On these pages we'll put some resources designed to help people who are foolhardy enough to want to break into the inner circles of trade union activity.

We recognise that being involved in the UCU can sometimes be a bewildering experience for new activists. Sometimes cliques, jargon and archane procedures can be off putting. However, we've written this guide to try and help you to break through this. Despite our short-comings we are keen to get new people involved and we hope that this guide will help you.

• A UCU glossary: what are we all talking about?
• What will happen to me if I come to a meeting?
• What is an activist?
• How much time will getting involved in the UCU take?
• How can I make the UCU do something?
• How can I change national policy?
• Activist FAQs