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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

📢 OU PIPS September Update 📢 We just sent out our September newsletter. It's full of information about our upcoming events and Annual General Meeting. Read it here.

oupips.org.uk

📢 OU PIPS September Update 📢

We just sent out our September newsletter. It's full of information about our upcoming events and Annual General Meeting. Read it here.

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Only 3 days to go! tinyurl.com/PIPSEvents Join us for four events over five days, from Monday 16th March til' Friday 20th March. Follow the link for more information. @oustudents.bsky.social @oucymru.bsky.social @ouscotland.bsky.social @oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Meet the Speaker: Dr. Precious Chatterje-Doody (Day 5 - 20 March). Modern conflict isn't just fought on the ground; it is fought in the media. Ask questions about political communication, disinformation, and psychological impact of war. Secure your spot: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983461177...

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Meet the Speaker: Oenone Chadburn (Day 5 - 20 March). Directed strategy across the UN System, INGOs, and the UK voluntary sector, currently advising giants like Caritas and the EU. Understand the reality of global emergency mechanisms. Secure your spot: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983461177...

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Meet the Speaker: Fergus Conmee (Day 5 - 20 March). If you are looking at a career in international development, you need to hear from the people actually running it. 20+ years of operational reality in African humanitarian interventions. Secure your spot: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983461177...

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Meet the Speaker: Dr. Jamie Allinson (Day 2 - 17th March). Understand how authoritarian regimes survive, study how they fight back. Review realities of the Middle Eastern uprisings and the global mechanics of counter-revolution. Secure your spot: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983368927...

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Meet the Speaker: Prof. Michael Clarke (Day 2 - 17th March). If you want to understand the active crises reshaping the world right now. Prof. Clarke is unpacking the military and geopolitical realities of the current decade. Ticket: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983368927...

Promotional graphic for the Open University Politics and International Relations Society (OU PIPS) announcing a "Meet the Speaker" feature for Day 2 of PIPS Week. The graphic highlights Prof. Michael Clarke, Defence Analyst, who will be speaking on the strategic realities of modern warfare and global security. The event date is listed as Tuesday, 17 March, with a prompt to register via the provided link.

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Tickets now available, reserve your spot: tinyurl.com/PIPSEvents The official lineup for OU PIPS Week (March 16-20) is live. 🌍 We are bringing frontline defense, aid, and diplomacy experts directly to distance learners. Pick your panels and secure your tickets below. 🧵👇

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

The bubble of theory is vast; OU PIPS Week (Mar 16-20) pops that bubble. We’re hosting live expert panels on Global Security, Conflict, and Humanitarian Development. Step out of the theory and engage with the reality. Get ready to register : tinyurl.com/PIPSWeek26

Promotional flyer for the Open University Politics, International Relations and Policy Society (OU PIPS) announcing "OUPIPS Week 16-20th March: Global Perspectives in Motion". A short paragraph states: "This event marks the launch of our new society with a series of critical dialogues featuring policy experts and political speakers from across the globe. Join us as we dissect current international frameworks and establish a new hub for political discourse at the OU." The middle section lists "Speakers and Events" divided into two categories. Under "Humanitarian Frontiers & Development" are Fergus Conmee (Director of International Programmes, CAFOD), Oenone Chadburn (International Development Consultant, HelpAge International), and Anya Ward (WaterAid). Under "Global Security & Conflict" are Prof. Michael Clarke (Defence Analyst, Sky News), Dr. Precious Chatterje-Doody (Senior Lecturer, Open University), and Dr. Jamie Allinson (Senior Lecturer, Edinburgh University). The bottom text directs viewers to "Keep an eye on: tinyurl.com/PIPSWeek26

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

We don’t do fluff. Our Winter Newsletter dropped deep dives on the ICJ, the Palestine issue, and the paradoxes of modern politics. Did you miss it? Don't make the same mistake twice. Subscribe at oupips.org.uk/newsletter/ 📩

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

We invite you to reserve your calendar for our PIPS Week! Save the date, 16-22 March. Further schedules will be posted soon. Available to you at home a host of online speakers will be introduced to bridge theory with practice. Keep an eye out - drop us a DM to get added to our WhatsApp group.

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Join our welcome week quiz! Starting in 10 minutes (6pm-7pm) www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2... @openuniversity.bsky.social @oustudents.bsky.social @ouscotland.bsky.social @oucymru.bsky.social

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

48 hours in Edinburgh at #BIAPT2026 and the verdict is in: The center is not holding. Day 1 killed "Polite Politics." Day 2 killed the "Liberal Individual." From the ethics of "Rage Bait" to the structural injustice of owning a Goldendoodle, here is the dispatch from the edge of Political Theory 🧵

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Unlock the UK Parliament 🏛️ The OU is running two sessions for OU students and the public designed to turn you from a passive observer into an active participant. Your UK Parliament (27 Jan, 6pm) Get Your Voice Heard (04 Feb, 6pm) Less doomscrolling, more doing:

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

The linguistic trajectory from "Brain Rot" (2024) to "Rage Bait" (2025) maps perfectly onto the degradation of political discourse. We have moved from the atrophy of critical thought (Brain Rot) to the weaponization of affect (Rage Bait).

2025 Word of the year definition of Rage Bait
Noun, online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page orsocial media account. Cited to Oxford University Press 2025
More on rage bait in the next post

Rage bait, with a fishing hook next to the word
First used on Usenet in 2002 to describe the particular reaction of a driver to being flashed by another driver requesting to pass
The other shortlisted words were
aura farming, noun: The cultivation of an impressive, attractive, or charismatic persona or public image by behaving or presenting oneself in a way intended subtly to convey an air of confidence, coolness, or mystique.
biohack, verb: To attempt to improve or optimize one’s physical or mental performance, health, longevity, or wellbeing by altering one’s diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle, or by using other means such as drugs, supplements, or technological devices

Word of the year 2024

2024 word of the year, Brai Rot.
Noun A perceived loss of intelligence or critical thinking skills, esp. (in later use) as attributed to the overconsumption of unchallenging or inane content or material. Now also: content or material that is perceived to have this effect.

Read about our experiment building your political personality

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Our analysis suggests that for many, online argument is just "Ragebait" a psychological defense mechanism to treat politics as a spectator sport. We found that students want a "Customized Reality": a strict Strategist in government, but a lenient Social Worker on the streets.

3 Contradictions of Modern Justice a post summarising findings from a critical psychology discourse analysis
PIPS: Politics, International Relations and Policy Society. www.oupips.org.uk

"We analysed the psychology behind PIPS members political takes. Using Critical Discourse Psychology here is what the data say about how we view power"

Respondents overwhelmingly blame "Greed" and "Government" for injustice.
Yet, when asked about the ideal politician, they respect "Strategy" and "Churchill-style" strength over pure kindness.
We want a leader who is ruthless on our behalf.

The vibe over the law
All the respondents preferred Ethics over Rules. If a homeless man steals food, the "Ideal Officer" pays for it or drives him to a shelter. We have collectively decided that morality outrank the criminal statutes.

Irony is a Shield
Why do we argue online? For some, it’s "Desperation" to save the future.

For others, it’s just to "Ragebait" and laugh. If you aren't angry, you're probably dissociating.

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POLIS @oupolitics.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

UK Parliament Week #UKPW is back to spread the word about what #Parliament is. Get started with the free Open Learn course - Introduction to making political & social change. Check out the video: youtu.be/pq9bDCrjFFw @ukparliament.parliament.uk @oupips.bsky.social

youtu.be

Introduction to making political and social change (Free Course Trailer)

YouTube video by OpenLearn from The Open University

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POLIS @oupolitics.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Are you an @openuniversity.bsky.social student interested in speaking to other students about politics? If so, join @oupips.bsky.social – a great way to mark UK Parliament Week! #UKPW Find out more here: oupips.org.uk @ukparliament.parliament.uk

oupips.org.uk

OU PIPS

OU Politics, International Relations and Policy Society

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

We are celebrating UK Parliament Week by giving you the compass to the system. #UKPW The OU has a free, open-access resource: "Introduction to Making Political and Social Change." Link at bottom of thread 👇🏼 It’s not a textbook; it’s a manual on how to force the government to listen to you. 🧵

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

It's time for a real change and you can learn how with a warm welcome from @oupolitics.bsky.social into Parliament Week #UKPW

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

In the coming weeks, the committee will begin its work on organizing a program of events. Please look out for further updates and announcements across our social media channels. #OUPIPS #OpenUniversity #OUStudents #PoliticsSociety #InternationalRelations #Policy #HigherEducation

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

A reminder to all, that our AGM takes place at 5pm today. Everyone is welcome, and all committee positions are open for election. Sign up here - events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f504f6...

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Tonight at 6:30. We are really looking forward to it

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Join us on 30th September - 6.30pm - 7.30pm, joined with Matt Staples and Dr. Edward Wastnidge will be sharing how the Open University’s teaching, research, and wider engagement in politics and international relations connect with the aims of our new society Join: www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2...

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oupips.bsky.social @oupips.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

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