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simpep.bsky.social
Simon Peplow
@simpep.bsky.social
1.8K followers 340 following 30 posts
Historian of modern Britain, focusing on race, ethnicity, and migration histories. University of Warwick. Education Officer for History UK. I don't actually wear glasses anymore and look much more tired since having kids, I need a new photo. (he/him)
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Reposted by Simon Peplow
royalhistsoc.org
New from History UK: a valuable and interesting survey of UK history students use of and attitudes towards GenAI in HE teaching - their preliminary report is published today: bit.ly/4hatsRR

The report is by Dr Sarah Jones and Dr Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social #skystorians
Opening page of History UK's statement on their survey and report on AI and History Students in UK universities. Full text: Artificial intelligence (AI) has become impossible to ignore in higher education. For historians, working in a discipline which depends on interpretation, evidence, and critical thinking, the development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has raised particularly significant questions. In 2026, we launched a survey to gather the perspectives of people who are often overlooked in considerations of the impact of AI and appropriate responses – history students themselves.
September 24, 2026 at 4:48 PM
simpep.bsky.social
In light of Jim Ratcliffe saying stupid things about immigration yet again, just resharing something I wrote in February after his last idiotic rant:

theconversation.com/how-immigran...
How immigrants hoping for a better life in Britain came to be viewed as ‘colonisers’ or ‘invaders’
Immigration is fuelled by people moving for work, family or better opportunities.
theconversation.com
September 19, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
lvhicks.bsky.social
Today my heart is with all colleagues facing redundancy (some for the umpteenth time), who were made redundant over the summer or who have simply had enough and left. Our sector is having its guts ripped out.
September 14, 2026 at 7:27 AM
simpep.bsky.social
History and AI – A Survey of History Students in UKHE

Our preliminary project report explores anonymous responses from more than 600 history students across all regions and types of institutions in the UK.

@callingdrjones.bsky.social

www.history-uk.ac.uk/projects/his...
History and AI – A Survey of History Students in UK Universities
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become impossible to ignore in higher education. For historians, working in a discipline which depends on interpretation, evidence, and critical thinking, the devel…
www.history-uk.ac.uk
September 8, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
exeterucu.bsky.social
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.
NO COMPULSORY REDUNDANCIES photo of Nicole Kidman looking incredibly joyful and free after her divorce from Tom Cruise was finalised
September 3, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
alistairking.bsky.social
Struggling to work out why Jenrick would single out these three Commonwealth countries rather than, say, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, whose citizens have exactly the same rights. It’s a head-scratcher.
August 30, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
ketanjoshi.co
This is the coverage of Arday **just in the Telegraph** in the UK. This is only the first four pages of results, just in one outlet.
Ä14 Jason Arday found dead 2 hours ago — Mr Arday was found •unresponsive• at an address in Battersea. south London. on Froy afternoon. He was uter pronounced dead at the scene. A Read rnore Jason Arday says he was an illiterate, mute child. His . 6 hours ago — Jason Arday says he was an i&erate. mute child. Cambridge's youngest-ever black professor in 2023. Arday attended from the age of four to 11 r— mm-WI 3 A PhD is no longer a sign of brilliance — take it from Dr Arday 1 day aeo — Juon Arday resigns from the Unwersity of Cambrdge after The Telegraph reports he had falseb• claimed to have pubåshed a book We are all Jason Arday now S days ago — Jason Arday resons from the University of Cambridge after The Telegraph reports he had falsew cGimed to have published a book Aug 7.2028. Read more Cambridge professor claimed he was on Seven Up.. 2 Aug 2026 — He was not bom until 1985. Prof Arday is at the centre of a row about academk plagiarism after The Tekgragh that he had been accused The Jason Arday 'memoir' that now appears to be more . 7 days ago — Instead of tales of triumph over adversity. the now-fomer Cambridge professors autob"qraphy is a case study in self-rnythobgising, Arday failed to mention 'months-long coma' in autobiography 8 days ago — Jason Arday toz publishers he was k•ft a three-month coma fohwhg a car gash. but never wrote about the ordeal his memoirs_ Jason Arday is living proof that you reap what you sow 6 Aug 2028 — The Cambridge professor feed plagiarism alegations and made fantastical clä'ns about his life. so what did he expect woUz happen? Read rmre ÄIO Arday 'accused student of Miite privilege' after she 4 days ago — Forrner Cambrdge professor alleged* htplied that Roehamptm student was racist after cornplaint about essay SOOre. Jason Arday is rnerely a symptom of the Leffs corruption Aug 2026 — Lab-curs on school standards is on the same toxic assumptions that created his academic career. Cambridge hired Arday after 'listening to black stu…
August 14, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
ewangibbs.bsky.social
Just remember this message is aimed at your children not theirs.
August 14, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
cara.city
insane quote
leaving his firm "hundreds of calls". "Actually we went quite close to some real Bronze Age remains, but we avoided Dobby's grave," he said.
August 9, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
jacksaundrs.bsky.social
Swear to god, all national newspaper university commentary is just "it is bad that the thing we demanded had the intended effect"
August 9, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
ihr.bsky.social
Are you considering career options after a PhD in History or a related subject? Join @historylabplus.bsky.social colleagues for this session with a fantastic panel of History PhD graduates who have all taken their skills into a variety of areas beyond HE. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Finding a Role: Using History PhD Skills Beyond HE
History Lab+ Training
www.history.ac.uk
August 7, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
royalhistsoc.org
Thank you to all who attended today's meeting on the 'Crisis in UK HE: the Future for History'. Very valuable proposals in difficult times for history in HE / UK HE more widely.

We've also a new guide bit.ly/4z1fAjO listing 100+ UK #history societies & networks supporting historians #Skystorians
lucydelap.bsky.social Lucy Delap @lucydelap.bsky.social · Aug 4
Great discussion at the 'crisis in UK history' meeting hosted by @ihr.bsky.social, @royalhistsoc.org, @histassoc.bsky.social and History UK. Horror stories of closures and redundancies, balanced by new resources. Check out for ex. the new Independent Historians Network
independenthistorians.org
Independent Historians Network
The place for independent and freelance historians to connect
independenthistorians.org
August 4, 2026 at 3:34 PM
simpep.bsky.social
Wales first nation to withdraw support for Infantino 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Gianni Infantino: Wales first nation to withdraw support for Fifa president
Wales become the first nation to publicly withdraw backing for Gianni Infantino's bid to continue his leadership of Fifa.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 3, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
gregjenner.bsky.social
Horrible news 😞— Once is a gorgeous movie with the most sublime soundtrack
July 29, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
mwpalen.bsky.social
Cracked 28,000 signatures today, thank you!

Hopefully more good media coverage as a result (looking your way @lbc.co.uk @mrjamesob.bsky.social )

#DefendExeterUni
mwpalen.bsky.social Marc Palen @mwpalen.bsky.social · Jul 2
“Leading writers, broadcasters, academics and theologians have thrown their weight behind a campaign to save 150 jobs at the University of Exeter”

Thank you all for your support!

#DefendExeterUni

Please do sign the petition: www.change.org/p/stop-redun...

www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Fury over Exeter University plan to scrap dozens of humanities posts
Rowan Williams and Mark Kermode join campaign against proposed cuts for arts and social sciences
www.theguardian.com
July 8, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
benphillips1989.bsky.social
A statement from Exeter UCU branch @ucu.org.uk - please share far and wide.
June 23, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
charliejgardner.bsky.social
Reform UK councillors have introduced a motion to rescind King's Lynn and West Norfolk's climate emergency declaration and deprioritise decarbonisation efforts

The council were going to vote on it on Thursday

But the meeting has been postponed due to extreme heat
June 23, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
royalhistsoc.org
How do we enhance the engagement of history students in their degree programmes?

A new article - 'Rethinking Engagement: Insights from UK History Departments' - bit.ly/4viEKru, by Sarah Jones and Simon Peplow offers discipline-specific proposals.

Latest Open Access article in 'Transactions' 1/2
Front page of Transactions of the Royal Historical Society article: 'Rethinking Engagement: Insights from UK History Departments', by Sarah Jones and Simon Peplow. Full abstract: 'This comment examines the shifting landscape of student engagement in UK history departments, drawing on research conducted at the universities of Bristol and Warwick. Moving beyond narrow definitions of engagement as attendance, the study explores the complex interplay of workload pressures, relationships and community, and the cultures and environments of learning that shape students’ everyday experiences. Student testimony highlights how financial precarity, mental‑health challenges and competing demands on their time profoundly influence how (and indeed if) they engage. At the same time, factors – ranging from staff/student interactions to seminar atmosphere and assessment design – are powerful determinants of whether students feel able and motivated to participate fully. While acknowledging the broader socio‑economic forces that constrain both staff and students, the comment proposes a set of principled, discipline‑specific approaches centred on reflection, communication, adaptability and compassion. It argues that, although no single solution can resolve the problem of engagement, history departments can meaningfully support students by cultivating inclusive, responsive and relational learning environments.'
May 28, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
callingdrjones.bsky.social
We argue that, though there is no single solution to the ‘wicked problem’ of student engagement, history departments can meaningfully support students by cultivating inclusive, responsive, and relational learning environments.
May 26, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
callingdrjones.bsky.social
Very pleased to share a new article, ‘Rethinking Engagement: Insights from UK History Departments,’ written with @simpep.bsky.social.

Available here: tinyurl.com/38cwxwpt

#historyeducation #academicsky #edusky
Rethinking Engagement: Insights from UK History Departments | Transactions of the Royal Historical Society | Cambridge Core
Rethinking Engagement: Insights from UK History Departments
tinyurl.com
May 26, 2026 at 8:57 AM
simpep.bsky.social
TODAY! Our next History UK Pedagogy Forum event, 'Rethinking Digital Pedagogies in HE History Teaching From the Pandemic to the Age of AI' (3-4.30pm, Wednesday 29th April).

More info and booking below 👇
#historyeducation #academicsky

www.tickettailor.com/events/histo...
Get tickets – History UK Pedagogy Forum: Rethinking Digital Pedagogies in HE History Teaching From the Pandemic to the Age of AI – Teams
History UK Pedagogy Forum: Rethinking Digital Pedagogies in HE History Teaching From the Pandemic to the Age of AI – Teams, Wed 29 Apr 2026 - We are delighted to welcome back former History UK Conveno...
www.tickettailor.com
April 29, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Reposted by Simon Peplow
simpep.bsky.social
History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University (1-2.30pm, Thursday 26 March)
www.tickettailor.com/events/histo...

Dr David Brown will lead discussions on what skills we might expect students to arrive at university with, and how to best support them to thrive.

#historyeducation #academicsky
Select tickets – History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University – Teams
History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University – Teams, Thu 26 Mar 2026 - There is an increasing acknowledgement that, in order to best support students to thrive at university, we need to think...
www.tickettailor.com
March 16, 2026 at 4:58 PM
simpep.bsky.social
History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University (1-2.30pm, Thursday 26 March)
www.tickettailor.com/events/histo...

Dr David Brown will lead discussions on what skills we might expect students to arrive at university with, and how to best support them to thrive.

#historyeducation #academicsky
Select tickets – History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University – Teams
History UK Pedagogy Forum: Transitions to University – Teams, Thu 26 Mar 2026 - There is an increasing acknowledgement that, in order to best support students to thrive at university, we need to think...
www.tickettailor.com
March 16, 2026 at 4:58 PM
simpep.bsky.social
Our next History UK Pedagogy Forums focus on transitions to studying history at university (1-2.30pm, 26 March), and digital pedagogies in HE history teaching (3-4.30pm, 15 April).

More info 👇 Please share, see you there!
#historyeducation #academicsky

historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/events/2025-...
2025-2026 History UK Pedagogy Forum
We are pleased to announce the return of History UK’s Pedagogy Forum. A new series of online discussions about different aspects of teaching and learning will resume in July 2025, with variou…
historyuk.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk
March 9, 2026 at 3:25 PM