Rafael Mitchell
@rafaelmitchell.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Comparative and International Education, University of Bristol | Co-Director of CIRE | BAICE | Schooling in Africa, democratising knowledge in education
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
“Today, Tigray is broken. Its leaders are divided. Another war looms, one that could pit Tigrayans against each other. I fought once to defend my people; I will not fight again in a war that will destroy what remains. That is why I left.”
An incredibly sad account.
open.substack.com/pub/continen...
An incredibly sad account.
open.substack.com/pub/continen...
The exodus out of Tigray
Young people are leaving en masse – and don’t know if they’ll ever come back.
open.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 8:22 AM
“Today, Tigray is broken. Its leaders are divided. Another war looms, one that could pit Tigrayans against each other. I fought once to defend my people; I will not fight again in a war that will destroy what remains. That is why I left.”
An incredibly sad account.
open.substack.com/pub/continen...
An incredibly sad account.
open.substack.com/pub/continen...
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
Weaponized Starvation: How Ethiopia Created Famine In Tigray
The famine in #Tigray was not an outcome of war. It was the result of deliberate policies—a siege, economic blockade and obstruction of aid by #Ethiopia and its allies—designed to destroy civilian life.
theconversation.com/starvation-a...
The famine in #Tigray was not an outcome of war. It was the result of deliberate policies—a siege, economic blockade and obstruction of aid by #Ethiopia and its allies—designed to destroy civilian life.
theconversation.com/starvation-a...
Starvation as a weapon of war: how Ethiopia created a famine in Tigray
Famine was weaponised as part of a broader campaign of destruction in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
theconversation.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Weaponized Starvation: How Ethiopia Created Famine In Tigray
The famine in #Tigray was not an outcome of war. It was the result of deliberate policies—a siege, economic blockade and obstruction of aid by #Ethiopia and its allies—designed to destroy civilian life.
theconversation.com/starvation-a...
The famine in #Tigray was not an outcome of war. It was the result of deliberate policies—a siege, economic blockade and obstruction of aid by #Ethiopia and its allies—designed to destroy civilian life.
theconversation.com/starvation-a...
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
We hear a lot about AI in education in the US on here, so can I just tell you about how it's working out in the schools sector in England? It's interesting! It's about data consultants, private education outfits and think tanks. Slow thread...
October 31, 2025 at 10:44 PM
We hear a lot about AI in education in the US on here, so can I just tell you about how it's working out in the schools sector in England? It's interesting! It's about data consultants, private education outfits and think tanks. Slow thread...
Looks like @mottmacdonald.bsky.social is *closing* Cambridge Education with implications for education in Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan & West Africa
This a few months after MM reported record growth, with global revenue reaching £2.5bn for the first time
This a few months after MM reported record growth, with global revenue reaching £2.5bn for the first time
October 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Looks like @mottmacdonald.bsky.social is *closing* Cambridge Education with implications for education in Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan & West Africa
This a few months after MM reported record growth, with global revenue reaching £2.5bn for the first time
This a few months after MM reported record growth, with global revenue reaching £2.5bn for the first time
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
Famine in Tigray: Hunger and Humiliation worldpeacefoundation.org/publication/...
Famine in Tigray: Hunger and Humiliation - World Peace Foundation
Famine in Tigray was not only about biological deprivation but also about humiliation and dehumanization, including Tigray's middle class.
worldpeacefoundation.org
October 11, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Famine in Tigray: Hunger and Humiliation worldpeacefoundation.org/publication/...
"Meta brought AI to rural Colombia. Now students are failing exams"
Interesting piece on how AI is affecting educational experiences and outcomes for rural communities in Latin America
#edusky
restofworld.org/2025/colombi...
Interesting piece on how AI is affecting educational experiences and outcomes for rural communities in Latin America
#edusky
restofworld.org/2025/colombi...
Meta brought AI to rural Colombia. Now students are failing exams
When Meta embedded AI bots in its apps, even students in the most remote corners of Colombia gained access. But rather than boosting learning, it’s getting in the way.
restofworld.org
September 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
"Meta brought AI to rural Colombia. Now students are failing exams"
Interesting piece on how AI is affecting educational experiences and outcomes for rural communities in Latin America
#edusky
restofworld.org/2025/colombi...
Interesting piece on how AI is affecting educational experiences and outcomes for rural communities in Latin America
#edusky
restofworld.org/2025/colombi...
A new report on internally displaced persons in Tigray. This makes bitter reading - an ongoing, overlooked humanitarian crisis, with many lacking food, water, shelter, health and education provision
This study based on a survey with 4500 IDPs & interviews with 640
www.tig-comm.org/wp-content/u...
This study based on a survey with 4500 IDPs & interviews with 640
www.tig-comm.org/wp-content/u...
www.tig-comm.org
August 28, 2025 at 7:44 AM
A new report on internally displaced persons in Tigray. This makes bitter reading - an ongoing, overlooked humanitarian crisis, with many lacking food, water, shelter, health and education provision
This study based on a survey with 4500 IDPs & interviews with 640
www.tig-comm.org/wp-content/u...
This study based on a survey with 4500 IDPs & interviews with 640
www.tig-comm.org/wp-content/u...
What utter contempt @gwr.com has for cyclists. Two reservable cycle spaces between Cardiff and London. I had a reservation from Bristol Parkway, but the train manager wouldn't let me board - lack of space, he says
@cyclinguk.bsky.social
@cyclinguk.bsky.social
August 18, 2025 at 11:47 AM
What utter contempt @gwr.com has for cyclists. Two reservable cycle spaces between Cardiff and London. I had a reservation from Bristol Parkway, but the train manager wouldn't let me board - lack of space, he says
@cyclinguk.bsky.social
@cyclinguk.bsky.social
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
How train companies ensure cycling in the UK is impossible for commuters: @crosscountryuk.bsky.social refused a small crowd of cyclists from boarding my train today and unnecessarily removed the bike of a man travelling to work, delaying the service, and wasting the time of police. 1/3
August 12, 2025 at 8:26 AM
How train companies ensure cycling in the UK is impossible for commuters: @crosscountryuk.bsky.social refused a small crowd of cyclists from boarding my train today and unnecessarily removed the bike of a man travelling to work, delaying the service, and wasting the time of police. 1/3
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
I just got an email informing me that my Annual Review on structural racism with @tyson-brown.bsky.social and @pahoman.bsky.social is open access. So, download away.
Advancing the Scientific Study of Structural Racism: Concepts, Measures, and Methods | Annual Reviews
This review provides 10 actionable recommendations for advancing the scientific study of structural racism through theoretically grounded and empirically robust measures and methods. By offering conce...
www.annualreviews.org
July 31, 2025 at 1:44 AM
I just got an email informing me that my Annual Review on structural racism with @tyson-brown.bsky.social and @pahoman.bsky.social is open access. So, download away.
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
David Lammy is betting that those complicit in Israel’s genocide will never go to prison.
He bets that Western and Israeli impunity will protect him and the other Guilty Men and Women forever.
It is a bet he may find he’ll lose.
New column 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
He bets that Western and Israeli impunity will protect him and the other Guilty Men and Women forever.
It is a bet he may find he’ll lose.
New column 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
British ministers are betting they won’t face justice for complicity over Gaza. It’s a big risk to take | Owen Jones
David Lammy seemingly believes Israel and its supporters will always be able to act with impunity – but the status quo surely cannot hold, says Guardian columnist Owen Jones
www.theguardian.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
David Lammy is betting that those complicit in Israel’s genocide will never go to prison.
He bets that Western and Israeli impunity will protect him and the other Guilty Men and Women forever.
It is a bet he may find he’ll lose.
New column 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
He bets that Western and Israeli impunity will protect him and the other Guilty Men and Women forever.
It is a bet he may find he’ll lose.
New column 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
Harvard Educational Review spent a year preparing a special issue on education in and about Palestine. In June, contributors were notified that the Harvard Education Publishing Group had abruptly canceled the issue's release.
This is censorship and cowardice.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is censorship and cowardice.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Revealed: Harvard publisher cancels entire journal issue on Palestine shortly before publication
As Harvard’s feud with Trump escalated, so did tensions over an ‘education and Palestine’ issue of a prestigious journal. Scholars blame the ‘Palestine exception’ to academic freedom
www.theguardian.com
July 22, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Harvard Educational Review spent a year preparing a special issue on education in and about Palestine. In June, contributors were notified that the Harvard Education Publishing Group had abruptly canceled the issue's release.
This is censorship and cowardice.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is censorship and cowardice.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
I feel like there's not enough people talking about how EThOS is still offline following the British Library cyber attack in October 2023. This is a hugely valuable resource to British PGRs and ECRs!
January 16, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I feel like there's not enough people talking about how EThOS is still offline following the British Library cyber attack in October 2023. This is a hugely valuable resource to British PGRs and ECRs!
Hi @britishlibrary.bsky.social, please can we have an update on EThOS? The doctoral thesis archive has been down for almost 2 years, and there's no date for restoring this service, as far as I can see? EThOS isn't a nice-to-have luxury, it's an essential service for research
July 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Hi @britishlibrary.bsky.social, please can we have an update on EThOS? The doctoral thesis archive has been down for almost 2 years, and there's no date for restoring this service, as far as I can see? EThOS isn't a nice-to-have luxury, it's an essential service for research
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
At least this is now getting some coverage, but concerning that the police (government) have not issued a clear statement that this was a mistake by the officers concerned. What kind of directions are they getting?
Armed police threatened to arrest Kent protester for holding Palestinian flag
Officers accused Laura Murton who also had a sign saying ‘Free Gaza’ of supporting a proscribed organisation
www.theguardian.com
July 17, 2025 at 6:42 AM
At least this is now getting some coverage, but concerning that the police (government) have not issued a clear statement that this was a mistake by the officers concerned. What kind of directions are they getting?
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
“I approach this as a lawyer and historian. But I wonder what Israel’s defenders would regard as unacceptable, if this level of violence is not enough. This is not self-defence. It is collective punishment, or revenge, not just on Hamas but on entire population. It is a war crime": Jonathan Sumption
July 16, 2025 at 7:14 AM
“I approach this as a lawyer and historian. But I wonder what Israel’s defenders would regard as unacceptable, if this level of violence is not enough. This is not self-defence. It is collective punishment, or revenge, not just on Hamas but on entire population. It is a war crime": Jonathan Sumption
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
Hello, this is one is close to home; House Teenagers old school.
Sounds like an awful experience for the kids, please consider signing the petition (link next post).
For the teachers to cut the trip short, it must have been shockingly bad.
Sounds like an awful experience for the kids, please consider signing the petition (link next post).
For the teachers to cut the trip short, it must have been shockingly bad.
Petition calls for London museum to apologise to City Academy students
The petition alleges that GCSE students were racially profiled at the museum
www.bristol247.com
July 13, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Hello, this is one is close to home; House Teenagers old school.
Sounds like an awful experience for the kids, please consider signing the petition (link next post).
For the teachers to cut the trip short, it must have been shockingly bad.
Sounds like an awful experience for the kids, please consider signing the petition (link next post).
For the teachers to cut the trip short, it must have been shockingly bad.
NEW open access study on the leadership of equitable and inclusive education provision in LMICs during crises
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Endogenous systems leadership of education provision during crises in low- and middle-income countries: A conceptual framework - PROSPECTS
This article advances the case for an ‘endogenous systems leadership’ approach to the provision of inclusive and equitable quality education for all in times of crisis. It draws on theoretical work wh...
link.springer.com
July 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
NEW open access study on the leadership of equitable and inclusive education provision in LMICs during crises
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
BLOG POST: “At The Swan With Two Necks last night we found all the Moor beers on the chalkboard marked with Palestinian flags... £2 from each Moor beer will go to Palestinian Aid...”
boakandbailey.com/2025/07/moor...
boakandbailey.com/2025/07/moor...
Moor Beer in trouble on the ground in Bristol
When Moor Beer owner Justin Hawke posted in support of the Israeli military, and criticised music festival attendees for pro-Palestinian chants, he pulled the rug out from under his own business. In B...
boakandbailey.com
July 3, 2025 at 4:50 PM
BLOG POST: “At The Swan With Two Necks last night we found all the Moor beers on the chalkboard marked with Palestinian flags... £2 from each Moor beer will go to Palestinian Aid...”
boakandbailey.com/2025/07/moor...
boakandbailey.com/2025/07/moor...
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
An object lesson in how not to engage whilst displaying company branding.
Bravo @drinkmoorbeer.bsky.social
Bravo @drinkmoorbeer.bsky.social
June 29, 2025 at 2:16 PM
An object lesson in how not to engage whilst displaying company branding.
Bravo @drinkmoorbeer.bsky.social
Bravo @drinkmoorbeer.bsky.social
This article is extremely graphic and upsetting, almost impossible to read. Kudos @theguardian.com
Devastating atrocities committed against women & girls during Tigray genocide
According to the UN, there is “no likely prospect that the domestic judicial system will hold perpetrators accountable"
Devastating atrocities committed against women & girls during Tigray genocide
According to the UN, there is “no likely prospect that the domestic judicial system will hold perpetrators accountable"
Horrific Sexual Violence Used Against #Tigray’s Women
For two years, Tseneat carried her rape inside her — not as a memory or metaphor, but a set of physical objects: eight rusted screws, a pair of nail clippers, a handwritten note wrapped in plastic. 1/
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
For two years, Tseneat carried her rape inside her — not as a memory or metaphor, but a set of physical objects: eight rusted screws, a pair of nail clippers, a handwritten note wrapped in plastic. 1/
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Rusted screws, metal spikes and plastic rubbish: the horrific sexual violence used against Tigray’s women
Tens of thousands of Tigrayan women report brutal wartime abuse by Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers, such as gang-rape and the insertion of objects into their uteruses. But justice seems a distant pros...
www.theguardian.com
June 30, 2025 at 3:48 PM
This article is extremely graphic and upsetting, almost impossible to read. Kudos @theguardian.com
Devastating atrocities committed against women & girls during Tigray genocide
According to the UN, there is “no likely prospect that the domestic judicial system will hold perpetrators accountable"
Devastating atrocities committed against women & girls during Tigray genocide
According to the UN, there is “no likely prospect that the domestic judicial system will hold perpetrators accountable"
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
Such an interesting thread.
Emphasising recall (with quizzes) over thinking is a big problem,
bsky.app/profile/apf1...
Emphasising recall (with quizzes) over thinking is a big problem,
bsky.app/profile/apf1...
So Oak's new AI lesson planner has really got me thinking. Who exactly is it aimed at? My guess is that the most likely people to use it are new teachers and those with limited subject knowledge on a topic. So how well does it do the job if that's you? I thought I'd try it out...
June 25, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Such an interesting thread.
Emphasising recall (with quizzes) over thinking is a big problem,
bsky.app/profile/apf1...
Emphasising recall (with quizzes) over thinking is a big problem,
bsky.app/profile/apf1...
Reposted by Rafael Mitchell
While the eyes of the world are on Iran, the Israeli military is still slaughtering civilians in Gaza as they try to access food after months of starvation. We can't let the Israeli govt's unprovoked attack on Iran distract us from the unfolding genocide www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Gaza: Eleven killed by Israeli fire while seeking aid, rescuers say
Israel's military says troops in central Gaza fired warning shots at a group posing a potential threat, but that it was unaware of injuries.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 19, 2025 at 9:29 AM
While the eyes of the world are on Iran, the Israeli military is still slaughtering civilians in Gaza as they try to access food after months of starvation. We can't let the Israeli govt's unprovoked attack on Iran distract us from the unfolding genocide www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...