Plashing Vole
@plashingvole.bsky.social
Mild-mannered lecturer by day…mild-mannered lecturer by night. Welsh lit, politicians’ fictions. Fencer, cyclist, UCU. Dysgwr Cymraeg; tá gaeilge agam. Barnau fy hun.
Read books; join unions; block cookies.
Read books; join unions; block cookies.
By a single line on the massive environmental impact of AI, its notorious hallucinations, or stealing everyone’s work. To be expected from university senior managers I suppose.
NEW on Wonkhe: There are legitimate use-cases for AI that deliver efficiency, but for Nick Jennings and Sam Grogan the real prize is active development of AI learning partnership skills buff.ly/UriccMh
November 10, 2025 at 8:37 AM
By a single line on the massive environmental impact of AI, its notorious hallucinations, or stealing everyone’s work. To be expected from university senior managers I suppose.
An utterly sleepless night (largely thanks to my employer). Not helped by my brain serving up an unwanted memory from my first graduation ceremony:
Me: hi Aldyth, congratulations.
Aldyth (supposedly a friend, in front of all our families): you didn’t deserve yours at all.
Me: …?
Me: hi Aldyth, congratulations.
Aldyth (supposedly a friend, in front of all our families): you didn’t deserve yours at all.
Me: …?
November 8, 2025 at 7:48 AM
An utterly sleepless night (largely thanks to my employer). Not helped by my brain serving up an unwanted memory from my first graduation ceremony:
Me: hi Aldyth, congratulations.
Aldyth (supposedly a friend, in front of all our families): you didn’t deserve yours at all.
Me: …?
Me: hi Aldyth, congratulations.
Aldyth (supposedly a friend, in front of all our families): you didn’t deserve yours at all.
Me: …?
Reposted by Plashing Vole
Today we have Strategic Vision. Yesterday,
We had financial imperatives. And tomorrow morning,
We shall have what to do after firing. But today,
Today we have Strategic Vision. The quiet girl
At the back suddenly gets excited about a question,
And today we have Strategic Vision.
We had financial imperatives. And tomorrow morning,
We shall have what to do after firing. But today,
Today we have Strategic Vision. The quiet girl
At the back suddenly gets excited about a question,
And today we have Strategic Vision.
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Today we have Strategic Vision. Yesterday,
We had financial imperatives. And tomorrow morning,
We shall have what to do after firing. But today,
Today we have Strategic Vision. The quiet girl
At the back suddenly gets excited about a question,
And today we have Strategic Vision.
We had financial imperatives. And tomorrow morning,
We shall have what to do after firing. But today,
Today we have Strategic Vision. The quiet girl
At the back suddenly gets excited about a question,
And today we have Strategic Vision.
Reposted by Plashing Vole
Doing nothing is not an option,
and something must be done.
Here is something! So it stands to reason
That this thing must be done.
and something must be done.
Here is something! So it stands to reason
That this thing must be done.
November 7, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Doing nothing is not an option,
and something must be done.
Here is something! So it stands to reason
That this thing must be done.
and something must be done.
Here is something! So it stands to reason
That this thing must be done.
Reposted by Plashing Vole
This is just to say
I have taken
the salary raises
which were due
for inflation
and which
you were probably
depending on
for COL
Forgive me
they were delicious
so undeserved
and unnecessary
I have taken
the salary raises
which were due
for inflation
and which
you were probably
depending on
for COL
Forgive me
they were delicious
so undeserved
and unnecessary
November 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This is just to say
I have taken
the salary raises
which were due
for inflation
and which
you were probably
depending on
for COL
Forgive me
they were delicious
so undeserved
and unnecessary
I have taken
the salary raises
which were due
for inflation
and which
you were probably
depending on
for COL
Forgive me
they were delicious
so undeserved
and unnecessary
They f*ck you up, your OVC
They mean to and they do
They kill you with their weird ideas
And add some extra, to screw you.
But they were buttered up in their turn
By consultants in sharp suits,
Whose plans all make me churn
And woe betide any kid who really wants to learn.
They mean to and they do
They kill you with their weird ideas
And add some extra, to screw you.
But they were buttered up in their turn
By consultants in sharp suits,
Whose plans all make me churn
And woe betide any kid who really wants to learn.
Someone at a Russell Group university was moved to almost-poetry by their Faculty Meeting… Can anyone do better?
November 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
They f*ck you up, your OVC
They mean to and they do
They kill you with their weird ideas
And add some extra, to screw you.
But they were buttered up in their turn
By consultants in sharp suits,
Whose plans all make me churn
And woe betide any kid who really wants to learn.
They mean to and they do
They kill you with their weird ideas
And add some extra, to screw you.
But they were buttered up in their turn
By consultants in sharp suits,
Whose plans all make me churn
And woe betide any kid who really wants to learn.
Someone at a Russell Group university was moved to almost-poetry by their Faculty Meeting… Can anyone do better?
November 7, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Someone at a Russell Group university was moved to almost-poetry by their Faculty Meeting… Can anyone do better?
Lots of universities are starting to resemble football clubs that have no academy - some other unnamed institution will do all the professional training, won’t they?
The only difference is, in football managers are sacked for failing, not the team.
The only difference is, in football managers are sacked for failing, not the team.
Edinburgh University is closing the Institute for Academic Development. Download these student resources while you can. Making notes, reading strategies, time management, dissertations and so on.
CC licenses. Pdf and text only versions. #HE 🗃️
institute-academic-development.ed.ac.uk/study-hub/le...
CC licenses. Pdf and text only versions. #HE 🗃️
institute-academic-development.ed.ac.uk/study-hub/le...
November 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Lots of universities are starting to resemble football clubs that have no academy - some other unnamed institution will do all the professional training, won’t they?
The only difference is, in football managers are sacked for failing, not the team.
The only difference is, in football managers are sacked for failing, not the team.
I think I’m coming around to the Trump administration. For a bunch of climate science deniers, they’re accidentally doing well on reducing flights and emissions.
They don’t want to, but they are!
They don’t want to, but they are!
LATEST: NBC News obtained a list of impacted airports where flight cuts would be made, which the FAA is expected to officially announce.
Impacted airports include Chicago O’Hare, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Miami International Airport, and all three New York area airports.
Impacted airports include Chicago O’Hare, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Miami International Airport, and all three New York area airports.
Travelers brace for mass holiday delays amid dragging government shutdown and cut flights
The reductions in airspace capacity will start Friday, the 37th day of the shutdown, and just ahead of the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
nbcnews.to
November 6, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I think I’m coming around to the Trump administration. For a bunch of climate science deniers, they’re accidentally doing well on reducing flights and emissions.
They don’t want to, but they are!
They don’t want to, but they are!
Further endeared myself to the students today by
- not having seen Jumanji
- not liking the work of Robin Williams
- not liking Queen.
On the plus side, several of them know and like Mazzy Star, which was unexpected.
- not having seen Jumanji
- not liking the work of Robin Williams
- not liking Queen.
On the plus side, several of them know and like Mazzy Star, which was unexpected.
November 6, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Further endeared myself to the students today by
- not having seen Jumanji
- not liking the work of Robin Williams
- not liking Queen.
On the plus side, several of them know and like Mazzy Star, which was unexpected.
- not having seen Jumanji
- not liking the work of Robin Williams
- not liking Queen.
On the plus side, several of them know and like Mazzy Star, which was unexpected.
Through hunger?
November 6, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Through hunger?
Another fine addition to my ongoing Politicians’ Fictions project. I’m up to about 1600 texts so far, few of them erotic, though hello Sir Stuart Bell, author of Paris 69.
I am going to break one of this account’s cardinal rules, which is not to have political posts on here, especially not about *them*. But I was intrigued by the erotic novel at the centre of the story and went to see if it was any good. (Spoiler: Ha ha ha ha haaaargh)
Reform facing legal challenges over treatment of members
Embattled Reform UK council leader Linden Kemkaran and her party face legal challenges by two former members.
www.kentonline.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Another fine addition to my ongoing Politicians’ Fictions project. I’m up to about 1600 texts so far, few of them erotic, though hello Sir Stuart Bell, author of Paris 69.
Deeply depressing that a respectable place like Nottingham is following my own beloved institution’s approach: get rid of anything creative, critical or artistic.
Horrific, stupid news from @uniofnottingham.bsky.social — they are closing their music department. Apparently they all found out suddently in a meeting yesterday.
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Deeply depressing that a respectable place like Nottingham is following my own beloved institution’s approach: get rid of anything creative, critical or artistic.
A fascinating book, wish I could go to the launch.
📚Lansiad Llyfr!
Ymunwch â ni i ddathlu cyhoeddi cyfrol newydd Llion Wigley (@wigs24.bsky.social), 'Ynysoedd Gobaith: Mentrau a Syniadau Iwtopaidd yng Nghymru'r Ugeinfed Ganrif', nos Iau'r 27ain o Dachwedd!
🕢7:00yh
📅27 Tachwedd
📍 Kings Road Yard, Pontcanna, Caerdydd
Dewch yn llu!
Ymunwch â ni i ddathlu cyhoeddi cyfrol newydd Llion Wigley (@wigs24.bsky.social), 'Ynysoedd Gobaith: Mentrau a Syniadau Iwtopaidd yng Nghymru'r Ugeinfed Ganrif', nos Iau'r 27ain o Dachwedd!
🕢7:00yh
📅27 Tachwedd
📍 Kings Road Yard, Pontcanna, Caerdydd
Dewch yn llu!
November 6, 2025 at 3:11 PM
A fascinating book, wish I could go to the launch.
All eyes on humanities colleagues and students at Nottingham University this week - yet more course cuts about to be announced. Sympathy to all.
November 6, 2025 at 9:23 AM
All eyes on humanities colleagues and students at Nottingham University this week - yet more course cuts about to be announced. Sympathy to all.
Note the ‘British soil’ bit. My uni has plans to open a campus in China. The VC scoffed at me when I expressed concern that staff and students wouldn’t be able to speak freely, and that - as he said - the curriculum would be censored. It’s the price of doing business.
November 6, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Note the ‘British soil’ bit. My uni has plans to open a campus in China. The VC scoffed at me when I expressed concern that staff and students wouldn’t be able to speak freely, and that - as he said - the curriculum would be censored. It’s the price of doing business.
Coincidentally - or suspiciously - this is part of the narrative around our own awful curriculum downgrading.
Compulsory team teaching on every module is perhaps the biggest ever threat to the quality of teaching in UK universities.
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
November 6, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Coincidentally - or suspiciously - this is part of the narrative around our own awful curriculum downgrading.
Very useful starting point: here's my slide for the Research Methods class:
November 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Very useful starting point: here's my slide for the Research Methods class:
I wish - but don’t expect - that my university’s managers might have a moment of shame when they notice that their vicious attack on pensions (which is deferred pay) is now Reform policy.
Ooohh Richard Tice is on #r4today again being tickled by Webb who just can’t get enough.
November 5, 2025 at 9:10 AM
I wish - but don’t expect - that my university’s managers might have a moment of shame when they notice that their vicious attack on pensions (which is deferred pay) is now Reform policy.
Assault with a sandwich…it’s baloney.
Death by a thousand cold cuts?
Death by a thousand cold cuts?
Back for Day 2 of Sandwich Guy’s trial. In government opening statement: “This case is about the fact that you can’t go around throwing stuff at people when you’re mad.”
November 4, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Assault with a sandwich…it’s baloney.
Death by a thousand cold cuts?
Death by a thousand cold cuts?
Another excellent Stoke City win. Steven Nzonzi, he scores when he wants (specifically in 2015 and 2025).
November 4, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Another excellent Stoke City win. Steven Nzonzi, he scores when he wants (specifically in 2015 and 2025).
This afternoon’s topic: racism in terrible children’s books. Exhibit 1: The Secret Mountain by Enid Blyton. The illustrations have been toned down in this one but I have scans of the original.
November 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
This afternoon’s topic: racism in terrible children’s books. Exhibit 1: The Secret Mountain by Enid Blyton. The illustrations have been toned down in this one but I have scans of the original.
Evan Davis on PM thinks that the S in PFAS is a plural but it actually stands for Substance. He clearly hasn’t done any research at all before holding a discussion of it.
November 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Evan Davis on PM thinks that the S in PFAS is a plural but it actually stands for Substance. He clearly hasn’t done any research at all before holding a discussion of it.
This is brilliant news: Roberts is a wonderful and overlooked poet (except amongst Welsh literature scholars like Fran).
📚 A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts, hosted by Francesca Brooks - Tuesday 25 November, 7pm.
This new edition contains sixty-five unpublished poems by Roberts, and a new epilogue highlighting her importance to our understanding of twentieth-century poetry.
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
This new edition contains sixty-five unpublished poems by Roberts, and a new epilogue highlighting her importance to our understanding of twentieth-century poetry.
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
November 3, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This is brilliant news: Roberts is a wonderful and overlooked poet (except amongst Welsh literature scholars like Fran).