Matt Luckcuck

In Computer Science (afaik) all 32 Assistant Prof/Lecturers have been told they are 'at risk', me included. We are one of the least impacted Schools/Departments. There are some wild 'streamlining' targets for other Schools, and some have had all their programmes shut (so that's 100% streamlined).

📄 The #FMAS2026 accepted papers are now online! Explore the titles, authors, and abstracts of this year's 12 papers, covering robotics, runtime verification, safety, security, and more. fmasworkshop.github.io/FMAS2026/#ac... #FormalMethods #AutonomousSystems

One thing I think is underrated in Universities by students is there power of saying good things about things you like. If you like an instructor, tell them! If you really like them, tell the head of education or department. If you really really like them nominate them for an award.

'Several branches of the University and College Union (UCU) have come together to form a coalition against the cuts happening across the higher education sector, saying that a lack of action from the central union is “making people lose hope”.'

LLMs aren’t “peers” so it makes no sense for them to do peer review. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...

Seeing tenured scholars argue for LLM use in drafting/writing papers or doing peer review feels like the pinnacle of academic antinomianism. “I don’t have to do the work anymore because I’m one of the elect.”

'Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love–that makes life and nature harmonise. Delicious autumn!' George Eliot from a letter dated 1 October 1841

NEW: BBC will no longer have a dedicated education editor as part of proposal that will see 100 jobs go across BBC News. School leaders call the plan “deeply regrettable” and ask for a rethink. Education/Social affairs editor jobs being combined. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/o...

Great to chat to Raphael Memmesheimer about his successful involvement in the RoboCup@Home league, and research that won the RoboCup 2026 best paper award. aihub.org/2026/10/22/c...

Thunderbirds (1965-1966): The Fireflash, art by Derek Meddings

If closing surely the least expensive radio channel the BBC has (run by a tiny number of people, broadcasting the work of mainly dead people), bothers you, then why not sign this petition you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Registration for #FMAS2026 is open! 🎉 Join us in Southampton on 17–18 November 2026! Registration options are available for FMAS only or FMAS + ICFEM 2026. Find out more: icfem2026.github.io

I haven't made a clip from our Goosebumps episode yet, so please enjoy me and @eleanormorton.bsky.social listening to the much-missed Tim Curry singing the Worst Song from the Worst Witch: More episodes: linktr.ee/readthat

I've always liked the one about the Wulfrunian who asks the metalworker to make a statue of his dog in gold "Do you want it eighteen carat?" "No, I want 'im chewin a bone!"

I am really sorry to see Radio 4 Extra is going. I loved working there for many years: being part of the 7th Dimension (with Toby Hadoke, Dan Mersh, Nick Briggs et al) was an absolute joy. I don’t think listeners ever realised -

What the hell? This is shocking. www.theargus.co.uk/news/2665180...

once again I'm posting Harold Wilson's "Little Things That Mean A Lot" memo and list because I genuinely think a lot more politicians should have a copy of it pinned up next to their desk

The #FMAS2026 paper selection is complete! Out of 30 peer-reviewed submissions, 12 papers have been accepted for this year's workshop. Congratulations to the authors, and many thanks to our reviewers and Programme Committee! #FormalMethods #AutonomousSystems

So how many academics does it take to change a light bulb? And what does this have to do with making a claim about research results? patthomson.net/2026/10/18/t...

The next #FMAS2026 milestone is approaching! Authors of accepted papers: remember that the final version deadline is 17 October 2026 (AOE) We're looking forward to sharing this year's research with the community! fmasworkshop.github.io/FMAS2026/

YouTube version here: Please like, share and subscribe! youtu.be/Buw-W91sNY8

As part of our #DecolonisingChemistry curriculum project work @chemistryatyork.bsky.social, we now highlight the work of Marie Maynard Daly, the first black woman to receive a chemistry PhD in the USA. Her work developed a mechanistic understanding of heart disease, transforming patient care.

Catch up with Mike Shinbone in this furious compilation, on the Crowley Time feed and at crowleytime.com now, in time for CROWLEY TIME LIVE: CITIZEN SHINBONE 🇺🇸 at the @cheerfulearful.bsky.social Podcast Festival next week! 7pm, Fri 16th Oct! live.crowleytime.com

"Music will also be axed, but Nottingham said that music-related research will continue within its School of Computer science, where up to four new full-time roles will be created to examine the intersection of music, technology and innovation." More shenanigans...

It would seem the Home Office has now acquired the ability to impose, without visibility or accountability, shadow bans on students coming to British universities from particular countries. How? Because of the interaction between indiv visa decisions (made by HO alone) and visa rules for unis 1/?

Death by a thousand cuts as universities revoke international offers "en masse" of prospective students from Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan to avoid losing ability to recruit international students. More job losses and course closures predicted in consequence. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

Summer in UK academia. A play in two acts.

Our second local dispute video comes from Nottingham UCU, where members are fighting to protect more than 700 jobs and defend vital courses. They’ve already taken action and are gearing up for more. Please give it a watch and share in solidarity with Nottingham UCU.

The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.

Nottingham staff ‘will have much less research time’, says union www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u... pure cultural and intellectual vandalism from a clique of failed academics become failed ‘managers’ who think ‘leadership’ is something you do on a one-day course. #THE #UCU

London Economics’ research estimates that the net economic impact per student was circa £100,000 – in other words, “every 10 international students generate £1m worth of net economic impact for the UK economy over the duration of their studies”. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/fall-in...

Crisis at Nottingham University has been worsened by senior-management financial decisions Staff & students pay the price -- but not the previous Vice Chancellor who precipitated the disaster Shearer West is now VC at Leeds thetimes.com/uk/education...

An entitled & over-paid senior management team destroyed a University with property mismanagement Modern Languages, Music and American & Canadian Studies are closed down at Nottingham Very sad for all the staff losing their jobs www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Staff at Cardiff University fear that the near-halving of allocated research time for academics will compromise its status as an elite higher education institution ✍️ Martin Shipton

I think, if I’m being honest with myself, this is the main reason I refuse to touch these things. More so than being environmentally dilligent, even more so than wanting to avoid being a thief. I am very good at my job. I enjoy being very good at my job. I do not want to become less good at my job

It is absolutely preferable to not pick up the cigarette in the first place news.berkeley.edu/2026/10/09/u...

‼️ Labour HOLD Holborn and St Pancras Labour: 45.0% (-3.9) Green: 32.7% (+22.3) Conservative: 7.0% (-0.2) Reform: 5.9% (-0.2) Liberal Democrats: 3.4% (-2.4) Restore: 2.5% (+2.5) Workers: 1.1% (+1.1)