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Andrew Defty

@adefty.bsky.social
827 followers 921 following 289 posts

Associate Professor of Politics, University of Lincoln. Parliament, the intelligence services, a little bit of social policy.

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Reposted by Andrew Defty
Lincoln Branch of UCU @uculincolnbranch.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
UCU Lincoln members are getting those final ballot papers posted
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Reposted by Andrew Defty
Lincoln Branch of UCU @uculincolnbranch.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Many thanks to our members giving up their Saturday to work the University of Lincoln Open Day today #academicworkload
static.klipy.com
Leonardo DiCaprio Clapping - Very Good
ALT: Leonardo DiCaprio Clapping - Very Good
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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Bringing the School of Law, Politics, & Society (Uni of Lincoln) Welcome Week to a close, James Newport of the SWIFT Centre delivered a fascinating interactive talk on 'How to Predict the Future in the Social Sciences. Many thanks to James & @drnickcowen.bsky.social for organising
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
University of Lincoln has disposed of over 500 staff since 2024. As we start a new academic year management have refused to rule out further compulsory redundancies. @uculincolnbranch.bsky.social is balloting its members on their willingness to take industrial action. If this is you please vote.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I have a pile of reading for the new term but the last of the summer reading was Elizabeth Goldring’s gorgeous Holbein: Renaissance Master. It seems likely that Holbein, like many other court painters, carried out intelligence missions for his powerful sponsors. #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Odette Churchill (Sansom/Hallowes) by the artist Elizabeth Smily (née Wolf) from the Imperial War Museum collection. Not sure the date on the top is correct as I believe Sansom didn’t marry Peter Churchill until 1947, but a lovely portrait which I don’t think I’ve seen before #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Looking through this summer’s gallery visits. Archdukes Albert & Isabella of the Habsburg Netherlands by Frans Porbus II from the Groeninge in Bruges. Albert & particularly Isabella were the principal beneficiaries of the intelligence activities of the painter Peter Paul Rubens #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Great to watch @tourofbritain.bsky.social passing through the Lincolnshire Wolds today. After carefully studying the route I chose what I thought would be a quiet corner deep in the Wolds. When I arrived 30 or so others had clearly had the same idea 😁. Great atmosphere, great racing, great support!
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Very much enjoyed @mlamster.bsky.social book on the secret diplomatic role of the artist Peter Paul Rubens, which guided my recent visit to Antwerp. Struck by his thought provoking conclusion. #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
University managers making cuts to politics programmes truly have their finger on the pulse of the nation’s youth 🤦‍♂️ www.independent.co.uk/news/educati...
independent.co.uk
The A-level subject that has become the fastest-growing in the UK
Historically, A-level politics has been a popular and widely offered subject at private schools
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Another from Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp (KMSKA). Luc Tuymans enigmatic ‘Secrets’ (1990) #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
One for the intelligence professional, ‘Minerva Overcoming Ignorance’ (1632-1633?) by Peter Paul Rubens, painter and spy. #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
In Antwerp, looking for Rubens, Flemish master and sometime diplomat and spy #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
On leave, at last. Summer reading.
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Reposted by Andrew Defty
Ruth Fox @ruthfox.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
🧵The House of Commons administration plans to abolish its world leading parliamentary outreach team. @aileenwalker.bsky.social & @estrangeirada.bsky.social explain why cutting in person public engagement across the UK in favour of digital only engagement is a mistake. Blog 🔗⬇️
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
My wife, who is a headteacher, has just sent out her customary end of year email warmly thanking her staff for all their hard work, this is in marked contrast to my own employer who end each year by sending out hundreds of at risk of redundancy notices. 😡
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Scathing press release from the Intelligence and Security Committee about the collapse of the China espionage case. Raises serious concerns about the government’s handling of the case and further worrying evidence of attempts to hamper the work of the ISC. isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
🧐 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Council shake-up announced for Lincolnshire
The government says two new unitary authorities will be good news for council tax payers.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
In National Portrait Gallery today seeking more intelligence related art. Hein Heckroth’s surrealist portrait of Basil Liddell Hart features an ear because the artist mistakenly believed L-H was a spy. Reminiscent of the ears stitched into Elizabeth I’s cloak in the rainbow portrait #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
If only university managers put as much effort into saving jobs and promoting their programmes as they do into disposing of staff and running down their own institutions, it’s shameful - Summer of ‘chaos’ predicted as mass job cuts close academic year www.timeshighereducation.com/news/summer-...
timeshighereducation.com
Summer of ‘chaos’ predicted as mass job cuts close academic year
‘Impossible to plan’ for research and teaching, say staff, as threat of redundancy looms large over summer breaks
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Union strike threat over proposed University of Lincoln job cuts
The University of Lincoln says 'shift in student demand' is one of reasons behind planned job cuts.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The professional associations which underpin so much of what we do in politics and international relations at University of Lincoln have written to the VC to express concern about the proposed job cuts. Some great suggestions here for building on our success rather than running down our programmes.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
A trio of Elizabethan spymasters, William Cecil, Robert Cecil and Francis Walsingham. Part of the excellent Elizabeth I Queen & Court exhibition Philip Mould Gallery. If you’re in London it’s free and runs until 10 July. Well worth a visit. Also includes some paintings of Elizabeth I. #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
This week the University of Lincoln informed 142 staff that they are at risk of redundancy. In an all staff email yesterday the Vice Chancellor described this as "a series of proposed localised restructures in a limited number of subject areas". 🤮🤬
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Lincoln Branch of UCU @uculincolnbranch.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
This week, University of Lincoln, have briefed 142 colleagues that ~33 roles need to be cut across 7 schools before Sept 2026. We are processing the news with members, and now in a collective consultation with the SLT. The rationale is as murky as ever. Send solidarity our way, more info to come
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
It’s been an awful week, I can’t say how much of a pleasure it’s been to be back at the National Archives. It’s been a long time, so long that I still want to call it the PRO.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Yesterday 142 academic staff at the University of Lincoln were put at risk of redundancy including the entire Politics and International Relations team. This follows cuts since 2024 which have already seen over 500 people leave the university. This is the 'University of No Regrets'.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
When I applied to university I had an interview at Leeds at which I was asked why I’d applied to all Northern universities (Hull Leeds, Liverpool Manchester Sheffield) which I found surprising because from my perspective these places were all down South. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.
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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Job cuts fuel staff discontent at Lincoln and Northumbria, reports Tom Williams #highered #jobcuts #academicsky www.timeshighereducation.com/news/j…
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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 18/06/2026
A damning 97%. That's how many University of Lincoln staff who voted have lost confidence in senior management, after the university cut a third of its workforce and refused to rule out more compulsory redundancies. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1454...
ucu.org.uk
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Good to visit Manchester & Salford this week. Found time to pop into the Spies, Lies and Deception exhibition at the Imperial War Museum North.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 04/06/2026
England’s poorest communities face deepest cuts to green space under planning law changes, report finds
theguardian.com
England’s poorest communities face deepest cuts to green space under planning law changes, report finds
Exclusive: New loopholes for developers will exacerbate extreme environmental disparities, charity coalition warns The poorest and most nature-deprived communities in England will be further left behind in their access to green spaces if proposed changes to planning laws go ahead, a report finds. More than 7.4 million people in England live in areas completely devoid of immediate biodiversity, including 1.42 million children under 15, the report commissioned by a number of wildlife and environmental NGOs says. Continue reading...
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
‘Eastern Still Life' tapestry by the Scottish artist Elizabeth Blackadder, which hung in the office of Sir Alex Younger during his time as Chief of MI6. Younger told the @financialtimes.com that he would often look at it in meetings claiming 'you can always find new patterns' #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Sir Alex Younger, former head of MI6, dies aged 62
Sir Alex held a career in British intelligence that spanned almost three decades after joining the service in 1991.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
That’s a wrap on the 19th Lincoln Model United Nations. A privilege to spend the day with a great group of students and my super colleagues Simon Obendorf and Hamoon Khelghat-Doost. Thanks as always to Lincolnshire County Council for hosting.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Awaiting the start of another session of the University of Lincoln School of Social and Political Sciences Model United Nations. Palpable tension in the room.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Peter Hennessy took his leave of the House of Lords this week. His valedictory speech is worth reading - Hansard contribution by Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield (CB) (Valedictory Speech) on Monday 18 May 2026 hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2026-0...
hansard.parliament.uk
King’s Speech - Hansard - UK Parliament
Hansard record of the item : 'King’s Speech' on Monday 18 May 2026.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
More on art and spying, popped into Burghley House today to look at the portraits of William Cecil (the first Lord Burghley), Elizabeth I’s spymaster. Portrait in full Privy Council regalia is by Marcus Gheeraerts who also painted Elizabeth I #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Doing some work on the representation of spying in art. Really pleased to get hold of the catalogue from James Hart Dyke’s 2011 exhibition ‘A year with MI6’. I’ve seen some of these paintings in the media but my no means all and Hart Dyke’s comments are a treat. #ArtofSpying
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Ministers have no authority to withhold Mandelson vetting file, committee says www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Ministers have no authority to withhold Mandelson vetting file, committee says
Group of MPs and peers in effect accuse government of failing to comply with parliament’s will over release of files
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Mandelson papers being withheld from MPs, says intelligence watchdog
Responding to the criticism the government said it would
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Reposted by Andrew Defty
Jo Grady @drjogrady.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Yesterday Kier Starmer announced Labour will nationalise British Steel, and save 2700 jobs. Today, the Uni of Nottingham put 2700 staff at risk of redundancy. This is just one university. Across the UK 15,000 higher education jobs need saving. Where is the rescue package for our universities?
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Alice Lilly @aliceolilly.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
There is something that I think multiple successive prime ministers over the last decade or so have failed to grasp and to respond to: that the way backbench MPs see their role has shifted.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
It’s been a challenging week but found time to pop into the Usher Gallery in Lincoln. Three views of Lincolnshire by William Logsdail (1904), L.S. Lowry (1959) and Peter DeWint (c.1813-1826). I particularly like the DeWint, it takes time & patience to appreciate the Lincolnshire flatlands & big sky.
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
One of the best History depts in the country is having its undergraduate degree closed. This will happen almost everywhere, progressively, if the Bad Behaving institutions are allowed to swallow the entire sector. Doesn't matter how good teaching or research is: all that matters is the bottom line.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
University mangers across the country are following the same playbook, “portfolio review” is the latest pretext for job cuts. University of Lincoln has launched a portfolio review of most programmes in Social & Political Sciences, Humanities and Business - I fear for the results.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Simply awful - there is a real and worrying race to the bottom in leadership in UK HE.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
From @timeshighered.bsky.social Staff in UK higher ed, including at my own institution, are being put under intolerable pressure to accept voluntary redundancy with little prospect of new jobs particularly in HE. Time for overpaid university managers to end the cuts & prioritise saving jobs.
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
The Times Higher redundancy survey offers a searing insight into the toxic state of UK higher ed. The causes of the crisis in UK HE are both national and local but the treatment of loyal staff by the institutions they have served is sickening. www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/i-dont...
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Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Intelligence & Security Committee has completed its review of all the papers provided to it in relation to Mandelson’s vetting the bulk of which it only received on Monday this week. I’m far from convinced this has been a good use of ISC time but it has worked commendably fast.
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