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Johnny Rich

@johnnyrich.com
1.3K followers 479 following 1K posts

Director, ResearchPlus Also: CEO, PushTalks | Author (The Human Script and other works) | Speaker | #HigherEd Specialist Personal account - any views are all my own fault. Web: johnnyrich.com

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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 27/09/2026
Glad to hear Lucy Powell express commitment to FE and HE: “We'll make sure that young people today see the value of going to university too. The future requires more, not less, highly qualified young people." (I can’t help wishing she’d said ‘fewer’ not ‘less’ though.) #LabConf26
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 26/09/2026
I always make soup with my sibling. I cut the vegetables and he makes the stock. He’s my brother. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 25/09/2026
There is no need for universities to call for #MinimumEntryRequirements when they can set their own. Universities should be arguing for the protection of the had-worn autonomy over admissions enshrined in the HE & Research Act. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/researc...
timeshighereducation.com
ResearchPlus at odds with Russell Group on minimum entry standards
Head of new mission group for smaller ‘research-led’ universities rejects minimum tariff and differential fee plans endorsed by larger institutions
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 19/09/2026
I’ve negotiated a deal to buy a consignment of shrink-wrap. It’s subject to contract. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 15/09/2026
“Fewer, longer grants” is inconsistent with the Government's stated aim of growth in every postcode. Research sparks innovation, and businesses establish or scale up near where that research happens. Investing in research is investment in a place. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/larger-...
timeshighereducation.com
‘Larger, fewer grants’ could harm Burnham’s regional agenda
Changes to grant system suggested by Chris McDonald could ‘mistakenly’ further concentrate funding in the golden triangle, academics warn
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 12/09/2026
Why did the rabbi catch a taxi to synagogue when he heard the blowing of the ram’s horn? Because he was shofar-driven. #weakendpun L’Shanah tovah.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 05/09/2026
I write regularly for a chiropractic magazine. It’s a spinal column. I can show you my back issues. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 04/09/2026
I’m having one of those moments when my pedantry distracts me from the real outrage. Reform UK’s statement claims they are “victims of a hoax perpetuated by climate change activists”. Aaaargh! They mean “perpetrated”.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 29/08/2026
I heard about an attack in which a handbag was used as a lethal weapon. It was as an accessory to murder. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 22/08/2026
The shiny fabric used to upholster my armchair wasn’t the right choice. It’s all worn out because it was sat in. #weakendpun
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Reposted by Johnny Rich
Mike Ratcliffe @mike-rat.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
If only the TPA had published their report on woke courses, rather than pretending to, then Suella would have had more examples… moremeansbetter.wordpress.com/2026/01/17/t...
moremeansbetter.wordpress.com
Too woke to publish
The Telegraph ran an article about a report on Mickey Mouse degrees, but the TPA hasn’t actually published the report.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026
@suellabraverman.bsky.social trots out the hackneyed 'Mickey Mouse courses' adage and, when challenged by #BBCRadio4 #WATO to give an example, she cites two less than impressive examples.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 15/08/2026
I joined a brass band, but they kicked me out when I turned up with a potato. They said they didn’t need a tuber player. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 08/08/2026
A friend was going to have gender reassignment surgery but changed his mind at the last minute. The doctor said he was a near miss. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 01/08/2026
I was asked if I wanted to grow old and decrepit. I declined. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 25/07/2026
When I was young, my teacher told me I could be anyone I wanted to be. I’ve learned since that apparently that’s ’identity theft’. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 18/07/2026
I lost my job as a car mechanic for swapping my overalls for a tuxedo. I blame my boss for telling me to change attire. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 15/07/2026
#PartyConference season is approaching. If you're going to Labour, Conservatives, Reform, Greens or Lib Dems, the team at @wonkhe have built a superb listings tool for fringe sessions, socials and events related to higher education, education, research and skills. partyconferences.wonkhe.com
partyconferences.wonkhe.com
HE Influence – Party conference events 2026
Higher education at all five UK party conferences. Crowd-sourced fringe listings from HE Influence by Wonkhe.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 11/07/2026
I failed my driving test. When the examiner said, “Brake, fast”, apparently I wasn’t supposed to start eating a full English. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 09/07/2026
Nobody Tableaus like @dkernohan.bsky.social Tableaus. The intriguing truth about application rates and demography. wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
wonkhe.com
The intersection between ethnicity, disadvantage, and social mobility via higher education is complex
Entry rates might not be the easiest way to understand it
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 09/07/2026
The good people of #Clacton may be interested in data published today, broken down by constituency, showing the net economic impact of international students (ie. AFTER public costs). They gain over £2million, amounting to the equivalent of £20 in the pocket of every resident.
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Reposted by Johnny Rich
John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Major science facilities to be scaled back, UKRI confirms as it unveils final STFC cost-savings plan. STFC will also reduce project spending, despite £135m of fresh money. @francesjones.bsky.social got hold of details ahead of imminent announcement. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Major science facilities to be scaled back, UKRI confirms - Research Professional News
Science and Technology Facilities Council will also reduce project spending, despite £135m of fresh money
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 07/07/2026
I made a couple of friends in the park today.
Grey heronPelican
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 04/07/2026
I caught a salmon and was told it was best if cured. Sadly the vet couldn’t help. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 29/06/2026
#R4Today programme just now - Nick Robinson interviewing Jonathan Agnew about Ben Stokes’ retirement: NR: I’m just going to stop you there because we’ve got Piers Morgan on the line. JA: Really? Oh dear.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 27/06/2026
I told my friend all about my obsession with seaweed. He said I should see kelp immediately. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 24/06/2026
Calling all wonks! It's arrived: partyconferences.wonkhe.com Your crowd-sourced, listings app for everything #education #universities #research and #skills related at the #PartyConferences brought to you by @wonkhe.bsky.social
partyconferences.wonkhe.com
HE Influence – Party conference events 2026
Higher education at all five UK party conferences. Crowd-sourced fringe listings from HE Influence by Wonkhe.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 24/06/2026
Happy #INWED2026! epc.ac.uk/article/happ...
epc.ac.uk
Happy International Women in Engineering Day 2026! - Engineering Professors Council
EPC Chief Executive, Johnny Rich, marks #INWED26 by celebrating the moves towards gender equality in engineering academia and the EPC itself and inviting all academics to contribute to our efforts.   ...
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 24/06/2026
I agree with every word of @davephoenix.bsky.social's letter in today's Guardian on minimum entry requirements to higher education. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
A more integrated education system would benefit all | Letters
Letter: Prof Dave Phoenix says government policy should not focus on who can be excluded from higher education
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/06/2026
I'm pleased to say the Advertising Standards Authority has just approved the slogan for my new range of alternative medicines: "Johnny's Finest Remedies – you won't get better" #weakendpun
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Reposted by Johnny Rich
Engineering Professors' Council @epc.ac.uk · 18/06/2026
Welcome to day 2 of #EANCongress26. Please tag us and let us know what you are enjoying or have discovered.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 18/06/2026
#EANCongress26 is underway at @unistrathclyde.bsky.social with the opening keynote by Prof Sir Jim McDonald, who recently received Scotland’s highest honour, Knight of the Order of the Thistle, but we trumped that by also awarding him the @epc.ac.uk’s President’s Prize.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 17/06/2026
With #EANCongress26 starting today, this compelling piece by @bevgibbs.bsky.social is brilliantly timely and a must-read for the whole HE sector, not just “canaries in the coal mine” in engineering. @epc.ac.uk wonkhe.com/blogs/are-we...
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 13/06/2026
An African bull elephant can grow up to 13 feet. But most only grow four. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 11/06/2026
Next at #hepiac26 the launch of the findings from the Student Academic Experience Survey 2026. Alastair Jarvis, @advancehe.bsky.social starts us off highlighting some of the key stats including that just 7% of grads would not go to uni if they had their time again.
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 11/06/2026
Baroness Smith, Minister for Skills, kicks off #HEPIAC26 @hepi-news.bsky.social by talking about instability and change: “we need to be resilient and ready, not despairing, open to opportunities”
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 06/06/2026
I took Ryanair to court when my luggage went missing. They lost the case. #weakendpun
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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The chief executive of the Engineering Professors’ Council, Johnny Rich, has been appointed inaugural director of ResearchPlus, a new grouping of research-focused institutions in the UK
timeshighereducation.com
ResearchPlus names Johnny Rich as inaugural director
Sector stalwart picked to lead new grouping in next stage of development
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 03/06/2026
"What do you want to be when you grow up, little Johnny?" "A stalwart!" #MissionAccomplished www.timeshighereducation.com/news/researc...
timeshighereducation.com
ResearchPlus names Johnny Rich as inaugural director
Sector stalwart picked to lead new grouping in next stage of development
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 03/06/2026
After ten fantastic years as CEO of the @epc.ac.uk, I am delighted to announce that I have been appointed first Director of @researchplusunis.bsky.social, the collaborative of research-led universities, from August 1st 2026. researchplus.ac.uk/policy-news-...
researchplus.ac.uk
ResearchPlus appoints Johnny Rich as first Director - Research Plus
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 02/06/2026
This is a barnstormer of a blog. Highly recommended. www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/06/02/w... by @rstephenson123.bsky.social @hepi-news.bsky.social
hepi.ac.uk
Women in higher education: progress, power and the work still to do - HEPI
Below is the text of a speech delivered by HEPI’s Director of Policy and Strategy Rose Stephenson, to the Women’s Higher Education Network conference. It is a huge honour to join the Women’s Higher Ed...
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 30/05/2026
Satin, silk, shellac, lustre, eggshell - with all these different terms for shiny paint finishes, I need a glossary. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 26/05/2026
“We risk turning away tomorrow’s leaders by placing restrictions on outstanding scholars who have already passed the government’s own rigorous selection process”. – Prof Sasha Roseneil of ResearchPlus
independent.co.uk
Leading universities urge Mahmood to exempt exceptional students from visa ban
Exclusive: Russell Group universities ask for carve-out from visa ban for Chevening scholars
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 26/05/2026
Thanks to @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social for inviting me to comment for his piece on China overtaking UK on number of British engineering papers funded www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...
researchprofessionalnews.com
China overtakes UK on number of British engineering papers funded - Research Professional News
Acknowledgements of funders in China topped those of British counterparts in 2025, RPN analysis reveals
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 23/05/2026
I built a kind of canopy structure in the garden. And even though it only has posts and doesn’t actually have a roof, it still makes you feel kind of sheltered. I call it the gazebo effect. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 16/05/2026
Apparently the Pope has a Speak-your-Weight machine. It’s very good at saying mass #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 12/05/2026
I'm pleased to see the @epc.ac.uk's submission to the Education Select Committee inquiry into #HigherEducation finance has been given due weight in its report. 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...
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 09/05/2026
I stood for election as an independent in a Labour ward. The mums and dads voted for me, but the nurses and midwives voted against. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 02/05/2026
I’ve stolen Gandalf’s staff. I say ‘stolen’, but actually I recruited them fair and square via the sorcerer’s apprentice job site. #weakendpun
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Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 29/04/2026
Congratulations to Uni of Sussex for taking on this fight and winning. The result throws OfS's authority on free speech into a spin and exposes the fact that trying to regulate this issue was always going to be a mess of contradictions. www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-an...
officeforstudents.org.uk
OfS responds to University of Sussex judgment - Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) has responded to the judgment in the judicial review between the OfS and the University of Sussex.
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