Geth Rees
@gethrees.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Newcastle University. Interested in understanding the intersection of medicine and criminal justice, but also likely to be talking about Japanese Roleplaying Games (JRPGs), running and Star Wars.
More evidence of denial of prescribed medications in police custody. Was already planning on referring to the Palestine Action protestors to introduce the book, but this article seals it.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Arrested retirees ‘vindicated’ by ruling against Palestine Action proscription
Protesters welcome high court decision but many remain in legal limbo as government prepares to lodge appeal
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:47 AM
More evidence of denial of prescribed medications in police custody. Was already planning on referring to the Palestine Action protestors to introduce the book, but this article seals it.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by Geth Rees
Always nice to spot a videogame phone box www.spiritofdee.com/2026/02/phon... #redphonebox
Phone Box Thursday: Midgar Phone Boxes – Spirit of Dee
www.spiritofdee.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Always nice to spot a videogame phone box www.spiritofdee.com/2026/02/phon... #redphonebox
Reposted by Geth Rees
I think the people of this country have had enough of tax-exile billionaires.
February 12, 2026 at 3:14 PM
I think the people of this country have had enough of tax-exile billionaires.
I'll accept there's a debate to be had on immigration when this government agree there's a debate to be had on billionaire greed.
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Ratcliffe says sorry his language 'offended some people' after criticism of immigration comments - live updates - BBC News
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Ratcliffe says sorry his language 'offended some people' after criticism of immigration comments - live updates - BBC News
Ratcliffe says sorry his language 'offended some people' after criticism of immigration comments - live updates
The Man Utd co-owner says it's important to talk about
www.bbc.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 1:13 PM
I'll accept there's a debate to be had on immigration when this government agree there's a debate to be had on billionaire greed.
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Ratcliffe says sorry his language 'offended some people' after criticism of immigration comments - live updates - BBC News
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Ratcliffe says sorry his language 'offended some people' after criticism of immigration comments - live updates - BBC News
I can imagine Peston was absolutely bamboozled to get a direct answer to a direct question.
When the Green Party is this impressive, what excuse does anyone have for voting Labour? Considering the damage Labour has done I think most people who are left wing in England will be voting Green from now on
“Are you firmly in favour of rejoining the European Union?" - Robert Peston
“Firmly very much in favour. Brexit has been a disaster under any criteria, under any measure" - Zack Polanski
“Firmly very much in favour. Brexit has been a disaster under any criteria, under any measure" - Zack Polanski
February 12, 2026 at 9:14 AM
I can imagine Peston was absolutely bamboozled to get a direct answer to a direct question.
Never thought in a million years that I'd be defending REF, but if the alternative is an AI based assessment, REF me up!
“I have serious questions about the…usefulness of the REF,” Ivison also said, pointing to the fact that Australia scrapped its equivalent programme after a 2020 review'.
Such a role model for UK HE, Australian HE. So very flourishing. 1/2
Such a role model for UK HE, Australian HE. So very flourishing. 1/2
Scrapping REF should be “serious’ option”, says Manchester VC.
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
February 10, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Never thought in a million years that I'd be defending REF, but if the alternative is an AI based assessment, REF me up!
Not been discussing Star Wars much but this video emphasising the similarities between Bad Bunny's half-time show and Star Wars messaging is a good place to begin.
February 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Not been discussing Star Wars much but this video emphasising the similarities between Bad Bunny's half-time show and Star Wars messaging is a good place to begin.
Have a chapter in this wonderful collection on the case of Jade Blue who was raped and the accused stated that Jade was in a sleepwalking state at the time (and had sex with him). The chapter shows the limits to burden of proof and expert evidence. Looking forward to it being out. Well done editors.
Delighted that this edited collection, which I co-edited with colleagues Emma Yapp and Adeline Moussion Esteve during my postdoc at @bbkhistorical.bsky.social will be published in April in Palgrave's Genders and Sexualities in History series
link.springer.com/book/9783032...
link.springer.com/book/9783032...
Sexual Violence in Medicine and Psychiatry
This book explores how medical and psychiatric knowledge, practitioners, and practices respond to sexual violence.
link.springer.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Have a chapter in this wonderful collection on the case of Jade Blue who was raped and the accused stated that Jade was in a sleepwalking state at the time (and had sex with him). The chapter shows the limits to burden of proof and expert evidence. Looking forward to it being out. Well done editors.
Remember when Labour focused on "Education, Education, Education", happy days. Now, with a miniscule proportion of university budgets being provided by the public purse, we will see what's happening in Southend-on-Sea repeated across the country. Shameful.
Incandescent. One of the best pieces I've read about what university means to people and their communities - and what will happen to a city and people after one closes. The *Labour* government and Jaqui Smith in particular should be ashamed of themselves and shamed into doing something. Deplorable.
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Remember when Labour focused on "Education, Education, Education", happy days. Now, with a miniscule proportion of university budgets being provided by the public purse, we will see what's happening in Southend-on-Sea repeated across the country. Shameful.
Reposted by Geth Rees
Incandescent. One of the best pieces I've read about what university means to people and their communities - and what will happen to a city and people after one closes. The *Labour* government and Jaqui Smith in particular should be ashamed of themselves and shamed into doing something. Deplorable.
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Incandescent. One of the best pieces I've read about what university means to people and their communities - and what will happen to a city and people after one closes. The *Labour* government and Jaqui Smith in particular should be ashamed of themselves and shamed into doing something. Deplorable.
Reposted by Geth Rees
From tomorrow, Friday 30 January, ballot papers will start to arrive by post for VP (HE and FE), and several key positions on our NEC.
We're supporting our own @markpendleton.bsky.social for VP (HE) and independent @suzitoole.bsky.social for VP (FE) & lots of other great people. Please share! #UCU
We're supporting our own @markpendleton.bsky.social for VP (HE) and independent @suzitoole.bsky.social for VP (FE) & lots of other great people. Please share! #UCU
February 1, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Reposted by Geth Rees
Take part in the essential networking event for Medical Sociology academics and professionals – Call for Papers by 10 April for the BSA Medical Sociology Annual Conference, 8-10 September, Northumbria University tinyurl.com/3d8bbyrb #sociology
January 30, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Take part in the essential networking event for Medical Sociology academics and professionals – Call for Papers by 10 April for the BSA Medical Sociology Annual Conference, 8-10 September, Northumbria University tinyurl.com/3d8bbyrb #sociology
Funded places for PhD Students!
@vp-centre.bsky.social will sponsor the attendance fees and accommodation for 16 PhD students to attend LEPH2026 Conference and the Postgraduate Day in Leeds, UK this September.
🔗 Apply by 9 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT: leph2026.org/funded-places/
@vp-centre.bsky.social will sponsor the attendance fees and accommodation for 16 PhD students to attend LEPH2026 Conference and the Postgraduate Day in Leeds, UK this September.
🔗 Apply by 9 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT: leph2026.org/funded-places/
January 26, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Reposted by Geth Rees
UK universities aren't dying, they're being murdered... And this article gives a really excellent account of the culprits. It should be a quick read for a ministerial bundle, for the Govt are at the moment a huge part of the problem:
share.google/fye1hr3UB2vh...
share.google/fye1hr3UB2vh...
Why are UK universities failing? - LSE Impact
The HE sector in the UK faces the prospect of a university going into administration. How have universities fallen so low and is change possible?
share.google
January 26, 2026 at 9:07 AM
UK universities aren't dying, they're being murdered... And this article gives a really excellent account of the culprits. It should be a quick read for a ministerial bundle, for the Govt are at the moment a huge part of the problem:
share.google/fye1hr3UB2vh...
share.google/fye1hr3UB2vh...
Given what we've learnt about persons in detention over the last five years, I cannot begin to explain how dangerous (and downright hateful) this action is. Even more deaths on their hands than what we presently know.
I’ve been writing Popular Information for 8 years, and this is one of the most important stories I’ve ever published. This is a humanitarian crisis that has gone unreported.
ICE has stopped paying for detainee medical treatment
ICE halted payments in October, and the situation will persist for at least several more months
popular.info
January 20, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Given what we've learnt about persons in detention over the last five years, I cannot begin to explain how dangerous (and downright hateful) this action is. Even more deaths on their hands than what we presently know.
Reposted by Geth Rees
Meanwhile, significant voices in the scientific community proclaim that science isn't political and pile onto social science and humanities researchers who suggest otherwise.
We need much more attention to histories and philosophies of science at this crucial juncture, including from policy-makers.
We need much more attention to histories and philosophies of science at this crucial juncture, including from policy-makers.
‘It’s a horrible mess’: How Trump’s first year has changed research.
Policy experts weigh up year of funding cuts, travel bans and threats to academic freedom.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
Policy experts weigh up year of funding cuts, travel bans and threats to academic freedom.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
‘It’s a horrible mess’: How Trump’s first year has changed research - Research Professional News
Policy experts weigh up year of funding cuts, travel bans and threats to academic freedom
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Meanwhile, significant voices in the scientific community proclaim that science isn't political and pile onto social science and humanities researchers who suggest otherwise.
We need much more attention to histories and philosophies of science at this crucial juncture, including from policy-makers.
We need much more attention to histories and philosophies of science at this crucial juncture, including from policy-makers.
Reposted by Geth Rees
It's almost time! Only one week until our new #podcast series, Sick Society drops! All about the weird and wonderful ways the world around us influences our #health. Catch a preview here. youtu.be/w3SqH5Y8VoE?...
Why Health Misinformation Thrives on Guilt and Uncertainty
YouTube video by Sick Society
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 8:56 PM
It's almost time! Only one week until our new #podcast series, Sick Society drops! All about the weird and wonderful ways the world around us influences our #health. Catch a preview here. youtu.be/w3SqH5Y8VoE?...
Made the decision stop using Amazon this year and so needed a new bookstore. Was delighted to find @booksplease.bsky.social who very efficiently and effectively were able to source and deliver my books (faster than the other place were estimating). Excellent service and I recommend them to you all.
January 17, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Made the decision stop using Amazon this year and so needed a new bookstore. Was delighted to find @booksplease.bsky.social who very efficiently and effectively were able to source and deliver my books (faster than the other place were estimating). Excellent service and I recommend them to you all.
Reposted by Geth Rees
Please help spread the word on this, especially to those who may be feeling cold winds towards their research.
We’ve opened the call for our International Fellowships, enabling early career researchers to work for two years at a UK research institution
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
We’ve opened the call for our International Fellowships, enabling early career researchers to work for two years at a UK research institution
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
January 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Please help spread the word on this, especially to those who may be feeling cold winds towards their research.
We’ve opened the call for our International Fellowships, enabling early career researchers to work for two years at a UK research institution
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
We’ve opened the call for our International Fellowships, enabling early career researchers to work for two years at a UK research institution
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
Way behind on this but finally got round to watching the BBC Panorama on Charing Cross Custody and feel physically sick. Held off as I focused on our data for the book, but want to reference this doc in the conclusion. Absolutely shocking but not unexpected. share.google/2VQyikOQToZC...
BBC One - Panorama, Undercover in the Police
Secret filming reveals evidence of racism and misogyny at Charing Cross Police Station.
share.google
January 14, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Way behind on this but finally got round to watching the BBC Panorama on Charing Cross Custody and feel physically sick. Held off as I focused on our data for the book, but want to reference this doc in the conclusion. Absolutely shocking but not unexpected. share.google/2VQyikOQToZC...
Reposted by Geth Rees
We are still recruiting - any reshares would be greatly appreciated!
Call for participants! 📣📷
We are recruiting 18 - 25 year olds (living in the UK) to take part in a quick survey on the Supreme Court Ruling. Please share!
Link: sunduni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7Qi6ymplMg7X5CS
We are recruiting 18 - 25 year olds (living in the UK) to take part in a quick survey on the Supreme Court Ruling. Please share!
Link: sunduni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7Qi6ymplMg7X5CS
January 6, 2026 at 4:22 PM
We are still recruiting - any reshares would be greatly appreciated!
Would like to welcome @gabriellamwedzi.bsky.social to Bluesky. Gabriella's PhD was an exceptional ethnography of intimate partner violence experienced by women in Black Pentecostal churches. She seamlessly showed the impacts of migration, gender, class and religion. Definitely one to follow.
January 12, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Would like to welcome @gabriellamwedzi.bsky.social to Bluesky. Gabriella's PhD was an exceptional ethnography of intimate partner violence experienced by women in Black Pentecostal churches. She seamlessly showed the impacts of migration, gender, class and religion. Definitely one to follow.
Brilliant thread on the recent history of forensic science in England, especially it's privatisation, which has been shown to put forensic science into a "graveyard spiral." Given the similar timing of privatisation of forensic medicine, perhaps we need a similar history/analysis of that.
1/15 A thread. 15 years of govt neglect of forensic science. The Forensic Science Service was pushed from public service to a commercial model, then closed in 2012. removing national capacity and R&D, and independence from policing. forensicscienceincrisis.substack.com/p/where-to-s...)
The Rise and Fall of the Forensic Science Service
The UK was known around the world for the quality of its forensic science. The Forensic Science Service was a huge a part of that. It was closed in 2012.
forensicscienceincrisis.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Brilliant thread on the recent history of forensic science in England, especially it's privatisation, which has been shown to put forensic science into a "graveyard spiral." Given the similar timing of privatisation of forensic medicine, perhaps we need a similar history/analysis of that.
Reposted by Geth Rees
For 1st #ECRFriday of 2026: @danicadarley.bsky.social
This, co-authored with Dr Waite, focuses on how the operationalisation of 'vulnerability' can hinder the support/protection its use is supposed to engender.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#Criminology
#CriminalJustice
#SocialPolicy
This, co-authored with Dr Waite, focuses on how the operationalisation of 'vulnerability' can hinder the support/protection its use is supposed to engender.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#Criminology
#CriminalJustice
#SocialPolicy
Problematising ‘Vulnerability’ in Women's Prisons
‘Vulnerability’ is a commonly used but little understood term in the field of social policy and beyond. The refocusing of our criminal justice system around notions of ‘vulnerability’ has had wide-re...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:06 PM
For 1st #ECRFriday of 2026: @danicadarley.bsky.social
This, co-authored with Dr Waite, focuses on how the operationalisation of 'vulnerability' can hinder the support/protection its use is supposed to engender.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#Criminology
#CriminalJustice
#SocialPolicy
This, co-authored with Dr Waite, focuses on how the operationalisation of 'vulnerability' can hinder the support/protection its use is supposed to engender.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#Criminology
#CriminalJustice
#SocialPolicy