iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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

010

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

010

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

000

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

020

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 15/09/2026

Around the UK, excellent research in many universities sits alongside education that develops the skilled workforce needed to turn innovation in growth. The minister may think he is being strategic with finite funds, but following this strategy too far would drive less growth, not more.

000

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 15/09/2026

If funding is over-concentrated in too few places – a narrow set of universities or only to researchers already identified as successful – it would undermine the wider ecosystem in which world-leading research in different fields is found throughout the country.

100

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

100

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.

010

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 05/09/2026

Actually, Farage did say, “It’s all above board, yeah”. It’s not a question, though. It’s an assertion, presumably intended to reassure, that he knew - or should have known - was a lie. See video at 33:23 youtu.be/RugPik-G1Jw?...

youtu.be

My Year Undercover in Reform UK

YouTube video by Verbatim Investigations

010

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 05/09/2026

And why do you ask, “It’s all above board?” unless you recognise it might not be? (Besides, in the recording it sounds more like it’s said as a reassurance rather than as a question, as he claims. There’s no upward inflectional all.)

040

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

130

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”.

050

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

010

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

030

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

Thanks, Mike. If the report ever even existed, we can only assume TPA thought its purposes were better served by not allowing its detail or its rigour to be examined.

100

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.

131

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

If not, she should retire this tired and meaningless cliché especially since I have never heard anyone come up with a solid example of a supposed 'Mickey Mouse course' that bears even the slightest scrutiny.

130

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

Perhaps therefore what Braverman really means by a 'Mickey Mouse course' is one with iconic commercial value? Or maybe she means this module specifically (www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/2026...) where you might literally study Mickey Mouse?

southampton.ac.uk

2026-27 - FILM2023 - Animation: Technology, Culture and Industry | University of Southampton

Animation has been a part of cinema from its inception and remains one of the most popular forms of moving image in the 21st century. Some theorists have even argued that animation has preceded, conta...

100

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

And since I've mentioned it (well, she did first), that cartoon rodent is also quite valuable. Mickey Mouse appears on $80Bn of merchandise alone annually, the ears symbol is arguably the most recognised brand globally and Disney Corp is the world's 120th most valuable corporation.

100

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

Golf is an industry worth over £5Bn to the UK in direct revenues, quite apart from the additional tourism, etc it generates. That's about 5x the fishing industry. Did she really mean to compare such a valuable sector to a rodent? (Donald Trump, among others, might beg to differ.)

randa.org

Consumer spending by UK golfers increase to £5.1 billion

Spending by golfers in the United Kingdom has grown to £5.1 billion in 2019, the equivalent of £964 per adult golfer, according to an independent report.

110

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

Second she cites "Golf Course Management"… ...which doesn't exist (AFAIK), although several unis run degrees in Golf Management, including a BSc at Birmingham (in association with the PGA) and an MSc at Ulster described below. Sounds very useful to me.

The Master's degree in Golf Management is a comprehensive programme designed to equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the dynamic and evolving golf industry. This specialised curriculum integrates business management principles with an understanding of golf operations, hospitality management, event planning, tourism and industry trends.

110

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

She's elevating ignorance to a virtue and demanding we all remain ignorant too lest we learn something inconvenient to Reform's political agenda.

100

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

Unless Braverman has read at least some Moore, Kristeva, Butler et al, she's probably no more qualified to talk about the value of gender studies than someone who dismisses physics because they've never heard of forces, matter and dimensions.

100

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

With any subject where there's a vast body of scholarship, only those with at least some familiarity with it should pronounce on its value.

110

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

Braverman might think students shouldn't *choose* Gender Studies (and there is a valid argument about whether student demand should dictate supply), but that's not what she said.

100

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

First, she says, "I don't agree with Gender Studies being taught". That sounds like thought police to me and counter to everything she has previously said about the importance of Free Speech, especially in academia.

110

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.

122

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

010

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

010

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 01/08/2026

I was asked if I wanted to grow old and decrepit. I declined. #weakendpun

020

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

020

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

020

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 15/07/2026

It's #crowdsourced, so do please add your events or events you've heard about to help make it more useful both for those running events and those who might want to attend them. This is the time of year people start to do their planning. And please share it as widely as possible.

000

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.

100

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

000

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.

111

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

004

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 07/07/2026

I made a couple of friends in the park today.

020

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

030

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.

070

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

030

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 24/06/2026

So, wonks, get on there now, add your events and bookmark it as it'll be one of your most visited sites in the next few months. 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.

011

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 24/06/2026

Being Mark, he's also taken my primordial Google sheet and turned it into a highly evolved, sleek, easy-to-use app with great features to create you own listings diary, connect with other people and so on.

100

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 24/06/2026

This year @markleach.bsky.social and @michaelsalmon0.bsky.social asked if they could take it over. It was never really mine in the first place, more a community-owned thing and @wonkhe.bsky.social is perfectly placed to support that community, so it was a no-brainer.

100

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 24/06/2026

For several years, as many of you will know, @josh-freeman.bsky.social and I have hosted a shared spreadsheet of party conference events so organisers could let people know what was going on and conference-goers could find out what's on where.

100