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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan

@kdarlingmcq.bsky.social
462 followers 365 following 146 posts

Lecturer + researcher in Teacher Eduction | Social justice, early years, sustainability and arts-based methods | she / her

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Reposted by Kirsten Darling-McQuistan
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
If you would like to add your voice to tens of thousands of people thanking RNLI volunteers for their work, 38 Degrees have organised this open letter to express public support (at a time when a hateful fringe have been intimidating & abusing RNLI volunteers) act.38degrees.org.uk/act/rnli-tha...
act.38degrees.org.uk
An open letter in support of the volunteers and staff at the RNLI
This is a disgrace. Brave RNLI volunteers being called scum for risking their lives to save others at sea is just plain wrong. So I've signed an open letter of thanks for the RNLI letting them know th...
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Registration closes today…
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Children and Young People Thematic Hub @cyphub.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Do you work with young children? Are you passionate about play, and the relationships children with each other and the world around them? Then this event might be for you....come along 🍃
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
This will be a fantastic afternoon - join us ✨
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
This 👇🏼
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Looking forward to this - and not just because it is going to involve paints 🫟🎨
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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 09/05/2026
JK Rowling is now represented by a trans person in the Scottish parliament. Absolutely incredible.
Two transgender MSPs elected to Holyrood in first for Scottish parliament
Dr Q Manivannan and Iris Duane secured regional list seats for the Scottish Green Party.
David Young
Friday 08 May 2026 17:52 EDT
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Scottish Greens @scottishgreens.org · 22/01/2026
The only people who benefit from replacing human creativity in our communities with algorithms are the super-rich owners of AI companies that rip off artists’ work. We're calling for urgent regulation and safeguards to ensure people and planet are put before profit.
Article in the National: Greens call for stricter 'AI slop' after Glasgow mural row.
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Jack Wallington @jackwallington.com · 15/12/2025
It’s a sad indictment of Britain’s ignorance of nature that Sycamore Gap petitions - for a tree that mattered to humans but not nature - received tens of thousands of signatures but a petition to protect entire peatland habitats is stuck at 1,500 actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk/end-peat-sal...
actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk
Sign the petition to end peat sales!
No more delays: Let's get peat out of gardens once and for all. The time for uncertainty has ended.
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Not In Our Name (NION) Women @nionwomen.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
💥 Seventy thousand women have now signed our letter. Seventy thousand women saying clearly that exclusion is not in our name and that trans people deserve dignity, safety and belonging. 🙏 Sign and share: notinourname.org.uk #NotInOurName #Love #Inclusion #WomenUnite
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Anna Freud @annafreudcharity.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Join our free Autism Central webinar on 19 Dec with Pete Wharmby on the ‘brain motorway’, where we explore more about monotropism, flow states, self-regulation and stress management: www.autismcentral.org.uk/events/brain...
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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 05/11/2025
Breaking.
A screenshot of a social media trending section showing “Politics · Trending” followed by the phrase “WOKE IS BACK” in bold white text. Below it, “15.3K posts” indicates the number of related posts. The background is black.
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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Michael Rosen Day is happening on Thursday 13th November! If you haven't signed up yet, make sure you do. There's a free live @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social event, a poetry competition and loads of great resources. Join the poetry party! #MichaelRosenDay www.michaelrosen.co.uk/michaelrosen...
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Sue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
I'm running a webinar on adaptive teaching on 5th November. Loads of practical advice about inclusive approaches to teaching. Pay what you can to attend. Please share. Thank you! #EduSky www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
eventbrite.co.uk
The Ultimate Guide to Adaptive Teaching - Webinar with Sue Cowley
Sue Cowley shares ideas about adaptive teaching and offers a range of practical strategies for creating an inclusive classroom
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
What a wonderful afternoon with our #UoEPGDEp students @morayhouse.bsky.social. We were delighted to be joined by colleagues from Education Scotland, Edinburgh Council and partner schools to be part of our play panel. And we also made some time to play ourselves…..
Lynn Taylor’s, Education Scotland, opening slide, titled ‘Play in Scottish Education’. Presentation slide text stating ‘Actions + Emotions + Words = ‘The voice of the child’A picture of a train set created over a hand-drawn road map and a scattering of Kapla blocks. A row of houses and shops created from cardboard ‘junk’.
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Jenny Murray @missjgm.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
STEAM Garden as a Provocation Day 2 has started 🌱 @morayhouse.bsky.social @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social and @jhanc89.bsky.social sharing a warm welcome ❤️
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
We made something special today….excited about what will come next #STEAM #STEAMgarden - helping us to re-imagine and re-frame education
A collaborative artistic response to Jane Wheeler’s painting, ‘Tell me you’ll come home’. The paper is cascading down over benches and the paint drips and drips A gathering of people surrounding and participating in an artistic intervention.
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Jenny Murray @missjgm.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
A wonderful first session at our STEAM Garden as a provocation event at @morayhouse.bsky.social - a wonderful gathering of our widening community. Thank you @l0ur0col.bsky.social @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social @jhanc89.bsky.social for creating such a special opportunity for thinking and reframing. 🌱🎨💭
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Dr Sue Chapman-Kelly @drsuechapman.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
I was delighted today to open our #UoEPGDEp conference event 'Including All' at @morayhouse.bsky.social Huge thanks to @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social for making this happen and to our amazing student cohort for their curious and courageous participation
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Prof Nisreen Alwan @nisreenalwan.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Livestream of the Together for Palestine fundraiser event happening right now at Wembley, London 👇🏽 www.youtube.com/live/RWBVHFv...
youtube.com
Together for Palestine
YouTube video by Brian Eno
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Jenny Murray @missjgm.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Our #UoEPGDEp IncludingAll mini-conference has started. @drsuechapman.bsky.social began with a clear opening message about belonging and mattering. @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social now asks questions about the ethics of care and the relational nature of teaching.Important and grounding messages for us all.
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Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸 @helenjwc.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
This is a remarkable piece of #earlymathematics from Durham’s ‘Young Minds, Big Maths’. If you work or have an interest in #earlyyears and/or #mathematics you really should download this **FREE** booklet 👇🏼👇🏼
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Really good turnout at our UCU picket line this morning. Our doggy friends were particularly welcome #UCU #stopthecuts #dogsatpicketlines
A lovely brown and white dog sitting over a chalked pavement, reading ‘Stop the cuts’
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Marina Purkiss @marina-purkiss.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
The billionaire press barons must be having a right laugh… Here we are distracted & arguing over asylum seekers (0.2% of the population) Meanwhile, billionaires (just 0.0002% of the population) hoard more wealth than half the UK Immigration isn’t draining us Inequality is.
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
Fun morning @morayhouse.bsky.social preparing for the Outdoor Learning Challenge with our new #UoEPGDEp cohort. Lots of fun, team work and energy! Big thanks to our colleague from the Outdoor Learning team 🌱
Students working in teams to move a ball from one end to another using small prices of guttering. Students working in teams to move a ball from one end to another using small prices of guttering. The most challenging game in the world! ….still working on the most challenging game in the world.
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Moray House School of Education and Sport @morayhouse.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
🌙 Moon, Tell Me Truth – Poems by Children from Palestine and Beyond. Join us for the launch of this poetry and photo exhibition, opening with "Welcome to Gaza!" – a film of plays by the children of Gaza for the Hands Up Project. 📅19 August 🕒3–5pm 📍MHSES More info & booking 👉 edin.ac/4oC5HDV
edin.ac
Moon tell me truth - poems by children from Palestine and beyond
This poetry and photo exhibition launches with ‘Welcome to Gaza!’, a film of plays by the children of Gaza written for the Hands Up Project.
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Supertanskiii @supertanskiiii.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Noel and Liam Gallagher’s brother charged with rape and threats to kill. I bet there’s going to be a massive riot at the next Oasis gig, right? Wrong, because: 1. He’s white. 2. Oasis aren’t responsible for his actions. Just like an entire asylum hotel is not responsible for one offender…
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
#UoEPGDEp - some more great advice here for setting up an Early Years classroom space….
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Wondering if anyone has looked at the impact on that AI generated transcriptions have on the quality and nature of transcriptions (even when then refined by a human)? I’m in the process of doing just that. AI has removed all the humanness - the ‘ems’, ‘uh-uhs’ + silences. Feels odd and a bit icky 🫤🥴
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Teen Vogue @teenvogue.com · 07/07/2025
How Venice protesters got Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez to move their wedding reception. Read more: www.teenvogue.com/story/venice...
teenvogue.com
Before Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's Wedding, Venice Activists Raised Hell
How Venice protesters got the world's third-richest man to move his wedding reception.
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Jenny Murray @missjgm.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
I’m chuffed to be in great company here… some great books from @andrewcowley23.bsky.social @adrianbethune.bsky.social and @suecowley.bsky.social amongst others! Sale on til 11th July if you’re looking for a bargain! @bloomsburyed.bsky.social ⬇️
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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
IT’S HAPPENING! Labour MPs have launched a major rebellion to stop Keir Starmer’s welfare cuts which will plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty. Write to your MP NOW and ask them to vote against the planned cuts. You can use this handy link action.trussell.org.uk/your-mp-must...
action.trussell.org.uk
Your MP must vote against cruel cuts to disability support
Our social security system should be there for us all, especially when we need it most. But the UK government has proposed huge cuts to disabled people’s support which are going through Parliament now...
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Iconic anti-war poster, originally by US printmaker Lorraine Schneider, 1966 #ReframingWomenPrintmakers
Yellow poster featuring a stylised sun flower to the left and black text tobthe right
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
I don’t know if this is a conscious Edinburgh Council decision, but I am enjoying the living, green kerbs 🌿🌱🌼
Image of a kerb with lots of different plant life growing from the cracks in the cement work.
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Sue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Last shout for this webinar on adaptive teaching that I'm running next week. Please share. Thank you! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
eventbrite.co.uk
The Ultimate Guide to Adaptive Teaching - Webinar with Sue Cowley
Sue Cowley shares ideas about adaptive teaching and offers a range of practical strategies for creating an inclusive classroom
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Sunset on last day of #UoEPGDEp - wonderful, celebratory day ☺️🤩
Sun setting over Edinburgh
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Jenny Murray @missjgm.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Just leaving this here for any of our #UoEPGDEp students who might need a wee bit of fuel for presentation day tomorrow… 🤩🥐☕️
Free breakfast offering @levels Poster
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Katie Cebula @katiecebula.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Are you: ⭐the parent of an autistic child and their neurotypical sibling (both 5 - 12 years & within 5 years of each other)? ⭐in Scotland? We are recruiting for a study looking at how parents support autistic children and their siblings to play together. More info/register interest: edin.ac/4mWJsrw
Poster reads:
Parents of autistic children ages 5-12 years.
The University of Edinburgh
Sibling Play Study
Compensation of £30 voucher per family
Join us to better understand how parents support sibling interactions for autistic children.
This study involves a home visit and an interview.
If you are interested and would like more information scan the QR code below to register interest.
[Note - QR code links to: https://edin.ac/4mWJsrw ]

Contact: Matthew Klein v1mklei2@ed.ac.uk
The University of Edinburgh
Moray House School of  Education and Sport
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
I’ve not taught on campus on 6weeks while our #UoEPGDEp students have been on placement. Wondering if I’ll remember how to teach tomorrow?? These thoughts never go…I think you just get better at trusting the people you hope to teach to be the better teachers 🦋
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Rewild Scotland @rewildscotland.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
Help restore an ancient wee Scottish woodland. We will plant trees with your donations and you can visit anytime. www.the-wildwood.org.uk
Tree sapling
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Katie Cebula @katiecebula.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Do you: ⭐work in a UK school with a sensory room/garden AND ⭐work with pupils with additional support needs/special educational needs? If so, please complete this questionnaire for a study to help develop resources for using multi-sensory environments to best support pupils. Grateful for reposts!
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
This is just wonderful 👇🏼 word spaces will never be the same….
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
I’m very lucky that I can walk to most of the schools I get to visit when our #UoEPGDEp students are on placement….new (to me) routes and pathways discovered today. Lovely to walk to the sound of birds, rather than cars 🐦‍⬛
Image of a pathway in Edinburgh. The path is surrounded by trees. The sun is streaming in and making beautiful shadows. Image of a pathway in Edinburgh. The path is surrounded by trees. The sun is streaming in and making beautiful shadows.
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
These tips are brilliant, @scotdeafteacher.bsky.social - thank you so much for putting them together 👏🏼🫶
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Why is it that when you sit down to write a big old fly comes into the room and buzzes incessantly? 😩🪰 #writingtroubles
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 25/04/2025
🏳️‍⚧️ NEW 🏳️‍⚧️ We believe the Supreme Court – which disgracefully refused to hear from trans people before its decision last week – has placed the UK in breach of its obligations under the Human Rights Act. So we’re readying a challenge – join us: goodlaw.social/xpme
goodlaw.social
Help us challenge the Supreme Court’s judgment on trans rights | Good Law Project
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Samantha Friedman @safriedman.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
It's not too late to sign up (in-person or online) for the Stewart Alan Robertson Public Lecture with Dr Rebecca Wood! We're so looking forward to this event, and we hope you'll join us.
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Sue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
I'm going to quote post this again because I still see teachers enthusing about AI. Please don't ignore the environmental damage even if you're okay with the theft of copyright. ⬇️
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Thank you @carolinegordon.bsky.social for organising a wonderful visit to the Botanic Gardens. Really lovely to explore new ways to connect with nature #UoEPGDEp
Exploring nooks and crannies of a moss covered rock with a dental mirror. A table top filled with pine cones and bard from the Botanic Gardens to explore. A small sign reading ‘No one will protect what they don’t care about and no will care about what they have never experienced, Sir David Attenborough’ My new good friend. A talking tree with a twist.
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Kirsten Darling-McQuistan @kdarlingmcq.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
#STEAM - Day 2 [take 2] - we turned our attention to soil…..it did not take long for the soil to change us. Transformations and connections being made across the #UoEPGDEp cohort @l0ur0col.bsky.social @morayhouse.bsky.social
Wall of soil samples and artistic responses. STEAM exhibition space.A group’s powerful protest piece, titled ‘You treat me like dirt’, with reference to soil. Soil samples from across Scotland and beyond displayed across a wall.
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