Dr Heidi Colthup
@heidi-colthup.bsky.social
When the revolution comes I'll be in bed reading or playing a video game. Lecturer in film & media, writer, editor, feminist (NOT a terf), UCU rep. She/her
#WIASN #WalkingSimulators
#WIASN #WalkingSimulators
Pinned
Apologies to all the academics following me who were expecting quality discourse on research.
It's all small scale moans, chocolate, cats, video games, and Top of the Pops.
Arguably the last two are Research. The first one is Admin, and the middle two are Teaching.
#Academia #AcademicSky
It's all small scale moans, chocolate, cats, video games, and Top of the Pops.
Arguably the last two are Research. The first one is Admin, and the middle two are Teaching.
#Academia #AcademicSky
Still in the office.
I'm not still working though.
I'm waiting for Himself to arrive because we're off to see @ledbydonkeys.org this evening!
thegulbenkian.co.uk/events/led-b...
I'm not still working though.
I'm waiting for Himself to arrive because we're off to see @ledbydonkeys.org this evening!
thegulbenkian.co.uk/events/led-b...
Led by Donkeys - Gulbenkian
Please email [email protected] if you would like to get on the waiting list for tickets to this event. From the Brexit chaos of 2019 to the machinations of Musk and Trump in 2025, Led By Donkeys ha...
thegulbenkian.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Still in the office.
I'm not still working though.
I'm waiting for Himself to arrive because we're off to see @ledbydonkeys.org this evening!
thegulbenkian.co.uk/events/led-b...
I'm not still working though.
I'm waiting for Himself to arrive because we're off to see @ledbydonkeys.org this evening!
thegulbenkian.co.uk/events/led-b...
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
“The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.”
Aldous Huxley.
Aldous Huxley.
November 27, 2025 at 12:56 PM
“The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.”
Aldous Huxley.
Aldous Huxley.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
Art history A-level is extinct in Scotland and Wales and nearly extinct in England. The UK has the third-biggest art market in the world ($11bn-ish), if you need a business case to prove its value.
November 27, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Art history A-level is extinct in Scotland and Wales and nearly extinct in England. The UK has the third-biggest art market in the world ($11bn-ish), if you need a business case to prove its value.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
“Labour said education would drive economic growth.
Yesterday we saw nothing for FE, and a dog’s dinner for HE.
With 15,000 HE jobs at risk and staff leaving FE, we don’t have the mechanisms needed to deliver growth.” @drjogrady.bsky.social yesterday.
Yesterday we saw nothing for FE, and a dog’s dinner for HE.
With 15,000 HE jobs at risk and staff leaving FE, we don’t have the mechanisms needed to deliver growth.” @drjogrady.bsky.social yesterday.
November 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM
“Labour said education would drive economic growth.
Yesterday we saw nothing for FE, and a dog’s dinner for HE.
With 15,000 HE jobs at risk and staff leaving FE, we don’t have the mechanisms needed to deliver growth.” @drjogrady.bsky.social yesterday.
Yesterday we saw nothing for FE, and a dog’s dinner for HE.
With 15,000 HE jobs at risk and staff leaving FE, we don’t have the mechanisms needed to deliver growth.” @drjogrady.bsky.social yesterday.
I'm not saying I'm tired and it's nearing the end of an exhausting term, but I've just bought myself a bar of chocolate and a pack of biscuits to go with my coffee so I can get through moderating a colleague's marking.
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
November 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
I'm not saying I'm tired and it's nearing the end of an exhausting term, but I've just bought myself a bar of chocolate and a pack of biscuits to go with my coffee so I can get through moderating a colleague's marking.
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
I'm really pleased that this year I introduced a zine making workshop (run by the amazing @danthompson33.bsky.social) into a Media module. Making stuff with your hands, writing by hand is more important now than ever if we want to fight against the ongoing enshitification of everything.
What else won't matter? Evidence from an author's handwriting, watermarks, paper, parchment, mold, folds, stains, seals, signatures, or other signs of usage. Guido Fawkes' signature after having been tortured will look the same as after he recovered; Emily's Dickinson's dashes will be em-dashes
November 27, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I'm really pleased that this year I introduced a zine making workshop (run by the amazing @danthompson33.bsky.social) into a Media module. Making stuff with your hands, writing by hand is more important now than ever if we want to fight against the ongoing enshitification of everything.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
I think at this point if you're including Diane Abbott - a woman who has never held government office, has been a backbencher since 2020, and is scarcely a government ally - on your list of political wrongdoers, we all know exactly what your real concerns are
November 26, 2025 at 12:28 PM
I think at this point if you're including Diane Abbott - a woman who has never held government office, has been a backbencher since 2020, and is scarcely a government ally - on your list of political wrongdoers, we all know exactly what your real concerns are
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
Prepping for teaching, and I'm appalled to discover how *little* detailed research exists on the Bristol Bus Boycott.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but it's no wonder there is so little awareness of the history of Black civil rights activism in the UK. Just a vicious cycle of ignorance.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but it's no wonder there is so little awareness of the history of Black civil rights activism in the UK. Just a vicious cycle of ignorance.
November 26, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Prepping for teaching, and I'm appalled to discover how *little* detailed research exists on the Bristol Bus Boycott.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but it's no wonder there is so little awareness of the history of Black civil rights activism in the UK. Just a vicious cycle of ignorance.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but it's no wonder there is so little awareness of the history of Black civil rights activism in the UK. Just a vicious cycle of ignorance.
Well, I'm embarrassed for myself.
Brown, blue, black.
I'll never live this down.
Brown, blue, black.
I'll never live this down.
November 27, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Well, I'm embarrassed for myself.
Brown, blue, black.
I'll never live this down.
Brown, blue, black.
I'll never live this down.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
It's almost like much of the mainstream media and right wing press has an agenda, isn't it.
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
November 27, 2025 at 8:55 AM
It's almost like much of the mainstream media and right wing press has an agenda, isn't it.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:49 AM
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
the bbc changed their article from saying 'trans woman' to saying 'biological male who identifies as a woman'.
even if you don't care about trans ppl it should alarm you just how captured the bbc has become.
they will no longer even say 'trans woman'. that's not normal and shows massive bias.
even if you don't care about trans ppl it should alarm you just how captured the bbc has become.
they will no longer even say 'trans woman'. that's not normal and shows massive bias.
November 26, 2025 at 9:32 AM
the bbc changed their article from saying 'trans woman' to saying 'biological male who identifies as a woman'.
even if you don't care about trans ppl it should alarm you just how captured the bbc has become.
they will no longer even say 'trans woman'. that's not normal and shows massive bias.
even if you don't care about trans ppl it should alarm you just how captured the bbc has become.
they will no longer even say 'trans woman'. that's not normal and shows massive bias.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
Quick analysis of The Times today:
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Quick analysis of The Times today:
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
Our conversation about immigration is framed entirely on Nigel Farage’s terms.
Labour has completely capitulated the ground to the far right, the racism & the hate.
We no longer have a conversation AT ALL about how we need immigration & when we cut it, we pay the price. #r4today
Labour has completely capitulated the ground to the far right, the racism & the hate.
We no longer have a conversation AT ALL about how we need immigration & when we cut it, we pay the price. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Our conversation about immigration is framed entirely on Nigel Farage’s terms.
Labour has completely capitulated the ground to the far right, the racism & the hate.
We no longer have a conversation AT ALL about how we need immigration & when we cut it, we pay the price. #r4today
Labour has completely capitulated the ground to the far right, the racism & the hate.
We no longer have a conversation AT ALL about how we need immigration & when we cut it, we pay the price. #r4today
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
If writing is so easy why do people argue that they can’t do it without the pablumatic verbiage extruder
And if it’s so difficult then why do people think it’s not labour and writers are not workers
And if it’s so difficult then why do people think it’s not labour and writers are not workers
November 27, 2025 at 4:10 AM
If writing is so easy why do people argue that they can’t do it without the pablumatic verbiage extruder
And if it’s so difficult then why do people think it’s not labour and writers are not workers
And if it’s so difficult then why do people think it’s not labour and writers are not workers
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
This is true. It is the best email I got this year.
November 26, 2025 at 9:50 PM
This is true. It is the best email I got this year.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
What is a low return degree? The idea that only maths, tech, and science are worthwhile is bunkum.
The creative sector alone is with about £125Bn annually to the UK economy, and supports 2.4M jobs.
The creative sector alone is with about £125Bn annually to the UK economy, and supports 2.4M jobs.
November 27, 2025 at 8:12 AM
What is a low return degree? The idea that only maths, tech, and science are worthwhile is bunkum.
The creative sector alone is with about £125Bn annually to the UK economy, and supports 2.4M jobs.
The creative sector alone is with about £125Bn annually to the UK economy, and supports 2.4M jobs.
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
Education should be free. It blows my mind that we don't see it as an investment. Surely if we want a "high salary" economy, we have to make university etc viable, not a debt loading mechanism. Also university leavers having disposable income to spend while younger has to be a good thing
November 27, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Education should be free. It blows my mind that we don't see it as an investment. Surely if we want a "high salary" economy, we have to make university etc viable, not a debt loading mechanism. Also university leavers having disposable income to spend while younger has to be a good thing
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
This looks amazing!
November 26, 2025 at 7:58 PM
This looks amazing!
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
Look I keep saying this - the most nuns I personally met or know about were women uninterested in the constraints of patriarchal society. While the church of course has those too a convent still frees you up from marriage to men and pressures to have children, and gives you access to education.
November 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Look I keep saying this - the most nuns I personally met or know about were women uninterested in the constraints of patriarchal society. While the church of course has those too a convent still frees you up from marriage to men and pressures to have children, and gives you access to education.
Marking done for the day (and all done apart from those late submissions). Planning for tomorrow's classes all done too.
I'm going to go an play video games.
#AcademicSky
I'm going to go an play video games.
#AcademicSky
November 26, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Marking done for the day (and all done apart from those late submissions). Planning for tomorrow's classes all done too.
I'm going to go an play video games.
#AcademicSky
I'm going to go an play video games.
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Dr Heidi Colthup
The 50 wealthiest families own more wealth than the bottom 50% of the population.
How can this Labour Government say this is a "cost of living" budget and refuse to tax the rich?
They care about protecting power and wealth. And cost of living is a buzz phrase for them. Dire.
How can this Labour Government say this is a "cost of living" budget and refuse to tax the rich?
They care about protecting power and wealth. And cost of living is a buzz phrase for them. Dire.
November 26, 2025 at 12:16 PM
The 50 wealthiest families own more wealth than the bottom 50% of the population.
How can this Labour Government say this is a "cost of living" budget and refuse to tax the rich?
They care about protecting power and wealth. And cost of living is a buzz phrase for them. Dire.
How can this Labour Government say this is a "cost of living" budget and refuse to tax the rich?
They care about protecting power and wealth. And cost of living is a buzz phrase for them. Dire.
I can confirm, on the basis of the number of undergraduate essays that have stated this as a fact:
1990s 'girl power' feminism is viewed as just another neo-liberal trick of consumerism and capitalism.
#TheKidsAreOkay
#AcademicSky
1990s 'girl power' feminism is viewed as just another neo-liberal trick of consumerism and capitalism.
#TheKidsAreOkay
#AcademicSky
November 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I can confirm, on the basis of the number of undergraduate essays that have stated this as a fact:
1990s 'girl power' feminism is viewed as just another neo-liberal trick of consumerism and capitalism.
#TheKidsAreOkay
#AcademicSky
1990s 'girl power' feminism is viewed as just another neo-liberal trick of consumerism and capitalism.
#TheKidsAreOkay
#AcademicSky