Ewan Robertson
@ewanrobo.bsky.social
Postdoc Researcher, Studying Parliaments and the Role of Knowledge, University of Edinburgh (https://www.project-spark.net/)
Focused on the Spanish and Catalan parliaments | PhD in Social Policy
Exec member & comms at the UK Social Policy Association
Focused on the Spanish and Catalan parliaments | PhD in Social Policy
Exec member & comms at the UK Social Policy Association
Pinned
Ewan Robertson
@ewanrobo.bsky.social
· Jul 21
Do ideas or political demand drive welfare reform? @ewanrobo.bsky.social shows how ideational power, not voter pressure, shaped in-work benefits in the UK and France. Read OPEN ACCESS: buff.ly/EGt2uCw
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
New publication in Political Studies – the first based on my PhD research!
Are policymakers more responsive to their own ideas or to external social demands when deciding upon policy action? I examine this question in relation to in-work benefits in the United Kingdom and France. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Are policymakers more responsive to their own ideas or to external social demands when deciding upon policy action? I examine this question in relation to in-work benefits in the United Kingdom and France. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Reposted by Ewan Robertson
Do ideas or political demand drive welfare reform? @ewanrobo.bsky.social shows how ideational power, not voter pressure, shaped in-work benefits in the UK and France. Read OPEN ACCESS: buff.ly/1IN07tN
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
October 31, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Do ideas or political demand drive welfare reform? @ewanrobo.bsky.social shows how ideational power, not voter pressure, shaped in-work benefits in the UK and France. Read OPEN ACCESS: buff.ly/1IN07tN
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
Nice little boost to my article published this year in @polstudies.bsky.social on the role of ideas and ideational power in driving working-age social security reform in the UK and France ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Do ideas or political demand drive welfare reform? @ewanrobo.bsky.social shows how ideational power, not voter pressure, shaped in-work benefits in the UK and France. Read OPEN ACCESS: buff.ly/1IN07tN
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
November 3, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Nice little boost to my article published this year in @polstudies.bsky.social on the role of ideas and ideational power in driving working-age social security reform in the UK and France ⬇️⬇️⬇️
I had a wonderful time at the Spanish Social Policy Network conference (REPS) at the Universidad de la Rioja.
I was able to (re)connect with colleagues from the study of social policy in Spain, and share initial results from spark.net on committee witnesses in the Spanish and Catalan parliaments.
I was able to (re)connect with colleagues from the study of social policy in Spain, and share initial results from spark.net on committee witnesses in the Spanish and Catalan parliaments.
October 28, 2025 at 9:29 AM
I had a wonderful time at the Spanish Social Policy Network conference (REPS) at the Universidad de la Rioja.
I was able to (re)connect with colleagues from the study of social policy in Spain, and share initial results from spark.net on committee witnesses in the Spanish and Catalan parliaments.
I was able to (re)connect with colleagues from the study of social policy in Spain, and share initial results from spark.net on committee witnesses in the Spanish and Catalan parliaments.
Reposted by Ewan Robertson
🚨 Job Opportunity! 🚨 Applications are now open for a new 2.5-year postdoc at @edinburghpir.bsky.social to examine how parliaments gather, analyse and use different types of knowledge - see the full job listing here: elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (SPARK)
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with experience in the politics of the UK, Scottish, German or Bavarian parliaments to join the UKRI-funded research project, ‘Studying Parliaments an...
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:50 PM
🚨 Job Opportunity! 🚨 Applications are now open for a new 2.5-year postdoc at @edinburghpir.bsky.social to examine how parliaments gather, analyse and use different types of knowledge - see the full job listing here: elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
❗Job Opportunity❗ Postdoc on Studying Parliaments and the Role of Knowledge (SPARK), University of Edinburgh.
2.5 year post, examining your choice of parliaments between our UK and German country cases.
Apply by 29th October: elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
2.5 year post, examining your choice of parliaments between our UK and German country cases.
Apply by 29th October: elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
September 30, 2025 at 8:19 AM
❗Job Opportunity❗ Postdoc on Studying Parliaments and the Role of Knowledge (SPARK), University of Edinburgh.
2.5 year post, examining your choice of parliaments between our UK and German country cases.
Apply by 29th October: elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
2.5 year post, examining your choice of parliaments between our UK and German country cases.
Apply by 29th October: elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
📣Call for Papers: Studying Parliaments and the Role of Knowledge.
We are launching a CFP for an edited collection and/or special issue on the topic of parliaments and knowledge. Get in touch with any queries!
Abstract deadline: 3 November 2025.
▶️ www.project-spark.net/post/call-fo...
We are launching a CFP for an edited collection and/or special issue on the topic of parliaments and knowledge. Get in touch with any queries!
Abstract deadline: 3 November 2025.
▶️ www.project-spark.net/post/call-fo...
Call for Papers: Studying Parliaments and the Role of Knowledge
Parliaments play fundamental democratic functions including political representation, legitimation of decision-making, and accountability of executive actors. Yet parliaments are also central in media...
www.project-spark.net
September 25, 2025 at 11:48 AM
📣Call for Papers: Studying Parliaments and the Role of Knowledge.
We are launching a CFP for an edited collection and/or special issue on the topic of parliaments and knowledge. Get in touch with any queries!
Abstract deadline: 3 November 2025.
▶️ www.project-spark.net/post/call-fo...
We are launching a CFP for an edited collection and/or special issue on the topic of parliaments and knowledge. Get in touch with any queries!
Abstract deadline: 3 November 2025.
▶️ www.project-spark.net/post/call-fo...
Reposted by Ewan Robertson
Highly recommend this excellent contribution to welfare politics by @ewanrobo.bsky.social! A timely reminder that elites and political organisations often decide on social policy — and rights — regardless of public opinion.
Do ideas or political demand drive welfare reform? @ewanrobo.bsky.social shows how ideational power, not voter pressure, shaped in-work benefits in the UK and France. Read OPEN ACCESS: buff.ly/EGt2uCw
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
July 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Highly recommend this excellent contribution to welfare politics by @ewanrobo.bsky.social! A timely reminder that elites and political organisations often decide on social policy — and rights — regardless of public opinion.
A reminder that Political Studies published my article explaining in-work benefit reforms in the UK and France.
My argument on the role of policymakers' ideas and use of ideational power may be of interest to those who study the role of ideas in public policy.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
My argument on the role of policymakers' ideas and use of ideational power may be of interest to those who study the role of ideas in public policy.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
July 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
A reminder that Political Studies published my article explaining in-work benefit reforms in the UK and France.
My argument on the role of policymakers' ideas and use of ideational power may be of interest to those who study the role of ideas in public policy.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
My argument on the role of policymakers' ideas and use of ideational power may be of interest to those who study the role of ideas in public policy.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
It was wonderful to meet with Michele Goulart Massuchin and Eva Campos from the Mediaflows project while at the Complutense Madrid.
Lots of potential to link studies of knowledge and communications in parliaments!
Find out about SPARK: www.project-spark.net
@marcgeddes.uk
Lots of potential to link studies of knowledge and communications in parliaments!
Find out about SPARK: www.project-spark.net
@marcgeddes.uk
Our colleagues @ecamposd.bsky.social, from @ucmccinf.bsky.social, and Michele Goulart Massuchin, from @ufpr.bsky.social and INCT DSI, met this week with @ewanrobo.bsky.social, from the SPARK project at @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social (project-spark.net), to enhance our research collaboration🤝 #MediaFlows
July 21, 2025 at 10:50 AM
It was wonderful to meet with Michele Goulart Massuchin and Eva Campos from the Mediaflows project while at the Complutense Madrid.
Lots of potential to link studies of knowledge and communications in parliaments!
Find out about SPARK: www.project-spark.net
@marcgeddes.uk
Lots of potential to link studies of knowledge and communications in parliaments!
Find out about SPARK: www.project-spark.net
@marcgeddes.uk
New publication in Political Studies – the first based on my PhD research!
Are policymakers more responsive to their own ideas or to external social demands when deciding upon policy action? I examine this question in relation to in-work benefits in the United Kingdom and France. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Are policymakers more responsive to their own ideas or to external social demands when deciding upon policy action? I examine this question in relation to in-work benefits in the United Kingdom and France. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Do ideas or political demand drive welfare reform? @ewanrobo.bsky.social shows how ideational power, not voter pressure, shaped in-work benefits in the UK and France. Read OPEN ACCESS: buff.ly/EGt2uCw
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci
July 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
New publication in Political Studies – the first based on my PhD research!
Are policymakers more responsive to their own ideas or to external social demands when deciding upon policy action? I examine this question in relation to in-work benefits in the United Kingdom and France. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Are policymakers more responsive to their own ideas or to external social demands when deciding upon policy action? I examine this question in relation to in-work benefits in the United Kingdom and France. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
I had a wonderful time at the ECPR @sgparliaments.bsky.social conf at the University of Barcelona.
It was great to make connections and present data on committee witnesses in the Spanish and Catalan legislatures.
A highlight was also the opportunity to visit the Catalan parliament!
It was great to make connections and present data on committee witnesses in the Spanish and Catalan legislatures.
A highlight was also the opportunity to visit the Catalan parliament!
July 7, 2025 at 11:02 AM
I had a wonderful time at the ECPR @sgparliaments.bsky.social conf at the University of Barcelona.
It was great to make connections and present data on committee witnesses in the Spanish and Catalan legislatures.
A highlight was also the opportunity to visit the Catalan parliament!
It was great to make connections and present data on committee witnesses in the Spanish and Catalan legislatures.
A highlight was also the opportunity to visit the Catalan parliament!
Conocer la hermosura de Segovia provincia y la Sierra de Guadarrama en invierno ha sido una experiencia muy bonita durante los últimos meses.
March 17, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Conocer la hermosura de Segovia provincia y la Sierra de Guadarrama en invierno ha sido una experiencia muy bonita durante los últimos meses.
I enjoyed presenting the SPARK research project on parliaments and knowledge to Spanish Congress of Deputies’ science and technology advice office (Oficina C) yesterday.
Also fascinating to learn about the work of Oficina C and legislative advice in Spain.
About SPARK: www.project-spark.net
Also fascinating to learn about the work of Oficina C and legislative advice in Spain.
About SPARK: www.project-spark.net
February 13, 2025 at 10:53 AM
I enjoyed presenting the SPARK research project on parliaments and knowledge to Spanish Congress of Deputies’ science and technology advice office (Oficina C) yesterday.
Also fascinating to learn about the work of Oficina C and legislative advice in Spain.
About SPARK: www.project-spark.net
Also fascinating to learn about the work of Oficina C and legislative advice in Spain.
About SPARK: www.project-spark.net
Get your nominations in for the Social Policy Association Awards!
Check out categories and criteria below, deadline is 3rd March ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Check out categories and criteria below, deadline is 3rd March ⬇️⬇️⬇️
The SPA Awards 2025 are open for nominations!
We encourage nominations for:
- Outstanding Achievement in Social Policy
- Public Understanding of Social Policy
- Policy Press Outstanding Teaching Award
- Richard Titmuss Book Prize
Deadline: 3rd March ⬇️⬇️
social-policy.org.uk/what-we-do/a...
We encourage nominations for:
- Outstanding Achievement in Social Policy
- Public Understanding of Social Policy
- Policy Press Outstanding Teaching Award
- Richard Titmuss Book Prize
Deadline: 3rd March ⬇️⬇️
social-policy.org.uk/what-we-do/a...
January 31, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Get your nominations in for the Social Policy Association Awards!
Check out categories and criteria below, deadline is 3rd March ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Check out categories and criteria below, deadline is 3rd March ⬇️⬇️⬇️
This looks like a great event taking place next month in Edinburgh ⬇️
Thurs 20th Feb, we are hosting in Edinburgh on spatial social policy, with numerous presentations & discussions on devolved and local policies and practices. Registration required, places limited. It's a collab event from @ccc-research.bsky.social, Safety Nets project and SPA Employment Policy Group
Workshop: 'Unpicking The ‘Scalar Fallacy’? The Present and Future of Devolved and Local Welfare Policies in the UK.'
20 Feb, Edinburgh
We are delighted to be supporting this workshop led by @haylesben.bsky.social to consider social policy futures.
Further info and registration: edin.ac/4gQ01lm
20 Feb, Edinburgh
We are delighted to be supporting this workshop led by @haylesben.bsky.social to consider social policy futures.
Further info and registration: edin.ac/4gQ01lm
January 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
This looks like a great event taking place next month in Edinburgh ⬇️
If anyone has a room going from March to May in Edinburgh, my friend Llorenç Soler is looking!
Hi everyone!
I’m a PhD fellow from @UABBarcelona looking for a room to rent in Edinburgh from March 1st to May 1st during my visiting fellowship at @Uni_Edinburgh (Social Policy).
Any tips & RTs are appreciated! 🙏
@ewanrobo.bsky.social @davidevampa.bsky.social l @philiprathgeb.bsky.social
I’m a PhD fellow from @UABBarcelona looking for a room to rent in Edinburgh from March 1st to May 1st during my visiting fellowship at @Uni_Edinburgh (Social Policy).
Any tips & RTs are appreciated! 🙏
@ewanrobo.bsky.social @davidevampa.bsky.social l @philiprathgeb.bsky.social
January 13, 2025 at 10:29 PM
If anyone has a room going from March to May in Edinburgh, my friend Llorenç Soler is looking!
Abstract and symposia submissions are open for the SPA-EASP 2025 Joint Annual Conference!
🚨Abstract and symposia submissions are open for the SPA-EASP 2025 Joint Annual Conference! 🚨
The abstract deadline is 17th March 2025.
Our Annual Conference will be held at the University of York, 2-4 July 2025.
All information on this page ⬇️⬇️⬇️
social-policy.org.uk/social-polic...
The abstract deadline is 17th March 2025.
Our Annual Conference will be held at the University of York, 2-4 July 2025.
All information on this page ⬇️⬇️⬇️
social-policy.org.uk/social-polic...
Social Policy Association and East Asian Social Policy Research Network - Joint Annual Conference 2025 - Social Policy Association
Go your own way? Social Policy in an era of fracturing solidarities Wednesday, 2nd – Friday, 4th July, 2025 University of York, Spring Lane Building, [...]
social-policy.org.uk
December 19, 2024 at 11:21 AM
Abstract and symposia submissions are open for the SPA-EASP 2025 Joint Annual Conference!
Se abre la convocatoria de contribuciones al Congreso de la Red Española de Política Social en Logroño, 22-24 de Octubre de 2025 ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Se abre la convocatoria de contribuciones al Congreso de la Red Española de Política Social en Logroño. @albalanau.bsky.social, @aarcarons.bsky.social y servidor coordinamos la mesa sobre Pobreza, desigualdad y redistribución. Ánimate a compartir tu investigación reps2025.unirioja.es/es/pages/pan...
X Congreso Reps
reps2025.unirioja.es
December 4, 2024 at 5:41 PM
Se abre la convocatoria de contribuciones al Congreso de la Red Española de Política Social en Logroño, 22-24 de Octubre de 2025 ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Reposted by Ewan Robertson
This useful list is up to 80 people now, but room for plenty more. For avoidance of doubt I’m applying no entrance criteria beyond ‘doesn’t look like a bot.’ Do please recommend other folk as well as letting me know if you’d like to be added.
go.bsky.app/CDRvpoJ
go.bsky.app/CDRvpoJ
November 26, 2024 at 11:49 AM
This useful list is up to 80 people now, but room for plenty more. For avoidance of doubt I’m applying no entrance criteria beyond ‘doesn’t look like a bot.’ Do please recommend other folk as well as letting me know if you’d like to be added.
go.bsky.app/CDRvpoJ
go.bsky.app/CDRvpoJ
The UK Social Policy Association is now on BlueSky - follow below or here: bsky.app/profile/soci...
The Social Policy Association is now on BlueSky!
Follow us here for information on social policy initiatives and events in the UK and internationally.
The SPA executive plans to consult our members and decide on our future social media platforms early in the New Year.
Follow us here for information on social policy initiatives and events in the UK and internationally.
The SPA executive plans to consult our members and decide on our future social media platforms early in the New Year.
November 26, 2024 at 10:20 AM
The UK Social Policy Association is now on BlueSky - follow below or here: bsky.app/profile/soci...
I'd really recommend this workshop for ECRs and doctoral researchers working on comparative social and public policy (after attending last year's edition).
Submit an abstract by 2 February and come to Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University on 8-9 May 2025! ⬇️
Submit an abstract by 2 February and come to Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University on 8-9 May 2025! ⬇️
After a highly successful first edition at UAB, the second Doctoral Workshop on Comparative Social and Public Policy, which will take place at @PolitiquesUPF on 8-9 May 2025.
Please share and don't miss out – submit your abstract by February 2nd, 2025!
Please share and don't miss out – submit your abstract by February 2nd, 2025!
November 25, 2024 at 4:10 PM
I'd really recommend this workshop for ECRs and doctoral researchers working on comparative social and public policy (after attending last year's edition).
Submit an abstract by 2 February and come to Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University on 8-9 May 2025! ⬇️
Submit an abstract by 2 February and come to Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University on 8-9 May 2025! ⬇️
Reposted by Ewan Robertson
Sad to hear the brilliant and great Walter Korpi passed. Korpi was on a very short list of my all time favorite political economic theorists. Almost all my work is fundamentally based on power resources theory. His work on the welfare state is pivotal and central to so many fields.
November 22, 2024 at 10:13 PM
Sad to hear the brilliant and great Walter Korpi passed. Korpi was on a very short list of my all time favorite political economic theorists. Almost all my work is fundamentally based on power resources theory. His work on the welfare state is pivotal and central to so many fields.
👏I really enjoyed this workshop on Knowledge and Parliaments hosted by the SPARK project at the University of Edinburgh.
A great learning process, opportunity to meet new researchers and hear about top studies in the field.
Lots more to come! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.project-spark.net/post/spark-h...
A great learning process, opportunity to meet new researchers and hear about top studies in the field.
Lots more to come! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.project-spark.net/post/spark-h...
SPARK Hosts International Workshop on Knowledge and Parliaments
On 14-15 October, SPARK welcomed 20 researchers from across Europe and hosted a workshop to address the theme of the relationship between knowledge and parliaments.The workshop, which coincided with t...
www.project-spark.net
November 22, 2024 at 11:28 AM
👏I really enjoyed this workshop on Knowledge and Parliaments hosted by the SPARK project at the University of Edinburgh.
A great learning process, opportunity to meet new researchers and hear about top studies in the field.
Lots more to come! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.project-spark.net/post/spark-h...
A great learning process, opportunity to meet new researchers and hear about top studies in the field.
Lots more to come! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.project-spark.net/post/spark-h...
Interested in social policy and have experience with digital comms? Check out this work opportunity with Cambridge University Press.
The position is an estimated 25 hours per month, freelance, and has no residency requirements.
Deadline to apply is 30th November: www.cambridge.org/core/societi...
The position is an estimated 25 hours per month, freelance, and has no residency requirements.
Deadline to apply is 30th November: www.cambridge.org/core/societi...
Call for Media Editor
Welcome to Cambridge Core
www.cambridge.org
November 20, 2024 at 6:02 PM
Interested in social policy and have experience with digital comms? Check out this work opportunity with Cambridge University Press.
The position is an estimated 25 hours per month, freelance, and has no residency requirements.
Deadline to apply is 30th November: www.cambridge.org/core/societi...
The position is an estimated 25 hours per month, freelance, and has no residency requirements.
Deadline to apply is 30th November: www.cambridge.org/core/societi...
🚨Career update!🚨
From September I am a postdoc researcher on the SPARK project, based in Politics & IR @EdinburghUni.
I examine the Spanish and Catalan parliaments via 3 policy areas, so please get in touch if interested!
Project info: marcgeddes.uk/spark
From September I am a postdoc researcher on the SPARK project, based in Politics & IR @EdinburghUni.
I examine the Spanish and Catalan parliaments via 3 policy areas, so please get in touch if interested!
Project info: marcgeddes.uk/spark
SPARK — Dr Marc Geddes
marcgeddes.uk
September 6, 2024 at 11:46 AM
🚨Career update!🚨
From September I am a postdoc researcher on the SPARK project, based in Politics & IR @EdinburghUni.
I examine the Spanish and Catalan parliaments via 3 policy areas, so please get in touch if interested!
Project info: marcgeddes.uk/spark
From September I am a postdoc researcher on the SPARK project, based in Politics & IR @EdinburghUni.
I examine the Spanish and Catalan parliaments via 3 policy areas, so please get in touch if interested!
Project info: marcgeddes.uk/spark