New website updates: thombrooks.info

One of the privileges of academic life is helping ideas travel — from research, into policy, into public conversation. That bridge matters more now than ever.

I support the govt's building an immigration system that is fair, firm and socially cohesive. As I argue in New Arrivals, this means faster decisions, effective enforcement — and putting citizenship back at the centre, with a new Life in the UK test and meaningful ceremonies.

Happy Christmas from the Brooks family

Wishing friends and colleagues warm season’s greetings and every good wish for the New Year.

I waited 14 years for a Labour government. Our country needs it to deliver and we have a responsible to come together and do just that.

I waited 14 years for a Labour government. Our country needs it to deliver and we have a responsible to come together and do just that.

No surprise on #SQE www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/candida...

Spot on from Al Carns MP: ‘Real patriotism is about service, not spectacle’ – via @LabourList labourlist.org/2025/12/patr...

Me in @timeshighered.bsky.social External examining is failing to uphold UK standards. Discuss www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/extern...

Christmas at @collingwooddurham.bsky.social

Proud that my book “Punishment” at 4.7⭐ ★★★★ on Amazon. My hope was always for it to be both rigorous and accessible — glad readers seem to agree #CriminalJustice #Philosophy www.amazon.co.uk/Punishment-2...

Agility, innovation, ambition. Colleges' potential to enrich academic culture at universities. Lively and thought-provoking sessions with Prof @thombrooks.bsky.social (Collingwood College @durham.ac.uk) & Dr Richard Myers (United College, Waterloo). #CollegiateWay2025 @cwi25.bsky.social 🎓

Principled Sentencing: Rethinking Penal Purposes Workshop www.durham.ac.uk/departments/...

Having fun @collingwooddurham.bsky.social

We know how to rock at @collingwooddurham.bsky.social @durham.ac.uk !

We know how to rock at @collingwooddurham.bsky.social @durham.ac.uk !

Happy Turkey Day to all who celebrate. #HappyThanksgiving

Looking forward to hearing Chancellor and old friend Rachel Reeves announce budget this afternoon. #Budget

Delighted to be elected to @thefabians.bsky.social Executive Committee this year

My first talk on a Labour think tank panel in Sunderland with Hilary Benn, Julie Elliott and Phil Wilson in 2012

Always the way, isn't it? Graduate from top uni says other people shouldn't aspire to go to university. The Prime Minister's target – two thirds of young people getting a degree or an apprenticeship – is the right one. Only Labour backs our young people. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Brilliant performance last night by @collingwooddurham.bsky.social , Dance Society. Enormously talented

I'm delighted to see Government's settlement consultation supportive of ideas re: contribution and integration flagged in my book Becoming British (2016) and Fabian Society pamphlet (2022)! fabians.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Snow has come to @collingwooddurham.bsky.social !

Never in doubt.

Brilliant to enjoy @collingwooddurham.bsky.social Association Football Club’s Danny Scott tournament

Reforming our institutions means renewing our trust in them. #InstitutionalReform #PublicTrust #GoodGovernance

Immigration: Yes To Americans, No To Afghans? youtu.be/5D1Jhx06jfg?...

Happy birthday to @darrenpjones.bsky.social !

Immensely proud to lay a wreath at today’s #ArmisticeDay service on behalf of everyone at @collingwooddurham.bsky.social We will remember them.

Remembrance Sunday is so powerful as we reflect back and honour those who sacrificed so much for us today. In absence of Bank Holiday or anything like Australia's Australian Day, I think the following Monday should look towards the future celebrating our shared British values. #MondayMotivation

We shall never forget. #remembrancesunday

I visited Denmark not that long ago. Many good lessons to learn to develop immigration policy in Britain. Welcome move from Home Secretary

I completed @yale.edu Connected Leadership coursera.org/share/b6ebe1... #Coursera

Citizenship education should be as fundamental as literacy.

I'm fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK: fundraise.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/s/11513/1041...

Teaching citizenship is about cultivating responsibility. Delighted to see it will be compulsory for primary schools as well as secondary.

I've argued for years that #citizenship should become a compulsory part of the primary school curriculum. Huge credit to the government this is to become reality! assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690b2a...

Applications open to become a Justice of the UK Supreme Court: www.supremecourt.uk/about-the-co...

The best ideas come from dialogue, not division. #Dialogue #Unity #PublicService

Expertise should inform politics — not be dismissed by it. #EvidenceBasedPolicy #Expertise #LeadershipInPublicLife

Reforming our institutions means renewing our trust in them. #Dialogue #Unity #PublicService

Magna Carta and its influence today: a debate. Had a fantastic time in the Cathedral earlier this month discussing the charter with colleagues Henry Jones, @benedictdouglas.bsky.social and @thombrooks.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS2X...

Citizenship is the bridge between belonging and responsibility. #citizenship #British

Universities must serve more than themselves — they should shape policy, inform justice and help build the kind of society we want to live in. Bridging scholarship and service should be more commonly found guiding principle. #HigherEducation #Policy

Universities must serve more than themselves — they should shape policy, inform justice and help build the kind of society we want to live in. Bridging scholarship and service should be more commonly found guiding principle. #HigherEducation #Policy

From citizenship reform to justice policy, the work continues to ensure that everyone who calls Britain home can share equally in its rights and responsibilities. A fairer, more inclusive citizenship strengthens our democracy. #Citizenship #Justice thombrooks.info

Wrong. The Reform Party wants to take away ministerial accountability. Local people deserve better and should have MPs accountable to their constituencies. www.thesun.co.uk/news/3715031...

Citizenship is more than a legal status — it’s a shared commitment to fairness, respect and belonging. Stronger social cohesion is built from trust between communities and institutions. Investing in civic education and inclusion strengthens the bonds that hold our democracy together. #Citizenship