This whole pro-Russian bribes thing is a bit extra.

I am meant to be at an Overcoming MS conference today. But there was a big storm and the trains were cancelled. So, I am watching the hybrid version from my sofa with cat as co-pilot.

Getting spicy at INEM... Keynote by Wendy Carlin

I am in an online workshop on trust in science and I have just realised that I have been using the central text of AIDS denialism to prop up my laptop.

In a fantastic talk this morning on the history of race by @msimang.bsky.social

Universities in England at risk of long-term decline, says British Academy - on.ft.com/3U2yymV via @FT

Job Opening at the Chair of Philosophy and History of Science and Technology at TUM! Research Fellow for 3 years (renewable). Preferably philosopher w interest in plant, crop & agricultural research (& their history and social studies) All details: www.sts.sot.tum.de/en/sts/arbei... #philsci #sts

Ya know it is troubling times in academia when a student writes to say that they loved a module you taught and they "hope it will still happen again next year". Oof.

This week I was part of an excellent health communication event @britishacademy.bsky.social. In a previous life, I interviewed doctors in South Africa & developed strong medic envy. The feeling was "nobody needs a philosopher, everyone needs a doctor". The BA event has reignited the medic envy

"Life expectancy is dropping in poorer communities. This is virtually unheard of". 😯 At a health communication event at the British Academy.

Internet friends. I need recommendations for novels set in Dakar. Thanks!

The QS rankings are out, and it's not good news for UK universities (60% of which have dropped in the rankings). Part of this is of course simply due to Asia's investment in its universities. Then there's the bit that reflects the UK's HEI divestment. Link: www.topuniversities.com/world-univer...

I am so glad to see that this has finally come out! "Towards a Theory of Objectivity for Activist Research" Nancy Cartwright, Samuel Foglesong, Katherine Furman, Byron Hyde, Gabriel Nyberg, Karina Ortiz Villa, Helena Slanickova upmonographs.up.ac.za/index.php/ES...

May he rest in power. His work has been such an enormous influence on me. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...

I guess I have to give up my Labour Party membership. I am one of the "strangers" they would prefer not to have around.

She lives! My book published by @manchesterup.bsky.social ‘Women’s Troubles: Gender and Feminist Politics in Northern Ireland.’ Cover image kindly provided by @frecklescorp.bsky.social of her work ‘The Slapper’ www.emmacampbell.co.uk/emma-campbell @livunipol.bsky.social @livunihss.bsky.social

I have said it before. I will say it again. When is government going to step in? Where are the vice chancellors in this? www.ft.com/content/7514...

We are organising a multidisciplinary workshop on pseudoscience in working life. If the topic interests you, please consider submitting an abstract! blogs.helsinki.fi/pseudoscienc...

Me, this morning: "what do you think of my teaching outfit for today? I am going for Dolly Parton in the late 80s, early 90s." Partner: "Sure... That's a choice"

Proof that I am not the only one who can't get over Thabo Mbeki. Especially now. Thanks @stheobald.bsky.social for sharing this with me. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/o...

Just curious. If I wrote a little blog post about the history of Structural Adjustment Programs in Africa, the defunding of education, & its long-term consequences, would anyone read that? Obviously it would be just a little history piece 😉. Not at all relevant to any other time or place 😉

Southern African colleagues. Do you have a student who might be interested in doing a Master's degree in Durham, England? If so, applications have opened for the Ruth First Scholarship. Deadline for applications is 31 March ruthfirsttrust.webspace.durham.ac.uk/how-to-apply/

Fascinating case of scientific misconduct, indigenous communities, and scarce specimens. This brings together philosophical considerations of scientific responsibilities to communities, and issues related to the special status of scarce specimens. www.science.org/content/arti...

Tell us you want foreign student money but not foreign students without telling us you want foreign student money but not foreign students www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Ebola Sudan outbreak in Uganda grows to 7 cases www.cidrap.umn.edu/ebola/ebola-...

A rare and wonderful sight of a great UK philosophy job. Please spread widely to colleagues worldwide. Area of Specialization: Ethics and/or Political Philosophy Would be an advantage to be able to teach Ethics of AI Tenure-track Application deadline: 10th March 2025 #philsky

Thank you Cambridge. You really know how to show a girl a good time 😘

It says a lot about the current funding crisis affecting UK universities when Wales' biggest university proposes to close its Nursing course to save money, at a time when the NHS is desperate for more nurses.

We are going to get a government statement about all of this soon? Right? www.bbc.com/news/article...

How do we keep going while the sector is in free fall? www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

First day of new term. I was teaching my favourite class (Philosophy and Public Policy) and a student told me she is taking this course because a student from 2 yrs ago recommended it to her. I have died of joy. ❤️❤️❤️ Please send flowers to my cats who will be facing a difficult time in my absence.

This shooting happened just around the corner from my gran's house (where I spent much of my childhood) & was almost certainly the apartheid govt attacking its own people to solidify racism in the transition to democracy. More than 30 years later the inquest is today. www.enca.com/news-top-sto...

The supreme irony of Germany offering sanctuary and opportunities to scientists unable to work in fascist USA is knocking on the door.

Out now in Nature Human Behaviour: Our 68-country #survey on public attitudes to #science 📣 It shows: People still #trust scientists and support an active role of scientists in society and policy-making. #OpenAccess available here: www.nature.com/articles/s41... @natureportfolio.bsky.social (1/13)

I promised @davidho.bsky.social that I would join BlueSky in the new year. So here I am with two aaccopuncemnts. 1) so proud of @colognaviktoria.bsky.social for her huge work on trust in science, out today:

I am a longterm fan of Sizwe Mabizela. Universities and funding in SA have been deep issues for at least as long as I have been aware of Universities. Access to education can mean the difference between grinding poverty and a liveable life. www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...

This is encouraging reading as we move into a new term. Severance spending at top UK universities surges - on.ft.com/3CcC4FS via @FT

I love to trash talk academia. But there is something kinda amazing about how we are allowed to become interested in whatever we like and then the people who really know stuff step up to answer whatever weird questions we have. That is kinda awesome.

I am plotting a visit an actual science research centre where actual science gets done and I could not be more excited.

📢Job Claxon📢 Permanent Contract UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) seeks to appoint one Lecturer in Medicine, Health and Society to undertake teaching, research and related academic support duties. #histmed #histSTM

Okay, pals who know the north west. In a couple of weeks I am going to have a full day in Warrington while I wait for my cat to have dental surgery. What should I do in Warrington all day?

I have just realised that my unrelenting desire for a short choppy haircut is because I watched 'You've got Mail" at a formative age, and I really must want to be Meg Ryan and own a children's bookshop.

If you're in Belgium, join us for this nice seminar with David Azupogo (Millar Insitute, Ghana) on "Doing Development. Epistemic Justice and the Integration of Indigenous and Local Knowledge in Research and development." in Ghent on Jan 9.

Moving to Johannesburg would be a dream for me. Growing up in the Eastern Cape created the belief that JHB is the most glamorous city on earth (I know, I know). So news like this is troubling.. Also, surprising story choice for @financialtimes.com, but I'm here for it www.ft.com/content/23cd...

Synthese special issue CFP gatekeeping in science. Editors: Katherine Dormandy & Eric Winsberg @ewinsberg.bsky.social Deadline 25 April 25 #philsci #philsky link.springer.com/collections/...

“Some Chinese students feel like they are being treated as revenue sources rather than as valued members of the community.”

As I watch UK VCs neglect their staff & students, & manufacture convoluted ways to survive the collapse of UK HE, I remember that it doesn't need to be this way. I remember Prof Sizwe Mabizela (Rhodes VC) joining the SA student fees protests to put pressure on govt to resolve the fees issue.

Still managing the monsters of the past. www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024...

Philosophers! Are you organising or participating in a #philsci reading group? Fancy turning all that reading into a book review? See here for info: www.thebsps.org/faq/faq-book... #philsky

Two hours into six hours of teaching today. Bring it.