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Beth Watts-Cobbe

@bethwcobbe.bsky.social
474 followers 311 following 97 posts

Professor and Deputy Director @i-sphere.bsky.social Research homelessness, destitution, and social responses to them.

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Reposted by Beth Watts-Cobbe
Prof Ruth Patrick @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
In or close by Sheffield on 7th October? If so, join me as I try to come up with something half-way coherent on the problems & possibilities for UK social policy research on poverty & social security for @sheffielduni.bsky.social Annual Social Policy Lecture www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-soc...
eventbrite.com
Annual Social Policy Lecture
Join us for our Annual Social Policy Lecture with Professor Ruth Patrick, University of Glasgow
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Dr Scott Arthur MP (Edinburgh South West) 🌍🌈🌹 @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
My Blog : 1 Lanark Road - Empty Homes in a Housing Crisis scottarthurmp.wordpress.com/2026/04/27/1... @edinburghminute.com @edinreporter.bsky.social
scottarthurmp.wordpress.com
1 Lanark Road – Empty Homes in a Housing Crisis
Why Are So Many Flats at 1 Lanark Road Sitting Empty? A number of local residents have been asking the same question: why are so many of the flats at 1 Lanark Road still empty? From the outside, it…
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
In all seriousness I need help. I need a new phone. This one is literally dying. I want a second hand iPhone because. But why are there so many models? Which from 2-5 years ago are fine? Any duds? How the hell do I figure this out with minimal time?
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Jen Ang @jena.ng · 03/02/2026
Maggie Brunjes CEO @homelessnetwork.scot reminds us that Housing Justice in Scotland means safe, suitable housing for all of us 🏡 including people with #NRPF  www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/true...
insidehousing.co.uk
True housing justice must include those with No Recourse to Public Funds
Thousands of people are excluded from basic support because of their immigration status, writes Margaret-Ann Brünjes, chief executive at Homeless Network Scotland.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
True housing justice must include those with No Recourse to Public Funds, argues @homelessnetwork.scot's Maggie Brunjes drawing on @i-sphere.bsky.social's independent evaluation of the Fair Way Scotland partnership www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/true...
insidehousing.co.uk
True housing justice must include those with No Recourse to Public Funds
Thousands of people are excluded from basic support because of their immigration status, writes Margaret-Ann Brünjes, chief executive at Homeless Network Scotland.
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Reposted by Beth Watts-Cobbe
Heriot-Watt University @heriotwattuni.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
New research shows Scotland’s progress in ending communal night shelters for emergency accommodation is under threat. The study highlights the harm caused by shared air shelters and shows that alternatives are achievable. lnkd.in/enbrNsPP #HeriotWattUni #Homelessness #HousingPolicy
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
I cannot express sufficiently the unbridled joy of getting back to my own home after Christmas and new year away in… eccentric?… circumstances. I was so full of hubristic joy my daughter (3.5) informed me I’d given her a portion of ice cream that was too big ‘I don’t think I can eat that mama’…
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Alison Wallace @alisonwyork.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
The Housing Studies Charitable Trust is seeking new Trustees to distribute proceeds from the journal to support housing education and scholarship. Please see advert and share widely. The role isn’t onerous and support important orgs and postdocs/ECR. www.thornbyassociates.co.uk/latest-news/...
thornbyassociates.co.uk
Housing Studies Charitable Trust Seeking New Trustees — Thornby Associates
The Housing Studies Charitable Trust (HSCT) is looking for three new members to join theBoard of Trustees, a vital part of their governance.
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Dr. Carrie Anne Marshall @cannemarshall.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Check out one of the interviews I did this week with CBC New Brunswick on sleeping cabins and tiny homes as a response to homelessness. Share among your networks! Thanks, CBC for inviting a critical perspective on this issue. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
cbc.ca
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Hats off to Carrie for calmly and cogently making these arguments. It feels to me a little like we’re having to defend the view that 2 plus 2 is 4. The poverty of aspiration endemic in responses to homelessness remains so evident. People deserve better.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
We'd love it if you could share this with your networks @rocktrust.bsky.social @homelessnetwork.scot @sheltercharity.bsky.social @shelterscotland.bsky.social @cyrenians.bsky.social @glasgowcitymission.bsky.social @housing-justice.bsky.social @homelesslink.bsky.social @centrepointuk.bsky.social
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Come join us! The @i-sphere.bsky.social are delighted to advertise for Research Intern to design and lead in-depth research on an area of homelessness prevention in the UK, The post is full time, for 9 months and suitable for candidates based anywhere in the UK (remote working standard)...
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Context: Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins is playing. E (3yo): Mummy, I went to the danger zone once. A long time ago. With daddy.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Dormitory-style night shelters tackling street homelessness are harmful. At best, they protect an already very disadvantaged group from some harms, while generating & deepening manifold others. Nor do they reliably lead to sustainable rehousing... ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/ij...
ojs.lib.uwo.ca
Beyond Shelters: Unpacking Global Lessons from Scotland’s Journey Towards Housing Justice | International Journal on Homelessness
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Really pleased to see this from SMF, showing the role that Housing First needs to play in finally, sustainably, turning the tide on rough sleeping in England. I hope those working on the *much anticipated* cross-government homelessness strategy are taking note.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
Wall to wall dads (except me) at the toddler trampolining session this morning, and absolutely no mystery to me why. Jeez!
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Prof Ruth Patrick @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Some heatwave weekend reading on why devolution needs to be talked about more in connection with the disability social security cuts. @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social blog w/ @safety-nets.bsky.social colleagues @haylesben.bsky.social @sionedps.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
Labour’s social security reforms ignore devolution - British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Goverment's social security reforms ignore the fact that they will have different consequences depending on which part of the UK one lives in.
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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 11/07/2025
The trial 56-day 'move-on' period for newly-recognised refugees to find somewhere to live has been extended, the government has confirmed.
bigissue.com
Home Office extends 56-day 'move-on' period for refugees
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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Groundbreaking new research by @i-sphere.bsky.social finds Black families have to disguise their identities to avoid #discrimination in housing, employment & essential services More here: tinyurl.com/2etwp8ny #HeriotWattUni #Homelessness @raceontheagenda.bsky.social @crisis-uk.bsky.social ‬
tinyurl.com
Black and minoritised people feel forced to disguise their identities
Race, Ethnicity and Homelessness research by I-SPHERE at Heriot-Watt University finds Black homeless families feel forced to disguise their identities
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I-SPHERE @i-sphere.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞 An analysis of 750,000 household records from the statutory homelessness system reveals that only 10% of Black families gained social housing compared to 24% of White families. doi.org/10.17861/D78... @raceontheagenda.bsky.social @crisis-uk.bsky.social
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Sad news indeed
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
It was a real pleasure to be able to mark and celebrate Maggie Brunjes - the inimitable, legendary Chief Executive of Homeless Network Scotland - receiving an honorary doctorate from @heriotwattuni.bsky.social last week. Congratulations Maggie on all of your achievements.
Dr Maggie Brunjes, Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Professor Beth Watts-Cobbe, Janice Higgins and Jackie Erdman pictured to mark Maggie's honorary doctorate bestowed by Heriot-Watt University.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Loki is giving military leader vibes today.
Cat sitting, looking smart and serious
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 29/05/2025
Free School Meals support in the holidays is now the largest category of Household Support Fund expenditure. This is arguably not an ideal use of what is supposed to be crisis support funding and would be better covered by an increased Free School Meals budget instead.
Chart showing Proportion of Household Support Fund expenditure by type of support and HSF wave: England, 2022-23 to 2023-24.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Love this - a really useful framing to help bolster the normative underpinnings of the social security system and employment support.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Please join us on 20th May for our next @i-sphere.bsky.social /Centre for Homelessness & Inclusion Health webinar with @popmhuk.bsky.social's Natasha Chilman on The public health significance of prior homelessness: findings on multimorbidity & mental health from a nationally representative survey...
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Please join us on 20th May for our next @i-sphere.bsky.social /Centre for Homelessness & Inclusion Health webinar with @popmhuk.bsky.social's Natasha Chilman on The public health significance of prior homelessness: findings on multimorbidity & mental health from a nationally representative survey...
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
In a long held tradition of watching zeitgeist TV shows years after their release, the time has come to watch Black Mirror… What the actual *^%>?!
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
My daughter, 3, to our friend: “can I come to your house and see your mess?”
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Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Of course I’d rather Labour had won the by-election and losing by six votes is astonishing. But I hope Starmer takes the message that Reform are better at being Reform than Labour, and Labour’s best bet is to go back to being Labour.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Another dark day in UK politics. Devastating.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Lovely to end the week with this dropping onto the doormat. A real pleasure to be part of this collection with @lynnemcmordie.bsky.social, and a tiny part of a wider and brilliant flurry of work on structural injustice and Iris Marion Young’s ideas. Thanks @vmantouvalou.bsky.social!
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Housing and Welfare Outcomes in Norway, with HOUSINGWEL/Oslo Met's Kristin Aarland and Jardar Sørvoll. April 29, 11am-12:15pm. Please join us for our next @i-sphere.bsky.social /CHIH webinar. Sign up here: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
forms.office.com
Microsoft Forms
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
When people say ‘your daughter is fabulous, happy, secure… so you must be doing a great job’. As if they’re highly sceptical and reserving judgement. Could be luck so far, DNA. Let’s wait and see.
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Dr. Elinor Martin @ellie-gbr.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
I'm not allowed to share these kinds of scholarships though my university email anymore so am doing so here. Scholarships for members of the LGBTQ+ STEM community. ostem.org/Page/scholar...
ostem.org
Scholarship Program - oSTEM, Inc.
oSTEM is a professional society for LGBTQ+ people in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). We have collegiate and professional chapters across the United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
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Safety Nets @safety-nets.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
"Local welfare alone can’t solve child poverty, but if well-funded it helps" - read new blog from some of the Safety Nets team including @haylesben.bsky.social and @bethwcobbe.bsky.social 👇 blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Why we don’t need Westminster to tackle destitution in Scotland. I'm delighted to have co-written this piece in today's Herald with my @i-sphere.bsky.social colleague Rhiannon Sims... www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
heraldscotland.com
Scotland could end deprivation caused by hostile UK policies
In Scotland’s cities, people are going without the basics they need to survive. Locked out of work and government support, they rely on charities,…
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Powerful words and moral leadership from @maggiechapman.bsky.social, drawing attention to our research on destitution intentionally driven by the UK immigration system. Thank you Maggie.
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Liam Kirkaldy @liamkirkaldy.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Is there more the Scottish Government could do to mitigate hostile environment immigration policy? New piece by me for @heraldscotland.bsky.social, on new legal analysis showing what can be done to alleviate destitution, despite Home Office restrictions www.heraldscotland.com/news/2504743...
heraldscotland.com
Immigration might be reserved matter does not mean the ScotGov is powerless to act
Why the systems driving migrant groups into destitution could be changed north of the border to end suffering and homelessness of those seeking…
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Jen Ang @jena.ng · 30/03/2025
Great article on the “shocking” levels of destitution found in #Scotland by Professor @bethwcobbe.bsky.social and her team caused by the UK Govt’s hostile environment policies - what @lawmanity.com suggests Scottish Govt can do to address it
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
I've just heard that some food banks have introduced a charge to access them. Can anyone confirm whether that's right, how common and what level of charge? We're finding it excludes people who can't access mainstream supports because of their immigration status, who are often totally reliant on FBs.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Please join us for our next @i-sphere.bsky.social webinar at 11am on March 26th when the brilliant @lynnemcmordie.bsky.social will be speaking about 'Violence against women and homelessness'. All welcome, please share, sign up here: i-sphere.site.hw.ac.uk/event/i-sphe...
i-sphere.site.hw.ac.uk
I-SPHERE and CHIH March Seminar – I-SPHERE
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I-SPHERE @i-sphere.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Women in Northern Ireland are being forced out of their own homes by abusers due to financial control, weak legal orders & intimidation. New research by @lynnemcmordie.bsky.social shows they often end up homeless & still at risk. It’s time for real reform. researchportal.hw.ac.uk/en/publicati...
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I-SPHERE @i-sphere.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Why is “safe” housing anything but safe? New research shows survivors find homeless B&Bs & hostels can mirror the abuse they left behind. We need trauma-informed housing & enforced legal protections so women can truly escape violence. researchportal.hw.ac.uk/en/publicati...
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Virginia Mantouvalou @vmantouvalou.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
We had a brilliant conference on Structural Injustice at the University of Cambridge, co-organised with Jude Browne, @maevemckeown.bsky.social & @jowolff.bsky.social celebrating our 5 books. Thanks to all who participated. Here on a panel with Ryoa Chung, Nicola Lacey & @bethwcobbe.bsky.social.
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
It was a real pleasure to participate in the Structural Injustice conference in Cambridge on Friday. The day was oriented around 5 brilliant books examining Iris Marion Young’s writing on the topic, including in her book Responsibility for Justice. I provided a critique of Young’s ideas arguing:
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
My father. 77 yesterday. Talented photographer. Loyal husband. Irredeemable finder of joy & positivity in literally any situation, including finding out in his mid 60s he had a 25 year old daughter he didn’t know about (me!). The events of this week took me back to our 1st ever contact (pictured)…
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Rock Trust - Youth Homeless Charity @rocktrust.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Great to catch up with @benmacpherson.bsky.social to share findings from the first-year evaluation of #UpstreamScotland, our school-based prevention programme. Conducted by ISPHERE (H-WU), it shows 3/4 of those at risk of homelessness are flying under the radar. ✍️ rocktrust.org/news-upstrea...
Emma Carmichael, Upstream project manager at Rock Trust, and Ben MacPherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency, posing  for a picture at Rock Trust office in Edinburgh
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
If there was one hope for the new UKG on immigration in this horrendous Reform-inflected context, it was that they balanced being 'tough on the border' with being more humane to those who already here, including via NRPF policy reform. It was gutting yesterday to see a different direction taken...
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Beth Watts-Cobbe @bethwcobbe.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
I enjoyed speaking at All Party Parliamentary Group for Ending Homelessness earlier today. I focused on exploring the lessons England can learn from Scotland's use of Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans (RRTPs) to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation. The answer is lots!...
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