Gary Rawnsley

Another busy Open Day for the School of Social & Political Sciences, University of Lincoln with colleagues Prof Anna Tarrant, Dr Luke Turnock, & Dr Ben Kisby.

Tonight I finished my #3 #Booker Prize shortlisted novel: The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits. Enjoyed this one. A straightforward but compelling story about dealing with middle age, families, & the secrets we try to keep (& some we don’t). #booksky

In praise of “rip-off” degrees | The Observer Kemi Badenoch’s attack on the arts and humanities isn’t just culturally short-sighted, it’s economically illiterate

Thank you @naomialderman.bsky.social for writing this 👇

"In praise of “rip-off” degrees" | The Observer share.google/aoaUSb8msQ2F...

Congratulations to Maria Corina Machado, a worthy recipient of the #Nobel Peace Prize

Tonight I finished reading The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller - #2 of the 2025 #Booker Prize shortlist. As captivating and disorienting as the English countryside under a deep blanket of snow. Loved it! #booksky

I first visited Caernarfon Castle in 1980 during a week long school trip to #Wales when I fell in love with the country. I was delighted to return to Caernarfon in May 2016 when I was lucky to live in Aberystwyth #photography

What Badenoch doesn't understand is that many so called rip off degrees are proudly displayed on the mantelpieces of parents and grandparents who were denied the opportunity to enjoy HE.
It's known as aspiration.

My School of Social & Political Sciences colleague, Dr Luke Turnock, was interviewed by STV about illicit market weight-loss jabs. Luke is Programme Leader for our fabulous Criminology programme & engages in important research that influences drugs policies. See news.stv.tv/scotland/inf...

I am as angry as @eve.gd. I am so tired of attacks on the arts, humanities & social sciences. I would point Badenoch to the research undertaken by colleagues in my school @Uni of Lincoln - in sociology & other areas - that is policy relevant & helping to transform lives of communities across the UK

China targets Gen Z, millennials in new strategy to build its brand in Africa Kenyan social media stars showcase China’s striking scenery, culture, history and cuisine in glitzy new promotional campaign.

If these exchanges “reproduce ... one-dimensional images of Africa or over-celebrate #China ... they risk perpetuating unequal power dynamics rather than fostering genuine intercultural dialogue”. China's new online strategy in collaboration with African influencers www.scmp.com/news/china/m...

Last govt 'didn't understand' soft power The previous government's soft power initiatives are facing calls to be cancelled on grounds of a lack of clear, measurable outcomes and misinterpretation of the concept entirely.

Oh, this is interesting! Previous Thai government criticised for spending too much on soft power & not defining measurable outcomes. "Soft power isn't just Lisa (Blackpink) eating grilled meatballs and posting about it -- that's marketing. What we're seeing now is just event planning." #Thailand

Great to see @uolconservation.bsky.social @uolhumanities.bsky.social students from the University of Lincoln on the BBC this morning - a report in their fascinating work in conserving an Egyptian mummy

And so begins my annual read of the Booker Prize shortlisted novels. First up - Audition by Katie Kitamura. I am afraid that I struggled with this, even though it is a slim volume easily read in one sitting. #booksky

Embodying Irish Abortion Reform by Aideen O’Shaughnessy Women and the Eight Amendment: Charlotte Waltz reviews Embodying Irish Abortion Reform: Bodies, Emotions, and Feminist Activism by Aideen O’Shaughnessy.

Congratulations to my School of Social & Political Sciences (Uni of Lincoln)colleague Dr. Aideen O'Shaughnessy. Aideen's new book, Embodying Irish Abortion Reform is the subject of this terrific review by @thesociologicalreview.org
@aioshaug.bsky.social thesociologicalreview.org/reviews/embo...

Today, 4th October, is World Ostomy Day. Best wishes & positive energy to all fellow Crohn’s & Colitis IBD Warriors living life to the full with a stoma.

Good to see my co-edited Routledge Handbook of Chinese Media (2nd edn) is featured here as part of the Routledge 20% discount sale. Also pleased we are next to Sarina They’s fascinating study of The Soft Power of Small Non-Western States

Please join me in congratulating Woman on her appointment

Today the School of Social & Political Sciences hosted the inaugural session of its MA International Relations Public Lecture Series organised by Marianna Charountaki & moderated by @drnickcowen.bsky.social. Thanks to Alam Saleh, Christos Kourtelis, Nasasra Mansour & Lesley Masters for participating

Schools to fork out £310m to subsidise free meals Research suggests schools raiding teaching and learning budgets to plug funding gap for free lunches

More on the important research undertaken by my School of Social & Political Sciences (University of Lincoln) colleague Paul Stretesky & his collaborators on the cost to schools of providing free school meals. schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-f...

Brilliant news from @uolconservation.bsky.social @uolhumanities.bsky.social: Mummified Makeover: Ancient Egyptian Fit for the Future After Conservation Work by Lincoln Students

Taiwan now biggest importer of Russian naphtha despite being Ukraine ally Island imported $1.3bn of crude oil product in first half of 2025 despite joining sanctions against Moscow, report finds

#Taiwan’s dependence on Russian naphtha imports “undermines Taiwan’s credibility with democratic allies”. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Tonight I finished Kamala Harris’s personal & inspiring account of the 2024 US Presidential election. Highly recommended for anyone interested in US politics, leadership, & how to maintain dignity when the world is collapsing around you #booksky

Sharing to increase understanding of #Crohn’s Disease & #Colitis #IBD. 41 years since my diagnosis I try to follow TE Lawrence’s advice: The trick is not minding that it hurts.

Exclusive: how a flagship Labour policy put a £310m hole in school budgets Expanding free school meals is a great policy, but the government does not seem to have accounted for the extra costs it imposes on schools

The report 👇 on Free School Meals in England by School of Social & Political Sciences Prof Paul Stretesky affirms the continuing value and relevance of the social sciences to informed debate on life changing issues & policies
www.northumbria.ac.uk/-/media/b9cc...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

Inspired by @adefty.bsky.social today I read James Watson’s personal account of how he & Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA. A fascinating insight into scientific method it is also a snapshot of British academic life that (in some ways thankfully) no longer exists #Booksky

Lincoln University Open Day: a fantastic turnout by visitors from across the UK to hear about our Criminology, Sociology, Politics, & International Relations programmes - from colleagues undertaking transformative research in these areas.

#Lincoln looking glorious in the summer. Autumn may have arrived but we are still looking forward to meeting all our visitors at today’s University of Lincoln Open Day. Come say hello to me & my colleagues in the School of Social & Political Sciences

Since I have gained new followers I am sharing again this starter pack that includes some of my colleagues from the School of Social & Political Sciences. Providing world leading research & analysis in Criminology, Politics, IR, Sociology & Social Policy

The Annual Welcome Week Lecture of School of Social & Political Sciences, Uni of Lincoln, this year is delivered by Dr Andrew Defty @adefty.bsky.social. His subject is Bridging Two Cultures: what’s scientific about the social sciences?

Preparing for the University of Lincoln Open Day tomorrow. Good to see this reminder that our BA programme in Politics is ranked in the Top 10 by the Guardian University Guide 2026 (well, we are #7, actually ...)