Simon Mills
@allagmatic.bsky.social
Academic worker. Occasionally writes about Gilbert Simondon. Likes post-bop for some reason.
Just published by EUP. Really happy to see my work alongside so many great Simondon scholars.
November 8, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Just published by EUP. Really happy to see my work alongside so many great Simondon scholars.
Reposted by Simon Mills
Vice-chancellors and successive governments have created a crisis in higher education.
We’re balloting to save it.
Our GS @drjogrady.bsky.social in @politicshome.bsky.social 👇
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
We’re balloting to save it.
Our GS @drjogrady.bsky.social in @politicshome.bsky.social 👇
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Universities Are Heading A Financial Crisis Like The 2008 Crash, Warns Union BossBoss
The head of the University and College Union, Jo Grady, has warned that universities face a financial calamity similar to the 2008 banking crisis, ...
www.politicshome.com
October 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Vice-chancellors and successive governments have created a crisis in higher education.
We’re balloting to save it.
Our GS @drjogrady.bsky.social in @politicshome.bsky.social 👇
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
We’re balloting to save it.
Our GS @drjogrady.bsky.social in @politicshome.bsky.social 👇
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Simon Mills
Reposted by Simon Mills
The common sense meaning should make this Elon Musk's "rivers of blood" moment
Though I think he goes further than Enoch Powell in a couple of important ways
Though I think he goes further than Enoch Powell in a couple of important ways
Elon Musk spoke by video to Tommy Robinson's anti-immigrant rally in the UK today.
"You're in a fundamental situation here where, whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you," said Musk. "You either fight back or you die."
"You're in a fundamental situation here where, whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you," said Musk. "You either fight back or you die."
September 13, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The common sense meaning should make this Elon Musk's "rivers of blood" moment
Though I think he goes further than Enoch Powell in a couple of important ways
Though I think he goes further than Enoch Powell in a couple of important ways
Property prices due to plummet in Bexhill-on-sea.
August 27, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Property prices due to plummet in Bexhill-on-sea.
Reposted by Simon Mills
NEW on our Substack: Help your HEC reps decide what we should do next for our pay dispute!
Please see the linked form, fill it in, & pass to your contacts. The form is open until 5pm Friday 27th Aug in advance of HEC on Monday 1st Sep.
Please repost #ucu
ucucommons.substack.com/p/help-your-...
Please see the linked form, fill it in, & pass to your contacts. The form is open until 5pm Friday 27th Aug in advance of HEC on Monday 1st Sep.
Please repost #ucu
ucucommons.substack.com/p/help-your-...
Help your UCU Higher Education reps decide what we should do next for our pay dispute
Please read, fill in, and share with your contacts
ucucommons.substack.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:56 AM
NEW on our Substack: Help your HEC reps decide what we should do next for our pay dispute!
Please see the linked form, fill it in, & pass to your contacts. The form is open until 5pm Friday 27th Aug in advance of HEC on Monday 1st Sep.
Please repost #ucu
ucucommons.substack.com/p/help-your-...
Please see the linked form, fill it in, & pass to your contacts. The form is open until 5pm Friday 27th Aug in advance of HEC on Monday 1st Sep.
Please repost #ucu
ucucommons.substack.com/p/help-your-...
Reposted by Simon Mills
Today was the last day at the University for so many of our colleagues taking voluntary redundancy, with even more leaving in October.
We appreciate all of you and will miss you dearly. We will continue to fight so that others aren't forced into making the same difficult choice
We appreciate all of you and will miss you dearly. We will continue to fight so that others aren't forced into making the same difficult choice
August 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Today was the last day at the University for so many of our colleagues taking voluntary redundancy, with even more leaving in October.
We appreciate all of you and will miss you dearly. We will continue to fight so that others aren't forced into making the same difficult choice
We appreciate all of you and will miss you dearly. We will continue to fight so that others aren't forced into making the same difficult choice
Reposted by Simon Mills
The absence of any coherent response can only mean that, in some way that is incomprehensible, the government has decided that it benefits most from saying nothing.
I have not heard anything at all from government ministers nor the opposition nor many media outlets about the dangers of this epidemic of sweeping casual racism. It is sometimes seen as comical - as with Rupert Lowe and the rowers - but it is dangerous and dehumanising
August 20, 2025 at 8:41 PM
The absence of any coherent response can only mean that, in some way that is incomprehensible, the government has decided that it benefits most from saying nothing.
Reposted by Simon Mills
'She rejected the view that humanities and social sciences were less useful...than some other subjects, such as maths and science, describing them as “absolutely essential . . . both to living a full and prosperous life but also to addressing many of the challenges we face”.'
Universities in England at risk of long-term decline, says British Academy
Outgoing president Dame Julia Black calls on ministers to overhaul their ‘confused’ approach to higher education
www.ft.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:46 AM
'She rejected the view that humanities and social sciences were less useful...than some other subjects, such as maths and science, describing them as “absolutely essential . . . both to living a full and prosperous life but also to addressing many of the challenges we face”.'
Reposted by Simon Mills
Only a day to wait before we find out if this happens!
June 23, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Only a day to wait before we find out if this happens!
Reposted by Simon Mills
“If universities start to fail, it will be disastrous for Labour MPs and their constituents. It would be the modern equivalent of the factory closure, or the end of the pit.
“And despite how some Labour MPs seem to imagine their voters, it would be Labour’s core supporters who were most affected.”
“And despite how some Labour MPs seem to imagine their voters, it would be Labour’s core supporters who were most affected.”
If universities sink, then so will Starmer
Some Labour figures believe Britain has too many unis. But if they start failing, local economies – and Starmer’s re-election prospects – will go with them
www.theneweuropean.co.uk
May 29, 2025 at 6:41 AM
“If universities start to fail, it will be disastrous for Labour MPs and their constituents. It would be the modern equivalent of the factory closure, or the end of the pit.
“And despite how some Labour MPs seem to imagine their voters, it would be Labour’s core supporters who were most affected.”
“And despite how some Labour MPs seem to imagine their voters, it would be Labour’s core supporters who were most affected.”
Reposted by Simon Mills
This is so wrong on so many levels.
First, it will restrict access for the working class kids that want to go to university. When the doors close, they close to their constituents first.
First, it will restrict access for the working class kids that want to go to university. When the doors close, they close to their constituents first.
As ever, the loudest voices calling for the collapse of universities, presumably in the post-92 sector, benefitted from privileged educations.
May 29, 2025 at 8:16 AM
This is so wrong on so many levels.
First, it will restrict access for the working class kids that want to go to university. When the doors close, they close to their constituents first.
First, it will restrict access for the working class kids that want to go to university. When the doors close, they close to their constituents first.
Reposted by Simon Mills
Correct: “the dysfunctional marketisation of higher education [..]is at the root of today’s financial black hole”.
One change that should be introduced yesterday is to drastically cap the % universities are allowed to spend on private consultants who are draining the sector of money and skill
One change that should be introduced yesterday is to drastically cap the % universities are allowed to spend on private consultants who are draining the sector of money and skill
The Guardian view on campus cuts: academics pay a high price for Westminster’s mistakes | Editorial
Editorial: The government should not stand aloof as a crisis unfolds in our universities. A new settlement is needed
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Correct: “the dysfunctional marketisation of higher education [..]is at the root of today’s financial black hole”.
One change that should be introduced yesterday is to drastically cap the % universities are allowed to spend on private consultants who are draining the sector of money and skill
One change that should be introduced yesterday is to drastically cap the % universities are allowed to spend on private consultants who are draining the sector of money and skill
Reposted by Simon Mills
The crisis in Higher Education is biting hard. Thousands are at risk of losing their jobs across the sector. Please sign and share this open letter calling on the Secretary of State for Education to act.
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
Sign our Open Letter to Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, and Sunderland MP
Sign our Open Letter to Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, and Sunderland MP
Open Letter: Save Higher Education – A Call for Urgent Action Higher Education is in Crisis
docs.google.com
February 1, 2025 at 11:09 AM
The crisis in Higher Education is biting hard. Thousands are at risk of losing their jobs across the sector. Please sign and share this open letter calling on the Secretary of State for Education to act.
Reposted by Simon Mills
A nice bit of sarcasm to start your weekend. Or is it? Shall we join Hanif Kureishi in his attempt to embrace fascism?
WHY I AM BECOMING A FASCIST
My MAGA hat arrived this morning
open.substack.com
February 1, 2025 at 11:24 AM
A nice bit of sarcasm to start your weekend. Or is it? Shall we join Hanif Kureishi in his attempt to embrace fascism?
Reposted by Simon Mills
According to today's Times Higher Education, the 10,000 figure has already been exceeded for the past year, although not all universities have filed their reports.
January 31, 2025 at 12:59 PM
According to today's Times Higher Education, the 10,000 figure has already been exceeded for the past year, although not all universities have filed their reports.
Reposted by Simon Mills
This has been a good discovery this morning, and a very useful resource. The #UCU Branch at Queen Mary University of London has been collating a list of redundancies and cuts across the UK HE sector:
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
UK HE shrinking
This is a live page of all the redundancies, restructures, reorganisations, and closures taking place across the sector at the moment. Solidarity to all. This sector is vital to the country’s…
qmucu.org
January 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM
This has been a good discovery this morning, and a very useful resource. The #UCU Branch at Queen Mary University of London has been collating a list of redundancies and cuts across the UK HE sector:
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
Reposted by Simon Mills
Oh, and take a look at this? ucucommons.org/nec25/ #UCU
NEC Elections (2025)
Elections to UCU’s National Executive Committee (NEC) are now underway.
ucucommons.org
January 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Oh, and take a look at this? ucucommons.org/nec25/ #UCU
Reposted by Simon Mills
The news out of Cardiff University today - 400 jobs at risk - should be a massive wake-up call for UCU. It’s utter nonsense us to be balloting on pay when so many members across the UK are at risk of redundancy. It’s a distraction, a waste of union resources, and makes us look entirely unserious.
January 28, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The news out of Cardiff University today - 400 jobs at risk - should be a massive wake-up call for UCU. It’s utter nonsense us to be balloting on pay when so many members across the UK are at risk of redundancy. It’s a distraction, a waste of union resources, and makes us look entirely unserious.
Reposted by Simon Mills
Solidarity with colleagues affected by redundancy announcements at Cardiff today. Is anyone in Westminster reading the news? Are they just hoping to keep quiet throughout the destruction of the entire university sector, or what is the plan here?
January 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Solidarity with colleagues affected by redundancy announcements at Cardiff today. Is anyone in Westminster reading the news? Are they just hoping to keep quiet throughout the destruction of the entire university sector, or what is the plan here?
Rather than call Musk a Nazi because of that salute, I tend to think of him as a playdoh Fascist in the mold of the Italian Futurists. He’s sucking up to Trump, the pound shop Mussolini. The mix of technology and futurism seems to be leading to fascism just as it did early last century.
January 23, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Rather than call Musk a Nazi because of that salute, I tend to think of him as a playdoh Fascist in the mold of the Italian Futurists. He’s sucking up to Trump, the pound shop Mussolini. The mix of technology and futurism seems to be leading to fascism just as it did early last century.
Reposted by Simon Mills
A paper that understands its responsibility, in a country that knows it when it sees it.
Impressive from Die Zeit. Refuses to show the salute, but calls it out for what it so obviously was.
Headline: “A Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute”
Impressive from Die Zeit. Refuses to show the salute, but calls it out for what it so obviously was.
Headline: “A Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute”
January 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
A paper that understands its responsibility, in a country that knows it when it sees it.
Impressive from Die Zeit. Refuses to show the salute, but calls it out for what it so obviously was.
Headline: “A Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute”
Impressive from Die Zeit. Refuses to show the salute, but calls it out for what it so obviously was.
Headline: “A Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute”
Reposted by Simon Mills
"Seriously, I don’t care how much it costs. Take every dime I have. But know this: I would level my house to the ground before I paid slightly higher property taxes to fund infrastructure that would prevent a landslide from leveling my house to the ground."
I Will Pay Any Amount to Not Pay My Taxes
I’ve gotten myself into a bit of a jam. A series of natural disasters is barreling towards my home, and there is a severe shortage of resources and...
buff.ly
January 10, 2025 at 2:20 AM
"Seriously, I don’t care how much it costs. Take every dime I have. But know this: I would level my house to the ground before I paid slightly higher property taxes to fund infrastructure that would prevent a landslide from leveling my house to the ground."
Reposted by Simon Mills
The devastating cuts at Dundee University harm staff, damage the university’s reputation and student experience
Senior managers must work with the union to rule out compulsory redundancies 👇 @ucuscotland.bsky.social
Senior managers must work with the union to rule out compulsory redundancies 👇 @ucuscotland.bsky.social
University staff balloted on strike action over proposed job cuts
The University of Dundee recently announced a projected shortfall of £30m amid a fall in the recruitment of international students.
news.stv.tv
January 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM
The devastating cuts at Dundee University harm staff, damage the university’s reputation and student experience
Senior managers must work with the union to rule out compulsory redundancies 👇 @ucuscotland.bsky.social
Senior managers must work with the union to rule out compulsory redundancies 👇 @ucuscotland.bsky.social