Alex Usher
@alexusherhesa.bsky.social
Higher Education. All of it. All around the world. Also: snark, sumo, Winnipeg Jets triumphalism and bitching about Toronto FC.
I blog here: https://higheredstrategy.com/blog/
I podcast here: https://worlded.transistor.fm/
I blog here: https://higheredstrategy.com/blog/
I podcast here: https://worlded.transistor.fm/
Reposted by Alex Usher
The government has been accused of adding a “stealth tax” to graduates’ earnings in England by freezing the threshold at which they pay back student loans
#EduSky #highered
#EduSky #highered
‘Stealth tax’ fears as student loan repayment threshold frozen
Graduates earning only just above minimum wage may soon have to repay back their loans after Budget changes
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I think for "people on BlueSky" you could probably substitute "humanities and social sciences profs."
People on BlueSky: AI is useless! A stochastic parrot!
Mathematicians/biologists/physicists: It is already helping us do frontier technical research and in some cases solve open problems arxiv.org/pdf/2511.16072
(There are of course, as always, many caveats, but the paper is genuinely remarkable)
Mathematicians/biologists/physicists: It is already helping us do frontier technical research and in some cases solve open problems arxiv.org/pdf/2511.16072
(There are of course, as always, many caveats, but the paper is genuinely remarkable)
arxiv.org
November 27, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I think for "people on BlueSky" you could probably substitute "humanities and social sciences profs."
University enrolment in thousands, South Africa 2006-2023. Note how enrolment growth at public universities (the 4 bottom categories) stalls in 2017, which not coincidentally is right about when the government froze tuition fees.
November 27, 2025 at 11:49 AM
University enrolment in thousands, South Africa 2006-2023. Note how enrolment growth at public universities (the 4 bottom categories) stalls in 2017, which not coincidentally is right about when the government froze tuition fees.
What's the nicest movie cinema you've ever been to?
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 AM
What's the nicest movie cinema you've ever been to?
Reposted by Alex Usher
"I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
November 27, 2025 at 2:30 AM
"I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
Reposted by Alex Usher
NOTE: the WV governor has backtracked on this claim, now stating that the Guardmen were shot rather than killed. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
November 26, 2025 at 9:15 PM
NOTE: the WV governor has backtracked on this claim, now stating that the Guardmen were shot rather than killed. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Last thought: everyone needs to remember that one of the biggest issues on the BC government's mind is the potential collapse of VIU. When it talks about "consolidation", you should all understand it as "how can we create political cover to radically shrink VIU and foist the rest on UVic"?
OK, I have now read the Terms of Reference in more detail. My more considered opinion of the review is that the Government has lost its damn mind.
The BC Govt has announced a review of the public post-secondary system. Review will be led by Don Avison, recently Chair of the board at Emily Carr. He's a past Deputy Minister of Education, Skills and Training, and President of the Research Universities Council of BC
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
November 26, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Last thought: everyone needs to remember that one of the biggest issues on the BC government's mind is the potential collapse of VIU. When it talks about "consolidation", you should all understand it as "how can we create political cover to radically shrink VIU and foist the rest on UVic"?
True, though in fairness Canada was basically the only country that genuinely fixed its pension system before the retirement wave. Partial points, at least.
"We could, and should, have prepared for this demographic inevitability... But it was easier for both provincial and federal governments at the time to kick that can down the road" @maxfawcett.bsky.social in the @nationalobserver.com www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/26/o... #cdnpoli #boomers
November 26, 2025 at 9:10 PM
True, though in fairness Canada was basically the only country that genuinely fixed its pension system before the retirement wave. Partial points, at least.
Reposted by Alex Usher
I will believe in the end of identity politics when steel and lumber (28,000 jobs and 105,000 jobs respectively) stop getting bailouts, while higher education (310,000 jobs) collapses in front of our eyes because it's full of ivory tower elites
November 26, 2025 at 8:38 PM
I will believe in the end of identity politics when steel and lumber (28,000 jobs and 105,000 jobs respectively) stop getting bailouts, while higher education (310,000 jobs) collapses in front of our eyes because it's full of ivory tower elites
Not the most evil member of the ruling junta, but definitely the one whose face needs punching the most.
Hassett: "On one of the Sunday shows, the anchor criticized the fact Walmart said the Thanksgiving dinner is cheaper by about $10. Then he said, 'Oh yeah, but they substituted generic stuff,' as if having a generic something is a crime for ordinary folks! It shows how out of touch these people are."
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Not the most evil member of the ruling junta, but definitely the one whose face needs punching the most.
Reposted by Alex Usher
Holy extortion Batman!
“Northwestern and White House are close on a deal to end Trump admin's months long pressure campaign. Under potential terms, Northwestern would pay fed govt $75,000,000, second highest for a university.” | NY Times.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
“Northwestern and White House are close on a deal to end Trump admin's months long pressure campaign. Under potential terms, Northwestern would pay fed govt $75,000,000, second highest for a university.” | NY Times.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Northwestern University Nears Deal to Resolve Its Conflict With the White House
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Holy extortion Batman!
“Northwestern and White House are close on a deal to end Trump admin's months long pressure campaign. Under potential terms, Northwestern would pay fed govt $75,000,000, second highest for a university.” | NY Times.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
“Northwestern and White House are close on a deal to end Trump admin's months long pressure campaign. Under potential terms, Northwestern would pay fed govt $75,000,000, second highest for a university.” | NY Times.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Hey, you know what other sector what has been decimated by a hostile government's actions that has yet to be given a bailout?
November 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Hey, you know what other sector what has been decimated by a hostile government's actions that has yet to be given a bailout?
Reposted by Alex Usher
sometimes you just need to take a step back and marvel at the absurdity that is the left-NIMBY mindset
these are not normal, rational people. they have descended into a bespoke form of madness
these are not normal, rational people. they have descended into a bespoke form of madness
November 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
sometimes you just need to take a step back and marvel at the absurdity that is the left-NIMBY mindset
these are not normal, rational people. they have descended into a bespoke form of madness
these are not normal, rational people. they have descended into a bespoke form of madness
In which I talk about countries where higher education enrolments are flatlining or tanking. There are more of them than you think.
The New Decliners | HESA
Morning all. Next week, we will be launching The World of Higher Education – Year in Review 2025, which is our new global equivalent to The State of Post-Secondary Education in Canada. As a document, ...
higheredstrategy.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:12 PM
In which I talk about countries where higher education enrolments are flatlining or tanking. There are more of them than you think.
Reposted by Alex Usher
How To Talk To Your Family About Whether There Is A Shapeshifting Alien Monstrosity Among Us Thanksgiving
No. The Thing is a movie about a bunch of people who all distrust and hate each other trapped in one building as the tension between them slowly builds until it reaches a breaking point. It's a Thanksgiving movie.
Should John Carpenter's THE THING be officially classified as a Christmas movie? Let your voice be heard!
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
How To Talk To Your Family About Whether There Is A Shapeshifting Alien Monstrosity Among Us Thanksgiving
Boy, wait 'til the BC government finds out what's going on in primary and secondary schools.
I can't help but laugh "Over time, this expansion resulted in the same or similar programs being offered at multiple institutions, often within close geographic proximity to one another"
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Boy, wait 'til the BC government finds out what's going on in primary and secondary schools.
Reposted by Alex Usher
Block grants for university R&I to rise by £425m over four years.
Treasury confirms real-terms protection of quality-related grants and Higher Education Innovation Funding in autumn budget.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Treasury confirms real-terms protection of quality-related grants and Higher Education Innovation Funding in autumn budget.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
November 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Block grants for university R&I to rise by £425m over four years.
Treasury confirms real-terms protection of quality-related grants and Higher Education Innovation Funding in autumn budget.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Treasury confirms real-terms protection of quality-related grants and Higher Education Innovation Funding in autumn budget.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Every 19th/20th century industry you can think of is getting subsidies.
November 26, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Every 19th/20th century industry you can think of is getting subsidies.
OK, I have now read the Terms of Reference in more detail. My more considered opinion of the review is that the Government has lost its damn mind.
The BC Govt has announced a review of the public post-secondary system. Review will be led by Don Avison, recently Chair of the board at Emily Carr. He's a past Deputy Minister of Education, Skills and Training, and President of the Research Universities Council of BC
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Province reviews public post-secondary system to ensure long-term sustainability
The Province is launching an independent review to strengthen the public post-secondary education system and ensure it is sustainable and well-positioned to support people in British Columbia and B.C.’s economic growth.
news.gov.bc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 5:57 AM
OK, I have now read the Terms of Reference in more detail. My more considered opinion of the review is that the Government has lost its damn mind.
My first (probably too quick) read of this is that a) most of the report's conclusions have already been decided and b) a lot of the solution is going to be "re-distribute UBC's money to other institutions".
The BC Govt has announced a review of the public post-secondary system. Review will be led by Don Avison, recently Chair of the board at Emily Carr. He's a past Deputy Minister of Education, Skills and Training, and President of the Research Universities Council of BC
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Province reviews public post-secondary system to ensure long-term sustainability
The Province is launching an independent review to strengthen the public post-secondary education system and ensure it is sustainable and well-positioned to support people in British Columbia and B.C.’s economic growth.
news.gov.bc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 11:08 PM
My first (probably too quick) read of this is that a) most of the report's conclusions have already been decided and b) a lot of the solution is going to be "re-distribute UBC's money to other institutions".
Super-excited about the bits of the Review's Terms of Reference that have been censored..
November 25, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Super-excited about the bits of the Review's Terms of Reference that have been censored..
Reposted by Alex Usher
The BC Govt has announced a review of the public post-secondary system. Review will be led by Don Avison, recently Chair of the board at Emily Carr. He's a past Deputy Minister of Education, Skills and Training, and President of the Research Universities Council of BC
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Province reviews public post-secondary system to ensure long-term sustainability
The Province is launching an independent review to strengthen the public post-secondary education system and ensure it is sustainable and well-positioned to support people in British Columbia and B.C.’s economic growth.
news.gov.bc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 10:53 PM
The BC Govt has announced a review of the public post-secondary system. Review will be led by Don Avison, recently Chair of the board at Emily Carr. He's a past Deputy Minister of Education, Skills and Training, and President of the Research Universities Council of BC
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
More to the point, I think, is that he has a JD Vance-shaped problem
JD Vance might want to run in 2028 – but does he have a Palantir-shaped problem? | Arwa Mahdawi
JD Vance might want to run in 2028 – but does he have a Palantir-shaped problem? | Arwa Mahdawi
The VP wouldn’t be where he is today without the patronage of the Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel. But with voters becoming more and more concerned about the firm’s surveillance tech, could that relationship affect his chances, asks Arwa Mahdawi
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
More to the point, I think, is that he has a JD Vance-shaped problem
I (gratefully) stand corrected.
UBC is even higher - average for all ranks is $201,450 and media is $193,425 vs 198,625 and 192,200 for Queen's, and 195,625 and 190,775 for UofT.
November 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I (gratefully) stand corrected.