Journalism lecturers joined university colleagues in a strike over pay and conditions.

Staff at Bournemouth University and the Arts University Bournemouth were involved in a two-day walkout on Wednesday and Thursday – leading to the cancellation of lecturers and rescheduling of exams at the two institutions.

The University and College Union has asked for a 5pc pay rise after a 15pc real terms cut over the last seven years.

Among those taking part in the strike was Dr Ann Luce, senior lecturer in Journalism and Communications and a member of the UCU executive board.

Bournemouth University staff during the strike

She told the Bournemouth Echo: “Bournemouth University has just announced that it is investing £100m in new gateway buildings, but I think if you spoke to my students, they don’t want new extra buildings, they want an extra 30-minutes of my time in class.

“What we are trying to do is shed light on the inequality between men and women for which there is a 12pc pay gap.

“Also, we do this job because we care about our students, teaching and research. We don’t want to harm our students by them missing lectures, but actually many of them stand with us including the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University (SUBU).”

Dr William Proctor, senior lecturer in media, culture and communications and vice-chair of the UCU, added: “I would like to bring attention to the fact that our pay has been cut by 15pc since 2009 and yet the vice-chancellor is on £227,000 a year and has just been given a three-per-cent pay rise.

“If you can imagine, his three-per-cent could pay for all of our one-per-cent pay rise.”

Staff also planned to work to rule when they returned to work on Friday and beyond, sticking to a 37-hour week.