Prof Rob Dover
@robdover.bsky.social
Academic researcher in intelligence and security, currently Dean of Faculty, but posting in a personal capacity. Poor standard runner. Excitable cricketer. Prone to crunchy deductions....
that would be 'curious'.
New polling data shows Tories could be left with just 14 SEATS at next election
The Tories could end up coming to the next Parliament in a minibus...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/tor...
The Tories could end up coming to the next Parliament in a minibus...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/tor...
New polling data shows Tories could be left with just 14 SEATS at next election
If this doesn't set a few alarm bells ringing, nothing will. The Tories could end up coming to the next Parliament in a minibus...
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
that would be 'curious'.
It came, it saw, did stuff, and then went: www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
Exclusive: DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter
The Department of Government Efficiency made dramatic forays across Washington in the early months of Trump's second term.
www.reuters.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
It came, it saw, did stuff, and then went: www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
Interesting. Another way to reduce numbers is through strict or overly strict compliance enforcement (albeit, no idea about this case study).
University of Hertfordshire is latest institution to be placed on student visa ‘action plan’ www.timeshighereducation.com/news/hertfor... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Hertfordshire latest to be placed on student visa ‘action plan’
University of Hertfordshire becomes eighth institution identified by Home Office as at risk of breaching sponsorship duties in past 12 months
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Interesting. Another way to reduce numbers is through strict or overly strict compliance enforcement (albeit, no idea about this case study).
Great article, and I'd add the need to provide as much transparency as is wise and allowed via regular all staff updates (either by email or 'town hall'): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Advice | How to Chair a Large Department
It’s crucial for heads of big departments to learn how to manage a meeting-heavy schedule.
www.chronicle.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Great article, and I'd add the need to provide as much transparency as is wise and allowed via regular all staff updates (either by email or 'town hall'): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
A massive number: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
University teaching income ‘£6.4 billon less’ than 10 years ago
UUK says shortfall in teaching money is ‘baked in’ to higher education funding system as institutions brace for new tax in upcoming budget
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:57 AM
A massive number: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
It was an interesting interview. And reaffirms my decision to stop my children playing on Roblox.
The gaming platform Roblox is very popular with children. But it has also attracted adult predators and is facing more than 20 lawsuits over child safety. The hosts of "Hard Fork" asked the company's CEO about what they are doing to protect young users. nyti.ms/4oN4Gse
November 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It was an interesting interview. And reaffirms my decision to stop my children playing on Roblox.
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
The gaming platform Roblox is very popular with children. But it has also attracted adult predators and is facing more than 20 lawsuits over child safety. The hosts of "Hard Fork" asked the company's CEO about what they are doing to protect young users. nyti.ms/4oN4Gse
November 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The gaming platform Roblox is very popular with children. But it has also attracted adult predators and is facing more than 20 lawsuits over child safety. The hosts of "Hard Fork" asked the company's CEO about what they are doing to protect young users. nyti.ms/4oN4Gse
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Do I understand correctly that there is now a dispute within the administration about whether this "peace plan" was written by Russians or Americans?
November 23, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Do I understand correctly that there is now a dispute within the administration about whether this "peace plan" was written by Russians or Americans?
I like this a lot. I also like the audio version which gives a good insight into @iandunt.bsky.social (bit presumptuous of me to use first name only)'s writing process. For reasons that may or may not be apparent, I'm always interested in that.
This is a clown-car government elected on a seriousness ticket iandunt.substack.com/p/a-clown-go...
November 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I like this a lot. I also like the audio version which gives a good insight into @iandunt.bsky.social (bit presumptuous of me to use first name only)'s writing process. For reasons that may or may not be apparent, I'm always interested in that.
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
This is a clown-car government elected on a seriousness ticket iandunt.substack.com/p/a-clown-go...
November 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This is a clown-car government elected on a seriousness ticket iandunt.substack.com/p/a-clown-go...
"I'm trying to damage a flourishing export market.. what don't you like.." is how I read this article... www.timeshighereducation.com/news/levy-cr...
Levy criticism ‘makes me want to run screaming’, says Smith
No one has come up with a better way of convincing the Treasury to bring back maintenance grants, skills minister tells social mobility event
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM
"I'm trying to damage a flourishing export market.. what don't you like.." is how I read this article... www.timeshighereducation.com/news/levy-cr...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Russell Group would save £100m if govt opted to charge universities a flat fee under proposed int'l student levy, but switch from % tax would mean other institutions would fare considerably worse www.timeshighereducation.com/news/flat-fe... via @patrickjack.bsky.social @helenpacker.bsky.social
Flat fee or percentage levy divides universities ahead of budget
Last-ditch attempts to minimise harm of incoming tax on international student fees splits sector, as research intensive universities set to save millions but post-92s would pay more
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Russell Group would save £100m if govt opted to charge universities a flat fee under proposed int'l student levy, but switch from % tax would mean other institutions would fare considerably worse www.timeshighereducation.com/news/flat-fe... via @patrickjack.bsky.social @helenpacker.bsky.social
An eloquent exposition in how Labour might be following a sub-optimal path (or shooting themselves in their own feet)...
Latest piece for the @thehousemag.bsky.social, on the island of strangers speech and similar. Also ft Bob Hawke.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The Professor Will See You Now: Island of strangers
Lessons in political science. This week: island of strangers
www.politicshome.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:18 AM
An eloquent exposition in how Labour might be following a sub-optimal path (or shooting themselves in their own feet)...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Latest piece for the @thehousemag.bsky.social, on the island of strangers speech and similar. Also ft Bob Hawke.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The Professor Will See You Now: Island of strangers
Lessons in political science. This week: island of strangers
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Latest piece for the @thehousemag.bsky.social, on the island of strangers speech and similar. Also ft Bob Hawke.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The Economist asks which self-respecting Dean could accept this. That is a very good question: www.economist.com/united-state...
Donald Trump is attacking what made American universities great
More than Middle East Studies is in trouble
www.economist.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:08 AM
The Economist asks which self-respecting Dean could accept this. That is a very good question: www.economist.com/united-state...
Quite a headwind in the context of a market where UGh fees are pre-determined: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/insig...
The financial impact of government policy decisions on universities
We estimate the net impact of government policy decisions taking effect in 2025–26 will be a £2.2 billion reduction in funding.
www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Quite a headwind in the context of a market where UGh fees are pre-determined: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/insig...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
the actual suicide of the West will be combining a rapidly aging population with hostility to migrants. however we must give credit to East Asia, especially Japan, for pioneering this model.
November 18, 2025 at 8:54 PM
the actual suicide of the West will be combining a rapidly aging population with hostility to migrants. however we must give credit to East Asia, especially Japan, for pioneering this model.
Tolerate is doing a lot of lifting here: www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK will not tolerate Chinese spying, minister says after MI5 alert
Politicians have been warned they are being targeted by suspected Chinese spies posing as "headhunters".
www.bbc.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Tolerate is doing a lot of lifting here: www.bbc.com/news/article...
They've had 14years to think about these things. And it's like (and I'd be amazed if it wasn't the reality) they're bouncing around like 'the shopping trolley' from headline to headline. Not a grown-up in sight.
Somebody is briefing the Times that the Home Secretary finds inspiration in Kristi Noem's leading the Trump mass deportation effort - which has gone much too far for Americans
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Shabana Mahmood threatens Trump-style visa ban on three countries
Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will face Trump-style sanctions if they do not start taking back more illegal migrants and criminals
www.thetimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:47 AM
They've had 14years to think about these things. And it's like (and I'd be amazed if it wasn't the reality) they're bouncing around like 'the shopping trolley' from headline to headline. Not a grown-up in sight.
100%. It isn't but they are. Sigh.
Apparently the appropriate response to ‘dark forces’ is to give them what they want.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Shabana Mahmood warns Labour MPs ‘dark forces are stirring up anger’ over migration
There is understood to be growing unease in party over home secretary’s sweeping overhaul of refugee rights
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM
100%. It isn't but they are. Sigh.
Unlikely. And requires a strong defence. I would suggest on the grounds of discovery and contributions to the economy because it is not the age of intellectual purity (sadly): www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/can-ac...
Can academic freedom survive in the new age of hard power?
While submitting to authority comes naturally to Asian universities, their Western counterparts have traditionally resisted coercion. But Donald Trump’s compact could change the game with the illusion...
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Unlikely. And requires a strong defence. I would suggest on the grounds of discovery and contributions to the economy because it is not the age of intellectual purity (sadly): www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/can-ac...
Another deconsumptive and damaging move by the government.
Home Office claims changes proposed on Monday are "the most significant shift in the treatment of refugees since the second world war"
These changes are unlikely to significantly shift flows or deliver control.
The language used is questionable in principle - and v likely to be untrue in practice
These changes are unlikely to significantly shift flows or deliver control.
The language used is questionable in principle - and v likely to be untrue in practice
November 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Another deconsumptive and damaging move by the government.
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
“To the historically oriented, the fight for the minds of decision-makers and noncombatants does not expand the battlespace, but it does expand or at least challenge long-held Western conceptions about war.” A superb review of cognitive warfare from Frank Hoffman
smallwarsjournal.com/2025/11/14/a...
smallwarsjournal.com/2025/11/14/a...
Assessing "Cognitive Warfare" | Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University
Explore the evolving concept of cognitive warfare, its impact on global security, and how China and Russia are reshaping the cognitive domain of conflict.
smallwarsjournal.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:20 PM
“To the historically oriented, the fight for the minds of decision-makers and noncombatants does not expand the battlespace, but it does expand or at least challenge long-held Western conceptions about war.” A superb review of cognitive warfare from Frank Hoffman
smallwarsjournal.com/2025/11/14/a...
smallwarsjournal.com/2025/11/14/a...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
More from the: “I remember being happiest when I was a child” brigade. How about we make judgements on living standards, levels of racism, crime, happiness etc. based on evidence rather than the vague remembrances of people nostalgic for a world they didn’t really experience?
Ah the 1970s.
Stagflation, three day weeks, collapsing infrastructure. Civil War in Northern Ireland. In yer face racism and bigotry everywhere. Bin strikes. Strikes in general. Blackouts. Industrial decline. Wage inequality. Dog crap everywhere. And households spent 25% of their income on food.
Stagflation, three day weeks, collapsing infrastructure. Civil War in Northern Ireland. In yer face racism and bigotry everywhere. Bin strikes. Strikes in general. Blackouts. Industrial decline. Wage inequality. Dog crap everywhere. And households spent 25% of their income on food.
November 14, 2025 at 9:20 AM
More from the: “I remember being happiest when I was a child” brigade. How about we make judgements on living standards, levels of racism, crime, happiness etc. based on evidence rather than the vague remembrances of people nostalgic for a world they didn’t really experience?