Academics, Science... The truth

 Once upon a time .... there was a university in the NE of England. A university that considered itself to be above other universities. This University committed many atrocities and got away with them. However, as in any story there becomes a time of re conning. This is now the time that transparency was revealed.  As part of this, it would seem only fair to be transparent. I have a book out on amazon called the Ivory Towers Dirty Little Secret. It was written from my heart. It was probably written badly as I needed to get it out. so there was never any form of proof reading. I kept it vague to ensure it was a non obvious 100%. So I would suggest maybe read the book to see where my mind was. Secondly, look me up - find out the truth about me. You will read a lot of rubbish that was one sided. No one has ever had my side of events, I do aim to release it, not out of any form of wanting anything but again so as far as i am concerned the record is out there. Nothing is black and ...

 God Loves a gift that keeps on giving. As people know I have a chip on my shoulder about the state of research in the UK. Especially when it comes to academia and the types of academic who work there. Periodically, if i feel demotivated, I like to remind myself why no matter what, life could be worse working at certain universities. So i dropped into that legendary North East Hell Hole, sorry that's my opinion, housing of academic (Fill in your own word). Go look at the state of the Engineering departments website. One can only assume they do no research in some of their NODES as they call them. As you click the link which goes no where. No promotion, no positivity, static - that's all i need to say. Go look for yourself #StaticResearch #DurhamDoesnt #WhatAMess #MyOpinion

 It's time for an update from one of our local NE universities. Firstly to say, they are probably all very similar, perhaps just a change in where the issues are down to the university level and class. So this university is one where it nearly killed people with some coffee experiment. This university is different with its PSS. By the university, my take is its same business, treat them like cannon fodder. However, here the PSS hype up their own importance. Apparently a grade 5 should not help a grade 3 if work needs doing as it looks bad form to do that.... what a world we live in. There are some techs who have a PhD. This inflates their feeling of importance but lack of ability. For instance, it is common knowledge that one in the engineering section was given a promotion (with no interview). Unfortunately grade does not mean ability not effort in a role. But the academic sector only likes to promote and praise those who are both too stupid and too lazy to offer any form of threa...

  Durham University Melts Down: Microsoft Systems Offline Chaos Introduction: Durham University, a prestigious (in name only) institution in the United Kingdom, recently found itself in a technological nightmare when Microsoft's systems went offline. What ensued was a full-blown meltdown that disrupted essential services, leaving students and staff alike in a state of confusion and frustration. Systemic Disruption: The Microsoft systems outage affected a wide range of university services, including: Email (Outlook) Online learning platform (Blackboard) Wi-Fi connectivity Research databases Administrative systems Student Frustration: Students were particularly impacted by the outage. Classes had to be canceled or moved online, assignments could not be submitted, and library resources were inaccessible. Many expressed their frustration and anxiety on social media: "#DurhamDown is a nightmare! I have a deadline tomorrow and I can't access my work!" "#MicrosoftFail ...

 ## Title: The Ivory Tower's Dirty Secret: How Engineering Departments Fail Their Staff *Synopsis:* Behind the gleaming facades of prestigious universities, a dark secret lurks. This book exposes the shocking reality of how poorly run engineering departments can be, particularly in their treatment of non-academic staff. Through firsthand accounts, investigative research, and a critical analysis of the system, the book reveals a disturbing picture of overworked, undervalued, and often disregarded employees. From the pressure cooker of grant deadlines to the relentless demands of research projects, the book dives into the daily struggles faced by technicians, administrative staff, and support personnel. It explores the systemic issues that lead to these problems, including: * *A focus on research over education and teaching:* The relentless pressure to secure funding and publish papers often leaves little room for prioritizing staff well-being or supporting a balanced work environmen...

  ## A University Divided: Workplace Violence Against Support Staff at Durham University The hallowed halls of Durham University, steeped in tradition and academic excellence, are facing a disturbing reality: **workplace violence against support staff**. This is not a whisper in the corridors, but a growing concern, painting a stark picture of an institution struggling to protect its own. Recent reports have surfaced detailing incidents of verbal abuse, intimidation, and even physical assault targeted at support staff. These individuals, the backbone of the university, are often the first faces students encounter, providing crucial services from administrative assistance to library management. They are the unsung heroes, yet they face a daily threat to their safety and well-being. **The silence surrounding this issue is deafening.** While Durham University boasts a zero-tolerance policy on violence, the reality is far from ideal. Many support staff members feel intimidated to repor...