Anthony May
@dranthonymay.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Sociology at BCU. I mainly research in sport.
There's often a chap (sometimes more than one) set up on my route to work, playing guitar. He has a mic, an amp and it seems like he has a small PA. If you are fully amplified, are you still a busker?
October 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
There's often a chap (sometimes more than one) set up on my route to work, playing guitar. He has a mic, an amp and it seems like he has a small PA. If you are fully amplified, are you still a busker?
Time will tell but this seems like it could be the next Grand Slam Track.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
R360: Nations issue international blanket ban on recruited players
Rugby's leading nations come together to issue a blanket ban on R360 recruits playing internationals.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Time will tell but this seems like it could be the next Grand Slam Track.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
This is the first time I have genuinely never heard of the half time act. Not the performer's problem obviously, but a worrying development for me. This is clear a sign as any that I've crossed into middle age.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Super Bowl 2026: Bad Bunny to perform at half-time show
The Puerto Rican pop star has otherwise avoided the US on his forthcoming world tour because of ICE.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 12:11 PM
This is the first time I have genuinely never heard of the half time act. Not the performer's problem obviously, but a worrying development for me. This is clear a sign as any that I've crossed into middle age.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It turns out bowling ok in a novelty tournament isn’t really the prep you need for international cricket. On the plus side, quizmasters everywhere have a new question for their bank.
September 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM
It turns out bowling ok in a novelty tournament isn’t really the prep you need for international cricket. On the plus side, quizmasters everywhere have a new question for their bank.
I was in Tesco and they were playing the Liquidator over the PA. Might be the first time I've heard it without... I'll call them embellishments.
August 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I was in Tesco and they were playing the Liquidator over the PA. Might be the first time I've heard it without... I'll call them embellishments.
Graduation day today, our session is in a bit. I've already dropped by the Symphony Hall to see one of my dissertation students who rearranged their ceremony, due to a clash with Oasis at Wembley. I can think of some academics who would be more sympathetic with that than others.
July 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Graduation day today, our session is in a bit. I've already dropped by the Symphony Hall to see one of my dissertation students who rearranged their ceremony, due to a clash with Oasis at Wembley. I can think of some academics who would be more sympathetic with that than others.
Now the interim leader might be good, bad or indifferent but the thing that came to mind straight away is Ice Town.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform Warwickshire council head quits after five weeks, leaving 18-year-old in charge
Rob Howard says ‘health challenges’ are behind resignation and teenage deputy George Finch will lead until replacement found
www.theguardian.com
June 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Now the interim leader might be good, bad or indifferent but the thing that came to mind straight away is Ice Town.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
On the face of it this is a terrible waste of time, money and resource. However, put yourself in the shoes of a lecturer who can see HS2 from his office window, and needs examples of failed government policy for lectures. Every cloud.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
HS2 delayed beyond 2033 as minister attacks ‘appalling mess’
Heidi Alexander says billions wasted in ‘litany of failure’, amid speculation cost will now exceed £100bn
www.theguardian.com
June 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
On the face of it this is a terrible waste of time, money and resource. However, put yourself in the shoes of a lecturer who can see HS2 from his office window, and needs examples of failed government policy for lectures. Every cloud.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Doing something funny with my hands while presenting @sportanthro.bsky.social conference last week. A good event and a very welcoming crowd.
June 8, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Doing something funny with my hands while presenting @sportanthro.bsky.social conference last week. A good event and a very welcoming crowd.
Reposted by Anthony May
In a study of UK police sergeants, Scott Banks and @dranthonymay.bsky.social examine the impact of New Public Management strategies on policing, using semi-structured interviews to explore their managerial challenges www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
May 2, 2025 at 12:27 AM
In a study of UK police sergeants, Scott Banks and @dranthonymay.bsky.social examine the impact of New Public Management strategies on policing, using semi-structured interviews to explore their managerial challenges www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Looking forward to seeing this. "Not a brand": hallelujah!
We have developed a new model and framework | Paper is coming shortly | We think its going to be great
The Football Cultural Audit (FCA)
Clubs aren’t businesses with cultural value. They’re cultural institutions that operate commercially.
5 dimensions.
Football’s cultural operating system.
The Football Cultural Audit (FCA)
Clubs aren’t businesses with cultural value. They’re cultural institutions that operate commercially.
5 dimensions.
Football’s cultural operating system.
April 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Looking forward to seeing this. "Not a brand": hallelujah!
Reposted by Anthony May
...and this one is supervised by @dranthonymay.bsky.social alongside two colleagues from Criminology and Security Studies, @euanraffle.bsky.social and Dr Ryan O'Connor.
www.bcu.ac.uk/research/our...
www.bcu.ac.uk/research/our...
USMEC : US Military-Entertainment Complex from the Cold War to the War on Terror
This research project examines how American popular culture, including movies, TV shows, and other media, intersects with U.S. military and foreign policy messaging from the Cold War to today. The PhD...
www.bcu.ac.uk
April 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
...and this one is supervised by @dranthonymay.bsky.social alongside two colleagues from Criminology and Security Studies, @euanraffle.bsky.social and Dr Ryan O'Connor.
www.bcu.ac.uk/research/our...
www.bcu.ac.uk/research/our...
I'm supervising a funded PhD. Nice. If you know of someone who might be a good fit for this project (link is below), feel free to pass it on to them. Euan and Ryan are both excellent, and it's a great opportunity all in all.
www.bcu.ac.uk/research/our...
www.bcu.ac.uk/research/our...
USMEC : US Military-Entertainment Complex from the Cold War to the War on Terror
This research project examines how American popular culture, including movies, TV shows, and other media, intersects with U.S. military and foreign policy messaging from the Cold War to today. The PhD...
www.bcu.ac.uk
March 14, 2025 at 9:56 AM
I'm supervising a funded PhD. Nice. If you know of someone who might be a good fit for this project (link is below), feel free to pass it on to them. Euan and Ryan are both excellent, and it's a great opportunity all in all.
www.bcu.ac.uk/research/our...
www.bcu.ac.uk/research/our...
I'm not sure "we're going to finish 14th but look at our stadium plans" is quite the sell they think it is.
March 12, 2025 at 11:59 AM
I'm not sure "we're going to finish 14th but look at our stadium plans" is quite the sell they think it is.
New article out in Annals of Leisure Research which could be of interest if you're into one or more of security, football fan experience, perceptions of alcohol, and Brazil. Due credit must go to co-authors & BlueSky naysayers Buso, Bason, and Owen.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The impact of alcohol sales on perceptions of security amongst Brazilian football fans
In 2003, the Estatuto de Defesa do Torcedor (Fans’ Bill of Rights Act) was introduced in an effort to curb fan violence, resulting in the prohibition of alcohol sales in Brazilian sports stadiums. ...
www.tandfonline.com
March 11, 2025 at 9:37 AM
New article out in Annals of Leisure Research which could be of interest if you're into one or more of security, football fan experience, perceptions of alcohol, and Brazil. Due credit must go to co-authors & BlueSky naysayers Buso, Bason, and Owen.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Football fans will defend pretty much anything if their club does it, but it's still been a bit odd to see some people greeting the removal of free meals as some kind of management masterstroke.
February 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Football fans will defend pretty much anything if their club does it, but it's still been a bit odd to see some people greeting the removal of free meals as some kind of management masterstroke.
Good to start the day by having an article accepted. Should hopefully be out soon, after we navigate the proofs…
This is a blatant academic brag for which I will do a good deed of some sort in penance.
This is a blatant academic brag for which I will do a good deed of some sort in penance.
February 20, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Good to start the day by having an article accepted. Should hopefully be out soon, after we navigate the proofs…
This is a blatant academic brag for which I will do a good deed of some sort in penance.
This is a blatant academic brag for which I will do a good deed of some sort in penance.
I was bored of the Champions League before it was cool.
January 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
I was bored of the Champions League before it was cool.
I'm misrepresenting the concept for my own purposes, but I'm still happy to claim six degrees of separation from Einstein.
Presenting in the same room as Einstein… funny how spaces are remembered, rendered significant, and imbued with authority… @unileiden.bsky.social @bcusociology.bsky.social
January 16, 2025 at 11:27 AM
I'm misrepresenting the concept for my own purposes, but I'm still happy to claim six degrees of separation from Einstein.
Reposted by Anthony May
Chat GPT was launched in 2022. And we’re expected to believe that in three years all the problems with AI have been solved and it is now the solution to all our problems. Dogmatic ideology that has massive potential for social and environmental harm
Absolutely wild that last year’s biggest story was the Post Office IT scandal and yet here’s the government blathering about AI and “business record keeping.” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘Mainlined into UK’s veins’: Labour announces huge public rollout of AI
Plans to make UK world leader in AI sector include opening access to NHS and other public data
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Chat GPT was launched in 2022. And we’re expected to believe that in three years all the problems with AI have been solved and it is now the solution to all our problems. Dogmatic ideology that has massive potential for social and environmental harm
No matter what parties people have planned later or how many fireworks they've bought, Plymouth Argyle fans are already having the best NYE.
December 31, 2024 at 12:38 PM
No matter what parties people have planned later or how many fireworks they've bought, Plymouth Argyle fans are already having the best NYE.
Reposted by Anthony May
Still need to get those gifts? You can get this done! Remember, it’s Jacques Lacan, not Jacques Lacan’t.
December 24, 2024 at 5:21 PM
Still need to get those gifts? You can get this done! Remember, it’s Jacques Lacan, not Jacques Lacan’t.
For years I've been wondering why all of George Michael's friends were wearing tie dyes. Worked out what the real words are today.
December 23, 2024 at 4:15 PM
For years I've been wondering why all of George Michael's friends were wearing tie dyes. Worked out what the real words are today.
Reposted by Anthony May
The Tony Blair Institute has its mouthpiece. This uncritical valorisation of something that is unproven, costly in terms of carbon emissions & jobs, & potentially destructive on political discourse, is the opposite of sensible leadership.
Keir Starmer, "AI is going to be transformative for the better in art, culture, industry, government, public services.. Not ten years but five"
"Getting the balance right between the potential of AI and the protection of copyright"
"Getting the balance right between the potential of AI and the protection of copyright"
December 20, 2024 at 10:33 AM
The Tony Blair Institute has its mouthpiece. This uncritical valorisation of something that is unproven, costly in terms of carbon emissions & jobs, & potentially destructive on political discourse, is the opposite of sensible leadership.