Mark Robinson
@thinkingpractice.bsky.social
Writer, researcher, adviser, coach etc. cultural sector and intersections. Thinking Practice. / www.thinkingpractice.co.uk
Better people than me. I'd have just linked to a bunch of 'anonymous' accounts to entertain myself.
Chatham House experts and researchers are available to follow on Bluesky.
Connect with our experts here and follow them for their analysis on key international events and major global trends. ⬇️
go.bsky.app/UKHXrog
Connect with our experts here and follow them for their analysis on key international events and major global trends. ⬇️
go.bsky.app/UKHXrog
February 6, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Better people than me. I'd have just linked to a bunch of 'anonymous' accounts to entertain myself.
In happier news I'm in a cafe in Deptford and they're playing this loud and it's proper cheered me up www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjRL...
Rain of Crystal Spires
YouTube video by Felt - Topic
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:36 AM
In happier news I'm in a cafe in Deptford and they're playing this loud and it's proper cheered me up www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjRL...
But cuts to PE. Make this government make sense please.
We want to make sure tutoring isn't the preserve of a lucky few, but accessible to every child who needs it.
AI can help us do that.
Safe, personalised, one-to-one learning support to help every child achieve and thrive.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
AI can help us do that.
Safe, personalised, one-to-one learning support to help every child achieve and thrive.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
Poorest pupils to be given AI tutors
Bridget Phillipson says tuition would no longer be the preserve of ‘the lucky few’
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:33 AM
But cuts to PE. Make this government make sense please.
I will offer every adult in the country a 20 minute course in understanding and applying the possibilities of my own books. I'm as 'generous' as Microsoft.
January 28, 2026 at 9:18 AM
I will offer every adult in the country a 20 minute course in understanding and applying the possibilities of my own books. I'm as 'generous' as Microsoft.
Channelled Swift for a minute or two… Poetry or policy, you decide.
Five Modest Proposals for Preventing the Children of Rich People Becoming A Burden on the Arts
stridemagazine.blogspot.com/2026/01/five...
Five Modest Proposals for Preventing the Children of Rich People Becoming A Burden on the Arts
stridemagazine.blogspot.com/2026/01/five...
Stride magazine
stridemagazine.blogspot.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Channelled Swift for a minute or two… Poetry or policy, you decide.
Five Modest Proposals for Preventing the Children of Rich People Becoming A Burden on the Arts
stridemagazine.blogspot.com/2026/01/five...
Five Modest Proposals for Preventing the Children of Rich People Becoming A Burden on the Arts
stridemagazine.blogspot.com/2026/01/five...
Been walking central LDN wearing my 1988 goggles wondering where all the cool things went. Yes, like old folk do. I used to exit Tnham Court Rd tube at 5.45am (to chef on Wardour St). - v.glad I wasn’t faced with this howge video wall. & I still can’t afford anything the remains of Denmark St.
January 22, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Been walking central LDN wearing my 1988 goggles wondering where all the cool things went. Yes, like old folk do. I used to exit Tnham Court Rd tube at 5.45am (to chef on Wardour St). - v.glad I wasn’t faced with this howge video wall. & I still can’t afford anything the remains of Denmark St.
Museums helping the government (DCMS) not spend money. Hmmm. Puzzled by this tbh. What am I missing? I bet @tonybutler could make sense of it. (And spend that money.)
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/museums...
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/museums...
Museums and galleries' financial shift drives DCMS underspend - Arts Professional
Financial management of state-sponsored museums and galleries, including increased reliance on visitor income and reserves, was a key factor behind a £356
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Museums helping the government (DCMS) not spend money. Hmmm. Puzzled by this tbh. What am I missing? I bet @tonybutler could make sense of it. (And spend that money.)
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/museums...
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/museums...
Different world of course, but this idea has echoes of the semi-magical thinking in the Hodge Review that Arts Council should profit if an NPO has a big hit. (Even if funding was made as part of the generally 'required' mixed contributed/earned model rather than as guarantee against loss or equity.)
OpenAI has absolutely zero ideas. They have no business. This is not a real business line and it’s so utterly vague and specious, I’m shocked at the credulousness to just print it without saying “there is no logical way this works of course” or talking about how the CFO of OpenAI is saying nonsense
January 20, 2026 at 6:54 AM
Different world of course, but this idea has echoes of the semi-magical thinking in the Hodge Review that Arts Council should profit if an NPO has a big hit. (Even if funding was made as part of the generally 'required' mixed contributed/earned model rather than as guarantee against loss or equity.)
I can see this is getting passed around so re-upping here ICYMI.
"Who benefits, who feels more secure, and whether culture’s role in society (or indeed the economy) is more central or more marginal remains to be seen."
tacticsforthetightrope.substack.com/p/rewindremi...
"Who benefits, who feels more secure, and whether culture’s role in society (or indeed the economy) is more central or more marginal remains to be seen."
tacticsforthetightrope.substack.com/p/rewindremi...
Rewind/Remix/Reset: Some Thoughts on the Hodge Review
Rebuilding whose trust?
tacticsforthetightrope.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:38 AM
I can see this is getting passed around so re-upping here ICYMI.
"Who benefits, who feels more secure, and whether culture’s role in society (or indeed the economy) is more central or more marginal remains to be seen."
tacticsforthetightrope.substack.com/p/rewindremi...
"Who benefits, who feels more secure, and whether culture’s role in society (or indeed the economy) is more central or more marginal remains to be seen."
tacticsforthetightrope.substack.com/p/rewindremi...
40+ years on I still vividly remember this happening to me on my very first night.
Have you ever been mocked because of how you sound? Did you ever get mocked at university because of the way you speak?
Our research on accents and social mobility features testimonials from students and professionals who have experienced accent bias ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
Our research on accents and social mobility features testimonials from students and professionals who have experienced accent bias ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
Speaking Up - The Sutton Trust
How does accent impact social mobility?
www.suttontrust.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:32 AM
40+ years on I still vividly remember this happening to me on my very first night.
A weekend full of Borderlands CPP dreaming. Started with a packed book launch on Friday where I got to close a brilliant night with 2 poems from a book I published 30 year ago. Then today hearing some great examples of works done in Borderlands Communities of Possibility
January 18, 2026 at 4:16 PM
A weekend full of Borderlands CPP dreaming. Started with a packed book launch on Friday where I got to close a brilliant night with 2 poems from a book I published 30 year ago. Then today hearing some great examples of works done in Borderlands Communities of Possibility
Some thoughts on Hodge Review of @artscouncilengland.bsky.social A long one so make a brew first.
Plenty of positives to play for. But if 'rebuilding trust' becomes a mantra, so should 'Whose trust?' to not lose those for whom Let's Create was a breath of fresh air.
open.substack.com/pub/tacticsf...
Plenty of positives to play for. But if 'rebuilding trust' becomes a mantra, so should 'Whose trust?' to not lose those for whom Let's Create was a breath of fresh air.
open.substack.com/pub/tacticsf...
Rewind/Remix/Reset: Some Thoughts on the Hodge Review
Rebuilding whose trust?
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Some thoughts on Hodge Review of @artscouncilengland.bsky.social A long one so make a brew first.
Plenty of positives to play for. But if 'rebuilding trust' becomes a mantra, so should 'Whose trust?' to not lose those for whom Let's Create was a breath of fresh air.
open.substack.com/pub/tacticsf...
Plenty of positives to play for. But if 'rebuilding trust' becomes a mantra, so should 'Whose trust?' to not lose those for whom Let's Create was a breath of fresh air.
open.substack.com/pub/tacticsf...
In other news, the rivers frozen over, almost.
January 5, 2026 at 8:44 AM
In other news, the rivers frozen over, almost.
My mum made a few of these at one point In my childhood. (unlike her tbh so must have been v fashionable.) am I dreaming or were there ‘patterns‘ or instructions available, a bit like knitting patterns?
Isn’t it time geometric string art made a comeback? This stuff is the absolute suds. The fact that it had a limited fashionability is surely outrun by its COMPLETE AWESOMENESS. I mean, look at this. It fucking SLAPS.
Artist: SMW (1975)
📸 Decorative Modern
Artist: SMW (1975)
📸 Decorative Modern
January 5, 2026 at 8:42 AM
My mum made a few of these at one point In my childhood. (unlike her tbh so must have been v fashionable.) am I dreaming or were there ‘patterns‘ or instructions available, a bit like knitting patterns?
Finishing up the Xmas @newstatesman1913.bsky.social I am returned to being 8 nearly 9 in my Nan Rose’s living room (council house I was born in, in fact) watching Frank Hayes of Lancashire get 106 on his England debut. I’d forgotten I remembered that. Excuse me while I reconnect with my inner child.
December 31, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Finishing up the Xmas @newstatesman1913.bsky.social I am returned to being 8 nearly 9 in my Nan Rose’s living room (council house I was born in, in fact) watching Frank Hayes of Lancashire get 106 on his England debut. I’d forgotten I remembered that. Excuse me while I reconnect with my inner child.
Show me how your 2025 went…
December 24, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Show me how your 2025 went…
Sharing for anyone who has ever had fun inflicted upon them in a work situation in the name of Christmas.
(Saw these support Field Music - amazing use of loops in a band context. Almost too clever at times maybe, but I like this song and the album a lot.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO_5...
(Saw these support Field Music - amazing use of loops in a band context. Almost too clever at times maybe, but I like this song and the album a lot.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO_5...
Dilettante - Fun (Official Video)
YouTube video by Dilettante
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Sharing for anyone who has ever had fun inflicted upon them in a work situation in the name of Christmas.
(Saw these support Field Music - amazing use of loops in a band context. Almost too clever at times maybe, but I like this song and the album a lot.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO_5...
(Saw these support Field Music - amazing use of loops in a band context. Almost too clever at times maybe, but I like this song and the album a lot.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO_5...
There's a whole lot in there that was around in diff form when Hodge was Culture Secretary in 2007/8. I read the regional boards as not being separate orgs as Charlotte Higgins suggests and more like the regional councils were 2002-2012, before areas. Regional bodies would need staff after all.
As Charlotte Higgins correctly notes in her (somewhat uncharitable) article, we are back in the endless cycle of pendulum swings between ‘art for art’s sake’ types and ‘instrumentalists/accountabilists’ - back to - at least - the McMaster report in 2008.
December 17, 2025 at 10:58 AM
There's a whole lot in there that was around in diff form when Hodge was Culture Secretary in 2007/8. I read the regional boards as not being separate orgs as Charlotte Higgins suggests and more like the regional councils were 2002-2012, before areas. Regional bodies would need staff after all.
Hodge review is up. Only had chance to skim but beyond the truisms it seems a bit unclear and cake/eat it at first glance. A few back to the future bits too. 2 community arts workers per priority place? Back to development workers as i was in my first job! www.gov.uk/government/p...
Arts Council England - an independent review by Baroness Margaret Hodge
www.gov.uk
December 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Hodge review is up. Only had chance to skim but beyond the truisms it seems a bit unclear and cake/eat it at first glance. A few back to the future bits too. 2 community arts workers per priority place? Back to development workers as i was in my first job! www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Mark Robinson
When we talk about the lack of opportunities for young people, we rarely talk about local government funding decimation. The lack of cultural funding, third sector funding, place based funding, training opportunities - all of that has evaporated over 15 years www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Local authorities in England and Wales warn finances at ‘breaking point’
More councils expected to fall into bankruptcy in near future as they face nervous wait over government funding
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:54 AM
When we talk about the lack of opportunities for young people, we rarely talk about local government funding decimation. The lack of cultural funding, third sector funding, place based funding, training opportunities - all of that has evaporated over 15 years www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Am I the only one who increasingly often finds the headlines on AP a bit odd? Eg why 'claims' here? Is it up for debate what he thinks? (as opposed to what he things being debatable). Is it a clicks thing? Or just me being an old git? The articles are generally still good, though.
The “striking” growth of musicals and adaptations as a proportion of British theatre repertoire since the pandemic is not necessarily proof of producers’ lack of risk appetite, according to one of the authors of a major sector study.
‘I would rather theatre survived than it collapsed doing new work,’ sector researcher claims - Arts Professional
The “striking” growth of musicals and adaptations as a proportion of British theatre repertoire since the pandemic is not necessarily proof of producers' lack
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Am I the only one who increasingly often finds the headlines on AP a bit odd? Eg why 'claims' here? Is it up for debate what he thinks? (as opposed to what he things being debatable). Is it a clicks thing? Or just me being an old git? The articles are generally still good, though.
A couple of my public poetry works on display at Stellar Projects #Nightfall25 event this weekend. Rather wet the night I went! Dance as if it's not chucking it down...
December 1, 2025 at 10:14 AM
A couple of my public poetry works on display at Stellar Projects #Nightfall25 event this weekend. Rather wet the night I went! Dance as if it's not chucking it down...
Reposted by Mark Robinson
For those of you in the UK, especially if you are a UK citizen, can you please take part in the consultation on changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) that were just proposed by the UK government. We need as many people as possible to reject these proposals. www.gov.uk/government/c...
Earned settlement
The government is consulting on how the current settlement system should be reformed and how those reforms should be implemented.
www.gov.uk
November 21, 2025 at 11:13 AM
For those of you in the UK, especially if you are a UK citizen, can you please take part in the consultation on changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) that were just proposed by the UK government. We need as many people as possible to reject these proposals. www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Mark Robinson
I've written up the findings from our work with people and organisations who have used AI notetakers in meetings, identified 9 risks and a bunch of mitigation strategies. www.careful.industries/blog/2025-11...
Nine risks caused by AI notetakers — Careful Industries
AI transcription tools are not currently mature or reliable enough to be regarded as an always on, single-source of truth for meeting notes. Nine common risks, and six possible mitigations.
www.careful.industries
November 21, 2025 at 7:09 AM
I've written up the findings from our work with people and organisations who have used AI notetakers in meetings, identified 9 risks and a bunch of mitigation strategies. www.careful.industries/blog/2025-11...