Gillian Roberts
@citizenofblue.bsky.social
Settler Canadian migrant in the UK. Reader, writer, professor, knitter, runner, cyclist, roller skater, stepmom, dog mom. Dress code: blue. Co-host of Borders Talk: Dots, Dashes, and the Stories They Tell. She/her.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
You think your subject discipline is important? Nottingham might not. A sorry state of affairs. #Petitions
Even more petitions popping up. Doesn't make for a great endorsement, does it?
Please sign, spread the word, and help us push back against the constant undermining of our university:
c.org/MwqdpHLCnZ
c.org/Q6pTJXz87F
c.org/sGNYk5yGpM
Please sign, spread the word, and help us push back against the constant undermining of our university:
c.org/MwqdpHLCnZ
c.org/Q6pTJXz87F
c.org/sGNYk5yGpM
November 11, 2025 at 7:09 AM
You think your subject discipline is important? Nottingham might not. A sorry state of affairs. #Petitions
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
Thread.
1/ Michael Prescott of Hanover Communications, whose leaked memo alleging left-wing bias led to the BBC meltdown.
You could be forgiven for thinking that a corporate lobbyist & former Murdoch press hack may not have the best interests of public-service broadcasting at heart.
You could be forgiven for thinking that a corporate lobbyist & former Murdoch press hack may not have the best interests of public-service broadcasting at heart.
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Thread.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
An amazing day of solidarity with staff, students, and community members saying NO to compulsory redundancies and unnecessary course closures.
November 10, 2025 at 1:28 PM
An amazing day of solidarity with staff, students, and community members saying NO to compulsory redundancies and unnecessary course closures.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
My former employer, @uniofnottingham.bsky.social, will be the first Russell Group university to cut #Theology degrees from next year onwards: thetab.com/2025/11/06/r...
Do consider to sign this student-led petitions: www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
@uonucu.bsky.social
Do consider to sign this student-led petitions: www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
@uonucu.bsky.social
Russell Group uni plans to axe a huge 48 courses that aren't 'financially viable' enough
The uni won't accept freshers for 15 subject areas
thetab.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:20 AM
My former employer, @uniofnottingham.bsky.social, will be the first Russell Group university to cut #Theology degrees from next year onwards: thetab.com/2025/11/06/r...
Do consider to sign this student-led petitions: www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
@uonucu.bsky.social
Do consider to sign this student-led petitions: www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
@uonucu.bsky.social
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
This pup is as bewildered as you are by planned course closures at UoN.
What kind of future will the next generation have without languages, music, theology, education, social work, microbiology & plant sciences, agriculture & nursing??
@uonucu.bsky.social photo credits @rullsenberg.bsky.social
What kind of future will the next generation have without languages, music, theology, education, social work, microbiology & plant sciences, agriculture & nursing??
@uonucu.bsky.social photo credits @rullsenberg.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 1:05 PM
This pup is as bewildered as you are by planned course closures at UoN.
What kind of future will the next generation have without languages, music, theology, education, social work, microbiology & plant sciences, agriculture & nursing??
@uonucu.bsky.social photo credits @rullsenberg.bsky.social
What kind of future will the next generation have without languages, music, theology, education, social work, microbiology & plant sciences, agriculture & nursing??
@uonucu.bsky.social photo credits @rullsenberg.bsky.social
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
More of Chris' photos are here: tregenza.com/uon-ucu-22nd...
UoN UCU 22nd October 2025 – Chris TREGENZA
Rally featuring Jo Grady, General Secretary of the UCU
tregenza.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:03 AM
More of Chris' photos are here: tregenza.com/uon-ucu-22nd...
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
This is well worth a read to understand what a complete mess higher education has become with @uniofnottingham.bsky.social among those leading the way muircheartblog.wpcomstaging.com/2025/11/06/q...
Quietly Axing Your Courses (but Thank You for Your Support)
In response to yesterday’s communication on course closures, a colleague—designated here only as CE-12 (Communications Entity 12)—has provided a translation that removes the corporate varnish and c…
muircheartblog.wpcomstaging.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This is well worth a read to understand what a complete mess higher education has become with @uniofnottingham.bsky.social among those leading the way muircheartblog.wpcomstaging.com/2025/11/06/q...
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
I leapt up swearing. Nottingham! Of Nottingham French Studies fame. A terrific, storied, innovative and important department.
November 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I leapt up swearing. Nottingham! Of Nottingham French Studies fame. A terrific, storied, innovative and important department.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
A thing about AI in higher ed right now is that half of us are scrambling to deal with the implosion of our information environment that broke reading/writing/source verification, while the other half is trying to achieve a massive institutional buy-in of the very thing that's causing the implosion
November 7, 2025 at 1:30 AM
A thing about AI in higher ed right now is that half of us are scrambling to deal with the implosion of our information environment that broke reading/writing/source verification, while the other half is trying to achieve a massive institutional buy-in of the very thing that's causing the implosion
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
Looking at the list we've been sent in the staff newsletter, it includes the entirety (I think) of modern languages undergrad teaching. I feel sick. Ashamed, even. I rave about how good the course is. So what if it's less than 5% of students? I now really feel worthless as a graduate.
A massive number of our members just got word that the courses they teach on will be "suspended" by the university, effecting out current and future students in every single faculty and school at UoN.
November 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Looking at the list we've been sent in the staff newsletter, it includes the entirety (I think) of modern languages undergrad teaching. I feel sick. Ashamed, even. I rave about how good the course is. So what if it's less than 5% of students? I now really feel worthless as a graduate.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
Mathematical Physics MSci at UoN earmarked for closure as mgmt start the cuts. As the custodians of Einstein’s famous blackboard, this is especially worrying. Will we still teach his greatest ideas in years to come? @uonucu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Mathematical Physics MSci at UoN earmarked for closure as mgmt start the cuts. As the custodians of Einstein’s famous blackboard, this is especially worrying. Will we still teach his greatest ideas in years to come? @uonucu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
It's not just music and language courses- it's 48 courses across the university.
But here's the thing- our UCU colleagues at other universities (like @Cardiffucu.bsky.social) have faced the exact same threats, fought back, and won. So we can too.
But here's the thing- our UCU colleagues at other universities (like @Cardiffucu.bsky.social) have faced the exact same threats, fought back, and won. So we can too.
November 6, 2025 at 3:34 PM
It's not just music and language courses- it's 48 courses across the university.
But here's the thing- our UCU colleagues at other universities (like @Cardiffucu.bsky.social) have faced the exact same threats, fought back, and won. So we can too.
But here's the thing- our UCU colleagues at other universities (like @Cardiffucu.bsky.social) have faced the exact same threats, fought back, and won. So we can too.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
A massive number of our members just got word that the courses they teach on will be "suspended" by the university, effecting out current and future students in every single faculty and school at UoN.
November 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
A massive number of our members just got word that the courses they teach on will be "suspended" by the university, effecting out current and future students in every single faculty and school at UoN.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
Very soon, if you were to create a triangle with Sheffield, Birmingham and Cambridge as its three extremes, not a single language course will remain within that triangle. The waste of expertise and opportunity is bad enough, but it's also becoming a case of state strategic failure.
November 6, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Very soon, if you were to create a triangle with Sheffield, Birmingham and Cambridge as its three extremes, not a single language course will remain within that triangle. The waste of expertise and opportunity is bad enough, but it's also becoming a case of state strategic failure.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
@christianilbury.bsky.social Yep, this has been confirmed. Around a third of Arts programmes suspended in total, and absolutely all modern languages provision. It's a very sad and frustrating day here in Nottingham.
November 6, 2025 at 1:10 PM
@christianilbury.bsky.social Yep, this has been confirmed. Around a third of Arts programmes suspended in total, and absolutely all modern languages provision. It's a very sad and frustrating day here in Nottingham.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
...and music and lots of philosophy, to add to American & Canadian Studies, that was suspended a year ago.
If only management hadn't spent millions on a set of buildings in the city, that HMRC left years ago because they were no longer fit for purpose...
If only management hadn't spent millions on a set of buildings in the city, that HMRC left years ago because they were no longer fit for purpose...
I am hearing that @uniofnottingham.bsky.social is suspending (i.e shutting down) *all modern language courses* in 2026-27. One of the largest departments in the UK. A shocking short sighted move that damages regional and national prospects @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
...and music and lots of philosophy, to add to American & Canadian Studies, that was suspended a year ago.
If only management hadn't spent millions on a set of buildings in the city, that HMRC left years ago because they were no longer fit for purpose...
If only management hadn't spent millions on a set of buildings in the city, that HMRC left years ago because they were no longer fit for purpose...
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
We’re gonna be running the wollaton park run next week in memory of our wonderful friend and legendary pres, Agnes, taken from us far too soon. We’re raising funds to support her beloved trade union campaigns. Please sponsor us. @uonucu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Help raise £750 to support the Agnes Parkrun Fundraiser – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to support the Agnes Parkrun Fundraiser. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
www.justgiving.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:37 PM
We’re gonna be running the wollaton park run next week in memory of our wonderful friend and legendary pres, Agnes, taken from us far too soon. We’re raising funds to support her beloved trade union campaigns. Please sponsor us. @uonucu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Our latest episode is out!
Borders and Citizenship - Borders Talk: Dots, Dashes & the Stories They Tell
This episode is the first time we’ve asked each other “how are you?” Yes, we’ve checked. Here are two “rankings” for passports: the Henley Passport Index, which describes itself as “the only one ...
www.buzzsprout.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Our latest episode is out!
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
October 28, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
Is saying racist things really racist though?
Join us on every fucking talking heads talk show for the rest of eternity to discuss this ridiculous question over and over and over and over again.
Join us on every fucking talking heads talk show for the rest of eternity to discuss this ridiculous question over and over and over and over again.
October 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Is saying racist things really racist though?
Join us on every fucking talking heads talk show for the rest of eternity to discuss this ridiculous question over and over and over and over again.
Join us on every fucking talking heads talk show for the rest of eternity to discuss this ridiculous question over and over and over and over again.
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
"Many scholars, including us, have highlighted the threat posed by techno-solutionism in education: Rather than expanding our intellectual horizons, these technologies undermine the very conditions that allow us to think for ourselves."
1/n
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/a...
1/n
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/a...
October 25, 2025 at 6:08 AM
"Many scholars, including us, have highlighted the threat posed by techno-solutionism in education: Rather than expanding our intellectual horizons, these technologies undermine the very conditions that allow us to think for ourselves."
1/n
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/a...
1/n
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/a...
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
“They cheated on a commercial” - a totally sane person definitely fit for the Presidency
Trump: "They cheated on a commercial. Ronald Reagan loved tariffs and they said he didn't. And I guess it was AI or something. They cheated badly. Canada got caught cheating on a commercial. Can you believe it?"
October 25, 2025 at 4:50 AM
“They cheated on a commercial” - a totally sane person definitely fit for the Presidency
Reposted by Gillian Roberts
No result closes out a ridiculous passage in World Cup history, that in a sane world would cost administrators their jobs, but won't, because the ICC are an unaccountable sea of open corruption from top to bottom.
#CWC25
icc-cricket.com/tournaments/...
#CWC25
icc-cricket.com/tournaments/...
Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka | ICC
icc-cricket.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:53 PM
No result closes out a ridiculous passage in World Cup history, that in a sane world would cost administrators their jobs, but won't, because the ICC are an unaccountable sea of open corruption from top to bottom.
#CWC25
icc-cricket.com/tournaments/...
#CWC25
icc-cricket.com/tournaments/...