Digital tools become obsolete. Creative thinking doesn't.

The thinking behind the tools matters more than the tools themselves, says @dougspecht.bsky.social from the University of Westminster

#DigitalCreativity

This is happening now, here: www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...

The trench at the edge of the desert A 520km barrier in the Atacama Desert tests the limits of migration control in South America, Doug Specht examines

Silence has a particular quality in the Atacama. The air is so thin and the land so vast that sound seems to dissolve. Then, on 16 March 2026, five days after Chile’s new far-right president José Antonio Kast took office, the excavators arrived. geographical.co.uk/news/the-tre...

Being indispensable: Capabilities for a human-AI world, the ‘FUTURES’ framework - HEPI New report advises universities to act now on GenAI – and to put human competency at the centre. A new report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), Being indispensable: Capabilities for a...

I am really pleased to announce the publication of 'Being indispensable: Capabilities for a human-AI world, the ‘FUTURES’ framework' co-authored with Gunter Saunders and published by the Higher Education Policy Institute www.hepi.ac.uk/reports/bein...

How a verdict against Greenpeace threatens climate activism Doug Specht looks at a US$345 million ruling that could redefine the risks of environmental protest worldwide

Greenpeace is being treated not as a participant in democratic debate but as an enemy whose punishment will deter others. I write on how a verdict against Greenpeace could chill environmental activism. geographical.co.uk/news/how-a-v...

Too much rain, not enough water Doug Specht on how we are living in the era of global water bankruptcy, and what it means for water supplies in the UK and worldwide

This winter’s sodden fields and overflowing drains tell a story of infrastructure and institutions built for a climate that no longer exists, struggling under the weight of too much water in the wrong place at the wrong time. geographical.co.uk/news/too-muc...

Artificial intelligence is shifting from a shared commons to a strategic, controlled territory. My latest on the geopolitical fragmentation of Artificial intelligence. geographical.co.uk/geopolitics/...

Loved this piece by @dougspecht.bsky.social on the life and diversity to be found in the “dullest OS Map square” - excellent!

Why the US seizure of Maduro echoes a century of gunboat diplomacy US arrest of Nicolás Maduro is a Trump-led operation that revives a long history of gunboat diplomacy, oil politics and empire

Trump’s Venezuela raid revives the old logic of oil, empire and the Monroe Doctrine in the 21st century geographical.co.uk/news/why-the...

How do maps shape our perceptions of space, power, and identity?

Doug Specht (University of Westminster) discusses this in a new Geography Directions blog post, reposted via The Conversation UK.

Check it out here 🗺️👇
https://ow.ly/BEMK50XtABY

The biggest climate stories often aren’t labelled ‘climate’ – so newsrooms miss them Budgets are now climate policy. But mainstream media hasn’t caught up.

My thoughts on the budget, climate change, and the media. theconversation.com/the-biggest-...

The UCL admissions chaos will damage UK HE’s global reputation Future crises can be averted if government and universities share data and plans in a more timely and transparent fashion, says Doug Sprecht

The UCL admissions chaos will damage UK HE’s global reputation, writes @dougspecht.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/ucl-...

The Student Guide to the Creative Studio in the Digital Age is now available #openaccess
Congratulations to authors Denitsa Petrova and @dougspecht.bsky.social!

Read or download for free at:
www-fulcrum-org.uow.idm.oclc.org/concern/mono...

#digitalcreativity #studiopractice #teachingandlearning

The rise of the ghost academic The academic conference no-show might feel like a minor inconvenience, but for Anne Tierney and Doug Specht it represents evidence a growing concern with CV padding over contributions to the field

The academic conference no-show might feel like a minor inconvenience, but it represents evidence a growing concern with CV padding over contributions to the field wonkhe.com/blogs/the-ri...

The peril of big tech in disaster response There are major technology lessons to be learned from the Türkiye-Syria quake, Doug Specht explains

There are major technology lessons to be learned from Google's failures during the 2023 Türkiye-Syria quake. New from me for Geographical Magazine. geographical.co.uk/news/the-per...

Really pleased to have been able to contribute to the Vogue Business climate finance glossary. www.voguebusiness.com/story/sustai...

The UK has published a ten-year industrial strategy to boost key sectors of the economy – here’s what the experts think The government hopes that by focusing on sectors that drive growth it will attract investment and boost prosperity.

The UK's new ten-year industrial strategy is ambitious and well-structured, but a reliance on nuclear rather than true renewables is seeking a quick win with high risks and high costs. theconversation.com/the-uk-has-p...

UK Report Warns Humanitarian Law Is Being ‘Hollowed Out’ Amid Rising Global Crises Cuts to aid and politicisation of relief undermine safety, access, and accountability in conflict zones The International Development Committee’s latest report, Protection Not Permission: The UK’s Rol...

My summary of the International Development Committee’s latest report on the UK’s Role in Upholding International Humanitarian Law and Supporting the Safe Delivery of Humanitarian Aid

geographical.co.uk/news/uk-repo...

Scotland's ecocide bill could set a global legal precedent Scotland’s proposed ecocide law could make mass environmental destruction a crime – and serve as a model for international legal reform

An important new ecocide bill is being discussed in the Scottish Parliament. Damien Short and I break it down here for Geographical geographical.co.uk/news/scotlan...

Digital cartography on trial: Mexico sues Google for ‘Gulf of America’ label Mexico sues Google over renaming the Gulf of Mexico ‘Gulf of America’, raising concerns about digital sovereignty and cartographic power

"The lines on our maps, and the names we give them, are not fixed truths but living artefacts of negotiation, memory and power"
@dougspecht.bsky.social on cartography, geopolitics & territorial sovereignty
@geographical.co.uk
geographical.co.uk/news/digital...

Course cancellations ‘inevitable’ after ‘body blow’ funding cuts Surprise reduction in funding for specialist provision will spark ‘brand new financial crisis brewed entirely in Whitehall’, critics warn

In today's THE, I comment on why the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, is slashing funding in all the wrong places! www.timeshighereducation.com/news/course-...

Digital cartography on trial: Mexico sues Google for ‘Gulf of America’ label Mexico sues Google over renaming the Gulf of Mexico ‘Gulf of America’, raising concerns about digital sovereignty and cartographic power

This argument is about more than naming rights – it reminds us of the extent to which maps don’t reflect but instead create and shape the world.

geographical.co.uk/news/digital...

This week we celebrate 50 years since the University of Westminster launched the first BA Media degree in the UK. Follow our anniversary event for colleagues, alumni and students on Wed 21, and our international academic conference on Thu 22 and Fri 23 May, through the hashtag #UoWMEDIA50

What Are US Taxpayers Getting in $6 Million Deal With Salvadoran Mega-Prison? | KQED The Trump administration has cut an unprecedented deal to send alleged gang members to El Salvador’s notorious prison, but it won’t provide the details about the arrangement. Here’s what to know.

I recently spoke with Sukey Lewis about what US taxpayers are getting from the $6 Million prison deal with a El Salvador.

www.kqed.org/news/1203887...

Why is El Salvador turning away from Bitcoin? El Salvador's attitudes to Bitcoin are changing. Doug Specht explores why and considers how other nations are sizing up cryptocurrency

This week I am looking at why El Salvador is turning away from Bitcoin - Me for Geographical

geographical.co.uk/news/why-is-...

How media has contributed to the rise of the AfD Doug Specht examines how forms of media - and public figures - have helped to bolster support for Germany's AfD party

How media has contributed to the rise of the AfD

geographical.co.uk/geopolitics/...

Really excited for this event with David Morley and Mike Duggan. 12th June at the University of Westminster. Tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/media-geog...

El Salvador’s Controversial Offer: Housing U.S. Criminals in Its Mega-Prison - me for The SAIS Review of International Affairs saisreview.sais.jhu.edu/el-salvadors...

Only 15 countries have met the latest Paris agreement deadline. Is any nation serious about tackling climate change? The low submission rate undermines the global commitment to climate action.

Is any nation serious about climate change? The days of collaboration appear to be over. Me for @theconversation.com

theconversation.com/only-15-coun...

Only 15 countries have met the latest Paris agreement deadline. Is any nation serious about tackling climate change? The low submission rate undermines the global commitment to climate action.

Is any nation serious about climate change? The days of collaboration appear to be over. Me for @theconversation.com

theconversation.com/only-15-coun...