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Mark Shucksmith

@markshucksmith.bsky.social

Emeritus Professor, Newcastle University. Rural sociologist. New books: Rural Poverty Today (2023); Rethinking Rural Studies (2024).

193 Followers  |  119 Following  |  16 Posts  |  Joined: 15.11.2024
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Posts by Mark Shucksmith (@markshucksmith.bsky.social)

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Reimagining rural policy through mission-led governance By Jayne Glass, Uppsala University, and Mark Shucksmith, Newcastle University Mission-led governance has gained prominence as a paradigm for addressing complex, cross-cutting societal challenges, f…

New post with @markshucksmith.bsky.social on the Geography Directions blog about our recent work on mission-led governance: doi.org/10.55203/AFL...

#rural #missions #governance #policy #spatialjustice

27.11.2025 13:17 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Why might integrating mission-led governance with well-being frameworks be an effective way to meet the needs of rural communities?

Jayne Glass and Mark Shucksmith discuss this a new Geography Directions blog post πŸ“ƒ

Check it out πŸ‘‡
https://blog.geographydirections.com/?p=21982

01.12.2025 12:00 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

New blog post from two of our recent authors @jayneglass.bsky.social & @markshucksmith.bsky.social - read their commentary 'Reimagining rural policy through mission-led governance' here ⬇️
doi.org/10.1111/geoj...

05.12.2025 10:58 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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MSPs back Land Reform Bill after debating more than 350 amendments MSPs have backed a bill that is described as being the β€œmost radical land reform legislation in the history of devolution”

www.thenational.scot/news/2559996...

05.11.2025 21:45 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The opposite of the IMD - collective Wellbeing scores by region from the @carnegieuk.bsky.social Life in the UK report.

31.10.2025 15:19 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Last night’s ScotLand Futures event in Aberdeen marked the end of our series of public meetings.

Across Scotland we’ve heard strong themes including last night where community empowerment, land for housing, and frustration with planning were key issues.

πŸ‘€ ScotLand Futures findings coming soon.

30.10.2025 14:00 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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This morning, Adam Milne gave evidence to the Social Justice and Social Security Committee on the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill.

Read our full response to the committee: carnegieuk.org/publication/...

30.10.2025 16:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

If you are interested in rural policy or mission-led government, our new Commentary is out in The Geographical Journal πŸ‘‡
with @markshucksmith.bsky.social

30.10.2025 07:29 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Great to be at @ipprscotland.bsky.social's conference today, discussing the big choices & challenges shaping Scotland’s future.

@sarahdavidson.bsky.social joined the opening panel to share insights from our latest #LifeInTheUK research & our recent work on Budgeting for Wellbeing.

29.10.2025 12:05 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Our new paper, Reimagining rural policy through mission‐led governance, in The Geographical Journal, has been published today. @DrJayneGlass @markshucksmith.bsky.social Here is the link: doi.org/10.1111/geoj...

29.10.2025 18:40 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Screenshot of a commentary abstract in The Geographical Journal by Jayne Glass & Mark Shucksmith (2025) entitled: 'Reimagining rural policy through mission-led governance' with a blue banner at the top.

Screenshot of a commentary abstract in The Geographical Journal by Jayne Glass & Mark Shucksmith (2025) entitled: 'Reimagining rural policy through mission-led governance' with a blue banner at the top.

New in The GJ:

'Reimagining rural policy through mission-led governance' by @jayneglass.bsky.social & @markshucksmith.bsky.social

This commentary argues that mission-led policies risk perpetuating inequalities, using rural policy as a case in point.

doi.org/10.1111/geoj... #geosky

29.10.2025 11:36 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Life in the UK 2025 - Carnegie UK

More positively, the research finds that trust in the UK Government has increased since the General Election. Explore the full report: carnegieuk.org/publication/...

27.10.2025 10:40 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Routes for academic engagement with Government

New guidance issued for researchers engaging with the UK government. The Government Office for Science has updated its guidance on how academics can engage with government, outlining practical routes for impact & influence at every career stage @thebartlettucl.bsky.social www.gov.uk/government/p...

26.10.2025 17:38 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A warning sign at a path in Fife, that leads to a feature called John Knox's Pulpit. The sign warns "Please be aware this path leads to a potential rock fall area." You have been warned.

A warning sign at a path in Fife, that leads to a feature called John Knox's Pulpit. The sign warns "Please be aware this path leads to a potential rock fall area." You have been warned.

"I have never once feared the devil, but I tremble every time I enter the pulpit" - John Knox. Now we know why.

26.10.2025 17:14 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Life in the UK 2025 - Carnegie UK

Read our full index here: carnegieuk.org/publication/...

27.10.2025 07:48 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Average person’s life saw β€˜no meaningful improvement’ over past year – charity Carnegie UK found stagnating wellbeing and persistent hardship for millions of people since 2023.

Average person’s life saw β€˜no meaningful improvement’ over past year www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...

27.10.2025 07:34 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2
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Life in the UK 2025 - Carnegie UK

πŸ“’ New report | Our 2025 #LifeInTheUK research shows that the wellbeing of people across the UK has not improved over the past year.

Find out more: carnegieuk.org/publication/...

27.10.2025 09:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Life in the UK 2025 - Carnegie UK

@carnegieuk.bsky.social has released their 2025 #LifeInTheUK Index. It shows collective wellbeing has not improved over the past year. The Index highlights uneven economic gains, falling trust in local councils and a deeply divided nation.
Explore the full report: carnegieuk.org/publication/...

27.10.2025 10:32 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Average personΒ΄s life saw `no meaningful improvementΒ΄ over past... Carnegie UK found stagnating wellbeing and persistent hardship for millions of people since 2023.

Average personΒ΄s life saw `no meaningful improvementΒ΄ over past year www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/art...

27.10.2025 10:18 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Lovely to hear Kathryn Tickell & the Darkening at Durham Gala last night

26.10.2025 12:13 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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What does it take to make rural proofing work?

- It’s a complex process that depends on strong infrastructural support systems.
- Even without immediate policy changes, it can raise awareness.
- Learning from both success & failure is key.

More info πŸ‘‡

#RuralPact #RuralVisionEU

23.10.2025 08:24 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸŽ₯ WATCH: Lifestyle, Migration & Community

In a recent Conversations event, @profkarenoreilly.bsky.social, @michaelacbenson.bsky.social, Graham Crow and Matthew Hayes take a closer look at the field that Professor O'Reilly’s book The British on the Costa Del Sol helped to launch.

buff.ly/zBCtAkQ

23.10.2025 13:51 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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There will be a range of publications and outcomes from this project.

My case study of England’s rural development infrastructure is published today by Scottish Government, along with case studies from Canada, Finland and Ireland.

Read them here bit.ly/4hlnkVn

This is part of the Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review for Scottish Government.

22.10.2025 23:14 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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There will be a range of publications and outcomes from this project.

My case study of England’s rural development infrastructure is published today by Scottish Government, along with case studies from Canada, Finland and Ireland.

Read them here bit.ly/4hlnkVn

This is part of the Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review for Scottish Government.

22.10.2025 23:14 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A speaker in a yellow t-shirt and a kilt stands on stage, besides a banner of the European Rural Parliament, addressing an engaged audience at an event in Scotland. The audience, seated and facing the speaker, includes a mix of people of various ages and genders, attentively listening to the presentation

A speaker in a yellow t-shirt and a kilt stands on stage, besides a banner of the European Rural Parliament, addressing an engaged audience at an event in Scotland. The audience, seated and facing the speaker, includes a mix of people of various ages and genders, attentively listening to the presentation

Two stacks publications on a table: one of booklets titled β€˜RURACTIVE Insights on Women-Led Innovation in Rural Areas’ and another of brochures titled β€˜Hutton Highlights, June 2025.

Two stacks publications on a table: one of booklets titled β€˜RURACTIVE Insights on Women-Led Innovation in Rural Areas’ and another of brochures titled β€˜Hutton Highlights, June 2025.

A group of ten people standing together indoors for a group photo, smiling in front of two display banners titled β€˜Spatial Mapping of Rural Scotland’ and β€˜Rural Proofing'

A group of ten people standing together indoors for a group photo, smiling in front of two display banners titled β€˜Spatial Mapping of Rural Scotland’ and β€˜Rural Proofing'

'Rural futures start at the European Rural Parliament, where local insights meet European policymaking'.
Glad to contribute with the #GRANULAR Horizon Europe project, exploring how data, dialogue, and local knowledge can shape more inclusive and sustainable rural futures.

#ERP2025 #RuralInnovation

21.10.2025 13:48 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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It was a priviledge this morning to welcome 35 European Rural Parliament delegates on a community led tourism study visit to Cullen organised by SCOTO.

The delegates enjoyed a taster pot of Cullen Skink at The Seafield Arms Hotel and visits to the Discover Cullen Tourist Office Heritage Centre.

22.10.2025 17:47 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The European Rural Parliament is a biennial participative democratic assembly bringing 400+ delegates together to strengthen cross border cooperation and to shape emerging practice and policy.

22.10.2025 17:47 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Promotional graphic for Carnegie UK's webinar. How is life in the UK in 2025?

Join us on Tuesday 28th October, 10-11am, as we explore the latest findings from our Life in the UK index.

Hear from Susan Pinkney as she shares key findings from this year’s report, with reflections from Grace Blakeley.

Promotional graphic for Carnegie UK's webinar. How is life in the UK in 2025? Join us on Tuesday 28th October, 10-11am, as we explore the latest findings from our Life in the UK index. Hear from Susan Pinkney as she shares key findings from this year’s report, with reflections from Grace Blakeley.

How is life in the UK in 2025?

Join us on Tue 28 Oct, 10-11am, for our Life in the UK 2025 webinar.

Hear our key findings from Susan Pinkney with reflections from @graceblakeley.substack.com.

Find out more and book your place: carnegieuk.org/event/how-is...

17.10.2025 08:36 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
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πŸ“Š How are people across the UK really doing?

Join us on Tue 28 Oct, 10-11am to hear Susan Pinkney present our latest Life in the UK findings with reflections from @graceblakeley.substack.com.

carnegieuk.org/event/how-is...

21.10.2025 15:06 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0