JustRoryDuncan
@profroryduncan.bsky.social
Look, I’ve loved loads of jobs. Lots of education, research, govt policy, funding, higher ed, teaching. Now I like helping people with this, and cooking, fermenting things, bread and stuff. https://www.duddingstonconsulting.co.uk
One day, this odd-looking sourdough starter (Levito madre) will be panettone.
November 20, 2025 at 8:49 PM
One day, this odd-looking sourdough starter (Levito madre) will be panettone.
Something hasn’t worked / isn’t working 👇
“…few raise research unprompted, and less than half of non-graduates in our poll were even fully aware that universities do research. Articulating this role and how it benefits lives is a clear imperative.”
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-po...
“…few raise research unprompted, and less than half of non-graduates in our poll were even fully aware that universities do research. Articulating this role and how it benefits lives is a clear imperative.”
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-po...
The political centre of gravity continues to shift towards higher education sceptics
Graduates and non-graduates are polarised in their views of university study. Steve O’Neil thinks through how the sector can demonstrate its value across the electorate Graduates and non-graduates are...
wonkhe.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Something hasn’t worked / isn’t working 👇
“…few raise research unprompted, and less than half of non-graduates in our poll were even fully aware that universities do research. Articulating this role and how it benefits lives is a clear imperative.”
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-po...
“…few raise research unprompted, and less than half of non-graduates in our poll were even fully aware that universities do research. Articulating this role and how it benefits lives is a clear imperative.”
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-po...
Good thread and linked report. How could the ‘public’ be aware that universities conduct research? I wasn’t before I went to uni. Decades of public engagement and university sector lobbying doesn’t seem to have moved that much in understanding (Covid aside, maybe?)
'Fewer than half are even fully aware that universities conduct research.'
Real indictment of universities' strategies and comms this. An own goal that could and should be rectified. Engaging broad publics with research is not rocket science. And if it were, universities have rocket scientists. 3/3
Real indictment of universities' strategies and comms this. An own goal that could and should be rectified. Engaging broad publics with research is not rocket science. And if it were, universities have rocket scientists. 3/3
November 17, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Good thread and linked report. How could the ‘public’ be aware that universities conduct research? I wasn’t before I went to uni. Decades of public engagement and university sector lobbying doesn’t seem to have moved that much in understanding (Covid aside, maybe?)
The Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh preparing for Christmas
November 10, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh preparing for Christmas
Fair to say the comments on this don’t agree with the author… Augar is positive about the Skills White Paper for English FE/HE, whilst ignoring the gross underfunding over >a decade is now baked in.
October 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Fair to say the comments on this don’t agree with the author… Augar is positive about the Skills White Paper for English FE/HE, whilst ignoring the gross underfunding over >a decade is now baked in.
It’s nice here. #seville #WinterShorteningStrategy
October 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
It’s nice here. #seville #WinterShorteningStrategy
This morning’s glamorous walking partner
October 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
This morning’s glamorous walking partner
Positively calming.
September 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Positively calming.
No chance of action ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections next May, so this is in the long grass.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University boss calls for major review of Scottish higher education
Sir Anton Muscatelli calls for a review of the future funding and shape of higher education.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
No chance of action ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections next May, so this is in the long grass.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
(Yet another) stunning day. Grabbing every possible photon on my retinas before the inevitable winter..
September 25, 2025 at 2:20 PM
(Yet another) stunning day. Grabbing every possible photon on my retinas before the inevitable winter..
Reposted by JustRoryDuncan
Two headlines on the same day
September 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Two headlines on the same day
Beautiful day in the Pentland hills, can definitely feel Autumn now
September 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Beautiful day in the Pentland hills, can definitely feel Autumn now
Dr Neils’ Garden at the foot of Arthur’s Seat is a hidden gem. It was the private garden or two local doctors who spent their lives terracing a slope and planting it. It’s now maintained by volunteers and is incredibly peaceful and beautiful
September 22, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Dr Neils’ Garden at the foot of Arthur’s Seat is a hidden gem. It was the private garden or two local doctors who spent their lives terracing a slope and planting it. It’s now maintained by volunteers and is incredibly peaceful and beautiful
Quick sprint up Arthur’s Seat first thing. What a day
September 22, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Quick sprint up Arthur’s Seat first thing. What a day
Reposted by JustRoryDuncan
Looks like a great recipe.😅
September 9, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Looks like a great recipe.😅
One of Edinburgh’s lesser known castles on my walk this morning. (Although it does feature in Highlander, apparently). #craigmillar
September 16, 2025 at 12:07 PM
One of Edinburgh’s lesser known castles on my walk this morning. (Although it does feature in Highlander, apparently). #craigmillar
Given that Advance HE provide most of the HE sector governance training and oversight, isn’t this rather marking their own homework?
NEW on Wonkhe: Higher education governance is under the spotlight. Alistair Jarvis sets out the findings of Advance HE’s big conversation, with priorities for any future reform buff.ly/FXuSgKt
September 8, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Given that Advance HE provide most of the HE sector governance training and oversight, isn’t this rather marking their own homework?
But what are the implications for the unspoken university activity - teaching? Recruitment of talented academics depends upon research and innovation excellence, track record, infrastructure. Are we encouraging a sector of specialist universities?
UKRI chief executive backs ministers’ calls for more research specialisation by universities in first public comments since taking over at £9 billion-a-year research funder
#AcademicSky #highered
#AcademicSky #highered
UKRI chief: ‘Do fewer things in research but do them really well’
Ian Chapman backs ministers’ calls for more research specialisation by universities in first public comments since taking over at £9 billion-a-year research funder
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
But what are the implications for the unspoken university activity - teaching? Recruitment of talented academics depends upon research and innovation excellence, track record, infrastructure. Are we encouraging a sector of specialist universities?
Portobello beach ‘big busk’ yesterday… loads and loads of performers along the seafront. Some amazingly talented kids
August 31, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Portobello beach ‘big busk’ yesterday… loads and loads of performers along the seafront. Some amazingly talented kids
I’m finding the current media discourse depressing. Even my previously held respect for Rylan has been challenged.
August 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I’m finding the current media discourse depressing. Even my previously held respect for Rylan has been challenged.
Nice do-er upper for the cost of a one bedroom flat in London search.savills.com/property-det...
Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum, PH43 4RR | Property for sale | Savills
Property details for Kinloch Castle. One of many properties for sale in Isle of Rum, PH43 4RR from Savills, world leading estate agents.
search.savills.com
August 28, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Nice do-er upper for the cost of a one bedroom flat in London search.savills.com/property-det...
Christmas lager making underway
August 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Christmas lager making underway
Always feel a change in season when the Edinburgh festival ends. The big crowds leave, the sun is lower and there’s just a touch of autumn in the air
August 27, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Always feel a change in season when the Edinburgh festival ends. The big crowds leave, the sun is lower and there’s just a touch of autumn in the air