Karl Johnson
@karlpjohnson.bsky.social
Shetlander in Edinburgh, Sociology lecturer, Gaada advisory board, comic & sci-fi fan, parent and dog butler.
Wrote The Loki Variations📗 https://www.404ink.com/store/p/inklings-the-loki-variations.
He/Him. Views are mine and Morag's🐶
Wrote The Loki Variations📗 https://www.404ink.com/store/p/inklings-the-loki-variations.
He/Him. Views are mine and Morag's🐶
Reposted by Karl Johnson
Well done to @qmucu.bsky.social for speaking truth about the implosion of the UK HE sector. Too many people are in denial. There are no jobs for us newbies and now they're coming for those fortunate enough to be established. Read this list of the ongoing cut and closures
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
UK HE shrinking
a live page of all the redundancies and restructures happening across UK Higher Education. Page is updated regularly.
qmucu.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Well done to @qmucu.bsky.social for speaking truth about the implosion of the UK HE sector. Too many people are in denial. There are no jobs for us newbies and now they're coming for those fortunate enough to be established. Read this list of the ongoing cut and closures
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
I could have sworn the 2026 @britsoci.bsky.social annual conference was due to be held at University of Edinburgh, but now the website is saying University of Manchester.
Did I blackout or something?
Did I blackout or something?
December 9, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I could have sworn the 2026 @britsoci.bsky.social annual conference was due to be held at University of Edinburgh, but now the website is saying University of Manchester.
Did I blackout or something?
Did I blackout or something?
Reposted by Karl Johnson
my one very sincere piece of business advice to universities:
it takes *a lot* of indignities to kill the goodwill of people who choose to work at universities but managing to do so is not something to be proud of
it takes *a lot* of indignities to kill the goodwill of people who choose to work at universities but managing to do so is not something to be proud of
December 8, 2025 at 7:49 AM
my one very sincere piece of business advice to universities:
it takes *a lot* of indignities to kill the goodwill of people who choose to work at universities but managing to do so is not something to be proud of
it takes *a lot* of indignities to kill the goodwill of people who choose to work at universities but managing to do so is not something to be proud of
Reposted by Karl Johnson
'New rules on access to single-sex spaces could pose a significant risk to the mental health of trans and non-binary people, according to 15 of the UK’s most respected mental charities.' 1/2
Rules on single-sex spaces pose risk to trans people’s mental health, UK charities say
Fifteen organisations sign letter expressing deep concern over EHRC guidance being considered by ministers
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:34 AM
'New rules on access to single-sex spaces could pose a significant risk to the mental health of trans and non-binary people, according to 15 of the UK’s most respected mental charities.' 1/2
Reposted by Karl Johnson
WRITE FOR US: The Sociological Review magazine editors are calling for pitches for the May 2026 issue.
Iris Pissaride & @juliettephd.bsky.social are inviting proposals for the regular features Sociology at Work, and Private Troubles, Public Issues.
📅 Deadline 31 December
🔎 Info: buff.ly/Iu7SKia
Iris Pissaride & @juliettephd.bsky.social are inviting proposals for the regular features Sociology at Work, and Private Troubles, Public Issues.
📅 Deadline 31 December
🔎 Info: buff.ly/Iu7SKia
December 2, 2025 at 10:56 AM
WRITE FOR US: The Sociological Review magazine editors are calling for pitches for the May 2026 issue.
Iris Pissaride & @juliettephd.bsky.social are inviting proposals for the regular features Sociology at Work, and Private Troubles, Public Issues.
📅 Deadline 31 December
🔎 Info: buff.ly/Iu7SKia
Iris Pissaride & @juliettephd.bsky.social are inviting proposals for the regular features Sociology at Work, and Private Troubles, Public Issues.
📅 Deadline 31 December
🔎 Info: buff.ly/Iu7SKia
Reposted by Karl Johnson
ChatGPT-5 offers dangerous advice to mentally ill people, psychologists warn
ChatGPT-5 offers dangerous advice to mentally ill people, psychologists warn
Research finds OpenAI’s free chatbot fails to identify risky behaviour or challenge delusional beliefs
ChatGPT-5 is offering dangerous and unhelpful advice to people experiencing mental health crises, some of the UK’s leading psychologists have warned.
Research conducted by King’s College London (KCL) and the Association of Clinical Psychologists UK (ACP) in partnership with the Guardian suggested that the AI chatbotfailed to identify risky behaviour when communicating with mentally ill people. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
ChatGPT-5 offers dangerous advice to mentally ill people, psychologists warn
Reposted by Karl Johnson
So, no funding to attend academic conferences, limited heating, no printers, can’t pay tutors, no phd scholarships, not enough front line staff, pushing academics to take VR or drop paid hours, cutting academic staff who bring money in?!But there’s money for this?! www.theferret.scot/consultancy-...
‘Nousferatu’: the notorious consultancy advising Edinburgh uni amid 'huge' cuts
Scotland’s largest university has turned to Nous Group at the same time as it is making savings that could lead to nearly 2,000 job losses. Staff say they were misled about the extent of its work.
www.theferret.scot
November 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
So, no funding to attend academic conferences, limited heating, no printers, can’t pay tutors, no phd scholarships, not enough front line staff, pushing academics to take VR or drop paid hours, cutting academic staff who bring money in?!But there’s money for this?! www.theferret.scot/consultancy-...
Reposted by Karl Johnson
At last, some properly rigorous reporting on the vampiric management consulting behind proposed cuts at Edinburgh Uni.
Grab some garlic, read and weep.
Grab some garlic, read and weep.
🔴 NEW: The University of Edinburgh has quietly paid more than £750,000 to a controversial consulting firm amid job cuts - staff say bosses ignored "repeated" questions about its role.
Read more about 'Nousferatu' 👉 www.theferret.scot/p...
Read more about 'Nousferatu' 👉 www.theferret.scot/p...
November 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
At last, some properly rigorous reporting on the vampiric management consulting behind proposed cuts at Edinburgh Uni.
Grab some garlic, read and weep.
Grab some garlic, read and weep.
Reposted by Karl Johnson
And I don't know if the answer is: everyone is too traumatized to do work and we need to reinvent society. Or if it's more like: generations are losing their cognitive abilities and willpower due to destructive technologies. Or: we all have post-viral brain damage. Or: all of the above.
November 28, 2025 at 11:34 PM
And I don't know if the answer is: everyone is too traumatized to do work and we need to reinvent society. Or if it's more like: generations are losing their cognitive abilities and willpower due to destructive technologies. Or: we all have post-viral brain damage. Or: all of the above.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Threshold for repaying student loans to converge with minimum wage on.ft.com/3M2AYkD
Threshold for repaying student loans to converge with minimum wage
Surprise move from chancellor means some university graduates in England may have to pay back debts sooner
on.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:32 PM
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Reposted by Karl Johnson
We’re proud that a Bantshire student ambassador is on placement at the OBR today.
November 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM
We’re proud that a Bantshire student ambassador is on placement at the OBR today.
Reposted by Karl Johnson
Dave watched this government Education Committee meeting so you didn’t have to. But you do have to read his summary (if you have any interest in the future of HE)
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Dave watched this government Education Committee meeting so you didn’t have to. But you do have to read his summary (if you have any interest in the future of HE)
Reposted by Karl Johnson
This is £600m from the same university sector that is pretty close to collapse in a growing number of major institutions?
Many of them universities that are among the biggest employers in the very ‘left behind’ towns and cities that Labour talks so much about…
Many of them universities that are among the biggest employers in the very ‘left behind’ towns and cities that Labour talks so much about…
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This is £600m from the same university sector that is pretty close to collapse in a growing number of major institutions?
Many of them universities that are among the biggest employers in the very ‘left behind’ towns and cities that Labour talks so much about…
Many of them universities that are among the biggest employers in the very ‘left behind’ towns and cities that Labour talks so much about…
Reposted by Karl Johnson
Announcing our 2026 bursary for small presses and crowdfunder AND book that Heather and I have secretly been writing about @404ink.bsky.social over the last few months. Our way of saying farewell!
www.404ink.com/blog/publish...
www.404ink.com/blog/publish...
404 Ink co-founders launch new book and industry fundraiser for small presses — 404 Ink
404 Ink to publish one final book as part of small press fundraiser, launching in 2026.
www.404ink.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Announcing our 2026 bursary for small presses and crowdfunder AND book that Heather and I have secretly been writing about @404ink.bsky.social over the last few months. Our way of saying farewell!
www.404ink.com/blog/publish...
www.404ink.com/blog/publish...
Reposted by Karl Johnson
Wonkhe should be ashamed of publishing this propaganda bullshit. Apart from the hallucinations and built-in biases, how is AI remotely ‘ethical’ when operating it burns enormous amounts of power, requires enormous volumes of water and emits thousands of tonnes of CO2 often in minority communities?
NEW on Wonkhe: A new partnership between Advance HE, evasys and Student Voice AI is giving rapid access to a goldmine of insight about the PGT experience. Helena Lim explains buff.ly/bnSjmUh
November 20, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Wonkhe should be ashamed of publishing this propaganda bullshit. Apart from the hallucinations and built-in biases, how is AI remotely ‘ethical’ when operating it burns enormous amounts of power, requires enormous volumes of water and emits thousands of tonnes of CO2 often in minority communities?
Reposted by Karl Johnson
🛒 OUR NEW WEBSITE IS FINALLY HERE - 30% OFF ALL BOOKS UNTIL THE 17TH📚
After many years of making do with our clunky old Wordpress site we are thrilled to finally launch a bookshop site that we feel better represents the level of service we strive to offer.
🔗: argonautbooks.co.uk
(1/3)
After many years of making do with our clunky old Wordpress site we are thrilled to finally launch a bookshop site that we feel better represents the level of service we strive to offer.
🔗: argonautbooks.co.uk
(1/3)
November 14, 2025 at 8:09 AM
🛒 OUR NEW WEBSITE IS FINALLY HERE - 30% OFF ALL BOOKS UNTIL THE 17TH📚
After many years of making do with our clunky old Wordpress site we are thrilled to finally launch a bookshop site that we feel better represents the level of service we strive to offer.
🔗: argonautbooks.co.uk
(1/3)
After many years of making do with our clunky old Wordpress site we are thrilled to finally launch a bookshop site that we feel better represents the level of service we strive to offer.
🔗: argonautbooks.co.uk
(1/3)
Reposted by Karl Johnson
Reposted by Karl Johnson
The senior leadership team at @edinburghuniversity plan to cut staff expenditure by £90m, which is more than 10%.
This would mean about 1 in 8 members of staff losing their jobs. With hundreds of jobs already lost, a further 1,000+ jobs are on the line.
www.instagram.com/p/DQuFjwBjHB5/
This would mean about 1 in 8 members of staff losing their jobs. With hundreds of jobs already lost, a further 1,000+ jobs are on the line.
www.instagram.com/p/DQuFjwBjHB5/
November 12, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The senior leadership team at @edinburghuniversity plan to cut staff expenditure by £90m, which is more than 10%.
This would mean about 1 in 8 members of staff losing their jobs. With hundreds of jobs already lost, a further 1,000+ jobs are on the line.
www.instagram.com/p/DQuFjwBjHB5/
This would mean about 1 in 8 members of staff losing their jobs. With hundreds of jobs already lost, a further 1,000+ jobs are on the line.
www.instagram.com/p/DQuFjwBjHB5/
Reposted by Karl Johnson
Mapping Identities Conference 9/02/26-10/02/26 Call for Papers.
We warmly invite expressions of interest in the form of 250-word abstracts and 100-word short biographies Wednesday 17/12/25
tinyurl.com/3nnacccd
We warmly invite expressions of interest in the form of 250-word abstracts and 100-word short biographies Wednesday 17/12/25
tinyurl.com/3nnacccd
November 12, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Mapping Identities Conference 9/02/26-10/02/26 Call for Papers.
We warmly invite expressions of interest in the form of 250-word abstracts and 100-word short biographies Wednesday 17/12/25
tinyurl.com/3nnacccd
We warmly invite expressions of interest in the form of 250-word abstracts and 100-word short biographies Wednesday 17/12/25
tinyurl.com/3nnacccd
Reposted by Karl Johnson
If Wes Streeting ever becomes PM then *that* tweet by the late great Dawn Foster needs to be projected onto Number 10 permanently
November 12, 2025 at 10:04 AM
If Wes Streeting ever becomes PM then *that* tweet by the late great Dawn Foster needs to be projected onto Number 10 permanently
Reposted by Karl Johnson
'Student Voice' in universities functions the same as 'The People' in contemporary political debate. Discuss.
Managers cite concern for students in everything they do, but never actually prioritise student opinion or voices in any of their decision making. They do irreparable harm to student courses and turn around to staff and ask: ‘right: how can we improve student satisfaction and recruitment?’
We've had 2 massive mergers in 2 years. In both cases, QMUL refused to hear students (staff was told not to talk about it with students for fear of repercussions), and *after* both of them, management said 'our bad, we'll talk to students next time'.
#UKHE managers don't prioritise students.
#UKHE managers don't prioritise students.
November 10, 2025 at 10:34 AM
'Student Voice' in universities functions the same as 'The People' in contemporary political debate. Discuss.
Reposted by Karl Johnson
WORLD BOOK WEEK OFFER
Are you a school in the Scottish islands? Would you like an author visit with no author fees? Step this way and check out the alt text below….
Please get in touch via my website contact form 📚🏴
@scottishbooktrust.bsky.social @asls.org.uk @slgscotland.bsky.social
Are you a school in the Scottish islands? Would you like an author visit with no author fees? Step this way and check out the alt text below….
Please get in touch via my website contact form 📚🏴
@scottishbooktrust.bsky.social @asls.org.uk @slgscotland.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
WORLD BOOK WEEK OFFER
Are you a school in the Scottish islands? Would you like an author visit with no author fees? Step this way and check out the alt text below….
Please get in touch via my website contact form 📚🏴
@scottishbooktrust.bsky.social @asls.org.uk @slgscotland.bsky.social
Are you a school in the Scottish islands? Would you like an author visit with no author fees? Step this way and check out the alt text below….
Please get in touch via my website contact form 📚🏴
@scottishbooktrust.bsky.social @asls.org.uk @slgscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Karl Johnson
congrats to everyone for thinking this through before signing very big contracts to put it on every student’s device at the school or university you run
OVER A MILLION USERS
DISCUSS SUICIDE WITH CHATGPT
EVERY *WEEK*
what the fuck are we DOING here
DISCUSS SUICIDE WITH CHATGPT
EVERY *WEEK*
what the fuck are we DOING here
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
November 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
congrats to everyone for thinking this through before signing very big contracts to put it on every student’s device at the school or university you run
Reposted by Karl Johnson
Strange Tales 72, 1959. Art by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.
November 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Strange Tales 72, 1959. Art by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.