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Lucy Potter

@lucypotter.bsky.social
2.6K followers 749 following 104 posts

ESRC Research Fellow at the Uni of York | PhD in non-religion, apostasy & asylum | Sociologist exploring identities, human and refugee rights & (de)coloniality linktr.ee/drlucypotter

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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Catching up with the BBC doc 'Faithless', which follows people who have left a religion. It highlights the lived experiences of growing up in what they term ‘high-control’ religions, the risks of leaving, and the challenges of navigating life afterwards. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Illuminated - Faithless - BBC Sounds
Examining the line between religious devotion and unhealthy control.
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Faith to Faithless @faith2faithless.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“This U-turn in the strict Jehovah’s Witness ‘no blood’ policy is not just a ‘clarification’ but a life-saving move... “What a shame God did not ‘clarify’ it years ago when I was at the bedside of a lady who died for refusing red cell transfusion..." www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09...
telegraph.co.uk
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Praxis, for migrants and refugees @praxisprojects.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A far right activist and convicted criminal livestreamed himself slashing a dingy with a rescue worker still on board. Will the government stand by and watch as criminals threaten the lives of people seeking safety? inews.co.uk/news/small-b...
inews.co.uk
Anti-migrant vigilante 'slashes' dinghy at sea with rescuer still aboard
Hampshire police 'conducting enquiries' into an incident in the Channel during a small boat rescue
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Lauren Starkey @laurenhstarkey.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Men will send me emails like this and then go rampaging on the streets of Dover and Portsmouth claiming they want to keep refugees out in order to “PROTECT OUR WOMEN!” Not a single one of the young male refugees I’ve worked with has ever spoken to me with such violent misogyny.
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HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 08/09/2026
Did Kent Police ignore Dover blockade 999 call? We can reveal the story that undermines the public statement of Kent Police. 🧵
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 26/08/2026
“I was not happy with myself, quite alone and then the realisation of what was happening kicked in, maybe I was no longer Muslim?” – Karim, 28 years old @lucypotter.bsky.social examines the identity transformation of apostate refugees. #OpenAccess @journals.sagepub.com buff.ly/oO3YbNv
Lucy Elizabeth Potter
Conceptualising Identity Transformations of the Apostate Refugee through Un/Learning 
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00380261261465979
The Sociological Review #OnlineFirst
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
We need to show rightwing newspapers that actions have consequences. Add your name: goodlawproject.org/s/abb8a1
goodlawproject.org
Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now | Good Law Project
Commission an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press given its contribution to Dr Arday’s tragic death.
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Ben Whitham @drbenwhitham.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I spoke to Lizzie Dearden for this i article on the racist targeting of HMOs. From Belfast to Thetford, people are being dragged from their homes by masked fascist thugs, their houses attacked and even burned down, and this is all being normalised as "protest". inews.co.uk/news/vigilan...
inews.co.uk
How far-right vigilantes are targeting asylum seekers as HMO attacks rise
Experts said the targeting of asylum seekers in houses 'represented a new escalation of anti-migrant harassment and violence'
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Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
So, so, grim. Impossible for anyone to cope with such a hostile response from so many rushing to condemn. metro.co.uk/2026/08/14/f...
metro.co.uk
Former Cambridge University academic Jason Arday found dead at home
He resigned last week amid plagiarism allegations.
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Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
The language here, dear god, is it possible to just stop talking about asylum seekers as packages to be shunted round the country, or burdens to be endured?
theguardian.com
Immigration minister says poorer areas have taken ‘fair share’ of asylum seekers – UK politics live
Anna Turley backs up Andy Burnham’s suggestion that affluent areas should house more asylum seekers in future
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Runnymede Trust @runnymedetrust.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
From widespread racist violence, to attacks on places of worship and burning down homes and businesses of people of colour, our new PM is inheriting a country which is ripping at the seams. Our Head of Policy tells the @bigissue.com why Andy Burnham needs to introduce national antiracism strategy ✍️
bigissue.com
Why Britain needs an anti-racism strategy right now
An anti-racism strategy is needed in the UK to address rising racist violence and online hate speech, says Runnymede Trust's Stephen Walcott.
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Listen to me discussing my research on non-religious asylum claims, the challenges faced by people persecuted for leaving religion, and what this reveals about asylum decision-making in the UK ⬇️ 📅 TONIGHT 7pm-8pm 🎟️ Register here: humanists.uk/wp-json/civi... @humanists.uk
humanists.uk
In conversation with Lucy Potter
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Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration @icibi.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The Independent Chief Inspector's report on ‘An inspection of asylum casework’ has been published and is available on the ICIBI website:
gov.uk
Inspection report published: An inspection of asylum casework (June – December 2025)
The Independent Chief Inspector comments on the asylum casework inspection report following its publication.
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Joanna Malone @joannamalone.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
NEW PAPER: 'Institutionalising Non-religion? Locating Non/Religion in a Welsh Primary School', with @annastrhan.bsky.social, @drpeterjhemming.bsky.social & Sarah Neal, in Sociological Research Online, funded by @leverhulme.ac.uk journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
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Department of Sociology, University of York @uoy-sociology.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Take a look at what our academic staff and researchers published in May & June!👇
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
🚨 New publication 🚨 My latest publication is out now in the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. It addresses a significant gap in research by examining how the UK refugee status determination process responds to claims based on non-religion and apostasy. www.tandfonline.com/eprint/I8BKA...
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Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
New: UNHCR warns government that unqualified adjudicators will undermine the new asylum appeals body — by Jasmine Quiller-Doust
freemovement.org.uk
UNHCR warns government that unqualified adjudicators will undermine the new asylum appeals body - Free Movement
The government has indicated that it plans to staff the new appeals body with adjudicators who are not required to have legal qualifications. Australia tried
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HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 16/06/2026
It has been ten years since Jo Cox MP was murdered by a far-right extremist while serving her constituents in Batley and Spen. Today, we pause to remember Jo and her belief that “we have more in common than that which divides us”.
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Simon Parker @sparkerworld.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
open.substack.com/pub/migrants...
open.substack.com
STATEMENT: Migrants' Rights Network Condemns the Belfast Pogrom
Migrants’ Rights Network stands in full solidarity with migrant and racialised communities in Belfast subjected to coordinated racist violence last night: homes have been burned, families terrorised, ...
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Amnesty International UK @amnestyuk.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
The scenes in Belfast last night were disgraceful. Families were targeted because of their skin colour or country of origin, leaving people frightened, homeless and fearing for their safety. The actions of one individual must never be used to stigmatise an entire community, nationality or faith.
An image of a road with a car on fire. Copy that reads: This is the third summer in a row that Northern Ireland has experienced organised racist violence - with each outbreak more serious than the last.
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University of York Events @uoyevents.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
It's #RefugeeWeek next week. Find some free events on our website, including an online cook-along! ow.ly/WcXl50Z9TmU
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Free Movement @freemovement.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
The High Court has found the Home Office acted unlawfully in scrapping accommodation protections for survivors of torture and trafficking — no consultation with specialists, no proper equality assessment, no investigation into consequences. A significant ruling covered in our latest piece by…
freemovement.org.uk
Home Office unlawfully removed asylum accommodation protections for torture and trafficking survivors - Free Movement
The High Court has ruled that the Home Office acted unlawfully when it removed long-standing accommodation protections for survivors of torture, trafficking
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
📢 EVENT I’m super excited to organise this event for Refugee Week on ‘Courage, Community and Conversation’. If you’re in or around York, do pop in and hear about the amazing work going on for refugees and wider society. 📆 Monday, 15th June ⏰ Fair (10-2); Panel (3-4:30) 📍York
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
I’ve been wanting to do a Pint of Science for years after going to a local one! Ticked it off earlier this week and was so much fun. It’s not everyday people in the pub want to hear about your research 🤣 #pint26
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
For Refugee Week 2026, the University of York Migration Network is hosting a day of Courage, Community & Conversation 🌍 Featuring: 🤝 Community stalls and conversations 🗣️ A panel on courage, sanctuary & solidarity Please share with your networks! #RefugeeWeek #RefugeeWeek2026 #courage
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Pint of Science World @pintsworld.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
#pint26 is in a week! This year we will be in +640 cities Check out this interactive map which lists them all 🗺️📍 bit.ly/pint26world And get all the infos here pintofscience.com Get ready to join the science party! 🦕 🫀👩‍🔬📚🧫🧪🌎🕷️🧬🪨🦴🤖🌴🌺🧠🔭👓⚖️🐳☄️🎼🌆
bit.ly
2026 Pint of Science - pintsworld #pint26 - Google My Maps
All the countries and cities taking part in Pint of Science 2026 (#pint26) 18-20 May 2026 See pintofscience.com for more information.
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Looking forward to my Pint of Science 🧬 presentation in York on Wednesday! Believe it or not? Proving what you don’t believe. 🤔 #pint26 @uoy-sociology.bsky.social @uoyevents.bsky.social
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Adam Ramsay @adamramsay.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
New research shows that more people abandoned Labour because they were too tough on immigration - and because of their support for Israel - than because they were too soft on immigration.
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Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡 @helenbamber.org · 13/05/2026
Today’s King’s Speech confirmed what we feared: another Immigration and Asylum Bill that will make life harder for people seeking protection in the UK. For over a decade, we've seen new legislation every year, which has failed to fix a broken system. Here’s why this approach makes things worse 🧵
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
They’re awful, including the filming of hotels housing people seeking asylum 🙄 vile
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Open Research at York @uoyopenres.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Take a look at these @pintofscience.uk events taking place at venues around York next week (18-20 May) #pint26 🍻 ☕ 🧠
pintofscience.co.uk
Pint of Science York
Scientists in York share their discoveries with you.
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Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
OMFG I had to go and check that this ACTUALLY happened. Since when does the BBC ever do chyrons with a political party's branding, rather than their own? Not to mention this is during a pre-election campaign purdah. (h/t @iainsol.bsky.social)
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
I've gone international! 🌏 Listen to me yap on @humanists.bsky.social podcast about how the British asylum system is currently failing people seeking asylum due to leaving their religion ❗ www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK8i...
youtube.com
How the UK Asylum System Is Failing the Non-Religious with Dr. Lucy Potter
YouTube video by Humanise Live
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Refugee and Migrant Justice @rmjusticeuk.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
This week's BBC coverage about fraudulent 'immigration advisers' has sparked concern across the sector. Our full statement can be found on our website, but we've broken it down for you. 🧵
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
What's not in the news: Over a decade of research has consistently revealed significant flaws in Home Office decision-making for LGBTQI+/sexuality-based asylum claims, raising real concerns about the UK meeting its obligations under the Refugee Convention. Below are some examples:
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
My thoughts: It's important to highlight that individuals who base their asylum claims on being LGBTQIA+ make up a tiny proportion of overall cases. And even then, more than a third are refused. 🧵 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Legal advisers help migrants pose as gay to get asylum, undercover BBC investigation finds
The BBC exposes a shadow industry charging migrants thousands of pounds to help them cheat the asylum system.
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Disgusting reporting by BBC using a tiny number of cases to suggest widespread abuse of a system which routinely denies LGBTQIA+ individuals asylum and forces them back into environments of persecution. This article massively distorts the reality of the situation. 1/ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Legal advisers help migrants pose as gay to get asylum, undercover BBC investigation finds
The BBC exposes a shadow industry charging migrants thousands of pounds to help them cheat the asylum system.
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Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 24/03/2026
Twelve countries globally have the death penalty for blasphemy and apostasy (leaving religion). In Pakistan, for example, being openly humanist is impossible without the threat of state arrest and persecution, or as we have too often seen, death by extreme mob violence. @lucypotter.bsky.social
Dr Lucy Potter, Research Fellow at the University of York, said:
‘I’ve met people who have sought asylum who have spent years trying to explain something that most people find simple: Why they no longer believe in the religion they were born into. They have been asked to pinpoint the exact moment they stopped believing, what philosophical arguments convinced them, and why they could not simply return home and stay silent about their views.

‘Many had no documents to prove their disbelief, no community leaders able to verify their identity, and often little language to describe what was, for them, a deeply personal transition.

‘Simply being accused of blasphemy can put your life at risk before any criminal trial, and even then, many individuals labelled as ‘blasphemers’ often struggle to find legal representation. In many countries, the primary threat is non-state actors, which can be mobs, extremist groups, or even family members, and in effect, many are forced to hide their beliefs or continue to conform to practices.’
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Andrew Copson @andrewcopson.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Fascinating to chair @lucypotter.bsky.social present her groundbreaking research and policy recommendations today. This study, conducted in collaboration with @humanists.uk, provides a rigorous examination of the barriers facing non-religious asylum seekers seeking safety in the UK.
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
After 4 years of work, I’ve published the first-ever report on non-religious asylum claims. This is a groundbreaking step for an often overlooked area of asylum protection. Please do read and share! ⬇️
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Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 24/03/2026
'Home Office officials do not understand what apostasy is – this affects how non-religious asylum seekers are recognised, questioned, and believed.' Listen to Dr @lucypotter.bsky.social speak about her groundbreaking research on @humanismnowpod.bsky.social. humanismnow.buzzsprout.com/2246305/epis...
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Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 24/03/2026
Twelve countries maintain the death penalty for 'blasphemy' and apostasy. This makes being openly humanist impossible. The Home Office must be able to recognise this, and protect non-religious people fleeing persecution. There must be equal protection for humanists.🧵 humanists.uk/2026/03/24/g...
humanists.uk
Groundbreaking research reveals UK policies give non-religious asylum seekers the ‘weakest protection’
The first ever study of Home Office asylum policies from a non-religious perspective has found that: The findings are in a new PhD from Dr Lucy Potter, Blasphemy and Apostasy in the UK Asylum System: ...
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Just one more day until my report launch - a deep dive into non-religious asylum claims and how people seeking protection based on non-belief and apostasy navigate the asylum system in the UK. Preview 👇 youtu.be/v7JKZUORkbc?... #Asylum #HumanRights #MigrationResearch #NonReligious
youtu.be
69. New Report: How UK Asylum Process Fails Non-Religious Refugees with Dr Lucy Potter
YouTube video by Humanism Now Podcast
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
New stats show the asylum appeals backlog was over 80,000 cases at the end of 2025, relating to around 104,000 people - a 91% increase on a year before. 4 in 10 of all asylum appeals disposed of in the last 3 months of 2025 were withdrawals, the majority of which will be by the Home Office.
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University of York Events @uoyevents.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
This session's now available to watch on YouTube too - youtu.be/-kyRXzDk8Is
youtu.be
Everything we think we know about religion is wrong - Professor Erin Wilson, University of Groningen
YouTube video by York Ideas
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
During asylum interviews, Interpreters play a role in articulating a claimants story. But, what if interpretations have inadvertently shaped how applicants’ beliefs and identities are understood, translated, and assessed in asylum decision-making? More at our report launch ↓ tinyurl.com/5eedhknf
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Lucy Potter @lucypotter.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
I welcome the UK gov’s new definition of ‘anti-Muslim hostility’. It captures vital protections for Muslims and those perceived as such, addressing the rise in hate while explicitly protecting freedom of expression for those who have left the faith ➡️ www.gov.uk/guidance/a-d...
gov.uk
​​A Definition of Anti-Muslim Hostility​
An overview of the government’s new non-statutory definition of anti‑Muslim hostility, what it seeks to address and its intended application.
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ISHASH @ishash.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Introducing our new Teaching Resources page! Check out the syllabi, reading lists, and assignment ideas shared by ISHASH members. We hope this inspires others to bring the histories of atheism, secularism & humanism into their teaching.
ISHASH TEACHING RESOURCES
This webpage collects syllabi, module outlines, seminar plans, assignment ideas, and classroom activities related to histories of atheism, secularism, and humanism. Materials are from a variety of teaching contexts, disciplines, and countries. We hope that browsing this page inspires others to introduce aspects of these histories into their teaching.
Many thanks to the ISHASH members who have generously shared their teaching materials. These
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Department of Sociology, University of York @uoy-sociology.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Take a look at what our academic and research staff published in February!👇
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