Paul Byron
@paulibyron.bsky.social
Social media researcher, Gadigal country (aka Sydney)
Researching friendship, care, LGBTQ+ peer support, young people, mental health, porn literacies, hook-up apps.
https://profiles.uts.edu.au/paul.byron
Researching friendship, care, LGBTQ+ peer support, young people, mental health, porn literacies, hook-up apps.
https://profiles.uts.edu.au/paul.byron
Pinned
Paul Byron
@paulibyron.bsky.social
· Feb 13
Informal digital peer support for mental health: understanding the digital support practices of LGBTQ+ young people in Australia
This paper offers an analysis of informal digital peer support among LGBTQ+ young people in Australia, based on survey data from 660 young people (aged 16-25). Research on LGBTQ+ young people’s men...
www.tandfonline.com
New paper from me and Lisa McDaid: "Informal digital peer support for mental health: understanding the digital support practices of LGBTQ+ young people in Australia" www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I'm very pleased to be hosting this roundtable discussion about LGBTQ+ Peer Support on December 2, 9-11am AEDT, in-person and online. Featuring wonderful discussants including @shubhakayastha.bsky.social @joel.queercomputer.com @t-odonell.bsky.social and more! events.humanitix.com/lgbtq-peer-s...
LGBTQ+ Peer Support Roundtable Discussion
Register on Humanitix - LGBTQ+ Peer Support Roundtable Discussion. UTS Central (Building 2), ResHub, Level 5, Room 250 (or ONLINE), 61 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia. Tuesday 2nd December 2025. ...
events.humanitix.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:35 AM
I'm very pleased to be hosting this roundtable discussion about LGBTQ+ Peer Support on December 2, 9-11am AEDT, in-person and online. Featuring wonderful discussants including @shubhakayastha.bsky.social @joel.queercomputer.com @t-odonell.bsky.social and more! events.humanitix.com/lgbtq-peer-s...
Reposted by Paul Byron
Go now and sign this, don't let politicians in Qld override medical advice.
equalityaustralia.org.au/our-work/qld...
equalityaustralia.org.au/our-work/qld...
QLD: REINSTATE CARE FOR TRANS YOUNG PEOPLE
Sign the petition to end Queensland's ban on gender affirming care. Let's leave health care to the medical professionals.
equalityaustralia.org.au
October 31, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Go now and sign this, don't let politicians in Qld override medical advice.
equalityaustralia.org.au/our-work/qld...
equalityaustralia.org.au/our-work/qld...
Reposted by Paul Byron
much look forward to welcoming @sophiebishop.bsky.social to talk about her new book "influencer creep" tomorrow with @zaborowski.bsky.social and Zeena Feldman! 🎊 www.kcl.ac.uk/events/influ...
October 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
much look forward to welcoming @sophiebishop.bsky.social to talk about her new book "influencer creep" tomorrow with @zaborowski.bsky.social and Zeena Feldman! 🎊 www.kcl.ac.uk/events/influ...
Reposted by Paul Byron
Have you heard of pictureless dating apps? Yes, dating without pictures 😜.
My wonderful undergraduate student Rachel Sin explores why Gen Z opts for this newer type of dating apps and the pathways for relationship development.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
My wonderful undergraduate student Rachel Sin explores why Gen Z opts for this newer type of dating apps and the pathways for relationship development.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Using pictureless dating apps: Affordance, self-presentation, and relationship development - Rachel Ka-man Sin, Lik Sam Chan, 2025
The use of profile photos is central to most dating apps, yet some apps deliberately delay the display of photos. This study examines user experiences on pictur...
journals.sagepub.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Have you heard of pictureless dating apps? Yes, dating without pictures 😜.
My wonderful undergraduate student Rachel Sin explores why Gen Z opts for this newer type of dating apps and the pathways for relationship development.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
My wonderful undergraduate student Rachel Sin explores why Gen Z opts for this newer type of dating apps and the pathways for relationship development.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Paul Byron
Starting a book is not too difficult - Reach out to me!
#GenderSexualityPeterLang #GenderSexualityAsia
#GenderSexualityPeterLang #GenderSexualityAsia
October 13, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Starting a book is not too difficult - Reach out to me!
#GenderSexualityPeterLang #GenderSexualityAsia
#GenderSexualityPeterLang #GenderSexualityAsia
Reposted by Paul Byron
The Digital Intimacies Conference started yesterday with the presentation of the enriching work done by @jessicaringrose.bsky.social
Today @paulibyron.bsky.social is sharing “Rethinking mental health, care and friendship through Tiktok’s resonance”👏🏻
Follow us on Instagram for real-time updates!🩷
Today @paulibyron.bsky.social is sharing “Rethinking mental health, care and friendship through Tiktok’s resonance”👏🏻
Follow us on Instagram for real-time updates!🩷
September 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
The Digital Intimacies Conference started yesterday with the presentation of the enriching work done by @jessicaringrose.bsky.social
Today @paulibyron.bsky.social is sharing “Rethinking mental health, care and friendship through Tiktok’s resonance”👏🏻
Follow us on Instagram for real-time updates!🩷
Today @paulibyron.bsky.social is sharing “Rethinking mental health, care and friendship through Tiktok’s resonance”👏🏻
Follow us on Instagram for real-time updates!🩷
Reposted by Paul Byron
wow already received like 40~ suggestions. keep em coming!
The federal government wants fewer FOIs.
Crikey wants more. We know filing FOIs can be daunting — so let us do it for you!
For the next few weeks, we're accepting ideas for requests that we'll take, shape, file and then will keep you in the loop when we hear back.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
Crikey wants more. We know filing FOIs can be daunting — so let us do it for you!
For the next few weeks, we're accepting ideas for requests that we'll take, shape, file and then will keep you in the loop when we hear back.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
September 9, 2025 at 4:43 AM
wow already received like 40~ suggestions. keep em coming!
Reposted by Paul Byron
What it’s like to be a Middle East Studies Professor in fall 2025 - my new post surveys the field, and my colleagues.
Basically it sucks and it’s getting worse. But we haven’t given up.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/what-its-lik...
Basically it sucks and it’s getting worse. But we haven’t given up.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/what-its-lik...
What it's like to be a Middle East Studies professor in 2025
Basically, it sucks.
Last week, Tuft's Dan Drezner and my GW colleague Dave Karpf published really good pieces on what it's like to be, respectively, a dean of international affairs and a professor o...
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io
August 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
What it’s like to be a Middle East Studies Professor in fall 2025 - my new post surveys the field, and my colleagues.
Basically it sucks and it’s getting worse. But we haven’t given up.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/what-its-lik...
Basically it sucks and it’s getting worse. But we haven’t given up.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/what-its-lik...
Reposted by Paul Byron
🔥 Excited to share some great news 🔥
Our article 'Teletherapy Matters – Mental health and materialities of care in domestic more-than-digital assemblages' co-authored by @dalupton.bsky.social & myself, has just been published in Social Science & Medicine. #OpenAccess link: doi.org/10.1016/j.so...
Our article 'Teletherapy Matters – Mental health and materialities of care in domestic more-than-digital assemblages' co-authored by @dalupton.bsky.social & myself, has just been published in Social Science & Medicine. #OpenAccess link: doi.org/10.1016/j.so...
August 8, 2025 at 10:46 AM
🔥 Excited to share some great news 🔥
Our article 'Teletherapy Matters – Mental health and materialities of care in domestic more-than-digital assemblages' co-authored by @dalupton.bsky.social & myself, has just been published in Social Science & Medicine. #OpenAccess link: doi.org/10.1016/j.so...
Our article 'Teletherapy Matters – Mental health and materialities of care in domestic more-than-digital assemblages' co-authored by @dalupton.bsky.social & myself, has just been published in Social Science & Medicine. #OpenAccess link: doi.org/10.1016/j.so...
Reposted by Paul Byron
Columbia just expelled or suspended 80 students for protesting in favor of Palestinian rights. Suspended students can only be readmitted if they "apologize"--otherwise the suspension converts to an expulsion.
www.axios.com/2025/07/22/c...
www.axios.com/2025/07/22/c...
Columbia punishes students involved in pro-Palestinian protest
It comes as Columbia seeks a deal with the Trump administration to reinstate millions in federal funding.
www.axios.com
July 22, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Columbia just expelled or suspended 80 students for protesting in favor of Palestinian rights. Suspended students can only be readmitted if they "apologize"--otherwise the suspension converts to an expulsion.
www.axios.com/2025/07/22/c...
www.axios.com/2025/07/22/c...
Reposted by Paul Byron
new writing from me about age verification and content moderation beyond social media. with endless thanks to @kgt.bsky.social @drwaus.bsky.social @katha.bsky.social @antmandan.bsky.social Zahra Stardust @lucinda-nelson.bsky.social whose research and advocacy continue to inform my thinking
New rules will radically change the way we use the internet in Australia – and not just social media | Sam Floreani
A new age verification code will soon apply to search engines, with huge implications for privacy and inclusion
www.theguardian.com
July 23, 2025 at 2:56 AM
new writing from me about age verification and content moderation beyond social media. with endless thanks to @kgt.bsky.social @drwaus.bsky.social @katha.bsky.social @antmandan.bsky.social Zahra Stardust @lucinda-nelson.bsky.social whose research and advocacy continue to inform my thinking
Reposted by Paul Byron
For any mob interested, please participate.
Calling Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Adults!
We want to hear your experiences of connection & disconnection.
✨ Are you 18+ and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?
✨ Have you felt disconnected, isolated, or marginalised from culture?
monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
We want to hear your experiences of connection & disconnection.
✨ Are you 18+ and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?
✨ Have you felt disconnected, isolated, or marginalised from culture?
monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
July 22, 2025 at 4:01 AM
For any mob interested, please participate.
Pleased to share a new paper from me & Tisha Dejmanee on queer & trans influential peers. Thanks to @jngardiner.bsky.social for research support, @jinlee.bsky.social for encouraging us at ANZCA many moons ago, and our wonderful participants! ❤️ journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Queer and trans influential peers: Negotiating platforms for community care - Paul Byron, Tisha Dejmanee, 2025
Many LGBTQ+ people offer community support on social media, including for young people facing mental health challenges. We interviewed five Australian queer and...
journals.sagepub.com
July 22, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Pleased to share a new paper from me & Tisha Dejmanee on queer & trans influential peers. Thanks to @jngardiner.bsky.social for research support, @jinlee.bsky.social for encouraging us at ANZCA many moons ago, and our wonderful participants! ❤️ journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Paul Byron
"This is a call to health workers: betray your training when it demands cruelty. If it means someone gets what they need to live—betray your bosses, your licensing board, your EMR .. Care is not your credential, it’s your calling." @reallandsend.bsky.social blindarchive.substack.com/p/where-is-t...
July 8, 2025 at 9:04 PM
"This is a call to health workers: betray your training when it demands cruelty. If it means someone gets what they need to live—betray your bosses, your licensing board, your EMR .. Care is not your credential, it’s your calling." @reallandsend.bsky.social blindarchive.substack.com/p/where-is-t...
Reposted by Paul Byron
This (completely anonymous) form was sent out by HHS for NIH staffers to fill out, asking them to report on any Biden-era DEI practices they felt were discriminatory. Does anyone have thousands and thousands of responses to this request? forms.office.com/g/HXGhXVdGKZ...
July 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This (completely anonymous) form was sent out by HHS for NIH staffers to fill out, asking them to report on any Biden-era DEI practices they felt were discriminatory. Does anyone have thousands and thousands of responses to this request? forms.office.com/g/HXGhXVdGKZ...
CFP is out for the next (11th) Digital Intimacies symposium, hosted by @liksamchan.bsky.social at USyd, Dec 3-5. The theme is The Love of Machines & abstracts are due by Aug 29. I'm very happy to be part of the organising committee. Send us your abstracts! digitalintiamcies11.wordpress.com
Digital Intimacies 11
The Love of Machines
digitalintiamcies11.wordpress.com
July 8, 2025 at 1:10 AM
CFP is out for the next (11th) Digital Intimacies symposium, hosted by @liksamchan.bsky.social at USyd, Dec 3-5. The theme is The Love of Machines & abstracts are due by Aug 29. I'm very happy to be part of the organising committee. Send us your abstracts! digitalintiamcies11.wordpress.com
Reposted by Paul Byron
My PhD framework is now LIVE!
We co-designed 5 recommendations for improving social media health communication to young people, with young people and health orgs📱
🔗: www.sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au/social-media-comms-for-young-people-framework
#AcademicSky #PhDSky #PhDSky #PublicHealth 🦘🎓
We co-designed 5 recommendations for improving social media health communication to young people, with young people and health orgs📱
🔗: www.sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au/social-media-comms-for-young-people-framework
#AcademicSky #PhDSky #PhDSky #PublicHealth 🦘🎓
June 27, 2025 at 2:27 AM
My PhD framework is now LIVE!
We co-designed 5 recommendations for improving social media health communication to young people, with young people and health orgs📱
🔗: www.sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au/social-media-comms-for-young-people-framework
#AcademicSky #PhDSky #PhDSky #PublicHealth 🦘🎓
We co-designed 5 recommendations for improving social media health communication to young people, with young people and health orgs📱
🔗: www.sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au/social-media-comms-for-young-people-framework
#AcademicSky #PhDSky #PhDSky #PublicHealth 🦘🎓
Reposted by Paul Byron
Alright everyone, one last push.
If you or anyone you know is:
- LGBTQ+
- 13-24 years old
- In the US
Trevor Project is recruiting responses for their survey on LGBTQ+ mental health.
It has HUGE impacts on policy, please take it and share widely if you can :)
trvr.org/survey2025
If you or anyone you know is:
- LGBTQ+
- 13-24 years old
- In the US
Trevor Project is recruiting responses for their survey on LGBTQ+ mental health.
It has HUGE impacts on policy, please take it and share widely if you can :)
trvr.org/survey2025
To proceed to the survey, please check off the box and click the button below.
trvr.org
June 16, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Alright everyone, one last push.
If you or anyone you know is:
- LGBTQ+
- 13-24 years old
- In the US
Trevor Project is recruiting responses for their survey on LGBTQ+ mental health.
It has HUGE impacts on policy, please take it and share widely if you can :)
trvr.org/survey2025
If you or anyone you know is:
- LGBTQ+
- 13-24 years old
- In the US
Trevor Project is recruiting responses for their survey on LGBTQ+ mental health.
It has HUGE impacts on policy, please take it and share widely if you can :)
trvr.org/survey2025
Reposted by Paul Byron
First, Israel cut Gaza’s last internet cable—blacking out 2.3 million people.
Then it bombed Iran with no UN approval, no imminent threat.
As eyes shift to Iran, Israel will escalate its ethnic cleansing in Gaza—and create more regional instability.
Then it bombed Iran with no UN approval, no imminent threat.
As eyes shift to Iran, Israel will escalate its ethnic cleansing in Gaza—and create more regional instability.
June 13, 2025 at 2:18 AM
First, Israel cut Gaza’s last internet cable—blacking out 2.3 million people.
Then it bombed Iran with no UN approval, no imminent threat.
As eyes shift to Iran, Israel will escalate its ethnic cleansing in Gaza—and create more regional instability.
Then it bombed Iran with no UN approval, no imminent threat.
As eyes shift to Iran, Israel will escalate its ethnic cleansing in Gaza—and create more regional instability.
Reposted by Paul Byron
Join us for this upcoming virtual panel organized by INQYR! This event features Dr. Shelley Craig, Dr. Lauren McInroy, Dr. Dane Marco Di Cesare, Dr. Ignacio Lozano-Verduzco, Dr. Yael Perry, and Dr. Liam Cahill. Reserve your ticket at mobilizinghope.eventbrite.com (1/6)
June 5, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Join us for this upcoming virtual panel organized by INQYR! This event features Dr. Shelley Craig, Dr. Lauren McInroy, Dr. Dane Marco Di Cesare, Dr. Ignacio Lozano-Verduzco, Dr. Yael Perry, and Dr. Liam Cahill. Reserve your ticket at mobilizinghope.eventbrite.com (1/6)
Reposted by Paul Byron
African developers make a game where African characters steal back actual artefacts that are actually kept in Western museums and private collections while teaching you about the artefacts. This looks awesome.
Relooted on Steam
Reclaim real African artifacts from Western museums in this Africanfuturist heist game. Recruit crew members, plan escape routes, acquire the precious cargo, and bounce out of the joint as fast as you...
store.steampowered.com
June 6, 2025 at 11:44 PM
African developers make a game where African characters steal back actual artefacts that are actually kept in Western museums and private collections while teaching you about the artefacts. This looks awesome.
Reposted by Paul Byron
Every person on Bluesky should know:
* Every post on Bluesky is PUBLIC forever
* Every post on Bluesky is archived by ICE, NSA, and many other agencies
* Even if you delete a post, it’s already been captured
* Judges don’t care if you were “kidding” or being ironic
www.404media.co/the-200-site...
* Every post on Bluesky is PUBLIC forever
* Every post on Bluesky is archived by ICE, NSA, and many other agencies
* Even if you delete a post, it’s already been captured
* Judges don’t care if you were “kidding” or being ironic
www.404media.co/the-200-site...
March 16, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Every person on Bluesky should know:
* Every post on Bluesky is PUBLIC forever
* Every post on Bluesky is archived by ICE, NSA, and many other agencies
* Even if you delete a post, it’s already been captured
* Judges don’t care if you were “kidding” or being ironic
www.404media.co/the-200-site...
* Every post on Bluesky is PUBLIC forever
* Every post on Bluesky is archived by ICE, NSA, and many other agencies
* Even if you delete a post, it’s already been captured
* Judges don’t care if you were “kidding” or being ironic
www.404media.co/the-200-site...
Reposted by Paul Byron
I made a new zine! It's full of advice on how allies can work alongside trans people to take action in the current moment, lovingly cut-and-pasted over the words of my enemies. Plus lots of nice pictures and memes.
Available as a free PDF! Read online or print your own copy! Share with everyone!
Available as a free PDF! Read online or print your own copy! Share with everyone!
PDF zine: But what can I do? How to fight the trans panic
This is the latest version of a zine I have distributed at wormboys gigs over the last couple of years. I’ve recently updated it to address recent events, including the April 2025 Supreme Cou…
ruthpearce.net
May 27, 2025 at 10:52 AM
I made a new zine! It's full of advice on how allies can work alongside trans people to take action in the current moment, lovingly cut-and-pasted over the words of my enemies. Plus lots of nice pictures and memes.
Available as a free PDF! Read online or print your own copy! Share with everyone!
Available as a free PDF! Read online or print your own copy! Share with everyone!
Reposted by Paul Byron
🚨 We're recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an NIHR-funded study exploring mental health help-seeking among care-experienced young people in England.
📅 Deadline: 01/06/2025
🔗 More details here: shorturl.at/EK0YD
Please share with your networks!
📅 Deadline: 01/06/2025
🔗 More details here: shorturl.at/EK0YD
Please share with your networks!
Research Fellow - School of Psychology - 105743 - Grade 7
The post holder will create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within a specific research project funded by the NIHR Research Programme for Soci...
edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
May 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
🚨 We're recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an NIHR-funded study exploring mental health help-seeking among care-experienced young people in England.
📅 Deadline: 01/06/2025
🔗 More details here: shorturl.at/EK0YD
Please share with your networks!
📅 Deadline: 01/06/2025
🔗 More details here: shorturl.at/EK0YD
Please share with your networks!
Reposted by Paul Byron
🥳📣 Call for abstracts: Special Issue of JQTSIE:
"Critical Approaches to Queering STEM Education"
edited by @drjgutz.bsky.social & @ftmathteacher.bsky.social!
Abstracts are due SOON: May 30, 2025! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.jqtsie.com
@kamdenstrunk.bsky.social @drantonioduran.bsky.social @sashelton.bsky.social
"Critical Approaches to Queering STEM Education"
edited by @drjgutz.bsky.social & @ftmathteacher.bsky.social!
Abstracts are due SOON: May 30, 2025! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.jqtsie.com
@kamdenstrunk.bsky.social @drantonioduran.bsky.social @sashelton.bsky.social
May 19, 2025 at 5:07 PM
🥳📣 Call for abstracts: Special Issue of JQTSIE:
"Critical Approaches to Queering STEM Education"
edited by @drjgutz.bsky.social & @ftmathteacher.bsky.social!
Abstracts are due SOON: May 30, 2025! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.jqtsie.com
@kamdenstrunk.bsky.social @drantonioduran.bsky.social @sashelton.bsky.social
"Critical Approaches to Queering STEM Education"
edited by @drjgutz.bsky.social & @ftmathteacher.bsky.social!
Abstracts are due SOON: May 30, 2025! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.jqtsie.com
@kamdenstrunk.bsky.social @drantonioduran.bsky.social @sashelton.bsky.social