Samantha Brennan
LightNews LightNews
banner
samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan
@samanthabrennan.bsky.social
3.8K followers 3.2K following 4.3K posts

Philosopher, feminist, ethicist, cyclist.
Dean of Arts, University of Guelph.
My Erdős number is 3.
My pronouns are she/her.🌈

http://linktr.ee/sjbrennan

Videos

Samantha Jane Brennan is a British-born philosopher and scholar of women's studies who is currently dean of the College of Arts and faculty member in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph. She was previously a professor in the Department of Women's Studies and Feminist Research at Western University, Canada. Brennan was Department Chair of Philosophy at Western from 2002 to 2007, and 2008–2011. She is a past president of the Canadian Philosophical Association (2017–18). .. more

Political science 53%
Sociology 13%
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · Nov 12
For new followers: My main bluesky themes are the College of Arts at Guelph where I'm Dean, philosophy (my home academic discipline), feminism and fitness (connected to my book and blog), and all things bike-related.

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 14m
#pandemicmemories, #christmasdecorating

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 2h
Not just the humanities.
stevebrusatte.bsky.social Steve Brusatte @stevebrusatte.bsky.social · 20h
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.

One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.

When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
celestelabedz.bsky.social Celeste Labedz @celestelabedz.bsky.social · 23h
It's over.

Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.

www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...

Reposted by Elizabeth Saunders, Martin Paul Eve, Jacob Montgomery , and 11 more

stevebrusatte.bsky.social
Steve Brusatte @stevebrusatte.bsky.social · 20h
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.

One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.

When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
celestelabedz.bsky.social Celeste Labedz @celestelabedz.bsky.social · 23h
It's over.

Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.

www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
BREAKING: ‘This hurts’: UNL eliminates 4 programs despite faculty, student pleas
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln eliminates the Earth and atmospheric sciences 8-0, educational administration 7-1, statistics 7-1, textiles, merchandising and fashion design 7-1 programs.
www.dailynebraskan.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 1d
Another in a series of posts in which I ask, is this real? Did Trump really post this?

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 1d
Not the 51st state but a vassal state: What Donald Trump’s national security strategy envisions for Canada
Released Thursday, the 2025 National Security Strategy is also a window into the dramatic shift in America’s official world view under Trump.

Gift link

www.thestar.com/news/world/u...
www.thestar.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 1d
If someone would go through my address book, by which I mean my Google contacts, and remove all the friends and family who've died, that might make the holiday season and card writing more cheerful. Can't ai do that? #aging

Reposted by Jacob T. Levy

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 1d
“We are in the midst of a crisis of massive proportions and grave global significance...a world-wide crisis in education.” That’s the opening blast from Martha Nussbaum’s new book, Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities.

philosophersmag.com/the-end-of-t...
The End of the Humanities? - The Philosophers' Magazine
Martha Nussbaum tells James Garvey why the humanities are under threat.
philosophersmag.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 1d
Nat’s decorating in defiance of dementia

fitisafeministissue.com/2025/12/06/n...
Nat’s decorating in defiance of dementia
My gran has been in care since 2021. Before that there were signs that she had some memory problems. Her personality changed as she forgot to be reserved. She was more joyful and spontaneous as wel…
fitisafeministissue.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 1d
Trump's new security strategy envisions Canada as a vassal state

www.thestar.com/news/world/u...
Not the 51st state but a vassal state: What Donald Trump’s national security strategy envisions for Canada
Released Thursday, the 2025 National Security Strategy is also a window into the dramatic shift in America’s official world view under Trump.
www.thestar.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 2d
DOJ orders prison inspectors to stop considering LGBTQ safety standards

www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
DOJ orders prison inspectors to stop considering LGBTQ safety standards
A memo obtained by NPR shows the Justice Department is telling inspectors to stop evaluating prisons using standards designed to protect trans and other LGBTQ community members from sexual violence.
www.npr.org

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin, Eric Rasmusen, Scott A. Imberman , and 2 more

jacobtlevy.bsky.social
Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 2d
True, all times are equally bad to quit caffeine.

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/d...
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Quit Caffeine
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Alan Richardson, Jacob T. Levy, Samantha Brennan , and 2 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d
Chairman Mao announces his new state-run transportation plan
I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America. Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries. They can be propelled by gasoline, electric, or hybrid. These cars of the very near future are inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!! START BUILDING THEM NOW! Thank you to the DOJ and the Departments of Transportation and Environment. ENJOY!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 2d
Why do we treat art history as a frill?

rickjansonartstudio.ca/2025/12/03/w...
Why do we treat art history as a frill?
When I entered Toronto’s Scarlett Heights Collegiate Institute in the early 1970s, I thought it was normal that a significant proportion of the school’s art program was in art history. …
rickjansonartstudio.ca

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 2d
Conestoga College plans support staff layoffs in latest round of cost-cutting measures

A nearly 80 per cent drop in international student enrolment at the college is being blamed for measures to 'rightsize' the organization

www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/c...
Conestoga College plans support staff layoffs in latest round of cost-cutting measures
A nearly 80 per cent drop in international student enrolment at the college is being blamed for measures to 'rightsize' the organization, wrote president John Tibbits in a Thursday email to staff
www.guelphtoday.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 2d
A climate solution you can eat: the world’s first plant-based salmon is made in Toronto

nowtoronto.com/news/a-clima...
A climate solution you can eat: the world’s first plant-based salmon is made in Toronto - NOW Toronto
Aiming to reduce gas emissions from food production, these Toronto innovators have developed the world’s first plant-based salmon.
nowtoronto.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 2d
The State Department is instructing its staff to reject visa applications from people who worked on fact-checking, content moderation or other activities the Trump administration considers "censorship" of Americans' speech.

www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
State Department to deny visas to fact checkers and others, citing 'censorship'
The order is focused on applicants for H-1B visas, which are frequently used by tech companies and is part of a campaign by the Trump administration against online content moderation.
www.npr.org

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 2d
The cold moon rises, fitisafeministissue.com/2025/12/04/m...
Making Space 2025: Day 4
Hey everyone, Since the last full moon of 2025 will rise this evening (some people call it the Cold Moon which I find delightful), I thought it would be fun to have some moon-themed videos and link…
fitisafeministissue.com

Reposted by Els Torreele, Samantha Brennan

gregggonsalves.bsky.social
Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 2d
The US is close to an institutional collapse across multiple public health agencies. Trump/RFK have purged anyone with expertise, many have fled and they’ve been replaced w functionaries who are either incompetent or malicious. I don’t think many understand how close to the edge we are right now.
a night time view of a city with a few buildings lit up
ALT: a night time view of a city with a few buildings lit up
media.tenor.com

Reposted by Samantha Brennan

jacobtlevy.bsky.social
Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 2d
There's been weirdly little coverage of this point. Trump/ McMahon are demanding an end to gender-based affirmative action in admissions and they clearly still believe we're in the world where aa benefits young *women* applicants, but that world is long gone.

www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Trump’s attack on DEI may hurt college men, particularly White men
The Trump administration’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion also targets gender. The ban may impact gender balancing practices that often benefit college men.
www.washingtonpost.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 3d
Philosopher Sara Protasi on the pleasure of sleep

#sleep
#philosophy

aeon.co/essays/sleep...
Sleep is not just a physical need but a delicious pleasure | Aeon Essays
The idea that we should reduce sleep to an efficient minimum in our lives gets something fundamentally wrong
aeon.co

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 3d
Practice-based Perspectives | Creative Research with Michelle Wilson and John Phillips

Learn more about the creative research and distinct processes of Dr. Michelle Wilson and Dr. John Phillips.

artgalleryofguelph.ca/program/prac...
Practice-based Perspectives | Creative Research with Michelle Wilson and John Phillips  - AGG
artgalleryofguelph.ca

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 3d
Sleepy Don? Trump’s health under fresh scrutiny

www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...
Sleepy Don? Trump’s health under fresh scrutiny
He still mocks his predecessor as “Sleepy Joe” Biden. But it was Donald Trump who seemed to be fighting to stay awake at a cabinet meeting.
www.ctvnews.ca

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 3d
New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds
Pace of area’s temperature rise, outpaced in US only by Alaskan Arctic, apparently increased in past five years

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds
Pace of area’s temperature rise, outpaced in US only by Alaskan Arctic, apparently increased in past five years
www.theguardian.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 3d
Canadians travelled more this spring and far fewer went to the U.S.: StatCan

www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
Canadians travelled more this spring and far fewer went to the U.S.: StatCan
The number of Canadians who took trips in the second quarter increased compared to the same period last year, but trips to the U.S. plummeted by more than 20 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.
www.ctvnews.ca

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 3d
How Trump is intensifying his crackdown on every form of immigration to the US

www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/p...
How Trump is intensifying his crackdown on every form of immigration to the US | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump’s latest immigration crackdown, prompted by the shooting of two National Guard members, means he has now halted or significantly tightened every form of foreign entry into the U...
www.cnn.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 3d
Gender stereotypes, pink toolboxes filled with make up, and career choices. I enjoyed chatting with CBC's Manjula Selvarajah.

uoguel.ph/f526c
Media Player
uoguel.ph

Reposted by Samantha Brennan

jacobtlevy.bsky.social
Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 3d
www.nbcnews.com/video/trump-...

ayfkm

Excuse me, this requires shouting.

AYFKM?!?!?!
Trump's name added to Institute of Peace building signage
President Donald Trump's name was added to signage outside the United States Institute of Peace building in Washington, D.C.
www.nbcnews.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 3d
I'm feeling youthful today.

Reposted by Samantha Brennan

thestar.com
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 3d
Why are so many skilled immigrants leaving Canada?

The Star's @ghadaa.bsky.social sits down for a chat on #ThisMatters
Listen: Why so many skilled immigrants are leaving Canada
According to the findings of a recent study one in five highly skilled immigrants are leaving Canada within 25 years of arriving here
www.thestar.com

samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan @samanthabrennan.bsky.social · 3d
"this conversation is going to leave you feeling inspired and enlivened... maybe you're going to have a couple ideas about how you can actually do something"

Alex Madva and I unruin everything with Adam Conover

youtu.be/A0O6p4p_vfs?...
Philosophers Explain How One Person Can Make a Difference with Alex Madva and Michael Brownstein
YouTube video by Adam Conover
youtu.be