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Marc Geddes

@marcgeddes.uk
1.8K followers 493 following 199 posts

Political scientist mostly based at the University of Edinburgh and sometimes found at the Institute for Parliamentary Research in Berlin.

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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 14/05/2026
“The first rule of politics is to be able to count” - Lyndon B Johnson.
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Alexandra Meakin @ameakin.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
The Speaker has announced the resignation of the Clerk of the Commons, Tom Goldsmith, with a successor to be identified by summer recess. So, it's a good time to read @marcgeddes.uk & me on the challenges of this job and the chaotic recruitment process in 2014 🙌 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
Explaining Change in Legislatures: Dilemmas of Managerial Reform in the UK House of Commons - Alexandra Meakin, Marc Geddes, 2022
How do institutions adapt and reform themselves in response to new challenges? This article considers the role of ideas and posits that the concept of ‘dilemma’...
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 21/02/2026
It looks a bit cold out there!!
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Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
More MPs are coming off X and I assume that means they will be posting more on here @politicshome.bsky.social has a handy list of all the MPs on Bluesky Please point out anyone who is missing!
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Bonnie Field @bonniefield.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I’m organizing (late) a panel on gender & political parties in Southern Europe for the upcoming @ecpr.bsky.social general conference, for the linked section. Please contact me (see profile) if you would like to be included. Deadline is Friday, so pls contact me asap. Thanks! ecpr.eu/Events/Event...
ecpr.eu
Southern Europe as a Laboratory: Innovative Practices and Change After a Decade of Crises
European Consortium for Political Research
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ECPR Parliaments Standing Group @sgparliaments.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Call for Papers open! The ECPR General Conference is taking place in September in Krakow and our section (organised by @sophsuda.bsky.social and @ortuttnauer.com) is open for papers! Please submit by 5 Jan! Full details on our section are here: ecpr.eu/Events/Event... 🦉
ecpr.eu
Advancing the Study of Parliaments: Structures, Actors and Processes at a Crossroads
European Consortium for Political Research
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PSA Parliaments @psa-parliaments.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
👏 Congrats to Eliza, one of our Undergraduate Essay Prize winners from @uoe-sps.bsky.social! Put forward for the prize by @marcgeddes.uk ! #PSAParl25
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ECPR Parliaments Standing Group @sgparliaments.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
🎉 Many congratulations to @saradybesland.bsky.social for winning Best Paper Prize at the @ecpr.bsky.social General Conference 2025! Her paper is entitled "Misrepresented or Miss Represented?" focusing on gender and policy responsiveness, praised for its contribution and creativity! Well done! 🥳
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 23/10/2025
I was honoured to sit alongside such an esteemed panel of experts - @conunitucl.bsky.social's Director, Meg Russell, and @stephenholdenbates.bsky.social - to give evidence to the Procedure Committee on electing chairs to select committees: committees.parliament.uk/event/25243/...
committees.parliament.uk
22 October 2025 - Elections within the House of Commons - Oral evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
14:30 - Room 16, Palace of Westminster
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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Our Director, Meg Russell, gave oral evidence to @commonsproccom.parliament.uk yesterday with @marcgeddes.uk and @stephenholdenbates.bsky.social. She was positive about select committee chair elections, but highlighted problems with select committee member elections. Find out more 👇
ucl.ac.uk
Meg Russell discusses select committee chair and member elections before the Procedure Committee
In front of the Procedure Committee, the Director of the Constitution Unit was positive about select committee chair elections, but highlighted problems with select committee member elections.
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 02/10/2025
Discussing 50 years of Spanish democracy featuring @edinburghpir.bsky.social’s @oliverescobar.bsky.social! Really interesting themes around change and continuity
In the foreground an audience watching and listening to a discussion on a stage with three people. In the background a large image with lots of hands in different colours and the letters “esff”
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PSA German Politics Specialist Group @psagermanpol.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Excellent job opportunity in the SPARK project👇
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 30/09/2025
For full information about the SPARK research project, please visit our website: www.project-spark.net. You can also send me or @ewanrobo.bsky.social a message or email if you have any questions!
project-spark.net
Home | SPARK
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 30/09/2025
The fellow may focus on: 🇩🇪 Qual and quant research on the German/Bavarian parliaments 🇬🇧 Qual and quant research on the UK/Scottish parliaments 🔢 Quant research on the UK, Scottish, German and Bavarian parliaments 🌟 Research in another combination as designed by you (inc. the cases above)
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 30/09/2025
🚨 Job Opportunity! 🚨 Applications are now open for a new 2.5-year postdoc at @edinburghpir.bsky.social to examine how parliaments gather, analyse and use different types of knowledge - see the full job listing here: elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (SPARK)
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with experience in the politics of the UK, Scottish, German or Bavarian parliaments to join the UKRI-funded research project, ‘Studying Parliaments an...
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 18/09/2025
It was fascinating to listen to this lecture in the Scottish Parliament yesterday evening and grateful for the @studyofparl.bsky.social hosting the annual lecture in Scotland! Link to recording below - well worth listening for anybody interested in British politics
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 27/08/2025
Made it to #ecprgc25! Beautiful location amongst great discussions in the @sgparliaments.bsky.social panels! Looking forward to catching up with the SG on Knowledge and Governance later too!
The White Tower - a circular tower with the Greek flag at the top, trees to the left and right with grass in the foregroundDawn at the shore - blue sky in the top half, water in the bottom half, shoreline in the middle
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ECPR Parliaments Standing Group @sgparliaments.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
👋🏻 Welcome to those attending the ECPR General Conference #ecprgr25! Our section this year is action-packed with panels every day of the conference - here is an outline of what to expect:
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Philip Cowley @philipjcowley.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
This moment never ceases to excite. Out in shops on 9 Sept...
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 28/07/2025
Most parliaments have committees that work like this. Yes it would allow specialisation but it will create new problems. The magic of sel coms is their independence without limelight or interest from parties leaders. My fear is this would be destroyed if they were tasked with legislative scrutiny
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Christine Huebner @chuebner.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
The UK government proposes to lower the voting age to 16 #vote16 This is a landmark moment for all the young people (+ some older ones) who campaigned for this for years. It's been a privilege to work & do research with young people on #VotesAt16 in Scotland and Wales www.jrrt.org.uk/evidence-and...
Breaking news from the BBC: voting age to be lowered to 16 across UK by next general electionWith @eichhornjan.bsky.social at an event with young campaigners
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Jan Eichhorn @eichhornjan.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Having researched #Vote16 for 13 years, knowing the evidence and, crucially, meeting so many fantastic young people, I am very happy that #VotesAt16 will become reality across the UK! I hope that our research (@chuebner.bsky.social) has been useful to some. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Voting age to be lowered to 16 in UK by next general election
16- and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in all elections as part of changes including easier voter registration and a crackdown on foreign interference
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Ailsa Henderson @ailsahenderson.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
For folks newly interested in 16 year olds voting can I recommend years of scholarship by @eichhornjan.bsky.social in Scottish setting Also, in 2014 indyref the risk survey showed youngest members of electorate were our ideal deliberative citizens, most open minded in their info sources
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Daniel Gover @danielgover.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
I was interviewed on Today in Parliament on Radio 4 on Friday, discussing how the assisted dying bill might fare in the House of Lords. Listen here (around 7 mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 10/07/2025
Congratulations to all our Politics and International Relations (and dual Honours) graduates! It was great to celebrate with you!
A group of academics stand in 1-2 rows in a range of different coloured robes in a wood panelled room with a worn out red carpet
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ECPR Parliaments Standing Group @sgparliaments.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Thank you to everybody that attended our #sgop25 conference last week - here are some of the highlights:
Conference presentation with rows in the foreground with people listening to a presenter towards the back of the pictureA group of political scientists are standing under the cover of trees at a wine reception on a concrete concourseA presenter is pointing at slides while giving an overview of her research, with lots of people in the audience sitting in rows to listen and make notesAn auditorium with lots of people in the audience listening to a panel at the front of the room talking
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 07/07/2025
Do you know who the statue is depicting? I took a pic of it too but then realised I have no idea who it is or what it represents!
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 07/07/2025
It’s been a while since I visited a new one… #lovinglegislatures
Man (me) on left in dark green shirt taking ridiculous selfie in front of bushes, a white fountain, trees and the Catalan Parliament building. Parliament building - arches at the bottom, balcony and tall windows in the middle, and two round windows towards the top. Building is reddish/sandstone in colour. Blue sky. Bronze statue of someone that looks a bit like Peter Pan, in a robe holding a shieldPlenary chamber of the Catalan parliament, with lots of red/wooden rows in the foreground, marble pillars and arches to the side, and a podium in the centre. Catalan and Spanish flags at the back of the hall. Two massive chandeliers provide lighting in the middle.
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ECPR Parliaments Standing Group @sgparliaments.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Our 2pm panels will focus on accountability, youth representation, the role of the opposition and moral/religious issues in parliaments #sgop25
Conference panel descriptionConference panel description
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 01/07/2025
Months of planning finally coming to fruition and so excited for all the discussions from tomorrow onwards about all things parliaments 🥰 #sgop25
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 01/07/2025
This was only 9 months ago:
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Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Quite a statement from the author of the last govt review on post-18 education “The sector is going through emergency redundancy programme[s] that proper planning could have avoided...the governance errors in the [2010s] have led to the problems in the 20s” Interview by @fionamcintyre.bsky.social
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 20/06/2025
I disabled all my news alerts after I got some inconsequential “breaking” story about some celebrity from three news apps www.theguardian.com/media/2025/j...
theguardian.com
Rise in ‘alert fatigue’ risks phone users disabling news notifications, study finds
Publishers could see audiences uninstall apps, as some users receive up to 50 alerts a day, analysis shows
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 12/06/2025
Fair point, I think you’re right! But it’s not like she’s using the absences to learn/improve…
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 12/06/2025
Is Kemi Badenoch getting worse? She’s been so absent, her #r4today interview is the first I’ve heard in a long time and it was … not good.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
You know that pasta sauce Galaxy + Gemini ad? It demonstrates something interesting about AI: it is an excellent illustration of the risk of "problem orphaning" with AI. A short thread 1/7 www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8W-...
youtube.com
Recipe ideas | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Samsung
YouTube video by Samsung
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 04/06/2025
The first 20-25min of this committee hearing are worth watching in full: www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/educ...
scottishparliament.tv
Education, Children and Young People Committee | Scottish Parliament TV
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The Scotsman @scotsman.com · 01/06/2025
Renewed call for Edinburgh University bosses to be grilled by MSPs over £140m cuts plan www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
scotsman.com
Renewed call for Edinburgh University bosses to be grilled by MSPs on £140m cuts plan
A trade union letter cited the potentially ‘devastating’ impact of the cuts
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 30/05/2025
“It’s not that there’s hostility, it’s just that there’s an absence of a view, an absence of a vision, an absence of a plan [from government]” << this doesn’t just apply to HE and R&D. Labour was in opposition for 14 years. Was this not enough time to develop any vision for anything?
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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 29/05/2025
“If universities start to fail, it will be disastrous for Labour MPs and their constituents. It would be the modern equivalent of the factory closure, or the end of the pit. “And despite how some Labour MPs seem to imagine their voters, it would be Labour’s core supporters who were most affected.”
theneweuropean.co.uk
If universities sink, then so will Starmer
Some Labour figures believe Britain has too many unis. But if they start failing, local economies – and Starmer’s re-election prospects – will go with them
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Stephen Holden Bates @stephenholdenbates.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
📢📢📢 CfP: What is a Parliament? Interdisciplinary workshop on 19th September 2025 in London. Full details below. Kindly sponsored by Birkbeck, the University of Birmingham and @psa-parliaments.bsky.social Please apply and/or spread the word!
Call for Papers: What is a Parliament?
Are parliaments institutions, organisations, corporations or something else? Does it make sense to ask the question Who is Parliament? or should parliaments always be considered a thing or set of relations of some kind?
This interdisciplinary one-day workshop will consider such questions from all points of view, from the metaphysical to the political, historical, legal and anthropological, as well as how our different understandings of parliaments affect the way we study, critique and run them.
We welcome papers operating at all levels of abstraction and those concerned with concrete cases. Our aim is for the workshop to include scholars working in different academic disciplines, from different intellectual traditions, and who are at all career stages from PhD onwards.
If you are interested in presenting a paper, please send a title and abstract of no more than 250 words to Stephen Holden Bates (s.r.bates@bham.ac.uk) by 4th July 2025.  
The workshop will be held on Friday 19th September in Birkbeck’s Keynes Library (46 Gordon Square, London). It is being co-convened by Stephen Holden Bates (University of Birmingham), Paul Seaward (History of Parliament Trust) and Ben Worthy (Birkbeck, University of London) and co-sponsored by the Department of Politics at Birkbeck, the Department of Political Science & International Studies at the University of Birmingham and PSA Parliaments.
The workshop will be free, and refreshments and lunch will be provided. Early career researchers who have a paper accepted will be able to apply for funding from PSA Parliaments to cover some or all travel expenses on a case-by-case basis.
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 13/05/2025
Had a great time yesterday learning a lot about Scottish voters and grateful for feedback on my research - looking forward to Day 2 with a packed agenda!
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Ailsa Henderson @ailsahenderson.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Fantastic day 1 of @scotvoting.bsky.social @ccc-research.bsky.social Scottish politics conference.
Photo of participants at conference watching Marc Geddes load his ppt
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Zentrum für Politische Schönheit @politicalbeauty.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Margot ❤️
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 05/05/2025
Really great read about Germany's new coalition government, featuring trusted voices @danschindler.bsky.social and @kai-arzheimer.com among others! Definitely worth a read 👇 www.thenation.com/article/worl...
thenation.com
“A Matter of Survival”: Germany’s New Coalition Government
Is the country’s latest grand coalition a shaky marriage of convenience—or “democracy’s last bullet”?
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Centre on Constitutional Change @ccc-research.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
The @scotvoting.bsky.social Annual Lecture, 'The Unstable Vote' by @profjanegreen.bsky.social is being held in Edinburgh on Monday 12th May! Register below 👇
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 01/05/2025
Honoured to have been asked to contribute to the second edition - this is a fantastic resource for all interested in the UK Parliament. Great summary from the editors below!
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wilcoboom.bsky.social @wilcoboom.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Heel Europa vrij op 1 mei? Nee. Een paar landen bleven moedig weerstand bieden.
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Ruxandra Serban @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
If you’ve watched PMQs and thought that Keir Starmer spends more time answering the first question, you were right! Since Blair, PMs have frequently added various remarks to the standard opening answer, but Starmer now often uses it to make a brief opening statement for the government.
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Marc Geddes @marcgeddes.uk · 22/04/2025
Too many flashbacks…
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