Meryl Kenny
@merylkenny.bsky.social
Head of Politics & IR at University of Edinburgh | FIIN Co-Director @fiin.bsky.social | gender & politics, political parties, parliaments, territorial politics, political representation
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Amazing turn out of Edinburgh University staff outside the parliament building right now to defend education against needless cuts
@ucuedinburgh.bsky.social
@ucuedinburgh.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Amazing turn out of Edinburgh University staff outside the parliament building right now to defend education against needless cuts
@ucuedinburgh.bsky.social
@ucuedinburgh.bsky.social
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Intervention from @alex.scotlibdems.org.uk on cuts and job losses at Edinburgh university as @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social UCU take three days of strike action this week to save jobs. Strike rally at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow, Wed, at 1pm #SaveHE #StopTheCuts #NoCompulsoryRedundancies
Edinburgh University is facing financial trouble, and the UCU said as many as 1,800 jobs could be at risk.
Our universities are built on the hard work of their staff, and we lose them at our peril.
That's why I raised this issue with the Minister for Higher Education today.
Our universities are built on the hard work of their staff, and we lose them at our peril.
That's why I raised this issue with the Minister for Higher Education today.
November 18, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Intervention from @alex.scotlibdems.org.uk on cuts and job losses at Edinburgh university as @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social UCU take three days of strike action this week to save jobs. Strike rally at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow, Wed, at 1pm #SaveHE #StopTheCuts #NoCompulsoryRedundancies
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Question from @martinwhitfieldmsp.bsky.social in the Scottish Parliament on cuts and job losses at Edinburgh University as @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social take third day of strike action this week #SaveHE #StopTheCuts www.heraldscotland.com/news/2563152...
SNP minister told to intervene in Edinburgh University crisis to protect 1,800 jobs
SNP ministers have been warned they must intervene in the University of Edinburgh's dispute with staff amid fears 1,800 jobs could be lost.
www.heraldscotland.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Question from @martinwhitfieldmsp.bsky.social in the Scottish Parliament on cuts and job losses at Edinburgh University as @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social take third day of strike action this week #SaveHE #StopTheCuts www.heraldscotland.com/news/2563152...
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
RALLY TOMORROW!
Join the fightback against job cuts!
Wednesday 19th November at 1pm at the
Scottish parliament.
Join the fightback against job cuts!
Wednesday 19th November at 1pm at the
Scottish parliament.
November 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
RALLY TOMORROW!
Join the fightback against job cuts!
Wednesday 19th November at 1pm at the
Scottish parliament.
Join the fightback against job cuts!
Wednesday 19th November at 1pm at the
Scottish parliament.
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Solidarity in action on the picket line at George Square! @ucuscotland.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Solidarity in action on the picket line at George Square! @ucuscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
"How is the dispute at Dundee University affecting students?"
How is the dispute at Dundee University affecting students?
Students say they are feeling the effects across studios, classrooms and workshops.
bbc.in
November 14, 2025 at 7:15 AM
"How is the dispute at Dundee University affecting students?"
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
It’s here! Gendering Party Politics published with Oxford University Press & available in all good bookshops in hardcover & paperback.
Edited by @merylkenny.bsky.social and @elinbja.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/book/61464
Edited by @merylkenny.bsky.social and @elinbja.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/book/61464
Gendering Party Politics: Feminist Institutionalist Perspectives
Abstract. Gendering Party Politics explores the relationship between gender and political parties through a feminist institutionalist lens. Across 17 chapt
academic.oup.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:04 PM
It’s here! Gendering Party Politics published with Oxford University Press & available in all good bookshops in hardcover & paperback.
Edited by @merylkenny.bsky.social and @elinbja.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/book/61464
Edited by @merylkenny.bsky.social and @elinbja.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/book/61464
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Interesting piece “From my experience of universities, one of the most important elements of that is the culture around the senior management table, which is not the governing body,” he said. “You cannot have…an overbearing culture where essentially the executive is run in a hierarchical system.”
Universities ‘must avoid same traps as Dundee’, says former VC
Anton Muscatelli urges institutions to take governance failings that led to bailout “very seriously indeed”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Anton Muscatelli urges institutions to take governance failings that led to bailout “very seriously indeed”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Universities ‘must avoid same traps as Dundee’, says former VC - Research Professional News
Anton Muscatelli urges institutions to take governance failings that led to bailout “very seriously indeed”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Interesting piece “From my experience of universities, one of the most important elements of that is the culture around the senior management table, which is not the governing body,” he said. “You cannot have…an overbearing culture where essentially the executive is run in a hierarchical system.”
‘We know how much you value the academic and professional staff who teach and support you across the University, and that you may be concerned when some staff choose to leave the University voluntarily…’
UCU slams Edinburgh University claims that cuts won't impact student experience
A university email sent to students claimed the cuts will not diminish the student experience
thetab.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
‘We know how much you value the academic and professional staff who teach and support you across the University, and that you may be concerned when some staff choose to leave the University voluntarily…’
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Huh. If you say you’ll mess with indefinite leave to remain rules it turns out talented migrant workers start looking at their other options. This could never have been predicted!
on.ft.com/3JiZxbM
on.ft.com/3JiZxbM
Russian tech workers rethink UK ties after settlement rules change
Digital entrepreneurs turn to US in search of higher pay and opportunities in test of Labour plan to lure ‘global talent’
on.ft.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Huh. If you say you’ll mess with indefinite leave to remain rules it turns out talented migrant workers start looking at their other options. This could never have been predicted!
on.ft.com/3JiZxbM
on.ft.com/3JiZxbM
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
In less jest - yes, it's good if universities can help students develop skills for the labour market. However, the pointless venom of the current government about one of the few world class sectors in the British economy is tiring, enervating and just plain sad. Get a grip lads.
September 19, 2025 at 10:28 AM
In less jest - yes, it's good if universities can help students develop skills for the labour market. However, the pointless venom of the current government about one of the few world class sectors in the British economy is tiring, enervating and just plain sad. Get a grip lads.
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
An actual quote from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Too often people go to university to ‘explore research and knowledge’
Look forward to Wes S saying 'too often people go to hospital to have operations' or Heidi Alexander saying 'too often people go to the station to catch a train'
Too often people go to university to ‘explore research and knowledge’
Look forward to Wes S saying 'too often people go to hospital to have operations' or Heidi Alexander saying 'too often people go to the station to catch a train'
September 19, 2025 at 10:25 AM
An actual quote from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Too often people go to university to ‘explore research and knowledge’
Look forward to Wes S saying 'too often people go to hospital to have operations' or Heidi Alexander saying 'too often people go to the station to catch a train'
Too often people go to university to ‘explore research and knowledge’
Look forward to Wes S saying 'too often people go to hospital to have operations' or Heidi Alexander saying 'too often people go to the station to catch a train'
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
As staff at Edinburgh Uni strike over job cuts, the principal is under pressure to reveal whether he’s being paid for a second job at a company with historic ties to the university.
Our latest: theferret.scot/mathi...
Our latest: theferret.scot/mathi...
Edinburgh uni boss pressured over outside earnings as job losses mount
The boss of the University of Edinburgh is facing calls to “come clean” over earnings from a second job, amid staff strikes and mounting redundancies.
theferret.scot
September 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
As staff at Edinburgh Uni strike over job cuts, the principal is under pressure to reveal whether he’s being paid for a second job at a company with historic ties to the university.
Our latest: theferret.scot/mathi...
Our latest: theferret.scot/mathi...
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
*NEW PSA BLOG* A hard-hitting report by @britishacademy.bsky.social illuminates how large areas of the UK are/becoming cold spots for #HE degrees in #SocialSciences & #humanities. PSA CEO @seasonedcomms.bsky.social highlights the issues and impact
New British Academy report shows degree course cold spots across the UK | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
Our friends at the British Academy (BA) have produced a hard-hitting new report which shows that financial difficulties or strategic choices in our universities have led to large swathes of the UK…
buff.ly
September 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
*NEW PSA BLOG* A hard-hitting report by @britishacademy.bsky.social illuminates how large areas of the UK are/becoming cold spots for #HE degrees in #SocialSciences & #humanities. PSA CEO @seasonedcomms.bsky.social highlights the issues and impact
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Unfunded research is by definition, free. It’s the funded research, that never fully covers costs and requires massive cross-subsidy, which is a major contributor to the HE funding crisis.
September 12, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Unfunded research is by definition, free. It’s the funded research, that never fully covers costs and requires massive cross-subsidy, which is a major contributor to the HE funding crisis.
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Again, UUK show a total failure of their role.
Their lack of vision, and inability to show responsibility & leadership means they are yet again punching down on overworked, underfunded academics, rather than lobbying Govt for proper HE funding models.
Let's shift away from low quality UUK members.
Their lack of vision, and inability to show responsibility & leadership means they are yet again punching down on overworked, underfunded academics, rather than lobbying Govt for proper HE funding models.
Let's shift away from low quality UUK members.
Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ .
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ - Research Professional News
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Again, UUK show a total failure of their role.
Their lack of vision, and inability to show responsibility & leadership means they are yet again punching down on overworked, underfunded academics, rather than lobbying Govt for proper HE funding models.
Let's shift away from low quality UUK members.
Their lack of vision, and inability to show responsibility & leadership means they are yet again punching down on overworked, underfunded academics, rather than lobbying Govt for proper HE funding models.
Let's shift away from low quality UUK members.
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
We've got a chunky @britishacademy.bsky.social report out looking at the emergence of 'cold spots' where you can't study arts, humanities or social science subjects close to home. We call for an urgent review of HE funding & monitoring of at risk subjects
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/univers...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/univers...
University course closures leave students unable to study many SHAPE subjects close to home - report
A new report shows that students are shut out of SHAPE education in their home regions, as large swathes of the UK are ‘cold spots’ for humanities, social sciences and arts degrees.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
September 10, 2025 at 8:52 AM
We've got a chunky @britishacademy.bsky.social report out looking at the emergence of 'cold spots' where you can't study arts, humanities or social science subjects close to home. We call for an urgent review of HE funding & monitoring of at risk subjects
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/univers...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/univers...
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Governor announces New Mexico will now provide free universal child care
Governor announces New Mexico will now provide free universal child care
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New Mexico is becoming the first state in the U.S. to offer free early childhood education to every family in the state. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a universal ch…
www.krqe.com
September 9, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Governor announces New Mexico will now provide free universal child care
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
I need people to also understand that faculty have been harassed like this - specifically with staged protests and secret recordings- for decades
The ESCALATION (and this matters!) is the president so pathetically caving and firing the dean and department head
The ESCALATION (and this matters!) is the president so pathetically caving and firing the dean and department head
If you click through to the video, you’ll hear a young woman repeatedly telling a college professor that President Trump has declared that what the Professor had been teaching is illegal and she’ll be meeting with the head of the university about it.
It’s chilling and scary.
It’s chilling and scary.
September 9, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I need people to also understand that faculty have been harassed like this - specifically with staged protests and secret recordings- for decades
The ESCALATION (and this matters!) is the president so pathetically caving and firing the dean and department head
The ESCALATION (and this matters!) is the president so pathetically caving and firing the dean and department head
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
Here's something a bit different. We've been reporting from Edinburgh to try to get to the bottom of a mystery in London. Princes Street is the Scottish capital's most famous shopping street — and it's gaining the *exact same* tatty gift shops as London. www.londoncentric.media/p/edinburgh-...
The Edinburgh connection to London's tax-evading gift shops
Plus: A chat with the Transport for London boss running the tube strike negotiations — and how the "hardworking businessman" putting up flags in south London tried to scam an insurer.
www.londoncentric.media
September 6, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Here's something a bit different. We've been reporting from Edinburgh to try to get to the bottom of a mystery in London. Princes Street is the Scottish capital's most famous shopping street — and it's gaining the *exact same* tatty gift shops as London. www.londoncentric.media/p/edinburgh-...
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
The takeaway:
👉 Accommodating the radical right on immigration doesn’t win back voters.
👉 It alienates the progressive base.
👉 And it raises the salience of the very issue the radical right owns.
In short: it’s electoral self-harm.
👉 Accommodating the radical right on immigration doesn’t win back voters.
👉 It alienates the progressive base.
👉 And it raises the salience of the very issue the radical right owns.
In short: it’s electoral self-harm.
September 5, 2025 at 6:50 AM
The takeaway:
👉 Accommodating the radical right on immigration doesn’t win back voters.
👉 It alienates the progressive base.
👉 And it raises the salience of the very issue the radical right owns.
In short: it’s electoral self-harm.
👉 Accommodating the radical right on immigration doesn’t win back voters.
👉 It alienates the progressive base.
👉 And it raises the salience of the very issue the radical right owns.
In short: it’s electoral self-harm.
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
I have finally gotten round to writing my AI Use Statement for a grad. course I'm teaching in Gen AI...
I would be grateful of your thoughts!
I would be grateful of your thoughts!
September 3, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I have finally gotten round to writing my AI Use Statement for a grad. course I'm teaching in Gen AI...
I would be grateful of your thoughts!
I would be grateful of your thoughts!
Reposted by Meryl Kenny
📝 Don't miss this #openaccess article from the current issue of #BJPIR - Volume 27, Issue 3 (August 2025)
'Experiencing the executive: Gender, ministers and institutions in Scotland ' by Alan Convery & Meryl Kenny.
🔗: buff.ly/IDGFiBM
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social
'Experiencing the executive: Gender, ministers and institutions in Scotland ' by Alan Convery & Meryl Kenny.
🔗: buff.ly/IDGFiBM
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
buff.ly
August 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
📝 Don't miss this #openaccess article from the current issue of #BJPIR - Volume 27, Issue 3 (August 2025)
'Experiencing the executive: Gender, ministers and institutions in Scotland ' by Alan Convery & Meryl Kenny.
🔗: buff.ly/IDGFiBM
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social
'Experiencing the executive: Gender, ministers and institutions in Scotland ' by Alan Convery & Meryl Kenny.
🔗: buff.ly/IDGFiBM
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social