Barbara Bombi
@bbombi.bsky.social
Medieval Historian, interested in diplomacy and the Medieval papacy. Loves dogs and baking. Opinions are my own
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
Dictating what people can study based on their postcode is bad, actually.
'There in the shadows [of the White Paper] lies the call for HE institutions to specialise, with the lurking threat that many will lose their research funding in some, but perhaps many, areas, in order to better fund those with more intensive research.'
Labour must not repeat history by sidelining research in post-92 universities
The abolition of the binary divide in HE made visible the wealth of research excellence in what became known as the post-92 part of the sector. Katie Normington worries that forcing specialisation ris...
wonkhe.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Dictating what people can study based on their postcode is bad, actually.
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
'Four university-led efficiency projects have been backed by the Scottish Funding Council under a new funding stream designed to address the sector’s financial sustainability.
The news comes a week after Jacqui Smith...ruled out a similar national fund' for England.
The news comes a week after Jacqui Smith...ruled out a similar national fund' for England.
Four university efficiency projects backed by new Scottish fund.
Scottish Funding Council’s announcement follows Westminster government’s rejection of similar national fund.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Scottish Funding Council’s announcement follows Westminster government’s rejection of similar national fund.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Four university efficiency projects backed by new Scottish fund - Research Professional News
Scottish Funding Council’s announcement follows Westminster government’s rejection of similar national fund
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:48 AM
'Four university-led efficiency projects have been backed by the Scottish Funding Council under a new funding stream designed to address the sector’s financial sustainability.
The news comes a week after Jacqui Smith...ruled out a similar national fund' for England.
The news comes a week after Jacqui Smith...ruled out a similar national fund' for England.
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
'For instance, as the British Library is investing £1.1 billion in a new building while its staff strike for fair pay, universities are investing in new overseas campuses or multi-million pound hotel developments while making academic researchers and professional services staff redundant.' 2/3
December 3, 2025 at 9:34 AM
'For instance, as the British Library is investing £1.1 billion in a new building while its staff strike for fair pay, universities are investing in new overseas campuses or multi-million pound hotel developments while making academic researchers and professional services staff redundant.' 2/3
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
A blast from my past - the Medieval Soldier database takes nearly 300,000 military service records from 1369-1453 and makes them available as a searchable database.
An invaluable resource for understanding medieval warfare, society and the English medieval state. Learn more in the link. 🗃️
An invaluable resource for understanding medieval warfare, society and the English medieval state. Learn more in the link. 🗃️
We built a database of 290,000 English medieval soldiers – here’s what it reveals
We created the database in order to challenge assumptions about the lack of professionalism of everyday soldiers.
theconversation.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:17 AM
A blast from my past - the Medieval Soldier database takes nearly 300,000 military service records from 1369-1453 and makes them available as a searchable database.
An invaluable resource for understanding medieval warfare, society and the English medieval state. Learn more in the link. 🗃️
An invaluable resource for understanding medieval warfare, society and the English medieval state. Learn more in the link. 🗃️
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
Important to distinguish between 4 types of usage here: 1) by HEIs for REF2029 submissions; 2) by researchers in producing outputs; and 3) by REF2029 Sub- and Main panels in assessments; 4) by Research England, UKRI & DSIT in devising assessments and rewarding (or not) performance in them. 2/2
December 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Important to distinguish between 4 types of usage here: 1) by HEIs for REF2029 submissions; 2) by researchers in producing outputs; and 3) by REF2029 Sub- and Main panels in assessments; 4) by Research England, UKRI & DSIT in devising assessments and rewarding (or not) performance in them. 2/2
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
The next closing dates for application for the RHS Fellowship are 15 December & 9 March 2026: bit.ly/4426Z2p
Our Fellows work across universities, and not just in History departments, as well as in many professions beyond academia. Fellows practice history in the UK and 71 countries worldwide 2/2
Our Fellows work across universities, and not just in History departments, as well as in many professions beyond academia. Fellows practice history in the UK and 71 countries worldwide 2/2
Apply for Fellowship - RHS
Closing dates for next applications: Mondays 15 December 2025 and 9 March 2026 Fellowships are awarded to those who have made an original contribution to historical scholarship, typically through th...
bit.ly
December 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
The next closing dates for application for the RHS Fellowship are 15 December & 9 March 2026: bit.ly/4426Z2p
Our Fellows work across universities, and not just in History departments, as well as in many professions beyond academia. Fellows practice history in the UK and 71 countries worldwide 2/2
Our Fellows work across universities, and not just in History departments, as well as in many professions beyond academia. Fellows practice history in the UK and 71 countries worldwide 2/2
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
The Royal Historical Society is a membership organisation of 7000+ historians, UK and RoW. We welcome historians to join us at any time: our next closing date is 15 December.
We offer membership categories for all kinds of historians and at all stages of research: bit.ly/46V8WOQ #Skystorians 1/2
We offer membership categories for all kinds of historians and at all stages of research: bit.ly/46V8WOQ #Skystorians 1/2
November 29, 2025 at 9:26 AM
The Royal Historical Society is a membership organisation of 7000+ historians, UK and RoW. We welcome historians to join us at any time: our next closing date is 15 December.
We offer membership categories for all kinds of historians and at all stages of research: bit.ly/46V8WOQ #Skystorians 1/2
We offer membership categories for all kinds of historians and at all stages of research: bit.ly/46V8WOQ #Skystorians 1/2
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
The Society's 'Annual Newsletter' is now available bit.ly/4pzfom7
With news and reflections on 2025 and a look ahead to activities, events and initiatives for the coming year as we begin work on our new Strategy for 2026-2028 bit.ly/3KpX0x8.
#Skystorians
With news and reflections on 2025 and a look ahead to activities, events and initiatives for the coming year as we begin work on our new Strategy for 2026-2028 bit.ly/3KpX0x8.
#Skystorians
November 28, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The Society's 'Annual Newsletter' is now available bit.ly/4pzfom7
With news and reflections on 2025 and a look ahead to activities, events and initiatives for the coming year as we begin work on our new Strategy for 2026-2028 bit.ly/3KpX0x8.
#Skystorians
With news and reflections on 2025 and a look ahead to activities, events and initiatives for the coming year as we begin work on our new Strategy for 2026-2028 bit.ly/3KpX0x8.
#Skystorians
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
Fab poster representing our #livedcitizenship strand of #LSBU Building Future Communities Research Centre & created by my strand co-lead Dr Martha Shaw. #womensgrassrootsactivism
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Fab poster representing our #livedcitizenship strand of #LSBU Building Future Communities Research Centre & created by my strand co-lead Dr Martha Shaw. #womensgrassrootsactivism
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
‘linking much-needed support for students to international recruitment – an unstable and overworked income stream - is risky and unsustainable. This measure could further weaken universities’
Read our Budget response here www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/british...
Read our Budget response here www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/british...
The British Academy's response to the Autumn Budget
The British Academy has responded to the Autumn Budget (26 November 2025)
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
‘linking much-needed support for students to international recruitment – an unstable and overworked income stream - is risky and unsustainable. This measure could further weaken universities’
Read our Budget response here www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/british...
Read our Budget response here www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/british...
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
We are calling on the UK Government to not introduce a levy on higher education provider income from international students, reduce visa costs to attract global talent, and to review higher education funding to create a sustainable model
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
July 10, 2025 at 8:54 AM
We are calling on the UK Government to not introduce a levy on higher education provider income from international students, reduce visa costs to attract global talent, and to review higher education funding to create a sustainable model
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
"Today’s Budget was an opportunity for the government to offer further detail and clarity on the state and finances of the higher education sector, building on the recent White Paper."
Read our response to the Autumn Budget in full: https://bit.ly/4rs7bCc
Read our response to the Autumn Budget in full: https://bit.ly/4rs7bCc
The British Academy's response to the Autumn Budget
The British Academy has responded to the Autumn Budget (26 November 2025)
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:35 PM
"Today’s Budget was an opportunity for the government to offer further detail and clarity on the state and finances of the higher education sector, building on the recent White Paper."
Read our response to the Autumn Budget in full: https://bit.ly/4rs7bCc
Read our response to the Autumn Budget in full: https://bit.ly/4rs7bCc
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
SUBMIT YOUR BALLOT BEFOER 5PM TODAY!
And if you need five good reasons why it's worth digging that pink envelop out of the pile of post and get it in a postbox:
qmucu.org/2025/11/21/v... -- with huge thanks to @ducu.bsky.social
And if you need five good reasons why it's worth digging that pink envelop out of the pile of post and get it in a postbox:
qmucu.org/2025/11/21/v... -- with huge thanks to @ducu.bsky.social
a man in a suit is sitting in the driver 's seat of a car and making a funny face .
ALT: a man in a suit is sitting in the driver 's seat of a car and making a funny face .
media.tenor.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
SUBMIT YOUR BALLOT BEFOER 5PM TODAY!
And if you need five good reasons why it's worth digging that pink envelop out of the pile of post and get it in a postbox:
qmucu.org/2025/11/21/v... -- with huge thanks to @ducu.bsky.social
And if you need five good reasons why it's worth digging that pink envelop out of the pile of post and get it in a postbox:
qmucu.org/2025/11/21/v... -- with huge thanks to @ducu.bsky.social
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
'“Some universities are being encouraged to go towards teaching only and select areas where they’re strong in research and…not be as research active in other areas,” he continued.' Apparently, all students should sometimes be taught by 'research-active' staff 'at the cutting edge'. 3/3
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
'“Some universities are being encouraged to go towards teaching only and select areas where they’re strong in research and…not be as research active in other areas,” he continued.' Apparently, all students should sometimes be taught by 'research-active' staff 'at the cutting edge'. 3/3
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
'Speaking to Times Higher Education shortly after Kendall’s speech at the Science Museum this week, Vallance said this interpretation [research concentrated in large universities; other HEIs focusing on teaching] was a “very bizarre reading of the White Paper”.' 2/3
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
'Speaking to Times Higher Education shortly after Kendall’s speech at the Science Museum this week, Vallance said this interpretation [research concentrated in large universities; other HEIs focusing on teaching] was a “very bizarre reading of the White Paper”.' 2/3
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
'Science minister Patrick Vallance has rejected concerns that focusing on “doing fewer things better” in research will lead to funding being concentrated in larger research-intensive universities from the Russell Group.' 1/3
Post-16 plan ‘not recipe for Russell Group domination’ – Vallance
Science minister dismisses as ‘bizarre’ fears that government push for ‘teaching-only’ specialists will further concentrate research activity in small number of institutions
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
'Science minister Patrick Vallance has rejected concerns that focusing on “doing fewer things better” in research will lead to funding being concentrated in larger research-intensive universities from the Russell Group.' 1/3
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
'Another challenge relates to the unintended consequences of growing competition between providers. The competition in student recruitment is fundamental to the financial challenges now facing our universities and it will only intensify from 2030.'
Five challenges faced by the Welsh tertiary sector
Ahead of an evidence paper and call for submissions, Minister for Further and Higher Education Vikki Howells sets out her understanding of the key challenges faced by higher education in Wales
wonkhe.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:42 AM
'Another challenge relates to the unintended consequences of growing competition between providers. The competition in student recruitment is fundamental to the financial challenges now facing our universities and it will only intensify from 2030.'
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
And still nobody cares
Chief exec of OfS 'said the OfS believes there are 24 institutions at risk of exiting the market in the next 12 months, seven of which are large providers with more than 3,000 students. There are another 25 or so institutions of various sizes at risk over a two- to three-year period, she added.'
Seven ‘large providers’ at risk of going under in the next year
Skills minister says no higher education institutions are at imminent risk of collapse this year but OfS confirms more than 20 providers are being closely monitored
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:58 AM
And still nobody cares
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
House of Commons Education Committee on Universities and the threat of insolvency starts its last session at 10:00.
BBC Parliament - Select Committees
Coverage of select committee proceedings at the Palace of Westminster.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
House of Commons Education Committee on Universities and the threat of insolvency starts its last session at 10:00.
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
There is still time to apply for the position of Fellow Librarian at All Souls College Oxford (deadline is 5 December).
Read more: www.asc.ox.ac.uk/fellow-libra...
Please spread the word--this is a special opportunity!
Read more: www.asc.ox.ac.uk/fellow-libra...
Please spread the word--this is a special opportunity!
Fellow Librarian | All Souls College
www.asc.ox.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
There is still time to apply for the position of Fellow Librarian at All Souls College Oxford (deadline is 5 December).
Read more: www.asc.ox.ac.uk/fellow-libra...
Please spread the word--this is a special opportunity!
Read more: www.asc.ox.ac.uk/fellow-libra...
Please spread the word--this is a special opportunity!
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
'It is notable that in the last Research Excellence Framework exercise the Department of American Studies at Nottingham was ranked third in the Area Studies unit of assessment and was one of the top-performing units across the whole of the University of Nottingham.' 1/2
RED ALERT: the University of Nottingham is threatening to close its Department of American Studies, putting all staff at risk of redundancy, and ending any American specialist knowledge in the Faculty of Arts.
Sign the petition here to save jobs:
www.change.org/p/save-ameri...
Sign the petition here to save jobs:
www.change.org/p/save-ameri...
Sign the Petition
SAVE AMERICAN STUDIES TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
www.change.org
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
'It is notable that in the last Research Excellence Framework exercise the Department of American Studies at Nottingham was ranked third in the Area Studies unit of assessment and was one of the top-performing units across the whole of the University of Nottingham.' 1/2
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
This is a pattern that pervades the post REF2021 era. See also for example Kent, or at UoA level History, where the top 4 performing UoAs have all faced significant redundancies after their high results.
What does the White Paper (and DSIT/UKRI) mean by advocating 'specialism' in this context? 2/2
What does the White Paper (and DSIT/UKRI) mean by advocating 'specialism' in this context? 2/2
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
This is a pattern that pervades the post REF2021 era. See also for example Kent, or at UoA level History, where the top 4 performing UoAs have all faced significant redundancies after their high results.
What does the White Paper (and DSIT/UKRI) mean by advocating 'specialism' in this context? 2/2
What does the White Paper (and DSIT/UKRI) mean by advocating 'specialism' in this context? 2/2
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
And the news is... We're recruiting! Applications are now open for our 2026 @leverhulme.ac.uk Doctoral Scholarships. So, if you want to study at PhD level pre-modern handwritten cultures and the organisation of knowledge and power within them, do investigate our refreshed website.
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
And the news is... We're recruiting! Applications are now open for our 2026 @leverhulme.ac.uk Doctoral Scholarships. So, if you want to study at PhD level pre-modern handwritten cultures and the organisation of knowledge and power within them, do investigate our refreshed website.
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
Do you have students working on medieval or renaissance books? We have online winter school courses that might help them. More information about the January 2026 courses here 👇
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
IES: LIPS & LRBS Winter School | 2026
ies.sas.ac.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Reposted by Barbara Bombi
The Royal Historical Society has published its strategy for the next few years today. Access it here. #Skystorians
Strategy 2026-2028 - RHS
On 18 November 2025, the Royal Historical Society launches its new Strategy 2026-2028. How the Society supports history and historians is closely shaped by the environment in which we work. Our new st...
royalhistsoc.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The Royal Historical Society has published its strategy for the next few years today. Access it here. #Skystorians