Lincoln makes lecture filming mandatory; union cites AI reuse

The University of Lincoln has made recording all lectures mandatory, a shift from the previous academic year when filming was described as "best practice." The BBC reports that staff representatives are objecting on both consent and surveillance grounds, with the University and College Union saying members are worried the content could be repurposed by AI without consent.

Dr Katie Hunt, branch chair of the UCU, said lecturers were worried about being "filmed against their will," and that colleagues were concerned about their "voice, our comments, our images being repurposed without our consent." Bradley Wall, chair of Lincoln and District Trades Council, likened the policy to a surveillance state in which institutions record people "so they can point out when you've done something bad."

The university said the policy would ensure "all students have access to the teaching materials and support they need to succeed," and that it allows for "exceptions and reasonable adjustments" where recording is inappropriate. It said it was committed to "constructive engagement" with trade unions on implementation. The policy also permits lecture recordings to be used as part of investigations into complaints about staff misconduct.