Ben Walmsley

I say the same to my students lol

What makes a national theatre? National theatres play a crucial role in a country’s cultural landscape. The artistic leaders of six institutions talk to Natasha Tripney about their priorities and the challenges they face

www.thestage.co.uk/long-reads/w...

Congratulations Alice!

@nickbarley.bsky.social

Wealth tax needed to help working people and avoid threat from Reform, says union chief Exclusive: Paul Novak says Rachel Reeves should ‘stay the course’ on plans for investment

Yes indeed!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Publications aimed at LGBTQ+ audiences face discrimination from advertisers, editors warn Media figures say ‘gold rush is over’, as attacks on diversity and inclusion have led to some advertisers avoiding outlets

“Brand safety” aka “good old-fashioned discrimination”
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...

Outrage as Spanish town bans Muslim religious festivals from public spaces Conservative People’s party in Jumilla votes to stop civic centres and gyms being used for activities ‘alien to our identity’

Horrific
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Website refresh alert! Check out our updated website to find out how Policy Leeds can help you.

Policy professionals and researchers can find out what we do, how we can work with you, current partners and projects, and resources such as blogs, briefs and case studies.

www.leeds.ac.uk/policy-leeds

Steph Houghton smiling in graduation gown and bonnet

As well as being a trailblazer for women in sport, promoting teamwork, inclusivity and support, Steph is a leading advocate for those with motor neurone disease (MND) after her husband was diagnosed with MND in 2018.

Read more about our honorary graduands 👇

www.leeds.ac.uk/main-index/n...

Great to attend the launch of the pioneering Transform festival last night and hear all about their dazzling October programme from Creative Director @amyletman.bsky.social

The diplomacy of art: Bayeux tapestry loan shows cultural gifts still matter History is full of examples of artworks being used to express things diplomats would be forbidden to say

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Working with The Audience Agency and supported by Research England, we have been leading a project to develop a Cultural Indicator Suite, a new framework that helps to communicate the holistic everyday cultural vitality of the places we live.

www.culturalvalue.org.uk/understandin...

Reform councillor’s boast about removing ‘trans-ideological’ books from children’s library sections falls flat Paul Webb said he ensured books and material were pulled from children’s section of Kent libraries, but it emerges they were never there

Pretty much sums up this tawdry debate www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Looking good! Can testify wholeheartedly how brilliant Culture Commons are as policy partners

Deeply depressing

Fantastic to see our students’ work exhibited at one of our local Leeds city venues - go along and see this fresh new talent on display!

Could hear it from my garden!

Creative Industries Sector Plan launched today as part of the industrial strategy assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68586c...

Cat power

Mass tourism, heritage, music, and debt: the curious case of opera and urban planning in Florence - Centre for Cultural Value Researchers Alice Borchi and Carlo Alberto Petruzzi examine recent events in Florence, a city caught between the pressures of mass tourism and the need to preserve its cultural identity.

As the summer tourism season gets underway, we spotlight this think piece by @aliceborchi.bsky.social‬ & Carlo Alberto Petruzzi, highlighting recent events in Florence, a city caught between the pressures of mass tourism and preserving its cultural identity.

www.culturalvalue.org.uk/the-curious-...

That was a hug more than a like!

This is a really interesting read on how policy works

Fancy working with me? Want to do messy, community-led research with communities in Clackmannanshire? Then do I have the job for you!
www.stir.ac.uk/about/work-a...

Really ironic after years of under investment in core cities outside London

Please submit papers and join us to discuss class and TV on 19th September in Leeds!

Kemi Badenoch says she does not speak to women in burqas at constituency surgery Tory leader says there are ‘more insidious’ issues but she asks people who attend her surgery to remove face coverings

Tell you all you need to know www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

YouTube video by School of Arts, Languages and Cultures 'Pandemic Culture' Book Launch & Symposium (17 September 2024)

Thank you to @uomcreativemcr.bsky.social for recording the Pandemic Culture book launch symposium.

@benwalmsley.bsky.social was joined by fellow co-editors @abigilmore.bsky.social and @drdaveobrien.bsky.social to reflect upon the book’s themes and research findings.

youtu.be/_2o0pKDpuSw?...

Delighted to have our chapter on bullying in the arts published in this brilliant collection

Thanks Claire and sorry for the very slow reply!

Senior TV producers take shelf-stacking jobs as UK industry remains in crisis Experienced figures doing entry-level roles amid prolonged work drought since Covid and rise of online content

Senior TV producers take shelf-stacking jobs as UK industry remains in crisis

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/m...