Prof Rob Dover
robdover.bsky.social
Prof Rob Dover
@robdover.bsky.social
Academic researcher in intelligence and security, currently Dean of Faculty, but posting in a personal capacity. Poor standard runner. Excitable cricketer. Prone to crunchy deductions....
The Judge is gone. And with it a nice man and bravest batter to have ever set foot on a field for England. He provided a lot of spectator joy to this teenager that was: www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
Robin Smith, former England cricketer, dies aged 62
Robin Smith, the former England and Hampshire batter who made more than 4,000 Test runs between 1988 and 1996, has died at the age of 62
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Scandinavian tax, but without Scandi services or life balance: www.ft.com/content/75ce...
Britain’s tax system combines the worst of the US and Scandinavia
The UK’s experiment in eating the rich while shrinking the state has left everyone worse off
www.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
that would be 'curious'.
November 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Interesting. Another way to reduce numbers is through strict or overly strict compliance enforcement (albeit, no idea about this case study).
November 24, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Great article, and I'd add the need to provide as much transparency as is wise and allowed via regular all staff updates (either by email or 'town hall'): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Advice | How to Chair a Large Department
It’s crucial for heads of big departments to learn how to manage a meeting-heavy schedule.
www.chronicle.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:07 AM
It was an interesting interview. And reaffirms my decision to stop my children playing on Roblox.
The gaming platform Roblox is very popular with children. But it has also attracted adult predators and is facing more than 20 lawsuits over child safety. The hosts of "Hard Fork" asked the company's CEO about what they are doing to protect young users. nyti.ms/4oN4Gse
November 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
The gaming platform Roblox is very popular with children. But it has also attracted adult predators and is facing more than 20 lawsuits over child safety. The hosts of "Hard Fork" asked the company's CEO about what they are doing to protect young users. nyti.ms/4oN4Gse
November 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Do I understand correctly that there is now a dispute within the administration about whether this "peace plan" was written by Russians or Americans?
November 23, 2025 at 2:42 AM
I like this a lot. I also like the audio version which gives a good insight into @iandunt.bsky.social (bit presumptuous of me to use first name only)'s writing process. For reasons that may or may not be apparent, I'm always interested in that.
This is a clown-car government elected on a seriousness ticket iandunt.substack.com/p/a-clown-go...
November 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
This is a clown-car government elected on a seriousness ticket iandunt.substack.com/p/a-clown-go...
November 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
"I'm trying to damage a flourishing export market.. what don't you like.." is how I read this article... www.timeshighereducation.com/news/levy-cr...
Levy criticism ‘makes me want to run screaming’, says Smith
No one has come up with a better way of convincing the Treasury to bring back maintenance grants, skills minister tells social mobility event
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Russell Group would save £100m if govt opted to charge universities a flat fee under proposed int'l student levy, but switch from % tax would mean other institutions would fare considerably worse www.timeshighereducation.com/news/flat-fe... via @patrickjack.bsky.social @helenpacker.bsky.social
Flat fee or percentage levy divides universities ahead of budget
Last-ditch attempts to minimise harm of incoming tax on international student fees splits sector, as research intensive universities set to save millions but post-92s would pay more
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:27 AM
An eloquent exposition in how Labour might be following a sub-optimal path (or shooting themselves in their own feet)...
November 21, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
Latest piece for the @thehousemag.bsky.social, on the island of strangers speech and similar. Also ft Bob Hawke.

www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The Professor Will See You Now: Island of strangers
Lessons in political science. This week: island of strangers
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:11 PM
The Economist asks which self-respecting Dean could accept this. That is a very good question: www.economist.com/united-state...
Donald Trump is attacking what made American universities great
More than Middle East Studies is in trouble
www.economist.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Quite a headwind in the context of a market where UGh fees are pre-determined: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/insig...
The financial impact of government policy decisions on universities
We estimate the net impact of government policy decisions taking effect in 2025–26 will be a £2.2 billion reduction in funding.
www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Prof Rob Dover
the actual suicide of the West will be combining a rapidly aging population with hostility to migrants. however we must give credit to East Asia, especially Japan, for pioneering this model.
November 18, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Tolerate is doing a lot of lifting here: www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK will not tolerate Chinese spying, minister says after MI5 alert
Politicians have been warned they are being targeted by suspected Chinese spies posing as "headhunters".
www.bbc.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
They've had 14years to think about these things. And it's like (and I'd be amazed if it wasn't the reality) they're bouncing around like 'the shopping trolley' from headline to headline. Not a grown-up in sight.
Somebody is briefing the Times that the Home Secretary finds inspiration in Kristi Noem's leading the Trump mass deportation effort - which has gone much too far for Americans

What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Shabana Mahmood threatens Trump-style visa ban on three countries
Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will face Trump-style sanctions if they do not start taking back more illegal migrants and criminals
www.thetimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:47 AM
100%. It isn't but they are. Sigh.
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM