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John Smith Centre
@johnsmithcentre.com
750 followers 520 following 210 posts
We empower diverse voices across the UK to engage in politics.
Everyone benefits from a representative democracy.

Director: Eddie Barnes
🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com
📍 University of Glasgow
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johnsmithcentre.com
🎄✨ Merry Christmas from all of us at the John Smith Centre – and a few friends!

We’re officially closed from today and will reopen on 5 January.

Wishing you a joyful festive season filled with peace, happiness, and time with loved ones 🎅🌟
December 22, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
2025 has been a huge year for the John Smith Centre - thank you to everyone who has supported us! 🙏🎊

We look forward to giving even more young people the #OpportunityToServe in 2026 by continuing to break down barriers to public life. 💪

@eddiebarnes.bsky.social @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
We're delighted to have Allana Williams from @unistrathclyde.bsky.social on board as a Parliamentary Intern! 🎉

We'll be sharing more of our interns' journeys in the new year - follow us to see what they get up to on their placements 👀

#JohnSmithIntern @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Next up in our Parliamentary Interns introduction series, please welcome Aaron Purba from @glasgow.ac.uk! 🙌

Find out more about the 2026 Parliamentary Internship Programme: 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/our-work/int...

#JohnSmithIntern @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Today we’re kicking off our Christmas celebrations! 🎄

We spent the morning volunteering for Refuwegee and have enjoyed a festive meal with our team afterwards.

We are wishing all our supporters far and wide a wonderful festive season! 🌟

@eddiebarnes.bsky.social @niceonecombo.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🌟 We're so excited to welcome our 2026 Parliamentary Interns on board - so we thought we'd let them introduce themselves!

First up is Anna-Mariia Brynchak from @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social 👋

Find out more about this year's programme: www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/introdu...

#JohnSmithIntern
December 10, 2025 at 11:01 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
A great afternoon at St Peter the Apostle High School in Clydebank today talking politics with @amycallaghansnp.bsky.social and @pamgosalmsp.bsky.social.

So many smart questions from the students - Scotland's young people are keen to get involved - they're just looking for opportunities to do so.🌟
December 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Today, we are welcoming all our new Parliamentary Internship Programme interns to their induction session! 🎉

We’re so excited to have them all in one room and can’t wait to see them in action.

Keep your eyes peeled next week for formal introductions… 🤩
December 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📬 We've got loads of exciting stuff planned for 2026 – sign up to our monthly newsletter so you don't miss out!

Join here:🔗 johnsmithcentre-20113860.hs-sites.com/enewsletter

#JohnSmithCentre @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
A designed graphic showing a photo of a laptop with the John Smith Centre's July newsletter displayed on the screen. Text reads: "Sign up to our newsletter. Events, Development Programmes, Research and more." The graphic also shows the John Smith Centre logo.
December 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
How can we tackle growing disillusionment with British democracy among young people? 🤔

Check out our latest blog by Prof James Sloam to find out how the civic mentoring model could be the answer 💡

🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/researc...

#GenZ @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @rhulpir.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 New blog alert!

Our Director @eddiebarnes.bsky.social reflects on new research by @demos-uk.bsky.social which pushes back on the moral panic about young people – findings that mirror those in our own #UKYouthPoll2025 📊

Read now: 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/listeni...
A designed graphic with text reading: "Opinion, November 2025. Listening to Gen Z. Eddie Barnes." The graphic also shows a headshot-style photo of Eddie and the John Smith Centre logo.
November 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Over the last week, the Centre has been out in communities across Scotland: from Ullapool to the UofG campus, from schools to the SEC’s The Rest is Politics live show on Saturday night 💫

Thanks to @kirstymcneill.bsky.social, @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social, Annie Wells & @paulsweeney.bsky.social!
Kirsty McNeill MP and Eddie Barnes with the John Smith Centre 'Making Change Happen' masterclass series cohort. The group is standing at the front of a seminar room with three rows of benches and chairs in front of them. MSPs Annie Wells and Paul Sweeney and Eddie Barnes with John Paul Academy students. The group is standing in two rows in front of a large blue curtain. Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart sat on stage at the SEC during a live recording of 'The Rest is Politics' podcast. The large screen behind them is showing a photo of Alastair Campbell and Eddie Barnes sitting on high stools at the front of a lecture theatre with two John Smith Centre pull-up banners behind them. Dr Elli Loose, Sean McNamara and Lucie Beattie sat on chairs in front of a seated audience facing them. Professor Christopher Carman is standing beside them; all four are holding handheld microphones. There is an RSE pull-up banner and a projector screen showing text reading "Disordered truth in a democracy" behind them.
November 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 ICYMI: In our last research blog, @pcorreavila.bsky.social, Dr Anne Jenichen and Dr Tahmineh Tayebi shared their findings on online abuse faced by women MPs in the UK.

Read it here: 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/researc...

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
A designed graphic with text reading: "Research, November 2025. 1 in every 9 tweets that women MPs receive is abusive. Dr Patricia Correa, Dr Anne Jenichen and Dr Tahmineh Tayebi." The graphic also shows headshot-style photos of Patricia, Anne and Tahmineh and the John Smith Centre logo.
November 14, 2025 at 10:22 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
Many thanks to @kirstymcneill.bsky.social for delivering our first #MakingChangeHappen Masterclass at @uofglasgow.bsky.social on Tuesday! 🙏

Our Masterclass series gives students the opportunity to learn how to make real change happen from people who have been there and done it 💡
November 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🏫 We had a great morning having #PoliticalConversations with S5 and S6 students at John Paul Academy in Glasgow!

A big thank you to MSPs Annie Wells and @paulsweeney.bsky.social for speaking and taking questions 🙌

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
A photo of MSPs Annie Wells and Paul Sweeney and Eddie Barnes with John Paul Academy students. The group is standing in two rows in front of a large blue curtain.
November 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🚨 Exciting news - a small number of spaces have become available on our Masterclass Series!

🤝 Exclusive to @uofglasgow.bsky.social undergrads
🗣️ Featuring speakers such as Kirsty McNeill MP & Alastair Campbell
ℹ️ Sign up by 9 Nov: www.johnsmithcentre.com/our-work/mas...

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social
A designed graphic with text reading: "Masterclass Series 2025/6: Making Change Happen. Five 1-hour sessions; limited to 60 UofG undergraduate students; no coursework required; receive a John Smith Centre certificate of attendance." The graphic also shows the John smith Centre logo.
November 6, 2025 at 10:13 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
🙌 A big thank you to @proftomkins.bsky.social who joined us and a room full of students and academics last week to discuss his new book: "On the Law of Speaking Freely"!

📰 Read Centre Director @eddiebarnes.bsky.social's takeaways from the event on our blog: www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/we-simp...
A collage of photos of the "SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free?" event: some are of John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes and Professor Adam Tomkins speaking at the front of the room, and some are of the audience watching them.
November 4, 2025 at 12:09 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🏫 We were delighted to return to Kilmarnock Academy on Monday for the second of our #PoliticalConversations events!

Many thanks to Lillian Jones MP & Cllr. Sally Cogley for joining us to tell students about making change through politics 🙏

Find out more: 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/politic...
A photo of Lillian Jones MP, Kilmarnock Academy student Devlyn Ritchie, John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes, Councillor Sally Cogley, and Kilmarnock Academy student Carolina Sharp standing in front of two John Smith Centre pull-up banners. Lillian and Sally are handing a voucher to each of the students. A photo of Lillian Jones MP, John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes, and Councillor Sally Cogley sat in chairs in front of two John Smith Centre pull-up banners.
October 29, 2025 at 1:23 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🎤 “We can’t grow unless we hear from others whom we disagree with or who are telling us things we do not already know.”

@proftomkins.bsky.social speaks about free speech and why it’s important for public debate and individuals.

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofglaw.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
❗️This is your last week to apply for our Engagement and Impact Media paid internship!

🤝 Open to @uofgsocsci.bsky.social PGR students
📅 Jan-Mar 2026, 70h total
🚀 Develop skills in media production & impactful engagement
🕐 2 Nov
🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/job/engageme...

#InternshipOpportunity
A designed graphic with text reading: "Deadline extended! 2 Nov '25. Engagement and Impact Media Intern. Open to all PGRs from the UofG College of Social Sciences. 7h/week for 10 weeks; January - March 2026, UofG Grade 5 salary, pro rata. Apply today!" The graphic also shows the John Smith Centre logo.
October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 Are you a @uofglasgow.bsky.social PGR student passionate about storytelling, politics, and digital media?

🤝 Join the John Smith Centre for a 10-week Engagement & Impact Media internship!

Apply now: 🔗https://www.johnsmithcentre.com/job/engagement-and-impact-media-intern-uofg-pgr-students-only/
A designed graphic with text reading: "Deadline extended! 2 Nov '25. Engagement and Impact Media Intern. Open to all PGRs from the UofG College of Social Sciences. 7h/week for 10 weeks; January - March 2026, UofG Grade 5 salary, pro rata. Apply today!" The graphic also shows the John Smith Centre logo.
October 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
🕐 Not long to go until our event discussing the debate around #FreeSpeech with @proftomkins.bsky.social!

🎟️ Free tickets for UofG students & staff available here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shut-up-sh...

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @uofglaw.bsky.social
A designed graphic with text reading: "EVENT. SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free? There has never been a more important time to talk about talking. Join Prof Adam Tomkins and the John Smith Centre to examine how to navigate free speech. 28 October 2025, 6.00-8.00pm, Humanities Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building, Glasgow. With Prof Adam Tomkins, John Millar Chair of Public Law." The graphic also shows the logos of the John Smith Centre and the University of Glasgow.
October 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
🚨 APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED 🚨

Good news - the application deadline for our Engagement & Impact Media internship has been extended to 2 Nov!

🤝 Paid internship for UofG College of Social Sciences PGR student
📅 Jan – Mar 26, 70h total
🔗 Apply now: www.johnsmithcentre.com/job/engageme...
A designed graphic with text reading: "Deadline extended! 2 Nov '25. Engagement and Impact Media Intern. Open to all PGRs from the UofG College of Social Sciences. 7h/week for 10 weeks; January - March 2026, UofG Grade 5 salary, pro rata. Apply today!" The graphic also shows the John Smith Centre logo.
October 21, 2025 at 10:14 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT 📢

Join us and @proftomkins.bsky.social to discuss the law and history around free speech. Open to @uofglasgow.bsky.social students and staff.

📅 28 Oct 2025
📍 Humanities Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1818334941...
A designed graphic with text reading: "EVENT. SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free? There has never been a more important time to talk about talking. Join Prof Adam Tomkins and the John Smith Centre to examine how to navigate free speech. 28 October 2025, 6.00-8.00pm, Humanities Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building, Glasgow. With Prof Adam Tomkins, John Millar Chair of Public Law." The graphic also shows the logos of the John Smith Centre and the University of Glasgow.
October 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
❗️There's still time to apply for our Engagement and Impact Media internship!

🤝 Paid internship for @uofgsocsci.bsky.social PGR student
📅 Jan – Mar 26, 70h total
🕐 19 October 2025

Apply now! 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/job/engageme...

#InternshipOpportunity @uofgsps.bsky.social
A designed graphic with text reading: "PGR internship: Engagement and Impact Media Intern. Open to all PGRs from the UofG College of Social Sciences. 7h/week for 10 weeks; January - March 2026; UofG Grade 5 salary, pro rata. Apply today!" The graphic also shows the John Smith Centre logo.
October 14, 2025 at 11:02 AM