Sign in

Sam Kinsley

@samkinsley.uk
1.1K followers 494 following 549 posts

Bristolian. Snr Lecturer Digital Geographies, Exeter. RGS-IBG Deputy Chair Digital Geographies Research Group. See also @geocritbot.uk

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Those who think AI is going to largely automate white collar jobs in the next couple of years don’t understand the nature of work - @sarahoconnorft.ft.com nails it www.ft.com/content/4aad...
It is not obvious that AI agents could eliminate the need for this type of work, since it involves persuasion, contestation and the exchange of tacit knowledge and experience that is spread across different departments, and often exists inside people's heads rather than in a neatly codified handbook on the intranet.
716447
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Dr_Aust_PhD @draustphd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Welcome to UK Academia in 2026. A toxic mix of managerial overreach & consultancy-prescribed 'efficiency sacking' (price of everything, value of nothing etc). All hugely enabled by Labour's bizarre attitude to the HE sector, one of the most Lab-voting bits of the UK. (Maybe not for much longer.)
043
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 11/09/2026
When the choice is between leaving with some money or leaving with very little money; when its contingent on signing NDAs; when coworkers only know half truths & whispered gossip; when senior management are remote & uncaring; & when the union only seems to see what they want: where is the humanity?
042
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Disney Prime Video + ᵖᵃʳᵒᵈʸ @disneyprimevideo.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The Mary Poppins Collection, only on Disney Prime
Top left: the original Mary Poppins, floating down over the logo
Top right: Mary Poppins Returns, with Emily Blunt smiling
Bottom left: Mary Poppins Forever, a green and dark blue logo with Mary Poppins' silhouette behind a question mark
Bottom right: Mary Poppins & Robin, starring Emily Blunt and Chris O'Donnell as Robin
271417420
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Colin Lorne @colinlorne.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
OpenSpace Research Centre: Doreen Massey Annual Event 2026 // Thursday 3rd September 6pm onwards Public exhibition & roundtable discussion (with Dave Featherstone) RGS/IBG fringe event Metroland Studios Kilburn, London, NW6 6PS Food & drink provided This event is free & open to everyone
165
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 20/08/2026
Registration open: RACE Azeezat Johnson Memorial Event 2026 The RACE group’s annual Azeezat Johnson Memorial Pre-conference Event will run 1st September, 2026, 9.30-12. This is a space to discuss the current … Registration open: RACE Azeezat Johnson Memorial Event 2026
samkinsley.com
Registration open: RACE Azeezat Johnson Memorial Event 2026
The RACE group’s annual Azeezat Johnson Memorial Pre-conference Event will run 1st September, 2026, 9.30-12. This is a space to discuss the current … Registration open: RACE Azeezat Johnson Memorial Event 2026
002
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
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
5173104
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 28/07/2026
Grease came out in 1978, it was about life in 1958. If it came out today it would be about life in 2006 🙈
011
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 21/07/2026
Financialisation of UK Higher Ed. & functional stupidity The higher education sector across the anglophone parts of the world, amongst others, is in continuing crisis. At present that crisis is most visible in the UK through the proposed, and implemented, redundancy programmes, real-terms cuts to…
samkinsley.com
Financialisation of UK Higher Ed. & functional stupidity
The higher education sector across the anglophone parts of the world, amongst others, is in continuing crisis. At present that crisis is most visible in the UK through the proposed, and implemented, redundancy programmes, real-terms cuts to overall investment in research and ongoing (at present - annual) national level pay disputes between the largest academic trade union and the employers group…
1109
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Dr Jo Edge 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @hagenilda.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Beyond sick of the inaction and head-in-the-sand from this government on HE.
02110
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Zack Whittaker @zackwhittaker.com · 22/07/2026
Most popular smart watches and fitness trackers aren't end-to-end encrypted, nor say how often governments demand access to users' data. My argument: If wearable makers don't want to disclose that they're turning over users' data to the feds, then the obvious fix is to end-to-end encrypt it.
this.weekinsecurity.com
Most fitness wearables lack end-to-end encryption and don't disclose government data demands, says EFF
Most fitness wearables don't use end-to-end encryption to protect users' health information, leaving open the door for government demands for data.
36026
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 21/07/2026
Without saying your age, what is your favourite film released the year you turned 18? youtu.be/3zlQYQ0ecA4?...
youtu.be
Any Jungle In Guy?
YouTube video by BikeMartyr
010
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 21/07/2026
Geography’s subject Conceptualisations of a ‘subject’ or subjectivity form part of a theoretical tradition variously theorising who, what and where the ‘human’ is in … Geography’s subject Nine years on and I think I still believe what I argued her about understandings of subjects/subjectivity in…
samkinsley.com
Geography’s subject
Conceptualisations of a ‘subject’ or subjectivity form part of a theoretical tradition variously theorising who, what and where the ‘human’ is in … Geography’s subject Nine years on and I think I still believe what I argued her about understandings of subjects/subjectivity in geography. I’d be interested to hear what others think…
020
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 21/07/2026
Financialisation of UK Higher Ed. & functional stupidity The higher education sector across the anglophone parts of the world, amongst others, is in continuing crisis. At present that crisis is most visible in the UK through the proposed, and implemented, redundancy programmes, real-terms cuts to…
samkinsley.com
Financialisation of UK Higher Ed. & functional stupidity
The higher education sector across the anglophone parts of the world, amongst others, is in continuing crisis. At present that crisis is most visible in the UK through the proposed, and implemented, redundancy programmes, real-terms cuts to overall investment in research and ongoing (at present - annual) national level pay disputes between the largest academic trade union and the employers group…
1109
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 17/07/2026
My melon is twisted and it isn’t down to illicit substances, early 90s rave music or the heat… I have Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. It’s not very nice…
010
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 17/07/2026
When I joined Exeter in 2013 I had applied for 52 jobs. I was nearing the end of my contract at UWE, I was so proud & excited to be joining a dept with so many of my academic heroes in it. It wasn’t perfect, the university already had problems, but geography was a hugely inspiring dept.
140
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 13/07/2026
Susan Smith, a geographer & outstanding scholar, on the crisis in U.K. HE
000
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Adam Rutherford @adamrutherford.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
I've signed and sent a letter - from authors, broadcasters, journalists, artists, scholars and performers - to express our deep concern at @exeter.ac.uk’s troubling plans to make mass redundancies within the Humanities Dept @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social. I would love it if you read and shared widely.
Dear Vice Chancellor, Provost, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Humanities,
Arts and Social Sciences and Chair of Council (cc Director of Human Resources and Chief Financial
Officer)
We write, as authors, broadcasters, journalists, artists, publishers, academics and performers in the public
sphere, to express our deep concern at the University of Exeter’s plans to make redundancies within the
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS). The cuts come at a point when Exeter is not in
deficit, and they are not distributed equally across the university. With 114 of the proposed 153 FTE
academic redundancies falling within HASS, the University is dismantling areas of established excellence
and international renown in a Russell Group University whose reputation is known to be outstanding in the
Humanities. Several of the disciplines subject to the proposed cuts, including Classics and Ancient History,
English and Creative Writing, History, and Theology and Religion are among the UK’s strongest according
to league tables, the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF),
and other recognised indicators, including QS World Rankings.
The extent of the proposed cuts is both shocking and misguided. Exeter is seeking to make up to 20
academics redundant in English and Creative Writing, out of a headcount of 62. In Languages and Visual
Culture upwards of 17 colleagues will be made redundant, decimating subjects including Art History and
Visual Culture, French, German, Italian, Hispanic Studies, Russian and Chinese. 5 posts will go or have
gone in Classics and Ancient History (2 academics have already left), out of a staff body of 20. In Theology
and Religion up to 5 academics will be made redundant out of a group of 13. In History over 17 colleagues
will be made redundant, out of a staff body of 53. In the Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies staff are
facing a headcount reduction of almost a third (6FTE out …
9224126
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Brett Christophers @brettchristophers.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
"why do fossil fuel companies plan to pump more than ever?" Sick of articles deploring growth in oil production without mentioning rich-world demand. One reason they pump more is we -- with our refusal to change our carbon-intensive ways -- ask them to. Don't ask oil firms to change if you won't.
theguardian.com
Fuel on the fire: why oil companies are profiting as the world gets dangerously hot
The scientific consensus is that burning fossil fuels drives the climate crisis, yet the world’s biggest oil companies are planning to increase production
2135
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
remember
Cartoon of a person holding a smaller person: 

The Tech Bro (“religious man” is crossed out and tech bro replaces it) fashions a God he can handle… A small replica of himself
130578
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Huw C. Davies @huwcdavies.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
My understanding is that we are already heading for climate catastrophe with 3 degrees of warming, which suggests US-led AI boosterism is lethal denialism. www.wri.org/insights/cli...
wri.org
What Would Cities Look Like With 3 Degrees C of Warming vs. 1.5? Far More Hazardous and Vastly Unequal
New data from WRI finds that in most cities, the difference between 3 degrees C and 1.5 degrees C of warming is sizable.
011
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
James Dyke @jamesgdyke.info · 30/06/2026
Can you help push the petition numbers over 20k? www.change.org/p/stop-redun... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Nearly 20K sign petition to stop University of Exeter job cuts
The university says the measures which would hit Devon and Cornwall posts were currently proposals.
0912
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Something deeply troubling & shocking is happening at Exeter University*, where a mass cull of staff is planned, even though it's in surplus. No good justifications given. @jamesgdyke.info provides the details: www.technosphere.earth/the-bonfire-... *Disclosure: I have a Visiting Fellowship here. +🧵
technosphere.earth
The bonfire of the humanities
150 academic posts at the University of Exeter are to be cut, most in the humanities but also in social sciences, engineering and environmental sciences
381042508
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 30/06/2026
051
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Adam Rutherford @adamrutherford.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
This is cultural suicide and intellectual vandalism. In an era where humanities-illiterate tech bros have unearned god-like powers, we need historians, philosophers, ethicists, classicists more than ever.
deplorable.is
416748
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 23/06/2026
153 academic jobs are proposed to be cut at Exeter. Just had the news. Process is going to be quick too. We will be told if we are part of those considered later today
13109
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Neil Norman And His Cosmic Orchestra @fubsyshabaroon.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
youtu.be
Adele Vs Eurythmics - 'Rolling In Sweet Dreams' by @DAFTBEATLES - www.daftbeatles.com
YouTube video by DAFT BEATLES MASHUPS
051
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 15/06/2026
There is a horrible irony to this question but(!): will anyone be doing any research on what work (if any) the thousands of academics that are being made redundant or quietly leaving academia go on to do? Obviously not the first time & won’t be the last, but worthwhile asking the question…
010
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Alan Greene @alangreene.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Being an academic in the UK is to be told that your research having a real-world impact is hugely important... only for you to wake up every day with the government announcing a new stupid policy clearly devoid of any fact-based evidence or underpinning research to justify it.
724064
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Tax Justice UK @taxjusticeuk.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
A trillionaire? In this economy? 🤑
22911
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
'We are clamping down on the harm caused by social media. 'Read all about it on the Nazi pogrom deepfake abuse website'
16259831861
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
The ways digitisation and AI impact our lives aren't just related to their outputs; they also profoundly change processes and how we relate to one another. An essay by me about forms and admin and people and how, frankly, working in the library is pretty cool. buttondown.com/justenoughin...
buttondown.com
Forms don't love you back
Some days, you just don't want to have to fill in another form. An essay (sorry) about AI and the coming formification of everything.
44713
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
BBC: “So what advice did David Hockney give to you?” BBC Guest: “Fuck everyone.”
371457459
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Roger Burrows @rogerjburrows.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Any VC/SMT/Council with the resource and even a small modicum of progressive and strategic sensibility would give this a new home.
041
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
What's it actually feel like to live through the decline and fall of mass Higher Education in Britain? Today I've written about this from the inside here... Hope you like it, and hope you find it useful. isrf.org/blog/what-do...
isrf.org
What Does It Feel Like to Live Under the Threat of Redundancy?
1012671
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Matthias Eberl @eberlmat.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Was "Let's charge exorbitant fees and make universities financially dependent on international students." Then "Let's make international students feel unwelcome in the country." And "Let's cut services and support." Now "Hey, why don't you come any more? Who's going to pay for our universities?"
bbc.com
University of Sussex aims to cut 200 jobs in £35m annual savings drive
Trade union Unison says the cuts will only heap "strain and uncertainty" on the staff who remain.
13621
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Shannon Mattern @shannonmattern.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
“19 full-time faculty members, 10 of them tenured, were told… that they’d been laid off… Dozens more have taken early-retirement or buyout offers… Among those laid off Monday was Sanjay G. Reddy, a professor of economics + prominent critic of the university’s financial management.”
chronicle.com
‘It’s Just Been Agony’: Facing a Big Deficit, the New School Begins Layoffs
One of New York’s most prominent universities has handed layoff notices to about 15 percent of its employees, marking its latest measure to rectify a $48-million budget deficit.
56235
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 02/06/2026
The sh*tstorm of negativity continues… a lot to unpack but I can’t help feeling that the way public sentiment is going we will simply be hung out to dry. There will be no help forthcoming. British universities are on our own Third of people say uni degree not worth it www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Student loan inquiry begins as a third of people say university degree not worth it
MPs will hear the concerns of graduates about the size of their student debts, and the interest rates.
110
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 30/05/2026
I’m a climate scientist. Let me fix this headline. “Nearly a century ago, scientists showed that burning fossil fuels warms the planet. Today, we know human emissions account for over 100% of the warming. Yet dark money and disinformation still work to keep Americans addicted to fossil fuels.”
380153255989
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 30/05/2026
The sun was in the sky, I was in the Dolman stand & Bristol Bears stuffed the team from down the A4, so all in all - a good day 💪🐻
010
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 27/05/2026
I don’t recommend trying mark in an office above 30 degrees. No idea why I did
000
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 27/05/2026
000
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
RGS-IBG Higher Ed @rgs-ibghe.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Congratulations to this year’s Society medal and award recipients, recognised for their outstanding contributions to geographical research. Learn more about some of this year’s recipients, working across the geography academic community, below 👇
166
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) @rgs.org · 14/05/2026
As the summer term kicks off, we're highlighting the valuable work our Research Groups do to support postgraduate and early-career colleagues, including career support and pre-Annual Conference events. Find out more, including recent examples, here 👉https://bit.ly/4tDUZOz
064
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 14/05/2026
Office media archaeology
010
Sam Kinsley @samkinsley.uk · 14/05/2026
If you are a British academic then unless you are one of a very small number of people your job is properly at risk, not hypothetically and maybe not today but it is at risk. I feel like that working assumption is missing from nearly every conversation I hear about uk academia rn.
020
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
Lorna Richardson @lornarichardson.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Blimey
theguardian.com
King’s College London to merge with Cranfield University
Merged institution will become second largest mainstream university in UK with about 47,000 students
2103
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
RGS-IBG Higher Ed @rgs-ibghe.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
📢 Launch Day! We're delighted to celebrate the publication of Laurie Parsons's new book, 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘺: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦, in the RGS-IBG Book Series. Read the full #OpenAccess book (LSE Press) ⬇️ ow.ly/5OkH50YV4O9
Two books in front of a bright orange circular sign on a brick wall for the Royal Geographical Society with IBG.Book titled 'Climate Hegemony' by Laurie Parsons on a wooden table with bookshelves and a window in the background.
088
Reposted by Sam Kinsley
The Ghost Of Gerald Cid @ghostofgeraldcid.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Wes Streeting plays videos on his phone on public transport without wearing headphones.
052