#OutOfOffice

#OutOfOffice

How creative can my doctoral research be? Probably more creative than you think. My latest blog explores how supervisors, university policies and the literature on creative research methods can help. And if anyone says no: "Helen Kara said I could." 😉 helenkara.com/2026/07/23/h... #PhD

How creative can my doctoral research be?

When I teach creative research methods or creative academic writing to doctoral students, they often ask me this question. The short answer is: your doctoral research can be as creative as you like…

helenkara.com

"Larry likes his breakfast at 9, brunch at 1030 and lunch at noon with plenty of snacks in between. The rest of the job is a doddle"

@rcpch.bsky.social has launched the State of Child Health 2026 report. Bringing together the latest evidence across 12 indicators of child health & wellbeing, the report highlights trends, inequalities & challenges affecting children & young people across the UK. www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/st...

The sub-par science of the social media ban - Part 2: What even is social media anyway? open.substack.com/pu... Part 2 of a series on the evidence behind the incoming UK social media ban asks how can you legislate about something if you won't even say what it is? #SocialMedia #Ban #politics

The sub-par science of the social media ban - Part 2: What even is social media anyway?

A series of posts that takes a deep dive into the published evidence that supposedly supports the UK government's ban on social media for under 16s, and finds it very worrying indeed

open.substack.com

We are now moving from the chronic to the acute phase of the university crisis. The next few months will be vital in seeing what can be saved and what is too far gone. www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/stateme...

British Academy President: UK higher education crisis risks irreversible damage

As course closures, shrinking provision and widening regional inequalities threaten the future of UK higher education and research, President of the British Academy, Susan J Smith calls for an immedia...

thebritishacademy.ac.uk

Over 100 MPs have signed an early day motion to reject the EHRC's Code of Practice. If your MP hasn't signed yet, it takes two minutes to email and ask them to take action. equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/rejectthecode

Email your MP to reject the Code of Practice and support EDM 240

equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk

This is the wrong way of looking at it. Number of bids not necessarily going up due to AI but due to the tough financial crisis in higher education putting even more pressure on academics to get funding. Also if you want to get less AI in an application cut the nonsense & waffly tick boxing sections

Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Ian Chapman: AI-driven bid surge means ‘things have to change’. UKRI chief executive says rising tide of applications is a “monumental poor use of time”. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

"No black woman writer... can write "too much". Indeed, no woman writer can write "too much"...No woman has ever written enough" - bell hooks (1952- 2021) #WomensArt (Photo K.Levine).

A social media ban isn’t a quick fix. While risks are real, it overlooks the complexity of young people’s lives online. We need balanced, evidence-based solutions, that address causes, reduce harm, and support safe, positive digital experiences. Read our full response: cypmhc.org.uk/cypmhc-respo...

Also the complete absence of #participation and #YouthVoice in both the development of this policy & plans for its implementation. The fact that this is been developed by & will be imposed on young people by adults without any input from them is another big reason why it's unlikely to succeed.

Ian Dunt@iandunt.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Depressed by ban. There are so many problems related to social media: Radicalisation, hyper-rich racist oligarchs, the numbing of the mind on infinite scroll, the spread of extremism, the opaque nature of campaign money online in elections, beauty standards, Chinese interference. Could go on and on.

One of the obvious problems with a under-16 social media ban is that it won't work. (60%+ of Australian under-16s are still using these platforms). But it will make people feel like something has been done so they won't tackle the content, which is the real issue.

If this goes ahead, it will be a policy without any precedent that I can think of. The evidence that social media is 'harmful' for under-16s simply isn't there. People have been looking for it! It's become a kind of common sense. But actual evidence that this is a problem doesn't really exist 🧵

Reuters@reuters.com · 2mo ago

UK PM Starmer set to ban 'harmful' social media for under-16s reut.rs/4g13ksk

if you are interested in involvement, policy and practice then this FREE to download article maybe of interest to you link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Involvement: lessons from experience - a personal journey - Research Involvement and Engagement

Research Involvement and Engagement - This article traces a personal journey in participation over half a century. It explores the origins of this journey, its beginnings in an in-depth local study...

link.springer.com

Are you Non-Binary and sick of being forced into explicitly gendered spaces? Trans, and want a way to avoid issues at work, or have a safety net in case you are in a hostile situation? We have an imperfect solution that could make your life easier: www.essehouse.co.uk/pee-in-peace-program

This would be a pointless and vindictive move which would shame those who propose it for the rest of their careers.

Jordan@jordanpfot.bsky.social · 3mo ago

‘Trans women must be barred from female toilets, changing facilities and sports teams, new official guidance is to state’ www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...

England university crisis. 24 institutions at risk of insolvency within the next 12 months. A further 26 at risk of exit in 2-3 years. Dire consequences for students. Need govt plans. Sector destroyed by successive govts. £267bn student debt.

Students at risk if universities go bust, say MPs

An Education Select Committee report finds the government needs to make urgent plans for universities facing insolvency.

bbc.co.uk

The 2026 #RainbowMap is live. The UK ranks at position 22 rainbowmap.ilga-europe.org

Rainbow Map

Europe's LGBTI Rights Rankings 2026

rainbowmap.ilga-europe.org

#IVoted ❎ HT #BobAndRobertaSmith for saying why better than I ever could #LocalElections

Larry the Cat@number10cat.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Your vote is precious. Today millions of people across Wales, Scotland and England are voting in the hope that their choice will improve their lives. I hope it will. Politicians are asking for your vote; it grants power and removes it. Use it and remind them never to take you for granted.

📢 #PPI job alert 🌟 Great new #PublicInvolvement & #ResearchImpact Research Fellow post based in the lovely (though I'm biased 😄) CRIPACC #PPI team, incl me and @elspethma.bsky.social and working with @hertsresearch.bsky.social impact colleagues. Come join us! ce0997li.webitrent.com/ce0997li_web...

I feel more conflicted in these elections than any other I've voted in. Really not helped by talking to Labour canvassers recently who had nothing convincing to say in response to concerns raised or any positive arguments for voting Labour - just 'vote for us or you'll get Tories'. #LocalElections

Really looking forward to attending the sold-out #NewFrontiersYouthParticipation @unesco-cfrc.bsky.social conference in June, presenting on #PANELS*. Will be great to catch up with @lauralundy.bsky.social @joshharsant.bsky.social & others. * www.communityactionredbridge.org.uk/panels-project

Really looking forward to attending the sold-out #NewFrontiersYouthParticipation @unesco-cfrc.bsky.social conference in June, presenting on #PANELS*. Will be great to catch up with @lauralundy.bsky.social @joshharsant.bsky.social & others. * www.communityactionredbridge.org.uk/panels-project

@herts.ac.uk @arceastofengland.bsky.social

Louca-Mai Brady@louca-mai.bsky.social · 3mo ago

📢 #PPI job alert 🌟 Great new #PublicInvolvement & #ResearchImpact Research Fellow post based in the lovely (though I'm biased 😄) CRIPACC #PPI team, incl me and @elspethma.bsky.social and working with @hertsresearch.bsky.social impact colleagues. Come join us! ce0997li.webitrent.com/ce0997li_web...

New study aims to understand young people's experiences of safety in public spaces. 📢 Researchers from @bristoluni.bsky.social @uwebristolofficial.bsky.social & @lshtm.bsky.social will work with young people to explore what makes them feel safe or unsafe in public spaces. 👉 tinyurl.com/mwj2dtrp

2026: New study launched to understand young people’s experiences | Centre for Academic Primary Care | University of Bristol

tinyurl.com

📢 #PPI job alert 🌟 Great new #PublicInvolvement & #ResearchImpact Research Fellow post based in the lovely (though I'm biased 😄) CRIPACC #PPI team, incl me and @elspethma.bsky.social and working with @hertsresearch.bsky.social impact colleagues. Come join us! ce0997li.webitrent.com/ce0997li_web...

Book now - Patient and Public Involvement Training with McPin The four online sessions will give you a strong grounding in PPI and is suitable for researchers in any field, PPI leads and facilitators. See flyer to learn more about the course and book using the link 👇 https://ow.ly/OvEV50YKmFF

Greetings from Yorkshire

Spoke to some local Labour canvassers recently and go the same: that they understand why people are unhappy with @labouruk.bsky.social but voting for Greens/Lib Dems is a 'wasted vote' which risks Tories or Reform getting in - nothing positive about why I should vote for them.

madeline odent@oldenoughtosay.com · 3mo ago

i got one of these too (Oxon) and again, despite being decently pleased with our libdem MP, i am so bloody tired of being told 'vote for us to keep the other guys out!' no!!!! i will not! i will vote for the party PLEDGING POLICIES I WANT TO HAPPEN.