Kris Olds
@oldskris.bsky.social
I'm a geographer/planner w interests in (de)globalization of services (incl #highered & #research) <> #cities, governance of HE, high impact teaching, ice hockey, jazz, photography. #Firstgen grad.
Reposted by Kris Olds
Striking Economist chart in the latest Tooze newsletter. Presumably NY's vertiginous rents would make NY's _real_ real wages (i.e. real wages post housing costs) look even worse by comparison. New mayor really has got a challenge on his hands
November 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Striking Economist chart in the latest Tooze newsletter. Presumably NY's vertiginous rents would make NY's _real_ real wages (i.e. real wages post housing costs) look even worse by comparison. New mayor really has got a challenge on his hands
At USC, more than 900 employees laid off since July amid 'difficult' fiscal crisis www.latimes.com/california/s...
At USC, more than 900 employees laid off since July amid 'difficult' fiscal crisis
The private university, long known for its wealth, has eliminated more than 900 positions and introduced other cuts in an effort to close a deficit of $200 million-plus.
www.latimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:33 AM
At USC, more than 900 employees laid off since July amid 'difficult' fiscal crisis www.latimes.com/california/s...
“Applications to the European Research Council (ERC), the EU’s funding organisation for basic research, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the EU’s initiative for doctoral and postdoctoral research, hit all-time highs in 2025.”
Trump’s university backlash drives US researchers towards Europe on.ft.com/4qKngmk
Trump’s university backlash drives US researchers towards Europe
EU grant applications hit record in 2025 amid surge in interest from American academics
on.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:24 AM
“Applications to the European Research Council (ERC), the EU’s funding organisation for basic research, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the EU’s initiative for doctoral and postdoctoral research, hit all-time highs in 2025.”
“It’s the combination of great [universities] in the UK and Europe, a good regulatory framework, and tradition,” Raffaele Savi, global head of BlackRock’s quantitative investing teams
London becomes ‘quant’ powerhouse as traders rake in revenues on.ft.com/4okApRe
London becomes ‘quant’ powerhouse as traders rake in revenues
A pipeline of skilled graduates is helping the UK build out its expertise in algorithmic trading
on.ft.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM
“It’s the combination of great [universities] in the UK and Europe, a good regulatory framework, and tradition,” Raffaele Savi, global head of BlackRock’s quantitative investing teams
This could go sideways...The US Commerce Department Moves to Take Cut of Research Patents www.aip.org/fyi/commerce...
Commerce Moves to Take Cut of Research Patents
The agency has opened the possibility in a recent funding announcement and threatened to take control of Harvard’s patents.
www.aip.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:26 PM
This could go sideways...The US Commerce Department Moves to Take Cut of Research Patents www.aip.org/fyi/commerce...
Reposted by Kris Olds
CDC IRB. Gone.
"Staff with the CDC’s institutional review board, which reviews the design of studies, and the ethics office, which oversees all conflicts and interests for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go."
"Staff with the CDC’s institutional review board, which reviews the design of studies, and the ethics office, which oversees all conflicts and interests for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go."
The entire HR department at the CDC is gone. Everyone at the IRB, which makes sure studies are conducted ethically and rigorously, and the ethics office, which oversee conflicts of interest for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Instability and confusion’ as CDC slashes 1,300 jobs before reinstating half
Trump administration says 700 notices were sent in error, while top CDC officer says ‘they didn’t think through what they were doing’
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:13 AM
CDC IRB. Gone.
"Staff with the CDC’s institutional review board, which reviews the design of studies, and the ethics office, which oversees all conflicts and interests for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go."
"Staff with the CDC’s institutional review board, which reviews the design of studies, and the ethics office, which oversees all conflicts and interests for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go."
Harvard suffers $113mn loss after Trump’s cuts to research funding www.ft.com/content/1b3c... via @financialtimes.com
Harvard suffers $113mn loss after Trump’s cuts to research funding
University’s losses are the largest since 2011 and have forced lay-offs and freezes on hiring and salary increases
www.ft.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Harvard suffers $113mn loss after Trump’s cuts to research funding www.ft.com/content/1b3c... via @financialtimes.com
Reposted by Kris Olds
After getting zero firm commitments to this point from the first nine invitees, the Trump administration is extending its proposed compact to all colleges. Expect some red-state publics to say yes.
Trump Offers All Colleges Preferential Funding Plan Rejected by MIT
The Trump administration is inviting all US colleges to participate in a compact — initially rejected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — that would grant preferential federal funding in re...
www.bloomberg.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:17 PM
After getting zero firm commitments to this point from the first nine invitees, the Trump administration is extending its proposed compact to all colleges. Expect some red-state publics to say yes.
Reposted by Kris Olds
ACLS has released a statement regarding the White House “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”: bit.ly/3IviMig
October 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
ACLS has released a statement regarding the White House “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”: bit.ly/3IviMig
The Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan certainly does get around...
www.oxfordnorth.com/news-events/...
www.oxfordnorth.com/news-events/...
October 1, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan certainly does get around...
www.oxfordnorth.com/news-events/...
www.oxfordnorth.com/news-events/...
"The University of Chicago, renowned for producing world-leading research in economics and finance, is selling a prized research centre as it struggles with heavy debt and lacklustre endowment returns" www.ft.com/content/4501... via @financialtimes.com
UChicago sells prized institute amid high debt and low returns
Endowment of famed finance school posted weak investment gains as it borrowed heavily to invest in research capacity
www.ft.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
"The University of Chicago, renowned for producing world-leading research in economics and finance, is selling a prized research centre as it struggles with heavy debt and lacklustre endowment returns" www.ft.com/content/4501... via @financialtimes.com
As Trump Tries to Limit Foreign Workers, China Woos Them. A new visa for science and engineering graduates is part of China’s effort to establish itself as the world leader in science and technology. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/w...
As Trump Tightens Visas, China Woos World’s Science Graduates
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM
As Trump Tries to Limit Foreign Workers, China Woos Them. A new visa for science and engineering graduates is part of China’s effort to establish itself as the world leader in science and technology. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/w...
Austria hails 'brain gain' in luring 25 academics away from US after cuts www.reuters.com/world/austri...
Austria hails 'brain gain' in luring 25 academics away from US after cuts
Austria has lured what it calls 25 "top researchers" away from U.S. institutions including Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Princeton with grants set up in response to the Trump administration's funding cuts targeting universities.
www.reuters.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Austria hails 'brain gain' in luring 25 academics away from US after cuts www.reuters.com/world/austri...
Vanderbilt Eyes National Expansion
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
Vanderbilt Eyes National Expansion
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Vanderbilt Eyes National Expansion
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
UChicago Reducing, Freezing Ph.D. Admissions for Multiple Humanities [& Public Policy] Programs www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
UChicago Freezing Ph.D. Admissions for Multiple Programs
The indebted institution tasked committees of faculty and staff with planning for changes. But this week, a dean forged ahead and announced broad cuts. Two other units are also pausing admissions.
www.insidehighered.com
August 15, 2025 at 7:25 AM
UChicago Reducing, Freezing Ph.D. Admissions for Multiple Humanities [& Public Policy] Programs www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
National self-harm viewed via one prominent US university: www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
ASU Projects 18% Drop in International Student Enrollment
Arizona State University typically welcomes over 17,900 international students to its four campuses each year, but this fall, due to a variety of complications, the university expects only 14,600 inte...
www.insidehighered.com
August 13, 2025 at 7:25 AM
National self-harm viewed via one prominent US university: www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
The Harvard-Trained Lawyer Behind Trump’s Fight Against Top Universities www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/u...
The Harvard-Trained Lawyer Behind Trump’s Fight Against Top Universities
www.nytimes.com
August 11, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The Harvard-Trained Lawyer Behind Trump’s Fight Against Top Universities www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/u...
Reposted by Kris Olds
The Commerce Department threatening to take over Harvard's patents shows the extent to which the federal government is trying to pressure the university into a settlement. They are trying everything possible. (gift link)
Trump Administration Threatens to Take Over Harvard’s Patents
The move is the latest escalation in the White House’s battle with the Ivy League school.
www.wsj.com
August 8, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The Commerce Department threatening to take over Harvard's patents shows the extent to which the federal government is trying to pressure the university into a settlement. They are trying everything possible. (gift link)
Reposted by Kris Olds
New executive order puts all grants under political control arstechnica.com/science/2025...
New executive order puts all grants under political control
All new funding on hold until Trump administration can cancel any previously funded grants.
arstechnica.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:23 PM
New executive order puts all grants under political control arstechnica.com/science/2025...
Fluctuating tariffs exacerbate US science funding woes pubs.aip.org/physicstoday...
Fluctuating tariffs exacerbate US science funding woes
For new faculty and others ordering big-ticket items, the import taxes can be a gut punch.
pubs.aip.org
August 7, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Fluctuating tariffs exacerbate US science funding woes pubs.aip.org/physicstoday...
Reposted by Kris Olds
A fun reminder that a loss of 60,000 jobs in and around academia is ~50% more than all coal mining jobs in the entire country.
The US could see a 30-40% decline in new international student enrollment, resulting in nearly $7 billion in lost revenue and more than 60,000 fewer American jobs. https://www.nafsa.org/fall-2025-international-student-enrollment-outlook-and-economic-impact
August 4, 2025 at 12:02 AM
A fun reminder that a loss of 60,000 jobs in and around academia is ~50% more than all coal mining jobs in the entire country.
Reposted by Kris Olds
Go, a college student, has a dependent visa (her mother, an Episcopal minister, is here on a religious worker visa), which doesn't expire until Dec. But when she tried to renew it early, ICE nabbed her and sent her halfway across the US to a detention center.
www.wthr.com/article/news...
www.wthr.com/article/news...
Purdue student detained by ICE and taken to troubled Louisiana holding facility
Yeonsoo Go, 20, was detained after her immigration hearing in Manhattan and taken away by ICE agents.
www.wthr.com
August 4, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Go, a college student, has a dependent visa (her mother, an Episcopal minister, is here on a religious worker visa), which doesn't expire until Dec. But when she tried to renew it early, ICE nabbed her and sent her halfway across the US to a detention center.
www.wthr.com/article/news...
www.wthr.com/article/news...
Reposted by Kris Olds
Wisconsin GOP Congressman Tom Tiffany introduced a bill that would eliminate the exception that allows colleges and universities to hire an unlimited number of specialized international workers as part of the H-1B visa program. Tiffany said the practice "hands good-paying jobs to foreign workers..."
Rep. Tom Tiffany targets visa program exception that UW uses to hire for hard-to-fill jobs
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany seeks to end an exception in the H-1B visa program that allows universities to hire an unlimited number of specialized workers from overseas.
www.jsonline.com
July 31, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Wisconsin GOP Congressman Tom Tiffany introduced a bill that would eliminate the exception that allows colleges and universities to hire an unlimited number of specialized international workers as part of the H-1B visa program. Tiffany said the practice "hands good-paying jobs to foreign workers..."
Nashville-based Vanderbilt University considering establishing a campus in San Francisco: www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Vanderbilt Reportedly Considering a San Francisco Campus
Vanderbilt University is in talks with the city of San Francisco to establish a campus there, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. A Vanderbilt spokesperson confirmed to the Chronicle that the univer...
www.insidehighered.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Nashville-based Vanderbilt University considering establishing a campus in San Francisco: www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...