Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Stumbling across some glorious writing on a quiet Saturday morning just for the absolute sake of it. Read til the bitter end. 011
Reposted by Mags PattenLizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 10/06/2026The family of the Belfast stabbing victim have released a statement saying - like the family of Henry Nowak last week - that the attack should not be used to "divide people or fuel hostility" They condemned disorder and praised the "valuable contribution" by migrants inews.co.uk/news/politic... 212091827
Reposted by Mags PattenArts Council England @artscouncilengland.bsky.social · 02/06/2026Dawn Airey CBE has been appointed as our new Chair, starting 1 August 2026. With 30+ years experience across the media and creative industries, she brings outstanding leadership and a deep commitment to arts and culture. Read more 👇 bit.ly/4dVQrgF 📸 Jonathan Phangbit.lyDawn Airey CBE appointed as Chair of Arts Council EnglandThe Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed Dawn Airey CBE as Chair of Arts Council England for a term of 4 years starting on 1 August 2026. 094
Reposted by Mags PattenPhilip Cowley @philipjcowley.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Latest piece for @thehousemag.bsky.social, in which I look at Mo Salah and the parasocial contact hypothesis. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...politicshome.comThe Professor Will See You Now: The Mo Salah effectLessons in political science. This week: The Mo Salah effect 02011
Reposted by Mags PattenMayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 17/05/2026Let it be clear: you are wanted here. 552270742
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 08/05/2026Something just ahead of Shabbat about the work in my workplace. And now a peaceful, restful weekend to everyone. 000
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Right now we should thank the bridge builders with souls of many parts. This is a brilliant thread and linked blog. 020
Reposted by Mags PattenSunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 05/05/2026Column today from @stephenkb.bsky.social on what defeats racism - including antisemitism - and what helps it persist or grow www.ft.com/content/5cdf...ft.comHow not to defeat antisemitismThe only way to overcome this scourge is to see it for what it is: racism 14811
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 19/04/2026In the face of anti semitic attacks here is a story of solidarity and hope from my much loved part time home of Finchley. www.theguardian.com/news/2026/ap...theguardian.com‘A quiet, radical act’: Muslim neighbours support members of attacked London synagogueAfter attempted arson attack, communities are determined to remain resilient and open 140
Reposted by Mags PattenJack Kessler @jackkessler.bsky.social · 19/04/2026And another one. It would be nice — albeit a triumph of hope over experience — to think we had vocal allies right about now.bbc.comPolice treating arson attack as antisemitic hate crimeIt comes as a man attempts to ignite a plastic bag containing containing fluid in north-west London. 210936
Reposted by Mags PattenContempraInn 🌹 @contemprainn.bsky.social · 18/04/2026Dog imitating Penguins 🤣 16767621079
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 04/04/2026This article has stayed with me all week. It’s an excellent piece of journalism and I’m looking forward to the book. 294
Reposted by Mags PattenPetra Guasti @petraguasti.bsky.social · 14/03/2026Jürgen Habermas died today at 96. Few political theorists shaped how we think about democratic legitimacy in modern societies as profoundly. His lifelong question was straightforward but demanding: How can political authority be justified under conditions of pluralism? 🧵 1348
Reposted by Mags PattenPhil Harrison @mrpmharrison.bsky.social · 04/02/2026This is brilliant. George Saunders is such a treasure. www.thenerve.news/p/george-sau...thenerve.news'There has to be a way to actively oppose these thugs without losing ourselves': novelist George Saunders on life in America nowThe Booker prize-winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo, whose new novel imagines the last hours of an oil tycoon, is struggling to reconcile empathy with opposition in a riven America. He talks to Do... 3268
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 31/01/2026Fair point. Do not apply if you can’t handle the arguments and trade offs that come with constrained resources. On the other hand your key KPI is awe. 031
Reposted by Mags PattenRhodri Marsden @rhodri.biz · 24/12/2025I've got to be honest, we may as well call it a night #DuvetKnowItsChristmas 2389195
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 05/12/2025It’s been a week. I’m wrapping myself in fleece, cracking the festive Amaretto early and bingeing All Creatures Great and Small. 010
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 30/11/2025So the kids are alright, but they really want the Westminster village to stop talking to itself and start talking to them about how to fix the country. demos.co.uk/wp-content/u...demos.co.uk 010
Reposted by Mags PattenHetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 30/08/2025Life’s getting a bit more crap here if you are a person from an ethnic minority 🧵 40574205
Reposted by Mags PattenGeoff MacDonald 🇨🇦 @gmacdonalduoft.bsky.social · 16/10/2025Is social interaction a tradeoff of autonomy for belonging compared to being alone? New paper by phenom @elainehoan.bsky.social says yes if you're interacting with strangers, no if you're interacting with friends/family. With a romantic partner you gain in both. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...journals.sagepub.comSage Journals: Discover world-class researchSubscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher. 01811
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 02/10/2025What a dreadful day. I’m not Jewish but my husband is. I felt glad to be standing alongside him for the end of Yom Kippur and it was moving to hear a deeply felt message of condolence and solidarity from the local imam at synagogue tonight. 030
Reposted by Mags PattenSunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 02/10/2025On Yom Kippur many Jewish people in Britain have their phones off to mark the holy day. As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time. At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing. 171504568
Reposted by Mags PattenHetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 21/09/2025the requirements to succeed on new media platforms are almost precisely the opposite of what successful experts… have trained themselves to do: maintain an institutional tone of formal detachment & stay ruthlessly on-message at all times.’ @noupside.bsky.social carnegieendowment.org/research/202...carnegieendowment.orgFor Expertise to Matter, Nonpartisan Institutions Need New Communications StrategiesTo avoid irrelevance when they are needed most, experts and nonpartisan analysts must rethink not just their channels of communication but also their theory of influence. 32611
Reposted by Mags Pattenjamelle @jamellebouie.net · 16/09/2025my favorite robert redford story is that mike nichols considered him for dustin hoffman's part in THE GRADUATE. during their conversation nichols asked redford something like, "have you ever struck out with a girl?" and redford's response was basically, "i don't understand the question" 240197702654
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 14/09/2025There was nothing unifying about the “Unite the Kingdom rally”. Solidarity with anyone non-white who felt threatened in London yesterday. The vast majority of Brits think and feel differently (see evidence from data superhero Sunder Katwala below) and good if we can find ways to demonstrate this. 15612
Reposted by Mags PattenNaomi Alderman @naomialderman.bsky.social · 02/08/2025so. remember how in the past people got enough exercise just from doing their job & daily tasks? & now all jobs are screens & we have to *deliberately exercise* to stay healthy? from now we will have to *deliberately write* and *engage with art made for a wide audience* to keep our brains healthy. 913567
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 25/07/2025A splendid read. I’d love more (social) policy and less Westminster intrigue in our journalism. And yes somewhat arch - policy can be chewy, but policy writing can inspire all the feels from rage to joy, when it captures the human impact. 061
Reposted by Mags PattenLuke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 13/07/2025In 2020 @moreincommonuk.bsky.social launched the British 7 Segments. After a pandemic, major global conflicts, political upheaval, cost of living crisis, changes in work/social/information habits it’s time to update them for 2025. Here’s an intro to our new tribes of Britain (Quiz link next) 136118
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 12/07/2025James Plunkett offers practical inspiration here to anyone trying to be a bit less hierarchy and a bit more network. 010
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 05/06/2025Money doesn’t grow on trees but ideas do. ACE chief exec @henleydarren.bsky.social arguing in The Stage that cultural sector innovation is a source of growth, drawing inspiration from Daniel Susskind’s excellent book Growth: A Reckoning. 020
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 17/05/2025Read if you have ever been ensconced in a Parisian Brasserie. As a young’un I was intimidated by Lipp - that association with lunching French presidents - but the theatrics at Bofinger, near the Bastille, made my Dad’s 70th a cherished memory. 010
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 16/05/2025Interview with Arts Council England Chair Nick Serota in The Guardian highlighting the vital role of public investment in attracting other sources of revenue for the cultural sector. www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...theguardian.comArts Council England chair says sector at ‘tipping point’ amid funding fearsSir Nicholas Serota says continued public investment is vital to draw in private funding to maintain cultural centres 020
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 14/05/2025This is a brilliant, moving report capturing life and the absurdity of the system for most prisoners and prison officers. If only more media outlets could do this, instead of frothing at the mouth about prison reform. Congrats to Preston Prison for opening its doors too. 2375
Reposted by Mags PattenDr Duncan Robertson @duncanrobertson.bsky.social · 25/04/2025Wooah. 18.5% reduction in sick leave reported. (And this was pre-Covid: "Our sample periods for the LEZ and ULEZ analyses are 2005–2009 and 2016–2019, respectively.") 519874
Reposted by Mags PattenArts Council England @artscouncilengland.bsky.social · 22/04/2025Creativity means business! 🏦🔑 And public investment in arts and culture helps make it happen. New CEBR report finds #ACEsupported orgs added £1.35 billion to the economy in 2023 📖🎉👇 #LetsCreate buff.ly/WGf1vVO Image credit: Jerome Whittingham 1104
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 18/04/2025Sorry for paywall, but for those who can, our Arts Council Chair in the hot orange seat on freedom of expression, the value of public investment in culture and the importance of listening. on.ft.com/4czH310 Axing arts quangos risks ‘liberty of thought’ says Nicholas Serotaon.ft.comAxing arts quangos risks ‘liberty of thought’ says Nicholas SerotaChair of Arts Council England says arm’s-length funding of theatre, music and museums helps prevent politicisation 020
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 18/04/2025It’s not the purpose of Arts Council investment, but the way public money for art and culture drives growth in the wider economy should be factored in by government. www.thestage.co.uk/news/ace-bac...thestage.co.ukACE-backed companies contributed £1.35bn to economy in 2023 – reportOrganisations funded by Arts Council England contributed £1.35 billion in gross value added in 2023, topping pre-pandemic levels 030
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 08/04/2025Important statement on value of public investment in culture from Arts Council England’s governing bodies. 020
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 06/04/2025This sounds terrific and a fruitful way forward for thinking about EDI. Can’t think of anything our world needs more right now than deep thinking about compassion. 000
Reposted by Mags PattenArts Professional @artsprofessional.co.uk · 03/04/2025Arts Council England chief executive Darren Henley has responded to renewed criticism that the funding body prioritises community engagement over artistic excellence, calling the characterisation “skewed” and “exclusive”.buff.lyACE chief Henley rejects ‘ugly’ criticism of community engagement efforts - Arts ProfessionalArts Council England chief executive Darren Henley has responded to renewed criticism that the funding body prioritises community engagement over artistic excellence, calling the characterisation “skewed”... 072
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 29/03/2025It’s not quite clear to me what communities are at the bottom of here - just below humdrum - John Tusa? www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...theguardian.comArts Council England defends support of classical music amid loss of trustArts funding body responds to criticism as Wigmore Hall in London says it will operate independently from 2026 130
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 15/03/2025“The curious reality is that, in every sphere of life actually devoted to the collective pursuit of truth, the greatest freedom of enquiry goes hand in hand with clear rules of expression”ft.comFinancial TimesFinancial TimesNews, analysis and opinion from the Financial Times on the latest in markets, economics and politics 000
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 02/03/2025Well deserved Myles Smith on his Brit win. Good to see public investment help underwrite the risk early on for a working class barnstormer with talent. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/f...theguardian.comStadium-ready UK singer Myles Smith: ‘For the working class, music opportunities are few and far between’Up for three Brit awards this weekend including song of the year for his epic hit Stargazing, the former sociology student condemns how austerity has damaged the arts 010
Reposted by Mags PattenMel Ross @melross.bsky.social · 01/03/2025Looking for a bit of respite in these harrowing times: "Together, they represent the best of what novels can do: challenge us, delight us, pull us in and then release us, a little smarter and a little more alive than we were before" www.theatlantic.com/books/archiv...theatlantic.comThe Great American Novels136 books that made America think 253
Reposted by Mags PattenNPR @npr.org · 23/02/2025Anyone can dance. As you read this comic, follow each step — and you'll be moving and grooving in no time.npr.orgThink you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you!Anyone can dance. As you read this comic, follow each step — and you'll be moving and grooving in no time. 2646248
Mags Patten @magspatten.bsky.social · 19/02/2025Just looked up the word “nacreous” thinking it sounds nasty, but it means shimmering, like mother of pearl. On that pleasing learning I can end a difficult day. (Thank you Samantha Harvey) 020
Reposted by Mags PattenDr Penny Hay @penahay.bsky.social · 13/02/2025Rules for researching Harriet Hand 🩵 171
Reposted by Mags PattenProf Dave O'Brien @drdaveobrien.bsky.social · 12/02/2025AND new @creativepec.bsky.social report dropped today too, with ind with analysis of the employer skills survey and detailed policy recommendations too pec.ac.uk/state_of_the...pec.ac.ukSkills Mismatches in the UK's Creative Industries - Creative Industries Policy and Evidence CentreRead the latest State of the Nations research report on the skills mismatch in the creative industries produced by Work Advance. 01210