Gary Rawnsley

Soft Power and the Papacy: Pope Francis in the Context of Right-Wing Populist Nationalism in Italy and Europe - Religion and Global Society Since Pope Francis’ death and the election of new Pope Robert Francis Prevost (Leo XIV), discussions have ensued amongst scholars on the relevance of the papacy in modern-day international relations. ...

An interesting blog from Austin Paul writing for @lseblogs.bsky.social on the Soft Power of the Papacy. Focus on behaviours and values - real source of soft power. blogs.lse.ac.uk/religionglob...

Just finished Don't Burn Anyone at the Stake Today by @naomialderman.bsky.social. One of the most meaningful books I have read in a while - one that has made me pause & reflect on my own behaviours. Also timely on the day #Australia begins its ban on children using most social media.

Post a book you love from the 80s. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
#BookSky #bookchallenge #readingchallenge #readingcommunity #booktok #bookish #books

A powerful indictment of the lack of progress for women in South Korea & elsewhere - in the workplace, school, & at home. The final sentence will stay with me. #booksky

Call for Papers! The new journal Politics & Security Governance is planning a special issue on Digital Maoism: The Revival of Left Populism, Cultural Memory, & Coded Resistance in Contemporary #China. More details here porcelainpublishing.com/journal/PSG/...

What a wonderful documentary film. Belated happy 100th birthday, @newyorker.com Never stop being élitist (see what I did there?) @netflix.com

LegCo: Hong Kong votes in election as city mourns deadly fire - BBC News The Legislative Council election is seen as a test of public sentiment following a deadly fire.

Congratulations to everyone Beijing decides has won the election in Hong Kong www.bbc.com/news/article...

As #Crohns & Colitis Awareness Week draws to a close, it is important to understand our experiences of #IBD. Thanks to @crohnscolitisfdn.bsky.social @getyourbellyout.bsky.social for all your work & support

Anyone who loves literature, books, authors, & listening to authors talk about their work & writing process, listen to the Always Take Notes podcast. Following their conversation with Paul Theroux I have just finished Burma Sahib. So many great recommendations here #booksky

The Peace Deal Amounts To A De-facto Russian Surrender, And Prophecies The War’s Imminent End When a conflict is in its twilight hours, its final death throes often manifest as an exponentially rapid alteration in at least one of its combatant’s positions, be they military or diplomatic. In th...

I am always proud of alumni from the School of Social & Political Sciences, University of Lincoln. Here is former Politics student Joey Gwinn, a Parliamentary Assistant & political commentator, writing about proposals to achieve peace in #Ukraine.
www.europinion.uk/post/the-pea...

My Bagpuss.

Taiwan cheered, China upset after Trump signs new Taiwan legislation into law Taiwan expressed thanks and China was upset on Wednesday after President Donald Trump signed into law legislation requiring the U.S. State Department to regularly review and update guidelines on how t...

#Taiwan be careful what you wish for & who you trust. The Presidential Office may say US & Taiwan share 'values of democracy freedom & respect for human rights' but if Trump does not respect those values at home why would you suppose he supports them elsewhere?
www.reuters.com/world/china/...

Just got my copy of Autocracy 2.0 & looking forward to reading it. Many congratulations to @proflind.bsky.social on it’s publication.

Finally got around to finishing On Freedom by @timothysnyder.bsky.social. It has made me think more deeply about soft power & how it connects to political & social values. It also helps understand the erosion of US soft power under Trump. Important, timely, insightful - highly recommended

Join us on 12 December as the School of Social & Political Sciences, University of Lincoln, hosts a discussion with the Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Kuwait ("Bridging Academia & Diplomacy"). Register here:

forms.office.com/pages/respon...

Day 1 of Crohn’s Disease & Colitis Awareness Week #IBD

A very happy 10th birthday to @backlisted.bsky.social. Love listening to all the new shows & catching up on the back catalogue - even though you have cost me a hell of a lot of money in adding to my never diminishing TBR pile!

1 December is the start of Crohn’s Disease & Colitis Awareness Week. I am posting this to support all my fellow IBD warriors & to make sure our experiences of these debilitating conditions are better known #IBD

What it means to be human: Why the arts and humanities are more important than ever - Arts Professional On behalf of the Midlands Arts and Humanities Futures Network¹, Professor Rachel Moseley argues for the importance of a co-ordinated approach across the education sector to secure the future of these ...

What it means to be human: Why the arts and humanities are more important than ever.
An important & timely defence of the Arts and Humanities, constantly under threat (even within universities) www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea...

I can’t believe people in the room don’t push back. It doesn’t matter if he’s the president, part of holding him accountable is standing up to his bullying— especially if he’s doing it right in front of your face

Delighted to announce that Clientelism, a new book by my School of Social & Political Sciences colleague Aris Trantidis, is now available. Published by @universitypress.cambridge.org this is a major new study that connects clientelism to democratic theory & electoral politics.

Many thanks to Wayne Wong for visiting University of Lincoln today to screen his new film Project Sifu - a fascinating project introducing martial arts &martial arts filmmaking to students at the University of Sheffield. More details about Project Sifu available here www.projectsifu.org.uk

Hong Kong fire: At least 13 dead as more than 700 firefighters tackle blaze The fire has engulfed a number of buildings, with flames spreading on bamboo scaffolding. At least one firefighter is among the dead.

Absolutely awful news from Hong Kong. Condolences to all who have lost loved ones. Thoughts with all survivors #HongKong www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2...

Financing universities – is there a way out of the maze? | British Politics and Policy at LSE Universities are in a financial pickle. The only way out is for the Government to recoup more money from student loans than it currently does.

As part of the Budget, the Chancellor announced a £925 levy on international students from 2028 - estimated to cost universities £330 million per year.

The Government needs to help universities out of their financial pickle. Nicholas Barr has some ideas.

blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...

Everyone in the School of Social & Political Sciences, Uni of Lincoln, are looking forward to the Open Day on Saturday. Come along & find out more about out fantastic programmes in Criminology, Politics (#7 according to the Guardian), International Relations (#18) & Sociology

‘The chill wind from the White House is already rippling through New Broadcasting House.’

@lewisgoodall.com reacts after the BBC edited out an anti-Trump line from a historian’s lecture.

I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.

They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1

Discovered in Lincoln City library - Paul Theroux’s fictional account of Eric Blair’s time as a policeman in Burma (before he became George Orwell). An enjoyable read so far #booksky

Just finished reading Queen Esther by John Irving. Far better than The Last Chairlift, but still disappointing & unsatisfying. His novels are now a mere shadow of his former glories #booksly