Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Paula Surridge @psurridge.bsky.social · 20h

Question for today - will the 2029 UK general election be the first where the '2nd dimension' dominates vote choice (rather than also being important) - which looks like very bad news for the 'old' parties or /1

Paula Surridge @psurridge.bsky.social · 1d

You can see clearly the party space fragmenting as Reform dominate the authoritarian (and increasingly the 'moderate') groups but staying virtually at 0 on the liberal left. While the Greens move to a strong second place in the liberal left group but struggle outside that group.

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 1d

Sounds like it's time for some FOIs?

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Anna Dent @annadent.bsky.social · 1d

🕵️‍♀️ I FoI'd DWP to try to find out how they are using AI

⁉️ I got some answers, and a lot more questions

📩 Read all about it - and sign up for the newsletter!

Digital Welfare State edition 004 — ABD Consultancy

A special edition of the newsletter, focusing on Freedom of Information

www.abdconsultancy.co.uk

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Creative Commons @creativecommons.bsky.social · 2d

Today we launch the Open Heritage Statement, a global call to action to break down barriers and shape the future of access to heritage in the public domain.

Sign the Statement: buff.ly/CfNFufB

Then, register for the launch webinar on 14 October buff.ly/UnD5yTJ

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Helen 🏳️‍⚧️✊🏻💕 @mimmymum.bsky.social · 3d

“The Cass Review's contradictions are striking. It acknowledged some trans young people benefit from [blockers], but its recommendations have made this currently inaccessible to all. It found no evidence psychological treatments improve gender dysphoria, yet recommended expanding their provision.”

Cass Review does not guide care for trans young people

Good medicine is guided by the values of the patient, not those of a clinician, politician or commentator. The Cass Review, lacking expertise and compromised by implicit stigma and misinformation, doe...

www.mja.com.au

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Nicki Washington, Ph.D. @drnickiw.bsky.social · 4d

She warned us.

"They would also be armed with powerful commercial databases such as LexisNexis Accurint and Thomson Reuters CLEAR, which knit together property records, phone bills, utilities, vehicle registrations, and other personal details into searchable files."

www.wired.com/story/ice-so...

ICE Wants to Build Out a 24/7 Social Media Surveillance Team

Documents show that ICE plans to hire dozens of contractors to scan X, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms to target people for deportation.

www.wired.com

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

What The Trans?! 🏳️‍⚧️ @whatthetrans.com · 4d

We have heard that the Green Party has passed a motion at conference calling for desegregation of trans healthcare and to end the practice of GICs and to move it to primary care.

And you can definitely see why they voted for it here:

www.wearequeeraf.com/gender-clini...

Some people in Scotland will never get gender clinic appointment on 224-year waitlist

Revealed waiting times of all GICs in UK: Most Trans+ people in the UK will wait more than a third of their adult life to get an appointment, and some will never receive care

www.wearequeeraf.com

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 5d

In case you missed it, here's my latest newsletter article in which I argue that AGI is not, in fact, imminent. Would love to know your thoughts on this! :-)

www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/stop-belie...

Stop Believing the Lie that AGI Is Imminent — "Experts" Have Been Saying This Since 1956!

What did Ilya see? Nothing — he saw nothing, because we're nowhere close to achieving "AGI" (whatever that means exactly).

www.realtimetechpocalypse.com

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

What The Trans?! 🏳️‍⚧️ @whatthetrans.com · 5d

The gender clinic files is out now!

www.wearequeeraf.com/gender-clini...

Check out our podcast on Monday for our coverage on this.

Latest waiting times for gender identity clinics in the UK

Revealed waiting times of all GICs in UK: Most Trans+ people in the UK will wait more than a third of their adult life to get an appointment, and some will never receive care

www.wearequeeraf.com

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Helen 🏳️‍⚧️✊🏻💕 @mimmymum.bsky.social · 4d

Gender Clinic Files: Some people in Scotland will never get a gender clinic appointment on a 224-year waitlist

“More than 48,000 people in the UK were waiting for their first NHS gender clinic appointment as of March 2025, a 12.5% increase since the previous year”

cc @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social

Latest waiting times for gender identity clinics in the UK

Revealed waiting times of all GICs in UK: Most Trans+ people in the UK will wait more than a third of their adult life to get an appointment, and some will never receive care

www.wearequeeraf.com

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 5d

Important read on digital ID based on experience in India.

Our investigations into Aadhar revealed that once such a system is implemented, it is almost impossible to prevent its proliferation into every interaction between the state and the resident, which turns each failed transaction into a potential criminal breach.

Politicians know that national IDs are hugely unpopular, which is why they invariably start with a scape-goat to sell the system to a sceptical public. These scapegoats offer a glimpse into the insecurities hidden in the national psyche. In India, Aadhar was sold to middle-class India as a technological balm to the widespread perception of corruption.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 5d

Are you going to be at Tory conference and want to chat?

Some things I'm interested in:
👩‍💻 social media regulation, misinformation, tech and AI policy
🏥 health policy and mental health
🔵 and of course the future of the Conservative Party...

DM or comment 📩

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

The King's Fund @thekingsfund.bsky.social · 5d

There's just a few days left to send in your application for our AI and automation Technical Lead.

Join us and be at the heart of our digital transformation, helping us to foster a culture of AI and digital experimentation. https://bit.ly/3Ipu1bV

Technical Lead - AI And Automation | The King's Fund

We're looking for an AI and automation specialist to be at the heart of our digital transformation.

bit.ly

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Felicity Hannah @felicityhannah.bsky.social · 5d

This article manages to name her husband before it names… her.

Article reads:
Woman named as Archbishop of Canterbury in historic first

The 63-year-old archbishop-designate is married to Eamonn Mullally, with whom she has two children. Originally from Woking in Surrey, she was the UK's chief nursing officer from 1999 to 2004.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Demos @demos-uk.bsky.social · 6d

📣 APPLICATION CLOSING SOON | Join the #Impact team at Demos

We're looking for an Associate Director of Policy who brings deep policy expertise and strong political nous to lead our Public Service Reform and Citizen’s Economy programmes.

Apply by Sunday ⬇️
demos.co.uk/associate-di...

Associate Director of Policy

Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.

demos.co.uk

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 6d

Strongly recommend this week's Computer Says Maybe episode which unpicks the realities of AI investments and how governments are propping up the AI industry.
www.themaybe.org/podcast/are-...

The Maybe

www.themaybe.org

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 6d

We’ve opened a call for our British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships which enable established scholars to have the time to complete a significant piece of humanities or social sciences piece of research, through a one year period of leave
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...

British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships

The British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships are intended to enable established scholars, needing relief from teaching and administration, to have the time to bring to completion a signi...

www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Just Em 🏳️‍⚧️ [illegal lesbian] @agirlcalleddave.bsky.social · 7d

The City of London are running a public consultation about whether to keep the Hampstead ladies pond trans inclusive as it has been for a long time. I would appreciate your support . hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is

Future access to the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds

Inviting feedback from pond users, the local community, and stakeholders on how the Kenwood Ladies’, and Highgate Men’s ponds should operate in the future.

hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

New_ Public @newpublic.org · 7d

How will technology continue to shape how we talk to each other? We’re seeking a researcher to help tackle big questions like this.

Working with Co-Director @eli.bsky.social, this is a chance to engage with experts, dive into the research, and contribute directly to the field and our strategy.

Job posting graphic with coral orange background featuring white text that reads "NOW HIRING Research Fellow - AI & The Future of Social Conversation" with an abstract geometric illustration of a door or archway. Details include 20-25 hours per week, $40/hour, remote position for U.S. or Canada, working through 2/28/26.

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

mySociety @mysociety.org · 8d

Going to the #OGP summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz next week? Say hello to mySociety's Chief Executive @itscrowbot.bsky.social - and don't miss our session "Designing the public participation we want in a digitized world: AI & Civic Tech" which we're running with @politicalwatch.es.

Spain 2025 OGP Global Summit 6-10 October Vitoria-Gasteiz

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Robin Berjon @robin.berjon.com · 8d

If you think this is US-only, it's not.

If you think the GDPR protects you, it's doesn't.

If you hadn't realised privacy is a national security and corporate espionage issue, it is.

If you think politicians can't tackle this, they can.

If you believe that tech or business need this, they don't.

michael veale @michae.lv · 8d

Either real-time bidding data or app SDK data is being bought and used by ICE to seize people from the streets. If you didn’t believe that the adtech stack is a human rights concern, I’m not sure what more evidence you need. www.404media.co/ice-to-buy-t...

ICE to Buy Tool that Tracks Locations of Hundreds of Millions of Phones Every Day

Documents show that ICE has gone back on its decision to not use location data remotely harvested from peoples' phones. The database is updated every day with billions of pieces of location data.

www.404media.co

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Alastair Campbell @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social · 7d

New @therestpolitics.bsky.social … reaction to Keir Starmer speech, and to Trump Netanyahu Gaza plan

alastaircampbell.org/2025/09/454-...

454. Starmer's Farage Fightback and Trump's Unworkable Gaza Plan - Alastair Campbell

Is it too late for Starmer to turn things around? Is Labour talking too much about immigration, and not enough about the cost of living? How can Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza lead to a Palestinian st...

alastaircampbell.org

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · 8d

Apply your legal knowledge to real-world digital rights challenges! EFF's legal internship is now accepting applications. www.eff.org/about/oppor...

Legal Internship Opportunities

Applications are now open for the Spring 2026 Intern Class, with a deadline of November 1. See below for instructions and a link to the application.EFF’s legal internships provide law students with a

www.eff.org

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Jeni Tennison @jenitennison.com · 8d

"It’s a fundamental misunderstanding of evidence-based medicine, Guyatt [the godfather of EBM] says, to ban care on the basis that supporting studies are 'low-quality.'"

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Trans health care "skeptics" lost a key ally—now they're having a meltdown

The godfather of evidence-based medicine on rejecting anti-trans "misuse" of his work.

www.motherjones.com

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Reposted by Jeni Tennison

Dr Richard Gomer @richardgomer.bsky.social · 8d

I am old enough to remember when everyone online thought copyright was terrible and the future was setting all the content free just to spite the RIAA and MPAA.

Aaron Ross Powell ☸️ @aaronrosspowell.com · 9d

I wish people wouldn't let their (often justifiable) anger at the way AI companies behave lead them to embrace copyright maximalism.

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