Dr. Lucy Potter
@lucypotter.bsky.social
PhD in non-religion, apostasy & asylum | Sociologist exploring identities, human and refugee rights & (de)coloniality | ESRC Postdoc at Uni of York | PGR Officer for SocRel
What does ‘safe’ mean for people persecuted for their identites like the non-religious & LGBTQ+? Their risk doesn’t disappear because a country looks stable on paper.
Reassessing thousands of cases every 30 months won’t capture that nuance, and the Home Office is already overwhelmed.
Reassessing thousands of cases every 30 months won’t capture that nuance, and the Home Office is already overwhelmed.
Refugee status set to become temporary in radical asylum reforms
Refugee status set to become temporary in radical asylum reforms
People granted asylum in the UK will only be allowed to stay in the country temporarily, in sweeping reforms to be announced on Monday.
news.sky.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
What does ‘safe’ mean for people persecuted for their identites like the non-religious & LGBTQ+? Their risk doesn’t disappear because a country looks stable on paper.
Reassessing thousands of cases every 30 months won’t capture that nuance, and the Home Office is already overwhelmed.
Reassessing thousands of cases every 30 months won’t capture that nuance, and the Home Office is already overwhelmed.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Seems like a good time (again) to share the guide I developed with @freedomfromtorture.bsky.social, which tells you how to talk about refugees and asylum in a way that actually convinces the undecided - based on testing 🧵 www.freedomfromtorture.org/changing-the...
Changing the Conversation on Asylum: A Messaging Guide
Our new messaging guide looks at the methodology and messages that can help us carve out a new approach that will be successful in persuading the public that seeking safety is a fundamental human righ...
www.freedomfromtorture.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Seems like a good time (again) to share the guide I developed with @freedomfromtorture.bsky.social, which tells you how to talk about refugees and asylum in a way that actually convinces the undecided - based on testing 🧵 www.freedomfromtorture.org/changing-the...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
The Government inherited an asylum system in meltdown, and had managed to at least get cases being processed again while ending the madness of the Rwanda plan. But the policies being announced today undermine all of that, making it harder for refugees to integrate and contribute to their communities
November 17, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The Government inherited an asylum system in meltdown, and had managed to at least get cases being processed again while ending the madness of the Rwanda plan. But the policies being announced today undermine all of that, making it harder for refugees to integrate and contribute to their communities
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Latest from Kristin Aune, Matt Mayhew & myself on how the cultural climate on university campuses shapes interfaith relations. theconversation.com/how-campus-c... In @uk.theconversation.com
How ‘campus climate’ affects students’ attitudes to people of different religions
Visible diversity and critical conversations are important.
theconversation.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Latest from Kristin Aune, Matt Mayhew & myself on how the cultural climate on university campuses shapes interfaith relations. theconversation.com/how-campus-c... In @uk.theconversation.com
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
October 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
📣 My research on apostate asylum claims has been cited in the UN’s Special Rapporteur FoRB interim report!
The report explores whether ‘people on the move’ are equally protected within human right provisions for freedom of religion or belief.
More here 👉🏻 humanists.uk/2025/10/23/u...
The report explores whether ‘people on the move’ are equally protected within human right provisions for freedom of religion or belief.
More here 👉🏻 humanists.uk/2025/10/23/u...
UN demands asylum protection for the non-religious
A United Nations report has demanded that asylum systems worldwide must become fit for purpose for non-religious individuals, citing evidence submitted by Humanists UK. The UN Special Rapporteur on Fr...
humanists.uk
October 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
📣 My research on apostate asylum claims has been cited in the UN’s Special Rapporteur FoRB interim report!
The report explores whether ‘people on the move’ are equally protected within human right provisions for freedom of religion or belief.
More here 👉🏻 humanists.uk/2025/10/23/u...
The report explores whether ‘people on the move’ are equally protected within human right provisions for freedom of religion or belief.
More here 👉🏻 humanists.uk/2025/10/23/u...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
One in, one out, one in again. It is demonstrably not a success for either the government or the man who has had to risk his life twice because of this ridiculous scheme.
That's some spin from Lammy. Not only does someone having to make another channel crossing, particularly due to their expressed fear of being trafficked, show how inhumane and pointless the policy is, it shows how it risks creating a never ending cycle of people forced into using irregular routes.
October 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
One in, one out, one in again. It is demonstrably not a success for either the government or the man who has had to risk his life twice because of this ridiculous scheme.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Most people are shocked to learn that ALL state-funded in schools are legally required to hold daily acts of worship.
We’re campaigning to change that – and replace worship with assemblies that all children can participate in.
Want to help us? Donate! humanists.uk/2025/10/14/h...
We’re campaigning to change that – and replace worship with assemblies that all children can participate in.
Want to help us? Donate! humanists.uk/2025/10/14/h...
Help give every child a fair start in life. Support Humanists UK’s Every Child, Every Chance appeal today
Humanists UK has launched its 2025 Faith Schools Fundraiser, ‘Every Child, Every Chance’, aiming to raise £40,000 on JustGiving to support its ongoing campaign for a fair, inclusive, and non-discrimin...
humanists.uk
October 15, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Most people are shocked to learn that ALL state-funded in schools are legally required to hold daily acts of worship.
We’re campaigning to change that – and replace worship with assemblies that all children can participate in.
Want to help us? Donate! humanists.uk/2025/10/14/h...
We’re campaigning to change that – and replace worship with assemblies that all children can participate in.
Want to help us? Donate! humanists.uk/2025/10/14/h...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
The Mediterranean continues to be a graveyard for people attempting to reach safety in Europe. 🧵
October 13, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The Mediterranean continues to be a graveyard for people attempting to reach safety in Europe. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
BREAKING: A man who burnt a Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in London has had his conviction for religiously motivated harassment, alarm, or distress overturned on appeal by Southwark Crown Court. A huge victory for free speech and a blow against the revival of blasphemy laws. 🧵
October 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
BREAKING: A man who burnt a Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in London has had his conviction for religiously motivated harassment, alarm, or distress overturned on appeal by Southwark Crown Court. A huge victory for free speech and a blow against the revival of blasphemy laws. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Her research explores refugees who face persecution for leaving their religion & their experiences of the asylum claims process in the UK.
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#Research #Asylum #Sociology #Refugees #ESRC
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#Research #Asylum #Sociology #Refugees #ESRC
October 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Her research explores refugees who face persecution for leaving their religion & their experiences of the asylum claims process in the UK.
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#Research #Asylum #Sociology #Refugees #ESRC
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#Research #Asylum #Sociology #Refugees #ESRC
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Dr Lucy Potter has joined the Department of Sociology at the University of York as an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow, mentored by Dr Anna Strahn.
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#UniversityofYork #Sociology #Postdoctoral #Research
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#UniversityofYork #Sociology #Postdoctoral #Research
October 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Dr Lucy Potter has joined the Department of Sociology at the University of York as an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow, mentored by Dr Anna Strahn.
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#UniversityofYork #Sociology #Postdoctoral #Research
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#UniversityofYork #Sociology #Postdoctoral #Research
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
On Yom Kippur many Jewish people in Britain have their phones off to mark the holy day.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
October 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
On Yom Kippur many Jewish people in Britain have their phones off to mark the holy day.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
Blasphemy-linked violence is becoming an issue in the UK. Non-religious people seeking asylum/refugees are particularly vulnerable to facing criminal charges for expressing their beliefs, such as in anti-blasphemy protests.
humanists.uk/2025/09/24/a...
humanists.uk/2025/09/24/a...
Anti-blasphemy attacker who ‘lost his temper’ spared jail
A man who attacked a Quran-burning protester with a knife in central London to ‘protect [his] religion’ has avoided jail time despite pleading guilty to the assault. Instead, Moussa Kadri, has been gi...
humanists.uk
September 25, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Blasphemy-linked violence is becoming an issue in the UK. Non-religious people seeking asylum/refugees are particularly vulnerable to facing criminal charges for expressing their beliefs, such as in anti-blasphemy protests.
humanists.uk/2025/09/24/a...
humanists.uk/2025/09/24/a...
Interesting perspectives on Christian responses to immigration: ‘cultural’ (non-practising) Christians are among the most hostile. As far-right groups weaponise Christianity, I think all beliefs need to unite around shared values of human rights & protection.
Listen - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Listen - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, Faith versus Fear
What is the ‘Christian’ response to migrants?
www.bbc.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Interesting perspectives on Christian responses to immigration: ‘cultural’ (non-practising) Christians are among the most hostile. As far-right groups weaponise Christianity, I think all beliefs need to unite around shared values of human rights & protection.
Listen - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Listen - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Very worrying for all supporters of a tolerant society to see the London rally this weekend. Besides the the many violent incidents recorded, there were so many blatantly racist signs and Christian nationalist slogans in the crowds. 🧵
September 15, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Very worrying for all supporters of a tolerant society to see the London rally this weekend. Besides the the many violent incidents recorded, there were so many blatantly racist signs and Christian nationalist slogans in the crowds. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
The so-called "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London was a chilling sight for anyone who values tolerance. Extremists ripped up a flag that read “Secular Humanism”, a term long-demonised by the American far-right. To truly "Unite the Kingdom", we need to put an end to divisive, imported US rhetoric.
September 16, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The so-called "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London was a chilling sight for anyone who values tolerance. Extremists ripped up a flag that read “Secular Humanism”, a term long-demonised by the American far-right. To truly "Unite the Kingdom", we need to put an end to divisive, imported US rhetoric.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
BREAKING: A UN inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
All eyes are now on the UK Government who must stop indulging in genocide denial.
It must fulfil its legal and moral responsibility by taking immediate, decisive steps to prevent and punish genocide.
All eyes are now on the UK Government who must stop indulging in genocide denial.
It must fulfil its legal and moral responsibility by taking immediate, decisive steps to prevent and punish genocide.
September 16, 2025 at 1:06 PM
BREAKING: A UN inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
All eyes are now on the UK Government who must stop indulging in genocide denial.
It must fulfil its legal and moral responsibility by taking immediate, decisive steps to prevent and punish genocide.
All eyes are now on the UK Government who must stop indulging in genocide denial.
It must fulfil its legal and moral responsibility by taking immediate, decisive steps to prevent and punish genocide.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
They tried students and they tried care workers, but that wasn't enough. Now they're coming for families.
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
Now they're coming after families
If today’s announcement felt like another crossing of the Rubicon, that's because it is.
open.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 8:19 PM
They tried students and they tried care workers, but that wasn't enough. Now they're coming for families.
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Today Nick Ferrari asked if treaties like the ECHR & the Refugee Convention that were drawn up in the wake of WWII are still relevant to modern Britain.
I said the context of racial hatred towards Muslim immigrants now echoes the hatred of Jewish immigrants in the 20th century. We need these laws.
I said the context of racial hatred towards Muslim immigrants now echoes the hatred of Jewish immigrants in the 20th century. We need these laws.
September 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Today Nick Ferrari asked if treaties like the ECHR & the Refugee Convention that were drawn up in the wake of WWII are still relevant to modern Britain.
I said the context of racial hatred towards Muslim immigrants now echoes the hatred of Jewish immigrants in the 20th century. We need these laws.
I said the context of racial hatred towards Muslim immigrants now echoes the hatred of Jewish immigrants in the 20th century. We need these laws.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
The coverage of the Reform plans today really needs to reflect what is being proposed. The plan isn't for a duty to remove people who "arrive" without leave - but for anyone in the UK who doesn't have it. It would be Windrush on steroids.
August 26, 2025 at 10:36 AM
The coverage of the Reform plans today really needs to reflect what is being proposed. The plan isn't for a duty to remove people who "arrive" without leave - but for anyone in the UK who doesn't have it. It would be Windrush on steroids.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
It's important to assume that Reform in Government would indeed try to do this. The right thing is not to tell the public that this won't happen - so they can therefore vote for Reform without guilt - but rather that a vote for Reform is a vote for the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people.
None of this will ever happen, and it's incumbent on the BBC to at least indicate that everybody who knows anything about this topic says it's a load of baloney. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK would pay countries for migrant return deals
The party outlines its plans to detain and deport all migrants who arrive in the UK on small boats.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
It's important to assume that Reform in Government would indeed try to do this. The right thing is not to tell the public that this won't happen - so they can therefore vote for Reform without guilt - but rather that a vote for Reform is a vote for the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
There's no credible evidence asylum seekers commit more crime, or are guilty of more sexual assaults. I am so sick of being force-fed lies by these mendacious thugs in their expensive suits.
share.google/WCAREyAQN5TG...
share.google/WCAREyAQN5TG...
August 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
There's no credible evidence asylum seekers commit more crime, or are guilty of more sexual assaults. I am so sick of being force-fed lies by these mendacious thugs in their expensive suits.
share.google/WCAREyAQN5TG...
share.google/WCAREyAQN5TG...