Erin Ferguson
@erinferguson.bsky.social
Lecturer in Law, University of Aberdeen. Public law, privatisation, environmental constitutionalism, climate change, transparency.
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
If Edinburgh Uni, with no operational deficit, gets to sack 1800 people, imagine what this will signal to more fiscally challenged Scottish universities?
MSPs need to realise that this is more than a local crisis – we need urgent public scrutiny of Edinburgh’s governance.
MSPs need to realise that this is more than a local crisis – we need urgent public scrutiny of Edinburgh’s governance.
November 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
If Edinburgh Uni, with no operational deficit, gets to sack 1800 people, imagine what this will signal to more fiscally challenged Scottish universities?
MSPs need to realise that this is more than a local crisis – we need urgent public scrutiny of Edinburgh’s governance.
MSPs need to realise that this is more than a local crisis – we need urgent public scrutiny of Edinburgh’s governance.
Mondays at this point in the term can be a bit rough, but being given a handmade coaster by a student was definitely a bright spot today.
November 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Mondays at this point in the term can be a bit rough, but being given a handmade coaster by a student was definitely a bright spot today.
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
…the uk needs a lot more high quality principled journalism like this offering from mike jempson in the bristol cable…
thebristolcable.org/2025/10/at-h...
thebristolcable.org/2025/10/at-h...
At home with refugees - The Bristol Cable
A veteran journalist reflects on the hidden traumas he has witnessed over a quarter of a century of hosting refugees in his Bristol home
thebristolcable.org
October 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
…the uk needs a lot more high quality principled journalism like this offering from mike jempson in the bristol cable…
thebristolcable.org/2025/10/at-h...
thebristolcable.org/2025/10/at-h...
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
Yesterday's piece from @jamellebouie.net is the only high-profile piece I've seen that specifically discusses the watchlist, its effect on academics, and its effect on public attitudes toward academia as a whole. (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/o...
September 14, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Yesterday's piece from @jamellebouie.net is the only high-profile piece I've seen that specifically discusses the watchlist, its effect on academics, and its effect on public attitudes toward academia as a whole. (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/o...
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
This was Conor Gearty only a week or so ago at @prospectmagazine.co.uk on ECHR withdrawal and the Palestine Action ban.
🎧: The Prospect Podcast is back from summer break! On today’s episode, Conor Gearty explains what’s at stake if Britain leaves the ECHR, and reacts to the Palestine Action ban.
Are we losing our civil liberties?
Conor Gearty explains what’s at stake if Britain leaves the ECHR, and reacts to the Palestine Action ban
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
September 12, 2025 at 10:13 AM
This was Conor Gearty only a week or so ago at @prospectmagazine.co.uk on ECHR withdrawal and the Palestine Action ban.
Very interesting account of using FOI in migration research. Highlights how FOI isn’t simply a neutral tool to access information, but instead sheds light in the “politics of visibility.”
On researching migration and border governance through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests: the challenges, potential, and treating it as a research method in its own right. Read part 4 of our series on border policing ⤵️
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
September 11, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Very interesting account of using FOI in migration research. Highlights how FOI isn’t simply a neutral tool to access information, but instead sheds light in the “politics of visibility.”
Aberdeen looking fine on my lunchtime run.
September 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Aberdeen looking fine on my lunchtime run.
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
#SLAPPs: Why do we need a law preventing the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation?
Read this @lawscot.bsky.social post from our colleagues @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social's Anti-SLAPP Research Hub to find out.
www.lawscot.org.uk/members/jour... @erinferguson.bsky.social
Read this @lawscot.bsky.social post from our colleagues @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social's Anti-SLAPP Research Hub to find out.
www.lawscot.org.uk/members/jour... @erinferguson.bsky.social
Free Speech at Stake — Is it time for stronger protection against SLAPPs in Scotland?
Why do we need a law preventing the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and how do other countries approach this legislation?
www.lawscot.org.uk
August 14, 2025 at 1:29 PM
#SLAPPs: Why do we need a law preventing the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation?
Read this @lawscot.bsky.social post from our colleagues @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social's Anti-SLAPP Research Hub to find out.
www.lawscot.org.uk/members/jour... @erinferguson.bsky.social
Read this @lawscot.bsky.social post from our colleagues @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social's Anti-SLAPP Research Hub to find out.
www.lawscot.org.uk/members/jour... @erinferguson.bsky.social
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
The mistake was proscribing Palestine Action. Having done that, they’ve backed themselves into a corner which can only result in their looking oppressive and authoritarian.
Police say 365 people arrested at protest over Palestine Action ban in London www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Police say 365 people arrested at protest over Palestine Action ban in London
Met officers and other UK forces form ‘significant presence’ in largest protest since group was proscribed as terrorist organisation
www.theguardian.com
August 9, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The mistake was proscribing Palestine Action. Having done that, they’ve backed themselves into a corner which can only result in their looking oppressive and authoritarian.
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
Good #ICJ ruling. In simple English, it translates to "states have a legal obligation to mitigate & adapt. Rich, historical emitters have greater obligations. States have an obligation to cooperate climate action. Equity matters w.r.t. achieving Paris Agreement goal."
www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
July 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Good #ICJ ruling. In simple English, it translates to "states have a legal obligation to mitigate & adapt. Rich, historical emitters have greater obligations. States have an obligation to cooperate climate action. Equity matters w.r.t. achieving Paris Agreement goal."
www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
I'm lucky to have an AHRC scholarship on a proposal I developed. It was highly competitive and went through about 7 or 8 drafts before submission. And led to many collaborations with colleagues in different unis. I've loved my PhD experience partly thanks to the scholarship. This is terrible.
'The number of student-initiated PhD scholarships funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is set to fall by 60 per cent when new doctoral training arrangements come into effect next year, new figures show.' 1/3
‘Student-led’ AHRC PhD places ‘to fall by at least 60 per cent’
Internal modelling released under Freedom of Information enquiry reveals extent of PhD scholarship cuts, with academics fearing impact could be greater still
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 21, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I'm lucky to have an AHRC scholarship on a proposal I developed. It was highly competitive and went through about 7 or 8 drafts before submission. And led to many collaborations with colleagues in different unis. I've loved my PhD experience partly thanks to the scholarship. This is terrible.
Excellent analysis of how contracting out shifts responsibility from the state to individuals, limiting state accountability and increasing burdens on (often vulnerable) individuals.
Ting Xu: The Legal Fiction of State Neutrality: Rethinking Accountability in Disability Home Adaptations ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/07/09/t...
Ting Xu: The Legal Fiction of State Neutrality: Rethinking Accountability in Disability Home Adaptations
How should the state be held to account when it funds and organises essential services—but then denies responsibility for their failure? This post examines that question through the lens of disabil…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
July 9, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Excellent analysis of how contracting out shifts responsibility from the state to individuals, limiting state accountability and increasing burdens on (often vulnerable) individuals.
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
Call for papers for a major two-day conference on Legal Methodologies exploring the nature of the discipline, with really important keynote speakers. Any abstracts, if you are interested in participating, to be emailed to [email protected] by 7 July.
June 12, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Call for papers for a major two-day conference on Legal Methodologies exploring the nature of the discipline, with really important keynote speakers. Any abstracts, if you are interested in participating, to be emailed to [email protected] by 7 July.
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
Busy picket lines across the university today. @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social striking to save jobs and #StopTheCuts
June 20, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Busy picket lines across the university today. @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social striking to save jobs and #StopTheCuts
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
New post: Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood on human rights reform in the UK and in Europe publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/06/18/j...
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood on human rights reform in the UK and in Europe
The UK’s Justice Secretary has promised domestic legislation and called for wider ECHR reform because, she says, the application of human rights is now ‘out of step with common sense’. In doing so,…
publiclawforeveryone.com
June 18, 2025 at 8:04 PM
New post: Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood on human rights reform in the UK and in Europe publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/06/18/j...
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
'A review into how the situation has been handled, commissioned by the university, found decision-making was unstructured and dominated by finances. The university said it accepted there had been "missteps".' Not the only university to harry in haste and repent at leisure.
University of Aberdeen's plans to cut modern language degrees were 'rushed' - review
The University of Aberdeen says it accepts there were
www.bbc.co.uk
June 16, 2025 at 7:57 AM
'A review into how the situation has been handled, commissioned by the university, found decision-making was unstructured and dominated by finances. The university said it accepted there had been "missteps".' Not the only university to harry in haste and repent at leisure.
An excellent analysis from @tomp-e.bsky.social, drawing on his insights as a GREC caseworker to explain the impacts of the shortage of immigration lawyers on access to justice in the North East.
www.lawscot.org.uk/members/jour...
www.lawscot.org.uk/members/jour...
'Help, pioneers needed' — Inside legal aid and immigration crisis in the north-east of Scotland
Tomás Pizarro-Escuti from the Grampian Regional Equality Council calls on migration law firms and solicitors to bring crucial services and support to Aberdeen’s international community.
www.lawscot.org.uk
June 16, 2025 at 4:43 PM
An excellent analysis from @tomp-e.bsky.social, drawing on his insights as a GREC caseworker to explain the impacts of the shortage of immigration lawyers on access to justice in the North East.
www.lawscot.org.uk/members/jour...
www.lawscot.org.uk/members/jour...
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
A celebration of Christopher Hood’s legacy: blogs.lse.ac.uk/government/2...
Christopher Hood (1947-2025) - LSE Government Blog
We were extremely saddened to learn about death of our former colleague Christopher Hood in early January.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
June 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
A celebration of Christopher Hood’s legacy: blogs.lse.ac.uk/government/2...
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
Can the American administrative state survive another presidency driven by executive absolutism?
BLAKE EMERSON (@blakeprof.bsky.social) on what U.S. law is (not) prepared for:
verfassungsblog.de/undoing-the-...
BLAKE EMERSON (@blakeprof.bsky.social) on what U.S. law is (not) prepared for:
verfassungsblog.de/undoing-the-...
May 16, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Can the American administrative state survive another presidency driven by executive absolutism?
BLAKE EMERSON (@blakeprof.bsky.social) on what U.S. law is (not) prepared for:
verfassungsblog.de/undoing-the-...
BLAKE EMERSON (@blakeprof.bsky.social) on what U.S. law is (not) prepared for:
verfassungsblog.de/undoing-the-...
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
I've written a brief note on the Supreme Court's interpretation of s7 of the Equality Act in For Women Scotland. I'd welcome any comments.
open.substack.com/pub/robmulli...
open.substack.com/pub/robmulli...
A Note on the UK Supreme Court's Interpretation of s7 of the Equality Act
I had initially not intended to write about For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers—the recent decision in which the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom concluded that references to gendered terms lik...
open.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I've written a brief note on the Supreme Court's interpretation of s7 of the Equality Act in For Women Scotland. I'd welcome any comments.
open.substack.com/pub/robmulli...
open.substack.com/pub/robmulli...
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
Two men are challenging the UK government's "weak" response to #ClimateChange at the European Court of #HumanRights👇
🔗 www.theguardian.com/environment/... via @theguardian.com
One has multiple disabilities, the other has already lost his seaside home.
#ECHR #OurRightsAndFreedoms
🔗 www.theguardian.com/environment/... via @theguardian.com
One has multiple disabilities, the other has already lost his seaside home.
#ECHR #OurRightsAndFreedoms
Two Britons to challenge UK’s ‘weak’ response to climate crisis in Strasbourg court
Doug Paulley and Kevin Jordan say their lives being ruined, and lack of effective strategy infringes their human rights
www.theguardian.com
May 5, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Two men are challenging the UK government's "weak" response to #ClimateChange at the European Court of #HumanRights👇
🔗 www.theguardian.com/environment/... via @theguardian.com
One has multiple disabilities, the other has already lost his seaside home.
#ECHR #OurRightsAndFreedoms
🔗 www.theguardian.com/environment/... via @theguardian.com
One has multiple disabilities, the other has already lost his seaside home.
#ECHR #OurRightsAndFreedoms
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
Academic workloads are often used to justify automation. But our research into staff experience in large group teaching found that what kept people going was precisely the connection with students. Reducing the 'load' of this, while keeping more disconnected work, makes the problem worse.
April 13, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Academic workloads are often used to justify automation. But our research into staff experience in large group teaching found that what kept people going was precisely the connection with students. Reducing the 'load' of this, while keeping more disconnected work, makes the problem worse.
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
The government is scrabbling towards nationalising Britain’s last basic steelworks at Scunthorpe. I’ve written for the Financial Times on what Scunthorpe tells us about the failures of private industry and why history tells us public ownership should be back on the table. on.ft.com/4ltcKgC
Nationalisation is no spectre haunting British manufacturing
[FREE TO READ] Public ownership could be the saviour of the UK’s remaining steel industry
on.ft.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The government is scrabbling towards nationalising Britain’s last basic steelworks at Scunthorpe. I’ve written for the Financial Times on what Scunthorpe tells us about the failures of private industry and why history tells us public ownership should be back on the table. on.ft.com/4ltcKgC
Reposted by Erin Ferguson
LET THIS BE A LESSON TO ALL OF YOU.
As I've been saying (most recently to the northwestern student behavior) you fight authoritarianism by collectively imposing costs on every dictator move. File all the lawsuits, give ZERO INCHES dailynorthwestern.com/2025/04/10/c...
As I've been saying (most recently to the northwestern student behavior) you fight authoritarianism by collectively imposing costs on every dictator move. File all the lawsuits, give ZERO INCHES dailynorthwestern.com/2025/04/10/c...
HHS confirms NU’s funding freeze due to antisemitism
After reports first surfaced Tuesday that the Trump administration had frozen $790 million in federal funding from Northwestern, even the University’s top officials said they’d been left in the dark o...
dailynorthwestern.com
April 10, 2025 at 11:11 PM
LET THIS BE A LESSON TO ALL OF YOU.
As I've been saying (most recently to the northwestern student behavior) you fight authoritarianism by collectively imposing costs on every dictator move. File all the lawsuits, give ZERO INCHES dailynorthwestern.com/2025/04/10/c...
As I've been saying (most recently to the northwestern student behavior) you fight authoritarianism by collectively imposing costs on every dictator move. File all the lawsuits, give ZERO INCHES dailynorthwestern.com/2025/04/10/c...