As always I need to thank TV for all the emotional support it provides someone in emotional and physical pain This post is in celebration of the final episode of The Boys (pretty gpod), Brassic (late to this but certainly glad I found it) and of course, good old reliable YouTube

More than 60% of Australian kids are still using social media despite the ban. Because prohibition rarely works. We know this. mollyrosefoundation.org/more-than-60...

While NEET levels have risen across the country there are significant regional differences. For example they have risen from 8.8% in March-April 2025 to 9.5% in 2026 in SE England. While in NE it’s gone from 13.5% up to 15.4% in same time period. www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...

Health Foundation report examining the growing role of mental health in shaping young people’s employment and education outcomes, with a rising number of young people at risk of disengaging. www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...

What’s the future of the humanities at a time of pressure in higher education and wider digital change? I’ll be on R4 at 4pm discussing this as part of their Rethink series. It was recorded several weeks ago so I now have no recollection of what I specifically said! www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Getting some work done in the awesome surroundings of the Montrose Picturehouse. Really happy to finally see the dedication my better half bought up on the wall and cant wait to pop back later to see a movie, perfect treat after a day of travel and working

The rise in demand for #ADHD support can be seen through the lens of national prescribing data. Between 2021 and 2024 the number of individuals with prescriptions grew by at least 20% each year. 📈 Find out more: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/resource/acc...

Blog by Katy Cleece, Social Work Research Lead at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week The hidden cost of trauma: maternal mental health and child removal

A short break in Montrose, Scotland to rest, recharge and reflect after a difficult start to the year and a very intense few weeks of work, uni and research deadlines I’m exhausted, but proud. The work landed well, and I know what it took to get there Now to put that same effort into resting!

What'sApp with my 16yr old while I'm travelling: Me: How's things? Child 2: Child 4 is crazy exited, Child 5 is acting crazy, Child 3 is tired, and I'm sitting Nan: I'm here too Child 2: Oh, and Nana's holding us together like we're rabid animals and tape... (They have names, just not relevant)

We know surprisingly little about how voters use AI to engage with politics. S. Yousefi, @benmtappin.bsky.social and @jenskoedmadsen.bsky.social @lsepbs.bsky.social find AI use for political information is widespread and may already be shaping UK elections @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social

If you read my piece on retirement’s recent history and uncertain future in @theguardian.com last weekend, you might find these thoughtful and well-informed letters of interest. www.theguardian.com/money/2026/m...

🌊 Massive marine heatwave caused Caribbean coral reefs to collapse much faster than predicted – new research theconversation.com/massive-mari...

Read this opinion piece by Keir Starmer in the aftermath of the local election. His own words. If you have a single analytical bone left in your body, you'll conclude that he's still fully lost in the woods. Labour are doomed under Starmer. It's that simple. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

It's Europe Day! Today, we celebrate all that Europe stands for. And we celebrate all of us, the citizens of Europe. Because all together, we are Europe. Happy Europe Day!

Me & child 3 out celebrating my critical scoping review getting an OK from my supervisors - bring on academic review in 3 wks! Nu-Revolution, Anarchy Brew Newcaste. Tribute nu-metal & emo classics Meteora – Linkin Park Limp Biscuit – Limp Bizkit Evanescent – Evanescence Papas Roaches – Papa Roach

Critical scoping review drafting update: Redrafted project outline Redrafted project plan 149 sources read 20,000 words of review written 6/12 sections ready to be sent I have emailed my supervisors with the update in advance of our meeting this afternoon #PhDLife #Research #PhD #VCSE

Let’s not forget…

Hartlepool council = Reform GAIN from Labour. I expect we'll see this across the NE Reform literally gaining left, right & centre, beating Conservatives & Independents too (Despite writing 70,000 words in 3 weeks ,THIS is the best thing I've typed!) Negative impact will be national & long-term

Had a great week with the eldest back home. I'll be sad to see him go tomorrow afternoon. Bring on my Glasgow mental health research conference presentation on 15th June, when we have our next scheduled in-person catch-up!

The Commodification of Compassion: A Critique of Mental Health Awareness Days and Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace www.linkedin.com/pulse/commod...

There is a way out of our political spiral, and it is thrilling and inspiring. We could have a very different country. This week's column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Feelings of safety and experiences of #safety when #travelling e.g. behaviour, public spaces and environments This survey is about how safe #womenandgirls feel when moving around in the North East, including walking, wheeling, cycling, using #publictransport and when moving between journeys

Reform UK: A clear threat to our NHS and the health of the nation

Higher bills, NHS changes and your rights removed: Here's what Reform will really mean for you

Reform aren't bothered about local communities and can't making anything better for anyone I'm sad people believe their lies, worried for our communities and our country, and terrified for my kids' futures Whatever you do today, please vote. Just please, please don't let it be for Reform

What times are these? The neo-liberal consequences of the last few decades have been a disaster for working people here and across the globe. Robert Dale describes the great dispossession that has taken place – and how to combat it

Why would we want to learn from our pasts, or ponder the power of the written and spoken word, or explore the deep questions of humanity? According to the University of Hertfordshire, we wouldn't. They've just cut all of our undergrad Humanities programmes

There was once an idea that it was a good thing for people, regardless of social background, to study the arts and humanities because those fields address what it is to be human. That idea was always under pressure, but to see its near destruction in recent years has been depressing.

Applications are still open for the British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants. These grants help to support primary research in the humanities and social sciences. Apply now: https://bit.ly/4t0MDRl

Nigel Farage : I was HACKED! Farage complaining that his secret £5 million donation was discovered through hacking, means he's finally an actual Scooby Doo villain. "And I'd have gotten away with it too, if not for you meddling kids!"

“what happens at the BL is, mostly, the wrong kind of research. It’s about the dull old humanities, not the cutting-edge sciences. It mostly looks backwards, not forwards. So it’s regarded, not least by our political leaders, as a backwater.”

"In genuine peer and lived experience-led spaces, relationships feel different because they’re not built on hierarchy or roles, but on trust, shared understanding, and a sense of safety." Rose Latham on when lived experience becomes a commodity. www.nsun.org.uk/when-lived-e...

Got 330 key academic papers sifted down to 74 last night!!! 😴😴😴 Taking a moment to enjoy that while I get the kids off to childcare and school before it truly sinks in that I now have to actually produce something meaningful with them by tomorrow morning... #PhDLife #PhDResearch #VCSE #Research

I don't think people fully understand yet just how fragile university-hosted digital resources are after external funding ends (especially if the lead academic retires or moves or is made redundant).

This is absolutely shocking. What’s happening to the UK’s arts and humanities sector is just criminal. Thinking of all our colleagues there. It feels unimaginable, but it really could be any of us.

Been working really intensely and hitting a lot of key goals lately Its been a challenge balancing work, uni and health, but its not all about the big wins, little things matter too: Hugs from my kids Coffee gifted by a friend Snuggles in front of TV Finishing a book Mum/partner not being worried

"Many environmental organisations in Britain in the 1980s and 1990s were sponsored by companies, including oil companies." Paul Merchant uses oral history to examine the links between corporate sponsorship and environmental activism in 1980s and 1990s Britain.

Sociological Research Online’s new special issue, Making Methodologies, critically explore the importance of creativity and creative practice in re-imagining sociological research and inquiry. Call for papers by 9 June: tinyurl.com/2d4bxyee #sociology #cfp

What is a ‘good’ sentence in sociology? To mark its 75th anniversary, the British Sociological Association put that question to its members. The response was joyful. Contributions arrived from across career stages, continents and specialisms – read all about it: es.britsoc.co.uk/the-sentence...

We are looking for a short-term full time researcher to work with us on a pilot study in preparation for a longitudinal qualitative study with parents of young children. **Deadline 14th May** More details here www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/... @sriucl.bsky.social @britsoci.bsky.social

Join us for another stimulating conversation, this time on Activist Scholarship, with Professor Akwugo Emejulu, Dr Panos Theodoropoulos, and AK Thompson. 12 May 2026, 4pm BST, online. Free & open to all as always. To register: www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...

Submitted the first draft of a major project output for work, reflecting months of research, workshops & careful thinking It's been a challenging period so I’m really proud to get to this point Grateful to work for an organisation that has supported and trusted me to do this meaningful work

Submitted my final assessment for the AI Navigators course with @newcastleuni.bsky.social's Dr Adam Parnaby I had a serious mental health relapse during the course, so catching up and getting it in on time is a win I’ve learned loads about using GenAI more critically and responsibly #AI #GenAI

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, but mental health is important all year round. Help spread awareness by sharing these support resources for anyone who might need them ❤️ SANEline is open every day between 4-10pm, you can call on 0300 304 7000 or find more support at sane.org.uk/support.

Had a great bank holiday day out with family and friends at Hilton Castle in Sunderland It was their Civil War reenactment day, so plenty of history, activities and outdoor fun in the sunshine Bonus of a picnic and park too #familyfun #bankholiday #history

'Official figures from the current prison programme show that it costs about £500,000 per bed to build such "closed" facilities - and that is broadly the design standard used for immigration removal centres too.' 1/2

Metro reporting on teenage domestic abuse shows why online misogyny and “manosphere” content must be taken seriously Digital spaces shape what young people see as normal in relationships. Safety, respect and wellbeing matter online and offline Content: domestic abuse, suicide, online misogyny

Online violence against women is not “just online” New @unwomen.bsky.social report shows its serious impact on women journalists, activists and human rights defenders For @womensonlinewellbeing.co.uk, this reinforces why evidence, policy, platform accountability and survivor support must keep pace