attacks and help rebuild the sector.” Dr Grady said her academic career complements her activism and trade union work.

The previous incumbent, Sally Hunt, announced her resignation as general secretary – a post she has been in since 2007, when the union was formed – last month on health grounds.

Jo McNeill and Matt Waddup have both declared their intentions to stand. Ms McNeill is the president of the University of Liverpool UCU branch and previously ran for the general secretary job in 2017. Mr Waddup is currently the UCU's head of policy and campaigns and has filled in for Ms Hunt in her absence. Both Ms McNeill and Dr Grady are prominent figures on the left of the union.

Nominations for the leadership election close on Monday 8 April. Ballots will then open on Monday 29 April and close on Thursday 23 May.