Louise, Prof/Dr
@louiselocock.bsky.social
Mostly retired qualitative health services researcher, linguist, europhile, cat lover. Other animals welcome.
Mostly in Oxford, occasionally in Aberdeen
I block if you have no bio or posts
She/her
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8109-1930
Mostly in Oxford, occasionally in Aberdeen
I block if you have no bio or posts
She/her
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8109-1930
Pinned
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
But tell us again how Britain and Europe are suppressing freedom of speech.
The White House says the Smithsonian Institution must submit materials about current and upcoming exhibitions and events for a review that will determine whether they express "improper ideology." n.pr/4583d8f
Today is the Smithsonian's deadline to give thousands of documents to the White House
The White House says the Smithsonian Institution must submit materials about current and upcoming exhibitions and events for a review that will determine whether they express "improper ideology."
n.pr
January 13, 2026 at 12:34 PM
But tell us again how Britain and Europe are suppressing freedom of speech.
Is it the beginning of the end?
Sport England suspends X account over abuse of women and girls
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articl...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articl...
Sport England suspends X account over 'abhorrent' output
Public funding agency Sport England suspends its account on Elon Musk's X, claiming it
www.bbc.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Is it the beginning of the end?
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
One-third is the cursèd number in political psychology: in many Western countries over the past century, ~1/3 of the population prefer authoritarianism to democracy.
That's about the proportion of Germans who voted to make Hitler Chancellor & even now in Europe, 1/3 of whites want authoritarianism.
That's about the proportion of Germans who voted to make Hitler Chancellor & even now in Europe, 1/3 of whites want authoritarianism.
January 13, 2026 at 5:34 PM
One-third is the cursèd number in political psychology: in many Western countries over the past century, ~1/3 of the population prefer authoritarianism to democracy.
That's about the proportion of Germans who voted to make Hitler Chancellor & even now in Europe, 1/3 of whites want authoritarianism.
That's about the proportion of Germans who voted to make Hitler Chancellor & even now in Europe, 1/3 of whites want authoritarianism.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Listening to Today on BBC Radio4 and remembering why I hardly ever do these days. Emma Barnett's interview with Sadiq Khan was a disgrace - she is so unnecessarily rude and belligerent. He was calm and professional.
January 12, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Listening to Today on BBC Radio4 and remembering why I hardly ever do these days. Emma Barnett's interview with Sadiq Khan was a disgrace - she is so unnecessarily rude and belligerent. He was calm and professional.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Klan imagery, too. Revolting.
Ukip were using this logo at their October - before now formally applying to register it as a party emblem (which, if approved, could be used on ballot papers). They were also using a burning cross in their pre-conference publicity. Via Searchlight
searchlightmagazine.com/2025/10/ukip...
searchlightmagazine.com/2025/10/ukip...
January 13, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Klan imagery, too. Revolting.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
The UK National Health Service has very clear information on all major medical conditions.
It is browsable by all
Never EVER rely on an LLM for health advice
www.nhs.uk/conditions/
It is browsable by all
Never EVER rely on an LLM for health advice
www.nhs.uk/conditions/
January 12, 2026 at 10:04 PM
The UK National Health Service has very clear information on all major medical conditions.
It is browsable by all
Never EVER rely on an LLM for health advice
www.nhs.uk/conditions/
It is browsable by all
Never EVER rely on an LLM for health advice
www.nhs.uk/conditions/
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
New YouGov. Reform’s decline started from its peak in October and continues steadily as the Tories mildly improve. Beatable.
CON 20% (+1),
LAB 19%(+2),
LDEM 16%(nc),
RefUK 24%(-2),
GRN 14%(-2)
CON 20% (+1),
LAB 19%(+2),
LDEM 16%(nc),
RefUK 24%(-2),
GRN 14%(-2)
January 13, 2026 at 9:52 AM
New YouGov. Reform’s decline started from its peak in October and continues steadily as the Tories mildly improve. Beatable.
CON 20% (+1),
LAB 19%(+2),
LDEM 16%(nc),
RefUK 24%(-2),
GRN 14%(-2)
CON 20% (+1),
LAB 19%(+2),
LDEM 16%(nc),
RefUK 24%(-2),
GRN 14%(-2)
Of course foreign tourists should pay more
From tomorrow, any adult visitor from outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will have to pay €32 to enter the Louvre - a 45% increase.
Louvre fare hikes for non-European tourists spark outcry
Should foreign tourists pay more for state-funded galleries than locals, or should art be accessible to all, without discrimination? France is hiking prices for non-Europeans at the Louvre this week, ...
www.rte.ie
January 13, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Of course foreign tourists should pay more
Brilliant
✂️ Yesterday I finally responded to @agakowalska.bsky.social’s challenge to make a collage from a single piece of packaging. I present to you a green (tea) woodpecker, made from a big Yorkshire Tea box. It was fun and I’ll be rooting through our recycling bin for more materials later on ♻️
January 13, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Brilliant
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Tommy Robinson calls for a foreign power to invade Britain to overthrow our democratically elected prime minister.
He is a Britain-hating traitor.
He is a Britain-hating traitor.
January 12, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Tommy Robinson calls for a foreign power to invade Britain to overthrow our democratically elected prime minister.
He is a Britain-hating traitor.
He is a Britain-hating traitor.
@nationaltrust.org.uk is already good at allowing people to self-guide at their own pace, but being able to sit along the way will be great. (I can't bear guided tours where you have to stand for ages listening to a guide telling you at length stuff you already know or could read in half the time)
‘We want people to sit, pause, relax’: National Trust to open its libraries for public use
‘We want people to sit, pause, relax’: National Trust to open its libraries for public use
Charity plans to make stately homes more welcoming by inviting visitors to use furniture and reading rooms
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:35 AM
@nationaltrust.org.uk is already good at allowing people to self-guide at their own pace, but being able to sit along the way will be great. (I can't bear guided tours where you have to stand for ages listening to a guide telling you at length stuff you already know or could read in half the time)
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
This is really interesting. I’ve visited a few houses with large libraries where the books are protected with wires so you can’t take them off the shelves. Felt like such a waste. In contrast I remember visiting Husserl’s library and being able to pick up volumes and see his annotations. Magical.
‘We want people to sit, pause, relax’: National Trust to open its libraries for public use
‘We want people to sit, pause, relax’: National Trust to open its libraries for public use
Charity plans to make stately homes more welcoming by inviting visitors to use furniture and reading rooms
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:17 AM
This is really interesting. I’ve visited a few houses with large libraries where the books are protected with wires so you can’t take them off the shelves. Felt like such a waste. In contrast I remember visiting Husserl’s library and being able to pick up volumes and see his annotations. Magical.
'Authorising'
Florida Rep Randy Fine has introduced a bill authorising Trump to annexe Greenland and set it on a pathway to becoming America's 51st state.
January 13, 2026 at 7:06 AM
'Authorising'
The cat and I enjoyed this
Because everything sucks right now, here is the epitome of cute noises from a porcupine gleefully eating gourds.
Teddy Bear the Porcupine's Halloween Feast
YouTube video by Zooniversity1
youtu.be
January 13, 2026 at 6:54 AM
The cat and I enjoyed this
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Colleagues: King's College London has a 3-year postdoc opening (2026-2029) for researchers in medical sociology, anthropology, or history of medicine/science with Brazil focus. Application deadline Feb 1, 2026. #AcademicJobs #sociology
https://kcl.ac.uk/jobs/134807-postdoctoral-research-associate
https://kcl.ac.uk/jobs/134807-postdoctoral-research-associate
January 13, 2026 at 4:12 AM
Colleagues: King's College London has a 3-year postdoc opening (2026-2029) for researchers in medical sociology, anthropology, or history of medicine/science with Brazil focus. Application deadline Feb 1, 2026. #AcademicJobs #sociology
https://kcl.ac.uk/jobs/134807-postdoctoral-research-associate
https://kcl.ac.uk/jobs/134807-postdoctoral-research-associate
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Bloomberg clearly doesn't understand how higher ed works
These days schools make much of their tuition revenue off foreign students paying full freight, so when a school is under economic stress the first thing it does is radically increase its foreign student population—even against visa headwinds
These days schools make much of their tuition revenue off foreign students paying full freight, so when a school is under economic stress the first thing it does is radically increase its foreign student population—even against visa headwinds
Harvard University enrolled a record number of international students in the current academic year, even as the Trump administration sought repeatedly to curb student visas and funding for the Ivy League school
Harvard’s Foreign Enrollment Hits Record Despite Trump Battle
Harvard University enrolled a record number of international students in the current academic year, even as the Trump administration sought repeatedly to curb student visas and funding for the Ivy League school.
bloom.bg
January 13, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Bloomberg clearly doesn't understand how higher ed works
These days schools make much of their tuition revenue off foreign students paying full freight, so when a school is under economic stress the first thing it does is radically increase its foreign student population—even against visa headwinds
These days schools make much of their tuition revenue off foreign students paying full freight, so when a school is under economic stress the first thing it does is radically increase its foreign student population—even against visa headwinds
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Really interesting article with cute pictures. Shocking how hedgehogs have been libelled in the past! 🦔🦔🦔
(Thank you, @drnwillburger.bsky.social, for highlighting this one.)
(Thank you, @drnwillburger.bsky.social, for highlighting this one.)
January 12, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Really interesting article with cute pictures. Shocking how hedgehogs have been libelled in the past! 🦔🦔🦔
(Thank you, @drnwillburger.bsky.social, for highlighting this one.)
(Thank you, @drnwillburger.bsky.social, for highlighting this one.)
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
This is beyond shocking - how can this be allowed to happen? Why on earth can’t they be released on bail? They have a right to a fair trial, appropriate medical treatment, & the removal of punitive Prison Service conditions. Govt’s ban on Palestine Action is simply intolerable
Imprisoned hunger striker linked to Palestine Action tells friend: ‘I’m dying’
Imprisoned hunger striker linked to Palestine Action tells friend: ‘I’m dying’
Francesca Nadin visited Heba Muraisi, 31, in a Wakefield prison at the weekend and says ‘her body is shutting down’
*
UK politics live – latest updates
A prisoner linked to Palestine Action who is on day 71 of a hunger strike has told a friend: “I’m dying.”
Francesca Nadin visited Heba Muraisi, 31, at HMP New Hall, in Wakefield, on Saturday for the first time since the protest began and said she was taken aback by her friend’s appearance. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:53 PM
This is beyond shocking - how can this be allowed to happen? Why on earth can’t they be released on bail? They have a right to a fair trial, appropriate medical treatment, & the removal of punitive Prison Service conditions. Govt’s ban on Palestine Action is simply intolerable
This is of course very welcome. But if our stupid first past the post electoral system delivers power to Reform on less than a third of the vote, the great majority of young people are going to feel even more disenfranchised than they already do. Reform doesn't care what they think.
A Deltapoll survey for The Mirror found that 86% of 18-24 year olds want to rejoin the EU. It is time for the Government to listen; young people are the future.
January 12, 2026 at 10:12 PM
This is of course very welcome. But if our stupid first past the post electoral system delivers power to Reform on less than a third of the vote, the great majority of young people are going to feel even more disenfranchised than they already do. Reform doesn't care what they think.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
God every Tory that defects to reform is just an embarassing opportunist
Nigel Farage's calls to scrap race discrimination laws would make Nazis proud, says Tory MP
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Farage is no better than the Nazis, says Tory MP
Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi likened Mr Farage’s call to scrap race discrimination laws to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propaganda
www.independent.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 7:34 PM
God every Tory that defects to reform is just an embarassing opportunist
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Nadhim Zahawi was born in Iraq, today he joined a party that would have stopped him ever coming to the UK.
As hypocritical as you can get.
As hypocritical as you can get.
January 12, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Nadhim Zahawi was born in Iraq, today he joined a party that would have stopped him ever coming to the UK.
As hypocritical as you can get.
As hypocritical as you can get.
Do I detect the hand of @celiarichardson.bsky.social behind this one? 🤣
Opportunities to transform nature don’t get much bigger than this!
We have the opportunity to conserve 340 acres (138 hectares) of biodiverse countryside surrounding the Cerne Abbas Giant, Dorset.
We have the opportunity to conserve 340 acres (138 hectares) of biodiverse countryside surrounding the Cerne Abbas Giant, Dorset.
January 12, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Do I detect the hand of @celiarichardson.bsky.social behind this one? 🤣
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
[nodding so vigorously I've injured myself 🤕]
What Everyone Knows About Britain*
* except the British
@mikepeeljourno.bsky.social
What Everyone Knows About Britain*
* except the British
@mikepeeljourno.bsky.social
January 12, 2026 at 6:19 PM
[nodding so vigorously I've injured myself 🤕]
What Everyone Knows About Britain*
* except the British
@mikepeeljourno.bsky.social
What Everyone Knows About Britain*
* except the British
@mikepeeljourno.bsky.social
Moving encounter on the bus just now with a young Iranian guy, who can't contact his sister back home, and who addressed the whole bus to ask for our support for #Iran and its people
January 12, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Moving encounter on the bus just now with a young Iranian guy, who can't contact his sister back home, and who addressed the whole bus to ask for our support for #Iran and its people
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Khan: "[London is] one of the safest.. cities in the world when it comes to homicide. We're safer than Paris, Milan, Rome, Brussels, Berlin.. two and half times safer than NY, 5 times safer than LA, 12 times safer than Chicago.. those that spread lies have a problem with London"
January 12, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Khan: "[London is] one of the safest.. cities in the world when it comes to homicide. We're safer than Paris, Milan, Rome, Brussels, Berlin.. two and half times safer than NY, 5 times safer than LA, 12 times safer than Chicago.. those that spread lies have a problem with London"