David Roberts
@davidrobertsarch.bsky.social
Archaeologist at Cardiff University, directs Teffont Archaeology. Views my own not my institution's.
Reposted by David Roberts
This Roman kiln is one of many incredible finds the #OCAArchTeam are discovering on site @sizewellc.bsky.social that build up the story of Suffolk's past - want to learn more? Dig in here: oxfordcotswoldarchaeology.org.uk/project/sizewell/
@cotswoldarch.bsky.social #suffolk #heritage #archaeology
@cotswoldarch.bsky.social #suffolk #heritage #archaeology
November 27, 2025 at 12:47 PM
This Roman kiln is one of many incredible finds the #OCAArchTeam are discovering on site @sizewellc.bsky.social that build up the story of Suffolk's past - want to learn more? Dig in here: oxfordcotswoldarchaeology.org.uk/project/sizewell/
@cotswoldarch.bsky.social #suffolk #heritage #archaeology
@cotswoldarch.bsky.social #suffolk #heritage #archaeology
Reposted by David Roberts
Are you interested in doing a PhD about what humans infer about animal minds?
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Bridging the Species Divide: Animal minds and the human-animal relationship (Ref: RDF26/HW/PSY/RENNER) at Northumbria University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Bridging the Species Divide: Animal minds and the human-animal relationship (Ref: RDF26/HW/PSY/RENNER) at Northumbria University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Are you interested in doing a PhD about what humans infer about animal minds?
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Just reposting this, as I've got the CIfA bulletin and seen a Community Collections officer at £24462, and an EH assistant interpretation curator at £25906. Both fractionally fewer hours than the 40 used to calculate MW rate below, but still. Dire pay for roles requiring complex specialist work.
Just a reminder to the museums sector, UK national minimum wage for over 21 years old is £12.21 per hour, or at 40hrs per week, £25396...
December 1, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Just reposting this, as I've got the CIfA bulletin and seen a Community Collections officer at £24462, and an EH assistant interpretation curator at £25906. Both fractionally fewer hours than the 40 used to calculate MW rate below, but still. Dire pay for roles requiring complex specialist work.
Reposted by David Roberts
'In a survey of almost 400 academics and professional services staff conducted as part of the study, the majority of respondents strongly disagreed with all aspects of using AI in the REF.'
Access report here, 2/3
Access report here, 2/3
Research: REF-AI project | Centre for Higher Education Transformations
chet.bristol.ac.uk
December 1, 2025 at 8:47 AM
'In a survey of almost 400 academics and professional services staff conducted as part of the study, the majority of respondents strongly disagreed with all aspects of using AI in the REF.'
Access report here, 2/3
Access report here, 2/3
Reposted by David Roberts
🎉 EXCELLENT NEWS!
The University of Ottawa has lifted the suspension of admissions to Greek & Roman Studies.
Thank you to everyone who signed, shared, wrote letters, and raised their voice. Apply now for next year's cohort: buff.ly/1i2Iw0B #SaveTheHumanities #SOSClassicsUO #AncientHistory
The University of Ottawa has lifted the suspension of admissions to Greek & Roman Studies.
Thank you to everyone who signed, shared, wrote letters, and raised their voice. Apply now for next year's cohort: buff.ly/1i2Iw0B #SaveTheHumanities #SOSClassicsUO #AncientHistory
Greek and Roman Studies | Faculty of Arts
Discover all the good reasons to choose uOttawa. From programs made for you, co-op opportunities and more.
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
🎉 EXCELLENT NEWS!
The University of Ottawa has lifted the suspension of admissions to Greek & Roman Studies.
Thank you to everyone who signed, shared, wrote letters, and raised their voice. Apply now for next year's cohort: buff.ly/1i2Iw0B #SaveTheHumanities #SOSClassicsUO #AncientHistory
The University of Ottawa has lifted the suspension of admissions to Greek & Roman Studies.
Thank you to everyone who signed, shared, wrote letters, and raised their voice. Apply now for next year's cohort: buff.ly/1i2Iw0B #SaveTheHumanities #SOSClassicsUO #AncientHistory
Reposted by David Roberts
If you have the means I highly recommend the cause of supporting a fellow scholar
The @royalhistsoc.org is running a charitable donation campaign to fund the research of historians who lack support. The number of applications we're seeing is way up. I've been very lucky to have a career as a historian, I've donated, and I think this Christmas you should too. Pay it forward.
royalhistoricalsociety2.beaconforms.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:01 AM
If you have the means I highly recommend the cause of supporting a fellow scholar
Reposted by David Roberts
Holy fuck, holy fuck, holy fuck. How on earth did that AI slob actually got published by @nature.com?
Please have a look, @retractionwatch.com @elisabethbik.bsky.social
Please have a look, @retractionwatch.com @elisabethbik.bsky.social
Hey @nature.com, have you got an explanation for how the hell THIS happened? & especially why you accepted a paper with such a bizarre piece of genAI slop in it?!
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 28, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Holy fuck, holy fuck, holy fuck. How on earth did that AI slob actually got published by @nature.com?
Please have a look, @retractionwatch.com @elisabethbik.bsky.social
Please have a look, @retractionwatch.com @elisabethbik.bsky.social
Reposted by David Roberts
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 AM
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
Reposted by David Roberts
This is what happens when the Centre Left follow far right policies on immigration. Is Labour watching? Those Danish immigration policies still looking attractive?
Danish Social democrats suffered a massive defeat in Copenhagen last night. They incurred similar defeats across the country and there will be a general election in the next year. In Copenhagen the far-left Enhedslisten (the unity list) won the most mandates followed by the socialist people's party.
November 19, 2025 at 7:57 AM
This is what happens when the Centre Left follow far right policies on immigration. Is Labour watching? Those Danish immigration policies still looking attractive?
Reposted by David Roberts
We’re delighted to announce that our Honorary Fellows elected by the Fellowship for 2025 are Dr Ross Austin Burns and Professor David Olusoga OBE!
www.sal.org.uk/2025/11/hon-...
www.sal.org.uk/2025/11/hon-...
November 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
We’re delighted to announce that our Honorary Fellows elected by the Fellowship for 2025 are Dr Ross Austin Burns and Professor David Olusoga OBE!
www.sal.org.uk/2025/11/hon-...
www.sal.org.uk/2025/11/hon-...
Why Ashes series are every bit as epic as The Odyssey and The Iliad www.theguardian.com/sport/the-ni...
Why Ashes series are every bit as epic as The Odyssey and The Iliad
Why wait for Christopher Nolan’s film of The Odyssey? England and Australia are about to create their own version
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Why Ashes series are every bit as epic as The Odyssey and The Iliad www.theguardian.com/sport/the-ni...
Reposted by David Roberts
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
Reposted by David Roberts
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
AI Is Hollowing Out Higher Education
Olivia Guest & Iris van Rooij urge teachers and scholars to reject tools that commodify learning, deskill students, and promote illiteracy.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library | Zadie Smith www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library | Zadie Smith
The dispute over pay at this great national institution gets to the heart of our misplaced priorities, says novelist Zadie Smith
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library | Zadie Smith www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by David Roberts
What’s the difference between the period before Alexander the Great died and the period after he died?
One is kinda nistic, the other is hella nistic
One is kinda nistic, the other is hella nistic
November 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
What’s the difference between the period before Alexander the Great died and the period after he died?
One is kinda nistic, the other is hella nistic
One is kinda nistic, the other is hella nistic
Reposted by David Roberts
A view from Norwich Castle of the wonderful Church of St. Peter Mancroft. The Church was built in one phase between 1430 and 1455. 📸 My own. #SteepleSaturday #StPeterMancroft #Norwich
November 8, 2025 at 7:41 AM
A view from Norwich Castle of the wonderful Church of St. Peter Mancroft. The Church was built in one phase between 1430 and 1455. 📸 My own. #SteepleSaturday #StPeterMancroft #Norwich
Reposted by David Roberts
It is that time again. And that time where its up to you, to help make our collective lives better. Poverty Impact Report 2025 is anonymous and we so need this information to help.
Please answer if you are employed in - or have been employed in UK Archaeology
survey.app.do/archaeologis...
Please answer if you are employed in - or have been employed in UK Archaeology
survey.app.do/archaeologis...
BAJR SURVEY PIR III: ARCHAEOLOGISTS IN FINANCIAL CRISIS
Inflation, energy costs, fuel costs and food are becoming increasingly expensive - this anonymous survey will help to understand the level of Financial Crisis we are in as archaeologists - as individu...
survey.app.do
November 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
It is that time again. And that time where its up to you, to help make our collective lives better. Poverty Impact Report 2025 is anonymous and we so need this information to help.
Please answer if you are employed in - or have been employed in UK Archaeology
survey.app.do/archaeologis...
Please answer if you are employed in - or have been employed in UK Archaeology
survey.app.do/archaeologis...
Reposted by David Roberts
Time to lie face down on the floor
I wrote about the stupid white paper.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
Somewhere in the Department for Education, a phone is ringing
On October 20th at a bit after 5pm, the UK government introduced its Education and Skills white paper to Parliament, to absolutely no…
hitchcockian.medium.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Time to lie face down on the floor
Reposted by David Roberts
I am once again telling you that taking money from Musk makes you complicit in his instrumentalization of cultural heritage to support his beliefs. Taking funding from amoral entities is, in my opinion, not ethical and it is in fact harmful. www.finestresullarte.info/en/news/elon...
Elon Musk donates $1 million for archaeological sites in Rome
Through the Musk Foundation, the foundation established in 2021 to support international humanitarian and scientific projects, Elon Musk, has chosen to fund a program dedicated to Rome's archaeologica...
www.finestresullarte.info
October 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I am once again telling you that taking money from Musk makes you complicit in his instrumentalization of cultural heritage to support his beliefs. Taking funding from amoral entities is, in my opinion, not ethical and it is in fact harmful. www.finestresullarte.info/en/news/elon...
Reposted by David Roberts
REMINDER. Calling all hillfort folk and ex diggers from Maiden Castle excavation 1985 and 1986. There will be a small display and film from the excavations. Bring any stories, photos etc for archive gathering.
October 21, 2025 at 7:31 PM
REMINDER. Calling all hillfort folk and ex diggers from Maiden Castle excavation 1985 and 1986. There will be a small display and film from the excavations. Bring any stories, photos etc for archive gathering.
Reposted by David Roberts
Our fifth session at TRAC-TiDA 2025 looks at integrating the study of ancient DNA with archaeological theory and practice, in an interdisciplinary dive into one of the most fascinating and challenging topics facing our discipline today.
www.trac.org.uk/trac-tida-20...
www.trac.org.uk/trac-tida-20...
TRAC-TiDA 2025
Registration now open! We are pleased to announce that the The 33rd Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference, TRAC-TiDA 2025 will be held between 22nd and 24th October 2025 in an online format thro…
www.trac.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Our fifth session at TRAC-TiDA 2025 looks at integrating the study of ancient DNA with archaeological theory and practice, in an interdisciplinary dive into one of the most fascinating and challenging topics facing our discipline today.
www.trac.org.uk/trac-tida-20...
www.trac.org.uk/trac-tida-20...
Reposted by David Roberts
Hey, grad students—this is for you! Getty’s graduate internship program hosts full-time paid 12-month positions at the Getty Center and Getty Villa in Los Angeles.
Apply before November 4 for the 2026–27 program: gty.art/gradinterns
Apply before November 4 for the 2026–27 program: gty.art/gradinterns
October 18, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Hey, grad students—this is for you! Getty’s graduate internship program hosts full-time paid 12-month positions at the Getty Center and Getty Villa in Los Angeles.
Apply before November 4 for the 2026–27 program: gty.art/gradinterns
Apply before November 4 for the 2026–27 program: gty.art/gradinterns
Reposted by David Roberts
This can't be real can it? An AGI paper from many big names in the field that invents a metric of AGI and claims we're 58% of the way there, and then the references are fake, generated by an LLM? That's got to be an elaborate hoax doesn't it? It's too perfect.
The viral "Definition of AGI" paper tells you to read fake references which do not exist!
Proof: different articles present at the specified journal/volume/page number, and their titles exist nowhere on any searchable repository.
Take this as a warning to not use LMs to generate your references!
Proof: different articles present at the specified journal/volume/page number, and their titles exist nowhere on any searchable repository.
Take this as a warning to not use LMs to generate your references!
October 19, 2025 at 12:25 AM
This can't be real can it? An AGI paper from many big names in the field that invents a metric of AGI and claims we're 58% of the way there, and then the references are fake, generated by an LLM? That's got to be an elaborate hoax doesn't it? It's too perfect.
Reposted by David Roberts
Professors *never* supply information. Students aren’t paying premium prices for ‘information’ at all. How can people who presumably have attended universities misunderstand their role so badly?
Wow. Just wow.
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
When Knowledge is Free, What are Professors For?
Higher Education Must Stop Competing with AI on Information and Start Teaching What Machines Can’t Do
www.forbes.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Professors *never* supply information. Students aren’t paying premium prices for ‘information’ at all. How can people who presumably have attended universities misunderstand their role so badly?