New post out: "The gap that never closes" I've spent much of my career trying to reduce the rich/poor gap in education. Nothing's worked. Which has led me to the conclusion that we're thinking about inequality the wrong way... (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...

Agreed!

Swedish painter Hanna Pauli, Breakfast time, 1887 #WomensArt

It is - I was shocked yesterday to see how little space was given to women’s pay inequality at the Peoples History Museum Manchester - lots of lovely purple and green tea towels for us to buy in the shop though!

Fabulous evening - and you can see the back of my head in the second picture!

Simply daft that over a quarter of air time is given to vox pop - broadcasters should be providing me with the views of those up for election alongside expert analysis of their policies - I can find out myself what Joe down the road thinks.

The study was written by @timbale.bsky.social. 😉

We're excited to present the new MSc Developmental Psychology: Clinical Applications to Children, a collaboration between UEA Psychology @psychologyuea.bsky.social and Norwich Medical School! Find out more at tinyurl.com/ytnee47w @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social @ddpsyuea.bsky.social

This was brilliant - if you are in West Wales and can get along to one of these sessions I thoroughly recommend.

Sneaking a giant screen into the flagshagger march is one of the funniest things @ledbydonkeys.org have ever done. "STAY HYDRATED" 😂🤣😂

Leave some grass to grow long, and see which wildflowers emerge! Speedwell, dead nettle, cuckooflower, forget-me-not, dandelions and more could appear - all are fantastic for supporting insects and boosting biodiversity. More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/no-mo…#NoMowMayay

We need more of this.

Girl on a Spacehopper, 1971, Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK by Finnish photographer Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen #womensart #Saturday

Absolutely a cultured and informed discussion - Cymru am byth!

I saw this film a couple of days ago - I thoroughly recommend!

All that glisters is not gold; Often have you heard that told: Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold: Gilded tombs do worms enfold. #ShakespeareSunday

Happy Renters’ Rights Day, England. This Labour government is delivering for private renters.

No matter how much you want to, you can’t just redefine how percentages are calculated. It just doesn’t add up. open.substack.com/pub/kityates...

But what about....? A brand new #WomenEd blog from Ashley Morris on Bean Soup theory - let's not always move the conversation to ourselves... 💜 womened.com/blog/general...

My Earth Day recommendation is to join the recently launched Root & Reason Network (rootandreason.org.uk). It’s a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the connections between food, farming, health and sustainability.

What a surprise! Green Party against renewable energy when it’s in their back yard. Solar farms are not easy locally. East Pye Solar is in my South Norfolk constituency but I’m still supporting it because we need to ditch our addiction to fossil fuels. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

From my local Labour Party.

BREAKING: “The best start family hubs we’re rolling out across the country builds on the best of sure starts so it revitalises that legacy for a new generation of children”says Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson

Big news for Norfolk families Over £15 million secured for SEND support. That is a £2 million increase after sustained lobbying by Norfolk Labour MPs. We are fixing a system left in crisis and ensuring every child gets the support they need, locally, early, and without a fight.

While this Labour government has had plenty of disappointing moments, this really is huge. Campaigners and experts have always told me this is the quickest and most effective way to immediately reduce child poverty. It took too long to get here but this is big.

Labour announce plans to increase the number of dentists! + the number of places final exam places run by the Royal College of Surgeons of England will increase ten-fold, allowing 1,350 overseas-trained dentists to join the General Dental Council (GDCs) register annually. 1/4

Because... 👏Countries with more female leaders have less inequality. (WEF) 👏Countries with more women in parliament have lower levels of corruption. (European Journal of Political Research) 👏Female participation in parliament has a positive effect on the economy. (Frontiers in Political Science)

£40,000 in Russian bribes. Reform’s former leader in Wales is now serving ten and a half years in prison. Foreign interference in UK politics is not theory. It is fact. We must defend our democracy. youtube.com/shorts/3hd17...

Made it to Friday but at what cost

In 15 years when Peter Mandelson is next sacked from the government, having been caught red-handed robbing a bank, commentators will confidently predict that his career is definitely over this time.

It's only continuing because the media thrives on this type of story. As a Labour party member I want Burnham to stfu and get on with the job he was elected to do in May 2024. I want the rest of them to promote the excellent policies being delivered and ignore the hostile media and irrelevant polls.

Colour version of twisty willows near Norsworthy bridge. I love the spirals in the branches, #Dartmoor, #Devon. #photography #moss

Normal people, is who

Here is what I wrote a few weeks back on strengthening UK food system resilience: theconversation.com/three-ways-t...

"Without significant increases in UK food system and supply chain resilience, it is unlikely the UK would be able to maintain food security if ecosystem collapse drives geopolitical competition for food" - says Joint Intelligence Cttee. www.theguardian.com/environment/... #afnnetwork.bsky.social

A thoughtful and interesting speech for anyone trying to make sense of what on earth is happening

Seems VAT on private school fees delivers £1.4bn considerably more than estimated. IPaper reports today. That’s great news. Thanks Rachel. More money for the 93% of kids attending State Schools.

Fantastic news... it's about time ALL mobility aids were recycled & reused by NHS....

Nice bit of contemporary history.

📢With a huge thanks to everyone who has supported us over the last 3.5 years we'd like to share with you our next steps as we continue into 2026 and beyond.... View full details here 👉tinyurl.com/3e4femsy

youtu.be/YYOKMUTTDdA?... shinny happy people (90s REM, but it has Kate Person so it’s 80s really)

And honestly I don't give a fuck if it's popular or not. It's going to make a lot of kids' lives better. That's the point of government. Not an opinion poll.

One Christmassy cool cat… #coolcat

Brilliant and easily actionable advice here from Lauren Flannery at @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social!

With a focus on emotional safety, connection and clear communication, these actions build belonging and support #well-being across any discipline: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/everyday-strategies-build-belonging-and-wellbeing#well-being#HigherEd #AcademicSky #EduSky

Many decisions about our food system are made based on data & computer models, including how we should respond to #climatechange, what subsidies governments should provide, & changes supermarkets should make. But how do we know if they're reliable & when we can trust them? Webinar 28/11👇

📰 In our latest newsletter you can find out more about our Project Showcases (happening over the next 2 days), catch up on all of our Roadmap activity and see a roundup of reports, events, funding & opportunities in the #agrifood space. View here👉 tinyurl.com/yfmxww83