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Ben Francis

@benfrancis.bsky.social
1.2K followers 666 following 126 posts

PhD-ing in Peace & Political Science at University of Notre Dame. Climate and gender politics. Previously: a decade in aid sector in Palestine, Libya, Afghanistan, Nepal and elsewhere. Unrewarding sense of loyalty to: Man United, UK Labour Party. He/him

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Reposted by Ben Francis
Christina Wolbrecht @cwolbrecht.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Delighted our Element, Gender & Local Political Ambition, is out in the world! Look for a substantive thread with key findings soon! Shout out to the Representation of Women Lab, supported by @rooneyinstitute.bsky.social, @francoinstitutend.bsky.social, and our friends at the nonprofit United WE.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
My favourite anything tends to suffer from significant recency bias but I just finished A Guardian and A Thief by @meghamaj.bsky.social and it really is so beautifully written.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
No, I hadn't found this yet. Thanks for highlighting it. I'll give it a listen!
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Although I am now convinced I want to teach a climate politics class that includes cli-fi excerpts to highlight key themes in the literature. Stanley-Robinson on international institutions, Markley on democratic coalitions, Majumdar on climate migration etc. It's important to have (pipe) dreams
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Curious to know the psychology that drives me to relax from a PhD focussed on climate politics with an increasing addiction to climate fiction set in a near future of environmental collapse. This can't be entirely healthy?
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Personally the only reason I decided to do a PhD was to escape to the exclusive elite confines of the ivory tower and forget that other people exist as anything other than observations in a dataset.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
OK, but music did genuinely peak in the late 90s/early 2000s nu-metal and pop-punk era. Everyone sees that, right?
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
It seems a strangely low-key ISA this year, which comes with its own anxieties and commentary, but it has been an absolute delight so far to be able to catch up with so many friends and to hear about the incredible research people are still doing in often very difficult circumstances.
A nametag from the ISA conference
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Messing around with some WVS data this afternoon and, sure, a lot of the variation here is about a hell of a lot of other things and the binary choice presented in the question is problematic etc. But... Maldives? Are you sure? Submerged this century Maldives? Cabinet meetings underwater Maldives?
Stacked bar chart showing countries according to whether their survey respondents reported preferences for prioritising the economy or the environment.  The Maldives is amongst the top countries for prioritising the economy over environment.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
So far in 2026 I have been blessed with three journal rejections and a conference rejection. The year isn't ten weeks old yet. Academia is great, because if you work really hard and put everything into ideas you really care about it might turn out you still suck and aren't very smart!
media.tenor.com
a man wearing a black hat that says wayne 's world gives two thumbs up
ALT: a man wearing a black hat that says wayne 's world gives two thumbs up
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
In the Fukuyama glow of the post-Cold War neoliberal consensus I kinda dug the "choosing between the main parties is like choosing between Coke and Pepsi" brand of disaffected cynicism. In 2026 it just makes you sound like a lunatic, though.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
My acknowledgements won't thank anyone at all. Just a full page of grievances and grudges to be aired. That's the real subversion of expectation - no gratitude at all, just a grotesque literary middle finger to all the haters. "I'd like to begin by acknowledging that the following people suck..."
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Ed Davey: "How can we expect to be taken seriously as a country if our currency depicts wildlife? Now excuse me while I try to win votes by base jumping off The Shard and landing in a giant vat of custard"
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Decorating my office yesterday for the next few months of PhD writing. The teenage version of me who adorned his bedroom with posters of rock stars and action movies is reaching through time to raise his judgemental eyebrow at me.
A poster of Labour's 20th century Prime Ministers
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Philadelphia got a few inches of snow this weekend which hasn't melted. Most of the paths have been cleared and people are getting on with their lives. But when I jog my sizeable backside around a little urban 5k loop this morning I'll feel like I'm in Rocky's training montage in Rocky IV.
media.tenor.com
a man is carrying a large log over his shoulder
Alt: The snowy training montage from Rocky IV where Rocky lifts logs in waist high snow
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Respectfully, as an (increasingly begrudging) LP member, at the next GE it's impossible for any party to credibly hold an "us or Reform" position. It's "Reform or anyone" & in the absence of formal electoral pacts it will be up to voters to judge strategically who that party is in their constituency
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
As a Labour Party member I'm glad the NEC has blocked Burnham. Starmer has performed poorly in his first 18 months and we should consider whether a leadership challenge might be the way to go in May but there's no reason for the party to facilitate an opportunist to position themselves in advance.
theguardian.com
Labour row erupts after Andy Burnham blocked from byelection race
Allies of Greater Manchester mayor say No 10 has ‘chosen factionalism’ as decision leads to a furious backlash
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Sometimes I walk by this building in Philadelphia and think "Oh sure, it's a nice idea but I've been to dozens of countries around the world and I just don't think it exists"
A building marked with the words "Ethical Society"
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
As a(n increasingly begrudging) LP member receiving this cringe email this morning was disheartening. They're just so bad at comms, even internally. Either be the serious, technocratic, centre left bods you claim to be or join the populist rhetoric circus but if it's the latter at least do it well.
Labour Party Email inviting members to "Sign Robert Jenrick's card"
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Amad Diallo said to be excited that his new coach is so focussed on the right wing
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Looking at my Google Scholar this morning and feeling cheery after realising I got another citation!
media.tenor.com
a cartoon of belle from beauty and the beast asking who ? me ?
Alt: a cartoon of belle from beauty and the beast asking who ? me ?
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
I know "out-racist the racists" hasn't worked the last 17 times this Labour government have tried it but perhaps it really could be a winning strategy next time?
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
This is so disturbing given the context that presumably none of these speakers have consented in to this.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Friends! Please consider signing this petition which needs (and deserves) a lot of attention to reach its target in the coming days. The Welsh government is making a monumentally poor decision that will have a detrimental impact on digital education in Wales. petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/24...
petitions.senedd.wales
Petition: Continue funding Technocamps to provide the support that schools and teachers across Wales rely on.
Welsh Government has stopped funding Welsh universities (Technocamps) to support Welsh teachers, and instead is giving £1.4M to York University to provide on-line resources for this. This is outrageous: both in the loss of critical local in-person support for Welsh teachers, and in the disrespect shown towards Wales and Welsh universities that are eager to support their local schools but are having their funding for this taken away and given -in far greater amounts- to an English university.
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Reposted by Ben Francis
Rachel Porter @rachelporter.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Just published at PNAS (@pnas.org): “Electing amateur politicians reduces cross-party collaboration” We show that districts electing first-time members of the U.S. House experience substantial declines in bipartisan representation in the subsequent Congress. 🧵1/4
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Reposted by Ben Francis
Perry World House @perryworldhouse.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Check out PWH postdoc @shanascogin.bsky.social's insight on Nepal's youth uprising here ⬇️
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Reposted by Ben Francis
𝕰𝔦𝖑𝔢𝖊𝔫 𝔐. 𝕳𝔲𝖓𝔱 @eileenmhunt.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Super interesting new paper by Ben Francis, one of my graduate co-authors, who is writing excellent theoretical studies and doing important empirical work on gender, the ethics of positionality statements, and the environmental movement. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Peace positionalities: exploring the use of reflexive positionality statements in peace research
The field of peace studies is necessarily concerned with issues of equity, justice, and inclusion. Notions of violence that define the field and a normative commitment to positive, sustainable peac...
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
New article out! 🚨 I analyze how peace scholars are using reflexivity & positionality statements. Their use is climbing, but approaches are varied. Our field is still shaping best practices. Open access in Peacebuilding. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Peace positionalities: exploring the use of reflexive positionality statements in peace research
The field of peace studies is necessarily concerned with issues of equity, justice, and inclusion. Notions of violence that define the field and a normative commitment to positive, sustainable peac...
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Excited to be at LeHigh University today to do a guest lecture. Climate change is a gendered phenomenon, let's talk about it!
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Be cautious of the white dude academic opining on distant events but I've worked in and cared about Nepal for many years and have spent today refreshing horrific social media updates from friends & former colleagues there. Sending solidarity to young Nepalis taking on a corrupt & violent government.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Novel. Innovative. Wordplay du jour.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Interpreting submission guidelines and upload structures required for (some) journals is significantly more difficult a feat of problem-solving than any other part of academia. I feel I deserve two PhDs; one for my research and one for successfully navigating the Kafkaesque task of submitting it.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
I continue to be a Labour member begrudgingly because I still believe the party is the best vehicle for representing working class rights in the contemporary British political arena but I consider that membership on a daily basis. I could be won back to enthusiasm under a Rayner leadership, I think.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
So almost a 30% reduction in jobs from last year's market which many people told me was a bad year itself. Not to worry, I'm going to take this PhD and deliver insightful lectures on climate politics while doing minimum wage service industry work. Destroy higher ed, but you can't stop me lecturing!
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
An election where Iowa flips and Maine doesn't would cement Susan Collins middle name as "fucking" in a lot of casual conversations.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
The absolute worst part about living 750 miles away from campus during the 5th year of your PhD is still getting the emails about the free food that's available after events. My grad student instincts are still strong. I still want the freebies!
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Reposted by Ben Francis
APSA @apsa.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
The Fossil-Fueled Roots of Climate Inaction in Authoritarian Regimes The Fossil-Fueled Roots of Climate Inaction in Authoritarian Regimes By William Kakenmaster, University of Notre Dame Why do some authoritarian regimes contribute more to climate change than others? I suggest that climate…
politicalsciencenow.com
The Fossil-Fueled Roots of Climate Inaction in Authoritarian Regimes
The Fossil-Fueled Roots of Climate Inaction in Authoritarian Regimes By William Kakenmaster, University of Notre Dame Why do some authoritarian regimes contribute more to climate change than others? I suggest that climate inaction in nondemocracies is shaped by a combination of fossil fuel wealth and executive constraints. Fossil fuel wealth undermines climate action by giving leaders of authoritarian regimes incentives to capture oil and gas rents that help them maintain power.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Swearing repeatedly is a legitimate research technique and an effective coping mechanism
The "Old man yells at cloud" meme but with the word "Data" over the word cloud
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Reposted by Ben Francis
Saad Gulzar سعد گلزار @saadgulzar.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
TIL that @rizahmed.bsky.social is pro-sortition (random selection of citizens to become politicians) 😱 youtube.com/shorts/M7oTO...
youtube.com
We need to stop having all election and elect leaders through a random lottery!! Feat Riz Ahmed
YouTube video by SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
As an inexperienced grad student I'm going through only my 2nd ever R&R process at the moment and wondering - is it normal, at a certain point of making revisions, to decide that actually the whole paper is (and always has been) bad? It's happened to me both times. Is this just a me thing?
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
Took my wife to her first Man Utd game yesterday. I took care to explain that being a United fan would this season would almost certainly mean enduring frequent disappointment but that it was good practice for being married to me.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
The sentence "How can you have progressive politics without any sense of progress" efficiently captures a huge chunk of the problem. It's 11 words doing the same job as I do over 3 or 4 pints and a tipsy monologue to whoever will listen.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
My co-author only puts one space after a full stop. I type properly. I have begrudgingly agreed to her standard for our collaborative manuscript, though I did state for the record that one space was "woke nonsense" and I think this might be my descent into right wing politics origin story.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
This morning while out with my research team collecting survey responses I was handed two fresh and delicious mangos by one of our survey respondents and fieldwork has never tasted so good!
Two orange mangoes being held in someones hand
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Went to the @fifaclubworldcup.bsky.social in Philly today and, well, after spending ages trying to get near the stadium and then seeing lines of thousands trying to get in well after kick off, I gave up and came home. FIFA messing up the organisation of a soulless commercial exercise? I'm shocked!
Lines of fans waiting to get inside a stadium at the FIFA Club World Cup
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Also not religious, but from what I can glean, Jesus would have been down to party. Think this is OK.
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Reposted by Ben Francis
Hadley Wickham @hadley.nz · 11/06/2025
Happy 18th birthday ggplot2! #rstats
Balloon wall art inspired by the ggplot2 hex sticker. The display features a hexagonal frame made of black balloons, filled with white balloons inside and surrounded by a background of light and dark blue balloons. A line graph with black balloon segments and round coloured nodes runs across the centre, and the word “ggplot2” is spelled out in black balloon letters below the chart.
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
It was a real pleasure to present at the @politicsgenderj.bsky.social conference at Rutgers last week & to catch up with a great group of friends from IQMR. Even as the current state and future of academia seems depressing, it's the wonderful community and scholarship that makes me want to do this.
Four scholars pose in front of a banner at a conference
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
If anything the "skills of the future" argument gets more ridiculous the faster the pace of technological innovation. A school leaver has a ~50 year career ahead. You might plausibly have been able to argue in 1940 you kinda knew what the economy would be like in 1990. But predicting 2075 from here?
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Ben Francis @benfrancis.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Vive le roi?
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