I agree with everything Patrick Porter says in this article. Especially the appalling reconception of #university as nothing more than a qualification factory.

"A well-delivered lecture isn’t primarily a delivery system for information. It is an ignition point for curiosity, all the better for being experienced in an audience." Marvellous defence of the increasingly maligned university experience by Patrick Porter

Very good article.

Clever piece on the purpose of universities by tertiary education’s answer to Taylor Swift.

Meanwhile, here’s Patrick Porter and I in The Critic on the general case for a renewed UK tactical nuclear capability:

We need a foreign policy that accepts the dark facts of international life, argues Patrick Porter thecritic.co.uk/message-to-bri…

My piece in The Critic, on the need for British realism abroad. thecritic.co.uk/message-to-bri…

A little late to read this great piece from Patrick Porter in The Critic. Brilliant riposte to those who view universities as mere credential factories.

My piece in The Critic, Starmer's Chagos Slur. Starmer frames dissent over his deal with Mauritius as sinister useful idiocy. But the PM is unwise to recast prudential questions as loyalty tests. thecritic.co.uk/starmers-chago…

It is not pro-Putin to oppose the Chagos deal, writes Patrick Porter. Guilt by association is just stupid politics thecritic.co.uk/starmers-chago…

On the once-again-pertinent question of bellicose tails wagging superpower dogs… With Patrick Porter, in Security Studies, a depressingly consistent half-decade ago: ore.exeter.ac.uk/rest/bitstream…

Me in The Critic: David Ben-Gurion believed Israel in its hostile region could never have finality on its terms. It would always have to deter, requiring discipline. Netanyahu's war of temptation on Iran rejects that vision. Decisiveness may elude him. thecritic.co.uk/deterrence-req…

Is bombing Iran really going to crush their will, or just make them more determined? asks Patrick Porter thecritic.co.uk/deterrence-req…

Is bombing Iran really going to crush their will, or just make them more determined, asks Patrick Porter thecritic.co.uk/deterrence-req…

Does it make sense to go hard if there is no final victory? Patrick Porter reflects on the means and ends of war thecritic.co.uk/deterrence-req…

Someone should write a book about the “nostalgia” and “delusion” of those who believe there was a robust ‘rules-based liberal order’ until our current woes came along, eh Patrick Porter? theguardian.com/law/2025/jun/2…

"But it would be a brave bet that the offensive eliminates Iran’s nuclear will. If anything, by rejecting deterrence and striking at Iran’s vitals, it may tip the regime over the decision threshold." Writes Patrick Porter: thecritic.co.uk/deterrence-req…

I have an article with The Critic this morning, making the case for keeping out of costly wars with limited upsides - even if that makes us feel less “relevant”. Obvious application is the recent Iran situation…but such choices will return in future. thecritic.co.uk/the-case-for-k…

(Of course, there are plenty of ‘case for restraint’ articles out there applied to the US…but this one makes a case for the UK to choose restraint even when its superpower ally decides not to)