Naomi Waltham-Smith
@auralflaneur.bsky.social
Professor at Oxford. Politics of listening, continental philosophy, music and sound studies, academic freedom. On the left. Views mine.
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
Zack Polanski: I would be open to working with Labour if Andy Burnham was leader ft.trib.al/km35Wsh
Zack Polanski: I would be open to working with Labour if Andy Burnham was leader
Green party leader rules out co-operation with Keir Starmer
ft.trib.al
December 31, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Zack Polanski: I would be open to working with Labour if Andy Burnham was leader ft.trib.al/km35Wsh
What is driving this from the @uclpolicylab.bsky.social @moreincommonuk.bsky.social report? Simply a case of defending a relative advantage they feel HE expansion is eroding? (Given overall positive views of HE among grads yet almost as many worried about low-quality courses as non-grads).
December 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
What is driving this from the @uclpolicylab.bsky.social @moreincommonuk.bsky.social report? Simply a case of defending a relative advantage they feel HE expansion is eroding? (Given overall positive views of HE among grads yet almost as many worried about low-quality courses as non-grads).
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
Important letter from an actual expert
December 26, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Important letter from an actual expert
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
In thinking about what you can do this year, keep this in mind:
Showing up at protests has real impact!
Showing up at protests has real impact!
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very
From emancipation to women’s suffrage, civil rights and BLM, mass movement has shaped the arc of US history
www.theguardian.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
In thinking about what you can do this year, keep this in mind:
Showing up at protests has real impact!
Showing up at protests has real impact!
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
Those observing Christmas are celebrating a family of asylum seekers. If there is indeed a "War on Christmas," it's being waged by those trying to make our country less safe for the poor, for the marginalized, and for refugees.
December 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Those observing Christmas are celebrating a family of asylum seekers. If there is indeed a "War on Christmas," it's being waged by those trying to make our country less safe for the poor, for the marginalized, and for refugees.
Some edible Christmas treats at Hide yesterday and home today
December 26, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Some edible Christmas treats at Hide yesterday and home today
Will world leaders listen to Pope Leo’s exhortations in his Christmas homilies and Urbi et Orbi message to end war, oppression and exploitation?
December 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Will world leaders listen to Pope Leo’s exhortations in his Christmas homilies and Urbi et Orbi message to end war, oppression and exploitation?
Good list @jimdickinson.bsky.social! Deaf President Now! is really the film the OfS FS Director needs to watch ☺️
Last week on Wonkhe: Nothing on the TV? Jim Dickinson rounds up the higher education-themed movies and TV that you probably didn't see in 2025
It’s the higher education Christmas movie and TV guide 2025
Nothing on the TV? Jim Dickinson rounds up the higher education-themed movies and TV that you probably didn't see in 2025
buff.ly
December 22, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Good list @jimdickinson.bsky.social! Deaf President Now! is really the film the OfS FS Director needs to watch ☺️
The case at Bristol of disruption to a talk by trans rights protestors will test the OfS’s ability to show that a proportionality analysis must be conducted recognizing both sets of A10 rights, as well as A11 rights. The guidance as it stands tackles such scenarios inadequately in my view. 1/6
December 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
The case at Bristol of disruption to a talk by trans rights protestors will test the OfS’s ability to show that a proportionality analysis must be conducted recognizing both sets of A10 rights, as well as A11 rights. The guidance as it stands tackles such scenarios inadequately in my view. 1/6
More pain for labour-market entrants that has far less to do with a lack or mismatch of graduate employability skills than with the effects of long-term austerity, economic uncertainty deterring investment and hiring, and capital consolidating its domination of labour under these conditions.
🚨 New labour market statistics out today 🚨
The UK jobs market has continued to soften as unemployment rises and real wages flatline ⤵️
The UK jobs market has continued to soften as unemployment rises and real wages flatline ⤵️
December 16, 2025 at 9:23 AM
More pain for labour-market entrants that has far less to do with a lack or mismatch of graduate employability skills than with the effects of long-term austerity, economic uncertainty deterring investment and hiring, and capital consolidating its domination of labour under these conditions.
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
For policymakers, lawmakers, commentators and the public:
We provide a detailed review of the international law relevant to lethal operations against suspected drug boats
I teamed up with @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and @tessbridgeman.bsky.social
We provide a detailed review of the international law relevant to lethal operations against suspected drug boats
I teamed up with @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and @tessbridgeman.bsky.social
Operation Southern Spear: Why the Crews, Drugs, and Boats are Not Targetable
A deep dive on the international law applicable to the U.S. military's lethal operations against suspected drug boats
www.justsecurity.org
December 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
For policymakers, lawmakers, commentators and the public:
We provide a detailed review of the international law relevant to lethal operations against suspected drug boats
I teamed up with @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and @tessbridgeman.bsky.social
We provide a detailed review of the international law relevant to lethal operations against suspected drug boats
I teamed up with @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and @tessbridgeman.bsky.social
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
All of the suspected drug boat killings are murders | Kenneth Roth
All of the suspected drug boat killings are murders | Kenneth Roth
There is no rule of law if the president can deem anyone an enemy combatant and order them summarily shot
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
All of the suspected drug boat killings are murders | Kenneth Roth
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
NEW: Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence That UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism
An investigation by ProPublica and @chronicle.com reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
An investigation by ProPublica and @chronicle.com reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence that UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism
An investigation by ProPublica and The Chronicle of Higher Education reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
www.propublica.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:15 PM
NEW: Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence That UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism
An investigation by ProPublica and @chronicle.com reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
An investigation by ProPublica and @chronicle.com reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
"Beyond #Staatsraison"
Experts calling for a new German policy in the Middle East that complies with Int Law
I am glad to have signed this paper
👇The paper in German and English is here
staatsraison.net/en/coming-so...
Experts calling for a new German policy in the Middle East that complies with Int Law
I am glad to have signed this paper
👇The paper in German and English is here
staatsraison.net/en/coming-so...
October 3, 2025 at 9:28 AM
"Beyond #Staatsraison"
Experts calling for a new German policy in the Middle East that complies with Int Law
I am glad to have signed this paper
👇The paper in German and English is here
staatsraison.net/en/coming-so...
Experts calling for a new German policy in the Middle East that complies with Int Law
I am glad to have signed this paper
👇The paper in German and English is here
staatsraison.net/en/coming-so...
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
my latest
Those opposed to the ECHR will never be satisfied by tinkering, just as Brexiters were never satisfied by the many opt-outs and rebates the UK received, writes @davidallengreen.bsky.social.
The good, the bad and the ugly of ‘rebalancing’ the ECHR
Human rights law should be kept under review, but that does not mean it should be weakened
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
my latest
Worth considering this as The New Stateman’s crush goes into nauseating overdrive.
"If Wes Streeting is the answer, is the question 'can Labour do even worse?'"
Wes Streeting's "Change of Course"
If Wes Streeting is the answer, is the question 'can Labour do even worse?' I ask, because the previous round of hostile briefing/leadershi...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 14, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Worth considering this as The New Stateman’s crush goes into nauseating overdrive.
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
From Nina Simone’s lyrical protest of systemic racism to Bad Bunny’s advocacy for immigrants’ rights through song, music has always played a critical role in resistance.
Sounds like activism: musicians who fight for change – in pictures
Photographer Janette Beckman and curator Julie Grahame have organized a one-time fundraiser for the ACLU that showcases images of musicians who have recorded protest songs or are known for their activism
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:41 PM
From Nina Simone’s lyrical protest of systemic racism to Bad Bunny’s advocacy for immigrants’ rights through song, music has always played a critical role in resistance.
“Parental resources seem to play an outsize role in who gets help.”
December 13, 2025 at 7:42 AM
“Parental resources seem to play an outsize role in who gets help.”
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
Excellent to hear the Minister for Science reiterate (yet again, but it bears repeating) support & understanding of curiosity driven research (bucket 1). Likewise excellent he explicitly describes diversity & inclusion as 'fundamental' to excellence, 'not a nice to have' but a 'prerequisite'. ?/n
December 10, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Excellent to hear the Minister for Science reiterate (yet again, but it bears repeating) support & understanding of curiosity driven research (bucket 1). Likewise excellent he explicitly describes diversity & inclusion as 'fundamental' to excellence, 'not a nice to have' but a 'prerequisite'. ?/n
Incredibly saddened to hear news of Asad Haider’s untimely death. Viewpoint magazine is a treasure trove, and Mistaken Identity a vital intervention. Critical thought will be impoverished by his loss.
December 6, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Incredibly saddened to hear news of Asad Haider’s untimely death. Viewpoint magazine is a treasure trove, and Mistaken Identity a vital intervention. Critical thought will be impoverished by his loss.
I was devastated to learn on Facebook this morning of this terrible news. From the moment I met Andrew at Warwick I knew he had a heart as generous as could be and a mind equally sharp. His presence was uplifting and inspiring. The loss of all his future ideas and encouragement is such a blow.
The Center is very sad to report the untimely passing of Andrew Cooper (Warwick), who was a Fellow at the Center for Philosophy of Science in 2023. Andrew was an outstanding philosopher in addition to a wonderful human being.
November 27, 2025 at 12:28 PM
I was devastated to learn on Facebook this morning of this terrible news. From the moment I met Andrew at Warwick I knew he had a heart as generous as could be and a mind equally sharp. His presence was uplifting and inspiring. The loss of all his future ideas and encouragement is such a blow.
“The implication appears to be that the extent to which an individual should be protected from inhuman or degrading treatment…ought to depend on whether they have committed serious criminal offences…[Making A3 a qualified right] would amount to the crossing of a very significant Rubicon.”
New post
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
Proposals for radical reform of the UK’s asylum system raise a number of legal and constitutional issues, with respect both to the European Convention on Human Rights and the domestic principle of …
publiclawforeveryone.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:42 AM
“The implication appears to be that the extent to which an individual should be protected from inhuman or degrading treatment…ought to depend on whether they have committed serious criminal offences…[Making A3 a qualified right] would amount to the crossing of a very significant Rubicon.”
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
Funny how universities are 'independent' and 'academic freedom is important' when it comes to being left to fend for their own on income and lack of funding, but have to do whatever government wants when it comes to research funding.
Science secretary Liz Kendall rejects criticisms that Labour's increased direction of research funding towards its national priorities breach long-held conventions limiting political interference in science www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kendall... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
Kendall: Haldane not breached by research spending direction
Science secretary defends decision to dedicate nearly a fifth of UKRI budget to policy priorities
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Funny how universities are 'independent' and 'academic freedom is important' when it comes to being left to fend for their own on income and lack of funding, but have to do whatever government wants when it comes to research funding.
Reposted by Naomi Waltham-Smith
Part of my evidence put before the court today attests to the unique nature of the proscription based on some research I conducted, and part speaks to the chilling effect on academic teaching and research in the area
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Palestine Action like the Suffragettes, court told
Lawyers for the group say the government's ban is unprecedented, as they launch a legal challenge.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Part of my evidence put before the court today attests to the unique nature of the proscription based on some research I conducted, and part speaks to the chilling effect on academic teaching and research in the area
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...