iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Congratulations to Min Jin Lee @minjinlee.bsky.social on the publication of her new book, American Hagwon. Looking forward to reading it. #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Delighted to receive my copy of XinLing Li's wonderful Wave Makers & the Rise of #MeToo in Taiwan: Media, Empathy, & Digital Testimony. It's the 2nd book in the series, Anthem Impact in Asian Media, Cinema, & Communications I co-edit for @anthempress.bsky.social. More details here lnkd.in/eNWk4kvM

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"The REDWOOD story offers no easy conclusions save this: behaviour is odd & unpredictable, all humans are vulnerable, & one individual's small, personal choice can change history on an enormous scale." - Ben Macintyre. An incredible story of Cold War deception & espionage in modern #Iran #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

'Sooner or later ... one has to take sides. If one is to remain human.' Today I re-read Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, one of my favourite novels by my favourite author. I was fortunate to visit the Continental Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City where Greene wrote much of the novel. #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Bringing the School of Law, Politics, & Society (Uni of Lincoln) Welcome Week to a close, James Newport of the SWIFT Centre delivered a fascinating interactive talk on 'How to Predict the Future in the Social Sciences. Many thanks to James & @drnickcowen.bsky.social for organising

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Congratulations to all authors shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. Discussing good literature always ends in 'tussles'. @thebookerprizes.com. More info via the BBC 👇 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today's reading: In the Realm of the Last Man by Francis Fukuyama. A fascinating discussion of how his ideas have developed over the past five decades set against the background of a personal memoir. #Booksky

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Reposted by Gary Rawnsley

The Observer @theobserveruk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Audrey Tang: Treat AI like soil, not oil, to preserve humanity The Taiwanese civic technologist argues that the way to address fears about the threat of artificial intelligence is to nurture systems that are accountable to those it affects, writes Matthew Bishop bit.ly/4hClGjK

bit.ly

Audrey Tang: Treat AI like soil, not oil, to preserve hum...

The Taiwanese civic technologist argues that the way to address fears about the threat of artificial intelligence is to nurture systems that are accountable to those it affects

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Reposted by Gary Rawnsley

Laura Phillips @lauraphillips.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Worth <50p a day BBC licence fee alone. #Taiwan has monopoly on production of the most advanced semi-conductors. Its precarious situation is even more volatile with #Trump’s return+the #AI boom. He calls it a “negotiating chip”,+a $14bn arms package is on hold ahead of his meeting with Xi Jinping..

bbc.co.uk

Currently - Taiwan: The Pacific Breaking Point - BBC Sounds

Will the world go to war over Taiwan? Experts from Taipei, Beijing and Washington explain.

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Ela Lee’s Minbak traces three generations of Korean women through secrets, silence, loss & guilt. A haunting, sublime novel shaped by the hidden histories of Korea's staggering international adoption industry. Looking forward to hearing Ela Lee discuss it at the #Lincoln Book Festival. #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Proud of my former PhD student Dr Marcello de Souza Freitas. His first book based on his PhD is available. The Symbolic Dimension of the Brazil-UK Strategic Partnership examines the role of culture & cultural diplomacy in IR. The e-copy is free to download lemosmidia.com.br/produto/symb...

lemosmidia.com.br

[EBOOK] The symbolic dimension of the Brazil−UK strategic partnership: aspects of Lula’s foreign policy and its cultural diplomacy strategies - Lemos Mídia

The Symbolic Dimension of the Brazil−UK Strategic Partnership: aspects of Lula’s foreign policy and its cultural diplomacy strategies / Marcello de Souza Freitas. -- 1. ed. -- Belo Horizonte, MG : Lem...

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Interesting report on nostalgia for Mao in #China 50 years after his death. Years ago I had interesting conversations with taxi drivers in Wuhan, Mao's summer residence. One said 'We respect Mao but don't like him'; another said 'He was a great military commander but a bad economist'.

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I have read many assessments of 9/11 & its legacy since the 25th anniversary on Friday. By far the most comprehensive & astute is written by Matthew d'Ancona & published in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social Free to read

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

"It was the life my father had intended ... A life away from darkness. A life without any edges." - Just finished reading Catherine Cho's stunning debut novel, The Devoted. Looking forward to her talking about the book at this year's Lincoln Book Festival. #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Looking forward to hearing authors Ela Lee and Catherine Cho in conversation about their books. I’ve just bought their new novels, Minbak & The Devoted, & can’t wait to read them beforehand. This event is part of the always wonderful Lincoln Book Festival #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Just received my copy of Ben Macintyre's new book, Redwood: The Untold Story of the Cold War's Most Extraordinary Spy. Goes straight to the top of my TBR tower! #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Good to see my School of Law, Politics & Society, Univ of Lincoln colleagues celebrating with our Graduates. The success of our students reflects the hard work & commitment of staff to delivering the best possible experience in very challenging times. As a proud Head of School I thank all of them.

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I really enjoyed Rebecca F. Kuang's new book, Taipei Story. A moving story of identity, complicated family histories, displacement & (as I know too well) the challenge of learning & using Mandarin. It also made me ache to return to Taipei, a city I genuinely love. #Taiwan #Booksky

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Reposted by Gary Rawnsley

Charles Fourier @charlesfourier.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Bill Bryson’s words seem appropriate to post right now

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Congratulations to Rebecca F. Kuang whose new novel, Taipei Story, is published in the UK today. My copy has just arrived and I look forward to reading it. #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

"The less comprehensible he was, the more responsible he was held to be. ... when academic language gets beyond shouting distance of ordinary speech, voodoo is all it is." - Clive James on Walter Benjamin. Too many academics practice 'voodoo' failing to communicate in a clear & accessible way

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, #Paris, Easter 2009 #photography

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Latest additions to my collection of the always wonderful BFI Classics: All The President's Men & Once Upon a Time in America #Cinema #BFI #Booksky #BritishFilmInstitute

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Congratulations to my friend & fellow propaganda/public diplomacy scholar Professor Nancy Snow. Nancy's new book, Battleship Diplomat: The Enduring Legacy of the USS Missouri, will be published in October. #Booksky #Navy @usni.org

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

The Vanishing Girl of Kabul is an upsetting yet inspiring story exploring loss, courage & resilience. A reminder that even in the darkest moments we can survive. Congratulations to @zahrajoya.bsky.social & @amiefr.bsky.social on such a powerful book. Important & highly recommended. #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Proud to see my School of Law, Politics & Society (Uni of Lincoln) colleague @profatarrant.bsky.social receive a Sociological Review Foundation award for her Following Young Fathers project in the category ‘Inspiring Young People Through Public Sociology’. Congrats Anna! @thesociologicalreview.org

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Lucy Read on 'Chinamaxxers', Gen Z & the allure of #China: China as 'fantasy' for a dissatisfied generation - 'an ancient & exotic civilisation' but one that 'appears to have arrived in the future before us' provided you 'ignore their medieval approach to human rights'. @thenewworldmag.bsky.social

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Just finished reading The Last Emperor of #China by Paul French @chinarhyming.bsky.social - a terrific book offering a vivid picture of life in the Forbidden City (eunuchs & all) & new insights on the history, especially the role & relationships of tutors Reginald Johnston & Isabel Ingram #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Published today in my co-edited @anthempress.bsky.social Impact Series in Asian Media, Cinema & Communications: XingLing Li's Wave Makers and the Rise of #MeToo in #Taiwan: Media, Empathy, & Digital Testimony. #Booksky. For books published & forthcoming visit anthempress.com/books?series...

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Since I have new followers, please consider following my brilliant colleagues at the University of Lincoln working in Criminology, Politics, International Relations, Sociology & Social Policy. We are all engaged in cutting-edge, often policy-relevant & transformative research

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Storm clouds over #Lincoln Cathedral and the Usher Gallery #photography

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Congratulations to Paul Mason @paulmason.bsky.social on the publication of his book Reds: A Global History of Communism. Just received my copy & looking forward to diving in #Booksky @thenewworldmag.bsky.social

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

"In its most lacklustre moments the hotel could even feel like a musty old museum pining for visitors. The blue-and-white We accept American Express sign was still perched on the front desk, even if it wasn't true." It is such detail that makes The Finest Hotel in Kabul so endearing #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The Library at Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire, #photography

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

"Love cannot be explained. It can only be experienced. Love cannot be explained, yet it explains all." - Elif Shafak, The Forty Rules of Love #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Great to see School of Law, Politics, & Society (Uni of Lincoln) colleague Dr Luke Turnock on BBC Look North tonight. Luke is a leading expert on the use & supply of image & performance enhancing drugs & drugs policy. Further confirmation of the policy-relevant research by members of the school

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The latest issue of the International Journal of #Taiwan Studies is now available, showcasing the vibrancy and multi-disciplinary nature of the field. brill.com/view/journal...

brill.com

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Many congratulations to my colleague in the School of Law, Politics, & Society (Uni of Lincoln) Dr Wesley Key. His new policy-relevant article on the PM's commitment to social care reform is published by Conservative Home. conservativehome.com/2026/08/20/w...

conservativehome.com

Wesley Key: Here's how Burnham should fund social care reform | Conservative Home

But if the country wants universal social care provision, the money should come from restricting other welfare spending which benefits its increasingly affluent older population, rather than from puni...

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

"Anyone connected with the Trump disaster should be beatable in 2028 - but the Dems are creating a possible defeat out of what should be an easy win" Matthew D'Ancona writing in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social on how Democrats may be shooting themselves in the foot. www.thenewworld.co.uk/matthew-danc...

thenewworld.co.uk

The Democrats’ secret plan to elect JD Vance

Anyone connected with the Trump disaster should be beatable in 2028 – but they are making the VP look like the safest choice

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Many thanks to @backlisted.bsky.social for introducing The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas. Beautiful, sparse writing that turns a frozen landscape into something almost dreamlike -haunting, mysterious & deeply moving. #Booksky

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Gary Rawnsley @garydrawnsley.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Many congratulations to Dr @bariscaylimessina.com, my colleague from the School of Law, Politics, & Society (Uni of Lincoln). His new article, 'The Consent to Destroy: Imperial Melancholia & the Hegemony of Fragmentation' has been published in Sociological Theory - & it's Open Access!

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