Dr Duncan Robertson
@duncanrobertson.bsky.social
Policy & Strategy Analytics academic at Loughborough University; Member, Independent SAGE; Fellow, St Catherine's College, Oxford.
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
RFKJr has cut ALL mRNA vax research in the USA where all the work discussed in this thread was developed. Other countries can step in. But the rhetoric about mRNA vax from the likes of him are HUGELY harming the trust in mRNA vaccine technology. We address common questions n myths here
independentsage.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:42 AM
RFKJr has cut ALL mRNA vax research in the USA where all the work discussed in this thread was developed. Other countries can step in. But the rhetoric about mRNA vax from the likes of him are HUGELY harming the trust in mRNA vaccine technology. We address common questions n myths here
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
Congress requires DOD to facilitate Scouts activities but the Secretary can ignore the law in cases where it is “detrimental to national security." Hegseth is preparing to do so because the scouts have become too inclusive of girls.
www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
U.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking 'boy-friendly spaces'
Documents show the U.S. military is planning to sever all ties with the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts.
www.npr.org
November 26, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Congress requires DOD to facilitate Scouts activities but the Secretary can ignore the law in cases where it is “detrimental to national security." Hegseth is preparing to do so because the scouts have become too inclusive of girls.
www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
Oops.
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Oops.
The other thing about keeping jury trials is that you are tried by your peers - something that encourages social cohesion, I would have thought.
November 25, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The other thing about keeping jury trials is that you are tried by your peers - something that encourages social cohesion, I would have thought.
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
November 25, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
💥Jury trials for all except most serious crimes such as rape, murder and manslaughter set to be scrapped under radical proposals drawn up by David Lammy.
Proposals drew swift backlash from senior lawyers who said they would not reduce court backlogs & could “destroy justice as we know it”.
Proposals drew swift backlash from senior lawyers who said they would not reduce court backlogs & could “destroy justice as we know it”.
November 25, 2025 at 6:58 PM
💥Jury trials for all except most serious crimes such as rape, murder and manslaughter set to be scrapped under radical proposals drawn up by David Lammy.
Proposals drew swift backlash from senior lawyers who said they would not reduce court backlogs & could “destroy justice as we know it”.
Proposals drew swift backlash from senior lawyers who said they would not reduce court backlogs & could “destroy justice as we know it”.
# We don't need no education #
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Fifty higher education providers at risk of exiting market in England, MPs told
Regulator says 24 are at more immediate risk and may have to stop degree courses within next 12 months
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
# We don't need no education #
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
🤨
Breaking News: The CDC quietly appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who has been critical of vaccines, as its second in command. During the Covid pandemic, he promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
C.D.C. Quietly Appoints Doctor Critical of Vaccines as Second in Command
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
trib.al
November 25, 2025 at 6:53 PM
🤨
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
The Secretary of Defense, ladies and gentlemen
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
The Secretary of Defense, ladies and gentlemen
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
Come and join our lovely team in Sheffield:
✨ SARG Internship opportunity ✨ We're currently looking for a part-time Quantitative Research Intern to undertake a three-month research project mapping the type of advice that alcohol treatment and recovery services give to clients on the use of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks. Find out more 👇
Quantitative Research Intern (P/T) at University of Sheffield
An opportunity for an academic position as a Quantitative Research Intern (P/T) is available, as advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other academic job openings.
www.jobs.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Come and join our lovely team in Sheffield:
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
Everyone is doing this ironically, but someone has to state it plainly. Chris Mason is exactly what is wrong with BBC politics coverage. Infantile coverage via soap opera and constant fawning over Reform and the archetypal Reform voter's supposed views.
Robbie Gibb describes the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason as the "unsung hero of covering politics" and "absolutely first rate"
November 25, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Everyone is doing this ironically, but someone has to state it plainly. Chris Mason is exactly what is wrong with BBC politics coverage. Infantile coverage via soap opera and constant fawning over Reform and the archetypal Reform voter's supposed views.
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
This really was excellent questioning by Gareth Lewis, BBC Wales’s political editor.
And what stands out is how unusual it is to get such forensic questioning nowadays.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
1h16 on today's Today programme: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
And what stands out is how unusual it is to get such forensic questioning nowadays.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
1h16 on today's Today programme: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Labour condemns Nigel Farage after he ducks calls for probe into potential Reform UK links to Russia – UK politics live
Farage says he will not carry out a wider investigation after last week’s sentencing of former Reform UK leader in Wales, Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:41 AM
This really was excellent questioning by Gareth Lewis, BBC Wales’s political editor.
And what stands out is how unusual it is to get such forensic questioning nowadays.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
1h16 on today's Today programme: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
And what stands out is how unusual it is to get such forensic questioning nowadays.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
1h16 on today's Today programme: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
We are not yet a year into Trump’s second term and already DOGE has been mothballed, MTG has bailed from Congress, the administration tried and failed to present a Russian plan to end the war, and the ‘Secretary of War’ is trying to court-martial a US Senator. Time for a reminder of this I think…
November 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
We are not yet a year into Trump’s second term and already DOGE has been mothballed, MTG has bailed from Congress, the administration tried and failed to present a Russian plan to end the war, and the ‘Secretary of War’ is trying to court-martial a US Senator. Time for a reminder of this I think…
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
The default pandemic strategy for many countries does now seem to be "Play it by ear then lockdown and wait for a vaccine"
November 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The default pandemic strategy for many countries does now seem to be "Play it by ear then lockdown and wait for a vaccine"
“To see this bright-eyed kid at the bus stop,” Kenley said, “I was making his day; he was making mine.”
This is enormously sweet www.cnn.com/2025/11/23/u...
She was a bus driver who answered questions from a curious 5th grader. A decade later, they reconnected — as colleagues | CNN
Though Sam Mencimer didn’t know it at the time, all those moments with his favorite bus driver, Joy Kenley – the never-ending questions, the bus depot tour – would have a lasting impact on his life.
www.cnn.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:31 PM
“To see this bright-eyed kid at the bus stop,” Kenley said, “I was making his day; he was making mine.”
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
45 years ago I made a pitch for the Director-General job. Didn’t get it – mind you, I was only 13. But I did get a reply from Ian Trethowan, who was DG at the time. All these years later I’m proud to work for the BBC.
November 23, 2025 at 12:08 PM
45 years ago I made a pitch for the Director-General job. Didn’t get it – mind you, I was only 13. But I did get a reply from Ian Trethowan, who was DG at the time. All these years later I’m proud to work for the BBC.
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
They remain the only government in my lifetime without a theory of how economic growth happens and a determination that it definitely not be through universities, immigration, high skilled services, tax simplification, trade relations etc
November 24, 2025 at 8:34 AM
They remain the only government in my lifetime without a theory of how economic growth happens and a determination that it definitely not be through universities, immigration, high skilled services, tax simplification, trade relations etc
The government:
Tough on immigration, tough on the causes of immigration.
Tough on immigration, tough on the causes of immigration.
November 24, 2025 at 8:31 AM
The government:
Tough on immigration, tough on the causes of immigration.
Tough on immigration, tough on the causes of immigration.
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
*Waves*
(Hat tip to Professor Young's single slit experiment)
(Hat tip to Professor Young's single slit experiment)
Terumaru, a bright young lightbulb and the mascot of the Tokyu Denki electric company, trapped in a door yesterday:
November 23, 2025 at 11:36 PM
*Waves*
(Hat tip to Professor Young's single slit experiment)
(Hat tip to Professor Young's single slit experiment)
Reposted by Dr Duncan Robertson
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
Those universities - nothing to do with growth, are they?
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Those universities - nothing to do with growth, are they?