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Toby Seddon

@tobyseddon.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.9K following 117 posts

Professor of Social Science at University College London | UCL Social Research Institute | Chair of Release | Fellow of Academy of Social Sciences | Interested in: drug policy, social science, critical theory, history, law and society | www.tobyseddon.com

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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Truly terrible drug-related deaths figures released today. The human cost is awful. Solutions are out there, if we really want to address this... www.ucl.ac.uk/engage/news/...
ucl.ac.uk
Drug-related deaths: a shared approach to a public health crisis
A joined-up. public health approach can help reduce drug-related deaths and support communities in building a better future. Toby Seddon for the Policy Thinking series.
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
There is a lot to agree with in this thread tbh…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Contract signed with @uclpress.bsky.social for my new book, 'Psychedelics and Modern Capitalism'! Now, I just have to finish writing it... @ucl-ccs.bsky.social @sriucl.bsky.social
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
This paper aims to set out a new interdisciplinary research agenda, connecting a major social problem with the existential threat of the climate crisis. Look out for a podcast episode in September, exploring the background to the paper and its core argument!
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
New open access paper: Drugs and the Anthropocene doi.org/10.1177/1748...
doi.org
Drugs and the Anthropocene - Toby Seddon, 2026
Illicit drugs are usually understood as a crime and/or public health problem. Yet drugs are also consumer products with supply chains and therefore implicated i...
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Second-hand books will carry traces of the pandemic and lockdowns for many decades to come
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
New podcast episode! I talk to Kojo Koram about his new book, The Next Fix, and discuss what comes next after drug prohibition... tobyseddon.com/2026/07/23/1...
tobyseddon.com
13: The Next Fix: A conversation with Kojo Koram
In this episode, I talk to Kojo Koram, Professor of Law and Political Economy at Loughborough University, about his new book ‘The Next Fix’. Further details about the book are available…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
New podcast episode! I talk to Kojo Koram about his new book, The Next Fix, and discuss what comes next after drug prohibition... tobyseddon.com/2026/07/23/1...
tobyseddon.com
13: The Next Fix: A conversation with Kojo Koram
In this episode, I talk to Kojo Koram, Professor of Law and Political Economy at Loughborough University, about his new book ‘The Next Fix’. Further details about the book are available…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Ever wondered about where the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 came from? Its origins and history? How it works? I have just the podcast episode for you... tobyseddon.com/2026/06/16/1...
tobyseddon.com
12: A Short Guide to…. the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
A short guide to the main piece of drug control legislation in the UK, describing its history, how it works and arguments for its reform or repeal. Draws on my research on the historical origins of…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Ever wondered about where the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 came from? Its origins and history? How it works? I have just the podcast episode for you... tobyseddon.com/2026/06/16/1...
tobyseddon.com
12: A Short Guide to…. the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
A short guide to the main piece of drug control legislation in the UK, describing its history, how it works and arguments for its reform or repeal. Draws on my research on the historical origins of…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Research Handbook on Drugs & Society now published, for researchers, teachers and students... 1/2 tobyseddon.com/research-han...
tobyseddon.com
Research Handbook
This Handbook was published in May 2026. The publisher page is here. You can also buy it from the usual online retailers. A podcast introducing the Handbook and featuring some of the chapter author…
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Edward Elgar Publishing @elgarpublishing.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
The Research Handbook on Drugs and Society, edited by @tobyseddon.bsky.social, is out now! A global collection of leading scholars exploring drugs & society. 📚 #DrugPolicy #DrugResearch ➡️ Read Sample Chapter: lnkd.in/eNUeefeQ ➡️ More Info: lnkd.in/eykS5crw ➡️ Listen to Podcast: lnkd.in/eTG4QTPW
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
New podcast episode, to mark the publication of my Research Handbook on Drugs & Society! tobyseddon.com/2026/05/29/1...
tobyseddon.com
11: Research Handbook on Drugs & Society: book launch episode
This episode marks the publication of the new Research Handbook on Drugs & Society, edited by me and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. You can find out more information about the Handbook h…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
New podcast episode, to mark the publication of my Research Handbook on Drugs & Society! tobyseddon.com/2026/05/29/1...
tobyseddon.com
11: Research Handbook on Drugs & Society: book launch episode
This episode marks the publication of the new Research Handbook on Drugs & Society, edited by me and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. You can find out more information about the Handbook h…
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Rainbow Devils @rainbowdevils.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Nine year on, we remember the 22 people who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bombing. Our thoughts go out to their loved ones, as well as the countless people hurt physically and psychologically by the attack 🐝 #ACityUnited
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
While I was away last week, this finally arrived…
Picture of Research Handbook on Drugs and Society
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Here this week, researching in the Gordon Wasson archives on his work on hallucinogenic mushrooms
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Coming very soon... tobyseddon.com/research-han...
tobyseddon.com
Research Handbook
This Handbook will be published in May 2026. The publisher page is here. You can also buy it from the usual online retailers. A podcast introducing the Handbook and featuring some of the chapter au…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Coming very soon... tobyseddon.com/research-han...
tobyseddon.com
Research Handbook
This Handbook will be published in May 2026. The publisher page is here. You can also buy it from the usual online retailers. A podcast introducing the Handbook and featuring some of the chapter au…
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Reposted by Toby Seddon
UCL Social Research Institute @sriucl.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
📢 We are hiring a Professor / Associate Professor and Director of Centre for Time Use Research. We seek an internationally recognised scholar with a strong record of academic leadership. Post available from January 2027. Check out: timeuse.org for more information.
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
A belated (1 day late) happy #bicycleday for those who celebrate! tobyseddon.com/2023/04/19/9...
tobyseddon.com
9: LSD, Bicycle Day and psychedelic history: A conversation with Alan Piper
To mark ‘Bicycle Day’, April 19th, a special episode on LSD and psychedelic history. The focus is on a new book of essays by Alan Piper which deconstructs some of the myths around the d…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
In anticipation of the imminent return of my podcast, a reminder that you can catch all previous episodes here (as well as on your favourite podcast provider)... 1/3 tobyseddon.com/rethinking-p...
tobyseddon.com
Podcast
This page collates all episodes of my ‘Drug Talk’ podcast. Also available on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn and Blubrry. Episode 10: Rethinking Drug Laws: book launch episod…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
In anticipation of the imminent return of my podcast, a reminder that you can catch all previous episodes here (as well as on your favourite podcast provider)... 1/3 tobyseddon.com/rethinking-p...
tobyseddon.com
Podcast
This page collates all episodes of my ‘Drug Talk’ podcast. Also available on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn and Blubrry. Episode 10: Rethinking Drug Laws: book launch episod…
111
Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
A belated (1 day late) happy #bicycleday for those who celebrate! tobyseddon.com/2023/04/19/9...
tobyseddon.com
9: LSD, Bicycle Day and psychedelic history: A conversation with Alan Piper
To mark ‘Bicycle Day’, April 19th, a special episode on LSD and psychedelic history. The focus is on a new book of essays by Alan Piper which deconstructs some of the myths around the d…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Another 1000 words completed today on my book. It is *slowly* taking shape...
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Release: Drugs, The Law & Your Rights @releasedrugs.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Release was founded in 1967, meaning we turn 60 next year 🎉 This funded PhD opportunity to study 6 decades of our history has just been announced, supervised by @tobyseddon.bsky.social and @alexmold.bsky.social Take a look, share, and apply by 27th March! bloomsbury.ac.uk/drugs-civil-...
bloomsbury.ac.uk
Drugs, Civil Rights and the Alternative Society: A History of Release
Principal Supervisor: Professor Toby Seddon (UCL) Co-Supervisor: Professor Alex Mold (LSHTM) Project Description Background Described as the oldest independent drugs charity in the world, Release w…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Application portal is now open, at this link. And the deadline has been extended to 29 March. Do get in touch with Alex or me if you have any questions.
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Interesting piece by @rainerkattel.bsky.social on what a university fit for the twenty-first century should look like. rainerkattel.substack.com/p/ucl-is-200...
rainerkattel.substack.com
UCL is 200 today. So what would “founding a university” look like now?
A bicentenary is a celebration. It can also be a design brief.
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Very sad news about the IAS closure. It raises the question, once again, of why it seems to be so difficult to have sustained commitment to interdisciplinary work. www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of...
ucl.ac.uk
All good things come to an end
It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news that the UCL Faculties of Social & Historical Sciences and Arts & Humanities have decided to close the IAS on 31 July 2026.
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Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick @mrcwarwick.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Looking forward to welcoming the successful candidate! Excellent opportunity to work with the Release archives at the MRC and look in detail at the history of drugs, counter-culture and campaign groups in the British system
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Peder Clark @pederclark.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
this would be a dream PhD for one lucky individual...
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
New PhD studentship opportunity! Research and write the history of Release, supervised by me and @alexmold.bsky.social! bloomsbury.ac.uk/drugs-civil-...
bloomsbury.ac.uk
Drugs, Civil Rights and the Alternative Society: A History of Release
Principal Supervisor: Professor Toby Seddon (UCL) Co-Supervisor: Professor Alex Mold (LSHTM) Project Description Background Described as the oldest independent drugs charity in the world, Release w…
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Very enjoyable to go and speak @uclsap.bsky.social earlier this week, talking about my book-in-progress on psychedelic capitalism. Insightful and interesting questions from students, as always.
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
I joined UCL in 2020 and have met some of the brightest, most interesting, most creative colleagues and students of my life. The 'godless institution in Gower Street' is quite some place... #UCL200 @sriucl.bsky.social
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Chapter proofs arrived today!
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
This is today! Looking forward to hearing more about this important and interesting book. Do come along, if you're free...
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Starting to feel a bit more real... www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/res...
e-elgar.com
Research Handbook on Drugs and Society
‘Whether you agree with him or not, Professor Seddon is a brave and original thinker who will enrich your understanding of policy and science.’ – Keith Humphreys OBE, Stanford University, USA
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Interesting piece. Includes reference to my own work on John Marks: doi.org/10.1016/j.dr...
doi.org
Redirecting
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
If you're in London on Feb 2nd, do come along to this book launch! @theobourgeron.bsky.social @susigeiger.bsky.social @sriucl.bsky.social @ucl-ccs.bsky.social www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of...
ucl.ac.uk
Peak Pharma: Toward a New Political Economy of Health
UCL Centre for Capitalism Studies is delighted to welcome authors Susi Geiger (University College Dublin) and Théo Bourgeron (University of Edinburgh) to present their new book. Moderated by Professor...
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
🧐
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
🧐
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UCL Institute of Advanced Studies @ucl-ias.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Peak Pharma: Toward a New Political Economy of Health 2 February 2026, 6:15pm @ucl-ccs.bsky.social welcome authors Susi Geiger @susigeiger.bsky.social & Théo Bourgeron @theobourgeron.bsky.social to present their new book. Chaired by Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of...
ucl.ac.uk
Peak Pharma: Toward a New Political Economy of Health
UCL Centre for Capitalism Studies is delighted to welcome authors Susi Geiger (University College Dublin) and Théo Bourgeron (University of Edinburgh) to present their new book. Moderated by Professor...
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UCL Social Research Institute @sriucl.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Today we’re celebrating 10 years of SRI! This afternoon we’ll come together to share reflections on the past 10 years, showcase our strengths in research and education, and look to the future for our Institute 🎉🎈🥳
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Another gem from @psypre.bsky.social
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Looking forward to reading this. Love the cover!
Cover of Rob Dickins’ book on psilocybe mushrooms
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UCL Social Research Institute @sriucl.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Through ethnographic fieldwork, decolonial policy analysis, and creative co-production Shadows project @shadowsnrpf.bsky.social explores how migrant families and young people with no access to public funds survive and create lives in England. Learn more: nrpfintheshadows.com #NRPF #SocialJustice
Black and white sketch of a person in derelict setting. White text reads "Social reproduction in the shadows"
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Plenty of obituaries earlier this month for Henry Todd, member of the ‘microdot gang’ responsible for a large part of the global LSD supply in the 1970s. Some focus more on his second ‘career’ as a mountaineer… abenteuer-berg.de/en/himalayan...
abenteuer-berg.de
Himalayan mountaineering community mourns the loss of “Toddfather” Henry Todd - Adventure Mountain
Henry Todd may not have been the greatest climber of his time, but he was undoubtedly an original. “As an expedition leader, mountaineer and later an oxygen provider to climbers, Henry was a pillar of...
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Looking to build back up my group of PhD students. Primarily interested in supervising in the area of drug policy but open to other areas, too. Drop me an email if you have an idea. For more information about me and my work, take a look here: tobyseddon.com
tobyseddon.com
Toby Seddon
Critical thinking on drugs, drug policy & drug law reform
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Incredible piece of journalism (and beautifully written) by @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/7068...
ft.com
The crumbling seaside palaces at the centre of Britain’s asylum crisis
How one hotelier built an empire from beloved community assets — and a government struggling to cope with a surge in migration
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Toby Seddon @tobyseddon.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
The steadfast determination to destroy one of the few things the UK still excels at is baffling and depressing.
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