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Petra Boynton

@petraboynton.bsky.social

2.7K followers 3.1K following 3.5K posts

#Safety and #wellbeing advocate and creator of the #PEEPSS Model. Social Psychologist. #Methodologist. Sometime #AgonyAunt. Advice giving as praxis. Critical #MentalHealth. Lives by the sea. Come for a #ResearchTip, maybe ask a question, stay for cat pics

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 10d

I promise not to ask too often, but if you could help Small Son and I raise funds for The Miscarriage Association we'd really appreciate it.

We are going to be doing a sponsored walk on the 12 October and all donations are very welcome via our fundraising page.

www.justgiving.com/page/p-boynt...

Miscarriage Association's Memory Walk 2025

Help Petra Boynton raise money to support The Miscarriage Association

www.justgiving.com

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Reposted by Petra Boynton

dag @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 19h

This is a timely, excellent and important report on how "arms length" bodies in UK are vulnerable to political manipulation.

Kudos @chrischirp.bsky.social and @martinmckee.bsky.social for putting this together.

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 1d

🧵🚨

The UK’s independent scientific bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation - over the past 5 months I've been working with @martinmckee.bsky.social to map out their vulnerabilities and it's not good news.

Today our report is published!
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

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UK’s arm’s length public bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation

Seven in ten Britons say it is important for top scientific institutions to be independent in exclusive new polling.

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 14h

If you're from a discipline that's unfamiliar with qualitative research, or methods like questionnaires, it may seem easy to use them, but it's not.

Working with methodological experts will reduce research waste and mean you actually get useful answers to the things you want to know about.

Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 14h

Quick #ResearchTip

Want to use a method you're unfamiliar with? Work with colleagues who know the method (and underlying theories) well

This ensures your research question suits the chosen method (and participants). And you have help to use the method, then be able to interpret and report results

Reposted by Petra Boynton

Trussell @trusselluk.bsky.social · 16h

Over HALF of people turning to food banks are struggling with a mental health problem.

Worrying about money isn't just numbers. It's the sleepless nights, stress and emotional toll that comes with facing hardship.

#WorldMentalHealthDay

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 15h

More information here www.wired.com/story/mark-b...

And given it's #WorldMentalHealthDay it's another reminder that threats have always been there, but things have significantly shifted and universities are doing noone any good by their lack of attention, protection and strategic planning on this.

He Wrote a Book About Antifa. Death Threats Are Driving Him Out of the US

Rutgers historian Mark Bray is trying to flee to Spain after after an online campaign from far-right influencers was followed by death threats. He was turned back at the airport on his first attempt.

www.wired.com

Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 15h

When we speak about safety in research/academia this is a key example, but often universities (and those who work there) remain in denial or poorly informed about how serious things can be for targeted staff and students.

A useful thread explaining things very clearly.

Lauren MacIvor Thompson @lmacthompson1.bsky.social · 16h

I am writing this because it has swiftly become crystal clear to me that many people have no idea what is happening or how this works. Here is a thread for non-academics to put into context what just happened to Dr. Mark Bray, a fellow historian.

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Reposted by Petra Boynton

Mark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 1d

But did we avoid dismantling core functions of the federal government? No.

But did we avoid killing millions of people by destroying USAID? Also no.

But did we at least avoid violating all kinds of federal laws & the constitution by letting random guys off the streets do this? Alas, also no.

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 1d

Did DOGE save us $2 trillion?

“Not even close. .. Total spending excluding interest rose $220 billion, or 4%, for the entire fiscal year.” 🤡

@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/economy/tari...

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Reposted by Petra Boynton

Nancy Kanwisher @nancykanwisher.bsky.social · 19h

MIT Rejects the Compact!
I am so proud.
"The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief ...

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Reposted by Petra Boynton

Nadine Batchelor-Hunt @nadinebh.bsky.social · 18h

+/ I am a prime example of somebody with quite significant mental health/neurodiversity issues who can work with certain adjustments, the right medication and medical support

And I’m sick to the back teeth of seeing people mock others like me because they don’t have a voice or are easy targets

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 21h

Podcast: How to Cover Science Under Trump undark.org/2025/10/08/p... via @undark.org

Podcast: How to Cover Science Under Trump

Our hosts talk to Undark’s editor-in-chief about the current moment in science and science journalism.

undark.org

Reposted by Petra Boynton

Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 1d

Many congratulations to my colleagues in the Forms of Labour project team on the publication of their new monograph! 🗃️👏🎉

Brilliantly, The Experience of Work in #EarlyModern England is available open access:

www.cambridge.org/core/books/e...

news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

A woman’s place was not in the home: New book challenges assumptions about women’s work in early modern history

New research has revealed that women played a fundamental role in the development of England’s national economy before 1700. Far from being the unpaid homemakers and housewives of traditional historic...

news.exeter.ac.uk

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 23h

50 things universities are still getting wrong on safety and wellbeing.

For #WorldMentalHealthDay

Let's not stick with descriptions of problems, however, what solutions or examples of good practice do you have to tackle items on this list?

#AcademicSky

www.linkedin.com/pulse/fifty-...

Fifty things that universities are still getting wrong on safety and wellbeing.

1. Despite an increase in awareness around mental health, student and staff safety and wellbeing is still not a priority for universities across teaching, research, and pastoral care.

www.linkedin.com

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 23h

And, having attended multiple #WorldMentalHealthDay events this month (with more to follow) it's crucial to remember descriptions of problems alongside sharing stories and experiences are reassuring and the START of awareness raising but are not the entirety of activism or action.

Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

As my work's shifted dramatically these past 5+ years I'm noting key topics with the #WorldMentalHealthDay theme:
- prevention and planning are hugely underestimated
- seismic world events have major, long-term repercussions
- much support and care isn't fit for purpose
- we are #StrongerTogether

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

It's #WorldMentalHealthDay and this year's theme is both serious and timely "Access to Services- Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies" wmhdofficial.com

For many, mental health support and care simply doesn't exist, or is not available in accessible, attainable or affordable ways.

World Mental Health Day – October 10th

wmhdofficial.com

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

I love how their advice and features is frank but remarkably sensible. And always suggested confiding in a trusted adult if you were worried or at risk. Didn't have to be a parent, but did need to be someone.

Reposted by Petra Boynton

Aaron Reeves @aaronreeves.bsky.social · 1d

If you know someone who is thinking about doing a PhD and who is interested in health then please share this advert with them. It is an ESRC funded PhD working on trade unions and health as part of a collaboration with me and the @tuc.org.uk @lsesociology.bsky.social www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse...

LSE Collaborative Studentship with Trades Union Congress

www.lse.ac.uk

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

This #WorldMentalHealthDay it's crucial to remember that precarious, broken, or otherwise toxic environments cause or worsen mental distress.

They also undermine our efforts to care for one-another.

Although in challenging times that's exactly what we have to do.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Thousands more university jobs cut as financial crisis deepens

University workers will vote on national strike action this month over a 1.4% pay offer made in the summer.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

I think parts of the archive are paid for.

Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

That's an incredible story! What an amazingly interesting career. Thank you for sharing ❤️

Reposted by Petra Boynton

Sarah Elizabeth Cox @oispooky.bsky.social · 1d

My lovely friend Dr Steve Le Comber, who died 6 yrs ago at the horribly young age of 53, worked at Jackie in the '80s or early '90s. He then decided to do a degree in ecology & biology. Became a fish male mating expert. A naked mole rat expert. A parakeet expert. A bat expert. A proper inspiration.

Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

The British Newspaper Archive now includes Jackie and I was delighted to note problem pages in prominent position blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2025/10/06/j...

Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week

We welcome iconic best-selling teen magazine Jackie to The Archive. Browse every single edition of the weekly magazine for girls, from 1964 through to 1993.

blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

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Reposted by Petra Boynton

BWJones @bwjones.bsky.social · 1d

You. Do. Not. Try. To. Prove. Your. Hypothesis.

That is completely backwards.

The proper way to do science is to form a hypothesis, and then do everything you can to try and tear that hypothesis apart.

Any other way is scientifically unsound at the least, and malpractice or outright lies at worst

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."

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Reposted by Petra Boynton

Dr Bea Stitches @drelvey.bsky.social · 1d

This is so exciting. I wasn’t allowed to read Jackie so secretly coming across stray copies discarded by others was terribly thrilling and transgressive when I was growing up. Now I can have a good read without being in trouble.

Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

The British Newspaper Archive now includes Jackie and I was delighted to note problem pages in prominent position blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2025/10/06/j...

Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week

We welcome iconic best-selling teen magazine Jackie to The Archive. Browse every single edition of the weekly magazine for girls, from 1964 through to 1993.

blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

I really feel like we need a proper read-along!

I can't remember where the archive that was at Colindale went to. Having the originals to look at is really something.

I wish I'd saved more of mine.

I do have most of my own problem archives saved, however.

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 1d

If you don't know me that well I've worked as an Agony Aunt (advice columnist) across print, broadcast and online media.

My children refuse to believe I ever did this job, but they also don't seem to believe magazines existed either.

If you've any questions about problem pages, just ask! 😀