@oupips.bsky.social

Tickets now available, reserve your spot: tinyurl.com/PIPSEvents The official lineup for OU PIPS Week (March 16-20) is live. 🌍 We are bringing frontline defense, aid, and diplomacy experts directly to distance learners. Pick your panels and secure your tickets below. 🧵👇

A promotional flyer for the politics, international relations, and policy society. The flyer provides details for an event during the week of March 16th to March 20th. At the top of the flyer, a circular logo appears. In the outer blue ring of the logo, white text reads: POLITICS, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, AND POLICY SOCIETY. In the central circle of the logo, a house with an "O" and a "U" is visible, with tiny text reading: Est 2025.
The flyer includes a dark blue section with white text with a large-font bold heading: Reserve your spot. Just below this, in larger font, appears the word on and, in orange, the logo for Eventbrite. Below this is the text: tinyurl.com/PIPSevents.
Just to the right of this section is a listing for a speaker. Below it, in white, is text that reads: 1/5.

The bubble of theory is vast; OU PIPS Week (Mar 16-20) pops that bubble. We’re hosting live expert panels on Global Security, Conflict, and Humanitarian Development. Step out of the theory and engage with the reality. Get ready to register : tinyurl.com/PIPSWeek26

Promotional flyer for the Open University Politics, International Relations and Policy Society (OU PIPS) announcing "OUPIPS Week 16-20th March: Global Perspectives in Motion". A short paragraph states: "This event marks the launch of our new society with a series of critical dialogues featuring policy experts and political speakers from across the globe. Join us as we dissect current international frameworks and establish a new hub for political discourse at the OU." The middle section lists "Speakers and Events" divided into two categories. Under "Humanitarian Frontiers & Development" are Fergus Conmee (Director of International Programmes, CAFOD), Oenone Chadburn (International Development Consultant, HelpAge International), and Anya Ward (WaterAid). Under "Global Security & Conflict" are Prof. Michael Clarke (Defence Analyst, Sky News), Dr. Precious Chatterje-Doody (Senior Lecturer, Open University), and Dr. Jamie Allinson (Senior Lecturer, Edinburgh University). The bottom text directs viewers to "Keep an eye on: tinyurl.com/PIPSWeek26

We invite you to reserve your calendar for our PIPS Week! Save the date, 16-22 March. Further schedules will be posted soon. Available to you at home a host of online speakers will be introduced to bridge theory with practice. Keep an eye out - drop us a DM to get added to our WhatsApp group.

A promotional flyer for "PIPS Week: Global Perspectives in Motion," hosted by the Politics, International Relations and Policy Society (OUPIPS).

The top section features the society’s circular logo (a ballot box icon with "OU" inside) and their website, oupips.org.uk. The main body of the flyer announces their first public event, described as a series of critical dialogues with policy experts and global political speakers.

Key Event Details:

Dates: 16–22 March.

Themes mentioned: Global Security & Conflict, Humanitarian Frontiers & Development, and Social Events (The Gaggle & Quiz).

Call to Action: "Hold the Date" and "Keep an eye on our socials."

Social Media Handles: @OUPIPS on X, @oupips.bsky.social on BlueSky, @oupip_society on Instagram, and "OU Politics, International Relations and Policy Society" on Facebook. A WhatsApp logo indicates users can DM to join their group.

48 hours in Edinburgh at #BIAPT2026 and the verdict is in: The center is not holding. Day 1 killed "Polite Politics." Day 2 killed the "Liberal Individual." From the ethics of "Rage Bait" to the structural injustice of owning a Goldendoodle, here is the dispatch from the edge of Political Theory 🧵

Unlock the UK Parliament 🏛️ The OU is running two sessions for OU students and the public designed to turn you from a passive observer into an active participant. Your UK Parliament (27 Jan, 6pm) Get Your Voice Heard (04 Feb, 6pm) Less doomscrolling, more doing:

A graphic poster featuring a stylized, navy and mustard yellow linocut illustration of the UK Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Large text reads "Unlock the UK Parliament" followed by the subtitle "Education for OU Students & The Public." Smaller text reads "Active participation in UK Politics. It's easier than you think." The Open University logo is in the bottom left corner.

The linguistic trajectory from "Brain Rot" (2024) to "Rage Bait" (2025) maps perfectly onto the degradation of political discourse. We have moved from the atrophy of critical thought (Brain Rot) to the weaponization of affect (Rage Bait).

2025 Word of the year definition of Rage Bait
Noun, online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page orsocial media account. Cited to Oxford University Press 2025
More on rage bait in the next postRage bait, with a fishing hook next to the word
First used on Usenet in 2002 to describe the particular reaction of a driver to being flashed by another driver requesting to pass
The other shortlisted words were
aura farming, noun: The cultivation of an impressive, attractive, or charismatic persona or public image by behaving or presenting oneself in a way intended subtly to convey an air of confidence, coolness, or mystique.
biohack, verb: To attempt to improve or optimize one’s physical or mental performance, health, longevity, or wellbeing by altering one’s diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle, or by using other means such as drugs, supplements, or technological devices

Word of the year 20242024 word of the year, Brai Rot.
Noun A perceived loss of intelligence or critical thinking skills, esp. (in later use) as attributed to the overconsumption of unchallenging or inane content or material. Now also: content or material that is perceived to have this effect.

Read about our experiment building your political personalityBottom line

We want a government that acts like a strict strategist, and a police force that acts like a kind parent.
We are demanding a customized reality.


Let us know if you agree or disagree in the comments 👇
or
Make your voice known and contribute to the experiment by submitting your answers in the Google Form

Full result analysis in Newsletter. Subscribe today on our website.

Our analysis suggests that for many, online argument is just "Ragebait" a psychological defense mechanism to treat politics as a spectator sport. We found that students want a "Customized Reality": a strict Strategist in government, but a lenient Social Worker on the streets.

3 Contradictions of Modern Justice a post summarising findings from a critical psychology discourse analysis
PIPS: Politics, International Relations and Policy Society. www.oupips.org.uk

"We analysed the psychology behind PIPS members political takes. Using Critical Discourse Psychology here is what the data say about how we view power"Respondents overwhelmingly blame "Greed" and "Government" for injustice.
Yet, when asked about the ideal politician, they respect "Strategy" and "Churchill-style" strength over pure kindness. 
We want a leader who is ruthless on our behalf.The vibe over the law
All the respondents preferred Ethics over Rules. If a homeless man steals food, the "Ideal Officer" pays for it or drives him to a shelter. We have collectively decided that morality outrank the criminal statutes.Irony is a Shield
Why do we argue online? For some, it’s "Desperation" to save the future.

For others, it’s just to "Ragebait" and laugh. If you aren't angry, you're probably dissociating.

We are celebrating UK Parliament Week by giving you the compass to the system. #UKPW The OU has a free, open-access resource: "Introduction to Making Political and Social Change." Link at bottom of thread 👇🏼 It’s not a textbook; it’s a manual on how to force the government to listen to you. 🧵

Join us on 30th September - 6.30pm - 7.30pm, joined with Matt Staples and Dr. Edward Wastnidge will be sharing how the Open University’s teaching, research, and wider engagement in politics and international relations connect with the aims of our new society Join: www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2...

Promotional poster for the Politics, International Relations and Policy Society at The Open University, advertising a "Welcome Week 2025" event on Tuesday, 30th September 2025. Features headshots of Matt Staples, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies, and Dr. Edward Wastnidge, Head of Politics and International Studies. The poster invites students to a special session introducing the society and its connection to the university’s teaching and research. Includes the society’s logo and website: www.oupips.org.uk.
Would you like a shorter version for social media or a more formal one for institutional use?

Join us on 30th September - 6.30pm - 7.30pm, joined with Matt Staples and Dr. Edward Wastnidge will be sharing how the Open University’s teaching, research, and wider engagement in politics and international relations connect with the aims of our new society Join: www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2...

Promotional poster for the Politics, International Relations and Policy Society at The Open University, advertising a "Welcome Week 2025" event on Tuesday, 30th September 2025. Features headshots of Matt Staples, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies, and Dr. Edward Wastnidge, Head of Politics and International Studies. The poster invites students to a special session introducing the society and its connection to the university’s teaching and research. Includes the society’s logo and website: www.oupips.org.uk.
Would you like a shorter version for social media or a more formal one for institutional use?