Prof Katherine Brickell
@kbrickell.bsky.social
Prof Urban Studies KCL | Author Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State (2025) | Housing/Home/Law | UK & Cambodia | Editor Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers | Views own | https://www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
Coming up at Furnishing Futures' gorgeous new Atrium space in East London, a FREE book talk + exhibition to mark launch of 'Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State'.
📕 www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
🗓️ 27 Nov 25, 6.30pm for 7pm start
🎟️ www.furnishingfutures.org/events/kathe...
📕 www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
🗓️ 27 Nov 25, 6.30pm for 7pm start
🎟️ www.furnishingfutures.org/events/kathe...
November 17, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Coming up at Furnishing Futures' gorgeous new Atrium space in East London, a FREE book talk + exhibition to mark launch of 'Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State'.
📕 www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
🗓️ 27 Nov 25, 6.30pm for 7pm start
🎟️ www.furnishingfutures.org/events/kathe...
📕 www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
🗓️ 27 Nov 25, 6.30pm for 7pm start
🎟️ www.furnishingfutures.org/events/kathe...
What a brilliant day organised by @sharedhealthgm.bsky.social, coming together to discuss latest data and future plans to tackle the family homelessness emergency in this country.
It was a full house, in a rather jazzy conference venue!
#homelessness #childhomelessness #temporaryaccommodation
It was a full house, in a rather jazzy conference venue!
#homelessness #childhomelessness #temporaryaccommodation
November 7, 2025 at 9:20 AM
What a brilliant day organised by @sharedhealthgm.bsky.social, coming together to discuss latest data and future plans to tackle the family homelessness emergency in this country.
It was a full house, in a rather jazzy conference venue!
#homelessness #childhomelessness #temporaryaccommodation
It was a full house, in a rather jazzy conference venue!
#homelessness #childhomelessness #temporaryaccommodation
🚨Book launch alert
🏠 Interested in 'tiny housing' in the USA?
🗓️ Free in London on Wednesday 3 December?
👋 Then this event is for you!
🪩 Celebrating Ella Harris, Mel Nowicki & Tim White's new book.
Register here ⬇️
www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launc...
🏠 Interested in 'tiny housing' in the USA?
🗓️ Free in London on Wednesday 3 December?
👋 Then this event is for you!
🪩 Celebrating Ella Harris, Mel Nowicki & Tim White's new book.
Register here ⬇️
www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launc...
November 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
🚨Book launch alert
🏠 Interested in 'tiny housing' in the USA?
🗓️ Free in London on Wednesday 3 December?
👋 Then this event is for you!
🪩 Celebrating Ella Harris, Mel Nowicki & Tim White's new book.
Register here ⬇️
www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launc...
🏠 Interested in 'tiny housing' in the USA?
🗓️ Free in London on Wednesday 3 December?
👋 Then this event is for you!
🪩 Celebrating Ella Harris, Mel Nowicki & Tim White's new book.
Register here ⬇️
www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launc...
Local authorities should spend some of £11million recently committed by gov to help families with children living in Temporary Accommodation on a "Sensory Needs Fund" to pay for additional costs of raising a neurodivergent child in TA.
Here's why:
www.sensorylivesproject.org/policy
Here's why:
www.sensorylivesproject.org/policy
October 31, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Local authorities should spend some of £11million recently committed by gov to help families with children living in Temporary Accommodation on a "Sensory Needs Fund" to pay for additional costs of raising a neurodivergent child in TA.
Here's why:
www.sensorylivesproject.org/policy
Here's why:
www.sensorylivesproject.org/policy
Who should I contact pls?
Looking for local authority staff involved in safety, risks and hazards assessments of housing.
I need to pick brains re research findings on risks + hazards for neurodivergent children in local authority-provided Temporary Accommodation and/or social housing.
Thanks!
Looking for local authority staff involved in safety, risks and hazards assessments of housing.
I need to pick brains re research findings on risks + hazards for neurodivergent children in local authority-provided Temporary Accommodation and/or social housing.
Thanks!
October 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Who should I contact pls?
Looking for local authority staff involved in safety, risks and hazards assessments of housing.
I need to pick brains re research findings on risks + hazards for neurodivergent children in local authority-provided Temporary Accommodation and/or social housing.
Thanks!
Looking for local authority staff involved in safety, risks and hazards assessments of housing.
I need to pick brains re research findings on risks + hazards for neurodivergent children in local authority-provided Temporary Accommodation and/or social housing.
Thanks!
Yesterday I visited the District Councils' Network to learn about district councils reorganising into unitary authorities.
The 'shadow authority' has to draft and agree their new policies.
My takeaway? Local gov reorganisation could offer a window to make positive policy changes.
The 'shadow authority' has to draft and agree their new policies.
My takeaway? Local gov reorganisation could offer a window to make positive policy changes.
October 21, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Yesterday I visited the District Councils' Network to learn about district councils reorganising into unitary authorities.
The 'shadow authority' has to draft and agree their new policies.
My takeaway? Local gov reorganisation could offer a window to make positive policy changes.
The 'shadow authority' has to draft and agree their new policies.
My takeaway? Local gov reorganisation could offer a window to make positive policy changes.
'The first role of government is to protect people...what about people dying in their own home?' (Dave Robertson MP)
Thanks Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse for invite to 'Whole Housing Approach' event where MPs + survivors spoke on ways forward
www.standingtogether.org.uk/news/breakth...
Thanks Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse for invite to 'Whole Housing Approach' event where MPs + survivors spoke on ways forward
www.standingtogether.org.uk/news/breakth...
October 16, 2025 at 7:41 AM
'The first role of government is to protect people...what about people dying in their own home?' (Dave Robertson MP)
Thanks Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse for invite to 'Whole Housing Approach' event where MPs + survivors spoke on ways forward
www.standingtogether.org.uk/news/breakth...
Thanks Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse for invite to 'Whole Housing Approach' event where MPs + survivors spoke on ways forward
www.standingtogether.org.uk/news/breakth...
Published today on #WorldHomelessDay: my book Debt Trap Nation – a deep dive into how government policy is driving families into homelessness & debt.
All royalties to @seacharity.bsky.social 💜
Families aren't failing. They're being failed.
📖 www.agendapub.com/page/detail/...
#DebtTrapNation
All royalties to @seacharity.bsky.social 💜
Families aren't failing. They're being failed.
📖 www.agendapub.com/page/detail/...
#DebtTrapNation
October 10, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Published today on #WorldHomelessDay: my book Debt Trap Nation – a deep dive into how government policy is driving families into homelessness & debt.
All royalties to @seacharity.bsky.social 💜
Families aren't failing. They're being failed.
📖 www.agendapub.com/page/detail/...
#DebtTrapNation
All royalties to @seacharity.bsky.social 💜
Families aren't failing. They're being failed.
📖 www.agendapub.com/page/detail/...
#DebtTrapNation
It felt a career highlight to meet Liz Davies KC from @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social to discuss the legal implications of my research on domestic abuse, rent arrears, and housing allocations.
Together with @cihhousing.bsky.social we are drafting a best practice guide for local authorities + HAs.
Together with @cihhousing.bsky.social we are drafting a best practice guide for local authorities + HAs.
October 8, 2025 at 8:13 AM
It felt a career highlight to meet Liz Davies KC from @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social to discuss the legal implications of my research on domestic abuse, rent arrears, and housing allocations.
Together with @cihhousing.bsky.social we are drafting a best practice guide for local authorities + HAs.
Together with @cihhousing.bsky.social we are drafting a best practice guide for local authorities + HAs.
I saw this stand recently in Dunelm and just found it intensely sad. Is it just me?
"Landlord friendly". "Damage-free". At what emotional cost to tenants? Tenants are so often not allowed to put anything on walls, to make home, as they would wish.
"Landlord friendly". "Damage-free". At what emotional cost to tenants? Tenants are so often not allowed to put anything on walls, to make home, as they would wish.
September 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I saw this stand recently in Dunelm and just found it intensely sad. Is it just me?
"Landlord friendly". "Damage-free". At what emotional cost to tenants? Tenants are so often not allowed to put anything on walls, to make home, as they would wish.
"Landlord friendly". "Damage-free". At what emotional cost to tenants? Tenants are so often not allowed to put anything on walls, to make home, as they would wish.
👀 Check out our new events page for our book "Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State" www.debt-trap-nation.org/events
🌹 First up is a Labour Party Conference fringe event on Tuesday – Mel Nowicki will be in conversation with MP Siobhain McDonagh and Francesca Albanese from Crisis
🌹 First up is a Labour Party Conference fringe event on Tuesday – Mel Nowicki will be in conversation with MP Siobhain McDonagh and Francesca Albanese from Crisis
September 24, 2025 at 2:12 PM
👀 Check out our new events page for our book "Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State" www.debt-trap-nation.org/events
🌹 First up is a Labour Party Conference fringe event on Tuesday – Mel Nowicki will be in conversation with MP Siobhain McDonagh and Francesca Albanese from Crisis
🌹 First up is a Labour Party Conference fringe event on Tuesday – Mel Nowicki will be in conversation with MP Siobhain McDonagh and Francesca Albanese from Crisis
I hear 'unboxing videos' are a thing. Matilda decided otherwise.
It's really exciting as well as sobering to receive my new book (with Mel Nowicki) Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State.
Royalties to @seacharity.bsky.social
Please order!
www.waterstones.com/book/debt-tr...
It's really exciting as well as sobering to receive my new book (with Mel Nowicki) Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State.
Royalties to @seacharity.bsky.social
Please order!
www.waterstones.com/book/debt-tr...
September 22, 2025 at 10:06 AM
I hear 'unboxing videos' are a thing. Matilda decided otherwise.
It's really exciting as well as sobering to receive my new book (with Mel Nowicki) Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State.
Royalties to @seacharity.bsky.social
Please order!
www.waterstones.com/book/debt-tr...
It's really exciting as well as sobering to receive my new book (with Mel Nowicki) Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State.
Royalties to @seacharity.bsky.social
Please order!
www.waterstones.com/book/debt-tr...
6,000+ children live in Temporary Accommodation (TA) in Lambeth
40,000+ people are on their social housing waiting list
TA is anything but 'temporary'.
Households need the five basics:
Cooking facilities
Laundry access
Wi-Fi
Secure storage
Clear information
Thanks IMRO for campaigning lunch
40,000+ people are on their social housing waiting list
TA is anything but 'temporary'.
Households need the five basics:
Cooking facilities
Laundry access
Wi-Fi
Secure storage
Clear information
Thanks IMRO for campaigning lunch
September 22, 2025 at 7:47 AM
6,000+ children live in Temporary Accommodation (TA) in Lambeth
40,000+ people are on their social housing waiting list
TA is anything but 'temporary'.
Households need the five basics:
Cooking facilities
Laundry access
Wi-Fi
Secure storage
Clear information
Thanks IMRO for campaigning lunch
40,000+ people are on their social housing waiting list
TA is anything but 'temporary'.
Households need the five basics:
Cooking facilities
Laundry access
Wi-Fi
Secure storage
Clear information
Thanks IMRO for campaigning lunch
Working in partnership is something I have always been passionate about - last week it was brilliant to co-host @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social an event with @rosalie-warnock.bsky.social welcoming gov, charities + grassroots orgs to think together on how to push for+achieve inclusive education.
September 15, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Working in partnership is something I have always been passionate about - last week it was brilliant to co-host @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social an event with @rosalie-warnock.bsky.social welcoming gov, charities + grassroots orgs to think together on how to push for+achieve inclusive education.
It all starts with home. And right now 169k children in England don’t have one.
The extreme inequality of life chances is written in the family homelessness crisis + told in my new book.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social - love to be in conversation on this…how about it?!
www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
The extreme inequality of life chances is written in the family homelessness crisis + told in my new book.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social - love to be in conversation on this…how about it?!
www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
September 14, 2025 at 5:02 PM
It all starts with home. And right now 169k children in England don’t have one.
The extreme inequality of life chances is written in the family homelessness crisis + told in my new book.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social - love to be in conversation on this…how about it?!
www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
The extreme inequality of life chances is written in the family homelessness crisis + told in my new book.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social - love to be in conversation on this…how about it?!
www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
First book talk of many done! Fantastic to engage with industry professionals @ #HousingCommunitySummit
"Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State" is now available to order - with all royalties going to the charity Surviving Economic Abuse.
Hive: www.hive.co.uk/Product/Kath...
"Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State" is now available to order - with all royalties going to the charity Surviving Economic Abuse.
Hive: www.hive.co.uk/Product/Kath...
September 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
First book talk of many done! Fantastic to engage with industry professionals @ #HousingCommunitySummit
"Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State" is now available to order - with all royalties going to the charity Surviving Economic Abuse.
Hive: www.hive.co.uk/Product/Kath...
"Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State" is now available to order - with all royalties going to the charity Surviving Economic Abuse.
Hive: www.hive.co.uk/Product/Kath...
Did you know that 1.2 million people in the UK live without flooring?
And typically in social housing it is removed between each tenancy?
For homeless families moving out of temporary accommodation and into social housing flooring can necessitate new or more debt.
#HousingCommunitySummit
And typically in social housing it is removed between each tenancy?
For homeless families moving out of temporary accommodation and into social housing flooring can necessitate new or more debt.
#HousingCommunitySummit
September 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Did you know that 1.2 million people in the UK live without flooring?
And typically in social housing it is removed between each tenancy?
For homeless families moving out of temporary accommodation and into social housing flooring can necessitate new or more debt.
#HousingCommunitySummit
And typically in social housing it is removed between each tenancy?
For homeless families moving out of temporary accommodation and into social housing flooring can necessitate new or more debt.
#HousingCommunitySummit
It's been a busy + inspiring week visiting exhibitions for @sensory-lives-prj.bsky.social project supported by @leverhulme.ac.uk
In yr2, we're building a multi-sensory playhouse tent to travel the UK to forefront neurodivergent children's experiences of homelessness + temporary accommodation
In yr2, we're building a multi-sensory playhouse tent to travel the UK to forefront neurodivergent children's experiences of homelessness + temporary accommodation
September 4, 2025 at 8:36 PM
It's been a busy + inspiring week visiting exhibitions for @sensory-lives-prj.bsky.social project supported by @leverhulme.ac.uk
In yr2, we're building a multi-sensory playhouse tent to travel the UK to forefront neurodivergent children's experiences of homelessness + temporary accommodation
In yr2, we're building a multi-sensory playhouse tent to travel the UK to forefront neurodivergent children's experiences of homelessness + temporary accommodation
A week today I'll be in Liverpool giving a fringe talk at the #housingcommunitysummit on my new book "Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State".
www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
Order at: www.waterstones.com/book/debt-tr...
Find me at the Fringe Forum, Tuesday 9 September 12-1pm
www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
Order at: www.waterstones.com/book/debt-tr...
Find me at the Fringe Forum, Tuesday 9 September 12-1pm
September 2, 2025 at 7:31 PM
A week today I'll be in Liverpool giving a fringe talk at the #housingcommunitysummit on my new book "Debt Trap Nation: Family Homelessness in a Failing State".
www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
Order at: www.waterstones.com/book/debt-tr...
Find me at the Fringe Forum, Tuesday 9 September 12-1pm
www.debt-trap-nation.org/book
Order at: www.waterstones.com/book/debt-tr...
Find me at the Fringe Forum, Tuesday 9 September 12-1pm
A highlight of the summer months is working in new spaces ad hoc.
Today, Cowes Library, Isle of Wight.
Surrounded by maritime geography and recent newspapers which remind me (as ever) why there is still such a long way to go on housing and homelessness in the UK…
Today, Cowes Library, Isle of Wight.
Surrounded by maritime geography and recent newspapers which remind me (as ever) why there is still such a long way to go on housing and homelessness in the UK…
August 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
A highlight of the summer months is working in new spaces ad hoc.
Today, Cowes Library, Isle of Wight.
Surrounded by maritime geography and recent newspapers which remind me (as ever) why there is still such a long way to go on housing and homelessness in the UK…
Today, Cowes Library, Isle of Wight.
Surrounded by maritime geography and recent newspapers which remind me (as ever) why there is still such a long way to go on housing and homelessness in the UK…
📣 Call for Papers:
Debt Urbanism and the Housing Question
ℹ️ I'm putting together a symposium proposal to The International Journal of Urban and Regional Research (IJURR) with co-editors @sklosterkamp.bsky.social & Mel Nowicki
🗓️ Deadline for abstracts 22 August 2025
🏹 Please spread the word!
Debt Urbanism and the Housing Question
ℹ️ I'm putting together a symposium proposal to The International Journal of Urban and Regional Research (IJURR) with co-editors @sklosterkamp.bsky.social & Mel Nowicki
🗓️ Deadline for abstracts 22 August 2025
🏹 Please spread the word!
July 21, 2025 at 8:54 AM
📣 Call for Papers:
Debt Urbanism and the Housing Question
ℹ️ I'm putting together a symposium proposal to The International Journal of Urban and Regional Research (IJURR) with co-editors @sklosterkamp.bsky.social & Mel Nowicki
🗓️ Deadline for abstracts 22 August 2025
🏹 Please spread the word!
Debt Urbanism and the Housing Question
ℹ️ I'm putting together a symposium proposal to The International Journal of Urban and Regional Research (IJURR) with co-editors @sklosterkamp.bsky.social & Mel Nowicki
🗓️ Deadline for abstracts 22 August 2025
🏹 Please spread the word!
Time is so precious; academic relationships built through kindness, trust, and ideas too.
Joy to be away reviewing draft book chapters with co-editors for @lsepress.bsky.social collection (with RGS series) titled ‘Scholar-Activism in Legal Geography: Rising for Social Justice in the World of Law’
Joy to be away reviewing draft book chapters with co-editors for @lsepress.bsky.social collection (with RGS series) titled ‘Scholar-Activism in Legal Geography: Rising for Social Justice in the World of Law’
July 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Time is so precious; academic relationships built through kindness, trust, and ideas too.
Joy to be away reviewing draft book chapters with co-editors for @lsepress.bsky.social collection (with RGS series) titled ‘Scholar-Activism in Legal Geography: Rising for Social Justice in the World of Law’
Joy to be away reviewing draft book chapters with co-editors for @lsepress.bsky.social collection (with RGS series) titled ‘Scholar-Activism in Legal Geography: Rising for Social Justice in the World of Law’
Thanks so much to Kim McKee for inviting me to speak at an upcoming workshop on "Women, Housing and Place".
Sign up for my online keynote, or come to Scotland for the full day: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Sign up for my online keynote, or come to Scotland for the full day: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
July 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Thanks so much to Kim McKee for inviting me to speak at an upcoming workshop on "Women, Housing and Place".
Sign up for my online keynote, or come to Scotland for the full day: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Sign up for my online keynote, or come to Scotland for the full day: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🚨 Awesome postdoc position alert 🚨
ℹ️ Katie Meehan is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Urban Studies (PDRA) with the Plumbing Poverty project in the Department of Geography King's College London.
my.corehr.com/pls/kclrecru...
ℹ️ Katie Meehan is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Urban Studies (PDRA) with the Plumbing Poverty project in the Department of Geography King's College London.
my.corehr.com/pls/kclrecru...
July 17, 2025 at 6:54 AM
🚨 Awesome postdoc position alert 🚨
ℹ️ Katie Meehan is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Urban Studies (PDRA) with the Plumbing Poverty project in the Department of Geography King's College London.
my.corehr.com/pls/kclrecru...
ℹ️ Katie Meehan is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Urban Studies (PDRA) with the Plumbing Poverty project in the Department of Geography King's College London.
my.corehr.com/pls/kclrecru...
Could you get through a week in your day-to-day life without a kitchen, or a washing machine or going online?
Thousands of families in temporary accommodation across London live without for months and even years.
Today the better TA alliance are launching a new campaign.
www.fixthefivebasics.org
Thousands of families in temporary accommodation across London live without for months and even years.
Today the better TA alliance are launching a new campaign.
www.fixthefivebasics.org
July 17, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Could you get through a week in your day-to-day life without a kitchen, or a washing machine or going online?
Thousands of families in temporary accommodation across London live without for months and even years.
Today the better TA alliance are launching a new campaign.
www.fixthefivebasics.org
Thousands of families in temporary accommodation across London live without for months and even years.
Today the better TA alliance are launching a new campaign.
www.fixthefivebasics.org