Donna Smith
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
Open University Politics Senior Lecturer, Director of OU Tuition Programme. PFHEA. CMgr MCMI. CODE Fellow. Political Studies Association Honorary Secretary. Views own.
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Donna Smith
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
· Nov 29
The Open University
A report published by The Open University today shows that young people in Wales are more likely to be dissatisfied with democracy and less likely to participate in formal politics. The research fol...
www5.open.ac.uk
Delighted the Changemakers website and report has been published this week! Check out what young people in Wales understand about politics and making change, our policy recommendations, and the website we created that helps Welsh citizens to make change!
www5.open.ac.uk/wales/en/new...
www5.open.ac.uk/wales/en/new...
Reposted by Donna Smith
This #TrusteesWeek we celebrate the PSA trustees and recognise the difference they make to our charity.💙 buff.ly/qC1d7TZ
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
@dralberro.bsky.social
@profnjallen.bsky.social
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
@rosegann.bsky.social
@stefwolff.bsky.social
@teachpolitics.bsky.social
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
@dralberro.bsky.social
@profnjallen.bsky.social
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
@rosegann.bsky.social
@stefwolff.bsky.social
@teachpolitics.bsky.social
Governance and Board of Trustees | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
Become a member Log in
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
This #TrusteesWeek we celebrate the PSA trustees and recognise the difference they make to our charity.💙 buff.ly/qC1d7TZ
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
@dralberro.bsky.social
@profnjallen.bsky.social
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
@rosegann.bsky.social
@stefwolff.bsky.social
@teachpolitics.bsky.social
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
@dralberro.bsky.social
@profnjallen.bsky.social
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
@rosegann.bsky.social
@stefwolff.bsky.social
@teachpolitics.bsky.social
Reposted by Donna Smith
A reminder to all, that our AGM takes place at 5pm today.
Everyone is welcome, and all committee positions are open for election.
Sign up here - events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f504f6...
Everyone is welcome, and all committee positions are open for election.
Sign up here - events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f504f6...
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:33 AM
A reminder to all, that our AGM takes place at 5pm today.
Everyone is welcome, and all committee positions are open for election.
Sign up here - events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f504f6...
Everyone is welcome, and all committee positions are open for election.
Sign up here - events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f504f6...
Reposted by Donna Smith
OU PIPs kick off with inspiring ‘Welcome Week’ event
As part of this year’s Open University Welcome Week, the newly formed Politics, International Relations and Policy Society (PIPs) held its first event with Matt Staples, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS) and Dr…
As part of this year’s Open University Welcome Week, the newly formed Politics, International Relations and Policy Society (PIPs) held its first event with Matt Staples, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS) and Dr…
OU PIPs kick off with inspiring ‘Welcome Week’ event
As part of this year’s Open University Welcome Week, the newly formed Politics, International Relations and Policy Society (PIPs) held its first event with Matt Staples, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS) and Dr Edward Wastnidge, Head of Politics and International Studies. Hosted by Jack Flaherty, Faculty Representative for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS).
oupips.org.uk
October 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
OU PIPs kick off with inspiring ‘Welcome Week’ event
As part of this year’s Open University Welcome Week, the newly formed Politics, International Relations and Policy Society (PIPs) held its first event with Matt Staples, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS) and Dr…
As part of this year’s Open University Welcome Week, the newly formed Politics, International Relations and Policy Society (PIPs) held its first event with Matt Staples, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS) and Dr…
Reposted by Donna Smith
Tonight at 6:30. We are really looking forward to it
Join us on 30th September - 6.30pm - 7.30pm, joined with Matt Staples and Dr. Edward Wastnidge will be sharing how the Open University’s teaching, research, and wider engagement in politics and international relations connect with the aims of our new society
Join: www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2...
Join: www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2...
September 30, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Tonight at 6:30. We are really looking forward to it
Reposted by Donna Smith
Join us on 30th September - 6.30pm - 7.30pm, joined with Matt Staples and Dr. Edward Wastnidge will be sharing how the Open University’s teaching, research, and wider engagement in politics and international relations connect with the aims of our new society
Join: www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2...
Join: www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2...
September 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Join us on 30th September - 6.30pm - 7.30pm, joined with Matt Staples and Dr. Edward Wastnidge will be sharing how the Open University’s teaching, research, and wider engagement in politics and international relations connect with the aims of our new society
Join: www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2...
Join: www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2...
Reposted by Donna Smith
Interested in undergrad IR? Check out this thread of @openuniversity.bsky.social links, including sign up details for our new module D228, a new @ouopenlearn.bsky.social course, our IR degree, and two informative videos #StudyIR #OpenUniversity
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @mybisa.bsky.social
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @mybisa.bsky.social
August 8, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Interested in undergrad IR? Check out this thread of @openuniversity.bsky.social links, including sign up details for our new module D228, a new @ouopenlearn.bsky.social course, our IR degree, and two informative videos #StudyIR #OpenUniversity
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @mybisa.bsky.social
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @mybisa.bsky.social
Reposted by Donna Smith
Congrats to @drdonnasmith.bsky.social 😀👇
Delighted to have won the @journalpolitics.bsky.social best learning and teaching article!
Details below, and original article here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @sagepub.com @uofglasgow.bsky.social @oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
Details below, and original article here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @sagepub.com @uofglasgow.bsky.social @oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
2024 Best Learning and Teaching Article published in Politics @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @sagepub.com @uofglasgow.bsky.social: we are happy to announce that the winner is Dr Donna Smith @drdonnasmith.bsky.social for her work on student communities. Details at: journals.sagepub.com/page/pol/col...
August 7, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Congrats to @drdonnasmith.bsky.social 😀👇
Delighted to have won the @journalpolitics.bsky.social best learning and teaching article!
Details below, and original article here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @sagepub.com @uofglasgow.bsky.social @oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
Details below, and original article here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @sagepub.com @uofglasgow.bsky.social @oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
2024 Best Learning and Teaching Article published in Politics @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @sagepub.com @uofglasgow.bsky.social: we are happy to announce that the winner is Dr Donna Smith @drdonnasmith.bsky.social for her work on student communities. Details at: journals.sagepub.com/page/pol/col...
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August 7, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Delighted to have won the @journalpolitics.bsky.social best learning and teaching article!
Details below, and original article here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @sagepub.com @uofglasgow.bsky.social @oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
Details below, and original article here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @sagepub.com @uofglasgow.bsky.social @oupolitics.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
Reposted by Donna Smith
Sign up for the MA below!
@openuniversity.bsky.social @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @mybisa.bsky.social
@openuniversity.bsky.social @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @mybisa.bsky.social
Ready to shape the future of global politics? From climate diplomacy to rising powers, our MA in International Relations builds the expertise that defines tomorrow's world. Registration closes 14 August 2025 - secure your place today! www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...
MA International Relations Part 1 | Open University | D818
Explore the key dilemmas of international relations including international divisions, rising powers, security and global challenges, democratic crisis, and global ethical dilemmas.
www.open.ac.uk
July 25, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Sign up for the MA below!
@openuniversity.bsky.social @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @mybisa.bsky.social
@openuniversity.bsky.social @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @mybisa.bsky.social
Reposted by Donna Smith
*PSA PRIZE* To mark #PSA75 anniversary the #German #Politics Specialist Group @psagermanpol.bsky.social have launched an #EssayPrize for #undergraduate & #masters #students ➡️
German Politics | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
Essay Prize 2025Deadline - 30 September '25To mark the 75th anniversary of the UK’s Political Studies Association, the German Politics Specialist Group (GPSG) has created a One-off Essay Prize for…
buff.ly
July 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
*PSA PRIZE* To mark #PSA75 anniversary the #German #Politics Specialist Group @psagermanpol.bsky.social have launched an #EssayPrize for #undergraduate & #masters #students ➡️
Reposted by Donna Smith
Our MA in International Relations (IR) is open for registration! Over the next few days we’ll share info on what the course looks like & the kind of things you’ll be study in D818 – Part 1 of the MA
@mybisa.bsky.social @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @ou-gcsj.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
@mybisa.bsky.social @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @ou-gcsj.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
July 22, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Our MA in International Relations (IR) is open for registration! Over the next few days we’ll share info on what the course looks like & the kind of things you’ll be study in D818 – Part 1 of the MA
@mybisa.bsky.social @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @ou-gcsj.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
@mybisa.bsky.social @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @ou-gcsj.bsky.social @openuniversity.bsky.social
Reposted by Donna Smith
Session takes place on: Thurs 17 July, 1pm. In Teams.
Link to register: eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e8...
Link to register: eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e8...
Join conversation
eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
July 11, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Session takes place on: Thurs 17 July, 1pm. In Teams.
Link to register: eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e8...
Link to register: eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e8...
Reposted by Donna Smith
FAO @openuniversity.bsky.social students!
Drop-in session: D228: Exploring international relations: actors, issues, perspectives
Planning to register on D228 or have done so already and want to know more? Pop into our drop-in session with Prof. Agnes Czajka.
[Link in next post]
Drop-in session: D228: Exploring international relations: actors, issues, perspectives
Planning to register on D228 or have done so already and want to know more? Pop into our drop-in session with Prof. Agnes Czajka.
[Link in next post]
July 11, 2025 at 8:28 AM
FAO @openuniversity.bsky.social students!
Drop-in session: D228: Exploring international relations: actors, issues, perspectives
Planning to register on D228 or have done so already and want to know more? Pop into our drop-in session with Prof. Agnes Czajka.
[Link in next post]
Drop-in session: D228: Exploring international relations: actors, issues, perspectives
Planning to register on D228 or have done so already and want to know more? Pop into our drop-in session with Prof. Agnes Czajka.
[Link in next post]
Reposted by Donna Smith
🚨Report by @drdonnasmith.bsky.social & Dan Taylor with @policywise.bsky.social out now!
"Engaging the disengaged: a guide for policymakers & campaigners" explores practical ways to engage disengaged groups in democracy.
🔗Read here: fass.open.ac.uk/sites/fass.o...
@openuniversity.bsky.social
"Engaging the disengaged: a guide for policymakers & campaigners" explores practical ways to engage disengaged groups in democracy.
🔗Read here: fass.open.ac.uk/sites/fass.o...
@openuniversity.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 9:36 AM
🚨Report by @drdonnasmith.bsky.social & Dan Taylor with @policywise.bsky.social out now!
"Engaging the disengaged: a guide for policymakers & campaigners" explores practical ways to engage disengaged groups in democracy.
🔗Read here: fass.open.ac.uk/sites/fass.o...
@openuniversity.bsky.social
"Engaging the disengaged: a guide for policymakers & campaigners" explores practical ways to engage disengaged groups in democracy.
🔗Read here: fass.open.ac.uk/sites/fass.o...
@openuniversity.bsky.social
Reposted by Donna Smith
*PSA OPPORTUNITY* - Seeking new members to join PSA #EarlyCareer Network Committee @psaecn.bsky.social
🚨 Expressions of interested invited by 7 July.
➡️ Full details online. buff.ly/5Q6gMjn
#MondayMotivation #PoliticalStudies #Pollitics #InternationalRelations
🚨 Expressions of interested invited by 7 July.
➡️ Full details online. buff.ly/5Q6gMjn
#MondayMotivation #PoliticalStudies #Pollitics #InternationalRelations
PSA Early Career Network - Call for New Committee Members | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
Expressions of interest are invited by midday GMT, Monday 7 July Do you want to enhance your project management skills? Grow your professional development? Make new contacts and build your networks?…
buff.ly
June 23, 2025 at 4:31 PM
*PSA OPPORTUNITY* - Seeking new members to join PSA #EarlyCareer Network Committee @psaecn.bsky.social
🚨 Expressions of interested invited by 7 July.
➡️ Full details online. buff.ly/5Q6gMjn
#MondayMotivation #PoliticalStudies #Pollitics #InternationalRelations
🚨 Expressions of interested invited by 7 July.
➡️ Full details online. buff.ly/5Q6gMjn
#MondayMotivation #PoliticalStudies #Pollitics #InternationalRelations
Reposted by Donna Smith
If you’re interested in reporting migration and you’re a journalist, studying journalism, or you just want to learn what basic information journalists should know to report about migration well in the UK you can enrol in the free course here: skillsacademy.nctj.com/course/view....
Log in to the site | Journalism Skills Academy
skillsacademy.nctj.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
If you’re interested in reporting migration and you’re a journalist, studying journalism, or you just want to learn what basic information journalists should know to report about migration well in the UK you can enrol in the free course here: skillsacademy.nctj.com/course/view....
Reposted by Donna Smith
Nice new publication by our deputy director Rob McNeil and the brilliant @drdonnasmith.bsky.social looking at the importance of specialist training for journalists on contentious policy issues like migration - it leans heavily on the free training programme we developed for @nctj.bsky.social
June 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Nice new publication by our deputy director Rob McNeil and the brilliant @drdonnasmith.bsky.social looking at the importance of specialist training for journalists on contentious policy issues like migration - it leans heavily on the free training programme we developed for @nctj.bsky.social
NEW PUBLICATION!
‘Developing specialised online journalistic training in contentious policy issues, such as migration' in Journalism Education: journalism-education.org/wp-content/u...
Written with Rob McNeil from @migobs.bsky.social @ox.ac.uk
@oupolitics.bsky.social
‘Developing specialised online journalistic training in contentious policy issues, such as migration' in Journalism Education: journalism-education.org/wp-content/u...
Written with Rob McNeil from @migobs.bsky.social @ox.ac.uk
@oupolitics.bsky.social
journalism-education.org
June 23, 2025 at 10:23 AM
NEW PUBLICATION!
‘Developing specialised online journalistic training in contentious policy issues, such as migration' in Journalism Education: journalism-education.org/wp-content/u...
Written with Rob McNeil from @migobs.bsky.social @ox.ac.uk
@oupolitics.bsky.social
‘Developing specialised online journalistic training in contentious policy issues, such as migration' in Journalism Education: journalism-education.org/wp-content/u...
Written with Rob McNeil from @migobs.bsky.social @ox.ac.uk
@oupolitics.bsky.social
👏👏👏
We are delighted to publish the winners of this year’s POLIS student blog competition! We had many entries and selected one overall winner and three runners up. All received prize vouchers. Read the fantastic winning entries here: fass.open.ac.uk/polis/outrea...
@oustudents.bsky.social
@oustudents.bsky.social
Blogs
Discover how you can use the Changemakers guide to help make a difference with this blog post by OU Politics student Lilybell Evergreen, who was on the panel for the Changemakers guide launch event du...
fass.open.ac.uk
June 9, 2025 at 11:04 AM
👏👏👏
Delighted to be appointed the new @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social Honorary Secretary! Looking forward to getting started with my fantastic fellow trustees.
@oupolitics.bsky.social
@oupolitics.bsky.social
*PSA NEW TRUSTEES* 🎉 we are pleased to announce that Dr. Donna Smith, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences @openuniversity.bsky.social has been appointed as the PSA’s next Honorary Secretary buff.ly/PPRqmAj #PoliticalStudies #VolunteerWeek
PSA welcomes new Trustees & Honorary Secretary | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
Become a member Log in
buff.ly
June 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Delighted to be appointed the new @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social Honorary Secretary! Looking forward to getting started with my fantastic fellow trustees.
@oupolitics.bsky.social
@oupolitics.bsky.social
Reposted by Donna Smith
Event: Reimagining Disengagement. 3rd June, 12:00–1:30pm
www.policywise.org.uk/node/736
Join social commentator/author Darren McGarvey, @drdonnasmith.bsky.social & Dr Dan Taylor from @oupolitics.bsky.social for a thought-provoking conversation on what disengagement means & how we can respond to it.
www.policywise.org.uk/node/736
Join social commentator/author Darren McGarvey, @drdonnasmith.bsky.social & Dr Dan Taylor from @oupolitics.bsky.social for a thought-provoking conversation on what disengagement means & how we can respond to it.
Online event: Reimagining disengagement | policyWISE
Join Darren McGarvey, social commentator and author of Poverty Safari, The Social Distance Between Us and The Trauma Industrial Complex (out in August), alongside OU academics to discuss the causes of...
www.policywise.org.uk
May 30, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Event: Reimagining Disengagement. 3rd June, 12:00–1:30pm
www.policywise.org.uk/node/736
Join social commentator/author Darren McGarvey, @drdonnasmith.bsky.social & Dr Dan Taylor from @oupolitics.bsky.social for a thought-provoking conversation on what disengagement means & how we can respond to it.
www.policywise.org.uk/node/736
Join social commentator/author Darren McGarvey, @drdonnasmith.bsky.social & Dr Dan Taylor from @oupolitics.bsky.social for a thought-provoking conversation on what disengagement means & how we can respond to it.
Reposted by Donna Smith
Apathy or anger - what's really driving political disengagement in Britain?
Join Darren McGarvey, @drdonnasmith.bsky.social
and Dan Taylor to explore new Open University research on engaging the disengaged.
Tues 3 June 12 noon
Free, all welcome
Sign-up: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9cf613...
Join Darren McGarvey, @drdonnasmith.bsky.social
and Dan Taylor to explore new Open University research on engaging the disengaged.
Tues 3 June 12 noon
Free, all welcome
Sign-up: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9cf613...
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
May 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Apathy or anger - what's really driving political disengagement in Britain?
Join Darren McGarvey, @drdonnasmith.bsky.social
and Dan Taylor to explore new Open University research on engaging the disengaged.
Tues 3 June 12 noon
Free, all welcome
Sign-up: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9cf613...
Join Darren McGarvey, @drdonnasmith.bsky.social
and Dan Taylor to explore new Open University research on engaging the disengaged.
Tues 3 June 12 noon
Free, all welcome
Sign-up: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9cf613...
Reposted by Donna Smith
May 1, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Today! 👇 Sign up details below:
With recent UK-wide and local elections marked by low voter turnout, what is at the root of political disengagement? Join us for a free lunchtime talk tomorrow at 12 - fass.open.ac.uk/events/gcsj-...
GCSJ roundtable: Disengaged or discerning sceptics? Research and insights on active citizenship
This roundtable will showcase current research from across the OU focused on engaging disengaged citizens across various contexts.
fass.open.ac.uk
May 16, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Today! 👇 Sign up details below:
A few photos of our @oupolitics.bsky.social research retreat. How lucky to be part of such a great department with fantastic colleagues. Thanks to @simonusherwood.bsky.social for organising.
May 1, 2025 at 9:56 AM
A few photos of our @oupolitics.bsky.social research retreat. How lucky to be part of such a great department with fantastic colleagues. Thanks to @simonusherwood.bsky.social for organising.