Prof Rob Dover
@robdover.bsky.social
Academic researcher in intelligence and security, currently Dean of Faculty, but posting in a personal capacity. Poor standard runner. Excitable cricketer. Prone to crunchy deductions....
A functioning Starmer (which would mean behavioural change, improvements to judgement) is better than the alternatives: theconversation.com/how-much-lon...
How much longer can Keir Starmer survive?
The prime minister was more reliant on his chief of staff than most. Now he’s alone, facing calls to resign.
theconversation.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:44 AM
A functioning Starmer (which would mean behavioural change, improvements to judgement) is better than the alternatives: theconversation.com/how-much-lon...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Young men are the second most liberal group in the country after young women.
The untold story that is told constantly and isn’t really true
February 7, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Young men are the second most liberal group in the country after young women.
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Do not believe anything until the Kremlin denies it.
Maybe Darth Putin is real Putin after all: living alone on a remote island, observing from a distance while his clones and the FSB dismantle Ruzzia piece by piece. After Epstein, scepticism toward conspiracies feels naïve.😎
February 5, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Do not believe anything until the Kremlin denies it.
True
Concorde took off 50 years ago — flying will never be as good
Concorde took off 50 years ago — flying will never be as good
www.thetimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:56 AM
True
Written in 2009, it hasn't aged very poorly...
February 7, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Written in 2009, it hasn't aged very poorly...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
this is the question.
"If Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein disqualifies him from holding power, why does the company controlled by Epstein's business partner and co-owner retain access to the UK's most sensitive national security infrastructure?"
Peter Thiel. Jeffrey Epstein. Palantir. The UK Government.
Peter Thiel. Jeffrey Epstein. Palantir. The UK Government.
Jeffrey Epstein Co-Owned Venture Fund with Palantir Founder as it Entered UK Government
The Russian connected convicted sex trafficker co-owned a fund with Peter Thiel, now embedded in Britain’s most critical infrastructure with the help of Peter Mandelson
bylinetimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:41 PM
this is the question.
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
On McNamara, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Gaza, and finally Trump. "Once you allow yourself to play by a set of rules that’s different from everyone else’s, the rules themselves are made brittle and ultimately break." www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
An American Reckoning | Ben Rhodes
Robert McNamara’s failure to reckon with the exceptionalism that led the United States into the Vietnam War contributed to fifty years of foreign policy failures. It can help us understand the crisis ...
www.nybooks.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:58 PM
On McNamara, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Gaza, and finally Trump. "Once you allow yourself to play by a set of rules that’s different from everyone else’s, the rules themselves are made brittle and ultimately break." www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
'The University of York and Swansea University have became the seventh and eighth universities to confirm they will not take up a three-year deal with the world’s biggest academic publisher'. Sheffield, Lancaster, Surrey, Kent, Essex and Sussex have already opted out.
‘Silent decoupling’ under way as Elsevier talks near crunch point
York and Swansea latest to decline publisher’s offer, with latter also walking away from Springer Nature deal
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:01 AM
'The University of York and Swansea University have became the seventh and eighth universities to confirm they will not take up a three-year deal with the world’s biggest academic publisher'. Sheffield, Lancaster, Surrey, Kent, Essex and Sussex have already opted out.
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
A new BBC investigation into hotel spy cam porn in China
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is a regular talking point on soc med, with people - particularly women - swapping tips on how to spot cameras. Some have even resorted to pitching tents inside hotel rooms to avoid being filmed
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is a regular talking point on soc med, with people - particularly women - swapping tips on how to spot cameras. Some have even resorted to pitching tents inside hotel rooms to avoid being filmed
We had sex in a Chinese hotel, then found we had been broadcast to thousands
A couple who stayed in Shenzhen discovered their intimate moments were filmed as spy-cam porn.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 7:33 AM
A new BBC investigation into hotel spy cam porn in China
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is a regular talking point on soc med, with people - particularly women - swapping tips on how to spot cameras. Some have even resorted to pitching tents inside hotel rooms to avoid being filmed
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is a regular talking point on soc med, with people - particularly women - swapping tips on how to spot cameras. Some have even resorted to pitching tents inside hotel rooms to avoid being filmed
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
'It is expected that the change to UKRI’s new bucket model, and the subsequent reopening of grant funds, will be in April 2027. Of course, this means that between now and then academics who would have bid for funding cannot'.
UKRI's funding changes explained
The latest on UKRI's great grant pause and changes at STFC
wonkhe.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:13 AM
'It is expected that the change to UKRI’s new bucket model, and the subsequent reopening of grant funds, will be in April 2027. Of course, this means that between now and then academics who would have bid for funding cannot'.
Is this the political equivalent of asking the norovirus to hang around bit longer? Shedding votes, like weight, during a particularly vigorous bout? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
No 10 defies calls to sack Morgan McSweeney over Mandelson appointment
Amid warnings McSweeney’s survival would leave his position ‘untenable’, PM apologises to Epstein’s victims for appointing Mandelson as US ambassador
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Is this the political equivalent of asking the norovirus to hang around bit longer? Shedding votes, like weight, during a particularly vigorous bout? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Really interesting potential (isolated?) historical case into how UCs thought of their performance (or relative performance): www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Police spy tried to incite activists to firebomb shop, UK inquiry hears
Carlo Soracchi, who infiltrated anti-fascist group in early 2000s, accused of suggesting crime as he had ‘got nothing’
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Really interesting potential (isolated?) historical case into how UCs thought of their performance (or relative performance): www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Goodness: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/t...
A Social Network for A.I. Bots Only. No Humans Allowed.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Goodness: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/t...
Feels like the first 'proper' merger of large institutions is coming. As alumni, I remain 'not massively happy' with this: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/notting...
Nottingham posts £85 million deficit as value of campus plummets
For sale city centre site not worth as much as thought, says university, after accounts reveal scale of financial challenge
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Feels like the first 'proper' merger of large institutions is coming. As alumni, I remain 'not massively happy' with this: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/notting...
The storm in the espresso cup of ICE at the winter olympics: theconversation.com/ice-at-the-w...
ICE at the Winter Olympics and the reshaping of intelligence and security in Europe
There’s growing friction between the US and its allies when it comes to sharing intelligence.
theconversation.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:57 PM
The storm in the espresso cup of ICE at the winter olympics: theconversation.com/ice-at-the-w...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
I wrote this last week - but I've been writing about this for years. This crisis has been very obvious for a long time.
I'm on the old system. This isn't about me being "entitled" and wanting someone else to pay for my degree. It's about a system that is mad
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
I'm on the old system. This isn't about me being "entitled" and wanting someone else to pay for my degree. It's about a system that is mad
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Britain's youth are living in Nick Clegg's shadow
All except the richest graduates since 2012 face a bespoke additional tax. No wonder they're radicalised
www.newstatesman.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:46 PM
I wrote this last week - but I've been writing about this for years. This crisis has been very obvious for a long time.
I'm on the old system. This isn't about me being "entitled" and wanting someone else to pay for my degree. It's about a system that is mad
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
I'm on the old system. This isn't about me being "entitled" and wanting someone else to pay for my degree. It's about a system that is mad
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Interesting... www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Starmer announces visa-free travel to China after talks with Xi in Beijing – UK politics live
Downing Street gives no date for when the agreement of 30 days of visa-free travel will come into force
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Interesting... www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
I decided to begin my book about Britain with a quote from Scotland‘s greatest poet.
'If only we could see ourselves as others see us.'
Applies to everyone. Not just people. Countries, too.
'If only we could see ourselves as others see us.'
Applies to everyone. Not just people. Countries, too.
”My heart's in the highlands, my heart is not here...”
Robert Burns, national poet of Scotland, born #OTD 1759.
‘Lost portrait’ by Sir Henry Raeburn, 1803, unveiled at National Galleries of Scotland #BurnsNight #AuldLangSyne
Blackie House Museum & Library | Dr Bendor Grosvenor
Robert Burns, national poet of Scotland, born #OTD 1759.
‘Lost portrait’ by Sir Henry Raeburn, 1803, unveiled at National Galleries of Scotland #BurnsNight #AuldLangSyne
Blackie House Museum & Library | Dr Bendor Grosvenor
January 25, 2026 at 7:41 AM
I decided to begin my book about Britain with a quote from Scotland‘s greatest poet.
'If only we could see ourselves as others see us.'
Applies to everyone. Not just people. Countries, too.
'If only we could see ourselves as others see us.'
Applies to everyone. Not just people. Countries, too.
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, on January 24. DHS claims he died after an armed struggle, but videos of the incident appears to contradict that claim. Read our analysis here: www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Alex Pretti: Analysing Footage of Minneapolis CBP Shooting - bellingcat
Bellingcat has analysed video of the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The footage appears to contradict statements made by the Department of Homeland Security.
www.bellingcat.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, on January 24. DHS claims he died after an armed struggle, but videos of the incident appears to contradict that claim. Read our analysis here: www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
OTD in 2022 the gift that keeps giving gave us this.
What was not going to happen became inevitable because the past changes so quickly you have no idea what will happen yesterday.
What was not going to happen became inevitable because the past changes so quickly you have no idea what will happen yesterday.
January 25, 2026 at 8:12 AM
OTD in 2022 the gift that keeps giving gave us this.
What was not going to happen became inevitable because the past changes so quickly you have no idea what will happen yesterday.
What was not going to happen became inevitable because the past changes so quickly you have no idea what will happen yesterday.
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
The BBC News summary of Minnesota is *worse* than both-siding.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
January 25, 2026 at 7:40 AM
The BBC News summary of Minnesota is *worse* than both-siding.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
In an unserious world, an unserious news outlet and an unserious story: www.thesun.co.uk/news/3801143...
PM MUST confront Xi over claims China is spying on UK when he visits Beijing
SIR Keir Starmer must confront Xi Jinping over spying allegations when he visits China, senior Tories have demanded. Calls for the PM to use this week’s trade trip to hold the Chinese leader to acc…
www.thesun.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 8:21 AM
In an unserious world, an unserious news outlet and an unserious story: www.thesun.co.uk/news/3801143...
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Worth remembering when looking at the horrific scenes in the US right now that both Reform and the Tories have pledged to bring in ICE-style organisations to the UK if they win power
January 24, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Worth remembering when looking at the horrific scenes in the US right now that both Reform and the Tories have pledged to bring in ICE-style organisations to the UK if they win power