I feel like I spend half my life turning off lights left blazing in empty rooms. My question is... is this a phase that the kids are going through, or a phase that *I'm* going through?

One last present to wrap for Mrs Cash4Questions and I'm done. Unusual request, but it's Christmas and who am I to argue? Seasons greetings to one and all.

Me, Professor Yaffle, and former Leeds United and Scotland frontman Arthur Graham.

Was reading with my youngest tiny human yesterday (who's 5), and I was surprised that her school reading book was a story containing the "wicked stepmother" trope. I think it was based on a folk tale that I'm not familiar with, but involves sending a stepchild to a friend/relative to be eaten. (1)

Yes, I do think the changes that have been proposed are a sensible idea, but I just wish REF didn't keep being so cack-handed* about it all (*Lincolnshire phrase for making a mess) and don't even start me on the 'reduced burden' argument.

This is all so odd. I've no idea what @robinince.bsky.social has said/been saying that could be *that* controversial. Even if you disagree (which I don't), these views are well within the boundaries of mainstream opinion/Overton window. I don't see the problem. (1)

I feel very, very *seen* by this week's Ivory Tower.

Research Whisperer @therealrw.bsky.social and all round good egg @jod999.bsky.social has started a Wikipedia page on #researchculture . Read more and find out how to contribute at researchwhisperer.org/2025/12/09/r...

Unfortunately the HE 2025 ballot failed at 39% turnout. I have written about why and about what desperately needs to change in UCU's national structures off the back of this result. Some HEC members need to chi up and understand their role in all this, and how disconnected they are from members.

Back in December 2017, I wrote a blog post on fictional heroes of research development. (Kermit, Sergeant Wilson, Edmund Blackadder, Polly Sherman, Bernard Woolley). But some days I feel like my job is mainly channelling Alex Horne.

Just got the email. Who could possibly have predicted that the strike ballot would fail to reach the required turnout? Oh wait, everyone. What an absolute waste of time, energy, and resources. Those responsible should (but won't) be ashamed of themselves.

Great culture can save lives. Literally. Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

My wife and I adopted two children in March 2024. We were very lucky in that we've had a positive experience with lots of support at all stages. This is far from a universal experience. (1)

Fifteen Years xkcd.com/3172/

I'm not sure if you are not involved in the system you will understand the gravity of what being in 'supported accommodation' or 'limited day-to-day adult involvement' means. Before I give some anonymised examples of my experience of working with young people as a volunteer in this system 1/n

Quick TV recommendation for anyone looking for something warm, slow, gentle, and wise: Leonard and Hungry Paul. "A gentle, meandering tale of friendship, board games and finding your way in the world" You'll know from the trailer if this is one for you, which is handy.

INDUSTRIAL ACTION UPDATE: We’ve had some movement in response to our strike action. A 🧵.

Oh, I say....

I'm delighted that my #Leverhulme research project exploring the long-term impacts of student debt is live! If you started an undergraduate degree between 2012-2015 and want to share your experiences, contact [email protected]. Please share & repost! @uniofnottingham.bsky.social

Here is the public-facing version (should be accessible to all): www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

My latest article for @resprofnews.bsky.social Elevating language and layout on grant bids. (£, probably) A few thoughts about the language and layout of research grant applications.

Absolute perfection. #Reform

As some who spent seven intensive years in speech therapy, I will forever be grateful to my therapist for giving me the confidence to do it all anyway. Still in moments of stress you will hear it in my voice. Please take a moment to check out this blog.

Today is International Stammering Awareness Day #ISAD2025 so I'm resharing my repost of my blogpost about stammering and the academy - what the rest of you need to know.

Interesting post. Wellcome Leap calls are consistently run at breakneck speed which rules out those who can't drop everything else to apply. They stand or fall on the programme director's vision and then implementation. High risk high reward indeed. (1)

An occasional series... genuine helpful hints and tips received from the university adminisphere for your education, information, delectation, and elucidation...

"Good meetings build relationships, establish culture, enable negotiations and engage teams." This is a great post by @katherinefirth.bsky.social It may be particularly helpful for those of you who struggle with unwritten expectations and spontaneous interactions, but also good reminders for all

My two latest articles on 'risky research' for @researchprofnews.bsky.social are now available. Part 1: Risky research: Fishing for a red herring

In the light of the continuing university sector perma-crisis, I'm sharing this again in case it's useful...

Enjoyed this piece.. good overview of the issues/state of play.

I'm seeing the phrases: "... having said that", or "That [being] said, ..." ... absolutely everywhere atm. Is this just a memetic linguistic tic? Is it AI related, or is this just the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon now that I've noticed it? Not a fan of the phrase, but at least it's not "moreover".

Here are your 10 -essential- AI prompts for academics ... make your life easy with help from @profserious.bsky.social profserious.substack.com/p/10-ai-prom...

Here is a conversation starter for your Friday on Bluesky: What are your top tips and tricks for chairing meetings as an introvert?

Robin Hood half marathon today. What a pleasure and a privilege to run through my home city. Great support as always, huge thanks to all the marshalls, volunteers and my F1CC club mates.

I've bowed to the inevitable and got some new glasses, which I'm actually going to wear. I was hoping for a mild productivity boost through reduced squinting at tiny fonts, but in fact I just spend ages trying to find where I've left them. So now I'm feeling doubly old.

Said this before, but given how hard it is to start a business and how many fail, surely straight out of university is not necessarily a great time to start one. Maybe get some professional experience and connections and £££ first. Especially for those without angel investors for family members.

Just sent a load of calendar invitations for six meetings of the course of the academic year to two different research networks, each with 100+ members. I don't know what/how I've messed up, but statistically I'm very unlikely to have made zero errors. Waiting for the emails with bated breath...

Have we reached the point where it would be easier to list the universities where staff haven't been forced into industrial action to try to minimise job losses?

This is an interesting read from a funder perspective about funder strategies and how researchers should respond to them in grant applications and in the choices they make about their future research direction.

Was going to post about going backwards and forwards between 'tiny minority relentlessly & recklessly hyped by right wing media salivating for violence' and 'growing, emboldened threat'. Both can be true. But more productive to share link on bystander intervention righttobe.org/guides/bysta...

Important spotter's guide...

I wrote my own Charlie Kirk obituary, and about valuing truth over manners: www.thenation.com/article/poli...

Just a regular reminder that the far right (and their apologists and outriders) are only in favour of free speech when it's their free speech, and only against political violence when they're the targets.

Interesting times. Looks like there's a history of cooperation, and at least some apparent synergies. I think two things are already clear - that this is very likely to mean further job losses; and that it's going to end up being referred to as "Kentwich". Or "Grent".

Great read. Successful applicants like Ned tend to: (a) investigate options; (b) devote loads of time to the application; (c) draft, redraft, & redraft again; (d) understand the funder/scheme priorities; (e) had a plan to move to independence; (f) get feedback from anyone who'll give it. However...