Tom O'Brien

Wow, that's a blast from the past.

Where now for Britain's Universities? Although the financial crisis facing the United Kingdom's universities is by now well known, the detailed reasons behind it have been less prominent in public and political debate. It is true that fr....

NEW from me: 'Where Next for Britain's Universities?' in The Political Quarterly. Since every Higher Ed prediction I've made has been proven correct and on time - indeed I've been a bit optimistic - the atrocious picture is depressing. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Cover of CD copy of Primus' Frizzle Fry album

Hello old friend. It has been a while. 📻 #primus

Released 34 years ago today

Steady Diet of Nothing, the second album by Fugazi, featuring the track KYEO

Fugazi at Sacred Heart Church, Washington DC, 1991 - KYEO [Keep Your Eyes Open]

#punk #punks #punkrock #fugazi #hardcorepunk #posthardcore #history #punkrockhistory #otd

Hi energy Shonen Knife at The Crescent 🤘

Orange and white cat lying on bed in front of window on top of low bookshelf looking back towards camera. Laptop on standing desk composed of table and folding stand, with coffee cup and headphones in foreground. Zigzag rug with pile of carpet squares on left of shot and green wall on right

Whero is a strong advocate for WFH

Fionn Regan at Brudenell Social Club with @petramakela.bsky.social

Donald Trump, President of the USA, and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, share a moment. They are making a heart with their hands, but Putin is making rabbit ears behind Trump’s head with his other hand. Not in the picture, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

Donald Trump, President of the USA, and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. Not in the picture, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.
My Stuff #cartoon today #Russia #USA #Ukraine #Trump #Putin #Zelenskyy

Map from bus app showing part of route with cluster of three buses heading in same direction. Scrawled label showing location of poor passenger (me) who foolishly trusted the bus app and left the house accordingly.

At least I will have a choice when they do finally arrive...

map with the gulf of mexico labeled “Seas of Cheese” Posted by Les Claypool

It is a sea of many names.

'is' not 'us' 🙄

Screenshot of journal submission timeline showing 17 October 2023 Submission Created 30 November 2023 With Editor 07 August 2024 Withdrawn Dates circled in red.

Advantage of electronic journal systems us being able to see just how little some editors care. 😔

The long black: will this soon be the UK’s favourite coffee order? Fans of the drink, brewed differently from an americano, say its taste is vastly superior – and are turning a niche product into a bestseller

A small chink of light in a troubling time ☕️
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/fe...

Going home after short visit to Newcastle.

New book review!

States and nature: the effects of climate change on security by Joshua W. Busby.

Reviewed for us by @tomob-nz.bsky.social: "This book provides a comprehensive overview of climate security, tracing its origins and potential futures."

doi.org/10.1080/0964...

Hand holding Haagen Daas Rum Raisin ice cream in front of door with slightly blurry orange and white cat coming in cat door in background

Good day at the supermarket, got the best flavour

Watching 'Lock-In' and 'Wairunga' as I was marking got me through

Fat Freddys Drop 'Slo Mo' and The War on Drugs 'Live Drugs Again' cds sitting on top of silver laptop with Future Islands and Live Drugs stickers

Fruitful visit to the record store yesterday @fatfreddysdrop.bsky.social

Person in orange coat carrying wire basket walking towards near empty fruit and vege section at supermarket.

As captured by @petramakela.bsky.social

Entrance to Foss Bank Sainsburys on last day. Open sliding doors looking into supermarket, with couple people coming and going.

Poster on wall saying 'Your store will be permanently closed from 11 January 6pm'. Map and text showing alternative locations.

Sad day in the neighbourhood. Glad we got one final shop in.

Four people, two in academic dress, standing with person striking a crouching pose in front. Other people in academic dress in background.

Speaking of which. May I present a proud supervisor with his PGCAP graduates. 🙃

Blue-gray sky over road as seen from passenger seat of car with RSPB and National Trust stickers

Tube train and tracks in foreground looking over roofs of West London

Shot of River Ouse in Bedford from footbridge on gray day, with bare trees on either side of river

Long shadows of two people in golden light, in front of brick building with 'Welcome to Far Ings' letter sign and round picnic tables in foreground, Humber Bridge in background

York to London and back again for Christmas via Bedford and Barton-upon-Humber 🚙

Street shot of terrace with sign for The Point

Corner of room, with walls covered in pictures from exhibition

Written description of Aspirations 10 by Les Monaghan

Great to get down to Doncaster for Les Monaghan's talk on Aspirations 10 at The Point

Small orange and white cat (Iti) looking out of doorway with big orange and white cat (Whero) in loaf

Small orange and white cat (Iti) on windowsill looking at big orange and cat (Whero) lying down asleep

Large orange and white cat (Whero) peering around corner of couch

Small orange and white cat (Iti) lying on green couch looking towards camera

Six years today since Iti 🌈 and Whero came into our lives.

Govt cuts humanities and social science funding - Expert Reaction Humanities and social science funding has been cut from the Marsden Fund, the main fund for 'blue-skies' research in Aotearoa New Zealand. The areas that have been cut include research in subjects lik...

Some comments from me, @nicgaston.bsky.social, @troybaisden.bsky.social & @nicrawlencenz.bsky.social on the gutting of funding for humanities and social sciences in Aotearoa New Zealand… www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2024/12/04/g...

Government's Marsden Fund cuts: All humanities, social sciences research funding slashed Cutting all research funding for the fields is a massive step backwards, critics say.

Well, fuck. | Government's Marsden Fund cuts: All humanities, social sciences research funding slashed www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Double rainbow arcing over sky with tops of houses in foreground

'double rainbow, all the way across the sky' youtu.be/OQSNhk5ICTI?...

Orange and white cat lying down washing ear with paw

Orange and white cat lying down washing face with paw

Not sure how to start, so going with Whero having a wash 🐈