Paul Jump
@pauljump.bsky.social
Features and opinion editor of @timeshighered.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Jump
We're hiring at @timeshighered.bsky.social! A great opportunity to join us as a reporter and to lead our coverage of European higher education. Closing date 23 November careers.timeshighereducation.com/jobs/6737419... #journalistjob #journojob
November 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
We're hiring at @timeshighered.bsky.social! A great opportunity to join us as a reporter and to lead our coverage of European higher education. Closing date 23 November careers.timeshighereducation.com/jobs/6737419... #journalistjob #journojob
An article from a year ago but still extremely relevant www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/it-tim...
Turn on the caps? 100% yes, for the benefit of everyone at every level of UK higher education’s system
October 23, 2025 at 1:03 PM
An article from a year ago but still extremely relevant www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/it-tim...
"At the recent Labour Party conference, we were told to expect “clarity and coherence”. It is only a slight exaggeration to say, when it comes to the provision of skills, that the White Paper is more likely to create confusion and complexity," says Nick Hillman @timeshighered.bsky.social
Skills White Paper: Clarity and coherence or confusion and complexity?
To understand the government’s approach to education, we must await more announcements. Let’s hope they go further, says Nick Hillman
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:02 AM
"At the recent Labour Party conference, we were told to expect “clarity and coherence”. It is only a slight exaggeration to say, when it comes to the provision of skills, that the White Paper is more likely to create confusion and complexity," says Nick Hillman @timeshighered.bsky.social
"The OfS will now have greater authority to intervene where courses are deemed to offer poor value – raising questions about whether the regulator is truly equipped to make such judgements, especially after recent criticisms of its own poor performance", says Diana Beech. @timeshighered.bsky.social
Skills White Paper: Is extra oversight a fair price for sector stability?
Questions will be asked about the Office for Students’ fitness to take on extra powers over quality, agents and franchising, says Diana Beech
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
"The OfS will now have greater authority to intervene where courses are deemed to offer poor value – raising questions about whether the regulator is truly equipped to make such judgements, especially after recent criticisms of its own poor performance", says Diana Beech. @timeshighered.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Jump
Will superuniversities save UK HE? Six experts share their views www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/will-s...
Will superuniversities save UK HE?
The quasi-merger of the universities of Kent and Greenwich has raised questions about how many other higher education institutions might see an opportunity – or a necessity – to team up as financial p...
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Will superuniversities save UK HE? Six experts share their views www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/will-s...
Reposted by Paul Jump
Where now for the REF? Five very different views on how radical the changes should be www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/where-...
Where now for the REF?
The Research Excellence Framework has been postponed for three months ‘to take stock and ensure alignment with the UK government’s priorities and vision for higher education’. But how radical should t...
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 26, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Where now for the REF? Five very different views on how radical the changes should be www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/where-...
Reposted by Paul Jump
Opinion: The three-month pause in the Research Excellence Framework to re-examine the assessment of ‘people, culture and environment’ could prelude a welcome reversal, says Alice Sullivan
#academicsky #REF
#academicsky #REF
The REF’s postponement raises hopes that sanity will prevail on PCE
The three-month pause to re-examine the assessment of ‘people, culture and environment’ could prelude a welcome reversal, says Alice Sullivan
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 8, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Opinion: The three-month pause in the Research Excellence Framework to re-examine the assessment of ‘people, culture and environment’ could prelude a welcome reversal, says Alice Sullivan
#academicsky #REF
#academicsky #REF
Reposted by Paul Jump
Another bombshell REF announcement: radical change of direction at UKRI re research funding seems on the cards www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
Universities failing on research culture could lose funding
Research England to use REF pause to consider whether institutions must meet baseline performance measures as a condition of receiving funds
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Another bombshell REF announcement: radical change of direction at UKRI re research funding seems on the cards www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
Reposted by Paul Jump
At UUK conference Patrick Vallance announces 3-month pause in REF process to make sure it is ‘properly aligned’ to national priorities. Still on for 2029 but want to avoid it measuring the wrong things. Story soon at @timeshighered.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 8:49 AM
At UUK conference Patrick Vallance announces 3-month pause in REF process to make sure it is ‘properly aligned’ to national priorities. Still on for 2029 but want to avoid it measuring the wrong things. Story soon at @timeshighered.bsky.social
IoT also a great advert for academia. See this 2017 interview we did with Melvyn Bragg: "I just wanted to talk to academics on one subject and see what happens”. www.timeshighereducation.com/features/nev...
September 3, 2025 at 11:52 AM
IoT also a great advert for academia. See this 2017 interview we did with Melvyn Bragg: "I just wanted to talk to academics on one subject and see what happens”. www.timeshighereducation.com/features/nev...
Reposted by Paul Jump
Academic Rachael Gunn one year on from the Olympics: “Things settle down and then some other crazy thing happens. I’m the number two Halloween costume in the world, or everyone’s wearing a T-shirt with my face on it. I live in a totally different reality”
www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/raygun...
www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/raygun...
Raygun: ‘I don’t go on campus much. When I do, I try to keep a low profile’
Cultural studies academic Rachael Gunn’s breakdancing performance at the Paris Olympics went viral for all the wrong reasons. One year on, she tells John Ross that although processing the ridicule has...
www.timeshighereducation.com
August 7, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Academic Rachael Gunn one year on from the Olympics: “Things settle down and then some other crazy thing happens. I’m the number two Halloween costume in the world, or everyone’s wearing a T-shirt with my face on it. I live in a totally different reality”
www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/raygun...
www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/raygun...
"The HO’s behaviour and policies make it obvious that the UK no longer wants even legal skilled migrants. And the constant recalibration required to stay compliant with shifting regulations leads to perpetual uncertainty and fatigue." @timeshighered.bsky.social
The UK’s immigration hall of mirrors is making me reflect on my future
If the UK doesn’t want skilled migrants any more, maybe my contributions would be better appreciated in the Global South, says Meron Wondemaghen
www.timeshighereducation.com
August 6, 2025 at 8:29 AM
"The HO’s behaviour and policies make it obvious that the UK no longer wants even legal skilled migrants. And the constant recalibration required to stay compliant with shifting regulations leads to perpetual uncertainty and fatigue." @timeshighered.bsky.social
I am pretty sure those are the lyrics of a Talking Heads song.
A useful and very apt article. Coincidentally this afternoon I delivered a workshop this afternoon using the Question Formulation Technique, aiming to equip our officers to find the right questions to ask of staff, students and each other. This is a question I’m hugely interested in.
July 29, 2025 at 8:58 AM
I am pretty sure those are the lyrics of a Talking Heads song.
Where would @retractionwatch.com be without the late Tom Lehrer's advice for academics?
Plagiarize!
Let no one else's work evade your eyes
Remember why the good Lord made your eyes
So don't shade your eyes
But plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize
Only be sure always to call it please "research"
Plagiarize!
Let no one else's work evade your eyes
Remember why the good Lord made your eyes
So don't shade your eyes
But plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize
Only be sure always to call it please "research"
July 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Where would @retractionwatch.com be without the late Tom Lehrer's advice for academics?
Plagiarize!
Let no one else's work evade your eyes
Remember why the good Lord made your eyes
So don't shade your eyes
But plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize
Only be sure always to call it please "research"
Plagiarize!
Let no one else's work evade your eyes
Remember why the good Lord made your eyes
So don't shade your eyes
But plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize
Only be sure always to call it please "research"
But is that focus inevitable when the research budget is defended by sector lobbyists on the basis of its industrial upshots?
This focus on industry funding and profit making companies is antithetical to a lot of the point of research. It also dilutes ethical standards and introduces (even more) conflicts of interest.
The UK’s main research funder should set itself targets for attracting industry funding for scientific research and encouraging science-based spin-outs, a parliamentary committee has recommended. @jgro-the.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky #UKRI
#AcademicSky #UKRI
July 23, 2025 at 9:43 AM
But is that focus inevitable when the research budget is defended by sector lobbyists on the basis of its industrial upshots?
Reposted by Paul Jump
How can a research grant proposal get an A grade from the ERC, but get marked down by a local funder? European researchers are left confused www.timeshighereducation.com/news/researc...
Research grant assessments under scrutiny amid disparities
Researchers call for improved national assessment processes as proposals receive different feedback at European level
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 10, 2025 at 8:55 AM
How can a research grant proposal get an A grade from the ERC, but get marked down by a local funder? European researchers are left confused www.timeshighereducation.com/news/researc...
In light of Grok's latest far-right outbursts, see this recent piece on its previous failings - and how academics should be empowered to help ensure there are no repeats www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/huma...
@timeshighered.bsky.social
@timeshighered.bsky.social
The humanities must have a role in overseeing AI ‘censorship’
Restrictions on what models will discuss are necessary, but ill-informed blocks distort inquiry, say Lorna Waddington and Richard de Blacquiere-Clarkson
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:58 AM
In light of Grok's latest far-right outbursts, see this recent piece on its previous failings - and how academics should be empowered to help ensure there are no repeats www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/huma...
@timeshighered.bsky.social
@timeshighered.bsky.social
"We have heard that ECRs or redundant staff should be protected or have portability, however while this is attractive, it is just not possible where there is no reliable indicator or way of knowing who these individuals are.”
UK universities will be able to enter unlimited numbers of outputs from individual researchers into the next REF despite concerns this shift will concentrate research in the hands of a small number of “star performers”
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky
REF 2029: Decoupling outputs and staff goes ahead despite outcry
Controversial rules on uncapping output numbers for researchers and preventing research ‘portability’ confirmed
www.timeshighereducation.com
June 12, 2025 at 9:39 AM
"We have heard that ECRs or redundant staff should be protected or have portability, however while this is attractive, it is just not possible where there is no reliable indicator or way of knowing who these individuals are.”
Reposted by Paul Jump
Universities in England and NI lost £5.4bn on research last year, and £1.7bn on teaching domestic students - but made a £3.2bn surplus on teaching international students, official analysis shows www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
University research shortfall rises to over £5 billion in England
Annual data shows universities in England and Northern Ireland face growing losses on research and teaching domestic students
www.timeshighereducation.com
June 10, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Universities in England and NI lost £5.4bn on research last year, and £1.7bn on teaching domestic students - but made a £3.2bn surplus on teaching international students, official analysis shows www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
"At last, a thoughtful and nuanced assessment of the use of AI." @timeshighered.bsky.social
Could generative AI improve the REF?
The task of reading and rating the thousands of outputs submitted to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework is notoriously Herculean. Could AI ease the burden – or would its use undermine the whole po...
www.timeshighereducation.com
June 6, 2025 at 11:36 AM
"At last, a thoughtful and nuanced assessment of the use of AI." @timeshighered.bsky.social
Interesting take
Weeding discourse - yet another topic that never seems to die. 🤦♀️ Why can people not accept that librarians know how to do our jobs and don’t just chuck stuff away for shits and giggles?
June 6, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Interesting take
Reposted by Paul Jump
Could generative AI improve the Research Excellence Framework? Writers including @oldnorthroad.bsky.social @heroicendeavour.bsky.social offer their views (with some brilliant illustrations, too, which AI has been nowhere near) www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/could-...
June 5, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Could generative AI improve the Research Excellence Framework? Writers including @oldnorthroad.bsky.social @heroicendeavour.bsky.social offer their views (with some brilliant illustrations, too, which AI has been nowhere near) www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/could-...
Reposted by Paul Jump
Opinion: The effort of staying compliant with fluctuating regulations diminishes the mental space for teaching, research and building belonging
✍️ Zahra Sharifonnasabi, Fleura Bardhi and Laetitia Mimoun
#AcademicSky #EduSky
✍️ Zahra Sharifonnasabi, Fleura Bardhi and Laetitia Mimoun
#AcademicSky #EduSky
UK immigration policy is destabilising international academics’ careers
The effort of staying compliant with fluctuating regulations diminishes the mental space for teaching, research and building belonging, say Zahra Sharifonnasabi, Fleura Bardhi and Laetitia Mimoun
www.timeshighereducation.com
June 5, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Opinion: The effort of staying compliant with fluctuating regulations diminishes the mental space for teaching, research and building belonging
✍️ Zahra Sharifonnasabi, Fleura Bardhi and Laetitia Mimoun
#AcademicSky #EduSky
✍️ Zahra Sharifonnasabi, Fleura Bardhi and Laetitia Mimoun
#AcademicSky #EduSky
Reposted by Paul Jump
Could AI ease the burden of reading and rating the thousands of outputs submitted to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework – or would its use undermine the whole point of REF panels? As @jisc.bsky.social consults on that question, four writers offer their views
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky
Could generative AI improve the REF?
The task of reading and rating the thousands of outputs submitted to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework is notoriously Herculean. Could AI ease the burden – or would its use undermine the whole po...
www.timeshighereducation.com
June 5, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Could AI ease the burden of reading and rating the thousands of outputs submitted to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework – or would its use undermine the whole point of REF panels? As @jisc.bsky.social consults on that question, four writers offer their views
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky
Reposted by Paul Jump
Opinion: US society must reject the false dichotomy between supporting American interests and welcoming international contributors, says Fernando Reimers
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky
Trump's crackdown on international students is misguided and dangerous
US society must reject the false dichotomy between supporting American interests and welcoming international contributors, says Fernando Reimers
www.timeshighereducation.com
May 28, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Opinion: US society must reject the false dichotomy between supporting American interests and welcoming international contributors, says Fernando Reimers
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky