Alison Stenning
@alisonstenning.bsky.social
Geographer - Professor - Mum - Playing - #playstreets - Cycling - #kidicalmass - #WarOnCars - Walking - Noticing - Green - North Tyneside - North Shields - UK
Pinned
Hello 👋 I’m here for the chat about (geographies of) (urban) play and everyday mobility, esp children’s, along with neighbourhoods and community; bits on austerity, class & social change; climate & environment; but also the north-east of England (esp Tyneside); and some higher education too.
We had a brief glimpse of blue skies at the weekend, the first of 2026, I think, and now we're back to grey. And yes, it feels very much like a wider affective dreariness, oppressive and unrelenting.
February 3, 2026 at 3:37 PM
We had a brief glimpse of blue skies at the weekend, the first of 2026, I think, and now we're back to grey. And yes, it feels very much like a wider affective dreariness, oppressive and unrelenting.
This is a neverending cycle too, universities get to the end point, and then start again.
And, in the meantime, we're expected to just keep delivering teaching, research, support, etc.
And, in the meantime, we're expected to just keep delivering teaching, research, support, etc.
*Most support staff move from frontline to centre
*Central 'pools' for any support
*Faculties now merge
*Middle management stripped out, centre grows again
*Compulsory redundancies (a)
*Degree numbers radically slimmed down
*Pension moved to much worse scheme
*Compulsory redundancies (b) (4/4)
*Central 'pools' for any support
*Faculties now merge
*Middle management stripped out, centre grows again
*Compulsory redundancies (a)
*Degree numbers radically slimmed down
*Pension moved to much worse scheme
*Compulsory redundancies (b) (4/4)
February 3, 2026 at 11:35 AM
This is a neverending cycle too, universities get to the end point, and then start again.
And, in the meantime, we're expected to just keep delivering teaching, research, support, etc.
And, in the meantime, we're expected to just keep delivering teaching, research, support, etc.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
The group bike ride for Alex Pretti is about to depart in Minneapolis, stopping at his memorial, then Renee Good’s, and finishing at the VFW. If you can join, hop on anywhere. It’s a warm 17° & sunny!
I’ve never seen this many cyclists for a group ride. ⚡️✊🏽⚡️🚲⚡️✊🏽⚡️ #RIPPretti
I’ve never seen this many cyclists for a group ride. ⚡️✊🏽⚡️🚲⚡️✊🏽⚡️ #RIPPretti
January 31, 2026 at 7:41 PM
The group bike ride for Alex Pretti is about to depart in Minneapolis, stopping at his memorial, then Renee Good’s, and finishing at the VFW. If you can join, hop on anywhere. It’s a warm 17° & sunny!
I’ve never seen this many cyclists for a group ride. ⚡️✊🏽⚡️🚲⚡️✊🏽⚡️ #RIPPretti
I’ve never seen this many cyclists for a group ride. ⚡️✊🏽⚡️🚲⚡️✊🏽⚡️ #RIPPretti
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Hundreds of volunteers hitting the streets this morning in Gorton and Denton.
Lower bills, tax the super-rich- hope will win.
Only the Greens can stop Reform in this by-election.
Lower bills, tax the super-rich- hope will win.
Only the Greens can stop Reform in this by-election.
January 31, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Hundreds of volunteers hitting the streets this morning in Gorton and Denton.
Lower bills, tax the super-rich- hope will win.
Only the Greens can stop Reform in this by-election.
Lower bills, tax the super-rich- hope will win.
Only the Greens can stop Reform in this by-election.
I thought it was you but wasn’t 100% sure, but then I saw your photo. Will say hello next time!
January 31, 2026 at 10:24 AM
I thought it was you but wasn’t 100% sure, but then I saw your photo. Will say hello next time!
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Pop up skatepark spotted SE 9th and Taylor Portland, OR.
This is one of the best modal filters!
#Skateboard #Skatepark
This is one of the best modal filters!
#Skateboard #Skatepark
January 30, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Pop up skatepark spotted SE 9th and Taylor Portland, OR.
This is one of the best modal filters!
#Skateboard #Skatepark
This is one of the best modal filters!
#Skateboard #Skatepark
Have you seen the redevelopment plans for phase 2? They’ll maintain the docks and integrate them into the planned development ilovenorthshields.com/north-shield...
North Shields Development Update: What’s Happening Now — and What’s Coming Next | North Shields Local News, Events, Community | I Love North Shields
Last updated: January 2026By: I Love North Shields
ilovenorthshields.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Have you seen the redevelopment plans for phase 2? They’ll maintain the docks and integrate them into the planned development ilovenorthshields.com/north-shield...
I think I just saw you taking this photo!
January 31, 2026 at 9:58 AM
I think I just saw you taking this photo!
Some light over the mouth of the Tyne (but no Shields ferries, as a result of storm damage to the jetty)
January 31, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Some light over the mouth of the Tyne (but no Shields ferries, as a result of storm damage to the jetty)
It feels a few degrees warmer too, but that may be wishful thinking. Enjoy your trip to the riviera!
January 31, 2026 at 9:29 AM
It feels a few degrees warmer too, but that may be wishful thinking. Enjoy your trip to the riviera!
When direct connections between the mouth of Tyne and London and Norway were just part of the fabric of our ordinary transport infrastructures.
Standing exactly where the boat trains came in to transfer passengers from land to sea. Fully loco hauled stock came from London, reversed at Percy Main and met the liners to Norway
January 31, 2026 at 9:27 AM
When direct connections between the mouth of Tyne and London and Norway were just part of the fabric of our ordinary transport infrastructures.
Genuinely can’t remember when I last saw blue sky above our street. I think it was last year.
January 31, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Genuinely can’t remember when I last saw blue sky above our street. I think it was last year.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Bikes fight fascism.
Minneapolis’ bike community is deep, strong and unstoppable.
I am so excited to see so many friends tomorrow.
🚲 ❤️
Minneapolis’ bike community is deep, strong and unstoppable.
I am so excited to see so many friends tomorrow.
🚲 ❤️
We had planned a winter hibernation to give our volunteer team time to rest.
Instead, our full team is deep in mutual aid work & several bikes are back out to help w/ community needs.
Our @bunchbike.com will help an injured bike friend join the ride for Alex Pretti tomorrow.
See you there?
🚲 ❤️
Instead, our full team is deep in mutual aid work & several bikes are back out to help w/ community needs.
Our @bunchbike.com will help an injured bike friend join the ride for Alex Pretti tomorrow.
See you there?
🚲 ❤️
January 31, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Bikes fight fascism.
Minneapolis’ bike community is deep, strong and unstoppable.
I am so excited to see so many friends tomorrow.
🚲 ❤️
Minneapolis’ bike community is deep, strong and unstoppable.
I am so excited to see so many friends tomorrow.
🚲 ❤️
Good to see mainstream coverage of “deplaytion” - the loss and decline of neighbourhood playgrounds, and of a tolerance of children’s neighbourhood play.
It’s critical that this issue is taken as seriously - in terms of children’s mental health - as social media.
Thanks @anooshc.bsky.social.
It’s critical that this issue is taken as seriously - in terms of children’s mental health - as social media.
Thanks @anooshc.bsky.social.
The hidden cost of "deplaytion"
Ban social media for kids all you like – but don't ignore their crap playgrounds
www.newstatesman.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Good to see mainstream coverage of “deplaytion” - the loss and decline of neighbourhood playgrounds, and of a tolerance of children’s neighbourhood play.
It’s critical that this issue is taken as seriously - in terms of children’s mental health - as social media.
Thanks @anooshc.bsky.social.
It’s critical that this issue is taken as seriously - in terms of children’s mental health - as social media.
Thanks @anooshc.bsky.social.
I’m not in any way leading this, and the limits of today’s event were widely acknowledged, although diversity isn’t always visible. It’s the start of a conversation and I very much hope the council takes up the challenge.
January 30, 2026 at 12:43 PM
I’m not in any way leading this, and the limits of today’s event were widely acknowledged, although diversity isn’t always visible. It’s the start of a conversation and I very much hope the council takes up the challenge.
And about different ideas of culture and art, making, experiencing, learning - film, music, food, writing, visual arts, growing, sculpture, murals, theatre, storytelling - pathways, places and who has the opportunity to create, now and in the future.
January 30, 2026 at 12:30 PM
And about different ideas of culture and art, making, experiencing, learning - film, music, food, writing, visual arts, growing, sculpture, murals, theatre, storytelling - pathways, places and who has the opportunity to create, now and in the future.
Lots of chat about the river, the port and harbour, the coast and the edge, the routes to and from the river and the sea, the diverse and sometimes difficult histories, the vibrancy and possibility of different moments (including now), and the microgeographies of what is a small town.
January 30, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Lots of chat about the river, the port and harbour, the coast and the edge, the routes to and from the river and the sea, the diverse and sometimes difficult histories, the vibrancy and possibility of different moments (including now), and the microgeographies of what is a small town.
Spent the morning at a @ntcouncilteam.bsky.social event starting the conversation about North Shields bid to become #TownofCulture. An amazing group of people in the room, all full of ideas of how to grow different bits of Shields, and celebrate the awesome place it is.
January 30, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Spent the morning at a @ntcouncilteam.bsky.social event starting the conversation about North Shields bid to become #TownofCulture. An amazing group of people in the room, all full of ideas of how to grow different bits of Shields, and celebrate the awesome place it is.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Physics is under the cosh, Astronomy and Chemistry in peril, Geography is losing territory, English, Modern Languages and History are among the many shrinking UK disciplines.
Surely it's time to have a concerted, structured conversation about universities and the national research base.
Surely it's time to have a concerted, structured conversation about universities and the national research base.
UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts.
Major cuts will hit UK science facilities and government research grants for physics and astronomy over the next four years, Research Professional News can reveal.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Major cuts will hit UK science facilities and government research grants for physics and astronomy over the next four years, Research Professional News can reveal.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks £162m cost savings, with existing projects facing axe
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Physics is under the cosh, Astronomy and Chemistry in peril, Geography is losing territory, English, Modern Languages and History are among the many shrinking UK disciplines.
Surely it's time to have a concerted, structured conversation about universities and the national research base.
Surely it's time to have a concerted, structured conversation about universities and the national research base.
Fish inaction, surely?
January 29, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Fish inaction, surely?
Reposted by Alison Stenning
The actual words of the current British Home Secretary:
“My ultimate vision for that part of the criminal justice system was to achieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried to do with his Panopticon. That is that the eyes of the State can be on you at all times."
“My ultimate vision for that part of the criminal justice system was to achieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried to do with his Panopticon. That is that the eyes of the State can be on you at all times."
Crime and Policing Bill - Hansard - UK Parliament
Hansard record of the item : 'Crime and Policing Bill' on Tuesday 20 January 2026.
hansard.parliament.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:03 AM
The actual words of the current British Home Secretary:
“My ultimate vision for that part of the criminal justice system was to achieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried to do with his Panopticon. That is that the eyes of the State can be on you at all times."
“My ultimate vision for that part of the criminal justice system was to achieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried to do with his Panopticon. That is that the eyes of the State can be on you at all times."
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Labour keeps talking about saving the high street without naming the real problem. Car dependency. You cannot fix town centres while planning everything around driving. The internet is permanent. Retail only survives where footfall is dense, local, frequent, and cheap to access.
Labour risks election wipeout unless it improves Britain’s high streets, study finds
Decay of town centres a top issue among voters especially Reform UK supporters and is fuelling resentment against Westminster
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Labour keeps talking about saving the high street without naming the real problem. Car dependency. You cannot fix town centres while planning everything around driving. The internet is permanent. Retail only survives where footfall is dense, local, frequent, and cheap to access.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
January 28, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Yes, it’s tough. Something needs to change but there doesn’t seem to be much appetite for it amongst decision makers.
January 28, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Yes, it’s tough. Something needs to change but there doesn’t seem to be much appetite for it amongst decision makers.
Absolutely all of this. Things have changed so much, and the old model probably didn’t function as well as we imagined it did anyway. My daughter is 14 and (with 2 academic parents) is thinking ahead and assumes she’ll go away. Will be interesting to see if her views change over the next few years.
January 28, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Absolutely all of this. Things have changed so much, and the old model probably didn’t function as well as we imagined it did anyway. My daughter is 14 and (with 2 academic parents) is thinking ahead and assumes she’ll go away. Will be interesting to see if her views change over the next few years.