Remember this #shitshow? Umeå Uni continues to impress. In Feb, VC decided #PhD defenses can be held digitally. Since, UmU has 1) required @wintersparv should be at other uni w established collab; 2) refused the same b/c other uni cannot be responsible for tech;

(Thread 1/6) https://twitter.com/nesospiza/status/1305897825763561472

3) refused that @wintersparv would be on link from home (because HOW do you cheat on defending your PhD thesis, also while on camera?!); 4) finally acknowledged home would be a solution; 5) TODAY, 11 days before defense, says #Swedish #Covid-19 curves look good ...

2/6

... so no reason to have defense digitally, instead requiring @Wintersparv to travel to Sweden to defend on site. Though decision not planned to be formally made until Apr 29, 8 days before defense. They expect Spoke to get tested, book airfare & accommodation in 1 DAY ...

3/6

... to self-isolate 7 days in #Sweden before defense. The way Sweden is heading, it's possible it ends up at UK's travel ban #RedList ( https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-measures-to-protect-the-uk-from-variant-strains-of-covid-19) requiring 10-day £1,750 hotel quarantine. Compared to current countries w data on the list Sweden ranks #2.

4/6

It's hard not to get the impression that there's bizarre prestige for the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (or Umeå Uni largely?) to ensure this defense happens on their terms at any cost, incl risks for physical harm. WHY the stubborn refusal to be pragmatic?

5/6

As one result, @Wintersparv has to argue about this instead of actually reading his thesis and preparing for his defense on May 7. Joyous and productive times!

END thread 6/6