Prof Debby Cotton
@profdcotton.bsky.social
Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange at Plymouth Marjon University, UK. Interested in all things HE. Sustainability education and behaviour change researcher. Accidental AI expert. NTF.
Another good read for Saturday morning : https://isrf.org/blog/labours-white-paper-fails-higher-education #UKHE
Labour’s White Paper Fails Higher Education
isrf.org
November 8, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Another good read for Saturday morning : https://isrf.org/blog/labours-white-paper-fails-higher-education #UKHE
This is a brilliant piece of writing. A very good start to Saturday morning…
Bit late to this but it's such a clever piece of AI criticism, developing a literary critique of Sam Altman's auto-metafiction story as a way to explore the grave threats to the "intellectual infrastructure" of the humanities - and HE more broadly - posed by AI lareviewofbooks.org/article/lite...
Literature Is Not a Vibe: On ChatGPT and the Humanities | Los Angeles Review of Books
Rachele Dini discusses OpenAI’s “A Machine-Shaped Hand” and an academic sector in crisis.
lareviewofbooks.org
November 8, 2025 at 9:08 AM
This is a brilliant piece of writing. A very good start to Saturday morning…
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
Here’s where it gets personal for me. When I was 9, I started experiencing suicidal ideation … disinterested in living, and at least some of the time contemplating death and how it might happen … It’s easy to imagine how I would have used programs like these chatbots.
Perry: How can AI be used ethically when it’s been linked to suicide?
"It’s not on us, on you and me, to use AI ethically or responsibly. It’s on the companies to build safe, reliable, ethical products," David M. Perry writes.
www.startribune.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Here’s where it gets personal for me. When I was 9, I started experiencing suicidal ideation … disinterested in living, and at least some of the time contemplating death and how it might happen … It’s easy to imagine how I would have used programs like these chatbots.
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
“Our findings show that ChatGPT not only fails to recognise retracted articles but often evaluates them as high-quality research and claims that their discredited claims are true.”
"Relying on LLMs for literature summaries without independent verification could lead to the unknowing citation and perpetuation of false information."
#AcWri #SciComm
#AcWri #SciComm
ChatGPT is blind to bad science - Impact of Social Sciences
A new study finds ChatGPT fails to take into account retraction notices across a wide range of research.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
“Our findings show that ChatGPT not only fails to recognise retracted articles but often evaluates them as high-quality research and claims that their discredited claims are true.”
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
So I've been reading the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. There's some good things in there. But when it comes to universities there's very little to cheer. The situation is very tough and will get worse. The last chance to preserve what we've got has passed. Let me explain why. (1/?)
October 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
So I've been reading the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. There's some good things in there. But when it comes to universities there's very little to cheer. The situation is very tough and will get worse. The last chance to preserve what we've got has passed. Let me explain why. (1/?)
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
'Artificial intelligence (AI) models are 50% more sycophantic than humans, an analysis published this month has found.'
Another reason why human tutors matter (and why 'Rate My Professor' type evaluations of them are problematic).
Another reason why human tutors matter (and why 'Rate My Professor' type evaluations of them are problematic).
AI chatbots are sycophants — researchers say it’s harming science
Nature asked researchers who use artificial intelligence how its propensity for people-pleasing affects their work — and what they are doing to mitigate it.
www.nature.com
October 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
'Artificial intelligence (AI) models are 50% more sycophantic than humans, an analysis published this month has found.'
Another reason why human tutors matter (and why 'Rate My Professor' type evaluations of them are problematic).
Another reason why human tutors matter (and why 'Rate My Professor' type evaluations of them are problematic).
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
Because some damn fool asked, here's a thread about Baxter.
This was taken on the day I brought home Baxter and threw away all hope of an easy life.
Look at him. Absolutely irresistible.
And that's how they get you, the utter bastards
This was taken on the day I brought home Baxter and threw away all hope of an easy life.
Look at him. Absolutely irresistible.
And that's how they get you, the utter bastards
November 20, 2024 at 2:48 PM
Because some damn fool asked, here's a thread about Baxter.
This was taken on the day I brought home Baxter and threw away all hope of an easy life.
Look at him. Absolutely irresistible.
And that's how they get you, the utter bastards
This was taken on the day I brought home Baxter and threw away all hope of an easy life.
Look at him. Absolutely irresistible.
And that's how they get you, the utter bastards
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
Reform UK Councils
Council Tax increases
Durham: 4.9%
Worcestershire: 5-10%
Warwickshire: ~5%
Leicestershire: 3%
Kent: 5%
Lincolnshire: 2%+
Staffordshire: ~5%
West Northamptonshire: 5%
Derbyshire: 4.9%
North Northamptonshire: amount TBD
Nottinghamshire: amount TBD
Lancashire: amount TBD
Council Tax increases
Durham: 4.9%
Worcestershire: 5-10%
Warwickshire: ~5%
Leicestershire: 3%
Kent: 5%
Lincolnshire: 2%+
Staffordshire: ~5%
West Northamptonshire: 5%
Derbyshire: 4.9%
North Northamptonshire: amount TBD
Nottinghamshire: amount TBD
Lancashire: amount TBD
October 25, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Reform UK Councils
Council Tax increases
Durham: 4.9%
Worcestershire: 5-10%
Warwickshire: ~5%
Leicestershire: 3%
Kent: 5%
Lincolnshire: 2%+
Staffordshire: ~5%
West Northamptonshire: 5%
Derbyshire: 4.9%
North Northamptonshire: amount TBD
Nottinghamshire: amount TBD
Lancashire: amount TBD
Council Tax increases
Durham: 4.9%
Worcestershire: 5-10%
Warwickshire: ~5%
Leicestershire: 3%
Kent: 5%
Lincolnshire: 2%+
Staffordshire: ~5%
West Northamptonshire: 5%
Derbyshire: 4.9%
North Northamptonshire: amount TBD
Nottinghamshire: amount TBD
Lancashire: amount TBD
Oh yes, I remember. Sometimes think I have been in #UKHE too long!
Anyone remember the TQA (teaching quality assessment) of the mid-1990s? And what it found out about the quality of teaching in UK universities? Not to mention what it cost in terms of staff time, external assessors' fees, admin costs?
October 25, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Oh yes, I remember. Sometimes think I have been in #UKHE too long!
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
I think what Phillipson *meant* to say was "charging full fees is justified on the basis of *high quality teaching across UK universities, in the face of unprecedented under-funding*”
“University tuition fees in England to rise with inflation every year from 2026” www.bbc.com/news/article...
“University tuition fees in England to rise with inflation every year from 2026” www.bbc.com/news/article...
University tuition fees in England to rise with inflation every year from 2026
Bridget Phillipson confirmed the plans for the next two years, with fees to increase automatically after that.
www.bbc.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I think what Phillipson *meant* to say was "charging full fees is justified on the basis of *high quality teaching across UK universities, in the face of unprecedented under-funding*”
“University tuition fees in England to rise with inflation every year from 2026” www.bbc.com/news/article...
“University tuition fees in England to rise with inflation every year from 2026” www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
It doesn't matter how many grant writing workshops you put on, or how much pressure you put on academics to apply - if the money isn't there, the money simply isn't there.
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 23, 2025 at 12:20 PM
It doesn't matter how many grant writing workshops you put on, or how much pressure you put on academics to apply - if the money isn't there, the money simply isn't there.
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
How does Bridget Phillipson expect us to deliver “the world-class education students expect if they are going to charge the maximum tuition fee” if we are not supported and funded to do the world-class research that backs up and advances that teaching, and which UK academics are also know for? #UKHE
Higher fees, more regulation of teaching quality, less research for England. With a sharing link for 3 non-subscribers. on.ft.com/43wdRoe
University tuition fees in England to be linked permanently to inflation
Government promises ‘higher standards’ in higher education and ‘renewed focus’ on skills in long-awaited white paper
on.ft.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:11 AM
How does Bridget Phillipson expect us to deliver “the world-class education students expect if they are going to charge the maximum tuition fee” if we are not supported and funded to do the world-class research that backs up and advances that teaching, and which UK academics are also know for? #UKHE
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
I do not believe that it is a good thing for research and REF to "deliver government priorities". Ideally academic research should be decided on academic grounds, not political ones. Sigh.
October 22, 2025 at 8:09 AM
I do not believe that it is a good thing for research and REF to "deliver government priorities". Ideally academic research should be decided on academic grounds, not political ones. Sigh.
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
I wrote about the stupid white paper.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
Somewhere in the Department for Education, a phone is ringing
On October 20th at a bit after 5pm, the UK government introduced its Education and Skills white paper to Parliament, to absolutely no…
hitchcockian.medium.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I wrote about the stupid white paper.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
New offers from big five academic publishers ‘still too costly’ for UK universities
‘Significant’ number of institutions predicted to drop deals with main scholarly imprints, leaving journal access much reduced
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-off...
‘Significant’ number of institutions predicted to drop deals with main scholarly imprints, leaving journal access much reduced
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-off...
New offers from big five ‘still too costly’ for UK universities
‘Significant’ number of institutions predicted to drop deals with main scholarly imprints, leaving journal access much reduced
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:39 PM
New offers from big five academic publishers ‘still too costly’ for UK universities
‘Significant’ number of institutions predicted to drop deals with main scholarly imprints, leaving journal access much reduced
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-off...
‘Significant’ number of institutions predicted to drop deals with main scholarly imprints, leaving journal access much reduced
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-off...
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
This person is one hundred percent correct and it’s scary af. We will never “media literacy” our way out of this as a society. We are about to reap the whirlwind when it comes to misinformation, disinformation, and informational warfare.
October 23, 2025 at 12:25 AM
This person is one hundred percent correct and it’s scary af. We will never “media literacy” our way out of this as a society. We are about to reap the whirlwind when it comes to misinformation, disinformation, and informational warfare.
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
Breaking: REF team delays research culture pilot results ahead of ‘reset’.
Pilot report pushed to December “to avoid pre-empting decisions”, with Research Excellence Framework on pause.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Pilot report pushed to December “to avoid pre-empting decisions”, with Research Excellence Framework on pause.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF team delays research culture pilot results ahead of ‘reset’ - Research Professional News
Pilot report pushed to December “to avoid pre-empting decisions”, with Research Excellence Framework on pause
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Breaking: REF team delays research culture pilot results ahead of ‘reset’.
Pilot report pushed to December “to avoid pre-empting decisions”, with Research Excellence Framework on pause.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Pilot report pushed to December “to avoid pre-empting decisions”, with Research Excellence Framework on pause.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
In today's batch of videos we have deepfaked audio from 5 UK police forces, 3 UK universities, one UK council, and 1 Holocaust survivor attacking the Armenia government and Prime Minister.
October 9, 2025 at 10:16 AM
In today's batch of videos we have deepfaked audio from 5 UK police forces, 3 UK universities, one UK council, and 1 Holocaust survivor attacking the Armenia government and Prime Minister.
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
further thoughts on this: the idea of ‘prompt engineering’ as a ‘skill’ that requires a mix of technical and linguistic ‘skills’ has been around for a while and doesn’t seem to disappear. what i’m interested in is not whether it’s a well-defined skill (probably not) or ‘valuable’ (probably not) but
okay, pals, i have heard one too many prompt engineering is a real and valuable skill’, this is gonna be a research project now
October 9, 2025 at 12:52 PM
further thoughts on this: the idea of ‘prompt engineering’ as a ‘skill’ that requires a mix of technical and linguistic ‘skills’ has been around for a while and doesn’t seem to disappear. what i’m interested in is not whether it’s a well-defined skill (probably not) or ‘valuable’ (probably not) but
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
I see America is now at the “dissident professors fleeing the regime” stage
Our plane to Spain is in the air!
🙌🙌
Thank you so much to the countless people supporting us in every way and in particular all of the Rutgers students and faculty who have supported us every step of the way.
🙌🙌
Thank you so much to the countless people supporting us in every way and in particular all of the Rutgers students and faculty who have supported us every step of the way.
October 10, 2025 at 4:49 AM
I see America is now at the “dissident professors fleeing the regime” stage
Anyone in #UKHE still running Windows 10?
Automatic support for Windows 10 is ending on October 14 of this year, or in exactly one week, and over 40% of PCs currently running 10 can't upgrade to 11. This video details the main reasons why this is really bad: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqh_...
Why the end of support for Windows 10 is uniquely troubling
YouTube video by Nathan Proctor
www.youtube.com
October 7, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Anyone in #UKHE still running Windows 10?
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
soooooooo.... This government can do no planning about ensuring proper capacity for undergraduate students via a Student Number Distribution system, but it can handpick who gets millions in international researchers?
We thought that whole Free Market thing was the be all and end all of #UKHE?
We thought that whole Free Market thing was the be all and end all of #UKHE?
'Institutions being offered grants to attract “world-class researchers” to the UK under the government’s £54 million Global Talent Fund were selected before the fund was announced, in a move described as “quite strange”.' 1/3
UK’s £54m Global Talent Fund offered to pre-selected institutions.
Move ahead of fund’s announcement raises concern about UKRI money “becoming politicised”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Move ahead of fund’s announcement raises concern about UKRI money “becoming politicised”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
June 30, 2025 at 7:49 AM
soooooooo.... This government can do no planning about ensuring proper capacity for undergraduate students via a Student Number Distribution system, but it can handpick who gets millions in international researchers?
We thought that whole Free Market thing was the be all and end all of #UKHE?
We thought that whole Free Market thing was the be all and end all of #UKHE?
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
ResearchPlus - a new collaboration has been formed by 10 UK universities: "there is no collective voice or visibility for research-focused universities outside the Russell Group. Our collaboration seeks to address this & enable us to work better with each other & with existing groups"
ResearchPlus: a manifesto for a new collaborative of universities - HEPI
ResearchPlus unites leading research-focused UK universities to boost innovation, skills, and regional and national prosperity.
www.hepi.ac.uk
June 30, 2025 at 10:48 AM
ResearchPlus - a new collaboration has been formed by 10 UK universities: "there is no collective voice or visibility for research-focused universities outside the Russell Group. Our collaboration seeks to address this & enable us to work better with each other & with existing groups"
Reposted by Prof Debby Cotton
"findings by researchers at leading US & UK universities suggest that medical AI tools powered by LLMs have a tendency to not reflect the severity of symptoms among female patients, while also displaying less “empathy” toward Black and Asian ones"
Another reason LLMs shouldn't be used in medicine.
Another reason LLMs shouldn't be used in medicine.
AI medical tools found to downplay symptoms of women, ethnic minorities
Bias-reflecting LLMs lead to inferior medical advice for female, Black, and Asian patients.
arstechnica.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:37 PM
"findings by researchers at leading US & UK universities suggest that medical AI tools powered by LLMs have a tendency to not reflect the severity of symptoms among female patients, while also displaying less “empathy” toward Black and Asian ones"
Another reason LLMs shouldn't be used in medicine.
Another reason LLMs shouldn't be used in medicine.