Annie Irvine
@annieirvine.bsky.social
Qualitative social researcher since 2002 | Mental health, employment, welfare reform | Learning the ropes as a lecturer since 2024…
The policy challenge of mental health and economic inactivity is not leaving the headlines, now with a new inquiry launched into the particular issues facing younger people. Here I am again, banging the drum for a more holistic approach: blogs.york.ac.uk/sbs-spotlight/
@drsoapsub.bsky.social
@drsoapsub.bsky.social
Spotlight on Business and Society – Interdisciplinary research updates on the most important challenges in policy, business and society.
blogs.york.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The policy challenge of mental health and economic inactivity is not leaving the headlines, now with a new inquiry launched into the particular issues facing younger people. Here I am again, banging the drum for a more holistic approach: blogs.york.ac.uk/sbs-spotlight/
@drsoapsub.bsky.social
@drsoapsub.bsky.social
Reposted by Annie Irvine
Making the benefits system meaner has backfired.
The punitive PIP system is leaving disabled people too afraid to try work. It’s time to overhaul the broken assessment process.
Read our new report here: https://z2k.org/pip-report/
The punitive PIP system is leaving disabled people too afraid to try work. It’s time to overhaul the broken assessment process.
Read our new report here: https://z2k.org/pip-report/
Ending the Culture of Fear - Z2K
Ending the Culture of Fear: Reforming the PIP assessment system to get decisions right first time Much of the political and media debate about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has focused on the idea that it’s too easy to qualify. A new report from Z2K – Ending the Culture of Fear: Reforming the PIP assessment system
z2k.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Making the benefits system meaner has backfired.
The punitive PIP system is leaving disabled people too afraid to try work. It’s time to overhaul the broken assessment process.
Read our new report here: https://z2k.org/pip-report/
The punitive PIP system is leaving disabled people too afraid to try work. It’s time to overhaul the broken assessment process.
Read our new report here: https://z2k.org/pip-report/
Mental health problems are real. But they’re rarely people’s only barrier to work. People with experience of mental distress describe a wide range of social, economic, relational and structural barriers to work – in addition to the challenges posed by symptoms. It’s more than a mental health issue 🧵
August 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Mental health problems are real. But they’re rarely people’s only barrier to work. People with experience of mental distress describe a wide range of social, economic, relational and structural barriers to work – in addition to the challenges posed by symptoms. It’s more than a mental health issue 🧵
Crucial message from Citizen's Advice: "When both working full-time and claiming maximum benefit entitlement leaves one in a low-income limbo, focusing on making the former slightly more financially beneficial than the latter is only ever going to have a limited impact on outcomes..." (1/2)
August 1, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Crucial message from Citizen's Advice: "When both working full-time and claiming maximum benefit entitlement leaves one in a low-income limbo, focusing on making the former slightly more financially beneficial than the latter is only ever going to have a limited impact on outcomes..." (1/2)
Very thought-provoking article on the sometimes uneasy (and perhaps not uneasy enough) relationship between social science and lived experience @drcrmatthews.bsky.social you might enjoy link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Engagement and qualitative sociology in health research: proximal, but incongruent - Social Theory & Health
This paper argues that sociology’s distinctive value in health research lies not in amplifying experiential accounts but in analysing the social structures and norms that shape them—a contribution oft...
link.springer.com
July 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Very thought-provoking article on the sometimes uneasy (and perhaps not uneasy enough) relationship between social science and lived experience @drcrmatthews.bsky.social you might enjoy link.springer.com/article/10.1...
This was an excellent piece of exploration and analysis seeking a better understanding of how to engage residents in the LCWRA group in an initial conversation about work. Sign up to hear the key lessons learned! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/camden-emp... @spaemploysocsec.bsky.social
Camden employment support test & learn
An online event about work in Camden to foster voluntary engagement with employment support among ill & disabled people on Universal Credit
www.eventbrite.co.uk
July 7, 2025 at 6:05 PM
This was an excellent piece of exploration and analysis seeking a better understanding of how to engage residents in the LCWRA group in an initial conversation about work. Sign up to hear the key lessons learned! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/camden-emp... @spaemploysocsec.bsky.social
Reposted by Annie Irvine
Job opportunities on both the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social and @safety-nets.bsky.social projects!
🔥Not one, not two, not three, but FOUR job vacancies now live working at @uofglasgow.bsky.social on @safety-nets.bsky.social @changingrealities.bsky.social with some amazing colleagues
first: a research assistant post on Changing Realities
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DNQ284/r...
🧵for links to vacancies
first: a research assistant post on Changing Realities
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DNQ284/r...
🧵for links to vacancies
Research Assistant at University of Glasgow
Searching for an academic job? Explore this Research Assistant opening on jobs.ac.uk! Click to view more details and browse other academic jobs.
www.jobs.ac.uk
June 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Job opportunities on both the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social and @safety-nets.bsky.social projects!
Reposted by Annie Irvine
It's a busy time on @d-liveability.bsky.social!
We are hiring a 12 month #postdoc Research Fellow to contribute to #qualitative analysis of suicide prevention policies + parliamentary debates:
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
We are hiring a 12 month #postdoc Research Fellow to contribute to #qualitative analysis of suicide prevention policies + parliamentary debates:
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Research Fellow (Discovering Liveability)
Research Fellow (qualitative methods) to join the Discovering Liveability: Co-producing alternatives to suicide prevention project, contributing to innovative suicide research that centres liveability...
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
June 19, 2025 at 9:47 AM
It's a busy time on @d-liveability.bsky.social!
We are hiring a 12 month #postdoc Research Fellow to contribute to #qualitative analysis of suicide prevention policies + parliamentary debates:
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
We are hiring a 12 month #postdoc Research Fellow to contribute to #qualitative analysis of suicide prevention policies + parliamentary debates:
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Two Policy Assistant roles available for people just starting out in this sector. Could be a great opportunity for those just about to graduate from @uoysbs.bsky.social
Octo Candidates - Application Form - Vacancy Details
jrf.octo-firstclass.co.uk
June 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Two Policy Assistant roles available for people just starting out in this sector. Could be a great opportunity for those just about to graduate from @uoysbs.bsky.social
Are you a post-doctoral researcher with strong qualitative skills, a critical mind and a love for digging into the complexities of how people navigate work and health? Check out our vacancy at the Uni of York School for Business and Society: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/rese... @uoysbs.bsky.social
Jobs - The University of York
jobs.york.ac.uk
June 4, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Are you a post-doctoral researcher with strong qualitative skills, a critical mind and a love for digging into the complexities of how people navigate work and health? Check out our vacancy at the Uni of York School for Business and Society: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/rese... @uoysbs.bsky.social
I've been thinking for a while that we should be talking more about the "social determinants of work". David Kingsley has got there first; great piece naming "the social determinants of employability" - housing insecurity, digital exclusion, mental health, access to care www.myiep.uk/blogs-and-op...
Detached but Not Disengaged: Reframing Employability Practice Through Community-Rooted Youth Work - The Institute of Employability Professionals
28/05/2025
www.myiep.uk
May 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I've been thinking for a while that we should be talking more about the "social determinants of work". David Kingsley has got there first; great piece naming "the social determinants of employability" - housing insecurity, digital exclusion, mental health, access to care www.myiep.uk/blogs-and-op...
Reposted by Annie Irvine
For all the recent focus on incentives in the benefits system, it's a lack of suitable & supportive jobs that prevents many disabled people moving into work
This online @neweconomics.bsky.social event (June 19th 10am) will explore the changes needed to fix this www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/its-not-me...
This online @neweconomics.bsky.social event (June 19th 10am) will explore the changes needed to fix this www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/its-not-me...
It's not me, it's you: better employment opportunities for disabled people
An online event to hear from expert speakers and open up a debate about how to improve employment opportunities for disabled people
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM
For all the recent focus on incentives in the benefits system, it's a lack of suitable & supportive jobs that prevents many disabled people moving into work
This online @neweconomics.bsky.social event (June 19th 10am) will explore the changes needed to fix this www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/its-not-me...
This online @neweconomics.bsky.social event (June 19th 10am) will explore the changes needed to fix this www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/its-not-me...
Reposted by Annie Irvine
Want a 3yr quali postdoc job leading the UK fieldwork for an amazing international project on how it feels to claim benefits? And also to do important work on benefits and mental health?
Then see this job ad! Closing date being changed to 8th June www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/114985-...
Then see this job ad! Closing date being changed to 8th June www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/114985-...
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Welfare Experiences & Mental Health
www.kcl.ac.uk
May 21, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Want a 3yr quali postdoc job leading the UK fieldwork for an amazing international project on how it feels to claim benefits? And also to do important work on benefits and mental health?
Then see this job ad! Closing date being changed to 8th June www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/114985-...
Then see this job ad! Closing date being changed to 8th June www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/114985-...
Reposted by Annie Irvine
This looks like a super-cool postdoc for people interested in #qualitative #mentalhealth research and the interactions between #mh and #welfare
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/114985-...
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/114985-...
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Welfare Experiences & Mental Health
www.kcl.ac.uk
May 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
This looks like a super-cool postdoc for people interested in #qualitative #mentalhealth research and the interactions between #mh and #welfare
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/114985-...
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/114985-...
Reposted by Annie Irvine
NEW ANALYSIS: A rise in financial hardship is a key driver of the increase in benefit claims. These new figures cast serious doubts on the government’s justification for cutting disability and incapacity payments. 1/10
May 7, 2025 at 9:44 AM
NEW ANALYSIS: A rise in financial hardship is a key driver of the increase in benefit claims. These new figures cast serious doubts on the government’s justification for cutting disability and incapacity payments. 1/10
Great opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher with interests in work, welfare and mental health to work with the excellent @benbgeiger.bsky.social at the Centre for Society & Mental Heakth www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/113328-...
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Work, Welfare & Mental Health
www.kcl.ac.uk
April 29, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Great opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher with interests in work, welfare and mental health to work with the excellent @benbgeiger.bsky.social at the Centre for Society & Mental Heakth www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/113328-...
Reposted by Annie Irvine
PLEASE SHARE! We are looking for info about providing effective support to young mothers and birthing parents (aged 25 and under) in the perinatal period. We are looking for papers/reports/evaluations/blogs/commentaries. Send to: [email protected]. Information: perinatalsupport.co.uk
Improving perinatal support for young mothers and birthing parents: a University of York Research study
An NIHR Research Programme for Social Care Funded study based at the Mental Health Social Care Research Centre, University of York
perinatalsupport.co.uk
April 14, 2025 at 9:51 AM
PLEASE SHARE! We are looking for info about providing effective support to young mothers and birthing parents (aged 25 and under) in the perinatal period. We are looking for papers/reports/evaluations/blogs/commentaries. Send to: [email protected]. Information: perinatalsupport.co.uk
@lucyfoulkes.bsky.social Murdoch, L. (2025). The adverse impacts of all-institutional mental health and wellbeing policies on university careers guidance. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 1–16. doi.org/10.1080/0306...
The adverse impacts of all-institutional mental health and wellbeing policies on university careers guidance
Sixteen careers advisers based in five Scottish universities were asked a range of questions designed to explore possible impacts of alterations in student mental health and wellbeing on their prac...
doi.org
April 3, 2025 at 10:40 PM
@lucyfoulkes.bsky.social Murdoch, L. (2025). The adverse impacts of all-institutional mental health and wellbeing policies on university careers guidance. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 1–16. doi.org/10.1080/0306...
“You can’t order people’s recovery from the top down, you can’t batter them with sanctions towards work.” Well said Andy Burnham: inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Labour's 'punitive' disability benefits cuts won’t work, says Andy Burnham
The Mayor of Greater Manchester accused Labour of pandering to 'certain newspapers'
inews.co.uk
April 2, 2025 at 7:54 AM
“You can’t order people’s recovery from the top down, you can’t batter them with sanctions towards work.” Well said Andy Burnham: inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Some thoughts on mental health, capacity for work, and the end of the WCA - based on in-depth qualitative research involving claimants with lived experience of mental health problems…
Mental ill health is rarely the sole factor preventing people from finding and keeping a job.
The UK has a lot of people out of work because of mental illness – but listening to those affected reveals that’s rarely the whole story
Mental ill health is rarely the sole factor preventing people from finding and keeping a job.
tcnv.link
March 30, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Some thoughts on mental health, capacity for work, and the end of the WCA - based on in-depth qualitative research involving claimants with lived experience of mental health problems…
Reposted by Annie Irvine
Spread the word! Exciting new fully funded PhD opportunity to research disabled people's lived experiences of benefit reform and the costs of disability.
Deadline: 10 April
@uofglasgow.bsky.social @uofgussp.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @sgsss.bsky.social @clemmiehilloconnor.bsky.social
Deadline: 10 April
@uofglasgow.bsky.social @uofgussp.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @sgsss.bsky.social @clemmiehilloconnor.bsky.social
March 26, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Spread the word! Exciting new fully funded PhD opportunity to research disabled people's lived experiences of benefit reform and the costs of disability.
Deadline: 10 April
@uofglasgow.bsky.social @uofgussp.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @sgsss.bsky.social @clemmiehilloconnor.bsky.social
Deadline: 10 April
@uofglasgow.bsky.social @uofgussp.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @sgsss.bsky.social @clemmiehilloconnor.bsky.social
Really wise reflections from @catherinehale.bsky.social plus don’t miss the link to her excellent new research!
Sharing my response to the #GetBritainWorking White Paper that I posted over on Linkedin in a thread.
A cautious welcome:
It positions the high numbers of people not working, or seeking work, for reasons of health and disability (notice I don’t use the term ‘inactive’?) as a key problem >
1/9
A cautious welcome:
It positions the high numbers of people not working, or seeking work, for reasons of health and disability (notice I don’t use the term ‘inactive’?) as a key problem >
1/9
March 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Really wise reflections from @catherinehale.bsky.social plus don’t miss the link to her excellent new research!
Reposted by Annie Irvine
I'd really encourage you to read this short article if you are remotely interested in the rise of mental-health related work inactivity - very thoughtful from @annieirvine.bsky.social
www.health.org.uk/features-and...
(cont)
www.health.org.uk/features-and...
(cont)
Unravelling the rise in mental health-related inactivity
Dr Annie Irvine on why we need a much more holistic approach to understanding capacity in order to tackle mental health-related inactivity.
www.health.org.uk
March 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
I'd really encourage you to read this short article if you are remotely interested in the rise of mental-health related work inactivity - very thoughtful from @annieirvine.bsky.social
www.health.org.uk/features-and...
(cont)
www.health.org.uk/features-and...
(cont)