Alex Stevens
@profalexstevens.bsky.social
Professor of Criminology, University of Sheffield. Trustee at Criminal Justice Alliance. Volunteer for Visually Impaired Sailing Association and Sheffield Jazz. Peak District walker. Drug policy geek.
Pinned
What an absolute shower...
ANOTHER Reform councillor gone in Kent.
I contacted her early this morning to see why she was now described as an "Independent" on the KCC website.
Turns out this is why...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I contacted her early this morning to see why she was now described as an "Independent" on the KCC website.
Turns out this is why...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK suspends another Kent councillor after video leak
Isabella Kemp is the latest Kent member to be suspended after the leak of a heated virtual meeting.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:19 PM
What an absolute shower...
Reposted by Alex Stevens
How "earned progression" could backfire
@thehowardleague.bsky.social explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com/how-earned-p...
@thehowardleague.bsky.social explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com/how-earned-p...
How “earned progression” could backfire
The Howard League explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:36 AM
How "earned progression" could backfire
@thehowardleague.bsky.social explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com/how-earned-p...
@thehowardleague.bsky.social explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com/how-earned-p...
UK's stupid immigration policy doing as badly as Trump in attracting income and skills from international students.
NEW from me:
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
November 1, 2025 at 9:25 AM
UK's stupid immigration policy doing as badly as Trump in attracting income and skills from international students.
Greens and Lib Dems must continue working together to beat the far right threat of Reform.
Bromsgrove South (Worcestershire) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 51.9% (+20.3)
➡️ RFM: 33.4% (-1.5)
🌳 CON: 11.3% (-5.8)
🌹 LAB: 3.4% (-4.1)
No GRN (-5.5) or Ind (-3.4) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Reform.
Changes w/ 2025.
🔶 LDM: 51.9% (+20.3)
➡️ RFM: 33.4% (-1.5)
🌳 CON: 11.3% (-5.8)
🌹 LAB: 3.4% (-4.1)
No GRN (-5.5) or Ind (-3.4) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Reform.
Changes w/ 2025.
November 1, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Greens and Lib Dems must continue working together to beat the far right threat of Reform.
NEU: “It is beyond belief that this government’s response to students disengaging in secondary isn’t to consider the impacts on curriculum caused by the tests that already exist in primary but rather is to suggest an additional test in year 8." www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Bridget Phillipson ‘ready to take on unions’ over year 8 reading tests
Education secretary says mandatory test needed to tackle ‘shocking outcomes’ for many working-class children
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:13 AM
NEU: “It is beyond belief that this government’s response to students disengaging in secondary isn’t to consider the impacts on curriculum caused by the tests that already exist in primary but rather is to suggest an additional test in year 8." www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Looks like the Tories have belatedly realised that aping the National Front is not a good look.
Having proudly proposed it, why have the Conservatives now disowned their Deportation bill - once they were challenged to publicly defend the most unprecedented deportation agenda ever proposed in a democracy? Are there lessons for norms+boundaries in politics?
www.easterneye.biz/immigration-...
www.easterneye.biz/immigration-...
'Tories echo Idi Amin era with deportation calls'
Admitting the Ugandan Asians expelled by Idi Amin remains the bravest act of a modern British government under pressure over immigration.Idi Amin accused the expelled Asians of retaining a primary loy...
www.easterneye.biz
October 30, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Looks like the Tories have belatedly realised that aping the National Front is not a good look.
Reposted by Alex Stevens
No one takes strike action lightly, but staff at Sheffield’s universities have been pushed too far.
⚠️ 28 days of strikes announced at University of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam over job cuts.
Education workers deserve better.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
⚠️ 28 days of strikes announced at University of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam over job cuts.
Education workers deserve better.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
Mass strikes to hit University of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam in November and December over job cuts
A combined 28 days of strike action will hit the city of Sheffield over the next two months in rows over job cuts at Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam universities, the University and College Union (UCU)...
www.ucu.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 12:01 PM
No one takes strike action lightly, but staff at Sheffield’s universities have been pushed too far.
⚠️ 28 days of strikes announced at University of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam over job cuts.
Education workers deserve better.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
⚠️ 28 days of strikes announced at University of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam over job cuts.
Education workers deserve better.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
If we're living through a technological revolution, why is econonic growth so low? Why is productivity not increasing?
October 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM
If we're living through a technological revolution, why is econonic growth so low? Why is productivity not increasing?
Reposted by Alex Stevens
New @addictionjournal.bsky.social editorial on the licensing reforms currently being rushed through by the UK Government.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Call for Evidence closes on November 6th www.gov.uk/government/c...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Call for Evidence closes on November 6th www.gov.uk/government/c...
Regulatory capture in UK alcohol licensing policy: The 2025 ‘licensing taskforce’ report
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
New @addictionjournal.bsky.social editorial on the licensing reforms currently being rushed through by the UK Government.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Call for Evidence closes on November 6th www.gov.uk/government/c...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Call for Evidence closes on November 6th www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Alex Stevens
We wrote an article explaining why you shouldn't put several variables into a regression model and report which are statistically significant - even as exploratory research. bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/4/1/.... How did we do?
October 27, 2025 at 5:39 PM
We wrote an article explaining why you shouldn't put several variables into a regression model and report which are statistically significant - even as exploratory research. bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/4/1/.... How did we do?
Reposted by Alex Stevens
About a tenth of relationships in the UK are mixed race.
X seems full of people who think they are the only relationships in TV advertising. This suggests people filter out the ones featuring white families, and then trigger themselves into anger if a mixed race couple appear.
X seems full of people who think they are the only relationships in TV advertising. This suggests people filter out the ones featuring white families, and then trigger themselves into anger if a mixed race couple appear.
October 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
About a tenth of relationships in the UK are mixed race.
X seems full of people who think they are the only relationships in TV advertising. This suggests people filter out the ones featuring white families, and then trigger themselves into anger if a mixed race couple appear.
X seems full of people who think they are the only relationships in TV advertising. This suggests people filter out the ones featuring white families, and then trigger themselves into anger if a mixed race couple appear.
Reposted by Alex Stevens
Open access: Risk versus pleasure: understanding changing attitudes of non- and light-drinking young people as they age by
@amypennay.bsky.social
@gabrielcaluzzi.bsky.social
@megancook.bsky.social
@michaellivingston.bsky.social
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
@amypennay.bsky.social
@gabrielcaluzzi.bsky.social
@megancook.bsky.social
@michaellivingston.bsky.social
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Risk versus pleasure: understanding changing attitudes of non- and light-drinking young people as they age
There have been significant declines in alcohol use for adolescents in high-income countries since the mid-2000s. Research suggests key factors are driving this, including: (1) negative attitudes t...
www.tandfonline.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Open access: Risk versus pleasure: understanding changing attitudes of non- and light-drinking young people as they age by
@amypennay.bsky.social
@gabrielcaluzzi.bsky.social
@megancook.bsky.social
@michaellivingston.bsky.social
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
@amypennay.bsky.social
@gabrielcaluzzi.bsky.social
@megancook.bsky.social
@michaellivingston.bsky.social
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Alex Stevens
In Wales, over 60s get free bus travel, subsidised train travel, free eye tests, free dental check ups if you get an N.H.S. dentist. Oh, free prescriptions, as well as free hospital parking.
We'll vote reform because the Labour led Senned have done nothing for us.
We'll vote reform because the Labour led Senned have done nothing for us.
October 24, 2025 at 10:08 AM
In Wales, over 60s get free bus travel, subsidised train travel, free eye tests, free dental check ups if you get an N.H.S. dentist. Oh, free prescriptions, as well as free hospital parking.
We'll vote reform because the Labour led Senned have done nothing for us.
We'll vote reform because the Labour led Senned have done nothing for us.
Reposted by Alex Stevens
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
October 25, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
I voted today. No more real terms pay cuts! #wearetheuniversity @ucu.org.uk
BALLOT DAY LIVE 21 TUESDAY 7PM
We know what's at stake.
We know what we're fighting for.
Now it's time to vote.
Join us live as we kick off the ballot.
Make sure you're ready to VOTE YES and get others to do the same.
www.youtube.com/live/nJXD0_b...
We know what's at stake.
We know what we're fighting for.
Now it's time to vote.
Join us live as we kick off the ballot.
Make sure you're ready to VOTE YES and get others to do the same.
www.youtube.com/live/nJXD0_b...
October 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I voted today. No more real terms pay cuts! #wearetheuniversity @ucu.org.uk
Reposted by Alex Stevens
Trump has now murdered 34 people in international waters.
No one has any idea if any were criminals, and of course it doesn't matter, because it was a war crime to kill even a single one of them.
Drug trafficking is a felony, but it's not a violent crime and isn't punishable by summary execution.
No one has any idea if any were criminals, and of course it doesn't matter, because it was a war crime to kill even a single one of them.
Drug trafficking is a felony, but it's not a violent crime and isn't punishable by summary execution.
Trump administration announces another strike on alleged drug-carrying boat, in the Pacific Ocean
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says in a social media post the U.S. military conducted its eighth strike against an alleged drug vessel
www.independent.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Trump has now murdered 34 people in international waters.
No one has any idea if any were criminals, and of course it doesn't matter, because it was a war crime to kill even a single one of them.
Drug trafficking is a felony, but it's not a violent crime and isn't punishable by summary execution.
No one has any idea if any were criminals, and of course it doesn't matter, because it was a war crime to kill even a single one of them.
Drug trafficking is a felony, but it's not a violent crime and isn't punishable by summary execution.
But will Eurostart restart services from Ebbsfleet and Ashford?
October 22, 2025 at 7:13 AM
But will Eurostart restart services from Ebbsfleet and Ashford?
Phillipson: University tuition fees to rise with inflation, conditional on measures of quality of provision.
October 20, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Phillipson: University tuition fees to rise with inflation, conditional on measures of quality of provision.
Driver-less cars should be rolled out as soon as they are safer than human drivers. Waiting until they are 100% safe will cause many avoidable deaths. www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Driverless cars are coming to the UK – but the road to autonomy has bumps ahead
Waymo plans London robotaxis as early as 2026, but the history shows hype, hesitation and a few missed turns
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Driver-less cars should be rolled out as soon as they are safer than human drivers. Waiting until they are 100% safe will cause many avoidable deaths. www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
We need two new full-time lecturers in #criminology here at @sheffielduni.bsky.social. One permanent share.google/RuTNSJWfvkuK... and one 12 month maternity cover share.google/xzf5icskztO9...
Lecturer in Criminology at University of Sheffield
Apply for the Lecturer in Criminology role on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board for academic positions in higher education. View details and apply now.
share.google
October 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM
We need two new full-time lecturers in #criminology here at @sheffielduni.bsky.social. One permanent share.google/RuTNSJWfvkuK... and one 12 month maternity cover share.google/xzf5icskztO9...
This needs to made accessible to people who inject drugs.
On course to end new HIV cases in the UK by 2030.
First injection to stop HIV approved
The shot, given six times a year or every other month, is an alternative to taking daily pills to protect against ever catching the virus.
www.bbc.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
This needs to made accessible to people who inject drugs.
Reposted by Alex Stevens
Youth diversion "fragmented and inconsistent" - Joint inspection by @HMIProbation & @HMICFRS finds current youth diversion work is fragmented and inconsistent. www.russellwebster.com/youth-divers...
Youth diversion “fragmented and inconsistent”
Joint inspection finds current youth diversion work is fragmented and inconsistent.
www.russellwebster.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Youth diversion "fragmented and inconsistent" - Joint inspection by @HMIProbation & @HMICFRS finds current youth diversion work is fragmented and inconsistent. www.russellwebster.com/youth-divers...
Reposted by Alex Stevens
‘analysis of the [graduate] wage premium… by leading… economists determined it was “extraordinarily flat” between the 1990s & 2010s, despite a near tripling in the share of working adults with an undergraduate degree over the period.’
Good piece from @amyborrett.ft.com
on.ft.com/3Kn1ioF
Good piece from @amyborrett.ft.com
on.ft.com/3Kn1ioF
No, the UK has not reached ‘peak graduate’
The salary and non-salary data show degrees still deliver for students in the long run
on.ft.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:53 AM
‘analysis of the [graduate] wage premium… by leading… economists determined it was “extraordinarily flat” between the 1990s & 2010s, despite a near tripling in the share of working adults with an undergraduate degree over the period.’
Good piece from @amyborrett.ft.com
on.ft.com/3Kn1ioF
Good piece from @amyborrett.ft.com
on.ft.com/3Kn1ioF
Bathos hits:
*gasp*
October 5, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Bathos hits:
Investment bankers mysteriously avoid recommending tax on wealth. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Rachel Reeves could raise £45bn in taxes and keep promises, report says
Chancellor has ways to cover UK deficit without breaching spirit of Labour manifesto, Morgan Stanley claims
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Investment bankers mysteriously avoid recommending tax on wealth. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...