Rob Dale
@robdale.bsky.social
Historian of Russia and the Soviet Union. Cyclist, marathon runner, train traveller. Based in Newcastle and York.
Pinned
Rob Dale
@robdale.bsky.social
· Dec 17
I've done it! I've pressed send and submitted my book manuscript. 🍾,🍻🍾🍻🍾🍻🎉🎉🎉 Fingers crossed!
Said it before, but sticks in my head. Nobody seems to want to replace premier league football with an AI simulation ("think of the money to be saved", seems to hold no sway there), but widespread willingness to replace other art forms (like writing) with AI.
February 4, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Said it before, but sticks in my head. Nobody seems to want to replace premier league football with an AI simulation ("think of the money to be saved", seems to hold no sway there), but widespread willingness to replace other art forms (like writing) with AI.
Reposted by Rob Dale
Britain’s inequitable student loan system ft.trib.al/ybwY34T | opinion
Britain’s inequitable student loan system
Graduate discontent is growing over their repayment terms
ft.trib.al
February 4, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Britain’s inequitable student loan system ft.trib.al/ybwY34T | opinion
At last Russian history through visual sources module in MA, pays dividends on Nicholas Ge's What is Truth on University Challenge! Only taken 22 years to be useful!
February 2, 2026 at 9:04 PM
At last Russian history through visual sources module in MA, pays dividends on Nicholas Ge's What is Truth on University Challenge! Only taken 22 years to be useful!
I got a new fountain pen for Christmas and it is such a joy to write with. Makes one actually want to write longhand. I can see myself giving a lot of these as gifts.
February 1, 2026 at 6:52 PM
I got a new fountain pen for Christmas and it is such a joy to write with. Makes one actually want to write longhand. I can see myself giving a lot of these as gifts.
Hot off the presses Mark B. Smith's book Exit Stalin: The Soviet Union as Civilization 1953 - 1991. Looking forward to reading this, although I have at least one book to finish before I start.
February 1, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Hot off the presses Mark B. Smith's book Exit Stalin: The Soviet Union as Civilization 1953 - 1991. Looking forward to reading this, although I have at least one book to finish before I start.
Woke up to a very positive email this morning. Extra spring in the step, also sun is out, and I've seen loads of snow drops.
January 31, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Woke up to a very positive email this morning. Extra spring in the step, also sun is out, and I've seen loads of snow drops.
Today on R4 is having a discussion on children, social media, devices etc. Ok, I have some quibbles. But message is we have to protect kids from this stuff, meanwhile after childhood everything else is digital and you have to use your phone or be sat behind a screens.
January 30, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Today on R4 is having a discussion on children, social media, devices etc. Ok, I have some quibbles. But message is we have to protect kids from this stuff, meanwhile after childhood everything else is digital and you have to use your phone or be sat behind a screens.
Intense week in a new admin role. (Great new seminar groups) But, the darts, in the form of the Winmau World Masters, is on the television. So a chance to unwind!
January 29, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Intense week in a new admin role. (Great new seminar groups) But, the darts, in the form of the Winmau World Masters, is on the television. So a chance to unwind!
The directorship of SSEES has been advertised. Closing date 15th February. Spread the word!
www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
UCL – University College London
UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
www.ucl.ac.uk
January 29, 2026 at 7:48 PM
The directorship of SSEES has been advertised. Closing date 15th February. Spread the word!
www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
Reposted by Rob Dale
The Gerd Bucerius Scholarship, funded by ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS in partnership with CEU, supports outstanding MA students in Historical Studies.
The scholarship includes:
1️⃣ 100% tuition waiver
2️⃣ monthly stipend
3️⃣ one-time research allowance of € 1.000
www.linkedin.com/posts/zeit-s...
The scholarship includes:
1️⃣ 100% tuition waiver
2️⃣ monthly stipend
3️⃣ one-time research allowance of € 1.000
www.linkedin.com/posts/zeit-s...
Apply now for Bucerius History Scholarship at the Central European University in Vienna
Are you passionate about history, interested in pursuing a Master’s degree, and speak fluent English? Then… |...
Apply now for Bucerius History Scholarship at the Central European University in Vienna
Are you passionate about history, interested in pursuing a Master’s degree, and speak fluent English? Then se...
www.linkedin.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:20 AM
The Gerd Bucerius Scholarship, funded by ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS in partnership with CEU, supports outstanding MA students in Historical Studies.
The scholarship includes:
1️⃣ 100% tuition waiver
2️⃣ monthly stipend
3️⃣ one-time research allowance of € 1.000
www.linkedin.com/posts/zeit-s...
The scholarship includes:
1️⃣ 100% tuition waiver
2️⃣ monthly stipend
3️⃣ one-time research allowance of € 1.000
www.linkedin.com/posts/zeit-s...
What technology takes from us – and how to take it back www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte.... Clearly I am not alone in my thoughts from yesterday.
January 29, 2026 at 7:14 AM
What technology takes from us – and how to take it back www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte.... Clearly I am not alone in my thoughts from yesterday.
Quite wet on my cycle to the railway station this morning. But, I did hear some owls calling to each other. This at least disproved that it isn't "Too-Wet-To-Woo".
January 29, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Quite wet on my cycle to the railway station this morning. But, I did hear some owls calling to each other. This at least disproved that it isn't "Too-Wet-To-Woo".
Reposted by Rob Dale
Getting closer and closer to release date!
Oleksa Drachewych argues that Russia’s instrumentalization of its memory of WWII has played a significant role in leading Russian forces to commit similar atrocities in its war against Ukraine.
ibidem-Verlag
Columbia University Press
www.ibidem.eu/Fachgebiete/...
cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
ibidem-Verlag
Columbia University Press
www.ibidem.eu/Fachgebiete/...
cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
January 28, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Getting closer and closer to release date!
I wonder if Fitbit and Garmin can work out who academics are from their big data? There must be a whole cohort of people dashing around, busy, active, but spend their Wednesday afternoons every week In term time sat in meetings.
January 28, 2026 at 8:32 PM
I wonder if Fitbit and Garmin can work out who academics are from their big data? There must be a whole cohort of people dashing around, busy, active, but spend their Wednesday afternoons every week In term time sat in meetings.
One thing I suspect I won't be thinking later in life is: "I wish I'd spent more time sitting behind a computer." I like writing and the word processor, but I think computers get enough of my time!
January 28, 2026 at 9:42 AM
One thing I suspect I won't be thinking later in life is: "I wish I'd spent more time sitting behind a computer." I like writing and the word processor, but I think computers get enough of my time!
A potential problem with UK-HE's rush to embed AI in teaching ("we should be teaching how to use AI") is that the AI companies were always likely to be able to offer training how to use their products more directly and with greater resources. Looks like that is happening: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Free AI training for all, as government and industry programme expands to provide 10 million workers with key AI skills by 2030
Every adult in the UK is eligible to take free, newly benchmarked courses to gain practical AI skills for work – as the joint government and industry programme sees a major expansion to upskill 10 mil...
www.gov.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:10 AM
A potential problem with UK-HE's rush to embed AI in teaching ("we should be teaching how to use AI") is that the AI companies were always likely to be able to offer training how to use their products more directly and with greater resources. Looks like that is happening: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Very windy start to the day. Had to dodge several recycling bins and their contents on my bicycle this morning. Stay safe out there everyone.
January 27, 2026 at 5:58 AM
Very windy start to the day. Had to dodge several recycling bins and their contents on my bicycle this morning. Stay safe out there everyone.
‘I didn’t know how to shoot’: how African men have been tricked into fighting for Russia www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
‘I didn’t know how to shoot’: how African men have been tricked into fighting for Russia
Exclusive: Lured by false job adverts, they are unknowingly enlisted on arrival and put in mortal danger
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:25 PM
‘I didn’t know how to shoot’: how African men have been tricked into fighting for Russia www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Well that is the end of my research leave, and it has been a blast. Back to the regular commute tomorrow. Hoping to keep the momentum going with research, if only in a small way.
January 25, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Well that is the end of my research leave, and it has been a blast. Back to the regular commute tomorrow. Hoping to keep the momentum going with research, if only in a small way.
I used to love listening to "Something Understood" I always felt I'd learnt something, or been given a different perspective.
Sir Mark Tully obituary www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
Sir Mark Tully obituary www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
Sir Mark Tully obituary
BBC correspondent and author whose sensitive reporting from India made him a revered public figure in the subcontinent
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:31 PM
I used to love listening to "Something Understood" I always felt I'd learnt something, or been given a different perspective.
Sir Mark Tully obituary www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
Sir Mark Tully obituary www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
Today's major research task.
January 24, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Today's major research task.
Clearly Mr Trump doesn't know about the A453 between Nottingham and Leicestershire (renamed Remembrance Way). The road bears the same number of British military loses in Afghanistan. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engl...
A453 renamed Remembrance Way in honour of fallen
A dual carriageway is renamed in honour of British service personnel killed in combat.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Clearly Mr Trump doesn't know about the A453 between Nottingham and Leicestershire (renamed Remembrance Way). The road bears the same number of British military loses in Afghanistan. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engl...
Unpopular opinion. I can see why people enjoy "The Traitors". My family love it, and I get the people watching element. But, as a historian of the Soviet Union all the unmasking of the hidden enemy that has been rooted out is a bit much for me.
January 23, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Unpopular opinion. I can see why people enjoy "The Traitors". My family love it, and I get the people watching element. But, as a historian of the Soviet Union all the unmasking of the hidden enemy that has been rooted out is a bit much for me.