Dr. Lucy Mayblin
@mayblin.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer Sociology & Co-Director Migration Research Group, University of Sheffield, UK.
www.lucymayblin.com
www.sheffield.ac.uk/migration-research-group
www.Channelcrossings.org
www.lucymayblin.com
www.sheffield.ac.uk/migration-research-group
www.Channelcrossings.org
Pinned
Dr. Lucy Mayblin
@mayblin.bsky.social
· May 1
(no title)
Visit the post for more.
www.channelcrossings.org
New work from the www.channelcrossings.org team!
We have been gathering a dataset of contracts that the government has with private companies related to Channel crossings. We are calling this the ‘border economy’. We have identified over £3billion worth of contracts...
We have been gathering a dataset of contracts that the government has with private companies related to Channel crossings. We are calling this the ‘border economy’. We have identified over £3billion worth of contracts...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
How to use critical discourse analysis in your research: 2-day, in-person workshop for PhD students & early career researchers.
15 & 16 January 2026
Sheffield, UK
Details:
www.discourseacademy.org/event-detail...
15 & 16 January 2026
Sheffield, UK
Details:
www.discourseacademy.org/event-detail...
November 13, 2025 at 12:08 PM
How to use critical discourse analysis in your research: 2-day, in-person workshop for PhD students & early career researchers.
15 & 16 January 2026
Sheffield, UK
Details:
www.discourseacademy.org/event-detail...
15 & 16 January 2026
Sheffield, UK
Details:
www.discourseacademy.org/event-detail...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
#PalestineSolidarity roving picket visiting the excellent picket at Firth Court. #UCUstrike @ucu.org.uk @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ucuhallam.bsky.social #sheffield
November 18, 2025 at 4:45 PM
#PalestineSolidarity roving picket visiting the excellent picket at Firth Court. #UCUstrike @ucu.org.uk @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ucuhallam.bsky.social #sheffield
The Amnesty International International Secretariat have just published a report. It explicitly highlights how racial discrimination in the context of visa policies and processes impacts activists from outside of Europe. Good to see Amnesty doing this kind of work. www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Europe: Closing the door? How visa policies in Europe's Schengen area fail human rights defenders - Amnesty International
This report highlights the obstacles faced by human rights defenders (HRDs) from visa-restricted countries who want to access the Schengen area to fulfil their right to defend rights. It presents a…
www.amnesty.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM
The Amnesty International International Secretariat have just published a report. It explicitly highlights how racial discrimination in the context of visa policies and processes impacts activists from outside of Europe. Good to see Amnesty doing this kind of work. www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
This is an excellent summary of this week's UK asylum announcements from Free Movement. freemovement.org.uk/home-secreta...
Home Secretary announces major asylum and other changes in new policy paper: "Restoring Order and Control" - Free Movement
Following a plethora of media briefings and coverage over the past few days, the Home Secretary has officially published her policy paper on "Restoring Order
freemovement.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This is an excellent summary of this week's UK asylum announcements from Free Movement. freemovement.org.uk/home-secreta...
Dismayed to hear more divisive and hostile rhetoric from the latest Home Secretary? Depressed by more cruel and punitive policies which will harm people who are seeking asylum and will do nothing to stop the rise of Reform or reduce small boat Channel crossings? ...
ASSIST Winter Solidarity Appeal | ASSIST Sheffield
The ASSIST Winter Solidarity Appeal provides a vital safety net for destitute asylum seekers in Sheffield. Choose your action: Donate, Act, or Share their story.
www.assistsheffield.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Dismayed to hear more divisive and hostile rhetoric from the latest Home Secretary? Depressed by more cruel and punitive policies which will harm people who are seeking asylum and will do nothing to stop the rise of Reform or reduce small boat Channel crossings? ...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
Tomorrow @sheffielducu.bsky.social begins four weeks of strike action over the continuous restructuring of programs and departments and threats of compulsory redundancies imposed by university management. We are holding a joint rally with our sister branch at SHU which is facing similar threats.
JOINT RALLY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Join us on Monday 17th November, 12:30PM @ Bakers Pool, Sheffield. For a joint rally with Uni of Sheffield. There will be speakers from both branches and we will hear from Dave Pike, TUC Regional Secretary, NE Yorkshire and Humber.
Join us on Monday 17th November, 12:30PM @ Bakers Pool, Sheffield. For a joint rally with Uni of Sheffield. There will be speakers from both branches and we will hear from Dave Pike, TUC Regional Secretary, NE Yorkshire and Humber.
November 16, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Tomorrow @sheffielducu.bsky.social begins four weeks of strike action over the continuous restructuring of programs and departments and threats of compulsory redundancies imposed by university management. We are holding a joint rally with our sister branch at SHU which is facing similar threats.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
Looking forward to this workshop! Join me, @kranertmichael.bsky.social , Tom Bartlett and Jane Mulderrig to work on using CDA in your research!
How to use critical discourse analysis in your research: 2-day, in-person workshop for PhD students & early career researchers.
15 & 16 January 2026
Sheffield, UK
Details:
www.discourseacademy.org/event-detail...
15 & 16 January 2026
Sheffield, UK
Details:
www.discourseacademy.org/event-detail...
November 13, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Looking forward to this workshop! Join me, @kranertmichael.bsky.social , Tom Bartlett and Jane Mulderrig to work on using CDA in your research!
We are so proud to be part of the Migration Scholars Mobilise Global Day of Action today! Sheffield folks, come down to the Jessop Building. Our schedule here: sheffield.ac.uk/migration-re... And to the global network website: migrationscholarsmobilize.org
Mobilise, Resist, Build Solidarity: We Stand with Migrants
A teach-in/out as part of the Migration Scholars Mobilize Network day of action to mobilise on these themes:- A war on migrants is a war on all of us- Migration is a social good- We stand with…
sheffield.ac.uk
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
We are so proud to be part of the Migration Scholars Mobilise Global Day of Action today! Sheffield folks, come down to the Jessop Building. Our schedule here: sheffield.ac.uk/migration-re... And to the global network website: migrationscholarsmobilize.org
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
Evidence of mass killings by RSF in El-Fasher, Sudan, are chilling. They must be a wake up call for the rest of the planet too. Countries must be pressured to stop sending weapons into their proxy war in Sudan. It starts with acknowledging the horror.
November 1, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Evidence of mass killings by RSF in El-Fasher, Sudan, are chilling. They must be a wake up call for the rest of the planet too. Countries must be pressured to stop sending weapons into their proxy war in Sudan. It starts with acknowledging the horror.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
"Legal sources said more migrants were attempting to cross the Channel in small boats because they were being left homeless by the French authorities" www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Migrants try to return to UK after France refuses to house them
Asylum seekers deported under one in, one out deal are being left homeless by the French authorities, legal sources claim, fuelling attempted returns
www.thetimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:55 PM
"Legal sources said more migrants were attempting to cross the Channel in small boats because they were being left homeless by the French authorities" www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Translation: Putting people in military barracks is good, because it has connotations of prison, punishment, and control. But only if the barracks are remote and out of sight, with people properly concentrated and fully excluded from society.
Moving people from a hotel in the city centre to a military base, also in the city centre is likely to achieve... Nothing.
October 28, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Translation: Putting people in military barracks is good, because it has connotations of prison, punishment, and control. But only if the barracks are remote and out of sight, with people properly concentrated and fully excluded from society.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
Around 900 men are expected to be moved to military bases in Inverness and Sussex by the end of the year.
The use of large sites has been described as a "sleeper issue", likely to inflame tensions with local communities.
And all to close four or five hotels.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The use of large sites has been described as a "sleeper issue", likely to inflame tensions with local communities.
And all to close four or five hotels.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Two military sites earmarked as asylum seeker accommodation
Housing asylum seekers in hotels has cost billions, while they have also become a focal point for protests.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Around 900 men are expected to be moved to military bases in Inverness and Sussex by the end of the year.
The use of large sites has been described as a "sleeper issue", likely to inflame tensions with local communities.
And all to close four or five hotels.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The use of large sites has been described as a "sleeper issue", likely to inflame tensions with local communities.
And all to close four or five hotels.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Most of the time we ask the wrong questions in relation to asylum policy. What this new report on asylum accommodation shows, for me, is that we need to be asking all the time "who materially benefits from the current policy approach?"
Billions squandered on asylum accommodation by Home Office mismanagement – Home Affairs Committee report finds - Committees - UK Parliament
Flawed contract design and incompetent delivery left the Home Office unable to cope with the surge in demand for asylum accommodation, a report by the Home Affairs Committee has found.
committees.parliament.uk
October 28, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Most of the time we ask the wrong questions in relation to asylum policy. What this new report on asylum accommodation shows, for me, is that we need to be asking all the time "who materially benefits from the current policy approach?"
Today! National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention in the UK. When someone you know is detained it's like they have been abducted or taken hostage. Today we're asking for #DignityNotDetention #TheseWallsMustFall @Right_to_Remain
Find out more here righttoremain.org.uk/category/the...
Find out more here righttoremain.org.uk/category/the...
These Walls Must Fall
Right to Remain works with communities, groups and organisations, providing information, resources, training and assistance to help people to establish their right to remain, and to challenge…
righttoremain.org.uk
October 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Today! National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention in the UK. When someone you know is detained it's like they have been abducted or taken hostage. Today we're asking for #DignityNotDetention #TheseWallsMustFall @Right_to_Remain
Find out more here righttoremain.org.uk/category/the...
Find out more here righttoremain.org.uk/category/the...
Political rhetoric isn't just talk, it has real material implications.
"UK charities say toxic immigration rhetoric leading to threats against staff."
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
"UK charities say toxic immigration rhetoric leading to threats against staff."
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK charities say toxic immigration rhetoric leading to threats against staff
Voluntary organisations forced to introduce extensive security measures to protect staff and property
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Political rhetoric isn't just talk, it has real material implications.
"UK charities say toxic immigration rhetoric leading to threats against staff."
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
"UK charities say toxic immigration rhetoric leading to threats against staff."
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
Yet another case of the Home Office noticing an increase in asylum claims by people arriving via legal routes and responding by immediately slamming that route closed. It’s like they WANT people to travel irregularly.
Here's the parliamentary statement outlining the changes (haven't seen the detail yet) questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
October 14, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Yet another case of the Home Office noticing an increase in asylum claims by people arriving via legal routes and responding by immediately slamming that route closed. It’s like they WANT people to travel irregularly.
Looking forward to this
JOIN US ONLINE on 22 October at 18:30 BST as we look at the shifting politics of #immigration in the UK, how policy is shaped and challenged, and the state of protest and public debate.
With @michaelacbenson.bsky.social Fizza Qureshi @aaronwinter.bsky.social @mayblin.bsky.social
🎟️ buff.ly/f5IH9pL
With @michaelacbenson.bsky.social Fizza Qureshi @aaronwinter.bsky.social @mayblin.bsky.social
🎟️ buff.ly/f5IH9pL
October 14, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Looking forward to this
How's the one in one out policy going? “The agreement between the UK and France will go down as a dark chapter in history because it has abandoned us completely. The UK government is making an example of us and this is very painful and shameful.”
Human rights groups call for France to suspend ‘one in, one out’ treaty with UK
UK and French organisations file legal challenge against July agreement to swap asylum seekers
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:00 AM
How's the one in one out policy going? “The agreement between the UK and France will go down as a dark chapter in history because it has abandoned us completely. The UK government is making an example of us and this is very painful and shameful.”
Just digging out this blog I wrote for ECRE 6 years ago about the myth of the economic pull factor for asylum seekers -the myth that very much never dies! ecre.org/op-ed-pull-f...
October 9, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Just digging out this blog I wrote for ECRE 6 years ago about the myth of the economic pull factor for asylum seekers -the myth that very much never dies! ecre.org/op-ed-pull-f...
How to change the dominant narrative on migration? This is a really interesting contribution from the US: "Narrative Guide for Immigrant Futures (2025) How To Create Narrative Interventions That Counter Fear and Change Attitudes" narrativeinitiative.org/resource/nar...
Reshaping The Immigrant Narrative: A Guide To Futures
Counter fear and advance a pro-immigrant vision. Our guide offers research and tools to shift the immigrant narrative for persuadable audiences.
narrativeinitiative.org
October 8, 2025 at 10:02 AM
How to change the dominant narrative on migration? This is a really interesting contribution from the US: "Narrative Guide for Immigrant Futures (2025) How To Create Narrative Interventions That Counter Fear and Change Attitudes" narrativeinitiative.org/resource/nar...
The "one in one out" deal between the UK and France is based on the idea of deterrence. But (and it's getting boring saying this year after year after year) the fabled deterrent effect does not exist. Here's one of the more recent explainers on this topic odi.org/en/insights/...
Migration deterrence strategies are popular amongst politicians, but what do we know about their effectiveness?
Looking to 2025, it is likely that states will seek to implement or expand offshore policies, despite serious human rights concerns and the fact that their effectiveness is far from proven. This blog…
odi.org
October 6, 2025 at 10:01 AM
The "one in one out" deal between the UK and France is based on the idea of deterrence. But (and it's getting boring saying this year after year after year) the fabled deterrent effect does not exist. Here's one of the more recent explainers on this topic odi.org/en/insights/...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Mayblin
Last weekend, as the weather improved, more people tried to cross the Channel to reach safety in the UK. Four lost their lives in three separate incidents — one was a child. The government’s deterrent policies don’t work; they push people to take greater risks. We need #SafeRoutes now.
September 30, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Last weekend, as the weather improved, more people tried to cross the Channel to reach safety in the UK. Four lost their lives in three separate incidents — one was a child. The government’s deterrent policies don’t work; they push people to take greater risks. We need #SafeRoutes now.
Deeply, deeply, concerning.
"The prime minister told the BBC he did not want to "tear down" human rights laws, but is ready to look again at article three of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects against torture and degrading treatment." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"The prime minister told the BBC he did not want to "tear down" human rights laws, but is ready to look again at article three of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects against torture and degrading treatment." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
PM wants to change how international law used in asylum cases
The UK needs to "look again" at how to tackle mass migration, but those genuinely fleeing persecution should still be given asylum, the PM says.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Deeply, deeply, concerning.
"The prime minister told the BBC he did not want to "tear down" human rights laws, but is ready to look again at article three of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects against torture and degrading treatment." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"The prime minister told the BBC he did not want to "tear down" human rights laws, but is ready to look again at article three of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects against torture and degrading treatment." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...