Alex Nurse
@alexnurse.bsky.social
Reader in Urban Planning at the University of Liverpool. Researching: Cycling, Urban Governance, Cities and City-Regions.
Likes are usually bookmarks (or it might mean I like it!)
DMs not open. I'll reply to an email if you need me.
Likes are usually bookmarks (or it might mean I like it!)
DMs not open. I'll reply to an email if you need me.
150 reports, 300,000 words and there are 9 left.
...and so it begins. 4 weeks of wall-to-wall marking.
For those of you who don't know me - it's an annual feast.
For those of you who don't know me - it's an annual feast.
three men in armor are standing next to each other with the words so it begins
ALT: three men in armor are standing next to each other with the words so it begins
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:22 PM
150 reports, 300,000 words and there are 9 left.
Reposted by Alex Nurse
Letting students use chatbots is also an issue when we're supposed to be assessing their ability. In that context, isn't "ChatGPT helped me with this essay" not entirely dissimilar from "My mum helped me with this essay". How much did they write? Which bits? What are you capable of without them?
One reason I don't like the trend of letting students use chatbots is that it fucks the process of giving useful feedback. If something's not clear, I can't tell if this is a specific gap in understanding that I need to help with, or whether my feedback would more usefully be: FFS don't use copilot
November 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Letting students use chatbots is also an issue when we're supposed to be assessing their ability. In that context, isn't "ChatGPT helped me with this essay" not entirely dissimilar from "My mum helped me with this essay". How much did they write? Which bits? What are you capable of without them?
In an environment where pretty much every tax rise has been touted, to let this one go begging.... again.... is an absolute mind boggler.
Such a bad decision on so many policy fronts.
Such a bad decision on so many policy fronts.
When can you declare an emergency over?
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
November 25, 2025 at 5:28 PM
In an environment where pretty much every tax rise has been touted, to let this one go begging.... again.... is an absolute mind boggler.
Such a bad decision on so many policy fronts.
Such a bad decision on so many policy fronts.
Apropos of nothing, whilst I've been marking I've been watching a playthrough of Metal Gear Solid, and latterly Metal Gear Solid 2.
Whilst I loved those games, especially MSG1, it strikes me how little actual gameplay these is. They really are like a play.
MSG2 was also way ahead of its time.
Whilst I loved those games, especially MSG1, it strikes me how little actual gameplay these is. They really are like a play.
MSG2 was also way ahead of its time.
November 25, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Apropos of nothing, whilst I've been marking I've been watching a playthrough of Metal Gear Solid, and latterly Metal Gear Solid 2.
Whilst I loved those games, especially MSG1, it strikes me how little actual gameplay these is. They really are like a play.
MSG2 was also way ahead of its time.
Whilst I loved those games, especially MSG1, it strikes me how little actual gameplay these is. They really are like a play.
MSG2 was also way ahead of its time.
Have you ever been electrocuted. Because I just have and, let me let you in on a little secret here friends, I didn't enjoy it.
November 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Have you ever been electrocuted. Because I just have and, let me let you in on a little secret here friends, I didn't enjoy it.
I've been down here twice in the past four days. On both occasions there was a car crash so bad it required the police to attend.
I lived near there a decade ago and it was an accident blackspot then. Literally nothing has changed in that decade, or more.
I lived near there a decade ago and it was an accident blackspot then. Literally nothing has changed in that decade, or more.
November 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I've been down here twice in the past four days. On both occasions there was a car crash so bad it required the police to attend.
I lived near there a decade ago and it was an accident blackspot then. Literally nothing has changed in that decade, or more.
I lived near there a decade ago and it was an accident blackspot then. Literally nothing has changed in that decade, or more.
I wanted to do school work experience as a surveyor.
They couldn't find a placement, so Halton Council planning department took me in.
It was so good I wanted to do that.
My 6th form tutor told me not to apply to uni as I wouldn't get in.
I now teach Urban Planning at the University who took me in.
They couldn't find a placement, so Halton Council planning department took me in.
It was so good I wanted to do that.
My 6th form tutor told me not to apply to uni as I wouldn't get in.
I now teach Urban Planning at the University who took me in.
November 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
I wanted to do school work experience as a surveyor.
They couldn't find a placement, so Halton Council planning department took me in.
It was so good I wanted to do that.
My 6th form tutor told me not to apply to uni as I wouldn't get in.
I now teach Urban Planning at the University who took me in.
They couldn't find a placement, so Halton Council planning department took me in.
It was so good I wanted to do that.
My 6th form tutor told me not to apply to uni as I wouldn't get in.
I now teach Urban Planning at the University who took me in.
Which will finish first? My ride, or the clapped out iPad battery that goes down even when it's on charge...
November 22, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Which will finish first? My ride, or the clapped out iPad battery that goes down even when it's on charge...
For some reason the fact that this got picked up by @thewaroncars.bsky.social over the summer totally passed me by.
I'd legit like to see how the same qs would play
A) In a US context
And
B) In a post-Twitter and disaggregated social media landscape.
I'd legit like to see how the same qs would play
A) In a US context
And
B) In a post-Twitter and disaggregated social media landscape.
The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
Social media has plenty of effects. Few of them are good.
We should stop having comments on articles while we're at it too...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Social media has plenty of effects. Few of them are good.
We should stop having comments on articles while we're at it too...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
For some reason the fact that this got picked up by @thewaroncars.bsky.social over the summer totally passed me by.
I'd legit like to see how the same qs would play
A) In a US context
And
B) In a post-Twitter and disaggregated social media landscape.
I'd legit like to see how the same qs would play
A) In a US context
And
B) In a post-Twitter and disaggregated social media landscape.
The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
Social media has plenty of effects. Few of them are good.
We should stop having comments on articles while we're at it too...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Social media has plenty of effects. Few of them are good.
We should stop having comments on articles while we're at it too...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
November 22, 2025 at 9:45 AM
The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
Social media has plenty of effects. Few of them are good.
We should stop having comments on articles while we're at it too...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Social media has plenty of effects. Few of them are good.
We should stop having comments on articles while we're at it too...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
November 21, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Interesting tactic. I'm currently 200,000 words into a 300,000 word run of marking.
The obvious AI stuff aside, the stuff that is really bothering me is the uncanny valley work. I know something's up, but I can't really prove it...
The obvious AI stuff aside, the stuff that is really bothering me is the uncanny valley work. I know something's up, but I can't really prove it...
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking.
"Students are not just undermining their ability to learn, but to someday lead."
www.huffpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Interesting tactic. I'm currently 200,000 words into a 300,000 word run of marking.
The obvious AI stuff aside, the stuff that is really bothering me is the uncanny valley work. I know something's up, but I can't really prove it...
The obvious AI stuff aside, the stuff that is really bothering me is the uncanny valley work. I know something's up, but I can't really prove it...
Great broader thread but this, specifically, is a great point.
There's at least 1 great proposed segregated route in Liverpool that has been abandoned entirely and pushed into a park (where you daren't go at night) because the bus operator objected.
The baby went out with the bathwater.
There's at least 1 great proposed segregated route in Liverpool that has been abandoned entirely and pushed into a park (where you daren't go at night) because the bus operator objected.
The baby went out with the bathwater.
2. As our blog makes clear (lcc.org.uk/news/dangero...) we are told over & over by officers & Cllrs across London that pushback on any scheme that might even theoretically impact TfL Buses is a big issue, yet there's little action on bus priority from the same parts of the organisation. It's IMO...
Dangerous Junctions 2025 update - London Cycling Campaign
lcc.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Great broader thread but this, specifically, is a great point.
There's at least 1 great proposed segregated route in Liverpool that has been abandoned entirely and pushed into a park (where you daren't go at night) because the bus operator objected.
The baby went out with the bathwater.
There's at least 1 great proposed segregated route in Liverpool that has been abandoned entirely and pushed into a park (where you daren't go at night) because the bus operator objected.
The baby went out with the bathwater.
There's something quite satisfying when your spideysenses* go off and you end up detecting your way into finding some AI...
One thing I miss about my days as a subject assessment officer is the detective stuff.
*sorry for the mixed metaphor.
One thing I miss about my days as a subject assessment officer is the detective stuff.
*sorry for the mixed metaphor.
a cartoon of batman standing in front of a city skyline at night
ALT: a cartoon of batman standing in front of a city skyline at night
media.tenor.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
There's something quite satisfying when your spideysenses* go off and you end up detecting your way into finding some AI...
One thing I miss about my days as a subject assessment officer is the detective stuff.
*sorry for the mixed metaphor.
One thing I miss about my days as a subject assessment officer is the detective stuff.
*sorry for the mixed metaphor.
Reposted by Alex Nurse
If anyone is following #UKSNOW has had snow, and has a spare 5-10 mins, I'd love to hear from you!
Did you have snow overnight/in the last few days?
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
Public Attitudes to Snow and Ice on Pavements and Roads
Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM
If anyone is following #UKSNOW has had snow, and has a spare 5-10 mins, I'd love to hear from you!
There's something about this that has really touched a nerve.
I've had people in the wild talking to me about it. I can only think of one other time where random members of the public have actually emailed me about something I've said or done.
Most of it is just: "thank you for saying it"
I've had people in the wild talking to me about it. I can only think of one other time where random members of the public have actually emailed me about something I've said or done.
Most of it is just: "thank you for saying it"
Powerful words from @alexnurse.bsky.social - who simply doesn’t want to be killed while commuting to and from work
'I don't want to be an obituary in the ECHO, we need change'
Dad-of-two writes powerful letter after facing near-death experiences on the roads of Liverpool
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 2:39 PM
There's something about this that has really touched a nerve.
I've had people in the wild talking to me about it. I can only think of one other time where random members of the public have actually emailed me about something I've said or done.
Most of it is just: "thank you for saying it"
I've had people in the wild talking to me about it. I can only think of one other time where random members of the public have actually emailed me about something I've said or done.
Most of it is just: "thank you for saying it"
If anyone is following #UKSNOW has had snow, and has a spare 5-10 mins, I'd love to hear from you!
Did you have snow overnight/in the last few days?
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
Public Attitudes to Snow and Ice on Pavements and Roads
Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM
If anyone is following #UKSNOW has had snow, and has a spare 5-10 mins, I'd love to hear from you!
Did you have snow overnight/in the last few days?
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
Public Attitudes to Snow and Ice on Pavements and Roads
Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Did you have snow overnight/in the last few days?
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
Come and work with us! We're advertising for another researcher at the @justcentre.bsky.social looking at Social and Solidarity Economies. You'll be based out of Liverpool but working across Northern England.
Closing date 13th Dec.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK547/r...
Closing date 13th Dec.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK547/r...
Research Associate/Postdoctoral Research Associate: Social and Solidarity Economics - Grade 7 at University of Liverpool
An academic position as a Research Associate/Postdoctoral Research Associate: Social and Solidarity Economics - Grade 7 is being advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Click now to find more details and explore ad...
www.jobs.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Come and work with us! We're advertising for another researcher at the @justcentre.bsky.social looking at Social and Solidarity Economies. You'll be based out of Liverpool but working across Northern England.
Closing date 13th Dec.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK547/r...
Closing date 13th Dec.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK547/r...
Oh and PS you've got to do all of the rest of your job whilst doing that.
I was explaining marking to my students...
Someone gives you a ream of paper. Every single pages is printed text. You have to read it all, and every 4 pages, you must pause and write 250 words on what you thought about those 4 pages.
And that's why you'll get your feedback in 3-4 weeks.
Someone gives you a ream of paper. Every single pages is printed text. You have to read it all, and every 4 pages, you must pause and write 250 words on what you thought about those 4 pages.
And that's why you'll get your feedback in 3-4 weeks.
November 19, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Oh and PS you've got to do all of the rest of your job whilst doing that.
I was explaining marking to my students...
Someone gives you a ream of paper. Every single pages is printed text. You have to read it all, and every 4 pages, you must pause and write 250 words on what you thought about those 4 pages.
And that's why you'll get your feedback in 3-4 weeks.
Someone gives you a ream of paper. Every single pages is printed text. You have to read it all, and every 4 pages, you must pause and write 250 words on what you thought about those 4 pages.
And that's why you'll get your feedback in 3-4 weeks.
November 19, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I was explaining marking to my students...
Someone gives you a ream of paper. Every single pages is printed text. You have to read it all, and every 4 pages, you must pause and write 250 words on what you thought about those 4 pages.
And that's why you'll get your feedback in 3-4 weeks.
Someone gives you a ream of paper. Every single pages is printed text. You have to read it all, and every 4 pages, you must pause and write 250 words on what you thought about those 4 pages.
And that's why you'll get your feedback in 3-4 weeks.
One of those nights you chuck your clothes in the washing machine to dry them out a bit...
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
One of those nights you chuck your clothes in the washing machine to dry them out a bit...
The barriers are down for flooding on the Queens Drive underpass (where, it's not lost on me, the inquest of the two people who died under there is happening now).
In 2 minutes at the mihjts i watched watched FIVE cars drive past the big ROAD CLOSED gantry to have a look for themselves.
In 2 minutes at the mihjts i watched watched FIVE cars drive past the big ROAD CLOSED gantry to have a look for themselves.
November 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The barriers are down for flooding on the Queens Drive underpass (where, it's not lost on me, the inquest of the two people who died under there is happening now).
In 2 minutes at the mihjts i watched watched FIVE cars drive past the big ROAD CLOSED gantry to have a look for themselves.
In 2 minutes at the mihjts i watched watched FIVE cars drive past the big ROAD CLOSED gantry to have a look for themselves.
A question for #bikesky my cycling front and rear cameras are giving up the ghost. Recent events have convinced me to reinvest...
Any recommendations on good (decent memory, decent battery life) front and/or rear facing cameras?
Any recommendations on good (decent memory, decent battery life) front and/or rear facing cameras?
November 17, 2025 at 7:51 PM
A question for #bikesky my cycling front and rear cameras are giving up the ghost. Recent events have convinced me to reinvest...
Any recommendations on good (decent memory, decent battery life) front and/or rear facing cameras?
Any recommendations on good (decent memory, decent battery life) front and/or rear facing cameras?
The impending snowmageddon is a reminder to dust off the survey ive had ethical approval for since last March.
I designed it in Feb and it's been sat there for 9 months, waiting...
I designed it in Feb and it's been sat there for 9 months, waiting...
November 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The impending snowmageddon is a reminder to dust off the survey ive had ethical approval for since last March.
I designed it in Feb and it's been sat there for 9 months, waiting...
I designed it in Feb and it's been sat there for 9 months, waiting...