deadacademic.com/2025/05/28/i... "Beneath the golden smile of tourism lurks something eternally sinister; something that, as I looked out onto those black slopes, seemed to leer back, whispering its demonic presence." Some thoughts on my trip last year to Interlaken. #Travel #Tourism #Switzerland

💥 We're hiring! 💥 ...because I'm off! 🚐 I'm about to cart off to New Zealand for a couple of years and so we're looking for someone to join us as a Policy Advisor at Nesta in Scotland. Please share with your networks 🙌 www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/policy-...

Another PfG, another painful wait on the SG to publish the PfG online

Our last pod ep of 2024! 😢* On our final episode of the Unofficial Report, myself and Sarah have a very candid chat about the past year in #ScotPol - the good, the bad, and the outright daft. Grab a mulled wine and tune in below 👇

Good morning bluesky 👋 Looking for recommendations for podcast software that is free and user friendly? #podcast #recommendations

Following the Scottish Government's 2025/26 Budget, we had a look at what the budget could mean for families. Read more here: www.parentingacrossscotland.org/news-views/posts/policy-overview-december-2024-scottish-budget-special/

I'm still mad about the trains

Well then, i did not have mitigating the 2 child limit on my Scottish Budget bingo card !! Tricky one for Scot Lab to respond to I'd imagine 👀

here we gooooo #scotpol

Only a third of Heat and Buildings money spent. say campaigners ahead of budget www.heraldscotland.com/news/2476970...

Excited to be continuing as #Podcast Lead on the committee for Women in Public Affairs Scotland next year! 🙌 Working with WIPA Scot has been a highlight of 2024 and I'm excited to get started on 2025 episodes soon 👀 If you're a women working in public affairs in #Scotland, please do get involved 👩‍💼

The setting for my meeting this afternoon was rather gorgeous. As a Strath alumni, even I have to admit Glasgow Uni is undoubtedly the most beautiful campus #GlasgowUniversity #Scotland

I’ve found the whole political fall out over farmer’s inheritance tax really interesting, so I’m grateful for @timleunig.bsky.social resharing his excellent quick read on the recent changes and why they’re actually good for farming (also Jeremy Clarkson is daft) 👇

Would you like to follow the voices of brilliant women working in policy, politics, research, media and more across Scotland? If so, I have a starter pack for you 🌟⤵️ go.bsky.app/TyaxnV5

a starter pack of people I have sent apologetic texts to, out of an irrational hangover-fuelled fear I said something awful in the pub the night before

As BlueSky takes off, I thought it a good idea to put together a starter pack of academics and think tankers interested and involved in Scottish affairs. Bear in mind that I absolutely half-arsed this, so if you're missing (sorry) let me know and I'll add you! go.bsky.app/A88PM2W

On this very chilly morning, it feels like an apt time to repost my partner's most recent piece about our trip to Zermatt this Summer ⛰️ A personal highlight is being referred to as "the chocolate-munching rearguard." Grab a coffee, get cosy and have a read 👇 #travel #writing #MondayMorningRead

Giving my petition to decriminalise abortion in the U.K. another push petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70....

Working in/around politics is funny because moments like the current purported “AlL tHe LeFtIeS aRe LeAvInG X” and “echo chamber” panic is treated as a central topic of concern yet 99% of the public don’t know about it or give a toss

My partner wrote this wonderful piece about our trip to Zermatt this summer ⛰️ Featuring a measured critique of fondue, a pointy mountain, and a lot of tourists (inc. us, obviously) FFO #travel #switzerland #hiking

Finally deleted my X account, I swear to god if BlueSky fails I'll be so mad

Hello! I’m looking to chat to parents in Scotland who: a) have recently started home educating their children (2019 -2024) b) have home educated a child pre 2019 DMs are open or email [email protected] Please share 🤓 #journorequests

Relying on individual homeowners to switch to low-carbon heating may not get us to net zero quickly enough. A coordinated switch could be a big part of the UK's plan to cut emissions from heating. View our thinking & learn about our open calls for collaboration: www.nesta.org.uk/coordinated-...

Anyone know how to edit feeds on here? The Scot Pol feed is full of random unrelated profiles/posts #blueskysupport #scotpol

Moving to Blue Sky feels a lot like moving schools - I could plan to reinvent myself here, but in reality I will continue to like cat photos and diplomatically comment on Scottish politics 🤷‍♀️

Thoroughly interesting roundtable at the Scottish Parliament yesterday talking about the forthcoming Heat in Buildings Bill organised by Existing Homes Alliance! 💼 It was great to see cross party engagement and to discuss the key opportunities the Bill could unlock to propel Scotland to net zero 🌳

Good morning. Word of the Day is as beautiful as it is underused. ‘Confelicity’ is finding joy in the happiness and success of others.

Here is a series of blog posts on policy analysis paulcairney.wordpress.com/policy-analy... ...

The leading causes of preventable death are driven by commercial interests. Industry influence on policy is often unchecked. Our report with @oha-updates.bsky.social and AHA shows common arguments made to oppose regulations: www.ash.org.uk/resources/view/killer-tactics and we made a bingo card too

This week, we launched a pretty cool toolkit called Blueprint! ⚒️ Blueprint evaluates the impact and cost of obesity-reduction initiatives so the UKG and SG can identify which routes will reduce obesity most effectively. Have a look around below and if you want to hear more, my DM's are open! ⌨️

Regular reminder that climate is a class issue. While the super-rich take jets like taxis, working class, lower income and marginalised communities are fighting excessive heat, flooding, air pollution and soaring bills

Thought I'd say a wee hello on this account 👋 I'm Ashley, currently working for Nesta as their Policy Advisor for Scotland! I'll likely post about all things Scottish politics, climate, health and poverty. Expect the occasional personal anecdote and posts about the Unofficial Report podcast 👂

One for #ScotPol folk 🙌

📣 Calling all Devo nerds 📣 Excellent report published yesterday by the Centre for Public Policy in UofG on the Internal Market Act & Devolution! www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...

Next week📢 join us for the first Policy Live on 12 September We’re looking forward to being joined by speakers from central government, @resfoundation.bsky.social @instituteforgov.bsky.social @theifs.bsky.social @edupolicyinst.bsky.social- plus many more. Register: www.nesta.org.uk/event/policy...

PSA for women working in Scottish political affairs! WiPA Scotland's pub quiz is taking place on Thurs the 26th September from 6-8:30 at the Three Sisters in Edi 🙌 A great op to meet new people working in Scottish PA, show off your knowledge or simply have a wee pint (of juice or otherwise...).

Busy day at @thesnp.bsky.social conference in Edinburgh! The question I’m left with is should the private sector should take responsibility for social issues? And if the answer is yes, then how do we incentivise this?

“The effect of a a total abortion ban has been estimated at 210 extra maternal deaths a year (24% rise overall 39% among non-Hispanic black women)” US abortion restrictions are causing widespread harm www.bmj.com/content/386/... ⚕️

For my first ever Bluesky post, a promo of the Unofficial Report's most recent podcast episode seems appropriate! Brought to you by WiPA Scotland, we spoke to Prof. Nicola McEwen about devolution, how it's working and what the new Labour-led UK Gov means for Scotland. Tune in! 👂