Prof Damien Page
@profdamienpage.bsky.social
Vice Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University and Professor of Education #academicsky
At a recent conference, a senior academic giving a paper said that he used an AI agent to reply to student emails.
I’m no Luddite; I’m no AI-denier; I understand the pressures of student expectation. But for me, using AI to reply to students is a red line.
Students invest their lives and 1/
I’m no Luddite; I’m no AI-denier; I understand the pressures of student expectation. But for me, using AI to reply to students is a red line.
Students invest their lives and 1/
September 8, 2026 at 8:26 AM
At a recent conference, a senior academic giving a paper said that he used an AI agent to reply to student emails.
I’m no Luddite; I’m no AI-denier; I understand the pressures of student expectation. But for me, using AI to reply to students is a red line.
Students invest their lives and 1/
I’m no Luddite; I’m no AI-denier; I understand the pressures of student expectation. But for me, using AI to reply to students is a red line.
Students invest their lives and 1/
You choose which stages you sit on.
Nobody puts you there by accident. Every panel, every keynote, every ‘in conversation with’ is a choice. Yours and the organisers.
So when a stage looks the same as the last one (same institutions, same backgrounds, same voices nodding along to each other)
Nobody puts you there by accident. Every panel, every keynote, every ‘in conversation with’ is a choice. Yours and the organisers.
So when a stage looks the same as the last one (same institutions, same backgrounds, same voices nodding along to each other)
September 6, 2026 at 8:30 AM
You choose which stages you sit on.
Nobody puts you there by accident. Every panel, every keynote, every ‘in conversation with’ is a choice. Yours and the organisers.
So when a stage looks the same as the last one (same institutions, same backgrounds, same voices nodding along to each other)
Nobody puts you there by accident. Every panel, every keynote, every ‘in conversation with’ is a choice. Yours and the organisers.
So when a stage looks the same as the last one (same institutions, same backgrounds, same voices nodding along to each other)
We’re now recruiting for a People Director at BNU.
We want someone more interested in recruiting and developing talent than creating new forms and procedures. Someone who creates real inclusion rather than its performance. Someone who knows how to develop excellence and who likes to challenge 1/
We want someone more interested in recruiting and developing talent than creating new forms and procedures. Someone who creates real inclusion rather than its performance. Someone who knows how to develop excellence and who likes to challenge 1/
August 21, 2026 at 5:43 AM
We’re now recruiting for a People Director at BNU.
We want someone more interested in recruiting and developing talent than creating new forms and procedures. Someone who creates real inclusion rather than its performance. Someone who knows how to develop excellence and who likes to challenge 1/
We want someone more interested in recruiting and developing talent than creating new forms and procedures. Someone who creates real inclusion rather than its performance. Someone who knows how to develop excellence and who likes to challenge 1/
We now see what happens when the worst of higher education, the worst of the press and the worst of social media all come together at the same time.
August 15, 2026 at 7:04 AM
We now see what happens when the worst of higher education, the worst of the press and the worst of social media all come together at the same time.
I’ve lived in Brighton for 2 years now and today, at Pride, is the city at its best. Community, belonging, allyship and one hell of a party. Nowhere like it.
August 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
I’ve lived in Brighton for 2 years now and today, at Pride, is the city at its best. Community, belonging, allyship and one hell of a party. Nowhere like it.
One week left to apply for this key post jobs.bucks.ac.uk/vacancy/mana...
Manager for Office of the Vice-Chancellor (2082) | Buckinghamshire New University
Full Time (37hrs per week) – Permanent Location: High Wycombe (Hybrid working) Salary - £38,784 to £43,482 We’re not trying to fit in wit
jobs.bucks.ac.uk
July 16, 2026 at 6:40 AM
One week left to apply for this key post jobs.bucks.ac.uk/vacancy/mana...
We need to now add hydration breaks to university committees
June 18, 2026 at 8:16 AM
We need to now add hydration breaks to university committees
We’re now going to make the gym free for our colleagues at BNU.
That’s on top of free physio, free 24 hr access to counselling, free online GP, free mortgage advice, free will writing service, free financial assistance advice and free car parking.
Maslow had a point.
That’s on top of free physio, free 24 hr access to counselling, free online GP, free mortgage advice, free will writing service, free financial assistance advice and free car parking.
Maslow had a point.
June 9, 2026 at 4:55 AM
We’re now going to make the gym free for our colleagues at BNU.
That’s on top of free physio, free 24 hr access to counselling, free online GP, free mortgage advice, free will writing service, free financial assistance advice and free car parking.
Maslow had a point.
That’s on top of free physio, free 24 hr access to counselling, free online GP, free mortgage advice, free will writing service, free financial assistance advice and free car parking.
Maslow had a point.
Bad leadership is a treasure trove of learning.
I’ve had good bosses and bad bosses. I’ve probably learned more from the bad ones.
Learning to lead is as much about what not to do as what to do. You learn the personal impact of bad leadership. How it pervades an organisation, reverberates 1/
I’ve had good bosses and bad bosses. I’ve probably learned more from the bad ones.
Learning to lead is as much about what not to do as what to do. You learn the personal impact of bad leadership. How it pervades an organisation, reverberates 1/
June 6, 2026 at 6:34 AM
Bad leadership is a treasure trove of learning.
I’ve had good bosses and bad bosses. I’ve probably learned more from the bad ones.
Learning to lead is as much about what not to do as what to do. You learn the personal impact of bad leadership. How it pervades an organisation, reverberates 1/
I’ve had good bosses and bad bosses. I’ve probably learned more from the bad ones.
Learning to lead is as much about what not to do as what to do. You learn the personal impact of bad leadership. How it pervades an organisation, reverberates 1/
Universities get carried away with buildings. Vanity-project mindset sets in early.
Most students don’t come for shiny new buildings. Most students don’t come for the architectural prizes that cost extra millions on the build.
They come for community. For the richness of human experience, the
Most students don’t come for shiny new buildings. Most students don’t come for the architectural prizes that cost extra millions on the build.
They come for community. For the richness of human experience, the
May 30, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Universities get carried away with buildings. Vanity-project mindset sets in early.
Most students don’t come for shiny new buildings. Most students don’t come for the architectural prizes that cost extra millions on the build.
They come for community. For the richness of human experience, the
Most students don’t come for shiny new buildings. Most students don’t come for the architectural prizes that cost extra millions on the build.
They come for community. For the richness of human experience, the
Very proud that BNU has been named as southeast university of the year by Whatuni. Voted for by students, rankings don’t get more meaningful than this. I’ve said it before, BNU is a special place.
www.whatuni.com/student-awar...
www.whatuni.com/student-awar...
Best University of the Year in South East England: Whatuni student Choice Awards
Explore the most popular University of the Year in South East England based on reviews by 35,000+ UK university students over the last 12 months for the Whatuni Student Choice Awards.
www.whatuni.com
May 23, 2026 at 6:31 AM
Very proud that BNU has been named as southeast university of the year by Whatuni. Voted for by students, rankings don’t get more meaningful than this. I’ve said it before, BNU is a special place.
www.whatuni.com/student-awar...
www.whatuni.com/student-awar...
Two years ago, as part of our inclusive recruitment approach, we started sending out interview questions 72 hours in advance. For all posts. And it’s been great.
People come more relaxed (or as relaxed as they can be) and they bring the best examples of their expertise rather than what they 1/
People come more relaxed (or as relaxed as they can be) and they bring the best examples of their expertise rather than what they 1/
May 14, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Two years ago, as part of our inclusive recruitment approach, we started sending out interview questions 72 hours in advance. For all posts. And it’s been great.
People come more relaxed (or as relaxed as they can be) and they bring the best examples of their expertise rather than what they 1/
People come more relaxed (or as relaxed as they can be) and they bring the best examples of their expertise rather than what they 1/
There is nothing like working with talented people.
Nothing like the rhythm of a high performing team when it gels. Nothing like the fluidity of excellence, the easy flow of ideas, contention, challenge.
We spend a lot of time at work. Far better to spend it with talented people.
Nothing like the rhythm of a high performing team when it gels. Nothing like the fluidity of excellence, the easy flow of ideas, contention, challenge.
We spend a lot of time at work. Far better to spend it with talented people.
May 2, 2026 at 7:35 AM
There is nothing like working with talented people.
Nothing like the rhythm of a high performing team when it gels. Nothing like the fluidity of excellence, the easy flow of ideas, contention, challenge.
We spend a lot of time at work. Far better to spend it with talented people.
Nothing like the rhythm of a high performing team when it gels. Nothing like the fluidity of excellence, the easy flow of ideas, contention, challenge.
We spend a lot of time at work. Far better to spend it with talented people.
Great job opportunity here at BNU - details below alumniglobal.com/job/bnu
Dean of College of Health and Society, Buckinghamshire New University - Alumni Global
Originally established as a School of Science and Art in 1891, our University has been transforming lives for 130 years. We’re proud to make a difference because of the education we pro...
alumniglobal.com
April 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Great job opportunity here at BNU - details below alumniglobal.com/job/bnu
£37.4 billion net economic contribution. The enlivening of communities and classrooms. Global soft power value, global literacy. Cross subsidy funding of research. Cross subsidy of niche courses. Cultural richness and perspective.
In a rational world, nations would genuinely welcome 1/
In a rational world, nations would genuinely welcome 1/
April 19, 2026 at 7:11 AM
£37.4 billion net economic contribution. The enlivening of communities and classrooms. Global soft power value, global literacy. Cross subsidy funding of research. Cross subsidy of niche courses. Cultural richness and perspective.
In a rational world, nations would genuinely welcome 1/
In a rational world, nations would genuinely welcome 1/
Nothing kills excellence like micromanagement. Nothing.
I’ve seen it across FE and HE. Talented people, driven people, then a leader shows up who can’t let go.
Suddenly the energy shifts. Questions replace initiative, permission replaces judgement and people stop bringing their best thinking 1/
I’ve seen it across FE and HE. Talented people, driven people, then a leader shows up who can’t let go.
Suddenly the energy shifts. Questions replace initiative, permission replaces judgement and people stop bringing their best thinking 1/
April 15, 2026 at 6:27 AM
Nothing kills excellence like micromanagement. Nothing.
I’ve seen it across FE and HE. Talented people, driven people, then a leader shows up who can’t let go.
Suddenly the energy shifts. Questions replace initiative, permission replaces judgement and people stop bringing their best thinking 1/
I’ve seen it across FE and HE. Talented people, driven people, then a leader shows up who can’t let go.
Suddenly the energy shifts. Questions replace initiative, permission replaces judgement and people stop bringing their best thinking 1/
I’ve been in HE for 19 years and this is the most difficult context I’ve seen in that time.
But I love what universities can be. I still have hope that one day higher education will be seen as a true social good once more, that the impact of universities will become rightly appreciated 1/
But I love what universities can be. I still have hope that one day higher education will be seen as a true social good once more, that the impact of universities will become rightly appreciated 1/
April 11, 2026 at 6:50 AM
I’ve been in HE for 19 years and this is the most difficult context I’ve seen in that time.
But I love what universities can be. I still have hope that one day higher education will be seen as a true social good once more, that the impact of universities will become rightly appreciated 1/
But I love what universities can be. I still have hope that one day higher education will be seen as a true social good once more, that the impact of universities will become rightly appreciated 1/
Want your job application to stand out? Don’t use AI.
For me, real writing is a differentiator for recruitment. When a panel are assessing applications, they want to hear a voice, they want to get an idea of what you would bring, real experiences rather than the generic. They want to feel a 1/
For me, real writing is a differentiator for recruitment. When a panel are assessing applications, they want to hear a voice, they want to get an idea of what you would bring, real experiences rather than the generic. They want to feel a 1/
March 31, 2026 at 4:57 AM
Want your job application to stand out? Don’t use AI.
For me, real writing is a differentiator for recruitment. When a panel are assessing applications, they want to hear a voice, they want to get an idea of what you would bring, real experiences rather than the generic. They want to feel a 1/
For me, real writing is a differentiator for recruitment. When a panel are assessing applications, they want to hear a voice, they want to get an idea of what you would bring, real experiences rather than the generic. They want to feel a 1/
‘For many scholars, especially those from ethnic or white working-class backgrounds, linguistic assimilation demands a Faustian bargain of accent switching, adopting RP as the currency of credibility’.
Superb article in the comments on accent bias in HE. Early in my career, 1/
Superb article in the comments on accent bias in HE. Early in my career, 1/
March 28, 2026 at 8:38 AM
‘For many scholars, especially those from ethnic or white working-class backgrounds, linguistic assimilation demands a Faustian bargain of accent switching, adopting RP as the currency of credibility’.
Superb article in the comments on accent bias in HE. Early in my career, 1/
Superb article in the comments on accent bias in HE. Early in my career, 1/
Educational access is economic. Attainment is economic. Graduate outcomes are economic.
If social mobility is the goal, then support must be weighted towards those with the least.
Not rhetoric. Not positioning. Real investment in the students who stand to gain the most.
If social mobility is the goal, then support must be weighted towards those with the least.
Not rhetoric. Not positioning. Real investment in the students who stand to gain the most.
March 27, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Educational access is economic. Attainment is economic. Graduate outcomes are economic.
If social mobility is the goal, then support must be weighted towards those with the least.
Not rhetoric. Not positioning. Real investment in the students who stand to gain the most.
If social mobility is the goal, then support must be weighted towards those with the least.
Not rhetoric. Not positioning. Real investment in the students who stand to gain the most.
Reposted by Prof Damien Page
Really proud to have written this with @profdamienpage.bsky.social championing the value of teaching staff who are disproportionately hit by cuts, but are what drives the fundamental activity of HE - educating students.#HigherEducation #TeachingAcademics www.timeshighereducation.com/even-hard-ti...
Even in hard times, teaching staff are vital assets, not costs to be shed
When teaching staff are casualised and cut while delivering the core business of universities, something is broken, say Katharine Hubbard and Damien Page
www.timeshighereducation.com
March 25, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Really proud to have written this with @profdamienpage.bsky.social championing the value of teaching staff who are disproportionately hit by cuts, but are what drives the fundamental activity of HE - educating students.#HigherEducation #TeachingAcademics www.timeshighereducation.com/even-hard-ti...
AI will kill universities according to those making a fortune from AI. Everything will be free so what’s the point of higher education. Intelligence will be like a utility. Institutions of knowledge will become obsolete as AI democratises knowledge.
1/
1/
March 21, 2026 at 8:25 AM
AI will kill universities according to those making a fortune from AI. Everything will be free so what’s the point of higher education. Intelligence will be like a utility. Institutions of knowledge will become obsolete as AI democratises knowledge.
1/
1/
That’s the Easter break sorted
March 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM
That’s the Easter break sorted
The simplest leadership advice is: do the right thing. Simple. But problematic.
Because not everyone is a good judge of what the right thing actually is.
Too often, the right thing becomes whatever carries the least personal risk. The decision that protects reputation, position or relationships.
Because not everyone is a good judge of what the right thing actually is.
Too often, the right thing becomes whatever carries the least personal risk. The decision that protects reputation, position or relationships.
March 17, 2026 at 6:37 AM
The simplest leadership advice is: do the right thing. Simple. But problematic.
Because not everyone is a good judge of what the right thing actually is.
Too often, the right thing becomes whatever carries the least personal risk. The decision that protects reputation, position or relationships.
Because not everyone is a good judge of what the right thing actually is.
Too often, the right thing becomes whatever carries the least personal risk. The decision that protects reputation, position or relationships.
Six months ago we introduced meeting-free Fridays.
Fridays have become the day people catch up, read, write, plan. New ideas get bounced around. Publications and projects get shared. New resources developed, new technology experimented with.
1/
Fridays have become the day people catch up, read, write, plan. New ideas get bounced around. Publications and projects get shared. New resources developed, new technology experimented with.
1/
March 14, 2026 at 7:33 AM
Six months ago we introduced meeting-free Fridays.
Fridays have become the day people catch up, read, write, plan. New ideas get bounced around. Publications and projects get shared. New resources developed, new technology experimented with.
1/
Fridays have become the day people catch up, read, write, plan. New ideas get bounced around. Publications and projects get shared. New resources developed, new technology experimented with.
1/