iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

For the numbers nerds but yet another highly illuminating (and pertinent to any UCU campaigning on HE funding reform) analysis from Jim Dickinson @wonkhe.bsky.social A glance at Education at a glance misleads on UK spend on universities wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...

wonkhe.com

A glance at Education at a glance misleads on UK spend on universities

Every year the OECD publishes Education at a glance, and every year I flick to the table on spending per tertiary student and think the same thing – WTF?

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Aberystwyth University @aberuni.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🌌 Technology developed here at Aberystwyth University is being used in Europe's most Mars-like outdoor environment in preparation for the European Space Agency's ExoMars mission. 🖱️ tinyurl.com/mtm76jvb #ExoMars #RosalindFranklinRover #marsrover #lifeonmars #missiontomars

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Much as I loathe university rankings the Times University ones are worth an explore. If you want to examine privilege in operation in modern Britain play with their "Social Inclusion" box and be very very surprised to discover that wealth matters in an education 'meritocracy'.

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Nicolas Hénin @nicolashenin.net · 17/09/2026

Nice campaign by the Norwegian Consumer Council about the declining lifespan of products. Enjoy!

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Aberystwyth Comedy Festival @abercomedyfest.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Didn't get to Edinburgh? Don't worry, all the good bits are coming to Aberystwyth Comedy Festival! Experience 5-star rated, award-winning acts like Paul Foot, Lara Ricote, Rob Auton, and many more! 🌟 Aberystwyth Comedy Festival 📅 Fri 2 - Sun 4 October 🎟 abercomedyfest.co.uk

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The precedent here is shocking. @brightonuni.bsky.social Board of Governors should be ashamed. The outcome will be STATUTORY, rather than voluntary, recognition of the union via CAC. A legally binding (rather than voluntary) sticking plaster that will drag Brighton Uni into legal processes.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Apropos nothing. A random homily for the day: Marc 16:35: "Sure, it can be easy to buy an actual political party. Buying voters? Not so easy. They think it's sleazy."

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Yet another penalty for funding higher education outside of England outlined in WonkHE. Roll-on the federal reconstitution of the UK cos the current system seems to actively penalise non'UK' nations. wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...

wonkhe.com

Another deep unfairness in devolved student loans policy

Not another one!

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dolly Rebecca Parton. What a life and what a fully human being.

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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

British universities are now gripped by the ultimate madness. Some unis are bankrupting everyone else accepting students they can't even take and have to leave in limbo... While putting everyone on redundancy notice! It's crazed. Still no-one will intervene. thetab.com/2026/08/24/u...

thetab.com

University of Exeter offers deferred places following shortage of student accommodation

The university said it has not been able to offer accommodation to all students

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Some thoughts to follow. I think we have a kindness problem. Whole activist and intellectual communities seem to have lost that capacity.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Jason Arday: J'Accuse the British Media, by Will Self. I could never write so cogently about how this came to pass, those who played a hands-on role in its inevitability, the apparatus and interests that ensured it did, or use my anger so productively. willself1.substack.com/p/2089334077...

willself1.substack.com

Jason Arday: J'Accuse the British Media

After the death of Jason Arday, Will Self asks what happens when the media machine mistakes what interests the public for the public interest.

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James Kneale @jameskneale.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I've just heard that the BA/BSc Geography programme is to close at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Geography and Environmental Science (CGES) in Cornwall. This programme was made up of excellent modules with original and content, taught brilliantly—often with real innovation—by extremely 1/9

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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Ah yes, Clearing, the process by which eight to twelve Big Universities simply eat all the other unis. (1/2)

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

This is an interesting long read. It gives some important metrics and context for understanding the Welsh situation. What is interesting is reading it in the context of what story the figures tell us about our specific institutions.

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Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

There now follows a party election broadcast by the Count Binface Party, And if I do say so myself, it's a banger. #VoteBinface #Clacton

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

The headlines for Welsh HE are dire but well outlined in the Welsh Government review of HE ToR. Whilst it is great to see one of the UK governments recognising the scale of the issue, ultimately Wales is hampered by UK government purse-strings and (lack of) ambition. www.gov.wales/review-highe...

gov.wales

Review of higher education in Wales: terms of reference | GOV.WALES

The review of higher education in Wales will make recommendations on the funding and organisation of higher education.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

If you can wade through the management speak this FT piece paints the starkest picture of what comes next. Collapse, mergers, fewer staff covering more gaps, serious reduction in learning and research opportunities for students and economy. A doom loop in action.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

For the UCU watchers out there, we know they are legion, an insight into what happened at the most recent HEC and what/whether UCU is about to ballot for a national dispute. tldr: it isn't, yet.

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Larry & Paul @larryandpaul.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

🛑 EXCLUSIVE: Nigel Farage Resignation Speech (Translated) 👇🏻 Please do watch, like and share this latest #BrokenNews report. Otherwise you ARE the Establishment. youtu.be/uuwilrnxCtk

youtu.be

Breaking: Nigel Farage Resigns as MP - #BrokenNews

YouTube video by Larry & Paul

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Hurrah! Count Binface is standing in Clacton! Farage will rue the day he went head to bin with the independent space warrior from Sigma IX.

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Larry & Paul @larryandpaul.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

⚠️ BREAKING NEWS: Leave Nigel Farage Alone 🙏 Please watch and share the latest report from #BrokenNews youtu.be/X5Ifr4zGr-M

youtu.be

Leave Nigel Farage Alone - #BrokenNews

YouTube video by Larry & Paul

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Dr Dave Hitchcock @davehitchcock.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I am very glad to see how widely covered the insanity at Exeter is, but please I beg everyone, understand this is happening EVERYWHERE in UK universities. If people care about anything valuable that this sector does or contributes too, they need to get loud, now.

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Paolo Sandro @paolosandro.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

This is *pitch-perfect* from @davidallengreen.bsky.social on the Court of Appeal judgement in the Palestine Action case. And what a final quote. Highly recommended

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Dr Jo Edge 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @hagenilda.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Please sign this petition - now over 9k sigs - to stop the philistinic slashing of Humanities and Social Sciences staff at Exeter. #UCU #UKHE All solidarity with my brilliant friends and colleagues at @exeterucu.bsky.social

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Ben Phillips @benphillips1989.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

A statement from Exeter UCU branch @ucu.org.uk - please share far and wide.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

This is very good. "It [the EHRC] could have gone for a nice pleasant Adam West interpretation of the source material, but instead it went for the grim dark Christian Bale version"

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

'Sheffield Hallam University has abandoned plans to transfer staff to a subsidiary firm to save on pension costs ahead of expected falls in employer contribution rates next year.' 1/2

timeshighereducation.com

Sheffield Hallam drops plan to employ staff via subsidiary firm

University to keep employing academics directly after predictions that contribution rates to Teachers’ Pension Scheme will come down

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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Condemning riots isn't enough. We need policy action, including an immediate appraisal of X as a vehicle for coordinating far-right disorder. And we need political leadership, to challenge white nationalism as an idea, not to validate it daily and then complain when it turns violent.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Holy F. The horrible inevitability of Tip Toe is almost unbearable to watch. Almost. Dystopian and helllish. Most compelling drama of the year.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

A really interesting reflection from a 1st timer on last weeks UCU National Congress. 👇 I've more pithy reflections on the prime policy development body of UCU (IMHO it's fundamentally unfit-for-purpose) but these reflections from Michael Bartlett are helpful. ucucommons.org/comparing-th...

ucucommons.org

Comparing the UCU Congress with the Quakers' Britain Yearly Meeting

By Michael Bartlett UCU and the Quakers are in some ways similar institutions. Both have thousands of members across the UK, both are arranged in an inverted pyramid of local branches supported by re...

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

This is very clear, thoughtful and personally I think it is saying something important.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Criminal Record is criminally underrated, and sadly perfectly timed for the exploration of far-right mobilisation. The writing is superb. Cush Jumbo and Peter Capaldi tread the line between driven and broken and unlikeable. The supporting performances are consistently top notch. Worth your time.

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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

And it's not just any riot - it's a Farage riot

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Sylvia de Mars @sylviademars.me · 02/06/2026

Of course, the "university is for better jobs" model of marketisation has made that harder - we see less of students, we get to challenge them or cater to their interests less because of standardisation, we are drowning in admin that displaces learning ... if we're still employed at all. 3/

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Useful summary of what's happening, what happens at UCU Congress and some motions to look out for.

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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Good piece, brief and to the point from @drjogrady.bsky.social Gen Sec of UCU: “We are calling for direct government intervention before the crisis spirals further.” Intervention is cheaper than most think, and pound for pound excellent investment in our future economic prosperity.

politicshome.com

The government must intervene before the universities crisis worsens

During moments of political crisis it’s often said there are weeks when decades happen. This has been one such week.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Jeepers. Solidarity to all 2,700 staff facing this crisis at Uni of Nottingham, and those then impacted if implemented at this scale. Decisions and announcements of this sort show how broken HE and HE governance is in the UK. A Dundee-style inquiry gotta be incoming. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

University of Nottingham puts 2,700 staff at risk of redundancy

The University of Nottingham says it is facing

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

England only, but given the policy context (Student Finance England, migration policy, UKRI, various levels of legislative competence) the recommendations (p. 109 - 120) will be of interest across UKHE.

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Duncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Got about a third of the English local authority results and none of the Scottish or Welsh devolved administration results so far. Lots of post-match commentaries being written about 20 minutes into the game.

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Mic Wright @brokenbottleboy.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

It’s not an advert. It’s a threat.

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Rose Schmits @roseschmits.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Sorry to StarmPost but you gotta see the edit they put on this to try and jazz up his boring party broadcast from the other day truly another glorious edition of trying to make the charisma void seem dynamic. Indistinguishable from parody i love it

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Some interesting analysis and proposals in here. While there is a sense of this being one persons view this seems to me an example of both the sort of discussion and the sort of policy engagement that UCU needs to be facilitating - taking specific proposals to government.

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Marc Welsh @marcwelsh.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

In this world of deep fakes and AI I saw this and assumed it was one or the other. I've checked. It's real. This is the President of the United States of America.

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