Congratulations to Lucy Series (@thesmallplaces.bsky.social) whose book 'The Deprivation of Liberty in the Shadows of Institutions' has been awarded the prestigious 2025 #PeterTownsend Prize by @britishacademy.bsky.social www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/202...

Researchers from the Universities of Namibia and Bristol team up with @perivoliarc.bsky.social to transform waste into learning resources for under-funded communities. Read more: tinyurl.com/npjh8dnj

Social Policy ranked 4th in @thetimes.com Good University Guide 2026 🏆 The subject scored 93% against measures including teaching quality, research quality and student experience. Many congratulations to our staff and students for making this possible 🎉

Can public policy be set by technical experts alone without involving 'people' and the local knowledge they hold? Dr Palma Carvajal from @uob-policystudies.bsky.social explores this question in relation to Chile in a new article in @criticalpolicy.bsky.social. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Congratulations to @fuchssandhya.bsky.social - Lecturer in Criminology at SPS - who's been awarded the James Busuttil Prize for human rights scholarship from the Royal Asiatic Society for her book: 📖 Fragile Hope - Seeking Justice for Hate Crimes in India Read more ➡️ tinyurl.com/yucswxvv

Dr Oliver Russell, 1936-2025 We are saddened to share the news that Dr Oliver Russell - co-founder and first director of @bristoluni.bsky.social's renowned Norah Fry Centre for Disability Studies - died on 25 July. His colleagues offer a remembrance. www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/se...

How the UK’s anti-slavery system harms the children it claims to protect. New blog from MSc Public Policy alumna, Lucia Messent - winner of the @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social the annual Border Criminologies Dissertation Prize tinyurl.com/ydtkbzyn

A new research project funded by Defra aims to help tackle violence against women and girls. The study, led by academics at SPS, will explore the interconnection between the abuse of animals by domestic abuse perpetrators and domestic abuse-related homicide-suicide. ➡️ bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/202...

Many congratulations to our amazing students from the Class of 2025 who celebrated their graduation at Priory Road gardens last week🎉🥳 We wish you all the very best. Keep in touch! #BristolGrad

Experts from around the world met at @bristoluni.bsky.social for the 1st ever International Child and Family Conference! 🌍 The three-day event saw around 220 speakers, panellists and delegates in attendance from 28 different countries. Read here ⬇️ www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/202...

Congratulations to Beth Tarleton, a senior lecturer in the School for Policy Studies, who was part of the research team which scooped the 2025 Kay McDougall British Journal of Social Work Prize for their article: 'If we know what works, why aren't we doing it?'. www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/202...

In memory of David Owen, 1961-2025 David joined the MSc Social Work nearly 20 yrs ago as a member of The Forum. His contribution to the programme as well as his kindness, thoughtfulness & humour will be much missed Read tribute here: tinyurl.com/2hz2pp5n

Social Policy at Bristol has been ranked 3rd in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2026! 🏆 Huge congratulations to our amazing staff and students for making this possible 🎉👏 www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/202...

New @theconversation.com article by Aisha K Gill, Professor of Criminology at SPS, on ensuring the proposed new grooming gangs inquiry is the last. Full article ➡️ theconversation.com/how-to-make-...

Prof Debbie Watson @profdebw.bsky.social teams up with Baroness Anne Longfield, Executive Chair of Centre for Young Lives, on #BBCWomansHour to promote the creation of more outdoor spaces for children to play and grow!🌳✨ @cfyounglives.bsky.social Listen again at 49.06 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

As the 1st #ICFC2025 International Child and Family Conference comes to an end at @bristoluni.bsky.social, we'd like to thank all our speakers, panellists & attendees for a fantastic event. It has been a great opportunity to connect, reflect and collaborate. Thank you all! @icfconference.bsky.social

What an inspiring keynote by Professor Tatek Abebe on the last day of #ICFC2025. A passionate and powerful journey through children as commons and commoners, collective existence, and communing care. We also experienced moving music activism for regenerative futures.

Early start and a long day yesterday at #ICFC2025 @bristoluni.bsky.social, but very glad I stayed awake long enough for the conference dinner in this beautiful setting #InternationalChildAndFamilyConference

Fab team work from my #PANELS colleagues today at #ICFC2025 presenting emerging learning from our @nihr.bsky.social programme development grant. More info: arc-eoe.nihr.ac.uk/news-blogs/n... @icfconference.bsky.social @arceastofengland.bsky.social @hertsresearch.bsky.social @kathevans2.bsky.social

Our second keynote at #ICFC2025 was James Bury (Interim MD, CoramBAAF, UK), who gave a powerful overview of the care system landscape in England. He explored pressures from foster care recruitment and retention to post-adoption contact and the challenges of multi-agency collaboration. #CFRC2025

Excellent 1st day at the 2025 International Child and Family Conference. Themes ranged from children's rights, migration, surrogacy & blended families to child labour, child development & children's use of time. Looking forward to more inspirational sessions tomorrow! @icfconference.bsky.social

On the opening day of #ICFC2025, Prof. Esther Dermott’s thought-provoking keynote on digital technologies and familial relationships explored the role of states, agencies and private companies in mediating the parent-child and school relationship. Off to an inspiring start!

We're delighted to be hosting the first international child and family conference next week. The three-day event will see academics from around the world coming together to discuss a range of critical issues relating to children, childhood and family life. @icfconference.bsky.social

Children need the freedom to play on driveways and streets again – here’s how to make it happen New article co-written for The Conversation by @profdebw.bsky.social, Dr Lydia Collison and Dr Tom Allport from the University of Bristol. Read here ⬇️ theconversation.com/children-nee...

‪"How do you decarbonise while keeping the lights on?" Whose responsibility is climate change? Who should foot the bill? Professor Chukwumerije Okereke from SPS speaks with Higher Education Today's Steven Roy Goodman about whether climate consensus is possible. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlQs...

TRUUD researchers and guests discuss some of the sticky issues around creating healthier urban places with @andrewkelly.bsky.social. Listen to their new podcast series here: truud.ac.uk/podcasts/

Schoolchildren use artwork to speak out against knife crime @drjadelevell.bsky.social from SPS led the project, with over 100 school shirts being emblazoned with compelling messages capturing children & young people’s feelings about knife crime. Full article here ⬇️

Congratulations to @angelikipapadaki.bsky.social on becoming a University Enterprise Fellow 👏 Dr Papadaki received the fellowship for her work on 'Meals on Wheels UK' - a national platform and map that supports access to meal services for adults with care needs. www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/202...

Join us on 14 May for a public lecture from Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theodore Schatzki. Following his fully-booked talk earlier this month, Ted returns to the lectern for a second lecture on associations of digitalising societies. buytickets.at/esrccentrefo... @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social

Prof Sarah Ayres, from SPS, and Dr Geoff Bates, from University of Bath, discuss the policy and governance challenges of encouraging health considerations in upstream decisions for urban places. Listen to episode 2 of the TRUUD podcast here ⬇️ truud.ac.uk/podcasts/pol...

History and memories of the domestic violence movement Emeritus Professor Gill Hague in conversation with Miriam Merkova discussing the history & honouring the activists who started the movement. 📅 15 May 2025, 1 PM - 2 PM | Online Join via the link ⬇️ www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/events/2...

7 days left to register for the International Child and Family Conference on June 17-19 @uob-policystudies.bsky.social @bristoluni.bsky.social. We are expecting about 200 participants from all over the world🌍. Register here: cfrc.bristol.ac.uk/cfrc-confere...

🚨 Reminder: PhD Studentship opportunity 🚨 1/2: 'Understanding the landscape, sustainability & impact of Meals on Wheels services in the UK' 2/2: 'LGBTQ+ people and adult social care' 📅 Application deadline: 15/05/25 Apply via the post below ⬇️ bsky.app/profile/uob-...

📣Delighted our work has been awarded the Best Intervention, Policy, or Advocacy article in @jpahjournal.bsky.social! It was a pleasure to lead this paper with a fantastic team - thank you all 👏 Click here to read this paper: doi.org/10.1123/jpah... @uob-policystudies.bsky.social

📢 We are delighted to announce that Professor Geraldine Macdonald has been named as one of the new cohort of outstanding social scientists to join the Academy of Social Sciences. Full article here ⬇️ www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/202...

We are currently advertising two PhD studentships, for UK students eligible for Home tuition fees, funded by the NIHR SSCR for 3 years. Application closing date: Thursday 15th May 📅 See the links to apply ⬇️ ⭐ www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DMP621/p... ⭐ www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DMP620/p...

2nd call: Anonymous #powerperpetrators survey for those who have experienced or witnessed #sexualmisconduct and abuse by professionals. Also, we are interviewing regulators, lawyers and others working on misconduct, disciplinary cases & professional standards: powerfulperpetrators.org/get-involved/

Congratulations to Professor Geraldine Macdonald, Professor of Social Work in the School for Policy Studies, who has been appointed as a new NIHR Senior Investigator. @nihr.bsky.social Full article here ➡️ www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/202...

Professor Susan Harkness discusses the 'motherhood penalty' and gender gaps which quickly emerge when working women have their first child. Full article here ⬇️ www.ft.com/content/2545...

📢As network supporting professionals working with parents with learning difficulties & disabilities moves from @uob-policystudies.bsky.social to RiP, we celebrate 18yrs of work that has made a real difference to ensure rights and support for these parents: bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/2025/wtpn-2025.html

In this op-ed Prof Chukwumerije Okereke urges the African Union to seek reparative justice in structural global economic reforms and better governance and not merely in tokenistic financial compensation. premiumtimesng.com/opinion/7754...

New report highlighting the challenges & opportunities for people from refugee backgrounds to access higher education: bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/2025/nothing-is-impossible.html Social Policy graduate, Abdullahi, shared his personal story at the launch: www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1w0739xqqdo

🚨New publication from @uob-policystudies.bsky.social PhD student Jack Brazier! This work aimed to explore where professional sports clubs and organisations sit within the local health promotion system in South West England. Access free here: doi.org/10.3390/ijer... @fosteratbristol.bsky.social

"With the dismantling of the pro-equality strategy, Britain is back to its long-term norm of high inequality and high poverty," writes Stewart Lansley, Visiting Fellow in the School of Policy Studies. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

This event focuses on the south-west, and people from refugee backgrounds are at the centre of it @bristoluni.bsky.social @uob-policystudies.bsky.social @gw4alliance.bsky.social @uniofbath.bsky.social @exeter.ac.uk @karinsmythmp.bsky.social @darrenpjones.bsky.social @carladenyer.bsky.social

New blog: Holistic Spiritual Community as Intersectional Activism policystudies.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2025/02/04/holistic-spiritual-community-as-intersectional-activism/

SPS research fellow, @jacknewman.bsky.social, offering reflections on the English devolution White Paper, including the importance of focusing on #publichealth, aligning policy and governance boundaries, tackling spatial inequalities, and involving the public in mayoral authorities.

Making Policies for Intercultural Contexts - A talk with Marvin Rees and discussion with academic panel. Register to attend: eventbrite.co.uk/e/global-inequality-conference-a-talk-with-marvin-rees-tickets-1137666975549?aff=oddtdtcreator @gabrielsilesb.bsky.social

The University of Bristol is calling for the release of alumnus Jesús Armas, a human rights activist who has been detained against his will in Venezuela. #LibertadParaJesus #DondeEstaJesus bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/2025/statement-on-the-abduction-of-alumnus-jesus-armas-.html

More from Prof @garyfooks.bsky.social on 'forever chemical' lobbying and the public debate. theconversation.com/lobbying-in-forever-chemicals-industry-is-rife-across-europe-the-inside-story-of-our-investigation-247436