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Alex Stevens

@profalexstevens.bsky.social
1.4K followers 819 following 673 posts

Professor of Criminology, University of Sheffield. Trustee at Criminal Justice Alliance. Volunteer for Sheffield Jazz. Peak District walker. Drug policy geek.

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Reposted by Alex Stevens
CNN - Cannabis News Network @canna-news-network.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
EUROPE 🇵🇹: Portugal's Drug Policy - 25 Years of Decriminalization Success👇🏻 www.miragenews.com/portugals-dr...
miragenews.com
Portugal's Drug Policy: 25 Years of Decriminalization Success
Nearly 70,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2025. While that is a decline from the nearly 108,000 deaths recorded in 2022, these grim figures
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Tim Newburn @timnewburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
JOB: Senior Lecturer in Criminology/Criminal Justice, Newcastle University jobs.ac.uk/job/DTB032/sen… #criminology
jobs.ac.uk
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The Guardian tells us that 'universities are a scam'. Times Higher finds that uni's are losing £3,000 per student. So who exactly is profiting from this scam?
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Chris Dillow @chrisdillow.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The only thing we learn from this is that Adam Smith anticipated the BBC: the "disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful...is...the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he has lost confidence in UK
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells the BBC he thinks the country is "on the slide" and calls for more investment in the North Sea.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Where are the people who were bleating about 'two tier policing' now?
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
James Ball @jamesrball.com · 18/09/2026
It is incredibly important that political violence does not succeed. The far-right mob that shut down Portsmouth wanted this outcome. If the state wishes to avoid more of these actions, it needs to make sure this RNLI branch reopens *immediately*, or as close to that as humanly possible.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Listening to @uclhealthpublic.bsky.social's Dr Xand van Tullekan's comprehensive takedown of the fradulent wellness industry on Radio 4 #starttheweek. Save your money. Bin your supplements
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
If you would like to add your voice to tens of thousands of people thanking RNLI volunteers for their work, 38 Degrees have organised this open letter to express public support (at a time when a hateful fringe have been intimidating & abusing RNLI volunteers) act.38degrees.org.uk/act/rnli-tha...
act.38degrees.org.uk
An open letter in support of the volunteers and staff at the RNLI
This is a disgrace. Brave RNLI volunteers being called scum for risking their lives to save others at sea is just plain wrong. So I've signed an open letter of thanks for the RNLI letting them know th...
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The word is 'breaking'. Not 'sidestepping'. Not 'circumventing'. Not 'avoiding'. Not 'getting around'. Breaking. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Cambridge University examines conduct of academic suspended by Reform UK
James Orr, an associate professor, was shown in Channel 4 News footage apparently trying to sidestep electoral law
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Channel 4 News @channel4news.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation. 🔗 Read the exclusive story on Substack:
channel4news.substack.com
Exclusive: Nigel Farage filmed undercover celebrating secret new foreign donations
Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Helen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Thinking about the UK gov report "National Security Assessment on Global Ecosystems", Feb 2026. The language is incredibly stark. And it's *national security*, not exactly from tree-huggers: "Global ecosystem degradation & collapse threaten UK national security and prosperity... (high confidence)"
gov.uk
National security assessment on global ecosystems (accessible version)
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Good news. Now expand free travel to all trams (and expand tram networks). www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
theguardian.com
Disabled people in England to get 24-hour free bus travel – UK politics live
Burnham has announced a range of policies aimed at relieving pressure on financially squeezed households and businesses
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Private Eye cover. Red sky at night, Europe's alight! Red sky in the morning, I wonder if it could possibly be global warming?
: NEW IRA
eneration fight
AN
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-OR-JOY FEARLESSLY
SEASON CODES MERCE FRILLS FUL MESSES XE LEATHER
ABS NEXT LEAP
The
Economist
A Hiroshima survivor's life-changing day
PEOPLE PS
The fam reunited an Al ch
Lessons from Chinese Al
How long can Iran weaponise Hi
Sudan: the forgotten war In defence of animal testing
PRIC
Dr. Foucis ri by Amy D
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8 AUGUST 2026 I ISSUE 15041 €4.99
20 Aug 2026
E2.99
PRIVATE EYE
The Fifa s fantino'
NEW OLD SAYINGS
ABOUT THE WEATHER
Red sky at night, Europe's alight!
Red sky in the morning, I wonder if it could possibly be global warming?
C
an Ci wa
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30! 40! 50! PHEW! WHAT A SCORCHED-EARTH!
Promise of Roosevelt
Oemnnia
Charles Dai sexual revol
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Henry Dyer @direthoughts.com · 29/07/2026
New story on Reform's finances from @annaisaac.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Revealed: George Cottrell transferred $2m to his mother days before her donations to Reform UK
Exclusive: Sources say Fiona Cottrell told bankers the transfers, received 24-72 hours before her donations to Reform, came from her son
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
So depressingly predictable. Sentencing policy based on a major report, followed by months of parliamentary scrutiny and debate, gets overturned on its first contact with populist politics.
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
APSAD DAR @apsad-dar.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
🆕 Discordant Drug Checking Results and Risk Reduction Behaviours: Findings From the ChecKnow Study in France Samuel Tobias, Julio Del Amo, Sophie Albert, Marion Aubert, Anissa Zerrari, Pierre Chappard, Lianping Ti, Perrine Roux doi.org/10.1111/dar.70216 SESSTIM, Aix Marseille Université
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Harm Reduction International @harmreductionintl.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Belfast is ready to welcome our global harm reduction community. 💙 A city that has navigated conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, reform, and self-determination. Join us at #HR27Belfast! 👉https://hr27.hri.global
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Thank god for that!
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
This proposal on university fees is so stupud that I'm guessing it came direct from Policy Exchange.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
BBC World Service this morning is covering the killing of Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking, with no family contact, and lack of due process.
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Transform Justice @transformjustice.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
⚠️Have you listened to our latest podcast episode yet? @profalexstevens.bsky.social and Dr. Bisi Akintoye join us to explore the different ways of policing drugs. What's effective? What's fair? Should drug use be decriminalised? 🎧Find out what our experts had to say - listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194
pod.fo
The Transform Justice Podcast: Ep61: Policing drugs - instinct or evidence?
Transform JusticeTwitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TransformJust1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠...
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Colin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Remember that the tuition fee rise just about covers the simultaneous increase in employer national insurance contributions for universities, so cutting teaching grants on this basis means universities on life support being subject to a shake down and being expected to say thanks for the privilege.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Give him a break, he can't talk!
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
This is how the normalisation of self-exploiration in higher education works.
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Transform Justice @transformjustice.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Should ‘gut feeling’ be used to make decisions in drugs policing? Dr. Bisi Akintoye and @profalexstevens.bsky.social talk stop and search, diversion and the impact of over-policing on community relations. 🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
It is vital that we win the fight against fire-and-rehire (on worse terms) in HE. It is shameful that managers even propose it.
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Huw C. Davies @huwcdavies.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Benefits of education that you'll never read about within any discussions about HE.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The prime value of education is not financial. But this analysis shows that it is worth investing in; for individuals and the state. So HE should be free at the point of delivery, funded by a mixture of a graduate tax and general taxation.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
It was a real privilege to speak about #drugpolicyconstellations at the North South Irish Criminology conference in Cork. Thanks to David Hayes for the pic.
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Coop @linjurz.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
"A quick-and-dirty comparison of the Iran deal negotiated by Obama (discarded by Trump) versus the deal in play right now, based on what I could gather from public sources." ~Saul Tanpepper
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The centre and left are uniting against Reform.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Interestin review from Tom Freemam and colleagues www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Cannabis commercialisation not decriminalisation drives up usage, study finds
Review reveals rise in users and rates of psychosis in countries where cannabis is sold commercially
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Today at @sheffielduni.bsky.social, we host the National Symposium on Police-led Drug Diversion, and we report on our #PDDevaluation. Please use #PDDSympisium to see the discussions, here or on LinkedIn.
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Peter Higgs @higgspg.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
New publication from @burnetinstitute.bsky.social #NDRI @curtinuniversity.bsky.social colleagues jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Violence Against Women Who Inject Drugs
This cohort study uses survey data linked with administrative health records and qualitative interviews to quantify and contextualize experiences of violence and assault among Australian women who inj...
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
There is power in a union. #Solidarity
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Coverage of our #PDDevaluation in @theguardian.com. Find out more at the National Symposium on Police-led Drug Diversion @sheffielduni.bsky.social this coming Thursday. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Drug diversion schemes cut reoffending rates more than prosecution, study says
Exclusive: Research in England shows people a third less likely to reoffend under decriminalisation-style schemes
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
I ❤️ Simon Schama
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Anyone who repeats the false claim of 'two tier policing' is playing Tommy Robinson's fascist game. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
How did the notion of ‘two-tier policing’ evolve, and does it really exist?
Data discredits claims reawakened by the death of Henry Nowak that UK police actions disadvantage white people
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
UCU imposes ‘global academic boycott’ on Sheffield in pay row Union objects to withholding of pay after strike action, but university says few staff affected www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
researchprofessionalnews.com
UCU imposes ‘global academic boycott’ on Sheffield in pay row - Research Professional News
Union objects to withholding of pay after strike action, but university says few staff affected
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Oh dear, England #ENGvNZ
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Reposted by Alex Stevens
Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The Henry Nowak murder is so tragic and so complex, with many layers. Utterly disgusting for anyone trying to use it as part of a political campaign. Also mistaken, it seems to me, to try to draw a simple single message. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...
bbc.co.uk
Mahmood condemns violence at protests over Nowak murder as police chiefs review anti-racism guidance
The Southampton university student was handcuffed and arrested as he lay dying on the ground despite telling officers he had been stabbed and could not breathe.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Who coukd possibly have guessed that global warming would increase demand for water? share.google/SYG6hX7b13fu...
share.google
About 18,000 properties in Kent hit with water supply issues
South East Water is encouraging its customers to "use water for essential purposes only".
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Glad all over #Eagles. Never thought I'd see the day.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Loves the second amendment. Hates the first. #FakeFreeSpeech
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Mark Pendleton @markpendleton.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
East Asian Studies is being gutted at Sheffield - all staff at risk with 8.6 FTE proposed to go (a third of us). Biggest cuts in Chinese and Japanese Studies. We’ll be taking a few days to process. Solidarity to Materials and Chemistry colleagues who are also dealing with similarly bad news.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Meanwhile...
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Interesting reflection on the policy successes of previius youth justice reforms. But is the evidence base for early intervention as strong as the new White Paper claims?
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Graeme @graeme2030.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Great blog post from @profalexstevens.bsky.social on the challenges faced by professional service and admin staff at universities. www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-un...
linkedin.com
How universities have been reorganised into incompetence
The people who administer the work of universities are known as professional services staff, or PS for short. As if their work was some sort of additional postscript to what universities do.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Just got my first advert for an AI essay marking system. It will not be long before the circle is complete, with AI writing the lectures, the essays, and the feedback to students.
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Thanks to Farage, the people of Woodhouse in Sheffield now have a Nazi as their councillor.
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