Tim McLellan
@timmclellan.bsky.social
Lecturer in Anthropology at ANU.
Researching urban nature-based solutions, agroforestry science, audit cultures, and Nous UniForum data (themes that are more interconnected than you’d think…).
https://researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/persons/tim-mclellan
Researching urban nature-based solutions, agroforestry science, audit cultures, and Nous UniForum data (themes that are more interconnected than you’d think…).
https://researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/persons/tim-mclellan
Pinned
Tim McLellan
@timmclellan.bsky.social
· Sep 17
Private consultants are taking control of how public universities are evaluated and run.
My submission to the Senate university governance inquiry raises concerns about the impact of Nous Group and their dodgy UniForum data on our universities.
www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStor...
A thread
My submission to the Senate university governance inquiry raises concerns about the impact of Nous Group and their dodgy UniForum data on our universities.
www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStor...
A thread
Some very interesting revelations about UniForum at Senate Estimates last night.
First, ANU exec appears to have misled the Senate by implying they gave staff access to the underlying UniForum data and methodology.
In fact, they gave staff little more than opaque scatter plots like this one👇
1/3
First, ANU exec appears to have misled the Senate by implying they gave staff access to the underlying UniForum data and methodology.
In fact, they gave staff little more than opaque scatter plots like this one👇
1/3
UniForum is a “benchmarking service” that Nous provides to universities globally.
University executives frequently invoke UniForum as an objective justification for cuts and redundancies.
This UniForum graph, for example, was a centerpiece of the case ANU’s ex-VC made to Council for Renew ANU. 👇
University executives frequently invoke UniForum as an objective justification for cuts and redundancies.
This UniForum graph, for example, was a centerpiece of the case ANU’s ex-VC made to Council for Renew ANU. 👇
October 10, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Some very interesting revelations about UniForum at Senate Estimates last night.
First, ANU exec appears to have misled the Senate by implying they gave staff access to the underlying UniForum data and methodology.
In fact, they gave staff little more than opaque scatter plots like this one👇
1/3
First, ANU exec appears to have misled the Senate by implying they gave staff access to the underlying UniForum data and methodology.
In fact, they gave staff little more than opaque scatter plots like this one👇
1/3
Reposted by Tim McLellan
University of Technology Sydney ordered a spreadsheet from KPMG targeting individual academics by research income, which might contravene the bargaining agreement. They repeatedly denied it even existed for several info requests. But that wasn't true. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
Exclusive: University sought secret KPMG staff spreadsheet
The University of Technology Sydney denied the existence of a KPMG spreadsheet ranking the research performance of academics, in breach of its EBA, until it was forced to release it.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
September 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
University of Technology Sydney ordered a spreadsheet from KPMG targeting individual academics by research income, which might contravene the bargaining agreement. They repeatedly denied it even existed for several info requests. But that wasn't true. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
Private consultants are taking control of how public universities are evaluated and run.
My submission to the Senate university governance inquiry raises concerns about the impact of Nous Group and their dodgy UniForum data on our universities.
www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStor...
A thread
My submission to the Senate university governance inquiry raises concerns about the impact of Nous Group and their dodgy UniForum data on our universities.
www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStor...
A thread
September 17, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Private consultants are taking control of how public universities are evaluated and run.
My submission to the Senate university governance inquiry raises concerns about the impact of Nous Group and their dodgy UniForum data on our universities.
www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStor...
A thread
My submission to the Senate university governance inquiry raises concerns about the impact of Nous Group and their dodgy UniForum data on our universities.
www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStor...
A thread
Reposted by Tim McLellan
I am one of the staff members impacted by this. I truly thought when I first read the email that it might mean my job is safe because I have not yet been made redundant, but, no, I am still facing the axe. It was a maliciously cruel email to send.
Tough time for many at ANU. At around midday yesterday staff received a university-wide email. The language was ambiguous and could be read to say all forced redundancies would stop. I received many messages from people being forced out. Were they now safe?
August 20, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I am one of the staff members impacted by this. I truly thought when I first read the email that it might mean my job is safe because I have not yet been made redundant, but, no, I am still facing the axe. It was a maliciously cruel email to send.
Reposted by Tim McLellan
@drdemography.com Thank you for your words and for speaking up. We are with you.
Dr Liz Allen is telling the Senate the heartbreaking consequences of viscous bullying she has endured from Chancellor Bishop and VC Bell.
@drdemography.com the ANU community stand behind you ✊
@drdemography.com the ANU community stand behind you ✊
August 12, 2025 at 2:09 AM
@drdemography.com Thank you for your words and for speaking up. We are with you.
Important open letter concerning the poor and rapidly worsening treatment of our casual sessional colleagues at @ouranu.bsky.social
ANU staff please read and consider adding your signatures.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
ANU staff please read and consider adding your signatures.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Open letter: Concerns Regarding the Treatment of Casual Sessional Academics at ANU
This letter is now open for signatures, and will be sent on August 18, 2025.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter to Minister for Education Jason Clare, Se...
docs.google.com
August 4, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Important open letter concerning the poor and rapidly worsening treatment of our casual sessional colleagues at @ouranu.bsky.social
ANU staff please read and consider adding your signatures.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
ANU staff please read and consider adding your signatures.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Tim McLellan
Check in with your colleagues this week, and please submit feedback about these damaging and unnecessary cuts. Support from academics and students is critical.
July 29, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Check in with your colleagues this week, and please submit feedback about these damaging and unnecessary cuts. Support from academics and students is critical.
This is based on an interview I did last week. For days, I’ve been anxious about repercussions for speaking to media. I was totally overwhelmed to discover today that my colleagues have all stuck their necks out with me.
I have the best colleagues!
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/901572...
I have the best colleagues!
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/901572...
'Hunger Games scenario': four ANU lecturers and only three jobs
Four lecturers going for three jobs speak out about the stress and the cost.
www.canberratimes.com.au
July 15, 2025 at 5:37 AM
This is based on an interview I did last week. For days, I’ve been anxious about repercussions for speaking to media. I was totally overwhelmed to discover today that my colleagues have all stuck their necks out with me.
I have the best colleagues!
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/901572...
I have the best colleagues!
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/901572...
Day after this puff piece went out, I was called into a meeting to tell me I'm in a spill and fill along with three amazing friends and colleagues.
To the meeting, I wore Nanyang 205S Sneakers. For those who know, they are as much a style item as a Tesco Bag for Life. 👟
To the meeting, I wore Nanyang 205S Sneakers. For those who know, they are as much a style item as a Tesco Bag for Life. 👟
Shout out to the ANU Vice Chancellor's PR team for commissioning a puff piece so bad it tries to recuperate her public image by comparing her to corrupt millionaire Imelda Marcos and profiling her collection of designer shoes
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/900277...
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/900277...
July 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Day after this puff piece went out, I was called into a meeting to tell me I'm in a spill and fill along with three amazing friends and colleagues.
To the meeting, I wore Nanyang 205S Sneakers. For those who know, they are as much a style item as a Tesco Bag for Life. 👟
To the meeting, I wore Nanyang 205S Sneakers. For those who know, they are as much a style item as a Tesco Bag for Life. 👟
Reposted by Tim McLellan
ANU VC made a serious allegation against NTEU ACT division secretary today on ABC radio, totally unchallenged. Asked why the VC hadn’t met with the union head, Bell claimed Clohesy screams out front the VC’s building for the VC to rot in hell. Gobsmacking allegation. It’s untrue.
June 6, 2025 at 9:20 AM
ANU VC made a serious allegation against NTEU ACT division secretary today on ABC radio, totally unchallenged. Asked why the VC hadn’t met with the union head, Bell claimed Clohesy screams out front the VC’s building for the VC to rot in hell. Gobsmacking allegation. It’s untrue.
Reposted by Tim McLellan
NTEU supports the Australian Council of Trade Unions call for an end to the occupation of Palestine and a just and sustainable peace.
Read the full statement here: nteu.info/actustatement
@australianunions.bsky.social
Read the full statement here: nteu.info/actustatement
@australianunions.bsky.social
May 29, 2025 at 4:58 AM
NTEU supports the Australian Council of Trade Unions call for an end to the occupation of Palestine and a just and sustainable peace.
Read the full statement here: nteu.info/actustatement
@australianunions.bsky.social
Read the full statement here: nteu.info/actustatement
@australianunions.bsky.social
By deskilling household surveys, AR4D produces poor social science, devalues field officers and perpetuates colonial hierarchies of knowledge.
Ben Eyre and I argue that to challenge this we need alternative repertoires of 'scientific rigor' like 'situated knowledges'.
doi.org/10.1177/0030...
Ben Eyre and I argue that to challenge this we need alternative repertoires of 'scientific rigor' like 'situated knowledges'.
doi.org/10.1177/0030...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
May 6, 2025 at 7:22 AM
By deskilling household surveys, AR4D produces poor social science, devalues field officers and perpetuates colonial hierarchies of knowledge.
Ben Eyre and I argue that to challenge this we need alternative repertoires of 'scientific rigor' like 'situated knowledges'.
doi.org/10.1177/0030...
Ben Eyre and I argue that to challenge this we need alternative repertoires of 'scientific rigor' like 'situated knowledges'.
doi.org/10.1177/0030...
Reposted by Tim McLellan
ANU Council vote is a damning indictment on the leadership & governing body. Staff have had enough. I believe Dr Francis Markham is best-suited.
Francis is a fearless & formidable advocate who will stand up for the ANU community & hold Council to account www.anu.edu.au/about/govern...
Francis is a fearless & formidable advocate who will stand up for the ANU community & hold Council to account www.anu.edu.au/about/govern...
Election to Council of one academic staff member
Election to Council of one Academic Staff MemberCouncil Election 2025 - Academic Staff (Faculties Member) – Casual Vacancy Following a call for nominations to elect one casual member of the academic s...
www.anu.edu.au
April 30, 2025 at 11:34 PM
ANU Council vote is a damning indictment on the leadership & governing body. Staff have had enough. I believe Dr Francis Markham is best-suited.
Francis is a fearless & formidable advocate who will stand up for the ANU community & hold Council to account www.anu.edu.au/about/govern...
Francis is a fearless & formidable advocate who will stand up for the ANU community & hold Council to account www.anu.edu.au/about/govern...
Narratives of research misconduct in China reproduce Orientalist prejudices and romanticize science in the West.
In my new article, I suggest some starting points for a more inclusive and less nostalgic conversation about audit cultures and the futures of global science.
doi.org/10.1080/1875...
In my new article, I suggest some starting points for a more inclusive and less nostalgic conversation about audit cultures and the futures of global science.
doi.org/10.1080/1875...
Asian Tricks and Research Misconduct: From Orientalism and Occidentalism to Solidarity against Audit Cultures
Science journalism and academic commentary often paints China as a nation plagued by publication misconduct and beset with an immature culture of research ethics. Aspects of this commentary are ech...
doi.org
April 23, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Narratives of research misconduct in China reproduce Orientalist prejudices and romanticize science in the West.
In my new article, I suggest some starting points for a more inclusive and less nostalgic conversation about audit cultures and the futures of global science.
doi.org/10.1080/1875...
In my new article, I suggest some starting points for a more inclusive and less nostalgic conversation about audit cultures and the futures of global science.
doi.org/10.1080/1875...
Excited to be hosting @anthroprofhage.bsky.social at ANU next Monday. Join his seminar in-person or online at 3pm AEST.
archanth.cass.anu.edu.au/events/pierr....
archanth.cass.anu.edu.au/events/pierr....
Pierre Bourdieu and The Socio-Existential Physics of Viability | School of Archaeology and Anthropology
archanth.cass.anu.edu.au
April 22, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Excited to be hosting @anthroprofhage.bsky.social at ANU next Monday. Join his seminar in-person or online at 3pm AEST.
archanth.cass.anu.edu.au/events/pierr....
archanth.cass.anu.edu.au/events/pierr....
Reposted by Tim McLellan
Happy IWD to everyone except the Vice Chancellor of ANU whose corrupt and incompetent management of the institution has meant that the “remarkable female leaders” she celebrates, including myself, wake up every day not knowing if we will even have a job in the coming weeks #VoteNoConfidence #ANU
March 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Happy IWD to everyone except the Vice Chancellor of ANU whose corrupt and incompetent management of the institution has meant that the “remarkable female leaders” she celebrates, including myself, wake up every day not knowing if we will even have a job in the coming weeks #VoteNoConfidence #ANU
Reposted by Tim McLellan
@blatmannaama.bsky.social and @jewishcouncilau.bsky.social on the dangerous new antisemitism definition adopted by universities.
www.jewishcouncil.com.au/media/jewish...
www.jewishcouncil.com.au/media/jewish...
February 26, 2025 at 2:19 AM
@blatmannaama.bsky.social and @jewishcouncilau.bsky.social on the dangerous new antisemitism definition adopted by universities.
www.jewishcouncil.com.au/media/jewish...
www.jewishcouncil.com.au/media/jewish...
In a not so subtle attack on students protesting genocide in Palestine, ANU just enacted a policy that prevents our staff and students from posting posters without affixing their names to it.
February 11, 2025 at 10:13 PM
In a not so subtle attack on students protesting genocide in Palestine, ANU just enacted a policy that prevents our staff and students from posting posters without affixing their names to it.
Excited to be back at LSE for this double book launch event next month. Come say hi if you're in London!
November 19, 2024 at 11:06 PM
Excited to be back at LSE for this double book launch event next month. Come say hi if you're in London!
Reposted by Tim McLellan
In 'Science Interrupted', Timothy McLellan draws from his fieldwork within an agroforestry research institute in southwest China to investigate and break down audit cultures and the practice of dealing with bureaucracy within scientific research.
Science Interrupted: A Conversation with Timothy G. McLellan | Made in China Journal
In Science Interrupted: Rethinking Research Practice with Bureaucracy, Agroforestry, and Ethnography (Cornell University Press, 2024), anthropologist Timothy G. McLellan investigates and breaks down a...
madeinchinajournal.com
June 4, 2024 at 9:03 AM
In 'Science Interrupted', Timothy McLellan draws from his fieldwork within an agroforestry research institute in southwest China to investigate and break down audit cultures and the practice of dealing with bureaucracy within scientific research.
In light of the Max Planck Society’s appalling treatment of
Professor Ghassan Hage, I am withdrawing from a speaking event at a Max Planck Institute.
Here is my email to the event organizer explaining why.
Professor Ghassan Hage, I am withdrawing from a speaking event at a Max Planck Institute.
Here is my email to the event organizer explaining why.
February 9, 2024 at 3:12 PM
In light of the Max Planck Society’s appalling treatment of
Professor Ghassan Hage, I am withdrawing from a speaking event at a Max Planck Institute.
Here is my email to the event organizer explaining why.
Professor Ghassan Hage, I am withdrawing from a speaking event at a Max Planck Institute.
Here is my email to the event organizer explaining why.
Reposted by Tim McLellan
SCIENCE INTERRUPTED by Timothy G. McLellan examines how scientists in China pursue environmental sustainability within the constraints of domestic and international bureaucracies.
Available now: www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Available now: www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Science Interrupted by Timothy G. McLellan | Paperback | Cornell University Press
Science Interrupted examines how scientists in China pursue environmental sustainability within the constraints of domestic and international bureaucracies. Timothy G. McLellan offers a theoretical...
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu
January 10, 2024 at 4:59 PM
SCIENCE INTERRUPTED by Timothy G. McLellan examines how scientists in China pursue environmental sustainability within the constraints of domestic and international bureaucracies.
Available now: www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Available now: www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...