Earlier this year, as Covid spread, I watched my income disappear. I don't blame anyone for that, but a research appointment was put on hold, seemingly indefinitely; a consultancy contract disappeared, and any hope that my appointment at City, University of London might continue vanished. What had looked to be a pretty stable funding position, built up over time as I knew that leaving full-time academia was on the cards, vanished pretty much overnight.
On the advice of the Joffe Trust, who had been reduced to being the provider of my sole remaining funding at that point, I made an appeal on here for funds. They implied this as a condition of any further support. And I am immensely grateful that many people responded, and so, in turn, did they: providing a grant for the work I have been doing on tax after coronavirus for a submission to parliament, engagement via the videos on this issue, and on further work on government funding which I hope will come to fruition soon.
But I did, of course, apply for other funding. And now it seems that these bids have delivered. A number of things have happened.
First, on the academic front, I have, as previously advised, been appointed as a visiting professor of accounting at Sheffield University Management School. I have also now been appointed as a visiting professor of political economy at City, University of London. These are in addition to my appointment as visiting professor at Anglia Ruskin University in their Global Sustainability Institute.
Second, the work at City has a small consultancy arrangement attached to it related to my ongoing work on an impact case study there, whilst that at Sheffield now has a confirmed contract with Sheffield University Management School attached to it as part of their ESRC funded work for the Productivity Insight Network. This contract is with the Corporate Accountability Network, and is for £35,000 although it is likely that there will be significant disbursements for data costs out of this sum.
And now, again working in association with Sheffield University Management School, the Corporate Accountability Network has secured a contract for about £30,000 for work to be done on audit reform between now and March 2022. This contract is with The Luminate Group. The Corporate Accountability Network is one of at least seven groups being funded in varying amounts, of which Sheffield University Management School and my old friends at CBS are others. My role is to explain the technical reasons why audit and accounting reform are now required, as well as to provide technical support to others in the project. Again, this is a gross sum: there will be significant disbursement costs for video and other production costs related to this project.
In addition, I have agreed to do some new work with the Fair Tax Mark on its internalisation project. The amount involved is not yet known.
I should add the existing project on sustainable cost accounting with the Joffe Trust also runs into next year now. Work has been going on with regard to this, but as yet largely behind the scenes. That's how research works most of the time.
Four things emerge from this. First, there is new direction to my academic work, and new ideas on several papers arising from the above work are in development. I like that: although I know academic papers are probably the least read part of my work output they impose a discipline that informs the rest of the work.
Second, Sheffield is now my new academic epicentre.
Third, tax is now a fairly small part of my work, with accounting and auditing dominating it. I suspect that this is a trend that will continue. I do, of course, continue to be interested in tax and its development but my concerns and those of funders do not seem to overlap these days. I have changed my twitter profile to reflect this. I no longer say I am a tax justice campaigner: I say I am an economic justice campaigner.
And fourth, I have more funding than I could have dared expect not that long ago. If anybody wants to reconsider donations as a result, I would completely understand. But what I am hoping to do is rethink how I use donations.
One thing I did not expect to do when lockdown began was the video series. Mark Cooney of Spotted in Ely has, so far, been supporting these in the hope that at some time they might be monetised. I will now be discussing with him how we might do this more formally. I now see the videos we've been making appearing on Twitter on a regular basis as people use them to support their arguments. That means that they are working and are improving outreach for the blogging ideas - for which the donations remain the only direct support I have ever had. It's my aim then to use donations to help support this programme of videos now, including some which may well be slicker productions in due course. Comments on this plan would be welcome.
In the meantime, my thanks for your support. It's made a real difference during a period when just where income was to come from looked pretty unclear.
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Hello Richard.
I’m pleased for you.
Although your blog may be the layman’s side of your work, it’s importance is in spreading your ideas and insights to the wider public. In addition to this, the replies are equally interesting.
The videos are a great addition to the blog. Looking at it now, I can’t actually imagine the blog without them alongside.
Keep up the good work.
First, thank you for such transparency.
Second, the fact you have got funding in these straitened times should encourage you. It seems that others, too, think you are barking up the RIGHT tree.
Third, I think gifts are “unconditional” so completely support whatever you wish to do with the modest sum I have donated.
Keep going!!!
Thanks
Hearty congratulations – that old saying about hard work helping to create one’s luck is certainly relevant in your case.
Thanks
Great about the videos — until the “slicker productions” phrase crept in. Don’t change the formula too much. No cuts to photies or clips (except maybe a simple graphic) and keep it to the current attractive time limit of five, at most seven minutes. The first thing folk look at is how long is this going to be. How many videos never get watched when it says at the bottom that it will last more than 10 minutes?
Thanks
Noted
I’m not sure I agree on that one – I think some well placed diagrams, graphs or infographics, could be a really helpful communication tool for many of the concepts you talk about. As an example, anything where you’re trying to trace flows of where money comes from/goes to would benefit from a wee flow chart or similar.
Certainly agree on the “keep it succinct” point, however.
Noted
Just to second all the positive comments already posted, especially on your comprehensive transparency and re the videos – good and getting better. Plus an endorsement for Jack’s words of wisdom on length and simplicity of presentation. Your honest phiz is worth any number of ‘special effects’. Congratulations across the board.
Thanks
And noted re the videos
I am surprised they seem to be working as well as they are
Glad to hear of your new ventures in these tough times. I note that when times become tough it is largely public institutions and public resources that provide the substantive foundations for stability and development (I do also note your exceptions). It is the same with new ideas in the supposed ‘free market’. New ideas look to public funds and grants to establish credibility, before private capital, generally will consider touching a new idea. Investors do not actually care much for a lot of risk.
The proof of this is found in what binds the representatives of ‘free markets’ in difficult times. Note that the private sector in tough times never demands more competition, dynamic change, innovation and new entrants to their markets; or the confession that they are ‘sub-optimal’. What they ask; no, demand of Government is “certainty”. Think about that; according to the neoliberal theory competitive free markets require innovation, change and sharp competition: but it never, ever translates into real markets. The last thing they want is the uncertainty of a dynamic market free-for-all, because it isn’t “certainty”; it can’t be. They want security and safety. They expect it, and it is called “certainty”, as if you can have your cake and eat it. Of course in Britain, you can. It is called neoliberalism. It is faithfully delivered by a Conservative Government. Free markets in reality always turn into self-serving fake markets; and that is neoliberalism laid bare.
I also note your shift from ‘tax’ to ‘economics’. I find this very interesting, particularly after reading Graeber (following Bruno Théret and Geoffrey Ingham) in proposing that “Taxes are just a measure of our debt to the society that made us” (Graeber, ‘Debt’; Ch.3, p.59 – buy another copy, since your son had the wisdom to credit himself with yours!). It is the sovereign (power) to which that debt is paid, which selects the form of payment required (tax is the form of discharge of obligation chosen by the sovereign, which also creates the money that will be used to discharge it); its basis is power (society) and obligation (individual). It actually has nothing to do with truck, barter, trade or raising money. In consequence, sovereign power, money and tax do however tie the individual closely to the society, come what may; and that is the whole point.
I so agree…
I wish tax justice would
It is only through reflecting on Graeber’s critique that I did not consign the Chancellor’s latest sermon on Debt to mere hyperbole: he has described ‘balancing the books’ as a “sacred responsibility”. This is exactly as Graeber describes the history. This is not secular economics; it is not secular ideology. This is neoliberalism as religion.
The extent of the National Debt is no longer open to a secular test of truth; which means there is no authentic test we may use, save faith. The household budget is an object fit only for reverence.
Spot on
Interesting, you come to Sheffield at the very time HMRC abandon the city and hundreds of tax professionals end up on the dole queue, not sure it’s an entirely fair swop. We could have kept both.
It’s an amazing city, actually the whole of South Yorkshire is an amazing place, lots of great places to drink great beer and argue/debate about politics.
I am sorry to say I am not moving – my work is largely research and does not require that
Are you likely to be giving any public talks in Sheffield?
Not clear yet
Very pleased. I’m an occasional commenter, and occasionally a critical voice, but generally very supportive. Glad you are on a sounder footing.
Thanks
That’s great news Richard. I shall continue to donate monthly as I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that it will be put to good use.
Thanks
I am pleased that your prospects are on the ‘up’ Richard. Long may it continue. As is said, ‘one door closes and another opens’.
Thanks
Really good news Richard, you getting a good stack of funding. I was a bit late in the day contributing anything (I think I set up a standing order correctly, at least, there is money disappearing into the ether,,, but, hey, it’s all just IOUs anyway), and it’s not much, but think it’s more important to know you have a regular income so there can be some predictability in the future – well, I feel that way! I couldn’t settle with the uncertainty of scientific research many years ago – constant short term appointments were just not for me.
You do so much work anyway, I am sure you will continue to get successful funding constantly from now on. Your contributions through this blog definitely deserve paying for too though, so while I have the money coming in (which in theory should be for a few years yet; I rely on overtime for ‘extras’) you will get a regular monetary contribution from me to use as you will, regardless of what direction you take. I have less time to read your blog or think about things though!
Don’t expect me to ever get enthusiastic about accountancy mind you 😉
I am aware that accountancy is pushing it – but then so too was tax once upon a time
congratulations Richard and thank you for your update, your honesty is refreshing.
I will also continue with my small donation and look forward to future videos, they’re a great idea.
I am recording today. Mark has been on holiday
I donate to a few bloggers as well as TRUK and have never considered my contribution to by hypothecated. A guy or gal’s got to live, as well as work.
Thanks
And how many of those academic papers – written and unwritten – have been peer reviewed? The most surprising thing about all this new funding of yours is that for someone who seems to be on a never-ending day-to-day goal of criticism of ‘Tory jobs for Tory Toff mates’ – and how bad all that is [quite right too!] – seems to have attained all of this funding through his own mates’ network, and not through meritocracy. Does this mean we might see a bit of a toned down blog? 🙂
My peer reviewed publication rate is pretty good in academic terms right now
It’s not hard to find them
If you don’t know how you shouldn’t be asking the question
And if you think my founders are ‘mates’ your are seriously deluded
congratulations from jersey