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Wendy Russell

@wendyrussell.bsky.social
747 followers 864 following 181 posts

She/her. Researcher, evaluator & consultant on children's play and playwork, mostly geography and philosophy. Focus on the politics of space for children. Based in Nottingham, Senior Research Fellow at Uni of Gloucestershire, UK #SpatialJustice

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Reposted by Wendy Russell
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Donations when charities are under attack, including very small, one-off donations, can have a real impact on volunteers' morale. They face treacherous seas for us. Now they're also endangered at home on land.
rnli.org
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
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Reposted by Wendy Russell
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) @rgs.org · 10/08/2026
How did mapmakers and travellers work together to create maps in the early 1900s? These 1913-14 maps preserve corrections made by traveller and archaeologist Gertrude Bell to a mapmaker's working copy, offering a glimpse into the production of colonial cartography.
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
2/2 @andyburnham.bsky.social co-launched England’s previous National Play Strategy in 2008, cancelled by coalition Government in 2010. The letter urges him to renew that ambition for a whole new generation of children, beginning with the three immediate, practical steps. #ItAllStartsWithPlay
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
1/2 Today I'm joining <40 orgs & individuals calling on new Prime Minister @andyburnham.bsky.social to make it easier for every child to play where they live. End unnecessary #NoBallGames signs Make #PlayStreets easier Create #parks that welcome #play drive.google.com/drive/folder...
lnkd.in
Checking your browser - reCAPTCHA
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Wow, thanks Kate for excellent reprting from the #CuriousCitiesAssembly. Just feeding my envy and #FOMO!
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Tom Flood @tomflood.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Weird how any negative framing of our auto culture is automatically anti-car & radical yet the billions of dollars spent on aggressive car ads and auto first infrastructure isn't framed as anti-pedestrian, anti-bike, anti-transit, anti-person, anti-senior, anti-child or anti-planet.
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Free registration for anyone at this webinar. ipaworld.wildapricot.org/events
ipaworld.wildapricot.org
International Play Association: Promoting the Child's Right to Play - Events
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Join me on the eve of #InternationalDayofPlay! I'm talking about the review of contemporary research into children's play, policy and practice I did with Ludicology, commissioned by PlayWales Free registration for members via events section of www.ipaworld.org (log in, go to events tab)
Cover of the literature review called "Playing and Being Well" shows two girls smiling and on a slack line with trees in the background, with the title and details of the webinar
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
I love #Bluey and I love new ways of thinking about #play. I'll have to think about how I feel about seeing play as a religion, though. It carries a lot of baggage. www.rnz.co.nz/life/lifesty...
rnz.co.nz
Can we consider 'play' to be a religion? Bluey certainly thinks so
The Australian TV show teaches us valuable life lessons, but what does it say about how we practise real-life religions?
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Reposted by Wendy Russell
Malcolm MacLean @malcomaxx.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
CFP: Playing with History - submissions due 11 May: oh, so tempting @wendyrussell.bsky.social
royalhistsoc.org
Playing with History: A conference - CALL FOR PAPERS - RHS
PLAYING WITH HISTORY, 15 – 16 JULY at the University of Northampton.  Call for Papers deadline - 11 May The Centre for Historical Studies at the University of Northampton welcomes submissions for our ...
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Looking forward to this International Play Association webinar on Play in Palestine and the launch of the Arabic translation of the Play in Situations of Crisis Toolkit. Such an important and valuable piece of work ipaworld.wildapricot.org/event-6648565
ipaworld.wildapricot.org
International Play Association: Promoting the Child's Right to Play - IPA Webinar: "Play in Palestine" and Launch of the Arabic translation of the IPA Access to Play in Situations of Crisis Toolkit
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Reposted by Wendy Russell
Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Longer reflection on Westminster's semi-permanent play streets here. This is a remarkable and bold scheme – all credit to the team – and demonstrates an approach that other local authorities could consider, another tool in the campaign to restore children’s freedom to play on their doorsteps.
linkedin.com
At our April Play Streets Forum (hosted with Lucy Colbeck), Maximilian Goodchild, Farran Leach and Carla Leowe from Westminster Council talked us through their Active Westminster semi-permanent Play… ...
At our April Play Streets Forum (hosted with Lucy Colbeck), Maximilian Goodchild, Farran Leach and Carla Leowe from Westminster Council talked us through their Active Westminster semi-permanent Play S...
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Hats off to @thetcpa.bsky.social, GemmaHyde, Sophie Hadfield-Hill, Peter Kraftl and everyone else who had a hand in this. Really useful "plug-in" tools to support local authorities to think about children when developing their #LocalPlan. Fab work. www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/ch...
tcpa.org.uk
Children and young people in Local Plans in England
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
It brings a smile to my face every year when I realise just how many of my #playwork friends have birthdays on 1 April
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Yes - a lot of playgrounds I know have Young Volunteers - basically ex-children who came to the playground, feel too old for it but still want to be there. There's some judicious support needed in terms of balancing being a player and a volunteer, but they are usually given lots of leeway and time
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Our public services aren’t for a secretive profit-hungry US tech firm. Sign the petition to tell the Government to scrap all contracts with secretive US tech firm Palantir. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Stop Palantir taking over our public services!
Our public services aren’t for a secretive profit-hungry US tech firm. Sign the petition to tell the Government to scrap all contracts with secretive US tech firm Palantir.
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Great report from @aliceferguson.bsky.social @playingout.bsky.social and Tim Gill making the case for a "child lens" on streets and transport policy. Brings a lot of information together in one place to build a strong argument. Thank you! playingout.net/take-action/...
playingout.net
A child lens on streets and transport policy 2026
A movement for children’s freedom to play, move, socialise and belong where they live
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Reposted by Wendy Russell
Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
I’ve just shared a bit of a lengthy post about @playingout.bsky.social and the new Play Streets Network that Lucy Colbeck (former PO play streets manager) and I are going to be working on to keep supporting play streets across the country.
linkedin.com
I wasn&#39;t able to get down to Bristol earlier in the month for Playing Out&#39;s big celebration (and farewell) but I loved seeing the reflections of the day, and of the wider Playing Out movement,...
I wasn't able to get down to Bristol earlier in the month for Playing Out's big celebration (and farewell) but I loved seeing the reflections of the day, and of the wider Playing Out movement, which h...
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I'm beginning to warm to the concept of contextual safeguarding. Neighbourhood safety is so much more than just blaming parents and caregivers for being over protective. Car free is important, and so are other aspects of safety
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Ooh, that sounds great! I'd love to hear more.
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Hey #AdventurePlaygrounds in England, here's a rare funding opportunity. Well done, @playengland.bsky.social www.playengland.org.uk/newsblog/500...
playengland.org.uk
£500,000 National Adventure Playground Fund launched — Play England
A new national funding programme has launched to protect, restore and grow staffed adventure playgrounds across England. The Adventure Playground Fund is a £500,000 programme offering unrestric...
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Yes, exactly, you can't be sure. So much of my work is time sensitive, so sometimes I can't use a brilliant report because it's not dated
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Dear organisations: PLEASE DATE YOUR PUBLICATIONS!! Yet again, I'm doing a review that involves grey literature. Yet again, I consistently come up against organistions not dating their publications. Having no date really reduces the impact of your hard work. #RantOver
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
another reason not to use wet pour maybe?
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Oh WOW!!!!! This has to be somebody's dream PhD! www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate...
swansea.ac.uk
History: Serious about Play: Childhood, Play and Policymaking in Wales, 1945 to the present (RS936) - Swansea University
We offer a wide range of funded and fully funded research scholarships in all subject areas. Explore your options and apply now.
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I’ll be speaking the Youth Sport Trust Conference putting play on the map as part of their work supporting young people to thrive, with their happiness and health at the heart of schools and communities. www.youthsporttrust.org/school-suppo... #YSTConference
Advert for Youth Sports Trust conference 4 March 2026 at Telford International Centre, saying "I'll be speaking" with a head shot of Wendy Russell
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Reposted by Wendy Russell
Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Worrying to see this, and the power of the reductive narrative that focuses primarily/only on screens as the cause of the "anxious generation"; it permits an avoidance of bigger debates about the decline of spaces for children & young people, the impacts of austerity & inequality, and so much more:
theguardian.com
Wes Streeting asks US expert Jonathan Haidt to address officials on social media ban for under-16s
Exclusive: Health secretary issues invitation in push for UK to consider copying landmark restrictions in Australia
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Reposted by Wendy Russell
Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
International colleagues - please share. Call for Papers for “More Than Child’s Play: Global Perspectives on the History of Playgrounds”, Zurich 26-28 Aug. They are looking "beyond the existing West-centric scholarship." Deadline is tight - 15 January. networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
networks.h-net.org
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP “More Than Child’s Play: Global Perspectives on the History of Playgrounds” | H-Net
Call for PapersINTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP“More Than Child’s Play: Global Perspectives on the History of Playgrounds”26–28 August 2026, ETH Zürich
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
International colleagues - please share. Call for Papers for “More Than Child’s Play: Global Perspectives on the History of Playgrounds”, Zurich 26-28 Aug. They are looking "beyond the existing West-centric scholarship." Deadline is tight - 15 January. networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
networks.h-net.org
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP “More Than Child’s Play: Global Perspectives on the History of Playgrounds” | H-Net
Call for PapersINTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP“More Than Child’s Play: Global Perspectives on the History of Playgrounds”26–28 August 2026, ETH Zürich
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Sadly, I can't make it. I'd love to be there. :(
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Ooh!! Looks like a trip up there is in order! Thanks for sharing!
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
that's an amazing photo!
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
This episode of the middle years, part of @drguddisingh.bsky.social 3 Ages of Child series is brilliant, looking at bottom up health creation rather than top down illness treatment. Plus it features Glamis #AdventurePlayground. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - Three Ages of Child, Episode 2: The Middle Years
A journey through the landscape that shapes the health of our children.
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
As a taxpayer, I am happy to pay more tax to support public services and welfare. That is a mark of a civic, collective society rather than one based on individual self-interest and the elevation of wealth to a virtue. #Budget2025
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
#TypoOfTheDay: Play Ragers @playglos.bsky.social
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Reposted by Wendy Russell
Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Our recent article reflecting on neighbohood play during the first covid-19 lockdown, using Donald Winnicott (and Bonnie Honig and Joanna Kellond) to think about play, space, and care, both in the pandemic and beyond, now has a home in @tibg.bsky.social's December issue. @wendyrussell.bsky.social
rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers | RGS Journal | Wiley Online Library
In this paper, we explore what the experiences of some children and families in their neighbourhoods during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown can tell us about the value and importance of neighbourhood ...
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Please sign the petition to save Human Geopgraphy at University of Leicster c.org/MrqhhLBH8J
c.org
Save Geography at the University of Leicester
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
And this from 3 months ago - although the link is broken ...
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Angela Last @mutablematter.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Human Geography at Leicester is facing closure. Staff contracts are to end in June 2026; students are to be relocated to other universities, or taught out by a maximum of two (!) teaching-only staff. Other departments and subjects are facing closure, too. Please join the demo!
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
At a trustees’ meeting at Shiremoor Adventure Playground last night, and the playworkers reported an average of 50-60 kids at after-school sessions through October. And a massive 422 visitors (children & adults) for the Halloween playday. It’s such an important place.
Child-made signs at Shiremoor Adventure Playground A poster advertising last week’s Halloween Playday
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
I'm reading through a collection of #playworkers' documentation of brief snapshot moments of playing & laughing out loud. In amongst the funding & sustainability headaches & other not-so-good aspects of the work, these joyous moments are what it's all about. #nonsense #playforplayssake #pleasure
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Call for Abstracts for 2026 IPA world conference (2-5 Nov in Christchurch). Deadline 17 Feb 2026 NZDT. Theme: Auahatia (Innovating for Play), exploring bold, inclusive & culturally rich ways to create a world where all tamariki have the right to play www.ipachristchurch2026.com/call-for-abs...
ipachristchurch2026.com
Call for abstracts
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Oh wow, can't wait to read this! I loved the Francis Alys exhibition. Open access too. Now all I need is some time ... uclpress.co.uk/book/playthi...
uclpress.co.uk
Playthings and Playtimes
Explore the concept of play through diverse cultural lenses, from toys to local practices that shape the experience of play.
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Please do sign up for - and share - this webinar, on Dec 3rd, to hear about some of the amazing work going on nationally and locally to restore children's ability to play out on their doorsteps. @rezinachowdhury.bsky.social @edwardlamb.bsky.social @playingout.bsky.social @aliceferguson.bsky.social
eventbrite.co.uk
Restoring children's freedom to play out: let's seize the moment
Society is waking up to children's right and need to play out; councils and orgs around the UK are taking action, come and get inspired !
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Omar Khan @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
If you're interested in understanding segregation and integration better, here is a good paper by the UK's leading academics on the topic rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
The Geographical Journal | RGS Research Journal | Wiley Online Library
This paper analyses the changing geographies of ethnic diversity and segregation in England and Wales using Census data covering the last 30 years (1991–2021). Residential segregation of all ethnic g...
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Great thread here from @alisonstenning.bsky.social on the case for paying attention to children's capability to play during #Covid19 lockdowns, including a couple of articles we wrote based on our research. So pleased @aliceferguson.bsky.social gave evidence on this to the Covid Inquiry
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Play England @playengland.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
🚨 We’re Recruiting: Independent Chair, Senior Independent Director & Independent Director 🚨 Help lead our bold, new 10-year strategy #ItAllStartsWithPlay! Find out more & apply by 23 Oct 👉 www.playengland.org.uk/newsblog/wer... #IndependentDirectors #Chair #Trustee #CharityLeadership
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
The parallels are fascinating. There are different issues with the digital world & digital play, as there are with public space & designated play spaces. But I'd say the profit motive affects all four as do (linked) narratives of fear (sometimes valid in complex ways).
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Thank you @bsky.app for the bookmarking option!!
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Wendy Russell @wendyrussell.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
What do you see as the barriers?
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