Laurence Cooley
@lpcooley.bsky.social
Politics lecturer, University of Birmingham
Work on the politics of deeply divided societies (mostly Northern Ireland these days), including power-sharing, demography and the census. Currently also thinking about Lough Neagh. UCU rep. #firstgen
Work on the politics of deeply divided societies (mostly Northern Ireland these days), including power-sharing, demography and the census. Currently also thinking about Lough Neagh. UCU rep. #firstgen
Pinned
The environment as a second policy dimension in a deeply divided society: The politics of Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh crisis - Timofey Agarin, Laurence Cooley, Elliott Hill, 2025
Environmental concerns are often marginalised in post-conflict societies. Especially under power-sharing, political parties tend to prioritise their ethno-natio...
journals.sagepub.com
This article is now out in @bjpir.bsky.social! In it, we explain why government action to tackle the ecological crisis at Lough Neagh has lagged behind the apparent rhetorical consensus about its importance. Has Muir been set up to fail? #LoughNeagh #openaccess journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
Pioneering dissection of how environmental politics can play out in post-conflict societies, in this case Northern Ireland and the Lough Neagh crisis in the context of competing ‘ethno-nationalist … segmented’ electoral blocks.
@marcmulholland.bsky.social.
@marcmulholland.bsky.social.
This article is now out in @bjpir.bsky.social! In it, we explain why government action to tackle the ecological crisis at Lough Neagh has lagged behind the apparent rhetorical consensus about its importance. Has Muir been set up to fail? #LoughNeagh #openaccess journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
The environment as a second policy dimension in a deeply divided society: The politics of Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh crisis - Timofey Agarin, Laurence Cooley, Elliott Hill, 2025
Environmental concerns are often marginalised in post-conflict societies. Especially under power-sharing, political parties tend to prioritise their ethno-natio...
journals.sagepub.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Pioneering dissection of how environmental politics can play out in post-conflict societies, in this case Northern Ireland and the Lough Neagh crisis in the context of competing ‘ethno-nationalist … segmented’ electoral blocks.
@marcmulholland.bsky.social.
@marcmulholland.bsky.social.
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
New vacancy (Junior Research Fellowship) working on the Northern Ireland Peace Process at the Quill Project in Oxford!
Based at Pembroke College with funding from the Carnegie Foundation of New York.
See details here: www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/juni...
Based at Pembroke College with funding from the Carnegie Foundation of New York.
See details here: www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/juni...
Junior Research Fellowship in the Northern Ireland Peace Process (Quill Project)
Pembroke College wishes to appoint a Junior Research Fellow in the History of the Northern Ireland Peace Process. The appointment will be from early 2026 until 31 July 2027. The post is full-time and ...
www.pmb.ox.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:34 AM
New vacancy (Junior Research Fellowship) working on the Northern Ireland Peace Process at the Quill Project in Oxford!
Based at Pembroke College with funding from the Carnegie Foundation of New York.
See details here: www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/juni...
Based at Pembroke College with funding from the Carnegie Foundation of New York.
See details here: www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/juni...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
In simple terms: the SF-DUP duopoly will say all the right things but take no action to deal with the Lough Neagh crisis.
This article is now out in @bjpir.bsky.social! In it, we explain why government action to tackle the ecological crisis at Lough Neagh has lagged behind the apparent rhetorical consensus about its importance. Has Muir been set up to fail? #LoughNeagh #openaccess journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
The environment as a second policy dimension in a deeply divided society: The politics of Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh crisis - Timofey Agarin, Laurence Cooley, Elliott Hill, 2025
Environmental concerns are often marginalised in post-conflict societies. Especially under power-sharing, political parties tend to prioritise their ethno-natio...
journals.sagepub.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 AM
In simple terms: the SF-DUP duopoly will say all the right things but take no action to deal with the Lough Neagh crisis.
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
This article is now out in @bjpir.bsky.social! In it, we explain why government action to tackle the ecological crisis at Lough Neagh has lagged behind the apparent rhetorical consensus about its importance. Has Muir been set up to fail? #LoughNeagh #openaccess journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
The environment as a second policy dimension in a deeply divided society: The politics of Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh crisis - Timofey Agarin, Laurence Cooley, Elliott Hill, 2025
Environmental concerns are often marginalised in post-conflict societies. Especially under power-sharing, political parties tend to prioritise their ethno-natio...
journals.sagepub.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:39 AM
This article is now out in @bjpir.bsky.social! In it, we explain why government action to tackle the ecological crisis at Lough Neagh has lagged behind the apparent rhetorical consensus about its importance. Has Muir been set up to fail? #LoughNeagh #openaccess journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
We've just launched a new policy brief series, evaluating the Dayton Agreement at 30. A partnership between @inclusivepeaceora.bsky.social and the Forum of Federations, our first brief examines public opinions on constitutional reform options in BiH. Read it here: www.forumfed.org/collection/f...
Federalism, Power-sharing, and Citizen Inclusion: Evaluating the Dayton Agreement at 30 Archives - Forum of Federations
Policy Brief Series November 21, 2025, marks 30 years since an agreement to end the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was reached. The Dayton Agreement established an uneasy peace as well as a complex con...
www.forumfed.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
We've just launched a new policy brief series, evaluating the Dayton Agreement at 30. A partnership between @inclusivepeaceora.bsky.social and the Forum of Federations, our first brief examines public opinions on constitutional reform options in BiH. Read it here: www.forumfed.org/collection/f...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
Britpilled: the process of radicalsing an Irish person into a far-right reactionary through the consumption of British media and British social media.
You will have to imagine my surprise, because I am not surprised. The dogshit rightwing Irish 'patriots' who fall for this psyop should cop on = it's just another anglo invasion, wake up, muppets.
From the ireland community on Reddit: With X's latest update, it's funny seeing most of the "Irish patriot" accounts all getting outed as Brits
Explore this post and more from the ireland community
www.reddit.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Britpilled: the process of radicalsing an Irish person into a far-right reactionary through the consumption of British media and British social media.
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
Last week, Danny Tommo and his mates were filmed slashing a refugee boat in France. Later, at a pub in the West Midlands, they were discussing another, bigger action next weekend.
So what are they up to?
searchlightmagazine.com/2025/11/what...
So what are they up to?
searchlightmagazine.com/2025/11/what...
What are Danny Tommo and his mates planning in France next weekend? | Searchlight
Danny Tommo making a point at the Bromsgrove meeting British vigilantes travelled to northern France last week and posted footage of themselves digging up, ...
searchlightmagazine.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Last week, Danny Tommo and his mates were filmed slashing a refugee boat in France. Later, at a pub in the West Midlands, they were discussing another, bigger action next weekend.
So what are they up to?
searchlightmagazine.com/2025/11/what...
So what are they up to?
searchlightmagazine.com/2025/11/what...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
I dunno, convert some of the endless paved space reserved for cars into green space that can absorb water, maybe?
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Is there anything we can do to alleviate flash floods in the West Midlands
Experts say housebuilding and concrete drives are making floods worse, but that there are things we can do.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I dunno, convert some of the endless paved space reserved for cars into green space that can absorb water, maybe?
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
Three different articles on the BelTel alone today, showcasing appropriate anger at PEACEPlus (the EU programme) and Co-operation Ireland for financing proscribed organisations, specifically the South East Antrim UDA, that was behind the Ballymena race riots in June.
Splashing a million pound of our money on a gang of thugs is beyond sick
Public services in Northern Ireland are collapsing, and we’re constantly told there’s not enough money to fix them.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Three different articles on the BelTel alone today, showcasing appropriate anger at PEACEPlus (the EU programme) and Co-operation Ireland for financing proscribed organisations, specifically the South East Antrim UDA, that was behind the Ballymena race riots in June.
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
New York Times coverage of lawsuit requesting names of Jewish employees at Penn.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Federal Suit Seeking Names of Some Jewish Employees at Penn Sparks Backlash
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:05 PM
New York Times coverage of lawsuit requesting names of Jewish employees at Penn.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
Cas Mudde spells out what has become largely the consensus among researchers: moving right on immigration will not weaken the far right nor strengthen social democracy. If your reaction is "but in Denmark" please at least familiarize yourself with Danish politics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Cas Mudde spells out what has become largely the consensus among researchers: moving right on immigration will not weaken the far right nor strengthen social democracy. If your reaction is "but in Denmark" please at least familiarize yourself with Danish politics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 21, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
This is one of the changes in the UK media landscape that should be more remarked on: the fact that being a very open, proud, outright racist is no longer a bar to being a pundit on some TV stations (in this case GBN and Talk TV).
Lucy White advocates a ban on "non-natives" from office, citing Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel.
So she is referring to UK-born ethnic minority citizens. (Her argument would apply equally to Shabana Mahmood, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman and others)
Lucy White continues to be a GB News regular
So she is referring to UK-born ethnic minority citizens. (Her argument would apply equally to Shabana Mahmood, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman and others)
Lucy White continues to be a GB News regular
November 21, 2025 at 11:12 AM
This is one of the changes in the UK media landscape that should be more remarked on: the fact that being a very open, proud, outright racist is no longer a bar to being a pundit on some TV stations (in this case GBN and Talk TV).
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
This is an excellent piece in a week when so many people are talking about Dayton 30 years on..... and often ignoring the role that "the west" has played in reinforcing the dysfunctional political economy enabled precisely by the Dayton structure
My latest for Balkan Insight: my view of the speech that High Representative Christian Schmidt and Head of EU Delegation Luigi Soreca SHOULD deliver on the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement on Friday in #Bosnia and Herzegovina.
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/17/b...
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/17/b...
Beyond Dayton: Imagining a Better Deal for Bosnia
What, in an ideal world, might the chief international envoys in Bosnia and Herzegovina say to make this week’s 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords really a day to remember?
balkaninsight.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:19 AM
This is an excellent piece in a week when so many people are talking about Dayton 30 years on..... and often ignoring the role that "the west" has played in reinforcing the dysfunctional political economy enabled precisely by the Dayton structure
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
64 of UK higher education institutions were predicted in May this year to be in deficit next year; now that figure is 114, a significant worsening of the situation, with liquidity problems also rising. 1/2
Many English universities to report deficits despite rise in tuition fees
Continued funding squeeze and volatile student enrolment will continue to hit finances, regulator warns
www.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:46 AM
64 of UK higher education institutions were predicted in May this year to be in deficit next year; now that figure is 114, a significant worsening of the situation, with liquidity problems also rising. 1/2
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
This is, of course, a stark betrayal of the New School’s storied history and animating spirit. It demonstrates something many of us know intellectually but have trouble grasping: many university leaders *do not care* about, even *actively despise*, the basic values that bring us to work every day.
The New School is now a place where students cannot major in History, Anthropology, Sociology, Global Policy & International Affairs, Global Studies, Urban Studies, or Environmental Studies. And more pauses, closures, and mergers coming down the pike this week. The future is uncertain.
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This is, of course, a stark betrayal of the New School’s storied history and animating spirit. It demonstrates something many of us know intellectually but have trouble grasping: many university leaders *do not care* about, even *actively despise*, the basic values that bring us to work every day.
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
This issue includes articles by our colleague, Dr Dawn Walsh @dawnwalsh.bsky.social , and our former PhD student, Dr Emma Murphy @emmamurphy.bsky.social , including:
"Gender quota adoption for commissions in post-conflict societies" by Dawn Walsh and Emma Murphy
journals.sagepub.com/toc/ipsa/46/5
"Gender quota adoption for commissions in post-conflict societies" by Dawn Walsh and Emma Murphy
journals.sagepub.com/toc/ipsa/46/5
IPSR Special Issue: Inclusion and Commissions in Peace Processes
www.ipsa.org/na/news/ipsr...
www.ipsa.org/na/news/ipsr...
November 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
This issue includes articles by our colleague, Dr Dawn Walsh @dawnwalsh.bsky.social , and our former PhD student, Dr Emma Murphy @emmamurphy.bsky.social , including:
"Gender quota adoption for commissions in post-conflict societies" by Dawn Walsh and Emma Murphy
journals.sagepub.com/toc/ipsa/46/5
"Gender quota adoption for commissions in post-conflict societies" by Dawn Walsh and Emma Murphy
journals.sagepub.com/toc/ipsa/46/5
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
"no one leaves home unless
home is the mouth of a shark
you only run for the border
when you see the whole city running as well"
- Warsaw Shire
#spéirghorm #speirgorm
home is the mouth of a shark
you only run for the border
when you see the whole city running as well"
- Warsaw Shire
#spéirghorm #speirgorm
Fleeing From The North
Fleeing the North of Ireland across the border in times of conflict.
www.rte.ie
November 15, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"no one leaves home unless
home is the mouth of a shark
you only run for the border
when you see the whole city running as well"
- Warsaw Shire
#spéirghorm #speirgorm
home is the mouth of a shark
you only run for the border
when you see the whole city running as well"
- Warsaw Shire
#spéirghorm #speirgorm
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
With apologies to those whose yoga classes were disrupted by the 1916 Rising, Bolands Mills is back open again.
November 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
With apologies to those whose yoga classes were disrupted by the 1916 Rising, Bolands Mills is back open again.
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
The main finding is that the increased far right presence in the EP is starting to impact policy. But it's happening primarily through influencing the mainstream, that is, the EPP. For more, read the paper here: www.cer.eu/insights/far...
The far right’s impact on the EU’s climate agenda
The far right is stronger than ever in the European Parliament. And climate policy has become a testing ground for its influence.
www.cer.eu
November 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The main finding is that the increased far right presence in the EP is starting to impact policy. But it's happening primarily through influencing the mainstream, that is, the EPP. For more, read the paper here: www.cer.eu/insights/far...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
Flaggers’ mask slips as fascists and nazis take centre stage
Don’t call us fascists. We’re just ordinary folk worried about our women and kids.”
It’s the familiar refrain from the groups of self-styled “patriots,” “anti-groomers,” and flag-wavers who have sprung up in towns across the country.
Don’t call us fascists. We’re just ordinary folk worried about our women and kids.”
It’s the familiar refrain from the groups of self-styled “patriots,” “anti-groomers,” and flag-wavers who have sprung up in towns across the country.
Flaggers' mask slips as fascists and nazis take centre stage | Searchlight
Britain First leader Golding addresses Kent flaggers “Don’t you dare call us fascists. We’re just ordinary folk worried about our women and kids.” It’s the ...
searchlightmagazine.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Flaggers’ mask slips as fascists and nazis take centre stage
Don’t call us fascists. We’re just ordinary folk worried about our women and kids.”
It’s the familiar refrain from the groups of self-styled “patriots,” “anti-groomers,” and flag-wavers who have sprung up in towns across the country.
Don’t call us fascists. We’re just ordinary folk worried about our women and kids.”
It’s the familiar refrain from the groups of self-styled “patriots,” “anti-groomers,” and flag-wavers who have sprung up in towns across the country.
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
Among the many things wrong with Labour’s immigration strategy, this stands out: to “fight” a few thousand so-called illegal migrants, Shabana Mahmood is willing to make life hell for hundreds of thousands of people who are legally in the UK.
🔗 theconversation.com/labours-plan...
🔗 theconversation.com/labours-plan...
Labour’s plan for migrants to ‘earn’ permanent residency turns belonging into an endless exam
In this hierarchical system, migrants are kept on extended probation and judged by standards never applied to British nationals.
theconversation.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Among the many things wrong with Labour’s immigration strategy, this stands out: to “fight” a few thousand so-called illegal migrants, Shabana Mahmood is willing to make life hell for hundreds of thousands of people who are legally in the UK.
🔗 theconversation.com/labours-plan...
🔗 theconversation.com/labours-plan...
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
After failing to divide Stirchley (Birmingham, UK), RtC have decided to turn their selective video editing skills and faux patriotism to France.
Operation: France Stop The Boats 🤬
● Des britanniques de l'organisation RACISTES d'extrême droite *Raise the colours* mènent des actions contre les migrants EN FRANCE et s'en vantent sans que personne réagisse. 🤬
x.com/RTCORGUK/sta...
🆘 🆘 🆘 @ldh.fr
● Des britanniques de l'organisation RACISTES d'extrême droite *Raise the colours* mènent des actions contre les migrants EN FRANCE et s'en vantent sans que personne réagisse. 🤬
x.com/RTCORGUK/sta...
🆘 🆘 🆘 @ldh.fr
November 15, 2025 at 12:34 PM
After failing to divide Stirchley (Birmingham, UK), RtC have decided to turn their selective video editing skills and faux patriotism to France.
Reposted by Laurence Cooley
Carrion and Earth www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Niamh Gallagher · Carrion and Earth: Ireland’s Great Famine
Although Ireland had endured earlier famines – including one in the 1740s that, proportionally, claimed more lives...
www.lrb.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Carrion and Earth www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...