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@Federation_Bot  ·  activity timestamp yesterday

UK academia’s presence on X is reaching a tipping point

https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2026/01/14/uk-academias-presence-on-x-is-reaching-a-tipping-point/

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#University #Academia #UK #LeaveX #X

A tipping point
Based on data updated in December for a keynote at the Social Media in Higher Education for Learning and Teaching conference, a tipping point is near. That is, when another thirteen universities cease activity or announce they are leaving X, more universities will be off X than on. Indeed this tipping point may already have been reached, making universities that engage with X the minority.  

The reasons why these institutions have remained are varied. Although the putative size and reach of X’s audience is likely a key driver, as is the unwillingness to surrender the seeming influence of large follower counts built up over years. Needless to say whilst the last few years have seen inertia, many senior leadership teams will be reconsidering this question at this very moment.
A tipping point Based on data updated in December for a keynote at the Social Media in Higher Education for Learning and Teaching conference, a tipping point is near. That is, when another thirteen universities cease activity or announce they are leaving X, more universities will be off X than on. Indeed this tipping point may already have been reached, making universities that engage with X the minority. The reasons why these institutions have remained are varied. Although the putative size and reach of X’s audience is likely a key driver, as is the unwillingness to surrender the seeming influence of large follower counts built up over years. Needless to say whilst the last few years have seen inertia, many senior leadership teams will be reconsidering this question at this very moment.
A tipping point Based on data updated in December for a keynote at the Social Media in Higher Education for Learning and Teaching conference, a tipping point is near. That is, when another thirteen universities cease activity or announce they are leaving X, more universities will be off X than on. Indeed this tipping point may already have been reached, making universities that engage with X the minority. The reasons why these institutions have remained are varied. Although the putative size and reach of X’s audience is likely a key driver, as is the unwillingness to surrender the seeming influence of large follower counts built up over years. Needless to say whilst the last few years have seen inertia, many senior leadership teams will be reconsidering this question at this very moment.
LSE Impact - Understanding impact and practice in academic research

UK academia’s presence on X is reaching a tipping point

Data collected on UK universities’ use of social media shows academic engagement with X is at a tipping point with more institutions off the platform than on.
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Leave X - Protect Democracy
Leave X - Protect Democracy
@leavex@mastodon.social  ·  activity timestamp yesterday

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#Mastodon #BlueSky #Academia #UK

Half-baked alternatives
What is clear from my data is that many of those who set up elsewhere on Bluesky, Threads and in very rare cases, Mastodon, did so in a half-baked fashion. There are 23 Bluesky accounts using the name of a UK university, but which have not yet posted. We can only assume they are the university they say they are, as in most cases there is no biographical information, no links, no images and no posts.

What is clear from my data is that many of those who set up elsewhere on Bluesky, Threads and in very rare cases, Mastodon, did so in a half-baked fashion.

Rather than name and shame, you can view all of the universities I have found on Bluesky via my UK Universities on Bluesky starter pack. One institution even has no avatar, unlike the rest who are using their official crests. Adding the missing information takes a few minutes and they only need one pinned post to say this is a holding account with links to elsewhere.
Half-baked alternatives What is clear from my data is that many of those who set up elsewhere on Bluesky, Threads and in very rare cases, Mastodon, did so in a half-baked fashion. There are 23 Bluesky accounts using the name of a UK university, but which have not yet posted. We can only assume they are the university they say they are, as in most cases there is no biographical information, no links, no images and no posts. What is clear from my data is that many of those who set up elsewhere on Bluesky, Threads and in very rare cases, Mastodon, did so in a half-baked fashion. Rather than name and shame, you can view all of the universities I have found on Bluesky via my UK Universities on Bluesky starter pack. One institution even has no avatar, unlike the rest who are using their official crests. Adding the missing information takes a few minutes and they only need one pinned post to say this is a holding account with links to elsewhere.
Half-baked alternatives What is clear from my data is that many of those who set up elsewhere on Bluesky, Threads and in very rare cases, Mastodon, did so in a half-baked fashion. There are 23 Bluesky accounts using the name of a UK university, but which have not yet posted. We can only assume they are the university they say they are, as in most cases there is no biographical information, no links, no images and no posts. What is clear from my data is that many of those who set up elsewhere on Bluesky, Threads and in very rare cases, Mastodon, did so in a half-baked fashion. Rather than name and shame, you can view all of the universities I have found on Bluesky via my UK Universities on Bluesky starter pack. One institution even has no avatar, unlike the rest who are using their official crests. Adding the missing information takes a few minutes and they only need one pinned post to say this is a holding account with links to elsewhere.
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