Dr Matt Barnard
Cat-owning philosophy academic | existentialism | phenomenology | new project: philosophy of AI
- matthewbarnard.phd
UCU NEC/HEC UK Elected Representative
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardMy #UCU NEC ballot paper arrived! Voted for @markpendleton.bsky.social and @suzitoole.bsky.social obviously plus a bunch of other @ucucommons.org and independent candidates at the list below.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardLOVE THIS! ctan.math.illinois.edu/graphics/pgf... "This package provides an essential feature to LATEX that has been missing for too long. It adds a coffee stain to your documents. A lot of time can be saved by printing stains directly on the page rather than adding them manually."
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnard
You know it’s bad out there when the shift from late Roman Republican to Imperial portrait busts make you audibly sigh with recognition in the galleries. - Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardA huge turnout of staff, students and community members against the proposed closure of the Uni of Essex campus in Southend. Thanks to @ucuessex.bsky.social for the invitation to speak about what’s happening at Sheffield - your fight is our fight! And solidarity for your picket lines next week!
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardThis May, I step down from UCU's NEC as Women's Rep (HE) after six years' service (as is mandatory). I can't think of anyone better to hand the baton to as women's reps than @drgillhistory.bsky.social and Poppy Gerrard-Abbott, both of whom have been fab on our Women Members' Standing Committee. /1
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardThis is really interesting. I will note that there’s a pretty big gap between 5% (at least doubling the 2.5% offer) and the 26% ask (albeit over several years). Also interesting is the union rep’s repeated insistence that there’s no plan to go on strike.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardFifteen years ago on this very day, I made this low quality photoshop of a photo I took in 2002, and somehow it became a meme. You’re welcome.
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnard[This post could not be retrieved]
- Really helpful thread getting into the complexities of LLM energy usage. LLMs energy usage is concerning, but the situation is more nuanced than is often given credit. This lets the vendors off the hook. If a sustainable LLMs are possible, we must demand that *all* LLMs be sustainable.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardI’d just like to remind my fellow #ucu folks that when many campaigners say “vote on the left” or “vote for left aligned candidates” they mean specifically “UCULeft”. This sort of redefining of words is terribly annoying. UCULeft is a SWP flavoured leftism. If that’s your bag, great.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardJust a quick note to @greenparty.org.uk and @greenpartyhan.bsky.social - I was not consulted on being quoted on your leaflets and I have not endorsed your campaign (or any campaign in this seat). I think this note, like the bar chart next to it, is misleading and out of context.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardThis from my fellow departmental #ucu rep Anna means a lot. We have been through the wringer in recent years but we built power through a focus on unity, organising and empowerment, doubling density in the process. We can do the same in UCU nationally. ucucommons.org/endorsements...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardAlso, maybe don't use this as an excuse to cut courses and programs that are currently profitable? And make faculty who bring in research funds redundant? Seems, I don't know, obvious? #stopthecuts #savehe #UCU #UoNUCU #UON #UniversityOfNottingham
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardA good response. We have to stand with our trans siblings. I'm white, cis gendered, female presenting, middle class, educated and awash with privilege. Pin your flags to the mast here. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
- 📣 Today @felicitycallard.bsky.social and I have published the first peer-reviewed response to the 'Sullivan Review' of research and data on sex and gender. doi.org/10.1111/tran... The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardJay Todd @jaytoddgla.bsky.social and I have published today in @tibg.bsky.social a critical response to the UK Government-commissioned "Sullivan Review" of sex and gender in data and research collection rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
- 📣 Today @felicitycallard.bsky.social and I have published the first peer-reviewed response to the 'Sullivan Review' of research and data on sex and gender. doi.org/10.1111/tran... The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardIf you in any way can, get down to Southend on Thursday at noon to support @ucuessex.bsky.social members and the Southend community.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardCan we care for AI companions in any meaningful sense? Interesting new manuscript responding to Lott and Hasselberger (who answered this question "no" last year). #aiethics
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnard“Closing Southend means losing homegrown social workers people who understand this community.” Join us this Thursday as we rally to stop the cuts and save Southend’s campus. 🕛 12:00–13:00 | 📍 The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardLove to see devolved nations endorsing @markpendleton.bsky.social When your UCU ballot papers drop, vote for Mark, vote for @suzitoole.bsky.social + vote for other excellent candidates ucucommons.org/election26/
- Grateful for the endorsement of the UCU Cymru and Scotland Presidents and other reps of devolved nations. We need to unite our union across the UK, while respecting the distinct needs of each nation and sector. #ucu ucucommons.org/endorsements...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardToday’s start of LGBT+ history month is a great time to focus on and recommit to the important work UCU does to advance LGBTQ+ and wider equality. My contributions to that have led to endorsement from the chairs of all five of UCU’s equality committees. Thank you. ucucommons.org/endorsements/
- I've been using chatgpt for a year now and it has been vaguely helpfulish, but the one truly revolutionary technology that has improved my productivity is vertical tabs in webbrowsers
- I enjoy the implication that good tech utopia would erase the need for Seinfeld
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardSo please, VOTE for candidates who actually take this seriously. ucucommons.org/election26/
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardSO SO GLAD to see a PROPER rebuttal against Silvia Federici's very wrong scholarship in the latest Magic, Ritual and Witchcraft! Thank you, Rita Voltmer! muse.jhu.edu/pub/56/artic...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardHonestly, stuff like this is why we need a serious union that is on the ball. If we don't fully engage in shaping the future of the HE sector, employers and managers will happily get on with doing it without us #UCU
- The #GreenParty are sending out misleading leaflets again. Had this through the door. It claims they're the anti-reform tactical vote, but if you actually work out their own numbers, it shows Greens coming third. @zackpolanski.bsky.social #HannahSpencer #GortonAndDenton
- Tactical voting is an important responsibility, but pretending to be the tactical vote when you're own projection shows you coming in third just undermines the process and faith in politicians. Very disappointing.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardYorp is a vehicle for the SWP - if it wasn’t obvious from the fuss they made at the inaugural conference and subsequent dual carding vote. This is why they’re laundering their image by removing key Delta-era leaders from their central committee. Whole Yorp project is dead in the water. Avoid.
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnard[This post could not be retrieved]
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnard#UCU members: NEC ballot papers drop TODAY. Please, please don't ignore these when they arrive. Our sectors' future viability depends on you having your say. I can recommend a vote for the candidates listed below. If you want to chat to me about this, my DMs are open.
- From tomorrow, Friday 30 January, ballot papers will start to arrive by post for VP (HE and FE), and several key positions on our NEC. We're supporting our own @markpendleton.bsky.social for VP (HE) and independent @suzitoole.bsky.social for VP (FE) & lots of other great people. Please share! #UCU
- Please Please Please Please Please Please Please Please Please
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardFrom tomorrow, Friday 30 January, ballot papers will start to arrive by post for VP (HE and FE), and several key positions on our NEC. We're supporting our own @markpendleton.bsky.social for VP (HE) and independent @suzitoole.bsky.social for VP (FE) & lots of other great people. Please share! #UCU
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardFuck William of Ockham (c. 1285–1349) #philosophy
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardWow. Yikes.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardNewsletter #8! #UCU Feat @markpendleton.bsky.social & @suzitoole.bsky.social’s joint VP run & NEC bids of @matthewbarnard.phd @drgillhistory.bsky.social, @profalexp.bsky.social. & vthuppil.bsky.social, @matildaf.bsky.social, @statesofprecarity.bsky.social & more! ucucommons.org/ucu-commons-...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardOK folks. It’s voting time again. I recommend the UCU Commons slate. IMO these candidates are most focused on the actual issues affecting members in our sector. Fantastic lineup!! 😍
- We're delighted that our very own @markpendleton.bsky.social is running for VP (HE) this year, with our members @drgillhistory.bsky.social, @matthewbarnard.phd, @profalexp.bsky.social and a bunch of like-minded independent candidates. Ballots start to arrive by post at the end of this week. #UCU
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnard*Not so fun fact. Matt Goodwin was my dissertation supervisor. Only briefly mind. I swapped after he said that my idea - a study and survey on the politics of the homeless (less than 1% vote) - was of "no academic interest". I got a 1st 🎓
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardWe're delighted that our very own @markpendleton.bsky.social is running for VP (HE) this year, with our members @drgillhistory.bsky.social, @matthewbarnard.phd, @profalexp.bsky.social and a bunch of like-minded independent candidates. Ballots start to arrive by post at the end of this week. #UCU
- From this Friday, #ucu members will receive ballot papers for this year’s elections. I am running for election as Vice-President (Higher Education), to become President in 2029–30. Read why below and at ucucommons.org/mark4vp/ I also support @suzitoole.bsky.social for VP (Further Education).
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnarda phd
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardFrom this Friday, #ucu members will receive ballot papers for this year’s elections. I am running for election as Vice-President (Higher Education), to become President in 2029–30. Read why below and at ucucommons.org/mark4vp/ I also support @suzitoole.bsky.social for VP (Further Education).
- “Philosopher” might need to become a protected term.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardStill looking for a RGS-IBG session to submit to? Look no further!
- CfP for @rgsibg.bsky.social annual conference just dropped! Organised by @geogdurham.bsky.social 's Leah Edwards and myself: The Family as Site of Environmental Politics. Please share widely! docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnard
- The truly disappointing thing is that both Starmer and Burnham have shown their worst traits in this collision.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardWe are further delighted to report that today's meetings of the Black Members' Standing Committee and Disabled Members' Standing Committee passed the motion. Next up: Equality Committee. #UCU
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardCfP for @rgsibg.bsky.social annual conference just dropped! Organised by @geogdurham.bsky.social 's Leah Edwards and myself: The Family as Site of Environmental Politics. Please share widely! docs.google.com/document/d/1...
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnard💡Our @statesofprecarity.bsky.social project has been covered in @sciencebusiness.net. 'Fixed-term academic contracts discourage ‘radical’ research' sciencebusiness.net/news/r-d-fun... Thank you @davidmjourno.bsky.social for reaching out to the team
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardBreaking news to people suddenly interested in nomination processes to UCU committees: - NEC can (and has) had over-representation from particular branches. Manchester had 5 people on HEC at 1 point - about 1/8 of the committee! - Branch domination is less significant w so many of us moving around
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardIt is absolutely disgraceful for an employer to pull this double-punishment trick. What an appalling way to treat employees.
- Well that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardDreadful way to treat hardworking staff and a totally unnecessary escalation by Sheffield management. #UCU #UKHE
- Well that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardWell that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
- Today’s BSP Podcast episode records myself in conversation with Prof. Felix Ó Murchadha talking about my book on Heidegger’s conception of freedom at last year’s conference in University College Dublin.
- BSP Podcast - Episode 160 - Book Discussion | Matthew J. Barnard – Heidegger’s Conception of Freedom: Beyond Cause and Effect (2024) Matthew J. Barnard presents on his recent monograph in conversation with Felix Ó Murchadha. www.thebsp.org.uk/2026/01/09/b... #Phenomenology #Philosophy
- I had found the whole idea nerve-racking, but thanks to Felix’s very kind response it also turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had as an academic.
- Also, here is the book: link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardBSP Podcast - Episode 159 - Book Discussion | Laura Jane Nanni – The Porosity of the Self: Husserl's Philosophy of Self and Personhood (2024) Nanni presents on her recent monograph in conversation with Associate Professor Timothy Mooney. www.thebsp.org.uk/2026/01/07/b...
- Reposted by Dr Matt Barnard"I’m going to pause here just to review: an institution that purports to be a university has told a philosophy professor he is forbidden from teaching Plato." surreal times dailynous.com/2026/01/06/t...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardThis just goes to show how vacuous all those concerns about preserving the status of the Western canon were. Plato is basically the main white-bust-statue guy, but it turns out he's too woke for universities if you actually read him
- "I’m going to pause here just to review: an institution that purports to be a university has told a philosophy professor he is forbidden from teaching Plato." surreal times dailynous.com/2026/01/06/t...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardIn terms of how we respond to this: unintentional carelessness is a far bigger problem - and a more difficult one to deal with - than calculated dishonesty or misconduct.
- Really happy to announce that the BSP Podcast, which I edit, is back with three episodes a week of recordings of our conferences. First, we have Susi Ferrarello discussing her book, 'Phenomenology of Pregnancy and Early Motherhood'. Available on your favourite podcast app and also the ones you hate.
- BSP Podcast - Episode 158 - Book Discussion | Susi Ferrarello – #Phenomenology of Pregnancy and Early Motherhood (2025) In this episode, author Susi Ferrarello presents on her recent monograph in conversation with Professor Tanja Staehler. www.thebsp.org.uk/2026/01/05/b...
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardFor example: authors being misquoted (though not in a way that immediately jumps out as obvious) and bibliographic details being recorded incorrectly. These inaccuracies are reproduced because of people using chatbots to find references and not double checking the outputs. Long term result: unclear
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardMy highly contingent and partial take on Gen AI in Higher Education is this: the biggest problem with Gen AI isn't brazen cheating or dishonesty. It's the normalisation of seemingly minor things being incorrect: call it a 'close enough' mentality.
- Reposted by Dr Matt BarnardWell done to @cardiffucu.bsky.social. This is huge progress from where things were not long ago.
- Some really (and qualifiedly) good news from Cardiff UCU @cardiffucu.bsky.social : No redundancies next year, no downgrading of professional services staff. And all without the need for disruptive industrial action, which nobody at all wants. nation.cymru/news/cardiff...
