Dr Lynton Lees
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lyntonlees.bsky.social
Dr Lynton Lees
@lyntonlees.bsky.social
610 followers 330 following 60 posts
Researching UK education and society.

Senior Policy Adviser, British Academy. PhD education in modern Britain. London via Lancs. All views my own.
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lyntonlees.bsky.social
Dr Lynton Lees @lyntonlees.bsky.social · Sep 10
Proud to see this report out in the world today. After 10+ years of market experiments in UK HE, the data is clear: leaving what is taught in our universities solely up to the market has left students with less choice, fewer opportunities and more regional inequality. Read the deep dive below 👇
britishacademy.bsky.social The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · Sep 10
📢 Today the Academy launches a major new report urging action to tackle a growing crisis in our universities. Cuts to courses mean more regions than ever are ‘cold spots’ for access to many SHAPE subjects - with even more at risk. 🧵

📍Read the full report: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
Cold spots: Mapping inequality in SHAPE provision in UK higher education
This British Academy report reveals that many parts of the UK are becoming subject cold spots – areas with no provision in a subject within a commutable distance. These are often in rural, coastal or ...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
Not reposting in agreement with the 10 principles (I disagree strongly on several), but because it's the 1st open, comprehensive agenda responding to post-16 White Paper (and the obvious direction of travel in DSIT/UKRI) I've seen from a sitting VC.

Principle 2, subject provision, merits more. 1/6
November 23, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
What's lost when we lose staff, departments, programmes and faculties in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and what's that got to do with organ donation?

Amid the looming losses faced by Cardiff, Edinburgh, Lancaster, Leicester and Nottingham (among many others), here's a worked example. 1/8
The organ donation ‘opt-out’ has been a fatal failure | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
helenlsunderland.bsky.social
Did you take part in a mock election at your UK school or college between 1983 and 2001?

Share your memories for a research project on young people and democracy in modern Britain!

Write to us about your experiences here: forms.office.com/e/FNAwjfFR7f
Research Volunteers Needed for a project on the history of young people and democracy in modern Britain. We would like to hear from people who took part in a mock election at their UK school between 1983 and 2001. Write to us about your experiences here: https://forms.office.com/e/FNAwjfFR7f
October 24, 2025 at 1:06 PM
lyntonlees.bsky.social
‘However, the removal of the EBacc measure, coupled with the Government’s proposed changes to Progress 8, puts the humanities in direct competition with each other and with the arts.’ Glad to see the HA aligning with @britishacademy.bsky.social on this: humanities AND arts, not either/or, surely?
histassoc.bsky.social Historical Association @histassoc.bsky.social · 20d
The Government have published the Curriculum and Assessment Review report and their own response. We have a short statement expressing our views.

www.history.org.uk/secondary/ne...
Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report – response
www.history.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
'Music and modern foreign languages degrees are among courses being suspended at the University of Nottingham, with the institution saying it “cannot rely on additional income” from the coming tuition fee rises.' 1/3
Nottingham suspends music, language and nursing courses
University says financial uncertainties continue as government’s proposed student levy will ‘wipe out any benefits’ from rising tuition fees
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
hetanshah.bsky.social
Coverage in The Times of our concerns about how languages will fare under the proposed changes to the national curriculum
www.thetimes.com/article/9b0f... @britishacademy.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social
Some experts are worried about the changes. While the British Council is supportive, Professor Charles Forsdick, lead fellow for languages at the British Academy, said: "We are concerned about the implications for language education and the need for breadth in the curriculum for all learners. The recommendation to abandon the EBacc at GCSE would eliminate one of the few remaining safeguards for language provision in England's schools and risk narrowing education for the next generation."
November 6, 2025 at 6:48 AM
lyntonlees.bsky.social
EBacc was never perfect - but it was an important guard-rail around languages take-up at GCSE and sent a strong signal about the vital place of languages in any truly broad and balanced curriculum. It's hard to see how abolishing EBacc won't ultimately hit GCSE MFL entries hard.
britishacademy.bsky.social The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · 21d
The Curriculum and Assessment review final report was published today by the government.

Professor Charles Forsdick, Lead Fellow for Languages at The British Academy, reflects on the review’s implications for UK language education: https://bit.ly/4okpkjf
November 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
lyntonlees.bsky.social
Dusting this one off today...
November 5, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
rebeccawynter.bsky.social
Long tails and important outcomes. Finally, it's live - the website for the report, "Conversion Therapy' and the University of Birmingham c.1966-1983'!

There's material about the history, the project, its organisation, and there are resources there too.

#HistPsych #HistSTEM #QueerHist #HistSex
‘Conversion Therapy’ and the University of Birmingham c.1966-1983 - University of Birmingham
Between c.1966 and 1983, the University of Birmingham employed researchers who orchestrated so-called 'conversion therapy' for same-sex love
www.birmingham.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
lyntonlees.bsky.social
'It’s almost as if research doesn’t bring in money that can cross-subsidise teaching, which will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever worked in higher education.'

wonkhe.com/blogs/the-wh...
The white paper is wrong - changing research funding won't change teaching
Changing research funding isn't enough to bring about sector specialisation. James Coe has the politics and DK has the stats in a correlational look at the white paper.
wonkhe.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:56 PM
lyntonlees.bsky.social
Wonderful to spend yesterday afternoon celebrating ten years of Our Migration Story, an unrivalled online resource for teachers and students to learn about migration’s centrality to the making of modern Britain. Congrats to all who made OMS possible — felt urgent and energising
A panel of speakers at the ten year anniversary of Our Migration Story website on October 27 2025 at King’s College, London. Building facade at King’s College, London with student sat at an outdoor table and a mixture of blue and cloudy skies, October 27th 2025.
October 28, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
hetanshah.bsky.social
Govt should withdraw its guidance which prevents civil servants from speaking at public or stakeholder events as this will reduce the quality of policymaking. I’m a co-signatory of this letter in The Times coordinated by @instituteforgovernment.org.uk a
asking for this guidance to be reconsidered
Let officials speak Sir, The government's new guidance that prevents public officials from participating properly in public or stakeholder events is a mistake. Effective government relies on public servants, whose salaries are paid by the taxpayer, hearing directly from businesses, charities, academics and citizens to help them make better policy. They should be able to explain government activity to those same groups. Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent, speaking for the government about the guidance, recognised this when she said that there was a "a responsibility on our civil servants to engage every day". The unpublished guidance contradicts this, saying that "officials speaking at a sector-facing event with Q&A and/or media expected to be in the audience... should not go ahead". It is causing confusion and a chilling effect on public discussion. It should be withdrawn. Dr Hannah White Institute for Government; Theo Bertram Social Market Foundation; Jess Bowie and Suzannah Brecknell Civil Service World; Alastair Campbell former Downing Street director of communications; Sarah Chaytor Universities Policy Engagement Network; Mike Clancy Prospect; Sir Simon Clarke Onward; Polly Curtis Demos; Professor Bobby Duffy Policy Institute, King's College London; David Durant TransformGov Talks; Gavin Freeguard Public Digital Data Bites; Kevin Keith UK Open Government Network; Professor Michael Kenny Bennett Institute of Public Policy; Sir John Kingman former second permanent secretary, HM Treasury; Maxwell Marlow Adam Smith Institute; Daniel Bruce Transparency International; Professor Anand Menon UK in a Changing Europe; Dave Penman FDA; Charlotte Pickles Re:State; Professor Meg Russell Constitution Unit, University College London; Hetan Shah British Academy; Ryan Shorthouse Bright Blue; Baroness Spielman former chief inspector of education, children's services and skills; Matt Stanley Think Digital Partners; Thea Stein Nuffield Trust; Matt Tee former CEO, IPSO, and former permanent secretary for government communications; Jeni Tennison Connected by Data
July 14, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
nenieb.bsky.social
"The BBC has clanged their doors shut on those histories, those stories, those lives and ways of working that are revealed through the joint industry of the historian and the archivist." @helenwheatley.bsky.social on the devastating decision to limit access to BBC archives. tinyurl.com/y4tnyw9a
Defending the WAC: All the things I haven’t (yet) written by Helen Wheatley
People following the last few weeks of the Critical Studies in Television blog will have seen my brilliant colleagues discussing the essential work that they have been able to do thanks to the…
cstonline.net
October 19, 2025 at 6:06 AM
lyntonlees.bsky.social
Regret to inform you this story is absolutely immaculate. And I’m not just talking about the shell company puns
October 18, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
sjs1869.bsky.social
It was brilliant to welcome the In Our Time team to the British Academy to celebrate this splendid news. Their phenomenal success shows just how much public interest there is in the very best of the humanities and social sciences.
britishacademy.bsky.social The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · Oct 17
The beloved BBC Radio 4 programme In Our Time has been awarded the 2025 British Academy President’s Medal!

Professor Susan J Smith, President of the British Academy, praised the programme for bringing rigorous yet accessible discussion of complex ideas to millions of listeners: buff.ly/1bn63FD
October 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
lisarostlund.bsky.social
We’ve met with Greta Thunberg and others in the flotilla. They describe hours-long scenes of torture and sexual harassment in Israeli captivity. Experts conclude that they have been subjected to serious crimes – Sweden’s foreign minister believes they have themselves to blame.

tinyurl.se/crR
Greta Thunberg: “They kicked me every time the flag touched my face”
– Greta Thunberg on her days in Israeli captivity Beating, kicking, and threats of being gassed in cages. Greta Thunberg and several others from the flotilla ar
www.aftonbladet.se
October 15, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
timleunig.bsky.social
Outstanding from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com - the best way to get a job is to get a degree. You will almost almost always earn more as well.
benansell.bsky.social Ben Ansell @benansell.bsky.social · Oct 11
Really interesting article from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com but especially intriguing to me is the number of comments below that are essentially 'OK the data don't agree with my hunch but here's an unrelated statement that proves that I'm right about AI, the death of higher education, etc'
What the graduate unemployment story gets wrong
People with a degree are faring better, not worse than their non-graduate counterparts
www.ft.com
October 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
lyntonlees.bsky.social
In case you missed it — our cold spots research was covered in a panel discussion on Radio 4’s Front Row programme yesterday! Listen here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
polstudiesassoc.bsky.social
*NEW PSA BLOG* A hard-hitting report by @britishacademy.bsky.social illuminates UK cold spots for #HE degrees in #SocialSciences & #humanities. PSA CEO Michelle Doyle Wildman @seasonedcomms.bsky.social highlights the issues and impact.
New British Academy report shows degree course cold spots across the UK | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
Our friends at the British Academy (BA) have produced a hard-hitting new report which shows that financial difficulties or strategic choices in our universities have led to large swathes of the UK…
buff.ly
October 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
britishacademy.bsky.social
In case you missed it: our latest report explores a growing crisis in universities.

In many regions, students risk losing access to vital humanities, social science and arts subjects. Swipe to see our key findings and recommendations.
Key finding 1: Cold spots have emerged in the North, South West and East of England, as well as parts of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Key finding 1: Cold spots have emerged in the North, South West and East of England, as well as parts of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Key finding 2: The biggest loss of provision is at lower-tariff levels. This is concerning given strong links between attainment and socioeconomic disadvantage. Key finding 3: Languages, Linguistics, Anthropology, Classics and Theology are among the hardest hit. If trends continue, English, History, Drama and Celtic studies – including Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh – could follow. As we await the post-16 White Paper, we’re calling for: - An urgent review of higher education funding - Regulators to monitor provision with an ‘at-risk’ regional register and subject premium - Government to help universities collaborate effectively with clearer guidance about competition law
October 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
onslies.bsky.social
REALLY appreciating Lucy Noakes's clear connecting of the dots between the announcement of maintenance grants for 'priority courses' and the Cold Spots mapping by the @britishacademy.bsky.social.

You can't ensure access in a system that ties disciplinary coverage to competition.
On the ground, this fall in total enrolments is sharply exacerbated by changing recruitment practices, as previous high-tariff institutions revise their offers to secure larger undergraduate intakes. Those bearing the brunt are, of course, the institutions which currently serve the most disadvantaged and least mobile students. The risk is now of a worsening spiral of decline—driven by a failed policy of institutional competition and marketisation—which results in options for the most in-need aspirant history students being, quite literally, closed down. Without this core provision, any lingering question over which subjects might qualify for maintenance grants becomes obsolete. If, as the Education Secretary claimed this week, the government is serious about choice, social mobility and access to education it needs to appreciate that the provision of local universities and courses is now at considerable risk given the financial turmoil affecting UK higher education. What’s clear is that our current situation and trajectory is not a route to greater choice and accessibility. Rather, it is a potential channelling of resources and students into an ever narrowing range of options deemed by policy makers as being in the country’s best interests for the future.
October 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
samfr.bsky.social
No, it never existed, and then the imaginary target was scrapped by the Conservatives years ago anyway.

The rise in numbers going to uni was entirely down to higher demand from students.
steamedhamms.bsky.social a rare photo of sean connery signed by roger moore @steamedhamms.bsky.social · Sep 30
did that 50% uni target thing actually still exist in any meaningful sense?
September 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
hollygramazio.bsky.social
There's a WEEK left to sign up to mentor for @artsemergency.bsky.social - potentially get paired with a young person (16-18) who wants to work in the arts/creative industries, but who might not have the contacts or context to help them understand how to do that www.arts-emergency.org/get-involved...
Become a mentor
Registration to be a mentor in 2026 is now open! Arts Emergency mentors support young people in Greater Manchester, London and Merseyside who are interested in the creative and cultural industries and...
www.arts-emergency.org
September 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
gordonmckelvie.bsky.social
Modern language education is probably the best educational crisis in Britain but gets very little coverage because we assume the rest of the world just speaks English as a second language
hetanshah.bsky.social Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Sep 21
The government managed to recruit only 43 per cent of its target number of modern foreign language teachers for initial teacher training in 2024-25.
www.thetimes.com/article/df90...
Shortfall Teachers training compared with target in selected subjects (2024-25) Physical Education 209% Biology 119% English 101% Mathematics 72% Modern Foreign Languages 43% Computing 37% Chart: The Times and The Sunday Times • Source: Department for Education
September 21, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Dr Lynton Lees
hetanshah.bsky.social
The government managed to recruit only 43 per cent of its target number of modern foreign language teachers for initial teacher training in 2024-25.
www.thetimes.com/article/df90...
Shortfall Teachers training compared with target in selected subjects (2024-25) Physical Education 209% Biology 119% English 101% Mathematics 72% Modern Foreign Languages 43% Computing 37% Chart: The Times and The Sunday Times • Source: Department for Education
September 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM