Margot Finn
@eicathomefinn.bsky.social
Historian of Britain and colonialism, material culture, the EIC. Also works on equalities, museums, open access & research policy. Download the EIC @ Home open access volume here: https://www.uclpress.co.uk/products/88277 (or individual chapters via JSTOR)
A situation replicated across many HEIs. We should be places of active, co-produced experimentation. But this is not what's on offer. Such a missed opportunity married to an own goal.
February 10, 2026 at 11:59 AM
A situation replicated across many HEIs. We should be places of active, co-produced experimentation. But this is not what's on offer. Such a missed opportunity married to an own goal.
Reposted by Margot Finn
Reform UK’s head of policy Zia Yusuf launched a culture war in Wales by threatening to withhold funding from Bangor University after its student debating society refused to host two leading figures from his party ✍️Martin Shipton
Uproar as Reform policy chief threatens to defund Welsh university
Martin Shipton Reform UK’s head of policy Zia Yusuf launched a culture war in Wales by threatening to withhold funding from Bangor University after its student debating society refused to host two lea...
nation.cymru
February 10, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Reform UK’s head of policy Zia Yusuf launched a culture war in Wales by threatening to withhold funding from Bangor University after its student debating society refused to host two leading figures from his party ✍️Martin Shipton
Reposted by Margot Finn
Threatening to defund the Welsh university widely perceived to be a bastion of the Welsh language - it has one of the highest proportions of Welsh speaking students - isn’t a great look for a party looking to sweep the Senedd in May
I guess we can thank Bangor’s Debating & Political Society for prompting Reform to reveal that they intend to govern in the same Trumpian, thin-skinned way that would cause them to tank the economy of a small city because some students were mean to them.
Reform is threatening Bangor University over a student society’s decision. The society isn’t Bangor University—but this is a neat preview of how a Reform government would work: public money for supporters only. Trump-style politics, UK edition.
Authoritarian reflex is already working just fine.👇
Authoritarian reflex is already working just fine.👇
February 10, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Threatening to defund the Welsh university widely perceived to be a bastion of the Welsh language - it has one of the highest proportions of Welsh speaking students - isn’t a great look for a party looking to sweep the Senedd in May
Reposted by Margot Finn
#jobfairy this is an intriguing one - 18 month research fellowship for an object-focused historian, museums studies person or similar at Chatsworth House! £48k + £11k travel, outreach etc #skystorians
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
Devonshire Collections Research Fellow at Chatsworth House Trust
Searching for an academic job? Explore this Devonshire Collections Research Fellow opening on jobs.ac.uk! Click to view more details and browse other academic jobs.
www.jobs.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 11:08 AM
#jobfairy this is an intriguing one - 18 month research fellowship for an object-focused historian, museums studies person or similar at Chatsworth House! £48k + £11k travel, outreach etc #skystorians
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
'Scepticism about such ventures is healthy. Higher education has seen alliances launch with broad declarations and fade with little to show.' (Noah Pickus)
Will it work? Who knows? But it's a much more interesting model than the current UK HE off-shoring in vogue ('sandbox' notwithstanding). 2/2
Will it work? Who knows? But it's a much more interesting model than the current UK HE off-shoring in vogue ('sandbox' notwithstanding). 2/2
Future Universities Alliance | Office of the Provost
About the Alliance Image The Future Universities Alliance is a global platform connecting start-up, emerging, and established universities to reimagine what higher educat
provost.duke.edu
February 10, 2026 at 11:14 AM
'Scepticism about such ventures is healthy. Higher education has seen alliances launch with broad declarations and fade with little to show.' (Noah Pickus)
Will it work? Who knows? But it's a much more interesting model than the current UK HE off-shoring in vogue ('sandbox' notwithstanding). 2/2
Will it work? Who knows? But it's a much more interesting model than the current UK HE off-shoring in vogue ('sandbox' notwithstanding). 2/2
'Our approach rests not on borderless cosmopolitanism but on what I call rooted globalism. The idea is that institutions stay grounded in their histories and communities while learning across differences and allowing those lessons to reshape how they serve their own students.' (Noah Pickus) 1/2
Our open, global institutional design engine is not just another consortium
Higher education has seen alliances launch with broad declarations and fade with little to show. But we are structuring this one differently, says Noah Pickus
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:14 AM
'Our approach rests not on borderless cosmopolitanism but on what I call rooted globalism. The idea is that institutions stay grounded in their histories and communities while learning across differences and allowing those lessons to reshape how they serve their own students.' (Noah Pickus) 1/2
I’m up for change, when a viable alternative is offered.
February 10, 2026 at 11:09 AM
I’m up for change, when a viable alternative is offered.
The Microsoft announcement was 'interesting'. At what point did universities suspend their function of rendering critical judgement? Did I miss a memo? Is 'science' no longer what we're about?
February 10, 2026 at 10:55 AM
The Microsoft announcement was 'interesting'. At what point did universities suspend their function of rendering critical judgement? Did I miss a memo? Is 'science' no longer what we're about?
'One potential option to streamline the REF process could lie in the adoption of artificial intelligence tools.'
Mai oui! The answer is of course AI. Because we have no evidence to base its use on in this context, and when we do test it, will use datasets for a small number of STEM disciplines. 2/2
Mai oui! The answer is of course AI. Because we have no evidence to base its use on in this context, and when we do test it, will use datasets for a small number of STEM disciplines. 2/2
February 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM
'One potential option to streamline the REF process could lie in the adoption of artificial intelligence tools.'
Mai oui! The answer is of course AI. Because we have no evidence to base its use on in this context, and when we do test it, will use datasets for a small number of STEM disciplines. 2/2
Mai oui! The answer is of course AI. Because we have no evidence to base its use on in this context, and when we do test it, will use datasets for a small number of STEM disciplines. 2/2
“I have serious questions about the…usefulness of the REF,” Ivison also said, pointing to the fact that Australia scrapped its equivalent programme after a 2020 review'.
Such a role model for UK HE, Australian HE. So very flourishing. 1/2
Such a role model for UK HE, Australian HE. So very flourishing. 1/2
Scrapping REF should be “serious’ option”, says Manchester VC.
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Scrapping REF should be ‘serious’ option, says Manchester VC - Research Professional News
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM
“I have serious questions about the…usefulness of the REF,” Ivison also said, pointing to the fact that Australia scrapped its equivalent programme after a 2020 review'.
Such a role model for UK HE, Australian HE. So very flourishing. 1/2
Such a role model for UK HE, Australian HE. So very flourishing. 1/2
'Cutting off funding for culture and knowledge has social and political consequences. If you want a healthy and harmonious civil society, invest in the humanities and the arts, for they foster understanding, knowledge and empathy.'
Jules Verne’s dystopia was a world without humanities. Do...
When arts education is dismissed as a waste of time it damages us as a society. The focus of learning is not just to enrich our economy but also to enrich our souls
observer.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 9:52 AM
'Cutting off funding for culture and knowledge has social and political consequences. If you want a healthy and harmonious civil society, invest in the humanities and the arts, for they foster understanding, knowledge and empathy.'
Ah now that IS a question!
February 10, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Ah now that IS a question!
British Academy does it for the SHAPE disciplines, in part though SHAPE Observatory and deep dive discipline reports. www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
SHAPE Observatory
Interactive dashboards and reports that provide insight into emerging SHAPE trends for HE professionals, subject specialists, academics and policymakers.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 8:50 AM
British Academy does it for the SHAPE disciplines, in part though SHAPE Observatory and deep dive discipline reports. www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
Reposted by Margot Finn
We have more Skills Training in Archival Research (STAR) workshops coming up!
Join staff at The London Archives for a hands-on workshop designed to help postgrad students and researchers make the most of archival collections.
📍 The London Archives
📅 1 April + 3 June
🕛️ 1-4:30pm
Join staff at The London Archives for a hands-on workshop designed to help postgrad students and researchers make the most of archival collections.
📍 The London Archives
📅 1 April + 3 June
🕛️ 1-4:30pm
Skills Training in Archival Research (STAR) Workshop
Join us for a hands-on workshop designed to help postgraduate students and researchers make the most of archival collections.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 8:45 AM
We have more Skills Training in Archival Research (STAR) workshops coming up!
Join staff at The London Archives for a hands-on workshop designed to help postgrad students and researchers make the most of archival collections.
📍 The London Archives
📅 1 April + 3 June
🕛️ 1-4:30pm
Join staff at The London Archives for a hands-on workshop designed to help postgrad students and researchers make the most of archival collections.
📍 The London Archives
📅 1 April + 3 June
🕛️ 1-4:30pm
It's an important question. But was the health of disciplines previously monitored by all of the Research Councils? Arguably some more than others, perhaps.
February 10, 2026 at 8:41 AM
It's an important question. But was the health of disciplines previously monitored by all of the Research Councils? Arguably some more than others, perhaps.
Reposted by Margot Finn
A very interesting day at Caversham today, and a reminder of the value of dedicated archivists - much of the most interesting material came from a file I hadn't thought to ask for, but which they knew would very probably be useful.
I'm looking forward to bringing this story to you in early April!
I'm looking forward to bringing this story to you in early April!
February 9, 2026 at 9:17 PM
A very interesting day at Caversham today, and a reminder of the value of dedicated archivists - much of the most interesting material came from a file I hadn't thought to ask for, but which they knew would very probably be useful.
I'm looking forward to bringing this story to you in early April!
I'm looking forward to bringing this story to you in early April!
Next QMCBS Book Launch with @qmulsse.bsky.social : Matthew Hilton's Charity After Empire on 24 March 6pm: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc.... Panel with Bill Schwarz,
@riakapoor.bsky.social Kavita Datta & David Williams
@riakapoor.bsky.social Kavita Datta & David Williams
Book Launch: Charity After Empire
British Humanitarianism, Decolonisation and Development
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 8:34 AM
Implicitly more than overtly, yes.
February 10, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Implicitly more than overtly, yes.
This is big.
£5bn council SEND debts to be paid off by government
It comes days after the Local Government Association warned that eight in 10 English councils would face bankruptcy, if they had to honour deficits.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 7:59 AM
This is big.
'while Westminster is encouraging the downsizing of England’s higher education system, this does not seem as feasible in Scotland.... events at the University of Dundee have left the impression that the government will not allow a university to go bust.' 2/2
February 10, 2026 at 7:51 AM
'while Westminster is encouraging the downsizing of England’s higher education system, this does not seem as feasible in Scotland.... events at the University of Dundee have left the impression that the government will not allow a university to go bust.' 2/2
'many argue that the situation is worse in Scotland, with higher education institutions receiving approximately 23 per cent less funding per student than their English counterparts, according to London Economics, and a collective £12.9 million deficit forecast for 2025-26.' 1/2
‘We’re looking at all parts of the system – except tuition fees’
In election year, Scotland’s higher education minister says fees policy non-negotiable, as newly formed review group looks for new models to heal nation’s ailing sector
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:51 AM
'many argue that the situation is worse in Scotland, with higher education institutions receiving approximately 23 per cent less funding per student than their English counterparts, according to London Economics, and a collective £12.9 million deficit forecast for 2025-26.' 1/2
'he was recruited to lead the development of robotic infrastructure at Aithyra, a life sciences research institution, founded in 2024, that seeks to incorporate artificial intelligence in all aspects of scientific development.'
Robotics: the new "woke". 2/2
Robotics: the new "woke". 2/2
February 10, 2026 at 7:45 AM
'he was recruited to lead the development of robotic infrastructure at Aithyra, a life sciences research institution, founded in 2024, that seeks to incorporate artificial intelligence in all aspects of scientific development.'
Robotics: the new "woke". 2/2
Robotics: the new "woke". 2/2
'Wali Malik no longer has to worry that a rightwing bureaucrat – or influencer – will decide his research is “woke”.' 1/2
‘I saw the writing on the wall’: Austria offers safe haven for US academics as Trump wages war on universities
Other countries benefit from the Trump brain drain as administration wages war on academia and research
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:45 AM
'Wali Malik no longer has to worry that a rightwing bureaucrat – or influencer – will decide his research is “woke”.' 1/2
Reposted by Margot Finn
People are making covers of Springsteen's Streets of Minneapolis and I like this one. www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4o0...
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Irish Folk Version)
YouTube video by Ethan Gontar
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:50 PM
People are making covers of Springsteen's Streets of Minneapolis and I like this one. www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4o0...
Reposted by Margot Finn
Mrinank Sharma, who led the safeguards research team at Anthropic, shared his resignation letter on X, which quickly garnered nearly 1 million views.
Anthropic AI Safety Researcher Warns Of World ‘In Peril’ In Resignation
Mrinank Sharma, who led the safeguards research team at Anthropic, shared his resignation letter on X, which quickly garnered nearly 1 million views.
www.forbes.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Mrinank Sharma, who led the safeguards research team at Anthropic, shared his resignation letter on X, which quickly garnered nearly 1 million views.