Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them)
LightNews LightNews
banner
ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them)
@ginnybraun.bsky.social
4K followers 2.9K following 1.1K posts

Pākehā/Tangata Tiriti; critical psych, health/disability, feminism/gender/politics, bodies, equity & social justice. #ThematicAnalysis #QualitativeResearch!
www.thematicanalysis.net
www.storycompletion.net
https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/ .. more

Videos

Virginia Braun is a New Zealand psychology academic specialising in thematic analysis and gender studies. She is particularly known for her scholarship on the social construction of the vagina and designer vagina cosmetic surgery, body hair and heterosexuality. She is perhaps best known for her collaboration with British psychologist Victoria Clarke around thematic analysis and qualitative research methods. Together they have published numerous papers, chapters, commentaries and editorials on thematic analysis and qualitative research, and an award-winning and best selling qualitative textbook entitled Successful qualitative research. They have a thematic analysis website at The University of Auckland. More recently - with the Story Completion Research Group - they have published around the story completion method. .. more

Psychology 23%
Sociology 19%
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Jul 31
Here's a talk I gave as a keynote for the BPS @qmip.bsky.social conference (July 2025) - the result of @vicclarke.bsky.social & I recognising we needed to "dive in" & grapple with the beast that is GenAI & qualitative/(reflexive) thematic analysis
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zFQ...
Dr Braun(love) - or: how I learned to stop worrying and love GenAI (yeah nah)
YouTube video by Virginia Braun
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Sebastian Karcher, Nikki Fairchild

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · 3d
Now published…

We Reject the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reflexive Qualitative Research - Tanisha Jowsey, Virginia Braun, Victoria Clarke, Deborah Lupton, Michelle Fine, 2025

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
We Reject the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reflexive Qualitative Research - Tanisha Jowsey, Virginia Braun, Victoria Clarke, Deborah Lupton, Michelle Fine, 2025
Four hundred and nineteen experienced qualitative researchers from 32 countries invite readers of Qualitative Inquiry to consider their position on use of gener...
journals.sagepub.com

Reposted by Virginia Braun

fempsych.bsky.social
fempsych.bsky.social @fempsych.bsky.social · 3d
Here's to another great year of feminist psychology!
#feminist #psychology #FeministResearch #AcademicSky

@tracymorison.bsky.social @lizpeel.bsky.social @garethterry.bsky.social @ginnybraun.bsky.social

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · 7d
In Oct I took part in an @iapartnership.bsky.social workshop on addressing gender-based/sexual harassment in academic: here's a brief report...

www.interacademies.org/news/global-...
Global Leaders Collaborate to Strengthen Action to Tackle Sexual Harassment in Academia
www.interacademies.org

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · 8d
“What’s unfolding now is more than dishonesty—it’s the unraveling of any shared understanding of what education is for.”

www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
AI is Destroying the University and Learning Itself
Students use AI to write papers, professors use AI to grade them, degrees become meaningless, and tech companies make fortunes. Welcome to the death of higher education.
www.currentaffairs.org

Reposted by Shannon Vallor, Virginia Braun, Fabián Muniesa , and 16 more

michaelhobbes.bsky.social
Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 8d
If we are banning cell phones for kids we need to be talking about banning chatbots for boomers
www.persuasion.community/p/my-chatgpt...

Reposted by Virginia Braun, Jane Callaghan

markrubin.bsky.social
Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · 20d
See also this recent article by
@ginnybraun.bsky.social
@janeemcallaghan.bsky.social @andrealamarre.bsky.social
@joannasemlyen.bsky.social
@jeffnz.bsky.social

#PhilSci #Epistemology #OpenSci #MetaSci
markrubin.bsky.social Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · Dec 18
“Where are the findings? You only provide quotes.”

New article considers qualitative researchers’ experiences of methodologically incongruent peer review feedback

Open Access: dx.doi.org/10.1037/qup0...

Few quotes follow 🧵
Although peer review is one of the central pillars of academic publishing, qualitative researchers’ experiences of this process have been largely overlooked. Existing research and commentary have focused on peer reviewers’ comments on qualitative articles, which are often described as indicative of a quantitative mindset or hostility to nonpositivist qualitative research. We extend this literature by focusing on qualitative researchers’ experiences of methodologically incongruent reviewer and editor comments—comments that are incommensurate with the conceptual foundations of the reviewed research. Qualitative researchers (N = 163) from a range of health and social science disciplines, including psychology, responded to a brief qualitative survey. Most contributors reported that peer reviewers and editors universalized the assumptions and expectations of postpositivist research and reporting. Some also reported that peer reviewers and editors universalized the norms and values particular to specific qualitative approaches. Contributors were concerned that peer reviewers often accept review invitations when they lack relevant methodological expertise and editors often select peer reviewers without such expertise. In response to methodologically incongruent comments, many contributors described a process of initially “pushing back” and explaining why these comments were incongruent with their research. When this educative approach was unsuccessful, some knowingly compromised the methodological integrity of their research and acquiesced to reviewer and editor requests. Earlier career researchers especially highlighted the powerlessness they felt in the peer review process in the context of a “publish or perish” academic climate. We end by outlining contributors’ recommendations for improving the methodological integrity of the peer review of qualitative research.

Reposted by Virginia Braun

drcharleshay.bsky.social
Charles Hay, PhD @drcharleshay.bsky.social · Nov 14
This is worth a quick read and a long think about: "We reject the use of generative artificial intelligence for reflexive qualitative
research" signed by 416 researchers, including @ginnybraun.bsky.social and @vicclarke.bsky.social who I've referenced roughly a billion times.
<span>We reject the use of generative artificial intelligence for reflexive qualitative research</span>
We write as 416 experienced qualitative researchers from 38 countries, to reject the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) applications for Big Q Qu
papers.ssrn.com

Reposted by Virginia Braun, Erin O’Donnell

knhannah.bsky.social
Kate @knhannah.bsky.social · Nov 11
This is utterly sickening, particularly the charges under HDCA. Many, many things from the 2021-2023 period of my life in terms of police (in)action related to threats made to me now must be viewed thru this unholy prism.

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/jevon-mcs...
Police bosses ignored sex complaints against top cop, charged woman for 'revenge' emails instead
Suppressions fall away to reveal the full story of the downfall of a deputy police boss.
www.nzherald.co.nz

Reposted by Virginia Braun

henrycooke.bsky.social
henry cooke @henrycooke.bsky.social · Nov 11
Absolutely horror IPCA report on how the Police handled complaints against McSkimming.

A woman, who said she had a sexual relationship with him when she was 21 and he was 40, made complaints about him and instead of taking it seriously they prosecuted her under the HDCA.

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Nov 8
“That kind of thinking cultivates empathy and challenges your assumptions. It's also something you have to practice. If we can offload that cognitive work, it's far too easy to become reflexive and hateful, while having a robot cheerleader telling you that you were right about everything all along.”
AI Is Supercharging the War on Libraries, Education, and Human Knowledge
"Fascism and AI, whether or not they have the same goals, they sure are working to accelerate one another."
www.404media.co

Reposted by Virginia Braun, Mark Rice

elleisanisland.bsky.social
Elle @elleisanisland.bsky.social · Nov 7
The diagram for what Palantir does is like if Richard Scarry got super paranoid and did an Apocalypse picture book
A schematic of the multiple types of communication and weapons systems: laser guided munitions, GPS aided bombs, SATCOM jammer

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Nov 7
University pension scheme under fire for Israeli investments

If you didn’t sign the letter but care to support this push please contact them

thespinoff.co.nz/society/06-1...
University pension scheme under fire for Israeli investments
Hundreds of university workers have ramped up a campaign to demand their retirement savings provider divest from companies 'profiting from genocide'.
thespinoff.co.nz

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Nov 7
“The writer asked Thomas: “Would you be able to clarify that the revised free speech policy would protect opinions critical of the Treaty, and that all non-violent views of race relations in Aotearoa New Zealand would be tolerated on campus?””

newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/07/w...
Who Benefits: A lobby group’s charm offensive and a doubting Thomas
In part two of this instalment in our series on lobbying: The Free Speech Union has been quietly wooing university vice chancellors, with some success
newsroom.co.nz

Reposted by Jonathan Tummons

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Nov 6
This story is grim - and one outcome of the ‘business’ model of higher education. Academic freedom at risk not (just) within a country but from external forces…
China-critical UK academics describe ‘extremely heavy’ pressure from Beijing
Reliance on overseas students’ tuition fees under scrutiny as scholars describe chilling effect of being targeted
www.theguardian.com

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Nov 5
🤣

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Nov 5
It WAS prerecorded, yes!!

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Nov 4
First time at the Te Apārangi Royal Society Honours and Awards ceremony…. Anticipatory congrats to the awardees and the vibrant research community which is struggling in the face of gross funding cuts from the current government.

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Oct 31
😭😭😭

Reposted by Virginia Braun, Malcolm MacLean, Shaun C. Hendy

siouxsiew.bsky.social
Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles @siouxsiew.bsky.social · Oct 31
Morning peeps! I’ve written a piece for @thespinoff.bsky.social on why I ended up taking legal action against my employer and a little bit about how it played out. The whole story needs a book to tell but this is a good start 😂 thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1... thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
Siouxsie Wiles: Why I’m crowdfunding despite winning my legal battle
'Between the ERA and the Employment Court, my husband and I have spent over $632,000.'
thespinoff.co.nz

Reposted by Virginia Braun

leinsterlad.bsky.social
The Anti-Sycophant @leinsterlad.bsky.social · Oct 31

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Oct 25
So many good points in here
Belgian AI scientists resist the use of AI in academia
Several AI scientists have published an open letter calling for a ban on AI use by students.
apache.be

Reposted by Virginia Braun, Vincent O’Malley

bwbnz.bsky.social
Bridget Williams Books @bwbnz.bsky.social · Oct 21
📣 Join Dr Vincent O’Malley at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato this Saturday for 'The Invasion of Waikato / Te Riri ki Tainui' – a free public talk marking He Rā Maumahara, our National Day of Remembrance for the New Zealand Wars.

Book here: zurl.co/iOfW8
Public Talk: Dr Vincent O'Malley, The Invasion of Waikato Te Riri Ki Tainui
tewharetaonga.nz

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Oct 20
This is depressing - when universities care more about their reputations than the wellbeing of people within them, who are harmed by others within them, we have little chance of progress against sexual harassment.
www.thetimes.com/article/8fe7...
University wins gagging order in sex case to ‘protect reputation’
Open justice fears as media banned from naming institution where a professor faces sexual harassment claims at tribunal
www.thetimes.com

Reposted by Virginia Braun

maddipow.bsky.social
Dr Madeleine Pownall @maddipow.bsky.social · Oct 18
In Bali for the “Psychology from the East, Psychology from the West” conference 🇮🇩 🏝️

Today I spoke about how the “embracing” of AI in education may contribute to the dehumanisation of both students and educators, ft a lively discussion about @olivia.science et al’s paper on uncritical adoption

Reposted by Virginia Braun, Nathan P. Kalmoe

brian-goldstone.bsky.social
Brian Goldstone @brian-goldstone.bsky.social · Oct 13
Trump to the Israeli parliament today, gloating about U.S. weapons supplied to Israel over the past two years:

"You obviously used them very well."

www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Guardian headline: "Young lives cut short on an unimaginable scale: the 18,457 children on Gaza’s list of war dead" The children’s names below appear on a list of victims of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, maintained by health authorities in the territory. As of the end of July it ran to 60,199 names, of whom 18,457 were under 18s. Far from comprehensive, the list does not include the thousands still buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings, as well as the war’s many indirect victims"

Reposted by Virginia Braun, Lesley A. Hall

petraboynton.bsky.social
Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · Oct 12
Only a few hours to go before Small Son and I set off on our 4 mile fundraising walk in aid of The Miscarriage Association.

We're nearly at our target of £500 thanks to your generous donations, but if you can help us reach our goal today that would be wonderful!

www.justgiving.com/page/p-boynt...
Miscarriage Association's Memory Walk 2025
Help Petra Boynton raise money to support The Miscarriage Association
www.justgiving.com

Reposted by Jonathan A. Eisen, Nicola J. Cooper, Virginia Braun , and 10 more

trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social
Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · Oct 12
Well done Shafaq Aftab. When a reviewer stole her work and published it under his own name, she fought for a YEAR to get the journal to retract the paper. Just wondering why it took Wiley a YEAR to do this. 🧪 #academicsky

retractionwatch.com/2025/10/03/w...
Wiley retracts study stolen by reviewer, following Retraction Watch coverage
A Wiley journal has retracted a paper more than a year after a researcher reported the work was hers and had been stolen by a reviewer for another journal. As we reported in July, Shafaq Aftab, now…
retractionwatch.com

Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich, Virginia Braun, John R. Hutchinson , and 9 more

estherschindler.bsky.social
Esther Schindler @estherschindler.bsky.social · Oct 6
I just saw someone use the abbreviation “AI;DR” and I’ll be laughing for a while.

ginnybraun.bsky.social
Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Oct 6
Very much this... And with the current political context in NZ and demands for things like "neutrality" and regressive gender politics, this situation is going to get worse.
cassiemph.bsky.social Cassie @cassiemph.bsky.social · Oct 1
Academics are facing being targeted for existing more and more. Keeping an eye on the policies our universities have on what their duty of care is, is essential in this day and age
ginnybraun.bsky.social Prof. Virginia Braun (she/her they/them) @ginnybraun.bsky.social · Oct 1
Really useful blog by @mohanjdutt.bsky.social getting to the heart of what's going on...

"When academics can't invoke settled patterns of far-right mainstreaming without hitting up against coordinated harassment campaigns sanctioned by elected officials, we've already lost something important."

Reposted by Virginia Braun

vicclarke.bsky.social
Vic Clarke (she/her, they/them) @vicclarke.bsky.social · Oct 5
When @ginnybraun.bsky.social & I first wrote about thematic analysis in 2006 we never imagined writing about TA again let alone writing a lot of chapters! Here's the latest chapter in The Sage Handbook of Health Psychology w/ @garethterry.bsky.social & Lucie Wheeler. Congratulations to the editors!
Cover of The Sage Handbook of Health Psychology edited by Katherine Brown et al First page of a chapter on thematic analysis by Virginia Braun, Victoria Clarke, Gareth Terry and Lucie Wheeler