Even if Magyar is no liberal, this is why it is still a huge defeat for illiberalism. For it shows that a powerful illiberal political machine and methodology can be defeated.

We were never consulted on Palantir gaining access to our health data. But we've since made our views known. And in just 4️⃣ DAYS, MPs will debate activating the break clause in Palantir's NHS contract. Tell you MP to do the right thing 👇 www.amnesty.org.uk/get-involved...

“This new law effectively ensures that the death penalty in Israel will apply only to Palestinians, even as the illegal Israeli occupation has lately seen a surge in the coordinated attacks and executions of Palestinians by settler militias and military." - Oxfam www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

$3.55 trillion may be hidden in offshore tax havens. Oxfam reveals untaxed wealth hidden offshore by the world’s richest 0.1% surpasses entire wealth of the poorest half of humanity. www.oxfam.org.uk/media/press-...

Addressing rural brain drain is not just about persuading young people to stay. It’s about creating communities in which they can imagine a future ✍️Sonya Hanna & Sara Parry, Bangor University wp.me/p8Mk4U-1iAb

“Someone with a 1-hr car commute needs to earn 40% more to be as happy as someone with a short walk to work. On the other hand, if someone shifts from a long commute to a walk, their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love.” #UrbanTruth in @fastcompany.com

Lawyers applying to become judges in England and Wales can now use artificial intelligence to improve work they have already written. But they have been warned that using AI in qualifying tests could result in disqualification from future judicial appointments rozenberg.substack.com/p/artificial...

How can science reach society? A new report by the Swedish Research Council explores how countries across Europe strengthen #SciComm. 

Don’t forget to submit your abstract for the WISERD Annual Conference 2026 at Cardiff University! Theme is 'In Pursuit of Sustainable Futures' and the deadline for abstract submission is 9am on Monday 30 March: bit.ly/40HGj4K #WISERD2026

JOB: Research Associate, @unistrathclyde.bsky.social Fixed term, part-time (0.5 FTE) between 19th May - 1st October 2026 on a comparative research project funded by Leverhulme, 'Penal Supervision in Comparative Context.' 🔗 👇 #Criminology #SocialWork strathvacancies.engageats.co.uk/Vacancies/I/...

"Alongside active suppression, there’s a quieter process through which scientific freedom can narrow without formal prohibition or visible coercion" ERC President @marialep.bsky.social warned of decline of #academicfreedom. Watch her @cara1933.bsky.social lecture. 🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rIB...

"Figures from the MoJ...showed children at Werrington were out of their cells for an average of five hours and one minute on weekdays in November. "The figure was less than three hours per day at weekends for most of the year..." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxdy90vlv2o

NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed In 2025 briefing to Wes Streeting, officials warned reputation of tech firm behind US ICE operations would hinder rollout of data system in UK www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

The number of people dying in prisons in England and Wales has risen to the highest level on record, official data reveal. Prisons recorded 394 deaths in 2025 – a 15% increase on the previous year. https://howardleague.org/news/revealed-the-rising-death-toll-in-prisons-in-england-and-wales/

Even when the focus is on research with immediate industrial applications, many policymakers recognise that breakthroughs start with fundamental science. That's why Mario Draghi recommended doubling the ERC’s budget. ERC President spoke at @sciencebusiness.net Annual Conference earlier this week.

📕New Book Takes the Temperature of Violence Reduction Units in Scotland & England. Out Now! bit.ly/49NoaYI 🗣️@crmnlgy.bsky.social @timnewburn.bsky.social @susanmcvie.bsky.social @lbilli91.bsky.social Keir Irwin-Rogers & Fern Gillon

Today, the Senedd is debating whether to back calls to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Wales from 10 to 14. Our Chief Executive, Fiona Rutherford, told BBC Radio Wales JUSTICE supports the change - treating 10-year-olds as criminals is cruel and irrational. (1/5)

Not all highlights fit in one post… A week after #TrustInScienceConference in Paris, we’re still reflecting on the ideas, debates & connections that made it special. 📸 Relive the moments: bit.ly/4apbYOH #PublicTrustInScience

An exciting new WISERD blog series by Jemma Bridgeman @cusocsci.bsky.social will explore different aspects of our new @ukri.org ESRC project about building #socialvalue and #fairwork in the #construction industry in Wales. Read the first part here: bit.ly/49Z1hSN

It's murder by the government. Plain and simple. See also: www.internationalaffairsfornormalpeople.eu/trumps-marin...

I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities. Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...

Data in 2021-2023 finds 3 in 5 deaths after 14 days of release are drug-related. “The harsh reality is most people go into prison with a drug, alcohol or mental health problem, and many come out with exactly the same problem, often worse,” Mike Trace, CEO of The Forward Trust. shorturl.at/ZdCjq

For the nearly 300 children in England's YOIs, access to education is restricted, with some spending more than 22 hours a day locked in their cells. This cannot be tolerated by the government any longer: it must put education first. https://ow.ly/q54w50XwMJ1

With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis. This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/

Just adore this

We’re really looking forward to celebrating the launch of Dr @richgater.bsky.social's ‬new book: The 21st Century Ladz on Friday 17 October in #sbarcIspark, with @careresearchwales.bsky.social, @edudetective.bsky.social and Dr Dan Evans. Find out more: bit.ly/40OcgsP

Today is world Mental Health day. IPP sentences cause unimaginable damage The white dots show the 2,486 people still in prison serving an IPP sentence The red dots show the 94 people who’ve taken their own life in prison #ippreform #worldmentalhealthday

📣 I have a new article out!Acculturation and Acceleration: The Impact of Facial Recognition Technology on Youth at Cultural and Sporting Events #AI #surveillance #openaccess www.erdalreview.eu/pubblicazion...

Public Opinion and the Language of Sentencing - @sentencingacademy.bsky.social research assesses public understanding of some key sentencing terms. www.russellwebster.com/public-opini...

While young people in the community are starting a new school year or preparing for college or university, young people in custody are sitting in their cell doing and learning nothing. There should be no more excuses. It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first.

“Universities are public institutions, established for the public good. Their governance arrangements, and the remuneration of their senior executives, should reflect that — yet we've heard that more than 300 university executives earn more than their state premiers." www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

Why is no-one talking about the tech deal on here? Why are our political commentators failing to discuss an absolutely critical strategic decision which will all but rule out ever rejoining the EU let alone building a Green economy? Where the hell is the analysis on this??

This is moving in exactly the wrong direction! Education & meaningful activity in prison is crucial to reducing violence and improving outcomes

Textbook Launch Event🚀 Join us for this in-person event @edinburghnapier.bsky.social on 7 Oct 3-5pm where we bring together a range of voices to reflect on where Scottish criminal justice is and where it's going. Register your place now 👇 bit.ly/criminal-jus...

Is it possible to live a good life in confinement? How do 'official' moral discourses shape what prison makes morally possible, inside and outside? Join us on 17th Oct as we launch a special issue of Incarceration discussing these questions and more events.humanitix.com/themed-issue...

The last 3 years have been the hottest in around 125,000 years. CO2 levels are their highest in MILLIONS of years. But most people have no idea this is happening, let alone what it means for our kids’ futures. Our politics & media have failed our children. We should be furious.

Once again: these hotels are not where any asylum seeker would choose to live, but as it stands these are their homes. These mobs can demonstrate at the Home Office or in town centres if they must, but why on earth is it right or normal for them to be allowed to intimidate people in their homes?

Actual Conservative front bench politicians are calling for the government to overturn a not guilty verdict returned by an independent jury in respect of a political rival. Trump levels of partisan, anti-rule of law authoritarianism.

I prosecute and defend the most serious sexual offences in our courts. The overwhelming majority of offenders are British-born. Overwhelmingly the victim is someone known to them, either a partner or relative. Anybody purporting to care about protecting women might start there.

Woohoo, I have page proofs for my book!

I use this image when I teach about the consequences of biodiversity loss:

This depressing story seems to indicate a need for cultural change within MI5. IPCO (which was itself misled) will no doubt comment in the report ordered by the Court. Two points made in the judgment show why this is indeed quite serious: /1

Better governance ‘could have avoided mass university job cuts’. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

Some parents are working extra hours or selling possessions to fund school trips, a survey has found

I can't get over this. I can't imagine the horror of being attacked (by air, or by ground) while desperately seeking vital aid. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Mae WISERD wedi sicrhau £1.6m gan @ESRC ar gyfer prosiect ymchwil Pobl, Lleoedd, a’r Maes Cyhoeddus i ymchwilio i sut y gall cyfranogiad mewn gweithgareddau democrataidd, cydweithredol llywodraethu a gwyddoniaethddinesydd fynd i’r afael â heriau cyfunol bit.ly/3FSzRB8

WISERD has secured £1.6m from @ESRC for research project People, Places, and the Public Sphere to investigate how participation in democratic activities, collaborative governance and citizen science can address collective challenges bit.ly/4e1DC3Z