By a single line on the massive environmental impact of AI, its notorious hallucinations, or stealing everyone’s work. To be expected from university senior managers I suppose.

Please sign this petition against the further diminishment of Nottingham University, which seems not to appreciate what makes for a university.

Today I am doing some initial prep for a sermon next week (It's the end of the world as we know it) and getting ready to lead choral Evensong for the first time. Prayers appreciated, especially for the long-suffering, tolerant Maths Half #cofe

Possibly even more cursed than usual.

E. A. R. Brown (aka Peggy Brown) of 'Feudalism: tyranny of a construct' fame.

I am always utterly bemused by sports teams wearing poppies on their jerseys. Are you engaged in an act of sombre remembrance and commitment to peace? No, you're playing a game of rugby, a game certainly not known for its irenic qualities. @remembrancewatch.bsky.social

My thoughts exactly on reading the Nature article on Franklin.

If any journalists would like a copy of Electric Wind: An Energy History of Modern Britain to review, please get in touch w me /MUP. It's a rigorous history of wind energy written for a wide audience, with plenty to say about today's energy challenges. manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526182968/

Did Geoffrey of Monmouth write this script?

Iniquitous. Solidarity with Northumbria colleagues. General solidarity with all in the HE sector.

I'm lucky to have worked with one of the many brilliant people in these departments. Henry Parkes in Music is one of the cleverest, most insightful and inspirational historians I know - and one of the finest teachers too. Don't waste such talent @uniofnottingham.bsky.social.

And Music and several others. So short-sighted.

Further dispatches from the crisis in HE. Solidarity with colleagues at Nottingham.

Well, @kentcricket.co.uk, your fireworks are exceptionally loud and echoing all around the city.

Bloomsbury is very insistent I opt in to its AI licensing agreement. I have absolutely no desire to do this.

Cerne Abbas: Secrets Beneath the Giant will be released this Saturday. A trailer for the @timeteam.bsky.social Special on @hugh-willmott.bsky.social's Cerne Abbey Research Project. So excited to finally share this! www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Tm...

Intermediate Latin palaeography will run online in February 2026 for those who want more advanced training. Book now 👇 ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...

One of my favourite bits of Anselm.

Today with the second years was Bayeux Tapestry day. They tried their hands at Bayeux Stitch, designed panels for a 'Canterbury Tapestry', discussed the controversy surrounding the loan, why the Tapestry is memeable and other matters liek 'Ubi unus clericus et Aelfgyva'. A good seminar!

Norwich Castle, c.13th Century graffiti of woman wearing a wimple. Standing in front of this, you almost feel that nothing more than a blink separates you from the moment it was scored into the rock. #StoneHeadSunday

Am watching #GameOfWool but not sure whether I can cope with a gentle, individual, reflective activity being turned into a sort of team working time stressed nightmare

Yes, Holger, I can't physically knit with size 20 needles either. #GameOfWool. Shan't be watching this next week.

I am watching 'Game of Wool'. I agree with Holger in terms of knitting Fair Isle with super chunky wool. 'It’s like asking a vegetarian to express themselves through the medium of steak.' #GameOfWool I am not going to enjoy this.

The feast of All Saints is a reminder, among other things, of the infinite goodness of God. No one person can know more than a fragment of God’s love and glory, but we see a slightly different aspect reflected in each of the faces of the saints, in all their sometimes slightly weird diversity.

With huge thanks to my friend Patrick for spotting this. The new MGM Robin Hood series. Sean Bean as the Sheriff of Nottingham... ...wearing a horse-bit as a cloak fastener!!!! Crying!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 #Archaeology 🏺

And so concludes another bonkers week in UK HE with an even more bonkers week to come next week.

Updated thread on The Lost King film: I’m digging over old ground but I have to challenge Steve Coogan's line. He claims it’s all true (as has Philippa Langley): Langley will be celebrated for her achievement, Richard Taylor & his personal gripes will be forgotten So what’s the real story? 1/15

This will be a fantastic opportunity to study environmental humanities and put it into practice with an internship partner. Pass this masters study opportunity along to all your students!

Job Opportunity! Assistant Professor in History of Knowledge Pre-1400 University of Cambridge - History and Philosophy of Science www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPG062/a...

I have finally got hold of a copy of @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social's 'The Vanishing Song': concise sermons in poetry!

A laughing out loud in the office sort of a thread.

Very pleased to read another positive review for 'Borders and the Norman World'. The latest one is by Max Lieberman in Deutsches Archiv für Erforschung des Mittelalters: data.mgh.de/databases/da... @monumenta.bsky.social @rozierhistorian.bsky.social @lvhicks.bsky.social

Proper creekit.

'Ich habe genug' has undone me before the day has properly started. Thank you J.S. Bach, Ian Bostridge.

A new one for train delay bingo @adamchapman.bsky.social: fight on a platform.

Great trip to Norwich and huge thanks to Tim Pestell for showing us around the remodelled keep.

Back on the trains today, this time to Norwich for a visualising Canterbury castle trip to look at the remodelled keep. Here's the latest blog on our project from Katie McGown #medievalsky castlestudiestrust.org/blog/

To my knowledge, there is not a single case where adoption has happened after consultation with faculty. Usually they will find the useful idiot who champions it - he is always a man, doesn't understand these political artefacts nor the technology, and pretends to be edgy cause he parrots the hype.

I cannot keep up with the post-16 white paper and its associated commentary.

British Library workers are sick of poor pay, overwork, and feeling the fallout of a cyber-attack which left them vulnerable to identity theft and blackmail. Now, they are going on strike for a fortnight. tribunemag.co.uk/2025/10/from...

We discussed Stonehenge in the 'Futures of the Past' seminar today and got stuck on the A303 without leaving campus.

It's worth adding that while the hack of 2+ years ago has been dreadful for British Library users, it is also been awful for BL staff, who cannot fulfil readers' requests and are then confronted by their consequent frustration. With no end in sight.

On the trains again. What will happen today, other that it being dark before I get to London?

I've signed this open letter. #CofEpeeps, lay or ordained, if you want the church to become more fully affirming of LGBTQ+ folks, please read this letter from Inclusive Church and consider signing it. www.inclusive-church.org/llf-open-let...

I’ve just seen this advertised in the window of my local library and made an audible ‘oooh’!

Congratulations, @katrinanavickas.bsky.social!

Another Waterloo meltdown. Joy. Now headed to Basingstoke...

Belgian AI scientists are advocating *against* the use of AI in academia. “If independent thinking is no longer encouraged at university, where would it?” apache.be/2025/10/24/b...

William of Malmesbury was a fine chronicler, but also an insufferable smart arse (at least that's my impression). When he gets things wrong, like the Thames meeting the sea at Dover, I have an irresisitable urge to shout 'Ha!'