David Amigoni
@amigonidavid.bsky.social
Prof of Victorian Lit @Keele University and Pro V-C for Research and Innovation. Loves doing cultural stuff in Stoke-on-Trent and beyond
Reposted by David Amigoni
Last week on Wonkhe: This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag takes us to a college with an aeronautical bias
Higher education postcard: the University of Hertfordshire
This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag takes us to a college with an aeronautical bias This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag takes us to a college with an aeronautical bias
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag takes us to a college with an aeronautical bias
Reposted by David Amigoni
I fear that if Johnson were asked this today, there would be lot of umming & erring, some guff about "the custard of conciliation" & "the tiramisu of time", but he would refuse to answer.
That a US President tried to overthrow an election is now unsayable on the British Right & in much of the media
That a US President tried to overthrow an election is now unsayable on the British Right & in much of the media
In 2020, Boris Johnson said that Trump "encouraged people to storm the Capitol ... I believe that that was completely wrong. ... I unreservedly condemn encouraging people to behave in the disgraceful way that they did in the Capitol".
Does he still think that?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgCi...
Does he still think that?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgCi...
Boris Johnson condemns Trump after Capitol attack: 'Completely wrong'
YouTube video by Guardian News
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:45 AM
I fear that if Johnson were asked this today, there would be lot of umming & erring, some guff about "the custard of conciliation" & "the tiramisu of time", but he would refuse to answer.
That a US President tried to overthrow an election is now unsayable on the British Right & in much of the media
That a US President tried to overthrow an election is now unsayable on the British Right & in much of the media
Reposted by David Amigoni
"The oddity of the late 2020s is that the populist right has given the centre and centre-left a lifeline"
Interesting post from Geoff Mulgan on the risks of a hollow centre - and the perhaps temporary respite of a populist 'enemy' to rally against
geoffmulgan.substack.com/p/hollowed-o...
Interesting post from Geoff Mulgan on the risks of a hollow centre - and the perhaps temporary respite of a populist 'enemy' to rally against
geoffmulgan.substack.com/p/hollowed-o...
Hollowed out: can the centre hold?
Can the centre hold and resist the far right?
geoffmulgan.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:25 PM
"The oddity of the late 2020s is that the populist right has given the centre and centre-left a lifeline"
Interesting post from Geoff Mulgan on the risks of a hollow centre - and the perhaps temporary respite of a populist 'enemy' to rally against
geoffmulgan.substack.com/p/hollowed-o...
Interesting post from Geoff Mulgan on the risks of a hollow centre - and the perhaps temporary respite of a populist 'enemy' to rally against
geoffmulgan.substack.com/p/hollowed-o...
Enjoying some late Autumn sun
November 2, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Enjoying some late Autumn sun
Reposted by David Amigoni
Absolutely this👇
"Any “soft” arts subject such as history, English, theology, foreign languages, teaches how to think critically, research effectively, and deepens your understanding of the world: vital skills in our time of disinformation, cults and AI."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Kemi Badenoch wants to end ‘rip-off degrees’ – but I wouldn’t have created Horrid Henry without mine | Francesca Simon
I studied Old and Middle English. Although I didn’t know it, I couldn’t have chosen a better subject to train me to become a children’s author, says author Francesca Simon
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Absolutely this👇
A fascinating visit, as with every site in this unique national asset and UNESCO World Heritage site.
When I visited Ironbridge back in 2011, I didn't bother with any maps or guide books, I just set out for a stroll along the river. The first attraction I came to was the Jackfield Tile Museum, which I wouldn't have planned to visit, yet it turned out to be fascinating.
National Trust takes over the Ironbridge Gorge museums
The National Trust is taking on the running of the 10 museums in the Ironbridge Gorge, with the help of a £9m government grant, reports BBC ...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:40 AM
A fascinating visit, as with every site in this unique national asset and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Reposted by David Amigoni
Several MPs were among those present when Queen Victoria visited Liverpool #OnThisDay 1851. She commissioned this painting of St. George’s Hall as a souvenir of her visit. www.rct.uk/collection/9...
William Wyld (1806-89) - St George’s Hall, Liverpool
A watercolour depicting the exterior view of a classical neo-grecian building, with columns at the front and on the side, designed by Harvey Lonsdale Elmes. Figures and carriages are visible in the fo...
www.rct.uk
October 9, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Several MPs were among those present when Queen Victoria visited Liverpool #OnThisDay 1851. She commissioned this painting of St. George’s Hall as a souvenir of her visit. www.rct.uk/collection/9...
Reposted by David Amigoni
A great letter, which points to something that should be more widely known - see the work of David Killingray (for one) which David summarises here, with a host of (Kentish) examples:
October 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM
A great letter, which points to something that should be more widely known - see the work of David Killingray (for one) which David summarises here, with a host of (Kentish) examples:
Reposted by David Amigoni
October 9, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Reposted by David Amigoni
The small country of Luxembourg acts as a living laboratory where new water monitoring technologies can be tested at scale.
How Luxembourg detects microbes in its water supply before they pose a health risk
The small country of Luxembourg acts as a living laboratory where new water monitoring technologies can be tested at scale.
tcnv.link
September 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The small country of Luxembourg acts as a living laboratory where new water monitoring technologies can be tested at scale.
Reposted by David Amigoni
Died #OnThisDay 1877 William Henry Fox Talbot. Best known as the pioneer of photography, he was also briefly MP for Chippenham, 1832-5, but stepped down to concentrate on his scientific interests. There’s more on him in our short article: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/w...
William Fox Talbot MP: the inventor of photography
The inventor of photography William Fox Talbot died one hundred and thirty-five years ago today. A man of many talents, Talbot made distinguished contributions to maths, physics, botany, archaeolog…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Died #OnThisDay 1877 William Henry Fox Talbot. Best known as the pioneer of photography, he was also briefly MP for Chippenham, 1832-5, but stepped down to concentrate on his scientific interests. There’s more on him in our short article: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/w...
Irresistible offer!
Become a Peer Reviewer...
💡 Understand more about the editorial process
📄 Keep up to date with new research in your field
🤝 Share your expertise to support fellow researchers
Find out more 🔗 https://cup.org/3VgJhuz
#PeerReviewWeek #ResearchIntegrity
💡 Understand more about the editorial process
📄 Keep up to date with new research in your field
🤝 Share your expertise to support fellow researchers
Find out more 🔗 https://cup.org/3VgJhuz
#PeerReviewWeek #ResearchIntegrity
September 17, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Irresistible offer!
Reposted by David Amigoni
UK research ‘trying to do too many things’, warns new UKRI leader.
Ian Chapman wants funding emphasis on world-leading areas, but experts warn of system “inertia”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Ian Chapman wants funding emphasis on world-leading areas, but experts warn of system “inertia”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UK research ‘trying to do too many things’, warns new UKRI leader - Research Professional News
Ian Chapman wants funding emphasis on world-leading areas, but experts warn of system “inertia”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:47 AM
UK research ‘trying to do too many things’, warns new UKRI leader.
Ian Chapman wants funding emphasis on world-leading areas, but experts warn of system “inertia”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Ian Chapman wants funding emphasis on world-leading areas, but experts warn of system “inertia”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by David Amigoni
Mandelson took the UK’s most important diplomatic post knowing he was sitting on a ticking bomb – and Starmer will pay the price.
Peter Mandelson was always a high risk appointment – his departure will not end the matter for Keir Starmer
Mandelson took the UK’s most important diplomatic post knowing he was sitting on a ticking bomb – and Starmer will pay the price.
tcnv.link
September 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Mandelson took the UK’s most important diplomatic post knowing he was sitting on a ticking bomb – and Starmer will pay the price.
Reposted by David Amigoni
Russia aggression, and the killing of a US political activist and its implications in the weekly world affairs newsletter.
Charlie Kirk and the politics of rhetoric and division
Russia aggression, and the killing of a US political activist and its implications in the weekly world affairs newsletter.
tcnv.link
September 12, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Russia aggression, and the killing of a US political activist and its implications in the weekly world affairs newsletter.
Remembering that, aside from Lord Bragg’s distinguished presenting, this has been a great success story for university expertise for the last 27 years www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on In Our Time: Melvyn Bragg has proved that media can be both serious and popular | Editorial
Editorial: After 27 years, the presenter is leaving one of BBC Radio’s finest programmes. He never talked down, and never dumbed down either
www.theguardian.com
September 7, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Remembering that, aside from Lord Bragg’s distinguished presenting, this has been a great success story for university expertise for the last 27 years www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by David Amigoni
Peter Kyle is leaving DSIT for business. Wish he could have mentioned that at UUK!
There's also a rumour of a new "growth" department that would include the skills bit of DfE and some stuff from DWP (and, one assumes, business).
Would this also include HE? who knows?
There's also a rumour of a new "growth" department that would include the skills bit of DfE and some stuff from DWP (and, one assumes, business).
Would this also include HE? who knows?
September 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Peter Kyle is leaving DSIT for business. Wish he could have mentioned that at UUK!
There's also a rumour of a new "growth" department that would include the skills bit of DfE and some stuff from DWP (and, one assumes, business).
Would this also include HE? who knows?
There's also a rumour of a new "growth" department that would include the skills bit of DfE and some stuff from DWP (and, one assumes, business).
Would this also include HE? who knows?
Reposted by David Amigoni
The deputy prime minister’s departure has triggered a reshuffle and leaves the government in a weak spot.
What will Angela Rayner’s resignation mean for Keir Starmer’s government? Expert Q&A
The deputy prime minister’s departure has triggered a reshuffle and leaves the government in a weak spot.
tcnv.link
September 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The deputy prime minister’s departure has triggered a reshuffle and leaves the government in a weak spot.
Reposted by David Amigoni
Rayner’s case highlights the complexities of a system every UK housebuyer is expected to get to grips with.
How Angela Rayner managed to underpay stamp duty – family trusts and tax avoidance explained
Rayner’s case highlights the complexities of a system every UK housebuyer is expected to get to grips with.
tcnv.link
September 5, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Rayner’s case highlights the complexities of a system every UK housebuyer is expected to get to grips with.
Reposted by David Amigoni
Get to know Arnold Bennett's Five Towns: We have some free Bennett-themed guided walks around Hanley and Burslem for Heritage Open Days on 17 and 19 September, and beyond. Details on our website, and book here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on?q=A...
www.ticketsource.co.uk
September 3, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Get to know Arnold Bennett's Five Towns: We have some free Bennett-themed guided walks around Hanley and Burslem for Heritage Open Days on 17 and 19 September, and beyond. Details on our website, and book here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on?q=A...
After months of solar energy, time to turn on the Rayburn to cook tonight’s dinner saying farewell to our son, Tom, as he heads back to Royal Academy of Music tomorrow
August 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM
After months of solar energy, time to turn on the Rayburn to cook tonight’s dinner saying farewell to our son, Tom, as he heads back to Royal Academy of Music tomorrow
Reposted by David Amigoni
Tomorrow's #OnlineArtExchange theme is ⌛ time ⏰ for ‘Tony Foster: Exploring Time’ at @cornwall_museum
Explore our time topic for inspo 👉 buff.ly/XpH83UY
📷 Lancashire County Museum Service
Explore our time topic for inspo 👉 buff.ly/XpH83UY
📷 Lancashire County Museum Service
Time | Art UK
Discover artworks, explore venues and meet artists. Art UK is the online home for every public collection in the UK, featuring over 600,000 artworks by over 60,000 artists.
buff.ly
August 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Tomorrow's #OnlineArtExchange theme is ⌛ time ⏰ for ‘Tony Foster: Exploring Time’ at @cornwall_museum
Explore our time topic for inspo 👉 buff.ly/XpH83UY
📷 Lancashire County Museum Service
Explore our time topic for inspo 👉 buff.ly/XpH83UY
📷 Lancashire County Museum Service
Reposted by David Amigoni
Delighted to hear Claybody Theatre will continue to be based at The Dipping House on the former Spode pottery site. Looking forward to seeing many more place-based productions ‘shaped from the unique cultural heritage and contemporary lives of the people of Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire.’
Stoke-on-Trent theatre company 'delighted' as home secured
Claybody Theatre agrees a lease to remain at its current home in Stoke-on-Trent for 15 years.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 22, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Delighted to hear Claybody Theatre will continue to be based at The Dipping House on the former Spode pottery site. Looking forward to seeing many more place-based productions ‘shaped from the unique cultural heritage and contemporary lives of the people of Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire.’
Reposted by David Amigoni
The Cameron-Osborne years offer an important reminder that it is possible to excel at the theatre of politics - to "look prime ministerial", to dominate the "media narrative", to project "competence" and to communicate a clear political "story" - while being strikingly inept at governing.
Yet another retrospective triumph for Cameron and Osborne.
Scrapping of audit watchdog for English councils ‘led to soaring costs and chaos’
High critical report finds that instead of promised annual saving of £100m, fees have rocketed amid financial crisis
www.theguardian.com
August 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The Cameron-Osborne years offer an important reminder that it is possible to excel at the theatre of politics - to "look prime ministerial", to dominate the "media narrative", to project "competence" and to communicate a clear political "story" - while being strikingly inept at governing.