Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 1d

JOIN US ONLINE on 22 October at 18:30 BST as we look at the shifting politics of #immigration in the UK, how policy is shaped and challenged, and the state of protest and public debate.

With @michaelacbenson.bsky.social Fizza Qureshi @aaronwinter.bsky.social @mayblin.bsky.social

🎟️ buff.ly/f5IH9pL

Immigration, Policy and Protest
Aaron Winter – Lucy Mayblin – Fizza Qureshi – Michaela Benson
Conversations series of online events
The Sociological Review Foundation

1 6 15

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 1d

Even more annoying is that the original poster is using the LLM to “wade through a mountain of papers for a systemic review”. Which means feeding a lot of academic material into the plagiarism machine that always lies, without the consent of the authors.

Des Fitzgerald @desfitzgerald.bsky.social · 2d

Seeing people nonchalantly post stuff like makes me feel like I'm going crazy honestly.

A post from an academic on blue sky that says: "I'm learning about "prompt engineering" when asking LLMs to extract data. I now add this to all instructions:

Style
Be concise, analytic, and specific (cite page/figure if provided). If essential info is missing, keep going but flag Unclear and exact data needed. Never invent data.

#academicsky"

5 49 190

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 2d

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!

The University of Texas-Austin is beginning a process to eliminate the Black Studies, Latino Studies, and Gender Studies departments in the College of Liberal Arts. This is a grave threat to the educational liberty of students, faculty, staff, and the people of Texas. 1/

26 1K 1.3K

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Good Law Project @goodlawproject.bsky.social · 2d

TikTok is getting rid of the London staff who keep you safe from harmful, misleading and illegal content. When did they announce the job cuts? Eight days before those employees were due to vote on unionising.

We’ve signed an open letter with @tuc.org.uk and @cwunews.bsky.social:

2 88 150

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 2d

Really important reminder of how Reform aren’t just Little Englanders, but part of an international far-right network which wants to take away fundamental rights we all take for granted - and wants to use “free speech” as a lever

Jane Bradley @bradleyjane.bsky.social · 2d

NEW: How a U.S. anti-abortion group has quietly positioned itself as a powerbroker between the Trump administration and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Latest investigation w Elizabeth Dias.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/w...

They Helped Topple Roe v. Wade. Now Their Sights Are Set on Britain.

www.nytimes.com

1 78 130

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Praxis, for migrants and refugees @praxisprojects.bsky.social · 2d

This is not an anomaly - it’s an echo of the injustices we saw in Windrush.

A UK‑born child denied a British passport and asked to prove her right to NHS care is a stark reminder that UK policy still fails Caribbean communities and basic principles of equality.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

‘Clear parallels’ with Windrush as UK-born toddler denied passport

Campaigners say lessons not being learned as three-year-old’s mother is asked to prove right to free NHS treatment

www.theguardian.com

12 16

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Sarah J. Jackson @sjjphd.bsky.social · 3d

I’m not trying to give @pbs.org ideas for raising money—but I am. I would buy women’s fit T-shirts of all my favorite childhood shows. Reading rainbow, 321 contact, square one, zoobiliee zoo. I feel like two generations will run to donate even more money for shirts with Levar Burton on them…

160 660 3.3K

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Faine Greenwood @faineg.bsky.social · 5d

it’s said all the time but I think we should continue to hammer home how insane it is that we got dead-eyed bros trying to sell us robots that will free us from the supposedly cruel burden of “creative careers” instead of the actual cruel burden of “doing menial household chores”

Assistant HR Director of Antifa @sethdmichaels.bsky.social · 5d

AI HUCKSTER: "i built you a machine that reads books for you."

ME: "can you build me a machine that unloads the dishwasher for me so *i* can read a book?"

28 410 1.6K

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Jonathan Tranter @jonathantranter.bsky.social · 5d

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

El-Fasher attack: Thirteen killed as hospital shelled in besieged Sudan city, BBC told

A group of Sudanese medics says the latest attack on el-Fasher is a war crime.

www.bbc.co.uk

3

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Jill Blake @biscuitkitten.bsky.social · 6d

“the girlfriend of one of the founders of antifa”

Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund in Casablanca

160 1.6K 8.1K

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 6d

Pope Leo XIV has blasted how wealthy people live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while the poor suffer. In his first teaching document Thursday, Leo confirms that he is in perfect lockstep with Pope Francis on matters of social injustice.

Pope Leo blasts economy that marginalizes poor while wealthy live in bubble of luxury

Pope Leo XIV has blasted how wealthy people live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while the poor suffer.

bit.ly

530 5.1K 21K

Gwyneth Lonergan @drglonergan.bsky.social · 6d

This is tonight! Last chance to register!

Gwyneth Lonergan @drglonergan.bsky.social · Sep 3

I'm very excited to share that the next SSAHE webinar will be a celebration of my new book - Borders, Citizenship, and Pregnancy - and of Bordering Social Reproduction by Rachel Rosen and Eve Dickson. Please register and join us online, 9 October, at 5pm #AcademicSky

ssahe.net/2025/09/03/n...

Next webinar: Bordering/Mothering, 9 October

Register on EventBrite to receive a Zoom link. In this event, we will celebrate two new books by SSAHE members: Bordering social reproduction: Migrant mothers and children making lives in the …

ssahe.net

1 2

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Corinne Fowler @corinnefowler.bsky.social · 7d

1. On political gaslighting. Yesterday Jenrick defended his comments on Handsworth by lashing out at 2 pieces of work I was centrally involved with to imply it's people like me who are divisive, not him...

6 48 120

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Rima I Anabtawi @rimaanabtawi.bsky.social · 6d

"Among the estimated total population of Gaza, this is equivalent to more than 54,600 children up to six years old who need emergency nutrition and medical care, including 12,800 severely wasted children, the researchers said."

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Almost 55,000 children in Gaza acutely malnourished, Lancet study estimates

Study shows clear link between Israeli restrictions on aid entering Gaza and levels of malnutrition among children

www.theguardian.com

1 60 77

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Na'amod @naamoduk.bsky.social · 9d

On the eve of Sukkot and the 2nd anniversary of October 7th, we pause to mourn and share in the pain of the family and friends of those murdered and taken hostage two years ago in the Hamas-led attacks, some of whom have still not returned home.

1 6 24

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Dave Andress @davidandress.bsky.social · 13d

1. "Boriswave" is an invention of the online extreme right.
2. Those people came here legally, paying huge fees to do so, to fill essential roles.
3. They won't get ILR unless they apply, jump through hoops, & pay more fees.
4. The Times is reporting on them as a criminal burden on society.

Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 13d

The Times finds it "unacceptable" that people who came here legally in 2021 and have been living and working here since should allowed to stay.

The sad decline of a once great newspaper into ignorant xenophobia and casual racism

archive.ph/TFZY9

There is a more pressing issue. Ministers must ensure that the vast numbers of immigrants who arrived in the so-called Boriswave of 2020-21 are not automatically absorbed into the permanent population. They are about to cross the the five-year threshold into ILR, yet Labour continues to dither. Ms Mahmood must freeze the status of this huge cohort while a new residency regime is finalised. A million or more extra permanent residents in these islands, let in on the nod, is simply unacceptable. Finally, the home secretary must acquaint herself, and the public, with an accurate estimate of the actual number of foreign nationals living here, what taxes they pay and what services they consume. Without hard data, all the political parties are fumbling around in the dark.

5 84 210

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 14d

Israel has just arrested Greta Thunberg and many others.

Statement from the Global Sumud Flotilla:

“People of conscience have been abducted. The flotilla broke no laws. What is illegal is Israel’s genocide, Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, and Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon.”
1/3

Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 14d

Close to 65k watching the livefeed from the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Gaza.

Israel seems to be intercepting right now.

All eyes needed.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEN2...

24/7 LIVESTREAM OF GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA

YouTube video by Global Sumud Flotilla

www.youtube.com

80 3K 5.2K

Gwyneth Lonergan @drglonergan.bsky.social · 14d

RIP

Jane Goodall Institute of Canada @janegoodallcan.bsky.social · 14d

The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has passed away due to natural causes.

She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.

2

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 14d

UPDATE: Live feeds from several Global Sumud Flotilla ships are now *dropping* as several sources indicate Israeli ships are approaching the flotilla

The flotilla is carrying 500 volunteers from 45+ countries trying to break Israel's siege of Gaza & aid starving Palestinians

12 90 160

Gwyneth Lonergan @drglonergan.bsky.social · 16d

Anyway, for more on why immigration controls are a massive reproductive justice issue, sign up for my joint book launch with Rachel Rosen & Eve Dickson

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/borderingm...

Bordering/mothering online book launch

Launching Bordering social reproduction by Rachel Rosen + Eve Dickson, and Borders, Citizenship, + Pregnancy by Gwyneth Lonergan.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

3

Gwyneth Lonergan @drglonergan.bsky.social · 16d

Only the migrants who can have children while meeting these conditions can be trusted to produce the next generation of self-actualising, autonomous UK citizens.

But seriously, during the research for my book, I spoke to a few women who planned their pregnancies around visa requirements.

Dan Davies @dsquareddigest.bsky.social · 16d

Among other things this looks like it makes prospective immigrants choose between coming to Britain and having a family. That really does seem like an experiment on the UK economy that hasn't gone through any institutional review board.

Paul Brand @paulbrand.bsky.social · 16d

Mahmood says she will introduce new conditions for indefinite leave to remain:

Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering

1 2 10

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Polly Pallister-Wilkins @pollypw.bsky.social · 16d

So Israel is classifying Plumpy'Nut as a luxury...

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 17d

UN: “Kids dying of starvation… what we give them is a peanut butter paste. We’ve been told we can’t bring that in because it’s a luxury.”

AMANPOUR: “Seriously?”

2 1

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Rishita "Department of Error" Nandagiri @rishie.bsky.social · 16d

"But it’s not just abortion, it is part of a larger anti-rights issue"

Reform has seen a few anti-abortion folks join them, but this broader anti-rights ideology includes racist, anti-immigration, anti-trans, anti-LGBTQI approaches and actions. 1/

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

Reform ‘proudly embracing’ anti-abortion politics, experts warn

Campaigners accuse party of ‘fast becoming the political refuge for anti-abortion hardliners’

www.independent.co.uk

1 2 6

Reposted by Gwyneth Lonergan

Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 17d

They were a child, that's been confirmed for hours and as of 16:52 BBC still hasn't updated.
Nobody, absolutely nobody, risks a child's life crossing one of the world's busiest shipping routes if they see a genuine alternative. Labour needs to provide safety alternatives
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Another person dies trying to cross English Channel

Almost 900 migrants are thought to have crossed the Channel on Saturday

Simon Jones and Adam Hale

28 September 2025, 12:59 BST

Updated 2 hours ago

Another person has become the latest migrant to die while trying to cross the English Channel, amid a surge in illegal crossing attempts this weekend.

The body was found on Sunday morning on a beach near Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, according to the AFP news agency, with their age and nationality not yet known.

5 44 120

Gwyneth Lonergan @drglonergan.bsky.social · 17d

So, basically, you have to work all the hours God sends to pay thousands and thousands of pounds in visa fees, and the health surcharge, etc.... and then find MORE hours for volunteering.

Sharon @sharonk.bsky.social · 17d

*wanking motion*

MIGRANTS will have to carry out community work or volunteering to qualify to permanently remain in the UK, according to the Home Secretary.

Shabana Mahmood has indicated that she is looking to toughen up the rules around claiming indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in Britain.

1 1