Sign in

Dr Nick Thomas

@drnickthomas.bsky.social
588 followers 917 following 20 posts

Historian. Associate Professor at The University of Nottingham. Cat servant, photographer, model builder, cyclist, hat wearer, book hoarder. Fountain pens, calligraphy, watches. Views my own.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Jen Baird @jenbaird.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
We're hiring a (full-time, permanent) colleague to join us as Lecturer in Archaeology and Heritage in @bbkhistorical.bsky.social and the Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSY235/l...
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer in Archaeology and Heritage at Birkbeck, University of London
Apply for the Lecturer in Archaeology and Heritage role on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board for academic positions in higher education. View details and apply now.
11214
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 18/09/2026
'Why Does Academic History Matter?' bit.ly/4yB8MYQ With contributions from historians Martha Vandrei, Susan-Mary Grant, Joy Porter and @davidandress.bsky.social Free to read for 7 days @historytoday.com #Skystorians
bit.ly
Why Does Academic History Matter?
The study of history at UK universities appears to be under existential threat. Should anyone care?
17359
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Dr Susan Greaney @suegreaney.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Job Klaxon!! Lecturer in Archaeology and Heritage, Birkbeck: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSY235/l...
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer in Archaeology and Heritage at Birkbeck, University of London
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Lecturer in Archaeology and Heritage on jobs.ac.uk!
0712
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
'Brighton informed its University and College Union (UCU) branch on Monday (14 September) that it intends to terminate its current trade union recognition agreement and all collective agreements on terms and conditions from next June.'
timeshighereducation.com
Brighton looks to redraw trade union agreements and close campus
UCU and UNISON warn changes to trade union agreements could lead to unions being derecognised
31714
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Craig Lambert @medievalmariner.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I’m recruiting a Research Fellow in Early Modern Spanish Maritime History to join our ERC-funded Uncharted Maritime Worlds project at the University of Southampton. Please share with anyone who might be interested! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSW249/r...
jobs.ac.uk
Research Fellow (Early Modern Spanish Maritime History) 3497426AR at University of Southampton
An opportunity for an academic position as a Research Fellow (Early Modern Spanish Maritime History) 3497426AR is available, as advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other academic job openi...
14566
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Peter Whitewood @pwhitewood.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Two-year History lecturer post at University of Hull. Fairly open specialisms
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer at University of Hull
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Lecturer on jobs.ac.uk!
014
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Martin D.B. Brown @martindbbrown.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
secretacademic1.substack.com/p/teaching-w...
secretacademic1.substack.com
Teaching Was Fine Until We Fixed It
Some thoughts on pedagogy from someone who is apparently shit at teaching.
021
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Liesbeth Corens @onslies.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
"The claim is not that no university may ever reduce headcount. It is narrower and harder to answer: cutting teaching & research capacity, to close a deficit whose causes lie elsewhere, attacks the recovery rather than the disease." On Dundee, recognisable everywhere www.linkedin.com/pulse/staff-...
Here is what the redundancy narrative leaves out. Falling student numbers played a part, but a small one — international fee income accounts for perhaps £2 million of the early deficit. The Gillies Report found the university spent around £74 million on fixed assets across two years, including some £43 million on capital projects funded directly from cash reserves, without the surpluses to support it. These are decisions taken at the top. Not one is reversed by making a historian or a student-support officer redundant. The cuts do not touch the cause. They fall on the people furthest from it.
04627
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Fairly sober testing report from the AI Security Institute: they gave internet access and removed some guardrails from latest AI models and found without them they were capable of potentially harmful activity directed at real people and organisations www.aisi.gov.uk/blog/inciden...
1. An attempted supply-chain attack on real open-source software. In the most serious sequence, an agent tried to insert malicious code into a publicly used open-source project and took actions in an attempt to secure approval for this insertion by human reviewers.
The agent researched the project's human maintainers, created multiple fake identities, and used the fake identities to socially
engineer a real maintainer into approving the code. When the agent's pull request was challenged in public, it edited its earlier activity to appear harmless and considered adopting a fresh identity to continue. The agent used Tor to bypass some network restrictions on GitHub, which is what first triggered AISl's security alert.2. Attempts to deceive and target real people.
As part of the same effort, the agent tried to contact real people directly, sending messages and files through an online file-transfer service to persuade them, or their own Al coding tools, to run malicious code. Some messages carried harmful payloads, and some were attempts at social engineering; targeted at real people - something we've never previously observed.
812067
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 21/07/2026
"To accountants, some courses or departments may be viewed as cost centres. But to lecturers and students, and the places in which they are based, they are cultural resources – repositories of knowledge built up over decades." bit.ly/4gOTZo2 #Skystorians
bit.ly
The Guardian view on humanities cuts in universities: academic departments are more than cost centres | Editorial
Editorial: Literature, the arts and social sciences must not be sacrificed as higher education funding is squeezed
210653
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
The British Newspaper Archive is moving to a new site on 28th July. 👇 blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2026/07/14/t...
blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
The new British Newspaper Archive arrives on 28 July
We're delighted to announce that the new British Newspaper Archive will launch on Tuesday 28 July 2026, with a range of brand new features.
22923
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
British History Online @bho.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Which also means the links in our catalogue of history theses www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/th... are also workjing again. #History
british-history.ac.uk
History Theses 1970-2014: Historical research for higher degrees in the universities of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland | British History Online
0158
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 10/07/2026
We warmly welcome applications to join the Fellowship of the Society. Next closing dates: 27 July and 5 October. Fellowship is open to those who have made a scholarly research contribution to #history in all sectors (within & beyond higher education) in the UK/worldwide bit.ly/4iOu51g #Skystorians
bit.ly
Apply for Fellowship - RHS
Closing dates for next applications: Mondays 27 July and 5 October 2026   Fellowships are awarded to those who have made an original contribution to historical scholarship, typically through the autho...
01418
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Of interest to UK university #Skystorians: Royal Historical Society open online meeting on 'The crisis in UK higher education: The future for History'. 4 August 2-4 pm.
eventbrite.co.uk
The Crisis in UK HE: the Future for History
An open meeting for historians in UK higher education on what is needed to best support and protect the profession and discipline.
18074
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
UK Archive Sector Leadership @uknatarcsector.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Seeking experienced record keepers to join the pool of Peer Reviewers for Archive Service Accreditation in England! New Peer Reviewer training starts in November so now is the time to make an expression of interest: www.archives.org.uk/peer-reviewers
Two record keepers are sat in a library. One is showing the other a large open record book resting on a book display pillow.
0610
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
First they came for the languages. In the hope that no one would have the words to say what was happening. 1/9🧵
bbc.co.uk
University of Aberdeen's plans to cut modern language degrees were 'rushed' - review
The University of Aberdeen says it accepts there were "missteps" in its process in 2023.
7314198
Dr Nick Thomas @drnickthomas.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
My daughter’s first novel, which has just been published www.waterstones.com/book/the-clo...
waterstones.com
The Clockmaker and the Shrike by Olivia Thomas-Neher | Waterstones
Buy The Clockmaker and the Shrike by Olivia Thomas-Neher from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
171
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Hannah Barker @historyhannahb.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
There’s a permanent modern British history post going at Manchester 🎉Come and join a great department and please share with anyone who might be interested. (Don’t let the short deadline put you off). #skystorians 🗃️
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer in Modern British History (post-1800) at The University of Manchester
Apply now for the Lecturer in Modern British History (post-1800) role on jobs.ac.uk - the leading job board for higher education jobs. View details.
25786
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
'The role would suit someone with extensive senior experience in public policy, applied research, or a combination of both – whether in government, think-tanks, academia or elsewhere.' Might suit a top-rate academic staring redundancy in the face as SHAPE university researchers face the chop.
089
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Laura Tisdall @lauratisdall.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
We have an 18-month temporary lectureship in early modern British and European history just advertised at Newcastle - closing date 9th July www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRW166/l... #skystorians
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer in Early Modern British and European History at Newcastle University
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Lecturer in Early Modern British and European History on jobs.ac.uk!
13260
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Liesbeth Corens @onslies.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
oh permanent full-time pre-1800 job at Limerick! Deadline 14 August -- start of the job in January 2027. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRU993/a... #earlymodern #MedievalSky #Skystorians #Jobfairy
jobs.ac.uk
Assistant Professor in European and or Global History (pre-1800) at University of Limerick
Apply for the Assistant Professor in European and or Global History (pre-1800) role on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board for academic positions in higher education. View details and apply now.
16585
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Sadiah Qureshi 🦈 @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Permanent lectureship in Modern British History at the University of Manchester. FT, £42-58k, closing date 30 June 26, starting Sept 26 onwards. For international people, this is equivalent to a tenure-track Assistant Lectureship. www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai... #SkyStorians
jobs.manchester.ac.uk
Lecturer in Modern British History (post-1800):Oxford Road
14568
Dr Nick Thomas @drnickthomas.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
As someone in exactly this situation, I found this insightful
073
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Tom Hamilton @tombhamilton.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Career Development Fellow in French & Francophone Studies (2 years) at Durham University 'we are especially interested to receive applications from those with specialisms in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries' Deadline 21 June, start Sept 2026 www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRS327/c... @imems.bsky.social
jobs.ac.uk
Career Development Fellow in French & Francophone Studies at Durham University
Apply now for the Career Development Fellow in French & Francophone Studies role on jobs.ac.uk - the leading job board for higher education jobs. View details.
0710
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Danielle Terrazas Williams @drdanielletw.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Job Opportunity! Departmental Lecturer in Modern European History University of Oxford - The Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRU592/d...
jobs.ac.uk
Departmental Lecturer in Modern European History at University of Oxford
Searching for an academic job? Explore this Departmental Lecturer in Modern European History opening on jobs.ac.uk! Click to view more details and browse other academic jobs.
087
Dr Nick Thomas @drnickthomas.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Including me!
020
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Dr Ian McCormick @wokestudies.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
JOB: Lecturer in Creative Writing (Research & Teaching Track) School of Critical Studies. University of Glasgow Salary: £41,064 to £46,049 per annum #HigherEd #English #EduSky www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRR372/l...
The University of Glasgow is a world top 100 university (THE, QS), with one of the widest range of courses in the UK. The University’s international community of over 28,000 students (from over 140 countries) are actively encouraged to spend study time overseas.

The University's undergraduate honours degrees in arts, social sciences and science offer the flexibility to study several subjects before choosing a specialism. Their taught Masters programmes follow a set structure, usually over 12 months. 

Their graduates are highly sought after both in the UK and overseas. 95.9% of students are in employment or further study within 6 months of graduation.
03114
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Will Tullett @willtullett.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
UUK, VCs, etc need to be on the barricades here pointing out 1) they cannot control the labour market for grad jobs 2) most evidence suggests people do in fact benefit financially from degrees and 3) the universities did not want, did not introduce, and do not benefit from the current loan system.
25020
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Sadiah Qureshi 🦈 @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
A job in the global history of science at UCL. FT, permanent, starting at £54k, closing early June. A rare post in this area and a great department from what I hear. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRP512/l...
01916
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
'Policy analysts looked at 20 years’ worth of data collected for the annual Student Academic Experience Survey, currently run by the Higher Education Policy Institute and Advance HE, to establish key trends in a tumultuous period for higher education.' 1/3
timeshighereducation.com
Students missing twice as much teaching time as 20 years ago
Drop in campus attendance a key trend identified in student experience over period that spanned fee rises, marketisation and pandemic
15419
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Michael Merrifield @astromikemerri.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
How totally totally crass to find the destruction of the thousand careers of a thousand dedicated staff “exciting.” 1/3 www.timeshighereducation.com/news/notting...
timeshighereducation.com
Nottingham ‘would run out of money’ by 2031 without further cuts
Vice-chancellor defends deep job losses at embattled institution, insisting restructure will help it adapt to changed environment in higher education
11911
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Today’s Education Select Committee report on higher education is the best report on HE to come from Govt/Parliament in ages. It takes a rounded view of the whole system, moving away from the more atomistic or narrow accounts we’ve seen 🧵 committees.parliament.uk/committee/20...
committees.parliament.uk
“A very serious problem”: No clear government plan for universities risking insolvency, MPs find in new report - Committees - UK Parliament
Today MPs on the Education Committee warn that the government has no clear plan for universities facing insolvency and that protections for students are inadequate, as the Committee publishes a new re...
213080
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Wake up! The House of Commons Education Committee says fifty - yes fifty - Higher Education Institutions are at risk of insolvency within the next three years. Wake up! committees.parliament.uk/work/9012/hi...
committees.parliament.uk
“A very serious problem”: No clear government plan for universities risking insolvency, MPs find in new report - Committees - UK Parliament
Today MPs on the Education Committee warn that the government has no clear plan for universities facing insolvency and that protections for students are inadequate, as the Committee publishes a new re...
04837
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 11/05/2026
We currently invite applications to our 2026-27 Master's Scholarships programme: bit.ly/4dTHmXe Scholarships of £5000 are for students from groups currently underrepresented in academic history to study for an MA in history or a related subject. Closing date: Friday 5 June #Skystorians
bit.ly
Master's Scholarships programme, 2026-27: supporting groups underrepresented in academic history - RHS
Each year the Society awards Scholarships to support students who will study for a Master's degree in history at a UK university. Master's Scholarships, each of £5000, support students from groups cur...
02029
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
One-year teaching replacement post in History at Nottingham. #Skystorians
jobs.ac.uk
Teaching Associate in Modern History at University of Nottingham
Explore an exciting academic career as a Teaching Associate in Modern History. Don't miss out on other academic jobs. Click to apply and explore more opportunities.
168
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Grumpy Philosopher @stevecooke.org · 06/05/2026
My department is hiring a 5yr teaching fellow in Politics & IR. In classic HR tradition, the start date is incorrect - it begins on the 1st September. Deadline for applications the 21st of this month (May). jobs.le.ac.uk/vacancies/13...
jobs.le.ac.uk
Teaching Fellow in Politics & International Relations in Leicester | University of Leicester Recruitment Team
View details and apply for this Teaching Fellow in Politics & International Relations vacancy in Leicester. We're looking for an enthusiastic and committed Teaching Fellow in Politics & Intern...
037
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Anu Lahtinen @anulah.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
University Lecturer, European Studies jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
jobs.helsinki.fi
University Lecturer in European Studies
University Lecturer in European Studies
037
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Dr Susan Greaney @suegreaney.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Fully funded PhD studentship with English Heritage and University of York on medieval monastic window glass: www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/...
york.ac.uk
Fragmented Pasts: medieval monastic window fragments in archaeological archives - Department of Archaeology, University of York
This project will bring new digital methods to recording, cataloguing, analysing and interpreting the architectural fragments of window surrounds and tracery that were removed from their original cont...
01917
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Please help share what must be one of the best jobs ever. We are looking for a writer to join @ourworldindata.org to work with our fantastic team including @maxroser.bsky.social and @hannahritchie.bsky.social. £80k - £120k / ideally full time / location flexible ourworldindata.org/hiring-write...
ourworldindata.org
We’re looking for a writer
We’re hiring a writer who can make the world’s largest problems understandable to our large Our World in Data audience.
396106
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Are you a researcher looking for funding to cover expenses arising from a defined research project? Apply the British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants (supported by DSIT, @leverhulme.ac.uk and @wellcometrust.bsky.social). Learn more: bit.ly/4t0MDRl
British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants. Deadline: 3 June 2026
Independent Scholars Deadline: 27 May 2026
03742
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Onni Gust @onnigust.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
University of Nottingham cutting 600 academic jobs, raising student:staff ratios to make up for staff losses. Devastated over what this will look like for all of us and our students. www.nottinghampost.com/news/notting...
nottinghampost.com
University plans 600 job cuts in major cost-cutting move
The university hopes the move will stop it from running out of cash
3136
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Awesome job alert. We are looking for a Head of Fellowship and Alumni to work with our scholarly community. £66.5k. Perhaps the most beautiful office in London next to St James’ Park. Take a look / spread the word! www.peridotpartners.co.uk/jobs/head-of...
Head of Fellowship and Alumni Engagement
The British Academy
12524
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 20/04/2026
Today we also open the call for applications to our 2026-27 Master's Scholarships programme: bit.ly/4dTHmXe Scholarships of £5000 are for students from groups currently underrepresented in academic history to study for an MA in history or a related subject. Closing date: Friday 5 June #Skystorians
bit.ly
Master's Scholarships programme 2026-27: supporting groups underrepresented in academic history - RHS
Each year the Society awards Scholarships to support students who will study for a Master's degree in history at a UK university. Master's Scholarships, each of £5000, seek to support students from gr...
02530
Dr Nick Thomas @drnickthomas.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
New fountain pen day. This is by Tom’s Studio and is called The Studio. It has a titanium flex nib which I’m very excited about #fountainpens
Teal coloured fountain pen
4161
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
It's me in the Financial Times, detailing the deep and pernicious influence of one-size-fits-all management consultancy in our universities... Take a look! 👇 www.ft.com/content/5032...
ft.com
Management consultants are ruining UK universities
Relentless off-the-peg commercial rewiring has undermined British higher education
14319129
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Anton Gerashchenko @antongerashchenko.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
A passenger flight from Costa Rica to Atlanta got the chance to witness Artemis launch. I imagine how painful it was to be sitting on the wrong side of that plane!
14633140
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Society for Army Historical Research @societyarmy.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
The Society offers grants for university students undertaking research on any aspect of the British Army. The deadline for applications is Friday 1 May, and full details can be found on the website. Please consider applying if eligible and share widely. www.sahr.org.uk/urg-rules.php
1911
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Prof. Elaine Chalus @profelainechalus.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Lecturer, Art and Visual Cultures c.1300–1700- UCL - History of Art / Faculty of Social & Historical Sciences #skystorians 🗃️www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQZ792/l...
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer, Art and Visual Cultures c.1300–1700 at UCL
Recruiting now: Lecturer, Art and Visual Cultures c.1300–1700 on jobs.ac.uk. Click for details and explore more academic job opportunities on the top job board
054
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Dr Vanessa @hpsvanessa.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
#JobFairy #Skystorians
172
Reposted by Dr Nick Thomas
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Fully-funded AHRC Collaborative Doctoral PhD Studentship at UCL and the V&A: 'Invisible Hands: Migrant Labour and British Craft in the 18th Century' Ignore the 'top ten' hype; focus on the ace resources, environment and support. Deadline 15 April. #Skystorians
ucl.ac.uk
UCL – University College London
UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
04837