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Murray Pittock :

@murrayp.bsky.social
1.2K followers 472 following 207 posts

Pro VP U.Glasgow, personal views and evidence-based judgements only. 'You think that a wall as solid as the earth separates civilization from barbarism. I tell you the division is a thread, a sheet of glass'-John Buchan. murraypittock.com

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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
It will be a splendid occasion @oldstpublishing.bsky.social
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Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance (SAHA) @sahavoice.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
It's Doors Open Days in Edinburgh ✨️ Among the many venues, the US Consulate General opened its doors for visitors as part of the Consulate’s ongoing “America250” campaign to mark 250 years of American independence. SAHA co-Chair Prof @murrayp.bsky.social is delivering a talk on Thomas Paine
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Looking forward to giving this delayed #Freedom250 lecture in US Consulate General tomorrow. It's a good time to dwell on the roots of the term 'Common Sense'. @sahavoice.bsky.social @uofgnews.bsky.social @ahallardyce.bsky.social @asls.org.uk
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Just think of it as Menshevik karma.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
One of my best experiences in 2026 has been taking part in the AI seminar @kingscollege.bsky.social in May.Glasgow graduate Richard Susskind is a prophet on AI in SocSci & professions.Here's his latest book @uofgnews.bsky.social @eassh.bsky.social @ballioloxford.bsky.social tinyurl.com/bdzawn8e
tinyurl.com
The Future of Law: Reflections and Predictions: Amazon.co.uk: Susskind, Richard: 9780197919088: Books
Buy The Future of Law: Reflections and Predictions by Susskind, Richard (ISBN: 9780197919088) from Amazon's Book Store. Free UK delivery on eligible orders.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Chairing today-a most enlivening discussion on policy and place from the point of view of DCMS and AHRC.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Looking forward tomorrow to joint event between @sahavoice.bsky.social & @saslondon.bsky.social on Policy, Advocacy and Place: The Arts and Humanities in devolved & civic contexts & their impact. Speakers include @clairegorrara.bsky.social Tom Crick, Catherine O'Leary & @murrayp.bsky.social
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Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance (SAHA) @sahavoice.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This week SAHA co-Chair Prof @murrayp.bsky.social attended an event hosted by APPG Classics at the @houseoflords.parliament.uk as the guest of the Classical Association and the occasion of the launch of two new books, Humanities Forward and Classics and Public Policy
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
After Culloden: The British Army, Scotland and Imperial Policy in an Age of Global Conflict submitted to @oxfordunipress.bsky.social this morning in final form-scheduled for 27. Thanks to National Army Museum, @britishlibrary.bsky.social Stennis Hist Society, @natlibscot.bsky.social & all.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
In London this morning, signing @waterstones.bsky.social in Piccadilly & @hatchards.bsky.social @oldstpublishing.bsky.social @standrewsbookfest.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
An interesting reflection on rocketing costs: Don’t believe the hype. Peak Fringe may actually have passed open.substack.com/pub/edinburg...
open.substack.com
Don’t believe the hype. Peak Fringe may actually have passed
Will Quinn on the glory and frustrations of the Fringe - and its curiously empty halls
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Petra Johana Poncarová @poncarova.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
After a long embargo, it is finally out: my ERC Starting Grant #ERCStG @erc.europa.eu has been funded. The 5-year project on creatively active new users of Celtic languages in the 19th and early 20th century starts in Jan 27 at @ff.unikarlova.cuni.cz. For news, follow us at @erc-nudgers.bsky.social.
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Ricky Pound @whitegoldsword1708.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
This book is a succinct but panoramic history of Scotland from one of its greatest historians, and it comes highly recommended. @murrayp.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Signing @edbookfest.bsky.social yesterday & at Blackwell's Edinburgh & @edinburghbookshop.bsky.social . Thanks to everyone who has kept @oldstpublishing.bsky.social Shortest History of Scotland in bestseller charts for 4 months running.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Encountering 300 of the first reprinting to sign at Toppings @oldstpublishing.bsky.social @asls.org.uk @ahallardyce.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
@scottishfield.bsky.social this month- putting the achievements of Adam Smith in Wealth of Nations in front of a wider audience it their 250th anniversary. @uofgnews.bsky.social @ballioloxford.bsky.social @ahallardyce.bsky.social
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Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance (SAHA) @sahavoice.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
These can cover not only music, dance, theatre and film, but also museum studies, history, art history, copyright law and tourism, as well as the economic value of literary and cultural figures and festivals. Read @murrayp.bsky.social's article on the Digital & Cultural Economy Working Group below
saha.scot
The Digital and Cultural Economy | SAHA: The Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance
A joint initiative of Scottish Higher Education institutions, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Looking forward to welcoming two new Research Associates tomorrow for the @edfringe.bsky.social Economic Impact Assessment as we enter another Festival season. My report-supported by @ukri.org World Class Labs will measure the value of the Fringe to the economy & as a global brand.
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newsarea.bsky.social @newsarea.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Study to examine economic impact of Edinburgh Festival Fringe A new study will look at the economic and social impact of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Professor Murray Pittock, Pro-Vice-Principal at the University of Glasgow, has been commissioned to carry out the research. It will examine how…
news-area.com
Study to examine economic impact of Edinburgh Festival Fringe
A new study will look at the economic and social impact of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Professor Murray Pittock, Pro-Vice-Principal at the University of Glasgow, has been commissioned to carry out the research. It will examine how the Edinburgh Festival Fringe supports jobs and businesses and contributes to Scotland’s wider cultural economy. While there have ... Read more The post Study to examine economic impact of Edinburgh Festival Fringe first appeared on The Scottish Banner .
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
So @profserious.bsky.social is travelling in the right direction here, but the reason the value narrative is not cutting through is that it has not been adopted fully by A & H -small units and disciplinary defensiveness are well behind the curve that @ukri.org has pioneered. @sahavoice.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
The fundamental issue is that HE is not an electoral priority and has not succeeded in making itself one. To some extent that is on HE itself, to some extent on a political and cultural environment which believes there is 'too much' of something that China and India believe there is not enough of.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Lovely morning @robertgordonuni.bsky.social receiving the honorary degree of D.Litt as a 'leading historian, public intellectual and university leader'. Thanks to Prof Peter Reid, Principal Steve Olivier and Chair of Governors Colin Hunter for their support & hospitality @ahallardyce.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Lovely morning at @robertgordonuni.bsky.social receiving the honorary degree of D.Litt as a 'leading historian, public intellectual and university leader'. Thanks to Prof Peter Reid, Principal Steve Olivier and Chair of Governors Colin Hunter for their support & hospitality @ahallardyce.bsky.social
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Alanna MacTavish @alannamactavish.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Happy to be co-organising this exciting conference on 15 October, exploring Aberdeen's enduring legacy and featuring contributions from celebrated scholars including @murrayp.bsky.social. Register at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/40-years-o...
eventbrite.co.uk
40 Years On: Aberdeen, Enlightenment, and Global Legacies (Online)
Join us in Aberdeen to celebrate academic progress since the landmark 1986 conference (see separate link for in-person participation).
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Signing again in Toppings today, second big order @oldstpublishing.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Excellent afternoon with @christophersmith.bsky.social engaging on AHRC policy, strategy and outlook in the context of @ukri.org & UK government strategy- hosted by @sahavoice.bsky.social and @royalsoced.bsky.social Colleagues from across the sector in Scotland really enjoyed themselves !
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Old Street Publishing @oldstpublishing.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
A Complete History of Medieval Scotland - in 51 minutes - from The Shortest History of Scotland author Murray Pittock on the Gone Medieval podcast from HistoryHit. @murrayp.bsky.social shows.acast.com/gone-medieva...
shows.acast.com
A Complete History of Medieval Scotland | Gone Medieval
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Looking forward to this next week-thank you @robertgordonuni.bsky.social @ahallardyce.bsky.social @sahavoice.bsky.social @asls.org.uk @scga.scot @eassh.bsky.social www.rgu.ac.uk/news/news-20...
rgu.ac.uk
Homecoming honour for leading historian as career-ready graduates are celebrated | RGU
The academic accomplishments of more than 1,600 students will be celebrated next week when Robert Gordon University hosts its Summer Graduation ceremonies.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Great idea from @paulinemackay.bsky.social & @neilmcdonnell.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2622005...
heraldscotland.com
World’s oldest football brought to life through cutting-edge 3D technology
A 16th-century football believed to be the world’s oldest is being digitally preserved using advanced 3D technology.
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Old Street Publishing @oldstpublishing.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
'For many of us, Scottish history is an area of knowledge where we’re sadly lacking. Murray Pittock’s THE SHORTEST HISTORY OF SCOTLAND is the perfect book to help fill those gaps... This may be The Shortest History of Scotland, but it’s one of the best.' @snackmag.bsky.social @murrayp.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Signing at the Watermill Bookshop, Aberfeldy today- what a great place & the Shortest History going very fast @oldstpublishing.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Meeting people and talking to them is the simplest antidote to believing rubbish about them emanating from remote third parties.
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Alanna MacTavish @alannamactavish.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
With the 'war' on humanities in Scottish universities, Pittock’s is the best defence I have encountered. “The humanities ‘frame’ the world". Have a read.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Pleased to be speaking on @euerasmusplus.bsky.social @horizoneu.bsky.social & other opportunities for Scottish EU alignment at @euromovescotland.bsky.social today @eassh.bsky.social @stephengethins.bsky.social @ahallardyce.bsky.social @sahavoice.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Looking forward to the @brirechamber.bsky.social HE conference on Thursday on the eve of Ireland's Presidency as FP10 @horizoneu.bsky.social crystallizes. The interests of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences will be critical in the years ahead @eassh.bsky.social @sahavoice.bsky.social
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Neil Mackay @neilmackay.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
I met Prof Murray Pittock, Scotland’s leading public intellectual, to talk about attacks on the arts at university by rightwing politicians. What I learned about the state of education shocked me. Perhaps I’m a product of a very different system in the last century but something has gone badly wrong
heraldscotland.com
Professor Murray Pittock speaks out on concerning university changes in Scotland
Professor Murray Pittock is the leading expert on liberal arts education. He shocks our Writer at Large who can’t believe how times have changed…
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Looking forward to an in-depth discussion of AI in policy and society in Cambridge at the end of this week with old friends and new @kingscollege.bsky.social
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
1000 Years of Scottish History, YTN South Korea....
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Two posts to support the @edinburghfringe.bsky.social Economic Impact Assessment close in a few days' time. Details here: www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/research...
jobs.gla.ac.uk
Research Assistant/Associate
Job PurposeTo carry out the supporting work and make a strong contribution to the AHRC research contract, ‘The Edinburgh Festival Fringe: an Economic Impact Assessment’, working with and reporting ...
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University of Glasgow @glasgow.ac.uk · 22/05/2026
A new study will explore the economic & cultural impact of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Led by @glasgow.ac.uk @murrayp.bsky.social and supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, it will look at jobs, tourism and how the Fringe supports creative careers. More: gla.ac/3REupY9
A street performer balances and jumps through red hoops during an outdoor performance on a busy city street, while a crowd of spectators watches and takes photos in the background. Photo Credit: David Monteith-Hodge Photographise
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
www.scotswhayhae.com/post/caledon...
scotswhayhae.com
Caledonian Chronicles: The Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Talks To Murray Pittock...
For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Professor Murray Pittock to talk about his latest book The Shortest History of Scotland, which is published with Old Street Publishing Ltd."From Col...
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Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco @joshpizpom.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
He put a price tag on Robert Burns. Now, Murray Pittock has his sights on Scotland's favourite festival - The Edinburgh Fringe. My interview for @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2612724...
heraldscotland.com
Fringe with benefits: Murray Pittock puts price tag on Scotland's favourite festival
Pittock is reflecting on the remarkable success of the Fringe, which has taken over the streets of Scotland’s capital every August for eight…
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BooksfromScotland.com @booksfromscotland.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Head over to the BfS website to read our Q&A with Scotland’s leading historian, Murray Pittock, about his latest release ‘The Shortest History of Scotland’. 🔗 Click the link below to take you there now! booksfromscotland.com/2026/05/the-...
booksfromscotland.com
The Shortest History of Scotland: A Q & A with Murray Pittock - Books from Scotland
'We need to be better aware of that to understand the challenges and achievements of the past, and to use them to assess the present and be confident in addressing it.'
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Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance (SAHA) @sahavoice.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
SAHA co-Chair Professor Murray Pittock ( @murrayp.bsky.social | @glasgow.ac.uk) has been commissioned to examine how the #Fringe supports jobs and businesses across #Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland. Read the article on @heraldscotland.bsky.social 👇
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
The key issue is not non English nationalism but Brexit, which encouraged delusive hopes, nourished arrogant introspection & whose economic failure- just read the large number of studies, don't troll- has intensified the miserabilism,disappointment & exceptionalism that led to it in the first place.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Busy but positive times with The Shortest History of Scotland @oldstpublishing.bsky.social @sahavoice.bsky.social @royalhistsoc.org @asls.org.uk @scga.scot @scothistorysociety.bsky.social @iassl.bsky.social - Copies racing out of the door !
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Old Street Publishing @oldstpublishing.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Murray Pittock will be discussing his new book The Shortest History of Scotland this evening at Waterstones Glasgow Argyle Street. @murrayp.bsky.social: www.waterstones.com/events/the-h...
waterstones.com
The History of Scotland in an Hour with Murray Pittock | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about The History of Scotland in an Hour with Murray Pittock today.
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Tonight
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Happening today and tomorrow. A lovely conference arranged by Sabrina Juillet Garzon and colleagues in Scotland
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Murray Pittock : @murrayp.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The latest confirmation of what research has been telling us since the 1990s. Culture is a drug without side effects @sahavoice.bsky.social
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