Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of @exeter.ac.uk If you like this image, I’d really appreciate a repost - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm

I can't be the only one looking at the names of various new ministers and going 'who'?

Dept of BISciT

Tributes pour in after fomer Scunthorpe United Kevin Keegan dies www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cc3...

Glasgow School of Art is set to announce this week that it has scrapped plans to fully restore the world-famous building... Instead of a “faithful reinstatement” of Mackintosh’s architectural masterpiece... only the façade is likely be retained. www.sundaypost.com/fp/glasgow-s...

Oh bother. I don't mind DSIT going, I'm still struggling to remember it isn't BEIS anymore, but Patrick Ballance at least understood research and universities.

Is it just me who thinks that changing the prime minister of the United Kingdom feels a little like the regeneration of Doctor Who?

Time to get out of here… #wildfire #holyroodpark

Oh no, Edinburgh not doing well on the fire front, though saying you can see the smoke from Fife isn't as scary as it sounds. You can see Arthur's Seat from the train as you trundle along the south Fife coast to Dundee.

Right now consultants everywhere are asking ChatGPT to draft a LinkedIn post on what Spain/Argentina winning teaches us about digital transformation.

Yes, Freddie Mercury was an amazing vocalist, but can we take a moment to appreciate the amazing harmony singing of the rest of Queen?

“Everyone say cheese!” “Cheese!” “Cheese!” “Cheese!” “Cheese!” “Fuck you, Theresa.”

In Anna Vs the Ivy, we may need to agree 1 all. Over heating (me) and an over flowing green bin (well brown bin in Fife) has stopped play. Large amounts of ivy is still clinging to the garden wall mocking me, but at least I can get through the back gate again.

Can we stop assuming that the only person with good ideas and able to drive ideas in a gvt department is the minister. Suspect there are good people in there keen on science research, others who understand industry using technology but not many who get what mechanisms allow the two parts to join up.

Chastity, nodding and enormous pores: will women also love Nolan’s Odyssey?

“For crying out loud, I was hibernating! … Don’t you guys ever take a pulse?”

And this is why we will miss research professional for news like this. But also, we already report on numbers so what will a central body report add and what will they do with the data? But did not know the central cmte was standing down www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Sorry I missed your call, I was staring in horror at the screen wondering why on earth you couldn't just text me

How doth a cyclops wacche *The Odyssey*? Eyemax

My Mum lives not far from Birkdale in Southport. It's slightly strange seeing Royal Birkdale on the telly as I'm struggling to imagine so many famous golfers there. But good, Southport and that entire coast is a place that really deserves more love.

Does anyone, other than chefs, really fry onions for 10 mins as per recipes? Or in my impatience, am I missing a flavour hit? It always seems like a ridiculously long time.

Top council boss Angela Scott will take over at the troubled institution in October as she replaces outgoing chief Professor Nigel Seaton.

Oh, interesting. Spotted this on LinkedIn. Does this mean the founders of @wonkhe.bsky.social are looking at starting something up around research news (see the section at the end)? Hurrah, given the sad demise of research professional thesis.house

Oh hurrah. Even a rough indicator would help. Can we also add in expectations of how much time in the office if you say hybrid? And no 3-4 days in doesn't feel very hybrid to me.

I'm not saying AI isn't going to save us all, I'm just merely pointing at our incredible success over the years in putting in large scale IT projects, that work straight away, allowed us to report on the data with ease and that realised the return on investment we were promised. Cynical? Moi?

As someone who has spent a lot of time debating the research ethics of taking defence funding, in light of student union pressure around ethical funding and investment, I'm surprised at the lack of student outcry at this new group. (No comment on the group itself, though it's probably a good thing)

If this is true, it's pretty hilarious I would also recommend calling your wedding a "focus group" to avoid price gouging by the venue www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...

In order to recycle my glass bottles, I have to go to the recycling centre next to the church. As a lifelong Methodist, you have no idea the inner trauma I have to contend with, walking past the church with my empty wine bottles rattling away 😂

Go Theodora. (If you need a regular dose of wholesome joy and who doesn't, can heartily recommend following @weratedogs.com)

This is Cookie. She's a big proponent of reusable shopping bags. Partly for the environment, but mostly for naps. 12/10 (TT: all.themunchies)

We only rate dogs. This is a southern spotted sand seal. Way too loud to be a dog. Please only send dogs. Thank you… 13/10 (TT: kerrygrsjsw)

Sam Neill on tackling depression and imposter syndrome when you’re between jobs.

Beautiful setting for a couple of meetings over coffee at the River House in Stirling this afternoon... Beware of the Crocodiles!

The one thing I've learnt over my many, many years of HE strategy writing, is that a strategy is only a page or two of warm words until there is a clear implementation plan underpinning it. So, off to read the fine print.

It's too hot to knit my huge jumper, so have raided my stash to find something smaller to knit. Look what I found, Pom Pom wool! Just working out how you knit with it.

I am grateful to the wonderful @sturdyalex.bsky.social for so much, including this divine Greek Squid and Orzo which just happens to be #RecipeOfTheDay! www.nigella.com/recipes/gree...

I'm very confused. So Reform is challenging the establishment but anything they do must be ok because it's done by people who have been part of the establishment for centuries. There's a level of cognitive dissonance here which I'm not sure my brain could handle without causing a migraine.

Fabulous sunset over the Forth this evening as I head back from a day trip to Edinburgh.

I can't be the only one who saw an advert for the BBC's new drama 'The Rapture' and giggled when the announcer said it was coming soon?

Finally, the clouds have lifted and Fife is bathed in sunshine. I've been out for a lovely walk, seen a jay (!) and topped up my Vit D whilst I can. But I'm now going to have to have a lie down as it is very hot and muggy out there. Thought I was going to melt at one point.

Did anyone else miss that there is currently a government consultation on the use of NDA by employers in contracts and settlement agreements? I'm surprised I'd not heard about it via the unions (deadline is today).

We are hiring! Brilliant senior job running our new UK Government team… …looking for someone creative and strategic with experience of government who would seize this fantastic opportunity to make government work well for the people of the UK! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

Alternatively, visit Scotland where it is currently cloudy and raining. Given that I don't cope well in heat, it is preferable to being cooked in the sun.

My super-smart sister has set up a website for her firm Wild Heart Marketing, working with organisations in conservation, travel, food and drink and ethical brands. If you're in the market for some marketing, she's great - not just at her job but as a human wildheartmarketing.co

Uh - is this a real thing?

Serious question, but how do tennis players avoid getting sun burnt? I get they are outside a lot, so must build up some protection but do they have sports grade sun lotion? Do they have an increased risk of skin cancer

Heirbnb.

Apparently it's another warm day down south. Can I recommend a trip to Scotland where it's currently cold enough for me to go in search of a thicker jumper and windy enough to stop any midges flying?

Do the German armed forces do something at this time of the year? I have never seen so many soldiers in all my years of travelling around the place