Alex Buckley
@alexbuckley.bsky.social
Associate Prof, Heriot-Watt Uni, learning & teaching enhancement, assessment & feedback, educational development
Reposted by Alex Buckley
Robbie Gibb issue is just one case where Labour has left in place people appointed by the Tories : Arif Ahmed at OfS, Kishwer and Reindorf at EHRC. Real self-sabotage.
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Robbie Gibb issue is just one case where Labour has left in place people appointed by the Tories : Arif Ahmed at OfS, Kishwer and Reindorf at EHRC. Real self-sabotage.
Reposted by Alex Buckley
I've noticed the opposing team's fans only cheer when the opponents score on us. To win those fans over, I recommend we score on ourselves repeatedly; that will surely make them so happy they'll start supporting us. And I'm sure all our fans will keep cheering for us—who else is there to cheer for?
October 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I've noticed the opposing team's fans only cheer when the opponents score on us. To win those fans over, I recommend we score on ourselves repeatedly; that will surely make them so happy they'll start supporting us. And I'm sure all our fans will keep cheering for us—who else is there to cheer for?
Reposted by Alex Buckley
Conversation last night reminded me of the main thesis of my most cited paper. If governments obsess about eliminating all free riding they are going to make things miserable for many, including people who have no intention of cheating. (Discussion prompted by assessment in age of AI.)
November 4, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Conversation last night reminded me of the main thesis of my most cited paper. If governments obsess about eliminating all free riding they are going to make things miserable for many, including people who have no intention of cheating. (Discussion prompted by assessment in age of AI.)
Reposted by Alex Buckley
A newly appointed Head of Department thanked me for this old Guardian column last week. So I feel duty bound to share it.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
University administration in permanent revolution? Try masterful inactivity
The only way for academics to cope with the pace of change in universities is to ignore everything
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:41 PM
A newly appointed Head of Department thanked me for this old Guardian column last week. So I feel duty bound to share it.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Alex Buckley
I know this is the equivalent of being in the remainder bin but still, if you want a bargain guide to becoming a confident assessor in higher education, my book is on Amazon currently for less than £5. #AssessmentInHE www.amazon.co.uk/Confident-As...
Amazon.co.uk
www.amazon.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 6:34 AM
I know this is the equivalent of being in the remainder bin but still, if you want a bargain guide to becoming a confident assessor in higher education, my book is on Amazon currently for less than £5. #AssessmentInHE www.amazon.co.uk/Confident-As...
Reposted by Alex Buckley
![Cartoon by Stephen Collins for the Guardian.
[Scene is BBC BREAKFAST with two presenters and a guest on the sofa].
1
PRESENTER:
Now - some disturbing new research has shown
2
PRESENTER:
that as many as 10 non-Reform political parties may currently operating ‘under the radar’ across the UK.
[Show on screen logos for Greens, Lib Dems, Conservatives
3
PRESENTER:
In the studio to discuss this, Nigel Farage
[We see the guest on the sofa is indeed Nigel Farage]
4
PRESENTER:
Nigel, what’s your view?
FARAGE:
Well I think this very worrying.
5
FARAGE:
And just another reason why we should ban all immigration.
6
PRESENTER:
I won’t push back on that
FARAGE:
Absolutely!
7
PRESENTER:
Funnily enough, this is what your new show’s about, isn’t it?
FARAGE:
Oop - plug time!
PRESENTER:
Ha ha
8
FARAGE:
Yes it’s a 12-part BBC documentary called ‘In Search Of The Political Parties That Aren’t My One’.
9
[Show on the TV screen Farage presenting a documentary series titled In Search Of The Political Parties That Aren’t My One. He is wearing his farmer's getup and looking dreamily at the UK from hillsides, visiting pubs and chatting with the locals, etc]
FARAGE:
It’s a really emotional journey
10
FARAGE:
with lots of dreamy footage of me looking relatable...
11
FARAGE:
as I answer the question:
*Am I the only option for Britain?*
12
[Cut back to studio]
PRESENTER:
I won’t push back on that
FARAGE:
Absolutely!
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreidseyojvyqngmitl76iafvvbvgg4a3i7a26642c2c3gacoi7pwtbi@jpeg)
Reposted by Alex Buckley
"how long do you think we'll get away with being terrible at our jobs Laura?"
"at least another few years Robert"
"at least another few years Robert"
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 AM
"how long do you think we'll get away with being terrible at our jobs Laura?"
"at least another few years Robert"
"at least another few years Robert"
Reposted by Alex Buckley
Not good enough. When policies are proposed which threaten people’s security and future on this country journalists need to do their homework properly and hold those proposing them to account.
Peston tells Lam that she said something that he "genuinely didn't understand". "But who are these people who came legally who should leave?"
This does not look like faux naivety.
He should know the answer!
She misleads in her answer to him.
So he gives a misleading summary of her policy on air.
This does not look like faux naivety.
He should know the answer!
She misleads in her answer to him.
So he gives a misleading summary of her policy on air.
October 21, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Not good enough. When policies are proposed which threaten people’s security and future on this country journalists need to do their homework properly and hold those proposing them to account.
Reposted by Alex Buckley
![1
Nurse:
It’s become a real problem in this area
2
Nurse:
We’ve seen the whole community lost to addiction
3
Show a building sign posted:
Westminster ‘X’ Addiction Clinic
With various Westminster people or looking at their phones outside it
Nurse:
Ministers, Spads, Researchers…
4
Nurse:
Most mornings we’ll get a call about someone acting strangely
[Nurse on phone taking a call]
Ok - we’ll be right over
5
Nurse:
We just have a gentle chat
[Nurses approach a minister –Robert Jenrick? - standing in the Palace of Westminster
Minister:
I understand your concerns…
6
Nurse:
Are you OK love?
Minister:
Yes I’m just hearing legitimate concerns from real voters
7
Nurse:
That’s a robot, a Nazi and a poorly-disguised Russian
[Show that the people he is talking to are precisely these characters]
Nurse 2:
Give us your phone, love
8
Nurse:
At the clinic we put them in a Grass-Touching Pod, with a real voter to talk to
[We see them back at the clinic, holding the minister's head and pushing him into a glass isolation booth with a grass floor. And it is a baffled looking woman, on a chair, ready to talk to him.]
9
Minister:
YOU MUST BE WORRIED ABOUT THE COMING CIVIL WAR
[woman looks baffled]
10
woman:
I just want a bus service
Minister:
LOOK AT MY FLAG
[produces a St George's flag]
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreicahofq6s4xow7vowj7dx6odw6ejdwr4kwcmzta7qwi4hg2nvywji@jpeg)
Reposted by Alex Buckley
In which Nick Hillman tells some home truths to the 'Battle of Ideas' about HE myths and the alleged 'alternatives': in fact we need more education, not less.
New Post: The Era of the Downwardly Mobile Graduate?: Higher education at this weekend’s Battle of Ideas www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/10/19/t...
October 19, 2025 at 5:13 PM
In which Nick Hillman tells some home truths to the 'Battle of Ideas' about HE myths and the alleged 'alternatives': in fact we need more education, not less.
Reposted by Alex Buckley
I wrote something about analytic Philospphy, and Christoph Schuringa’s book for the Ideas Letter @stefanschubert.bsky.social @lbenardo.bsky.social www.theideasletter.org/essay/bloodl...
“Bloodless Pedantry” - The Ideas Letter
The academic study of philosophy tends to inspire contempt, from within and from without. Stephen Hawking’s pompous pronouncement in 2010 that “philosophy is dead” is just one version of a…
www.theideasletter.org
October 17, 2025 at 7:00 AM
I wrote something about analytic Philospphy, and Christoph Schuringa’s book for the Ideas Letter @stefanschubert.bsky.social @lbenardo.bsky.social www.theideasletter.org/essay/bloodl...
Reposted by Alex Buckley
Sir Gavin Williamson has been giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry today. Much of the focus will be on children, but this module includes young people. Evidence from NUS and UCU is in the bundle published last week and is a reminder of the decisions taken about HE.
![Jo Grady’s evidence from UCU:
28. The UCU welcomed the government's belated decision in January 2021 to keep the majority of learning at colleges and universities online until mid-February, although we again emphasised the need for consistent, effective and advanced planning rather than last-minute chaos [JG/24 - INQ000649311]. Nevertheless, in February 2021, the Prime Minister indicated that there would be a wider reopening of college and university campuses from 8 March 2021, which we highlighted as irresponsible and risking undoing the country's hard work to get Covid-19 rates down [JG/38 INQ000649327]. Then, in April 2021, it was announced that remaining HE students would be able to return to in-person teaching from 17 May 2021. Our view was that this made little sense for students and staff as most lessons would have already finished, and that it would be better to wait until the following term for a wider reopening as more people would have been vaccinated.
We described the decision as "a stupid end to a stupid year beset by government mismanagement' [JG/26 - INQ000649313].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:r4v6tnsb2hti5frjgkocsgal/bafkreifcck2toqwfkzvprvkuypajrwqzypn36uq3wujecqk33k2t7vjaoi@jpeg)
October 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Sir Gavin Williamson has been giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry today. Much of the focus will be on children, but this module includes young people. Evidence from NUS and UCU is in the bundle published last week and is a reminder of the decisions taken about HE.
Reposted by Alex Buckley
If this happened at a steel plant there would be talk of government bail out to secure jobs
Cuts equivalent to 15,000 jobs planned at UK universities – UCU www.timeshighereducation.com/news/cuts-eq...
Cuts equivalent to 15,000 jobs planned at UK universities – UCU
Proposed job losses almost triple since March as unions prepare to vote on nationwide industrial action
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:50 AM
If this happened at a steel plant there would be talk of government bail out to secure jobs
Reposted by Alex Buckley
If a news organisation is making -200% margin after five years, it is not a commercial operation and should be assumed to have a different purpose.
The channel lost £33 million to communicate its content to a large audience
www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/g...
www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/g...
GB News suffers huge loss despite doubling revenue and growing audience
The TV channel, whose well-known presenters include Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, fell to a pre-tax loss of £33.4m in the year to 31 May, 2024
www.business-live.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM
If a news organisation is making -200% margin after five years, it is not a commercial operation and should be assumed to have a different purpose.
Reposted by Alex Buckley
A thread of inspirational quotes from two of my idols: Kemi Badenoch and Ange Postecoglou
(uh-oh, I may have gotten some mixed up... or have I??)
🧵
(uh-oh, I may have gotten some mixed up... or have I??)
🧵
October 6, 2025 at 9:11 AM
A thread of inspirational quotes from two of my idols: Kemi Badenoch and Ange Postecoglou
(uh-oh, I may have gotten some mixed up... or have I??)
🧵
(uh-oh, I may have gotten some mixed up... or have I??)
🧵
Reposted by Alex Buckley
I wouldn’t normally endorse AI prompts but these are indeed essential for all academics.
Here are your 10 -essential- AI prompts for academics ... make your life easy with help from @profserious.bsky.social profserious.substack.com/p/10-ai-prom...
10 AI Prompts for Academics
making those hard jobs a little easier ...
profserious.substack.com
October 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I wouldn’t normally endorse AI prompts but these are indeed essential for all academics.
Reposted by Alex Buckley
As Labour conference wraps up, I've done a piece for the Swingometer looking at their record in the polls so far.
Visual summary below...
swingometer.substack.com/p/labour-how...
Visual summary below...
swingometer.substack.com/p/labour-how...
October 3, 2025 at 10:38 AM
As Labour conference wraps up, I've done a piece for the Swingometer looking at their record in the polls so far.
Visual summary below...
swingometer.substack.com/p/labour-how...
Visual summary below...
swingometer.substack.com/p/labour-how...
Reposted by Alex Buckley
“Thank you for your email. We are currently on a leadership hiatus and will deal with your message after a future vote of no confidence.”
October 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM
“Thank you for your email. We are currently on a leadership hiatus and will deal with your message after a future vote of no confidence.”
Reposted by Alex Buckley
"By making apprenticeships a gold standard option for ambitious young people, we are sending a message that technical excellence is as highly valued as academic prowess."
Prime Minister David Cameron, 2012
Prime Minister David Cameron, 2012
October 1, 2025 at 1:27 PM
"By making apprenticeships a gold standard option for ambitious young people, we are sending a message that technical excellence is as highly valued as academic prowess."
Prime Minister David Cameron, 2012
Prime Minister David Cameron, 2012
Reposted by Alex Buckley
Correct. Unless the government is going to impose limits on the number that can go to university, it's meaningless. (They're not).
Given 50% of school leavers currently choose to go to university, as a matter of (ahem) investor choice, without any targeting by government, Starmer has effectively just set a target of an additional 1/6 doing apprenticeships
October 1, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Correct. Unless the government is going to impose limits on the number that can go to university, it's meaningless. (They're not).
Reposted by Alex Buckley
Fair play for getting headlines out of dropping a mythical target for HE entry, briefing it as being anti HE, and in fact setting a new target for tertiary participation. Piss off the people who ought to be happy and make happy the people you want to irritate?
September 30, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Fair play for getting headlines out of dropping a mythical target for HE entry, briefing it as being anti HE, and in fact setting a new target for tertiary participation. Piss off the people who ought to be happy and make happy the people you want to irritate?
Reposted by Alex Buckley
Your reminder there’s a weekly window into scholarship on higher education from @cghe.bsky.social Today’s bleak session has been part of the Universities under Fire series. The conclusion is that the US HE system has been seriously destabilised.
www.researchcghe.org
www.researchcghe.org
September 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Your reminder there’s a weekly window into scholarship on higher education from @cghe.bsky.social Today’s bleak session has been part of the Universities under Fire series. The conclusion is that the US HE system has been seriously destabilised.
www.researchcghe.org
www.researchcghe.org
Reposted by Alex Buckley
No, it never existed, and then the imaginary target was scrapped by the Conservatives years ago anyway.
The rise in numbers going to uni was entirely down to higher demand from students.
The rise in numbers going to uni was entirely down to higher demand from students.
did that 50% uni target thing actually still exist in any meaningful sense?
September 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
No, it never existed, and then the imaginary target was scrapped by the Conservatives years ago anyway.
The rise in numbers going to uni was entirely down to higher demand from students.
The rise in numbers going to uni was entirely down to higher demand from students.
Reposted by Alex Buckley
Great news!
JSTOR now have a free account with an Independent Researcher category. You can access 100 documents per month
www.jstor.org/action/showL...
JSTOR now have a free account with an Independent Researcher category. You can access 100 documents per month
www.jstor.org/action/showL...
September 29, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Great news!
JSTOR now have a free account with an Independent Researcher category. You can access 100 documents per month
www.jstor.org/action/showL...
JSTOR now have a free account with an Independent Researcher category. You can access 100 documents per month
www.jstor.org/action/showL...