iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Dr Angela Gallagher

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

To understand and counter disinformation, language skills, area studies expertise, historical knowledge and a wide range of arts, humanities & social science disciplines are requisite. SHAPE subjects are strategically vital for national interests. Is it strategic to let 'the market' shrink them?

thebritishacademy.ac.uk

Mapping SHAPE provision in UK higher education

This new project from the British Academy maps changing provision of SHAPE subjects in UK higher education institutions. It uses data to visually depict contractions and expansions in provision by a v...

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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 19/08/2026

This stopped me in my tracks. An independent study by @qmul.bsky.social has found that after ULEZ was introduced, children’s lungs grew faster in Central London and have now caught up with children outside of the capital. Incredible.

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

What you're saying when you say "DEI" when universities say "EDI" (as happens here) and vice versa. And why it actually matters. The great majority of UK (esp. British) universities use "EDI" while US universities use "DEI". Is that "just" semantic, or does it matter? A thread. 🧵1/8

ft.com

How Jason Arday’s appointment became a reckoning for Cambridge

Resignation of Black professor forces university to examine its approach to diversity, equality and inclusion

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Dr Angela Gallagher @angelatgallagher.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Interesting read: 'Languages education faces a “vicious circle”: as schools struggle to recruit and retain language teachers, provision becomes more limited...'

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Dr Angela Gallagher @angelatgallagher.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Grim read: 'The British Academy’s analysis also found that regional cold spots were accelerating, and some subjects were now virtually impossible to access at less selective universities'

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

'Politicians from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages have told the university’s executive “in the strongest possible terms to reconsider” the plans, in a letter seen by Times Higher Education.' 1/3

timeshighereducation.com

‘Cold spot’ fears over Nottingham language cuts

Plans to close courses would have national impact, politicians write in letter urging university to reconsider

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

A grim day in a grim week in a grim month for UK higher education, with Dundee, Exeter and Hertfordshire all making major announcements of planned redundancies. Shrinkage of the research & teaching base by the invisible hand's visible fist is not an 'us' or 'them', SHAPE or STEM phenomenon. 1/2

Photo of an open hand, with part of 4 fingers showing.

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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Despair. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog about how politics is stuck whilst violence intensifies, how ‘the first lie wins’ in constructing political narratives, and how Brexit ruptured the 'cordon sanitaire'. Long and depressing read: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2026/06/desp...

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Dr Angela Gallagher @angelatgallagher.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Good read, lots on humanities & adversarial management culture: 'A track record of having slashed a budget and made staff redundant at one university becomes a prime recommendation for appointment at another'

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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Important explanation that these headlines were not based on any science but are essentially the opinions of well connected people. open.substack.com/pub/gidmk/p/...

open.substack.com

Ill Health In Old Age Is Not 80% "Down To The Individual"

This is why we rely on evidence rather than opinions.

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Jonathan Kasstan @jrkasstan.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

“We are concerned about the growing risk of geographic and subjectbased “cold-spots”, affecting areas and disciplines such as music and modern languages.” #Nottingham is a regional behemoth for the study of #languages - this is so stupid and short sighted publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...

publications.parliament.uk

Higher Education and Funding: Threat of Insolvency and International Students

Report of the Education Committee

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Inequality kills. People in the wealthiest UK areas have 20 more years of good health than those in the poorest. Healthy life expectancy for Richmond upon Thames man 69.3 yrs, woman 70.3 yrs. Man in Blackpool 50.9 years; woman in Hartlepool 51.2 years. Deaths rising among 25- to 49-year-olds.

theguardian.com

People in UK spend fewer years in good health than a decade ago, study finds

Exclusive: Health Foundation says Britain is ‘going backwards’ compared with most other rich countries

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

'The number of English language and literature academics fell by 8 per cent to 4,680 – among the largest decrease of all disciplines. And the number employed in modern languages dropped 7 per cent to 4,890. This is 17 per cent below peak levels in 2015-16.' 1/3

timeshighereducation.com

UK job cuts hit English and modern languages staff hardest

‘Vicious cycle’ of course closures means system ‘gradually losing breadth and depth of expertise’

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Sophie Pedder @sophiepedder.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

These were mayoral 🇫🇷 elections, so any national extrapolation is of course hazardous. But if you go by voting in towns with > 100,000 population, one cautious conclusion from last night’s voting is this : the broad non-populist centre can hold

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Emmanuel Grégoire @egregoire.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Merci !

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Finnish President Alexander Stubb says Brexit was a “colossal mistake” “It’s like amputating your leg without medical reason for doing it”

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Diane Coyle @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

There are other reasons for the UK government not to award or continue Palantir contracts but this statement of intent by its CEO must surely be decisive?

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Dr Angela Gallagher @angelatgallagher.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

'Students from affluent backgrounds are rarely required to justify their curiosity so narrowly – they are trusted to enjoy learning and to assume that things will work out – while state-educated students are often asked to translate interest into employability before they are allowed to pursue it'

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TheBossRoss 🧶 @thebossross.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Finland's President Alexander Stubb with a confident explanation why countries can't narrowly be judged on GDP alone. Welfare system nations aren't just the happiest but also economically successful. [Spain is currently the EU's economic powerhouse.] In the end, what are countries for? People.

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Jenny Pickerill @jennypickerill.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Our new piece out today in Times Higher Education about the threats to Geography in the UK - particularly fieldwork - please do share. It links to a recent snapshot survey on the challenges being faced in UK HE, which highlights the inequities of the challenges, but also fears of what is yet to come

timeshighereducation.com

The UK universities cutting geography have lost their bearings

From climate change to geopolitics, the knowledge, skills and insights of geographers have never been more relevant, say five professors

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

'The ground-breaking study from the University of Stirling will examine the educational, economic, social and cultural factors that impact on language learning, analysing the different approaches and outcomes in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.'

heraldscotland.com

University launches major study into languages in schools

Researchers at the University of Stirling have secured funding for a multi-national project exploring the 'cultures of language learning'.

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

'New data from the Ministry of Justice show that studying with The Open University (OU) delivers “significant reductions” in reoffending amongst prison learners.' 'It also found that those studying committed 37 per cent fewer offences within a year of release.' 1/2

timeshighereducation.com

Ex-offenders offered scholarships as new data shows impact of HE

Calls for more support for people with experience of prison to access higher education as experts warn programmes being hampered by staff shortages

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Reposted by Dr Angela Gallagher

Alex Hall Hall @alexhh.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

As the famous saying goes….”The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Likewise, the best time to start weaning ourselves off dependence on the US……..

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Dr Angela Gallagher @angelatgallagher.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

'The furore centres on recruitment for a handful of places in subjects such as music, classics and modern languages, which are prey to the most gaping of educational disparities. Many state schools simply cannot offer them in depth, if at all' www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

No, private schools aren’t victims of ‘reverse discrimination’ – and Cambridge should know better | Lee Elliot Major

Trinity Hall’s plan to target elite schools sends the message that privilege equals talent, when the reality is that poorer students are already on the back foot, says professor of social mobility at ...

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Reposted by Dr Angela Gallagher

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

I understand the pressures on the BBC, but Radio 4's coverage of the Minneapolis shooting is an example of "bad balance". It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder". The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.

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Mark English @markemuk.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

I wish the Brexit dinosaurs would stop this "Erasmus is for posh kids" crap. Half the young population goes to university, these days, in UK and most of EU. And most of the half that doesn't is also eligible for Erasmus+, which covers schools, further education, adult learners and in-work training.

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Dr Angela Gallagher @angelatgallagher.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Reflecting on a wonderful few days in Belgrade with @janeotoole.bsky.social at #actionresearch communities workshop. Inspiring language teachers and great hospitality from our hosts at Foundation Tempus. Thanks to the European Centre for Modern Languages of the @coe.int www.ecml.at/en/News/ArtM...

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Reposted by Dr Angela Gallagher

Rob Dale @robdale.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Repeat after me: The point of Erasmus isn't just to go to a European university for a period. It is also having European students come to institutions in the UK, where they bring their ideas, perspective, viewpoints and skills.

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Pippa Crerar @pippacrerar.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

EXCL: An agreement to rejoin Erasmus – the EU’s student exchange programme – set to be announced on Wednesday as part of UK government’s drive towards closer relations with Brussels. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

theguardian.com

UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme

Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say

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Reposted by Dr Angela Gallagher

John Gallagher @earlymodernjohn.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

One of this year's great thrills was getting to film a documentary on Gallaghers and the Gallagher surname (with a dollop of my own family history too) for TG4. Our episode of Sloinne is being broadcast again on Wednesday 17 December at 7.30pm (or streaming here): www.tg4.ie/en/player/on...

tg4.ie

Sloinne | Ó Gallachóir | Player | Irish Television Channel, Súil Eile

New series of Sloinne in which a person goes in search of the history of their surname in each episode. We travel all over the country learning about famous and historical figures as well as the clans...

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Reposted by Dr Angela Gallagher

Suzanne Graham @suzannegraham.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

✨Thrilled and honoured that BERA have recognised our research team's contribution to primary languages education! Here's to the project team including the inspirational teachers we've worked with! www.bera.ac.uk/news/bera-an...

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Reposted by Dr Angela Gallagher

lucynoakes1.bsky.social @lucynoakes1.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Ongoing decimation of British universities part 252: Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email. Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk

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European Movement UK @europeanmovement.co.uk · 02/12/2025

Joining Erasmus+ is essential for restoring young people's freedom, allowing them to study, work, and explore different cultures across Europe. This is a positive step.

UK aims to secure agreement to rejoin Erasmus student exchange scheme

The UK is hoping to secure an agreement within weeks to rejoin the EU’s flagship student mobility programme, as part of a drive to pursue closer relations with Brussels after a setback on defence.

Negotiators are aiming to finalise a deal by January that would allow the UK to participate in Erasmus from 2027 onwards, according to two UK and EU officials.

The UK quit Erasmus after Brexit, when Boris Johnson claimed the programme did not offer good value for money. The Labour government agreed to reopen negotiations at the UK-EU summit last May, and has been seeking to bring down the cost of UK participation.

The UK rejoining the £23bn Erasmus scheme has been a key demand from EU capitals as part of “reset” talks, alongside a mobility deal that would grant young Europeans the right to live and work in the UK for several years and Britons to do the same in Europe.

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Dr Angela Gallagher @angelatgallagher.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Difficult to disagree with this: 'the economic and political price of Brexit is all too clear. However, its chief proponents do not seem to be paying the political price' www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...

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Dr Angela Gallagher @angelatgallagher.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Great to meet language teachers from Belgrade at our online European Centre for Modern Languages @coe.int action research workshop earlier today with @janeotoole.bsky.social

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Reposted by Dr Angela Gallagher

Rutger Bregman @rutgerbregman.com · 25/11/2025

It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites. About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4

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Dr Angela Gallagher @angelatgallagher.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

'Brexit has only cemented a dangerously misguided sense that international engagement is not essential to the UK’s future'

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