Matt Matravers
mattmatravers.bsky.social
Matt Matravers
@mattmatravers.bsky.social

Legal/political philosopher: punishment, criminal law theory, responsibility. Professor of Law & Director of the Morrell Centre, University of York.

Political science 41%
Neuroscience 19%
This reads like a breathless Reform press release.
Not the slightest reflection that being seen as a dumping ground for failed Tories might not be entirely positive.
Or that it might help Tories detoxify.
Or that Reform is ticking down in all recent polls.
Dismal stuff.

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Suella Braverman: Another big beast defection shows momentum is with Reform
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman is the fourth sitting Tory MP to join the party since the last election.
www.bbc.com

Reposted by Matt Matravers

‘Last year the company made profits of £35million on an income of £65 million — a rate of return of more than 50 per cent.
The money goes to Blackbaud, a US-based cloud software company, which bought JustGiving in 2017 for £95 million.’ www.thetimes.com/article/d6d3...
JustGiving faces investigation over claims donors are misled
The fundraising platform is accused of prompting supporters to add costly ‘tips’, helping deliver multimillion-pound returns to its US owner at donors’ expense
www.thetimes.com

Reposted by Matt Matravers

The New Year is a good time for making changes, and we’ve decided the time is right to use BlueSky and LinkedIn as our main social media platforms, and to no longer post on X.

Do give us a follow and please do share this post.

Is it extraordinary that the only English newspaper front page with even a hint of criticism of US actions is the Daily Star? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Newspaper headlines: 'America on the warpath' and 'Trump to run Venezuela'
The US capture of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro dominates Sunday's papers.
www.bbc.co.uk
In the entire history of human organization, the number of collective enterprises which have been improved by allowing SWP members in is quite literally zero

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rather wonderfully, the "pair had clashed over the scheduling of a summit to discuss 'out of control' seagulls."
Minister Jamie Hepburn resigns after assault claim
Conservative MSP Douglas Ross said the parliament minister grabbed him as he left the Holyrood chamber on Wednesday.
www.bbc.co.uk

Reposted by Matt Matravers

Who wants to ask a question? That's a wrap on the 18th UK Annual Legal and Political Philosophy Workshop hosted this year by the Morrell Centre for Legal and Political Philosophy. @uoy-yorklawschool.bsky.social

Reposted by Matt Matravers

Yesterday I had the privilege of having some brilliant colleagues join me for a manuscript workshop on the draft chapters for my forthcoming book: Criminalizing Terrorism. I am very grateful to the Morrell Centre for Legal and Political Philosophy for funding this fantastic full day workshop!

Susan Mendus (a former colleague of mine) has a lovely piece on this, "The Importance of Love in Rawls's Theory of Justice", BJPolS 1999. (It makes an interesting companion to Brian Barry's 1995 Ethics piece, "John Rawls and the Search for Stability".)

Indeed. Thank you. I have it on order now.

Thanks so much (and what a title!).

Would you be willing to identify the source?
🚨🚨 Apologies but what a bloody fucking horrific shitshow of a press briefing! I cannot with words express how much disgust and contempt I feel for the traitorous evil scumbags Donald Trump & JD Vance. And my respect & regard for Zelenskyy has never been higher- a true leader of the Western World.👇👇
BREAKING: There has just been a huge argument between Zelenskyy, Trump & Vance in the Oval Office.

Trump calls Zelenskyy disrespectful and says he “is no position to dictate” to the US.

Trump raises his voice to Zelenskyy. He can’t stand someone standing up to him.

This is unbelievable.
www.tandfonline.com

Yes to all of those things. Whilst they’re careful to say these are not “proposals”, it’s hard to believe this is not the direction of travel. As you say, it’s depressing and, I’d add, frightening.

🚨 Job opportunity 🚨

@uoysbs.bsky.social are looking for a part-time Research Associate to work on a vulnerability-based policing project around sex worker safety and justice.

Salary: £37,174 pro-rata

Based at: @york.ac.uk campus

Apply by 03/07/2025

jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/rese...
Jobs - The University of York
jobs.york.ac.uk

Reposted by Matt Matravers

At a loose end this Sunday afternoon? Somewhere in shouting distance of York? Join me at the @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social!

yorkfestivalofideas.com/2025/calenda...
A New World Order?
With Trump’s second presidency, are we returning to an era of Great Powers and ‘might means right’? What are the implications for the so-called ‘global rules-based order’? Join in the discussion with ...
yorkfestivalofideas.com

Apparently, it is also World Digestive Health Day. That's some combination (and if the marketers of Digestives are not on this, they're missing an opportunity).

07.34

PLEASE SHARE
York Law School is advertising a funded (home fee rate + stipend) PGR studentship. Open to all areas of law. I am happy to answer questions.
The advert is here: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DMS275/y... @uoy-yorklawschool.bsky.social
York Law School PhD Department Studentship 2025 - 26 at University of York
Discover a York Law School PhD Department Studentship 2025 - 26 on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other PhD opportunities.
www.jobs.ac.uk

Reposted by Matt Matravers

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71... What do you mean, you haven't signed the Parky Charter petition calling for better Parkinson's care?? We Parkies have an excuse - one of the symptoms of PD is apathy. But as for the rest of you, jump to it! (pretty please..)
Petition: Increase funding for people with Parkinson’s and implement the "Parky Charter"
We want the government to take the decisive five steps set out in the Movers and Shakers' "Parky Charter" and to fulfil the Health Secretary’s promises.
petition.parliament.uk

Obviously, I don’t resent @petroc.bsky.social getting to have a lie-in, but mornings just aren’t the same without him.

My fabulous colleague ‪@cobrien.bsky.social‬ has a new piece out.
How many UK Supreme Court judges do you think ever acted as lawyers for a claimant in a social security case? ZERO. *Extremely nervous* to announce this rather bolshy ('somewhat contentious' and 'robust in tone') piece in the JSSL. I argue there is a 'professional diversity deficit' in UKSC, AND...
How many UK Supreme Court judges do you think ever acted as lawyers for a claimant in a social security case? ZERO. *Extremely nervous* to announce this rather bolshy ('somewhat contentious' and 'robust in tone') piece in the JSSL. I argue there is a 'professional diversity deficit' in UKSC, AND...

It’s the preface to Theories of Justice (about the EUI).

Reposted by Matt Matravers

We're here!

Reposted by Matt Matravers

It’s all upper case, so just read it “orange [the colour] juice”!
1. Today the NIH director issued a new directive slashing overhead rates to 15%.

I want to provide some context on what that means and why it matters.

grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-25-068: Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates NOT-OD-25-068. OD
grants.nih.gov