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Prof Michaela Benson

@michaelacbenson.bsky.social
1.8K followers 1.3K following 118 posts

Professor in #PublicSociology at Lancaster University & Chief Executive of @thesociologicalreview.org Research: migration and citizenship in EU, Panama 🇵🇦and UK Brexitbritsabroad.org migzen.net #Podcast producer and host whodowethinkweare.org

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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
*NEW EPISODE ALERT* @nandosigona.bsky.social and I reflect on the pace of change when it comes to migration and Trump's MAGA project in this final episode of our Who do we think we are miniseries whodowethinkweare.org/podcasts/who... 1/
whodowethinkweare.org
S4 E5 The pace of change: MAGA, the US, the UK
Who Do We Think We Are?
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Heba Gowayed هبة جويد @hebagowayed.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
I had a great time with Michaela and Nando discussing Palestine, borders, and how the United States seems intent on the violence that'll beget its own destruction. (As great of a time you can have discussing these things anyway) Give it a listen!
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
This is a really important and much needed report on how the UK public view and understand #irregularmigration from @nandosigona.bsky.social and Laurence Lessard-Phillips @iclaimeu.bsky.social
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Latest episode of Who do we think we are? dropped this PM - @nandosigona.bsky.social and I are joined by @hebagowayed.bsky.social to discuss the link between free speech, bordering, and the ‘MAGA’ project of Donald Trump and his backers Listen at: whodowethinkweare.org/podcasts/who...
whodowethinkweare.org
S4 E4 Free speech for whom?
Who Do We Think We Are?
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 20/11/2025
🎥 WATCH: Lifestyle, Migration & Community In a recent Conversations event, @profkarenoreilly.bsky.social, @michaelacbenson.bsky.social, Graham Crow and Matthew Hayes take a closer look at the field that Professor O'Reilly’s book The British on the Costa Del Sol helped to launch. buff.ly/zBCtAkQ
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 02/12/2025
🎥 WATCH: Immigration, Policy and Protest What shapes the UK's conversation on migration? @aleksandralewicki.bsky.social @aaronwinter.bsky.social @michaelacbenson.bsky.social & Fizza Qureshi @migrantsrights.bsky.social take a closer look in our latest Conversations event. VIDEO: buff.ly/MWOKjcO
Screenshot of Sociological Review Foundation Zoom event Immigration, Policy and Protest, showing participants. Clockwise from top left: Aleksandra Lewicki, Fizza Qureshi, Aaron Winter, Michaela Benson
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 10/12/2025
“Our deeply unequal world needs a critical and engaged sociology now more than ever.” Translating the Sociological Review Foundation’s mission into practical action has needed fresh thinking and a new approach, write @michaelacbenson.bsky.social and Maria Bellocci in the Magazine. buff.ly/Lpd67XQ
Collage of photos of academics involved in Sociological Review Foundation initiatives in recent years, including invited speakers, editors, Sociological Review Fellows and conference participants.
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IRIS @irisbirmingham.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
#publicationalert New article by @michaelacbenson.bsky.social Catherine Craven & @nandosigona.bsky.social on the political mobilisation of #EUcitizenship during #Brexit drawing @ukri.org www.migzen.net
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 05/09/2025
Why did “lifestyle migration” capture so many social scientists’ imagination – and how has it travelled in the 25 years since The British on the Costa del Sol? Join author @profkarenoreilly.bsky.social, @michaelacbenson.bsky.social, Matthew Hayes & Graham Crow online on 24 September. buff.ly/fHs6cNK
Lifestyle, Migration and Community
Karen O'Reilly, Michaela Benson, Matthew Hayes, Graham Crow
Online Wednesday 24 September 18.30–20.00 UTC+1/BST
The Sociological Review Foundation Conversations series
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International Migration and Mobility Conference 2025 @imigmob2025.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
📢Safe journey to everyone travelling to Aberystwyth @aberuni.bsky.social for the #imigmob25 conference! The sun's shining and we're excited to welcome you all. 🌞🌞
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Are you British and living in the EU, EEA, EFTA since before 31 December 2020? I am still looking for more responses from those: - Aged between 18 and 35 - Black, Asian and mixed-ethnicity Britons If you know anyone who fits the bill, please share: lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com
Citizen's Rights and British citizens in the EU, EEA and EFTA, 5 years on from Brexit
The survey Citizens' rights and British citizens in the EU, EEA and EFTA, 5 years on from Brexit explores the experiences of Britons resident in the EU, EEA, and EFTA member states by the end of the B...
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Lisa Burton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Thanks for doing this well needed study and survey. This sort of data is vital to expose the ongoing issues faced by Brits post Brexit in EU/EEA/EFTA and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part.
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Here's me for @ukandeu.bsky.social arguing for the need to consider the longer tail of Brexit for British citizens living in the EU, EEA and EFTA member states
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Lisa Burton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇪🇺 @lisaburton.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
1/2 For the 1.2 million British citizens living in the EU, EEA and EFTA Please take part in this survey 5 years since the end of the Brexit transition period means many Brits in the EU who were beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement, will be transitioning from temporary to permanent residence
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Aaron Winter @aaronwinter.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Cut off and uncared for: This is what life is like for asylum seekers in the UK Great article by our Lancaster PhD candidate Megan Crossley in the latest @bigissue.com @michaelacbenson.bsky.social @lancasteruni.bsky.social @lancasteruninews.bsky.social www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
This is what life is like for asylum seekers in the UK
For asylum seekers in the UK, struggles are part of everyday life, shaped by policies that isolate, impoverish and dehumanise.
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Join us tomorrow lunchtime for the latest @thesociologicalreview.org conversation … and it's all about U.K. antiracism and activism!
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Love this advice for guest on podcasts or radio from @thesociologicalreview.org Executive Producer Alice Bloch
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 10/06/2025
Preparing for your first #podcast or #radio interview – and fretting? “Shows that sound like everyone’s winging it probably have a rigorous production process. ‘Good talkers’ are, literally, produced, not born.” Uncommon Sense producer Alice Bloch’s sound advice in our June issue. buff.ly/WiYoxpa
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Juliette Wilson-Thomas @juliettephd.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Really proud and happy to share our latest issue of The Sociological Review Magazine. In this issue we explore neoliberal universities, workers unions, apocalyptic futures and climate change, and I interview Jayshree Patel in bringing sociology to TV soaps thesociologicalreview.org/magazine/jun...
thesociologicalreview.org
June 2025
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 10/06/2025
Our June magazine is online now, featuring: #Hollyoaks writer Jayshree Patel on soaps + sociology @academicdiary.bsky.social on weighing your job's worth @vapunkt.bsky.social on ski slopes + sustainability @karimmurji.bsky.social on representing London ...and much more. Dive in: buff.ly/y8o76RY
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 09/06/2025
Identities, communities & #migration policies: who are the new #HongKong diasporas? 📖 Book talk: Global Hong Kong: Post-2019 Hong Kong migration & the new Hong Kong diaspora 🎤 @michaelacbenson.bsky.social Dr Yvette To 🔻12 June 2pm @cumodernlanguages.bsky.social www.cardiff.ac.uk/community/ev...
cardiff.ac.uk
Book Talk: Global Hong Kong: Post-2019 Hong Kong migration and the new Hong Kong diaspora
This newly published book — Global Hong Kong: Post-2019 Hong Kong migration and the new Hong Kong diaspora (edited by Yuk Wah Chan and Yvette To) — examines how Hong Kong migrants settling in the UK, ...
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Sana Murrani @sanamurrani.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Thank you to the Image-Maker in Residence team at @thesociologicalreview.org for my interview: Towards an Alternative Spatial Practice: Deep mapping off the map. It is about my book, Rupturing Architecture, and my mapping practice. thesociologicalreview.org/image-maker-...
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Milk Tea Alliance Calendar @mtacalendar.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
Thurs Cont'd Nomad_reading_group host book talk "Global Hong Kong Post-2019 Migration and the New Hong Kong Diaspora" with @michaelacbenson.bsky.social & Manchester Stands With Hong Kong holds "June 12th Memorial Rally & March" in Manchester, starting at St peters Square. /8
Book Talk: Global Hong Kong: Post-2019 Hong Kong migration and the new Hong Kong diaspora
 Thursday, 12 June 2025   14:00-15:00Against Chinese Transnational repression — Stand with Hongkongers — Manchester, June 12
6 years since Hongkongers rose up for freedom. The CCP’s repression hasn’t stopped — and now it’s reaching into the UK, Virus warfare, Spy Hub, Silencing dissidents, Kidnappings — even on UK soil.
The CCP’s attacks on the free world are real, and they’re happening here.
We should STOP the UK becoming the next sacrifice under Chinese Transnational repression.
Join Us to resist authoritarian influence on British soil.
RALLY: 6:00pm, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, UK
MARCH: 6:30pm to the Manchester Chinese Consulate「毋忘當日信念 抵抗中共擴張」
曼徹斯特 612抗爭六周年中領館遊行
日期:6月12日 (四)
集合及集會:6:00pm
地點:由St.peter’s square (曼徹斯特中央圖書館)
遊行開始時間:6:30起步前往曼城中領館
「民族要自強,親自爭取應有尊嚴。」
沒有暴徒,只有暴政。
2019年6月12日,香港人走上街頭,阻止「逃犯條例」通過。警方卻將示威定性為暴動,發射數百枚催淚彈和橡膠子彈,暴力鎮壓抗爭者。
如今,我們為了自由被迫離開故土,然而中共的暴政仍然猖獗。更甚者,妄圖把其影響力擴散至英國。例如2022年曼徹斯特中領館人員肆意毆打示威者,視英國法律為無物。最近,還打算在倫敦興建超級領事館,企圖監控所有在英的異見人士。
那天,你我在街頭發誓要捍衞自由,在催淚煙下仍不撤不散。六年後,面對暴政跨境鎮壓,我們抗爭者也定要再次站出來,抵抗中共的狼子野心。這是要捍衞屬於我們的自由和尊嚴,也是要堅持當天的信念,貫徹到底!
今年612 ,我們在街頭再會!
香港民族誓要自強,親手爭取應有嘅尊嚴
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Sue Wilson MBE @suewilson91.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Are you a British citizen living in an EU/EEA/EFTA member state who would like to have your say 5 years on from Brexit transition? Now's your chance! Please take part & share widely. @bremaininspain.com @michaelacbenson.bsky.social @lancasteruni.bsky.social www.lancaster.ac.uk/news/call-fo...
lancaster.ac.uk
Call for British citizens to ‘have their say’ five years on from Brexit transition - Lancaster University
A new survey, led by Lancaster University researchers, explores the experiences of Britons resident in the EU, EEA, and EFTA member states in accessing and securing their post-Brexit status and rights...
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
I've just launched a survey exploring the experiences of Britons living in the EU, EEA, EFTA of accessing and securing their post-Brexit rights, five years on. Open to Brits of all ages across the EU - please share widely! #Brexit #BritsinEU lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com
Brexit, Citizen's Rights and British citizens in the EU, 5 years on
This online survey examines the extent and scope of the issues and challenges faced by the estimated 1.2 million Britons resident in the EU's 27 member states by the end of the Brexit transition perio...
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 04/06/2025
Identities, communities & #migration policies: who are the new #HongKong diasporas? 📖 Book talk: Global Hong Kong: Post-2019 Hong Kong migration & the new Hong Kong diaspora 🎤 @michaelacbenson.bsky.social Dr Yvette To 🔻12 June 2pm @cumodernlanguages.bsky.social buff.ly/U4oGYBs...
buff.ly
Book Talk: Global Hong Kong: Post-2019 Hong Kong migration and the new Hong Kong diaspora
This newly published book — Global Hong Kong: Post-2019 Hong Kong migration and the new Hong Kong diaspora (edited by Yuk Wah Chan and Yvette To) — examines how Hong Kong migrants settling in the UK, ...
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Dr. Lucy Mayblin @mayblin.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Join this call for migration scholars to join a Migration Scholars’ Global Solidarity and Resistance Network to resist together the current growing anti-immigration populism. Many people are doing this already, but together we are stronger chng.it/4jN4Bkhc4J
chng.it
Sign the Petition
Migration Scholars Mobilize
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Really pleased to see that this book by @drglonergan.bsky.social is coming out later this month - it's a #mustread for anyone interested in health, borders, migration and reproductive justice
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 30/05/2025
How can we confront gaps in the archive when researching anti-racist activism? How do we depict collectives of actors and movements, while also celebrating individuals? Join us online on 18 June for Writing about Activists, a launch event for our Sideways Sociology #podcast. 🎟️ buff.ly/jzuEPjV
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 30/05/2025
OUT NOW: New podcast on three key figures in UK anti-racism – Sivanandan, Gerlin Bean, Len Garrison – showing how their work and ideas speak to sociology and to what it means to be anti-racist. Feat. John Narayan, A.S. Francis, Hannah Ismael. Subscribe: buff.ly/lRwSQSD
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IRIS @irisbirmingham.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
If you need help to digest the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social #immigration plan search no more: listen to the new episode of @michaelacbenson.bsky.social and @nandosigona.bsky.social #podcast migzen.net/podcasts/who...
migzen.net
S3 E11 Labour’s new immigration plan is anything but Brexit
Migzen
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Gwyneth Lonergan @drglonergan.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
I'm excited to share that SSAHE will be holding a joint book launch for myself and Rachel Rosen and Eve Dickson on 5 June at 5pm online, with Umut Erel as discussant! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/borderingm....
eventbrite.co.uk
Bordering/mothering online book launch
Launching Bordering social reproduction by Rachel Rosen + Eve Dickson, and Borders, Citizenship, + Pregnancy by Gwyneth Lonergan.
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Aaron Winter @aaronwinter.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Looking forward to the SSAHE conference: 'Is Britain really an Island of Strangers?' on 19-20 June. I'll be speaking in the final plenary: 'Understanding and Resisting the Hostile Environment' with @nandosigona.bsky.social, Floya Anthias & @bengidley.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-britain...
eventbrite.co.uk
Is Britain really an Island of Strangers? SSAHE annual conference
MIGRATION AND RACISM IN THE GLOBAL AUTHORITARIAN TURN: SOCIAL SCIENTISTS AGAINST THE HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT IN-PERSON CONFERENCE, 19-20 JUNE
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Dr. Lucy Mayblin @mayblin.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Companies are making billions from anti-immigration fears. Open Democracy's In Solidarity podcast . Listen to the discussion here: shows.acast.com/66bf3be84715...
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Dr. Lucy Mayblin @mayblin.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
This is a great podcast discussion on UKLabour’s new immigration white paper from @nandosigona.bsky.social & Michaela Benson podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com
S3 E11 Labour’s new immigration plan is anything but Brexit
Podcast Episode · Who do we think we are? · S3 E11 · 34m
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British Future @britishfuture.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Is cutting migration for work and study really the answer to public concerns about immigration? Our @heather-rolfe.bsky.social looks at the data in this @ukandeu.bsky.social blog ukandeu.ac.uk/the_immigrat...
ukandeu.ac.uk
The immigration white paper misjudges the public’s priorities - UK in a changing Europe
Heather Rolfe analyses public opinion on the UK government's white paper on immigration. She argues that while much of the public is in favour of reducing migration, the content and language of the wh...
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
@nandosigona.bsky.social and I have come off our podcast hiatus to talk about the new immigration white paper and the Brexit-sized elephant in the room (as well as the dogwhistle politics) Listen wherever you get your podcasts or visit our website: whodowethinkweare.org/podcasts/who...
whodowethinkweare.org
S3 E11 Labour’s new immigration plan is anything but Brexit
Michaela and Nando discuss the UK’s Labour Government 2025 promise to restore control over immigration by reducing net migration and how Brexit remains the elephant in the room.
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 27/05/2025
Out soon! Sideways Sociology on three key figures in UK anti-racism – Sivanandan, Gerlin Bean, Len Garrison – showing how they teach us what that term means and takes, and how they speak to sociology now. Feat. John Narayan, A.S. Francis, Hannah Ismael. Subscribe: buff.ly/lRwSQSD
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mbherbert.bsky.social @mbherbert.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
I have an article about researching with love in this special edition of Live Methods @thesociologicalreview.org Inspired by @academicdiary.bsky.social and Nirmal Puwar. Thank you to @emmakjackson.bsky.social @kirsteen-paton.bsky.social and @lisamorriss.bsky.social for your thoughtful comments 💜
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Take a look at this fantastic set of papers from @thesociologicalreview.org, revisiting @academicdiary.bsky.social and Nirmal Puwar's live methods intervention
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
'The world doesn't care if we die' - in case the genocide is passing you by, read this www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
theguardian.com
‘The world does not care if we all die’: hunger and despair in the ruins of Gaza City
Killings in a new Israeli offensive and depleted food and medical supplies are pushing people on to the streets of the once bustling hub of Gaza
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Prof Michaela Benson @michaelacbenson.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
@nandosigona.bsky.social and I have come off our podcast hiatus to talk about the new immigration white paper and the Brexit-sized elephant in the room (as well as the dogwhistle politics) Listen wherever you get your podcasts or visit our website: whodowethinkweare.org/podcasts/who...
whodowethinkweare.org
S3 E11 Labour’s new immigration plan is anything but Brexit
Michaela and Nando discuss the UK’s Labour Government 2025 promise to restore control over immigration by reducing net migration and how Brexit remains the elephant in the room.
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Charlotte O'Brien @cobrien.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
What do we need to do before creating shiny new UK-EU reset rules? Make existing rules work properly! Our *newly published* response to the HoL consultation highlights a giant problem facing EUSS holders: a COMPLETE ABSENCE of evidence of WA rights. committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
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Milk Tea Alliance Calendar @mtacalendar.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
New event! 📆12th June 🕑2pm UK time nomad_reading_group host book talk "Global Hong Kong Post-2019 Migration and the New Hong Kong Diaspora" with @michaelacbenson.bsky.social & Prof. Yvette To at Cardiff University Details: www.cardiff.ac.uk/community/ev...
Book Talk: Global Hong Kong: Post-2019 Hong Kong migration and the new Hong Kong diaspora
 Thursday, 12 June 2025   14:00-15:00
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The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · 24/04/2025
“Public sociology is a form of education: speaking out beyond the university also performs an educative function.” Just before he died, Michael Burawoy talked to @michaelacbenson.bsky.social about his career-defining evangelism for public – or, alternatively, a living – sociology. buff.ly/6WD2fzQ
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