Prof Dave O'Brien
@drdaveobrien.bsky.social
๐ค 3314
๐ฅ 1962
๐ 1346
pinned post!
Its the annual holiday countdown for my
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social
podcast! Over the next 24 days I'll be highlighting the episodes from this year as well as giving shoutouts to some of the books of the year too!
7 months ago
2
17
11
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Margot Finn
about 11 hours ago
As HEPI's Rose Stephenson notes in her blog, 'specialisation' is the magic keyword in the white paper. But what does it mean? Does it mean the same thing for students as for research projects? Is it the same in SHAPE and STEM subjects? Has anyone actually modelled it? Is there an evidence base? 2/2
0
1
1
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Margot Finn
about 11 hours ago
Will the education white paper (for England) hamper student access? Well, the evidence suggests that this is already happening, not just for England but for the UK at taught undergraduate level in the subjects most students study:
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
What about research? 1/2
loading . . .
Will the education white paper proposals hamper student access? (And what is going on with maintenance loans?) - HEPI
As more students commute, are higher education policies pulling in opposite directions? Read the case for a rethink.
https://www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/06/26/will-the-education-white-paper-proposals-hamper-student-access-and-what-is-going-on-with-maintenance-loans/
2
6
4
๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
add a skeleton here at some point
1 day ago
0
2
2
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Creative PEC
1 day ago
Download the report, 'Audiences and workforce in arts, culture and heritage sectors: Recent trends and evidence for Scotland' by
@drdaveobrien.bsky.social
,
@markrt.co.uk
and Dr Ruoxi Wang. ๐
pec.ac.uk/state_of_the...
loading . . .
Audiences and workforce in arts, culture and heritage sectors: Recent trends and evidence for Scotland - Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
New research on Scotlandโs arts, culture and heritage finds persistent inequalities in participation.
https://pec.ac.uk/state_of_the_nation/arts-culture-heritage-audiences-workforce-scotland-evidence/
0
2
3
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Creative PEC
1 day ago
The launch event took place at the University of
@glasgow.ac.uk
in partnership with the
@ukri.org
AHRC Place-based Research Programme. Watch the replay to hear the report's key findings and insights from our expert panel:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpUa...
1
0
1
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Creative PEC
1 day ago
๐ The report is accompanied by 3 new interactive data dashboards, showing engagement and employment data for Scotland, and engagement data for England. These give local and regional policymakers access to data in their locality to support cultural strategies and effective policy interventions.
1
0
1
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Creative PEC
1 day ago
๐ New research on Scotlandโs arts, culture and heritage sectors finds persistent inequalities in participation, including by disability, ethnic group, gender, and geographical location. The latest report in our State of the Nations research series is available to download now:
shorturl.at/IIt4s
1
1
1
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Caitrรญona Beaumont
1 day ago
Well everyone else seems to be doing it & so I will too!
@manchesterup.bsky.social
big summer half price sale ๐ฅณ. You can get my 'Housewives & Citizens' for just ยฃ12.50, worth it for the cover alone (in my humble opinion ๐).
@womenshistnet.bsky.social
#skystorians
0
14
11
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Stephen Evans
1 day ago
4. Govt is doing some stuff about this. Removing levy funding for some higher apps (employers can still pay outside levy) & increasing incentives for employers to take on young apprentices. But not enough & in my view is diluting quality by reducing minimum app length & removing English & maths reqs
1
2
2
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Stephen Evans
1 day ago
3. This is a system gone awry. Training for older people matters too, though is mostly higher apps for existing employees here. But there's 1m NEETs & the levy is a minimum ยฃ not max - employers can pay for training senior staff outside levy & not all training has to be an apprenticeship.
loading . . .
Flex and match: a new Skills Levy for growth and opportunity - Learning and Work Institute
This report makes the case for broadening the apprenticeship levy into a โflex and matchโ Skills Levy that would give employers greater flexibility to spend their levy, but only if they also invest in...
https://learningandwork.org.uk/flex-and-match-a-new-skills-levy-for-growth-and-opportunity/
1
2
2
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Stephen Evans
1 day ago
2. Maybe things get better at 18? Not so much. Or young people are doing other forms of education? Unfortunately not. We're spending more on apprenticeships in England but fewer young people are doing them.
1
2
3
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Stephen Evans
1 day ago
Have a look at this chart showing % of young people doing apprenticeships. It's gone from low to very low. The Govt's right to say it wants to 'pivot' the system more toward them (up to age 24, this chart is 16-17). But will need to do more.
2
1
3
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Bryan Boyle
1 day ago
Thanks
@mpifg.bsky.social
! And thanks to the Labour and Labour Movement Section for this award!
add a skeleton here at some point
3
6
2
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Max-Planck-Institut fรผr Gesellschaftsforschung (MPIfG)
1 day ago
๐ Congratulations to
@bryanboyle.bsky.social
and
@dvandebroeck.bsky.social
on their
@asanews.bsky.social
Distinguished Scholarly Article Award! Their paper, โThe Labor of Distinction,โ is based on an ethnography of the butler profession and shows how elite status is produced through service labor.
loading . . .
The Labor of Distinction: Butlers, Service Work, and the Production of Elite Lifestyles - Bryan Boyle, Dieter Vandebroeck, 2025
Elites appropriate labor that produces and reproduces distinct lifestyles. This article shows how the practice of this type of laborโwhat we term the โlabor of ...
https://s.gwdg.de/WGmV6D
1
11
6
๐๐๐๐๐๐
add a skeleton here at some point
1 day ago
0
1
0
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Robert Dorschel
1 day ago
We talk endlessly about tech bosses but know surprisingly little about how their entrepreneurial mindset is formed. In this new article, I develop the concept of the entrepreneurial gaze to explain how early-stage entrepreneurs come to see and evaluate the world
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
loading . . .
The entrepreneurial gaze of digital capitalism
Scholars have unearthed how tech companies exert unprecedented power through new modes of accumulation and control. Less attention has been paid to the social actors who command these companies. In...
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03085147.2026.2661546
1
14
5
๐๐๐๐๐๐
add a skeleton here at some point
1 day ago
0
0
0
Really excellent (& detailed!) FT newsletter from
@jenwilliamsft.bsky.social
this morning on fiscal devolution.
1 day ago
0
1
0
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Dr Helen Glew
2 days ago
.
@manchesterup.bsky.social
are having a site-wide sale, meaning you can get my book for ยฃ15, and a whole host of other great titles too. C'mon, you know a heatwave is the perfect time read about the fight for equality by women in public service jobs!
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526146632/
loading . . .
Manchester University Press - Gender, rhetoric and regulation
Gender, rhetoric and regulation - Browse and buy the Paperback edition of Gender, rhetoric and regulation by Helen Glew
https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526146632/
1
17
17
@knoxharrington.bsky.social
Otoboke Beaver!!!! ๐๐ป
2 days ago
0
0
1
The
@manchesterup.bsky.social
sale also means the new and updated version of Culture is bad for you is just ยฃ5.50!
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526177810/
add a skeleton here at some point
2 days ago
0
2
1
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Glen O'Hara
2 days ago
My book on New Labour and the Blair years is in the
@manchesterup.bsky.social
sale for **just a tenner**! Roll up, roll up, you won't get a better bargain than this today:
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526146328/
0
1
6
๐๐๐๐๐๐
add a skeleton here at some point
2 days ago
0
1
0
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Margot Finn
3 days ago
'In its latest annual skills report, for instance, it notes that โdemand for key occupations in industrial strategy priority sectors is expected to increase by nearly a quarter over the next decadeโ and that most of these occupations require higher-level qualifications.' 3/3
loading . . .
Skills England Annual Skills Report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026
The 2026 Annual Skills Report highlights key challenges in the skills system - our Skills Needs Assessments outline skills demand and supply in priority sectors.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-england-annual-skills-report-and-sectoral-skills-needs-assessments-2026
0
5
3
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Margot Finn
3 days ago
'Amid mounting questions about graduate employment, student debt levels and the governmentโs focus on tackling unemployment among non-graduates, it can feel like Skills England is one of the only voices advocating for the importance of universities and high-level skills.' 2/3
1
4
1
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Margot Finn
3 days ago
'Almost two years on from that initial announcement and one year on from Skills Englandโs official launch, experts believe the body has produced some useful work, but there remains little optimism that it is capable of moving the needle on Englandโs complex skills crisis.' 1/3
loading . . .
Is Skills England improving skills in England?
Labourโs post-16 agency is often tasked by ministers with detailed analysis. But nearly two years on from the fanfare around its announcement, universities remain unclear why they should engage with a...
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/skills-england-improving-skills-england
1
4
1
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Margot Finn
3 days ago
'It would be impossible to envisage a system where we could guarantee every graduate would see a premium, and the government would win on every investment in higher education teaching. Life, and risk, does not work like that for anyone.' 3/3
0
15
5
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Margot Finn
3 days ago
'On average, graduates earn more than non-graduates โ even when we adjust for differences based on background characteristics or prior attainment. And on average, the exchequer also sees a substantial lifetime return from state investment in educating an individual to graduate level'. 2/3
1
11
3
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Margot Finn
3 days ago
'On average the raw lifetime earnings gap for those aged 37 in 2022 who went to university, and those who could have but did not, was ยฃ290,000. And this includes a 3.5 per cent discount rate (applying Treasury Green Book rules) that lowers the value of earnings in later life'. 1/3
loading . . .
Higher education study still makes financial sense for most
DK examines what the Institute for Fiscal Studies has done with a few extra years of data on graduate earnings, and on a new approach to comparing graduates to their non-graduate peers
https://wonkhe.com/blogs/higher-education-study-still-makes-financial-sense-for-most/
2
42
32
&
@markrt.co.uk
is launching that report live in Glasgow now!
add a skeleton here at some point
3 days ago
0
1
0
New
@creativepec.bsky.social
report on Audiences and workforce in arts, culture and heritage sectors, with a deep dive on Scotland
pec.ac.uk/state_of_the...
loading . . .
Audiences and workforce in arts, culture and heritage sectors: Recent trends and evidence for Scotland - Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
Download the State of the Nations report from Creative PEC on Arts, Culture and Heritage uses census data to provide, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of audiences and workforce.
https://pec.ac.uk/state_of_the_nation/arts-culture-heritage-audiences-workforce-scotland-evidence/
3 days ago
0
3
6
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
add a skeleton here at some point
4 days ago
0
0
0
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Katie McDonough
4 days ago
Job! Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Humanities & Publishing at Carnegie Mellon -
cmu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CMU/de...
loading . . .
Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Humanities and Publishing - CMU Libraries and CMU Press - UEIS
The Carnegie Mellon University Libraries and Carnegie Mellon University Press invite applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Computational Humanities and Publishing. This is an exciting opportun...
https://cmu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CMU/details/Postdoctoral-Fellow-in-Computational-Humanities-and-Publishing---CMU-Libraries-and-CMU-Press---UEIS_2024641
1
12
8
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Sarah Brouillette
4 days ago
Now available for preorder, arriving in warehouse 10/02/2026:
dukeupress.edu/content-mach...
Duke UP gave me a discount code for 30% off paperback preorders: it's E26CNTNT โฅ๏ธ๐
loading . . .
Content Machines: Reading and Writing in the Platform Era
https://dukeupress.edu/content-machines
4
62
38
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Philip Ralph
4 days ago
This is a really good move that will hopefully make the TV Festival more accessible, affordable and dynamic at a time when the UK TV industry is changing beyond recognition. We need all voices in the room to find a sustainable way forwards for everyone. ๐๐
deadline.com/2026/06/edin...
loading . . .
Edinburgh TV Festival Relocating To Greater Manchester
Edinburgh TV Festival is relocating to Greater Manchester in 2027 after a bidding process that will see it move from Scotland.
https://deadline.com/2026/06/edinburgh-tv-festival-relocating-to-greater-manchester-2027-1236964385/
0
2
3
Listen! Christina Williams talks to
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social
about the brilliant "Work of Fiction: Making a Living from Writing in the UK"
newbooksnetwork.com/work-of-fict...
loading . . .
Christina Williams "Work of Fiction: Making a Living from Writing in the UK" (Palgrave MacMillan, 2024) - New Books Network
https://newbooksnetwork.com/work-of-fiction
4 days ago
0
1
5
Well, that was a wild few hours of being hacked. Normal service of academic podcast and paper links is hopefully back now!
5 days ago
2
7
0
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Philip Leventhal
5 days ago
"A brilliant diagnostic of the hypocrisies, ambivalences, and evasions of literary culture." -- Christopher Kempf Coming this fall: CROWD CONTROL, by Claire Grossman, Juliana Spahr, and Stephanie Young.
tinyurl.com/36pd5bxh
@columbiaup.bsky.social
1
12
8
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Rebecca Kosick
5 days ago
Was a joy to talk with
@drdaveobrien.bsky.social
about The Alternative Press, founded by Ann and Ken Mikolowski in Detroit in 1969. Thanks to all the great folks who keep
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social
going so strong!
add a skeleton here at some point
1
6
4
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
British Sociological Association
6 days ago
The June issue of Cultural Sociology is live! Find articles on cultural translations of social movements, Chinese hip-hop, online commodification of leisure activities and more, below.
journals.sagepub.com/toc/CUS/20/2
loading . . .
Cultural Sociology - Volume 20, Number 2
Table of contents for Cultural Sociology, 20, 2
https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/CUS/20/2
0
2
3
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Richard Jean So
5 days ago
I've been eagerly awaiting this new book from
@aarthivadde.bsky.social
& it's finally out: this is important, original & timely research that should motivate an entire generation of literary scholars to take on the question of creativity, writing & digital platforms
cup.columbia.edu/book/we-the-...
loading . . .
We the Platform | Columbia University Press
Web 2.0 gave us the online world as we know it today. Popularized in 2004, it redefined the internet as social, a โplatformโ for self-expression and data... | CUP
https://cup.columbia.edu/book/we-the-platform/9780231562850/
2
13
4
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Creative PEC
5 days ago
As Westminster reacts to Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, our latest Political Monitor rounds up the week's key developments for the creative industries. ๐ฌ Read more and subscribe:
creativepec.substack.com/p/political-...
loading . . .
Political Monitor: Keir Starmer resigns
Plus: Join us for this week's Arts, Culture and Heritage report launch
https://creativepec.substack.com/p/political-monitor-keir-starmer-resigns
0
0
1
๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
add a skeleton here at some point
5 days ago
0
4
1
Listen!
@rkokayokay.bsky.social
talks to
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social
about the fascinating "Dispatches from the Avant-Garage: The Alternative Press"
newbooksnetwork.com/detroits-alt...
loading . . .
Rebecca Kosick, "Dispatches from the Avant-Garage: The Alternative Press" (Wayne State UP, 2026) - New Books Network
https://newbooksnetwork.com/detroits-alternative-press
5 days ago
0
2
2
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Sam Wetherell
about 1 month ago
Excited to announce that Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain will be out in paperback on July 16. Iโll be doing a launch event that day with the wonderful people at West Kirby Books. See below for tickets!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/liverpool-...
2
49
18
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Jim Dickinson
10 days ago
NEW on Wonkhe: Your next favourite pop star probably studied at a conservatoire or specialist music college - but youโd never know it, says Damian Morgan
buff.ly/NvKt57q
0
0
1
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Martin Fitzgerald
8 days ago
My flyer for Edinburgh - front and back. Tickets can be booked below. Hope to see some of you there and thanks to everyone who has booked so far
www.thespaceuk.com/shows/2026/t...
0
9
5
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Richard Jones
8 days ago
As Andy Burnham returns to Westminster, and is calling for "a new drive of re-industrialisation across the north of Englandโ, what might be behind those words? My piece from a month ago: "Andy Burnham, Manchesterism, and Reindustrialisation"
softmachines.org?p=3305
loading . . .
Andy Burnham, Manchesterism, and Reindustrialisation โ Soft Machines, by Richard Jones
https://softmachines.org/?p=3305
0
4
7
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
claire biddles
8 days ago
i wrote about the new version of placebo's debut album, and considered alt musicians taking creative approaches to their backcatalogues more generally, for
@thequietus.com
add a skeleton here at some point
0
11
5
reposted by
Prof Dave O'Brien
Per Engzell
8 days ago
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in Dublin is hiring a Senior Research Officer in quantitative sociology with expertise in social stratification, education, or integration. Apply by 3 July:
candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationI...
loading . . .
Senior Research Officer in Sociology
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has a long-established tradition of sociological research, and we wish to recruit a sociologist with excellent
https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1261&ProjectId=143916&DepartmentId=18960&MediaId=5&SkipAdvertisement=False
0
15
15
Load more
feeds!
log in