Dr Dave Hitchcock
@davehitchcock.bsky.social
Historian at CCCU: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8378-4968
Recovering Course Director (22-25). Research unit lead. RHS council; SHS; EHS.
Currently: "Dying Homeless, 1600-2013",
Soon: 'The Ends of Poverty in the British Atlantic'. He/him.
Recovering Course Director (22-25). Research unit lead. RHS council; SHS; EHS.
Currently: "Dying Homeless, 1600-2013",
Soon: 'The Ends of Poverty in the British Atlantic'. He/him.
I want David Lammy to read this particular case. I want him to understand what it means.
November 25, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I want David Lammy to read this particular case. I want him to understand what it means.
It's a guess and it's based on hearsay but I think I know which place this is.
'The committee had heard about one institution that had been approached by another regarding a potential merger. The institution approached had been “doing their due diligence” by gathering information, but after examining the financial situation concluded that the other provider “can’t go on”.' 2/3
November 25, 2025 at 8:33 PM
It's a guess and it's based on hearsay but I think I know which place this is.
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
The literal Habeas Corpus Act, the thing itself! was enacted to destroy Star Chamber and everything it represented about arbitrary tyranny masquerading as 'justice''.
That was 1640.
How we doin' there mister Lawyer Labour Prime Minister? How we doin'?
That was 1640.
How we doin' there mister Lawyer Labour Prime Minister? How we doin'?
Jury trials in England and Wales to be scrapped except for most serious cases on.ft.com/3LY1Ceq
Jury trials in England and Wales to be scrapped except for most serious cases
Proposed changes unlikely to apply for trials of serious offences such as rape and murder
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The literal Habeas Corpus Act, the thing itself! was enacted to destroy Star Chamber and everything it represented about arbitrary tyranny masquerading as 'justice''.
That was 1640.
How we doin' there mister Lawyer Labour Prime Minister? How we doin'?
That was 1640.
How we doin' there mister Lawyer Labour Prime Minister? How we doin'?
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
It bears constant repetition that expertise is nurtured slowly over a very long time. It doesn’t bounce back like a rubber band with every flex of a spreadsheet. Once it is gone, it can’t be rapidly rebuilt overnight or on demand.
P.S. a lot of Research and innovation happens at unis.
P.S. a lot of Research and innovation happens at unis.
"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 11:02 AM
It bears constant repetition that expertise is nurtured slowly over a very long time. It doesn’t bounce back like a rubber band with every flex of a spreadsheet. Once it is gone, it can’t be rapidly rebuilt overnight or on demand.
P.S. a lot of Research and innovation happens at unis.
P.S. a lot of Research and innovation happens at unis.
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
Excellent thread on Education Committee hearing on higher education. Thanks @davehitchcock.bsky.social
"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 11:44 AM
Excellent thread on Education Committee hearing on higher education. Thanks @davehitchcock.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
The Secretary of Defense, ladies and gentlemen
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
The Secretary of Defense, ladies and gentlemen
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
BBC censors a lecture removing author’s remarks on Trump that refer to him a the most openly corrupt American president.
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
BBC censors a lecture removing author’s remarks on Trump that refer to him a the most openly corrupt American president.
Reflecting on this bit, about tuition fees, over lunch. This comment shows me just how little Smith understands UK HE. In an uncapped system driven by reputation and student choice, raising the fee itself does not, in fact, represent any financial stability. It only intensifies the market pressure.
Smith mow spinning tuition fee increases with inflation as a "remarkable certainty about income" that private sector would envy. Reply is that national insurance rises completely wipe that out.
November 25, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reflecting on this bit, about tuition fees, over lunch. This comment shows me just how little Smith understands UK HE. In an uncapped system driven by reputation and student choice, raising the fee itself does not, in fact, represent any financial stability. It only intensifies the market pressure.
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
Obviously this government are wantonly reckless and idiotic and their treatment of universities, and see this as a disciplining of an out of touch elite.
But what all of this unwillingness to intervene means is that a critical industry will collapse and a lot of ordinary people will be unemployed.
But what all of this unwillingness to intervene means is that a critical industry will collapse and a lot of ordinary people will be unemployed.
"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 12:51 PM
Obviously this government are wantonly reckless and idiotic and their treatment of universities, and see this as a disciplining of an out of touch elite.
But what all of this unwillingness to intervene means is that a critical industry will collapse and a lot of ordinary people will be unemployed.
But what all of this unwillingness to intervene means is that a critical industry will collapse and a lot of ordinary people will be unemployed.
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
University in the UK is already astonishingly narrow. My husband & I both did five year undergrads (Canada) as did most people we know. We do the same level of specialisation (if not more) but also so much breadth. Our schooling is much mire broad as well. The UK gov wants us all to be technicians.
"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 12:55 PM
University in the UK is already astonishingly narrow. My husband & I both did five year undergrads (Canada) as did most people we know. We do the same level of specialisation (if not more) but also so much breadth. Our schooling is much mire broad as well. The UK gov wants us all to be technicians.
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
Wait wait, student number controls question. Links it to cold spots. What is the government willing to do?
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Wait wait, student number controls question. Links it to cold spots. What is the government willing to do?
I stopped here, I can't face listening to much more of this, it's morally, strategically, and just politically appalling how little care, thought, and effort has gone into higher education. They thoroughly do not care.
Asked about funding balance, Smith demonstrates how irrevocably we all live in George Osborne's world.
She just says its not their problem. "We might take a view."
I'm stopping now, this is simply the British state shrugging its shoulders about a profound aspect of our society. That's all it is.
She just says its not their problem. "We might take a view."
I'm stopping now, this is simply the British state shrugging its shoulders about a profound aspect of our society. That's all it is.
November 25, 2025 at 11:32 AM
I stopped here, I can't face listening to much more of this, it's morally, strategically, and just politically appalling how little care, thought, and effort has gone into higher education. They thoroughly do not care.
"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 Dr Dave Hitchcock
Founders on LinkedIn still seem to be struggling with the difference between telling people about their humble beginnings and admitting to straight up committing fraud.
November 24, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Founders on LinkedIn still seem to be struggling with the difference between telling people about their humble beginnings and admitting to straight up committing fraud.
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
Fellows of the Royal Historical Society are historians working in a wide range of sectors (in and beyond education) in the UK and worldwide.
We've a new guide about becoming a Fellow: bit.ly/48iH0oG If you'd like to join a 4000+ community of historians, please consider an application #Skystorians
We've a new guide about becoming a Fellow: bit.ly/48iH0oG If you'd like to join a 4000+ community of historians, please consider an application #Skystorians
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Fellows of the Royal Historical Society are historians working in a wide range of sectors (in and beyond education) in the UK and worldwide.
We've a new guide about becoming a Fellow: bit.ly/48iH0oG If you'd like to join a 4000+ community of historians, please consider an application #Skystorians
We've a new guide about becoming a Fellow: bit.ly/48iH0oG If you'd like to join a 4000+ community of historians, please consider an application #Skystorians
There is an upside of turning off all Gmail "AI" nonsense. People are rightly annoyed that it removes automatic category sorting, but guess what that is tied to?
Those incredibly annoying pushed ads that Gmail saturates the top of your inboxes with. Haven't seen a single one since I went luddite.
Those incredibly annoying pushed ads that Gmail saturates the top of your inboxes with. Haven't seen a single one since I went luddite.
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
There is an upside of turning off all Gmail "AI" nonsense. People are rightly annoyed that it removes automatic category sorting, but guess what that is tied to?
Those incredibly annoying pushed ads that Gmail saturates the top of your inboxes with. Haven't seen a single one since I went luddite.
Those incredibly annoying pushed ads that Gmail saturates the top of your inboxes with. Haven't seen a single one since I went luddite.
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
I spent hours yesterday at the tent encampment behind the Adelphi in London and as a result have sent this open letter with a plea for a meaningful intervention to
Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk
Adam Hug @adamhug.bsky.social
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social
@paulabarkermp.bsky.social and Bob Blackman
Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk
Adam Hug @adamhug.bsky.social
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social
@paulabarkermp.bsky.social and Bob Blackman
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I spent hours yesterday at the tent encampment behind the Adelphi in London and as a result have sent this open letter with a plea for a meaningful intervention to
Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk
Adam Hug @adamhug.bsky.social
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social
@paulabarkermp.bsky.social and Bob Blackman
Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk
Adam Hug @adamhug.bsky.social
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social
@paulabarkermp.bsky.social and Bob Blackman
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
Michael Prescott says "I never even Googled Historians Reclaimed" before putting them into the report. Which feels quite negligent for something you include in a memo sent to the entire BBC board?
November 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Michael Prescott says "I never even Googled Historians Reclaimed" before putting them into the report. Which feels quite negligent for something you include in a memo sent to the entire BBC board?
Folks asking what the aim is for this, and what the results will be, here's my take.
aim: Gov thinks intl students can be soaked, and unis will pass 100% of the cost. They know # will dip but not by how much.
result: Rich unis will go harder into clearing, pack even more domestic students in.
aim: Gov thinks intl students can be soaked, and unis will pass 100% of the cost. They know # will dip but not by how much.
result: Rich unis will go harder into clearing, pack even more domestic students in.
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 24, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Folks asking what the aim is for this, and what the results will be, here's my take.
aim: Gov thinks intl students can be soaked, and unis will pass 100% of the cost. They know # will dip but not by how much.
result: Rich unis will go harder into clearing, pack even more domestic students in.
aim: Gov thinks intl students can be soaked, and unis will pass 100% of the cost. They know # will dip but not by how much.
result: Rich unis will go harder into clearing, pack even more domestic students in.
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
While levy on int fees will be a high profile contested policy issue, the core issue here is absence of a sustainable funding model for HE. Govt thinks some over-reliance on international fees (esp in lower tariff unis), partly motivated by access to work rights. But lacks an overall strategy on £
November 23, 2025 at 11:43 PM
While levy on int fees will be a high profile contested policy issue, the core issue here is absence of a sustainable funding model for HE. Govt thinks some over-reliance on international fees (esp in lower tariff unis), partly motivated by access to work rights. But lacks an overall strategy on £
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
Reposted by Dr Dave Hitchcock
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 9:57 PM
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday