iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

👇BISA conference dates moved by 2 weeks to avoid clash with Oasis gigs which have caused ⬆️ ££££ hotel prices in Manchester. I always preferred Blur anyway.

010

Reposted by Simon Rushton

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

📣 #BISA2027 date change - 30 June - 2 July 📣 Recently announced Oasis concerts coinciding with the original conference dates have had a significant impact on hotel availability and prices for delegates. The move will help keep the conference accessible. Read more 👉 ow.ly/p1Fp50ZQWPC

Conference 2027
Manchester, UK
diaCityUK
Fragmenting orders, shared futures:
Global politics in turbulent times
Call for papers out now
Website: conference.bisa.ac.uk
Submissions open:
28 September
NEW DATES!!
30 June - 2
July 2027

4104

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Hilariously, the Liz Truss bit is the sanest part of the whole press release. The rest is pure AI word salad. After reading it I’ve still no idea who Roundtable are or what they do. But they say both Truss and AI are involved, so I’m sure it’s worth investing in. 🤨

000

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The (apparently deliberate) destruction of UK Higher Education continues apace. It appears that neither the UK nor Scottish governments care, and there are no ways left of holding university managers accountable. A complete disaster for the sector, and for society.

033

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Call for papers is out for the @mybisa.bsky.social 2027 conference in Manchester. Details below 👇

010

Reposted by Simon Rushton

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Register now for our 2027 virtual conference #VirtualBISA2027 🎉 The draft programme is out and registration is now open - we cannot wait to see you online on 11 - 13 January! 🌟 All information here! 👉 ow.ly/fFaw50ZKvUZ @julietdryden.bsky.social City St George's, University of London

133

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Lots of friends and colleagues today asking me how best to support the Nepal floods relief effort. Many good organisations are working in Nepal, but I can vouch for PHASE Nepal as one who will make sure help gets to those who need it most. Please help if you can: www.globalgiving.org/projects/eme...

globalgiving.org

011

Reposted by Simon Rushton

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Our 2027 virtual conference #VirtualBISA2027 draft programme is out - check your emails! 🎉 Registration is open and we cannot wait to see you online! 🌟 All information here! 👉 ow.ly/se5x50ZClvq Simon Rushton Jamie J. Hagen @julietdryden.bsky.social City St George's, University of London

BISA
Studies
Association
Virtual Conference 2027
Conflict and cooperation in a changing world
11-13 January
Online via Zoom
Register now!
Website: virtualconference.bisa.ac.uk
#VirtualBISA2027

358

Reposted by Simon Rushton

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 13/08/2026

They're ready for university. But are our universities ready for them? 10,000+ jobs gone. Courses cut. Staff stretched to breaking point. Students deserve better. #SaveHigherEducation #ucu

0136

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

It’s irrelevant whether Nick Robinson thinks this was a ‘gotcha’, the BBC will plough on in its unending attempts to establish actual fascists as legitimate voices in UK politics. It worked for Farage and will work for the even more odious Lowe too. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Is King Charles a ‘white Briton’? Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe won’t say

Lowe questioned on BBC about definition in report for hard-right party that both parents need to be born in UK

051

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Medical Research UK @medicalresearchuk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

📣 Announcing our latest Changing Policy and Practice funding awards! 📣 This will allow researchers to maximise the real-world impact of their Foundation or @ukri.org MRC-funded work and turn medical research into action. Congratulations to the eight researchers awarded! 👉 bit.ly/44UCUBR

021

Reposted by Simon Rushton

HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 29/07/2026

Rupert Lowe claims to detest far-right ethnonationalism and neo-Nazism. Yet a string of extremists have been out campaigning for Restore candidate Marlon West ahead of Thursday’s Greater Manchester mayoral election.

23318156

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Timely reminder of where UUK are coming from, and how they continue to do such a poor job of making the political case for HE. Education is a public good. The investment in it should be made by the state. Tuition fees should be abolished and universities directly funded by government.

010

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Really interesting research that shows the limits of information provision for creating behaviour change. Radical idea I know, but I think we could all get together and agree to elect a group of people who we could then ask to regulate away dangerous products. That might improve safety for us all?

010

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

The Tories used to call themselves “ the party of law and order”.

020

Reposted by Simon Rushton

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

'Conflict and cooperation in a changing world' 🌍 The deadline to submit papers for #VirtualBISA2027 is approaching 🌟 Find all information here! 👉 virtualconference.bisa.ac.uk @simonrushton.bsky.social @jamiejhagen.bsky.social @julietdryden.bsky.social @citystgeorges.bsky.social

BISA Virtual Conference 2027 on conflict and cooperation, held online via Zoom from January 11-13, with submissions due June 19.

31012

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Government policies don’t help of course, but VCs across the country continue to actively pursue the complete destruction of arts and humanities in UK universities. A catastrophic failure of individual and collective leadership.

041

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Mark Pendleton @markpendleton.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Sheffield staff who took strike action are being locked out again next week for refusing to replace teaching lost to the strike. But in a strange twist, next week is still a teaching week for us. So management’s brilliant actions have knocked out another week of teaching for no reason.

155

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

So incredibly grim. Supporting and advising my students is by far the most important (and rewarding) part of my job. Why are universities so keen to AI themselves out of existence?

0123

Reposted by Simon Rushton

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Don't forget our submissions of papers for our 2027 virtual conference #VirtualBISA2027 are OPEN NOW 🌟 'Conflict and cooperation in a changing world' 🌍 All information here! 👉 ow.ly/Ask950YY2ek Simon Rushton Jamie J. Hagen @julietdryden.bsky.social City St George's, University of London

Virtual Conference 2027 by BISA on conflict and cooperation, held online via Zoom from January 11-13.

034

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Mark Pendleton @markpendleton.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Back on strike with @sheffielducu.bsky.social. Why? Management is pushing ahead with restructures despite sitting on £200m+ in reserves. Along with colleagues in East Asian Studies, I also find out in 12 days how many of us they want to fire. No justification is deemed necessary by management.

88137

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I, for one, was shocked to discover yesterday that a detailed vetting process had uncovered something that no-one had previously suspected: Peter Mandelson, it turns out, is a wrong ‘un!

010

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Jules Skotnes-Brown @julesskotnesbrown.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

JOB ALERT: Two 4.5 year postdoctoral positions to work on my Wellcome-funded project 'Conserving Global Health: Biodiversity Protection and the Prehistory of Planetary Health'. Please share widely! CLOSING DATE: 23 April (the date on Jobs.ac.uk is apparently incorrect)

24658

Reposted by Simon Rushton

William Shakespeare @shakespeare.lol · 20/03/2026

How dost thou, chuck?

829856

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

As a member of the BISA executive committee, I’d highly recommend this as a good use of your time. Good people doing a lot of work to promote and support the discipline.

032

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

That Starmer keeps Mahmood in post shows this is not just the actions of an inhumane Home Secretary, but a deeper rooted ideology of hostility and xenophobia within this government. No-one benefits from blocking Chevening scholars. This is cruelty for sake of it. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Home Office

Home Office refuses to exempt exceptional students from tough immigration rules

Exclusive: Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper concerned about student visa ban on female Chevening scholars from volatile countries such as Afghanistan

Pippa Crerar Political editor

Tue 10 Mar 2026

The Home Office rejected an appeal from the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, that would have protected outstanding students in some of the world's most dangerous countries from changes to the UK's immigration system, the Guardian understands.

11288101

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

4 x Postdoc opportunities for researchers interested in human-animal relations. I genuinely can’t think of a better group of people to work with. Check out their explanation of the opportunities here: digitalmedia.sheffield.ac.uk/media/Multis...

digitalmedia.sheffield.ac.uk

Multispecies Mutualisms - Join Our Research Team!

We’re hiring 4 Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs) In this video, members of the team share insights into four exciting PDRA opportunities currently available. If you are ready to take the next s...

110

Reposted by Simon Rushton

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

The registration deadline for #BISA2026 is today ‼️ Join us in Brighton in June: 'Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions' 🎉 Register now 👉 conference.bisa.ac.uk Simon Rushton @julietdryden.bsky.social VisitBrighton Juanita Elias

013

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

The Tories’ real rivals are now the Monster Raving Looney Party, Count Binface, and other assorted eccentrics hoping to attract a few hundred protest votes.

010

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 27/02/2026

MATTHEW BADLOSS IS IT

19988133

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Tarik Abou-Chadi @tabouchadi.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Insulting his constituents, Matt Goodwin does the most Matt Goodwin thing. Blaming others for failing to see his brilliance. Academics first, now voters. This sentiment is driving his radicalisation. Maybe even people at Reform will realise that it‘s a very bad quality for a politician to have.

618739

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Exactly this. The only answer is making the positive case for the benefits of migration into the UK. Starmer’s Labour are far too cowardly to do that so instead we lurch ever further right, in the process doing incalculable harm to immigrants, UK-born minorities, and the country as a whole.

032

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Theory: people who have their own private islands are up to no good. (Only potential exception I can think of to this general rule is St Cuthbert).

020

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Lisa Stampnitzky 🤷🏻‍♀️ @lisastampnitzky.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Received official notice today that my employer will be withholding 100% of pay for the next three weeks, to myself and all other members of @sheffielducu.bsky.social who refuse (as is our legal right, and our solidaristic duty) to reschedule classes cancelled due to strike action. Outrageous.

12118

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Mark Pendleton @markpendleton.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Well that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...

Screenshot of email that reads: “This status will remain in place until the University receives notification that you are no longer participating in that action. During this period, any work undertaken will be regarded as voluntary.”

18199148

Reposted by Simon Rushton

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR #BISA2026!! Take a look at the conference programme and register now via the conference website: conference.bisa.ac.uk Participant registration deadline: 2 March See you in Brighton 🌊🏖️ @simonrushton.bsky.social @julietdryden.bsky.social @visitbrighton.bsky.social

51220

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Matheus Duarte @alvesduarte.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Two weeks left to apply for a postdoc position on my project! I'm looking for historians, anthropologists, STS and Global Health researchers with a broad interest in #Brazil, #rural populations, #health, #medicine, and #zoonosis. For more information👇

02131

Reposted by Simon Rushton

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Nominations for our annual BISA prizes have opened today! 🎉 Recognising excellence & achievement through research & teaching in the field of International Studies! 🌟 Open until the 3 February & presented at our annual conference find all info here 👉https://www.bisa.ac.uk/members/prizes

BISA annual prizes nomination call highlighting awards for distinguished contribution, thesis, books, working group, EDI, and teaching with a February 3, 2026 deadline.

025

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

More good things for London. Screw the north. 🤬

031

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Kashana @kashana.blacksky.app · 03/01/2026

It’s a dark night when you look at the news and are forced to admit that you no longer believe in the power of the FIFA peace prize

4558811257

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Unbelievably, it's been 25 years since we lost Kirsty MacColl yet the beauty of her music and her memory still resonate. Here's a song I wrote for her to sing in the 1995 movie 'Mad Love'. www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWjl...

youtube.com

Kirsty MacColl - As Long As You Hold Me

YouTube video by PassionateFriend

2454789

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Like the Post Office Horizon scandal before it, a story that has been covered for years and years by Private Eye without national newspapers apparently noticing. Lots more money siphoned off while everyone else looked away.

020

Reposted by Simon Rushton

Dan Davies @dsquareddigest.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Nearly every Take relating to this has been done except one, which is - why would the European leaders take advice from Starmer on how to beat the far right? Who among them envies his popularity or admires the sagacity of his advisors? www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...

theguardian.com

Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right

Exclusive: PM calls for members of European convention on human rights to allow tougher action to protect borders

18333104

Simon Rushton @simonrushton.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Sensible universities see their staff as assets to be nurtured and protected. Foolish universities see them as a cost to be minimised. Really stupid universities see them as an enemy to be defeated. @sheffielducu.bsky.social

2189