Tweet nothings

Re “Legal scholar’s ‘political’ tweets ruffle a few feathers” (News, 21 August), I look forward to the University of Leeds appearing in Laurie Taylor’s column, The Poppletonian.

I’m happy to say that University College London has never tried to censor anything I say even when some people might see it as controversial.

David Colquhoun
Via timeshighereducation.co.uk

The idea of my tweets being censored by my employer is absurd. I am pretty sure that David Latchman (the master of Birkbeck, University of London) has far better things to do with his time than check on my latest rant about…well, whatever it is that @tissington has on its mind on any particular day.

For example, at the moment I am annoyed by Premier League football club ownership and the quality of service in British seaside resorts. But next week it might be tuition fees, why you should take a holiday, the pop music of today or the resettlement of ex-Forces people.

I think that it’s an important part of my job as an academic to speak out. This is distinct from my job as a lecturer and researcher, although I see them as all inextricably linked.

Pat Tissington
Via timeshighereducation.co.uk