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Sophie Fennelly

@sophiefennelly.bsky.social
82 followers 123 following 14 posts

PhD researcher at the University of Leeds exploring literary representations Black British mental health under Hostile Environment. I also talk about chronic illness and disability. She/Her

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Sophie Fennelly @sophiefennelly.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Delighted to announce that in August I achieved the status of Associate Fellow. I look forward to continuing to develop my Higher Education teaching skills.
This is to certify that Sophie Fennelly has achieved the status of Associate Fellow (AFHEA). In recongition of attainment against the Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education
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Hellrosser @rosserford.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
We’re going to hear about how everyone loved Dolly, and that feels true. But it’s good to remember, and to her credit, that she was attacked for her AIDS activism, her vaccine advocacy, her LGBTQ+ support and even, more recently, for her reading initiatives. She ALWAYS stood firm when it mattered.
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Sophie Fennelly @sophiefennelly.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Had so much fun at @assemblagelit.bsky.social last week discussing the poetics and politics of literary assemblages. How wonderful to spend three days talking to so many lovely people, learning lots and getting inspired for a summer of writing!
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Sophie Fennelly @sophiefennelly.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Why am I being ghosted by the garage my car is at? Starting to suspect they might be holding it hostage…
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Leeds Postgraduate Review @leedspgreview.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
An important reminder that the deadline for our call for papers is 30th January! The theme for our next issue is Embracing Challenges: Understanding Identities, Technologies and Research for a Better Global Future. Send your submissions and completed cover sheets to our email.
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Leeds Postgraduate Review @leedspgreview.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
You might have suspected that the Leeds Postgraduate Review has some new members…and you’d be correct! The editorial team is currently in the process of changing hands. Meet the new team: Bairavi, Mian, and Sophie. You can learn more about us on our website.
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Leeds Postgraduate Review @leedspgreview.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Thinking of writing for us? Check out these samples from previous editions of the Leeds Postgraduate Review. If you like what you see, click the link in our bio to find out how you can get involved in our next edition.
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Natalie Hopwood @nrhopwood.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
The schedule is here! More info to come with talks soon, but spread the word and join the mailing list!
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Leeds Postgraduate Review @leedspgreview.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Are you a University of Leeds PGR? Are you interested in publishing your work? The next edition of the Leeds Postgraduate Review is looking for you! We are looking for full papers up to 7000 words due on 30th January. More information here: leedspostgraduatereview.wordpress.com/call-for-pap...
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Sophie Fennelly @sophiefennelly.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
and on the fourth day of betwixtmas, in an absolute stroke of genius on my part, I left my heart medication back in the west midlands
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Simon Pegg @simonpegg.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
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John Self @john-self.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Every time there's a breaking story about a celeb's treatment of women, everyone in the book world asks, "Is it finally Walliams?" Well, it finally is.
telegraph.co.uk
Exclusive: David Walliams dropped by publisher over inappropriate behaviour towards women
Telegraph investigation into best-selling children’s author uncovers claims that he ‘harassed’ junior female employees at Harper Collins
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Leeds Postgraduate Review @leedspgreview.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
The call for papers for the next edition of the Leeds Postgraduate Review are open. Papers on the theme of Embracing Challenges: Understanding Identities, Technologies, and Research for a Better Global Future are due on 30th January 2026. More information can be found here: linktr.ee/leedspostgra...
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
While focus is often solely on asylum, and small boat crossings in particular, it's important to remember that Labour's hostililty against all migrants is harming not only individuals, but the whole country, with an estimated loss of £10.8billion, and zero actual benefits. www.ft.com/content/2b60...
ft.com
Tighter visa rules will cost UK up to £10.8bn
Home Office assessment shows impact of latest changes to immigration regime over next five years
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Patrick W. Reed @patrickwreed.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
If only there were a cautionary tale about being too eager to accept the apparent time-saving capabilities of new technology.
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Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
This is a massive problem with Labour’s immigration proposals. All migrant families affected will be made considerably poorer (because of extra immigration fees over several years plus dampened job prospects) and many (most?) of those families have children.
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David Higgins @davidhiggins.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Awful news from Hong Kong. Comparisons are being made to Grenfell. But, in this case, three arrests have already been made. Over EIGHT YEARS after Grenfell, there has not been a single arrest or prosecution, despite obvious wrongdoing. www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
theguardian.com
Hong Kong police say unsafe scaffolding and foam may have spread fire that killed at least 83
Three construction employees arrested as firefighters battle to reach trapped people, with more than 250 still missing
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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
"Sir Keir told the BBC: 'Every minute that is spent talking about anything other than cost-of-living is a wasted minute in my book.'" OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Judge me at next election, Keir Starmer tells doubters
The PM tells the BBC he has made
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Even with my bedrock low opinion of Labour, I was clinging to some shred of hope that even they would realise that stealing the last remaining possessions of people who have fled for their lives was a disgusting policy. Turns out there isn't a bottom to this particular barrel they are scraping.
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Ria Cheyne @riacheyne.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Really sad to hear that Alice Wong has died. A brilliant activist and writer who made the world a better place.
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
This by Mahmood is frankly not only disgusting, but also massively disingenuous. It equates seeking asylum with illegality, there's nothing illegal about seeking asylum no matter the route. It ignores that Labour's policies penalise those in need of protection, and plays to hard right rhetoric.
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Sophie Fennelly @sophiefennelly.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Yesterday marked the inaugural School of English PGR Symposium. This event was the result of months of hard work from myself and the other organisers including @nrhopwood.bsky.social
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Ria Cheyne @riacheyne.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
We're blown away by the level of interest so far and looking forward to a great couple of days exploring accessibility and/in archives and collections!
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Dr Jo Edge 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @hagenilda.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
Remember guys, @pcsunion.bsky.social staff at the BL are on strike for the next two weeks. Please don't cross the picket line to go to reading rooms, attend exhibitions or anything else. They've endured so much on low pay since the cyberattack in 2023 and the least we can do is have their backs now.
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Sophie Fennelly @sophiefennelly.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
The School of English PGR Symposium is taking place on 11th November, featuring over 10 papers from SoE PGRs! Sign up here to come along forms.office.com/e/75eFxbbbiY
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Natalie Hopwood @nrhopwood.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Spread the word! A new postgraduate and early career researcher seminar series at @universityofleeds.bsky.social! For those studying the Late Antique, Medieval, and Early Modern periods. We look forward to reading your proposals! #medievalsky #earlymodern #lateantique
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Worth mentioning, there's nothing illegal about seeking asylum. Indeed the need for those doing so to use irregular routes is recognised in law, provided they present themselves, as they have to, to seek asylum to the relevant authorities. This is a grotesquely misleading comment by the Home Office.
A Home Office spokesperson said the government was "furious about the number of illegal migrants in this country and in hotels", and reiterated its pledge to end the use of asylum hotels by 2029.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
"We absolutely need to stop the boats,” Polanski said, “but let’s stop the boats by offering safe and legal routes to asylum and not having people clinging on to dinghies for dear life.* www.newstatesman.com/politics/gre...
newstatesman.com
Zack Polanski: “We absolutely need to stop the boats”
The Greens’ Zack Polanski on facing up to Reform
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Could we please stop pretending that the flags being hung from streetlamps or painted on roundabouts are innocent expressions of patriotic pride? This is the far right marking out its territory. It uses these flags to intimidate its traditional victims and opponents. 🧵1/3
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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Yvette Cooper looked at current British asylum policies and thought, what we need is for *more* children to die in the English Channel
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Extending the "move on period" came at the end of lengthy campaigning, and reams of evidence showing how 28 days led to homelessness, and more pressure on local authorities. This is a counterproductive, retrograde, move by Labour designed to chase Reform. Despicable! www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Home Office set to halve time asylum seekers spend in hotels
The time given to people granted asylum to move from hotels to their own accommodation will be cut from 56 to 28 days.
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Where government has failed - Taylor Swift might succeed: knocking migration stories off the front pages...
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Patrick Ness @patricknessbooks.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
The Polari Prize issued a statement saying it believes its longlistees can hold “different positions on substantive issues.” This is like long listing a racist with authors of color then telling everyone it’s a mere “different position on a substantive issue”. Trans people are a fact. Not an “issue”
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Steph Paton @stephpaton.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
It's indefensible, says man who repeatedly defended it.
Statement from Keir Starmer, calling what is happening now in Gaza indefensible and unspeakable
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Dominic Dean @drdominicdean.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
We can do better than the relentless misery this guy promises; do not let him or his people persuade you this is the best it can be.
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Jonn Elledge @jonnelledge.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
oh absolutely fuck these moral fucking cowards
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Zarah Sultana MP @zarahsultana.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Today, after 14 years, I’m resigning from the Labour Party. Jeremy Corbyn and I will co-lead the founding of a new party, with other Independent MPs, campaigners and activists across the country. Join us. The time is now. Sign up here to stay updated: actionnetwork.org/forms/join-t...
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Frankly I would believe Starmer regretted paraphrasing Enoch Powell somewhat more if he wasn't pushing ahead with the some of the most anti-immigration, anti-asylum, policies in decades. His "regret" doesn't make a difference when his actions are the same. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Keir Starmer says he ‘deeply regrets’ island of strangers speech
Immigration speech was criticised for echoing Enoch Powell’s ‘rivers of blood’ rhetoric
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Dr Rachel Gregory Fox @rgf26.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Today’s morning panel focused on the impact of the Hostile Environment on/in community spaces. With stunning papers by Sophie Fennelly, Peach Hoyle, and Subhadip Mukherjee.
Sophie Fennelly presents a detailed and incisive close reading of (un)safe spaces in Caleb Azumah Nelson’s Small Worlds.Peach Hoyle draws our attention to material and contingent hospitalities in interfaith communities and organisations.Subhadip Mukherjee, talks about the politics of engaged reading via the Refugee Tales project.
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Jooli-AHH! Boolia 👻🍂🎃 @jooliaghoulia.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
GM 🖤 Please take care of yourself
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Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
“Each nasty reactionary comment by Reform followed by the reward of an electoral gain feels as if it eats away at a diverse and decent society, pulling back hard-won tolerance whilst validating the worst prejudices.” My col. on the local election aftermath. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Look at how Reform speaks about minorities. Why would Labour want to mimic this nasty party? | Frances Ryan
The British public is more liberal and tolerant than you would believe from our politicians. Time for Keir Starmer to appeal to Britain’s best side, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
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Arthur Webber 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 @bernietranders.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
You’re telling me that right wing voters that Labour was trying to appeal to voted for a right wing party anyway and left wing voters decided not to vote for Labour because they’re too right wing now? Who could have possibly predicted this.
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the Mountain Goats @themountaingoats.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
if you are a cis person it costs you nothing to just say today that you see & hear your trans sisters & brothers & others over in the UK today -- and around the world, too, knowing that rulings like today's ripple out in ugly ways.
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Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
“I don’t know how you do it! I could never be chronically ill!” We didn’t get a choice. No one asked our permission. Disability just happens. It can happen to you too. We cope because we have no choice. We can’t trade our bodies in for new ones. We can’t “try harder” our way out of it.
disabledginger.com
Why Are Chronically Ill People Forced to Hide Their Pain?
And what would happen if we stopped hiding and showed the world the depths of our suffering?
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Dr Rachel Gregory Fox @rgf26.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
I am beyond furious at the cuts that will be made to welfare support, including PIP and UC. It’s punching down, it’s condescending, it’s spiteful, and it’s cruel.
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Polly Atkin @pollyrowena.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Ooh maybe it’s not all in their heads but a clearly documented post viral outcome …
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Sophie Fennelly @sophiefennelly.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
my preorders for this week’s new releases have arrived and I can’t help but feel like it’s 2014 all over again
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✨John Carpenter’s BOObies✨ @ourflagmeansbeth.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Seeing lots and lots of hatred towards people with disabilities - ableism and fascism are intertwined. People aren’t lazy because they can’t work, they’re SICK. And one day you will be too. So if you’re not moved by compassion to treat disabled people humanely, do it out of self preservation.
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The Spectre Haunting Europe @frightfulhobgoblin.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
If you're indulging the 'real disabilities' vs 'over-diagnosed' narrative, you're carrying the can for eugenicists who don't believe that disabled people deserve life. It's exactly the same tactic used vs LGBT people: 'I respect gay people, but there are some who shove it down your throat' etc.
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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
And about 1.2 million people will have their PIP cut — which means a lot more people will know friends and family who are affected. That’s a lot of constituents, even if they didn’t think it were morally wrong to start with.
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