iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 24/09/2026

New from History UK: a valuable and interesting survey of UK history students use of and attitudes towards GenAI in HE teaching - their preliminary report is published today: bit.ly/4hatsRR The report is by Dr Sarah Jones and Dr Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social #skystorians

Opening page of History UK's statement on their survey and report on AI and History Students in UK universities. Full text:

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become impossible to ignore in higher education. For historians, working in a discipline which depends on interpretation, evidence, and critical thinking, the development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has raised particularly significant questions. In 2026, we launched a survey to gather the perspectives of people who are often overlooked in considerations of the impact of AI and appropriate responses – history students themselves.

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

In light of Jim Ratcliffe saying stupid things about immigration yet again, just resharing something I wrote in February after his last idiotic rant: theconversation.com/how-immigran...

theconversation.com

How immigrants hoping for a better life in Britain came to be viewed as ‘colonisers’ or ‘invaders’

Immigration is fuelled by people moving for work, family or better opportunities.

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Leonie V. Hicks @lvhicks.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Today my heart is with all colleagues facing redundancy (some for the umpteenth time), who were made redundant over the summer or who have simply had enough and left. Our sector is having its guts ripped out.

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

History and AI – A Survey of History Students in UKHE Our preliminary project report explores anonymous responses from more than 600 history students across all regions and types of institutions in the UK. @callingdrjones.bsky.social www.history-uk.ac.uk/projects/his...

history-uk.ac.uk

History and AI – A Survey of History Students in UK Universities

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become impossible to ignore in higher education. For historians, working in a discipline which depends on interpretation, evidence, and critical thinking, the devel…

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Exeter UCU @exeterucu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.

photo of Nicole Kidman looking incredibly joyful and free after her divorce from Tom Cruise was finalised

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Alistair King @alistairking.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Struggling to work out why Jenrick would single out these three Commonwealth countries rather than, say, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, whose citizens have exactly the same rights. It’s a head-scratcher.

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Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 14/08/2026

This is the coverage of Arday **just in the Telegraph** in the UK. This is only the first four pages of results, just in one outlet.

Ä14
Jason Arday found dead
2 hours ago — Mr Arday was found •unresponsive• at an address in Battersea. south London. on Froy
afternoon. He was uter pronounced dead at the scene. A Read rnore
Jason Arday says he was an illiterate, mute child. His .
6 hours ago — Jason Arday says he was an i&erate. mute child. Cambridge's youngest-ever black
professor in 2023. Arday attended from the age of four to 11
r— mm-WI 3
A PhD is no longer a sign of brilliance — take it from Dr Arday
1 day aeo — Juon Arday resigns from the Unwersity of Cambrdge after The Telegraph reports he had
falseb• claimed to have pubåshed a book
We are all Jason Arday now
S days ago — Jason Arday resons from the University of Cambridge after The Telegraph reports he had
falsew cGimed to have published a book Aug 7.2028. Read more
Cambridge professor claimed he was on Seven Up..
2 Aug 2026 — He was not bom until 1985. Prof Arday is at the centre of a row about academk
plagiarism after The Tekgragh that he had been accused
The Jason Arday 'memoir' that now appears to be more .
7 days ago — Instead of tales of triumph over adversity. the now-fomer Cambridge professors
autob"qraphy is a case study in self-rnythobgising,
Arday failed to mention 'months-long coma' in autobiography
8 days ago — Jason Arday toz publishers he was k•ft a three-month coma fohwhg a car gash. but
never wrote about the ordeal his memoirs_
Jason Arday is living proof that you reap what you sow
6 Aug 2028 — The Cambridge professor feed plagiarism alegations and made fantastical clä'ns about
his life. so what did he expect woUz happen? Read rmre
ÄIO
Arday 'accused student of Miite privilege' after she
4 days ago — Forrner Cambrdge professor alleged* htplied that Roehamptm student was racist after
cornplaint about essay SOOre.
Jason Arday is rnerely a symptom of the Leffs corruption
Aug 2026 — Lab-curs on school standards is on the same toxic assumptions that created his
academic career.
Cambridge hired Arday after 'listening to black stu…

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Ewan Gibbs @ewangibbs.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Just remember this message is aimed at your children not theirs.

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Caræsten 🇵🇸 @cara.city · 09/08/2026

insane quote

leaving his firm "hundreds of calls". "Actually we went quite close to some real Bronze Age remains, but we avoided Dobby's grave," he said.

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Jack Saundrs @jacksaundrs.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Swear to god, all national newspaper university commentary is just "it is bad that the thing we demanded had the intended effect"

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Institute of Historical Research @ihr.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Are you considering career options after a PhD in History or a related subject? Join @historylabplus.bsky.social colleagues for this session with a fantastic panel of History PhD graduates who have all taken their skills into a variety of areas beyond HE. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

history.ac.uk

Finding a Role: Using History PhD Skills Beyond HE

History Lab+ Training

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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 04/08/2026

Thank you to all who attended today's meeting on the 'Crisis in UK HE: the Future for History'. Very valuable proposals in difficult times for history in HE / UK HE more widely. We've also a new guide bit.ly/4z1fAjO listing 100+ UK #history societies & networks supporting historians #Skystorians

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Greg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Horrible news 😞— Once is a gorgeous movie with the most sublime soundtrack

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Marc Palen @mwpalen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Cracked 28,000 signatures today, thank you! Hopefully more good media coverage as a result (looking your way @lbc.co.uk @mrjamesob.bsky.social ) #DefendExeterUni

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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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Dr Charlie Gardner @charliejgardner.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Reform UK councillors have introduced a motion to rescind King's Lynn and West Norfolk's climate emergency declaration and deprioritise decarbonisation efforts The council were going to vote on it on Thursday But the meeting has been postponed due to extreme heat

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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 28/05/2026

How do we enhance the engagement of history students in their degree programmes? A new article - 'Rethinking Engagement: Insights from UK History Departments' - bit.ly/4viEKru, by Sarah Jones and Simon Peplow offers discipline-specific proposals. Latest Open Access article in 'Transactions' 1/2

Front page of Transactions of the Royal Historical Society article: 'Rethinking Engagement: Insights from UK History Departments', by Sarah Jones and Simon Peplow.

Full abstract: 'This comment examines the shifting landscape of student engagement in UK history departments, drawing on research conducted at the universities of Bristol and Warwick. Moving beyond narrow definitions of engagement as attendance, the study explores the complex interplay of workload pressures, relationships and community, and the cultures and environments of learning that shape students’ everyday experiences. Student testimony highlights how financial precarity, mental‑health challenges and competing demands on their time profoundly influence how (and indeed if) they engage. At the same time, factors – ranging from staff/student interactions to seminar atmosphere and assessment design – are powerful determinants of whether students feel able and motivated to participate fully. While acknowledging the broader socio‑economic forces that constrain both staff and students, the comment proposes a set of principled, discipline‑specific approaches centred on reflection, communication, adaptability and compassion. It argues that, although no single solution can resolve the problem of engagement, history departments can meaningfully support students by cultivating inclusive, responsive and relational learning environments.'

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Sarah Jones @callingdrjones.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

We argue that, though there is no single solution to the ‘wicked problem’ of student engagement, history departments can meaningfully support students by cultivating inclusive, responsive, and relational learning environments.

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University (1-2.30pm, Thursday 26 March) www.tickettailor.com/events/histo... Dr David Brown will lead discussions on what skills we might expect students to arrive at university with, and how to best support them to thrive. #historyeducation #academicsky

tickettailor.com

Select tickets – History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University – Teams

History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University – Teams, Thu 26 Mar 2026 - There is an increasing acknowledgement that, in order to best support students to thrive at university, we need to think...

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

tickettailor.com

Select tickets – History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University – Teams

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Our next History UK Pedagogy Forums focus on transitions to studying history at university (1-2.30pm, 26 March), and digital pedagogies in HE history teaching (3-4.30pm, 15 April). More info 👇 Please share, see you there! #historyeducation #academicsky historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/events/2025-...

historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk

2025-2026 History UK Pedagogy Forum

We are pleased to announce the return of History UK’s Pedagogy Forum. A new series of online discussions about different aspects of teaching and learning will resume in July 2025, with variou…

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Alfie Steer @alfiesteer.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

The sudden growth of the Green Party is an extraordinary, and still under analysed, development in British politics, with longer term origins than most people think. A while ago I wrote about the first Green Party elected to Parliament. No it wasn’t Caroline Lucas.

historyofparliament.com

Cynog Dafis: Britain's first Green MP? - The History of Parliament

While Caroline Lucas is commonly referred to as Britain's first Green Member of Parliament, Cynog Dafis, who entered parliament as the Plaid Cymru MP for

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Dr Keighley Perkins @perkinskeighley.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

This was a fascinating read by @simpep.bsky.social who explores how the language surrounding immigrants has developed over time. 🔗 tinyurl.com/hnubwswd 🧵👇 #langsky #linguistics #immigration

tinyurl.com

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Reminder of next week's History UK Pedagogy Forum - online discussion of narratives around the 'Value' of a history degree (3-4.30pm, Tuesday 24 February 2026). Lots to talk about!! @callingdrjones.bsky.social #historyeducation #academicsky Book here: historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/events/2025-...

historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk

2025-2026 History UK Pedagogy Forum

We are pleased to announce the return of History UK’s Pedagogy Forum. A new series of online discussions about different aspects of teaching and learning will resume in July 2025, with variou…

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

I was asked to write a short historical overview of why immigration to the UK has been so often portrayed as "an invasion", and how it's linked to empire and things like the "great replacement" far-right conspiracy theory: theconversation.com/how-immigran...

theconversation.com

How immigrants hoping for a better life in Britain came to be viewed as ‘colonisers’ or ‘invaders’

Immigration is fuelled by people moving for work, family or better opportunities.

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk

2025-2026 History UK Pedagogy Forum

We are pleased to announce the return of History UK’s Pedagogy Forum. A new series of online discussions about different aspects of teaching and learning will resume in July 2025, with variou…

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Our History UK Pedagogy Forum returns for 2026, beginning with a timely online discussion on narratives around the 'Value' of a history degree (3-4.30pm, Tuesday 24 February 2026) Please do share, hope to see you there! #historyeducation #academicsky historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/events/2025-...

historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk

2025-2026 History UK Pedagogy Forum

We are pleased to announce the return of History UK’s Pedagogy Forum. A new series of online discussions about different aspects of teaching and learning will resume in July 2025, with variou…

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk

2025-2026 History UK Pedagogy Forum

We are pleased to announce the return of History UK’s Pedagogy Forum. A new series of online discussions about different aspects of teaching and learning will resume in July 2025, with variou…

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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Labour's changes to immigration rules, including potentially applying them retroactively, would be some of the most draconian anti-immigration policies in decades. They're the hostile environment on speed. This is pure cruelty as policy, with absolutely no merit to them archive.today/2026.02.03-2...

Dozens of Labour MPS threaten rebellion over Mahmood migration crackdown

Under new rules, migrants would have to wait at least 10 years to apply for indefinite leave to remain

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Excellent article but stark reminder that for all the perceptions of universities as ivory towers for elites, they are actually vital hubs in towns n cities supporting local businesses and providing key services as well as education….

theguardian.com

‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?

When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...

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Dr Imogen Knox (she/her) @imogenknox.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Enjoyed this conversation with @simpep.bsky.social and @callingdrjones.bsky.social for History UK - a great opportunity to reflect on my teaching experiences as a PGR and how they have formed my ECR teaching identity

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Our 1st History in Practice chat with historians teaching in UKHE was with the wonderful @imogenknox.bsky.social! Very interesting reflections on opportunities/challenges of teaching & navigating different identities in early-career. Please share! tinyurl.com/2y7jeuyb #historyeducation #academicsky

tinyurl.com

History in Practice – A Conversation with…

Imogen Knox In our first of an ongoing series of conversations with historians who teach in Higher Education around the UK, we are delighted to be joined on our first outing by Imogen Knox! Imogen …

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IHR Black British History Seminar @ihrblackbritish.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Kicking off our 2026 schedule with a paper! Join us next Thursday for our seminar: “You are not to allow yourselves to be frightened”: Norman Manley’s Visits to Britain and Transnational Care in Post-war Britain 📍 Online only 📆 Thursday 22nd January, 2026 ⏰ 17:30 🔗 www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

“You are not to allow yourselves to be frightened”: Norman Manley’s Visits to Britain and Transnational Care in Post-war Britain
speakers: Deanna lyncook (queen mary & uwi cave hill)

thursday, 22 december 2025, 5:30 pm (online only)

https://www.history.ac.uk/news-events/events/you-are-not-allow-yourselves-be-frightened-norman-manleys-visits-britain-transnational-care-post-war
Institute of historical research
black british history seminar

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Pierre Purseigle @purseigle.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

🚨#History #envhist Job Alert: My Department is hiring an Assistant Professor in Environmental History. 🗃️ Come work with us at Warwick. You'll get both excellent colleagues and great students! See details below... And do not hesitate to spread the word... 👇👇👇 www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK289/a...

jobs.ac.uk

Assistant Professor in Environmental History (111009-1125) at University of Warwick

Explore an exciting academic career as a Assistant Professor in Environmental History (111009-1125). Don't miss out on other academic jobs. Click to apply and explore more opportunities.

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Sarah O'Connor @sarahoconnorft.ft.com · 09/12/2025

Welcome to Britain, a country so short of dentists that an MP's 87-year-old mum pulled her teeth out with pliers. Also a country with thousands of foreign-qualified dentists who can’t work until they pass an exam so oversubscribed it’s like trying to book Glasto tickets. www.ft.com/content/f4e5...

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

If you teach histories of British slavery, don't miss this Thursday's book launch and talk: Teaching Slavery: New Approaches to Britain's Colonial Past, IHR, London 11 December & on Zoom. 5:30pm. Registration details are below and a link to the open access book in post 2/2. This post is 1/2.

history.ac.uk

Book talk: Teaching Slavery: New Approaches to Britain’s Colonial Past

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Kieran Connell @kieranconnell.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I talked to the History Extra pod about the ideas behind MULTICULTURAL BRITAIN and how they relate to today’s grim politics Listen on Spotify oR wHerEvEr yOu gEt yOur PoDcAsTs open.spotify.com/episode/4Zey...

open.spotify.com

A new history of multicultural Britain

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wendy norris @wendynorris.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

I teach computational data science, not history, but I found the examples helpful and extensible to my own class prep and formative assessments. Thanks for sharing!

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Excited to launch, with @callingdrjones.bsky.social, 'History in Practice' - an informal space to collectively share, reflect, and collaborate on all things related to history teaching in universities Some excellent pieces to begin with, please do get involved! www.history-uk.ac.uk/history-in-p...

history-uk.ac.uk

History in Practice

‘Doing the Readings’ – Will Pooley ‘Escaping the Lecture: Using game-based learning to engage History students’ – Rebecca Andrew and Sam Chadwick ‘Using Fo…

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ArthurJChapman @arthurjchapman.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Really looking forward to taking part in this History UK event on *Wednesday*! Details and booking information are here: www.tickettailor.com/events/histo... #historyeducation

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Kicking off our 2025-26 History UK Pedagogy Forum! 📢👇 'Undertaking and Publishing Pedagogical Research' 4-5.30pm, Wednesday 16 July 2025 Online via Teams Free event – booking required: buytickets.at/historyukped... Spread the word! More details & other events: www.history-uk.ac.uk/events/2025-...

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Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

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Lorna Peplow @lornapeplow.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Beyond delighted to announce that I'm now represented by Ciara Finan at Curtis Brown @curtisbrownltd.bsky.social! This is an absolute dream come true for me, and I'm so excited to start working with her!

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Evan @evansmithhist.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

I asked this once on the other site and got a good response, so here goes again: Historians, what is the thing that made you go ‘wait, wut?’ in the archives or in your research?

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