Matt Donoghue
@drdonoghue.bsky.social
Political economy of the welfare state. Politics of social citizenship. Dynamics of resilience and cohesion. European society and politics. Ideas and discourse.
Ireland, UK & Europe
Assistant Professor of Social Policy, UCD
Ireland, UK & Europe
Assistant Professor of Social Policy, UCD
Pinned
Matt Donoghue
@drdonoghue.bsky.social
· Dec 19
I don't think I actually introduced myself to new followers. Or made the most of @altmetric.bsky.social now being on BSky. So, here's a thread letting you know about me and some things I've done.
I'm an Assistant Prof. in Social Policy. My background is political science. Follow the thread for more
I'm an Assistant Prof. in Social Policy. My background is political science. Follow the thread for more
Have adverts on journal websites always been a thing and I haven't noticed before, or is this a new level of hell we now get to enjoy?
January 26, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Have adverts on journal websites always been a thing and I haven't noticed before, or is this a new level of hell we now get to enjoy?
Reposted by Matt Donoghue
"I’m going to pause here just to review: an institution that purports to be a university has told a philosophy professor he is forbidden from teaching Plato."
surreal times
dailynous.com/2026/01/06/t...
surreal times
dailynous.com/2026/01/06/t...
Texas A&M Bans Plato - Daily Nous
Drop the race and gender material from your course and the Plato readings, or teach a different course. You have a day to decide. That's a paraphrase of what Martin Peterson, professor of philosophy a...
dailynous.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:36 AM
"I’m going to pause here just to review: an institution that purports to be a university has told a philosophy professor he is forbidden from teaching Plato."
surreal times
dailynous.com/2026/01/06/t...
surreal times
dailynous.com/2026/01/06/t...
Reposted by Matt Donoghue
Really, a remarkable statement from Colombia’s President.
January 5, 2026 at 3:39 AM
Really, a remarkable statement from Colombia’s President.
Reposted by Matt Donoghue
Turns out a combination of not using That Other Site and the economic landscape at the moment in general does, in fact, makes fulfilling the whole "starving artist" stereotype a whole lot more achievable 😅
First year selling my art at Christmas without the Other site, where most of my sales came from, as well as losing US orders to new tariffs, so it'll be a tough one - I put huge work into every order, so even if you can't buy, shares help get them in front of eyes. GRMA! www.ciaraioch.com/artprints
December 12, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Turns out a combination of not using That Other Site and the economic landscape at the moment in general does, in fact, makes fulfilling the whole "starving artist" stereotype a whole lot more achievable 😅
A new report for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) with my colleague, Orla Dingley, on "Examining the Concept and Use of Just Resilience in Ireland and Internationally".
It looks at how we can ensure climate adaptation is effective and fair.
www.nesc.ie/publications...
It looks at how we can ensure climate adaptation is effective and fair.
www.nesc.ie/publications...
Examining the Concept and Use of Just Resilience in Ireland and Internationally - National Economic & Social Council
Following on from the development of just transition in climate mitigation policy and practice, increasing focus is being placed on just resilience. This research paper was undertaken for NESC to expl...
www.nesc.ie
December 12, 2025 at 9:45 AM
A new report for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) with my colleague, Orla Dingley, on "Examining the Concept and Use of Just Resilience in Ireland and Internationally".
It looks at how we can ensure climate adaptation is effective and fair.
www.nesc.ie/publications...
It looks at how we can ensure climate adaptation is effective and fair.
www.nesc.ie/publications...
Such lazy "journalism" from the BBC. Perpetuating all sorts of stereotypes, removing any historical context, and conveniently ignoring recent shifts.
November 30, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Such lazy "journalism" from the BBC. Perpetuating all sorts of stereotypes, removing any historical context, and conveniently ignoring recent shifts.
I'd wager this is evidence that the furore over 'migration' isn't about migration but the presence of dark-skinned people in the UK... And yes, this was evident in the more sinister corners of the Brexit campaigns.
November 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I'd wager this is evidence that the furore over 'migration' isn't about migration but the presence of dark-skinned people in the UK... And yes, this was evident in the more sinister corners of the Brexit campaigns.
Reposted by Matt Donoghue
Very pleased to see UCD Master of Public Policy ranked within the top10 in Western Europe and no. 1 in Ireland. Thanks to co-director @drdonoghue.bsky.social faculty @ucdspswsj.bsky.social & @ucdsocscilaw.bsky.social
You can apply for 2026 here: www.ucd.ie/publicpolicy
You can apply for 2026 here: www.ucd.ie/publicpolicy
November 12, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Very pleased to see UCD Master of Public Policy ranked within the top10 in Western Europe and no. 1 in Ireland. Thanks to co-director @drdonoghue.bsky.social faculty @ucdspswsj.bsky.social & @ucdsocscilaw.bsky.social
You can apply for 2026 here: www.ucd.ie/publicpolicy
You can apply for 2026 here: www.ucd.ie/publicpolicy
Just fyi: Streeting has spent his entire adolescent and adult life hitherto strategising about how he can become PM. It's all a game etc etc. A depressing one, at that.
November 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Just fyi: Streeting has spent his entire adolescent and adult life hitherto strategising about how he can become PM. It's all a game etc etc. A depressing one, at that.
There is a difference, but there can be a significant amount of overlap, and the differences can sometimes be context dependent.
(not as catchy, but true)
(not as catchy, but true)
There isn’t a difference.
We all like to rag on the BBC but just because the Labour Party has been using a phrase for decades doesn't mean its not vague without a clearly defined meaning. Have you met the Labour Party!?!
If don't believe me, explain the definitional difference between Democratic Socialism & Social Democracy
If don't believe me, explain the definitional difference between Democratic Socialism & Social Democracy
November 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
There is a difference, but there can be a significant amount of overlap, and the differences can sometimes be context dependent.
(not as catchy, but true)
(not as catchy, but true)
Exactly. Unlimited (or continuous) growth is a damaging myth. It justifies all sorts of resource extraction and market fundamentalism. There have been no breaks or barriers because to now these have all been based on politics (i.e. agreements and fictions). Climate collapse is the first physical one
Today feels like a good day to remind everyone that there is literally no empirical evidence that economic growth will just continue if the world heats up to, say, 3°C by 2100.
Continued growth is just *assumed* in every economic model of the relationship between temperatures and growth.
🧵
Continued growth is just *assumed* in every economic model of the relationship between temperatures and growth.
🧵
November 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Exactly. Unlimited (or continuous) growth is a damaging myth. It justifies all sorts of resource extraction and market fundamentalism. There have been no breaks or barriers because to now these have all been based on politics (i.e. agreements and fictions). Climate collapse is the first physical one
It's been a while since I've been able to say an article has been submitted for review, but thanks to the ideas, efforts and research of @inigoaldama.bsky.social - that I've been privileged to support - we submitted an article for review today. Now just to cross fingers for straightforward reviews!
November 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
It's been a while since I've been able to say an article has been submitted for review, but thanks to the ideas, efforts and research of @inigoaldama.bsky.social - that I've been privileged to support - we submitted an article for review today. Now just to cross fingers for straightforward reviews!
Reposted by Matt Donoghue
Further proof that AI stands for Actually Indians
So the $20,000 humanoid robot housekeeper actually just webcams your house to a random person in a call center with an Xbox controller www.wsj.com/tech/persona... @joannastern.bsky.social
I Tried the Robot That’s Coming to Live With You. It’s Still Part Human.
1X’s Neo wants to be your housekeeper. First, it needs to be controlled by a human in your home. Cool with you?
www.wsj.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Further proof that AI stands for Actually Indians
There's an old and probably not very fashionable maxim that goes along the lines of: when capitalism's survival is threatened, the system is more likely to slide into fascism than it is to transcend capitalism. (1/2)
Elon Musk: "It is time for the English to ally with the hard men, like Tommy Robinson, and fight for their survival or they shall surely all die" 29th October 2025. 2 million views in its first hour.
October 29, 2025 at 11:46 AM
There's an old and probably not very fashionable maxim that goes along the lines of: when capitalism's survival is threatened, the system is more likely to slide into fascism than it is to transcend capitalism. (1/2)
I assume they get AI to read for them
I’m really starting to suspect that most of the tech bros haven’t actually read.
I’m really starting to suspect that most of the tech bros haven’t actually read Tolkien, as they certainly don’t understand it.
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
October 29, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I assume they get AI to read for them
Reposted by Matt Donoghue
I’m really starting to suspect that most of the tech bros haven’t actually read.
I’m really starting to suspect that most of the tech bros haven’t actually read Tolkien, as they certainly don’t understand it.
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
Elon Musk: "It is time for the English to ally with the hard men, like Tommy Robinson, and fight for their survival or they shall surely all die" 29th October 2025. 2 million views in its first hour.
October 29, 2025 at 9:56 AM
I’m really starting to suspect that most of the tech bros haven’t actually read.
Reposted by Matt Donoghue
![1
Nurse:
It’s become a real problem in this area
2
Nurse:
We’ve seen the whole community lost to addiction
3
Show a building sign posted:
Westminster ‘X’ Addiction Clinic
With various Westminster people or looking at their phones outside it
Nurse:
Ministers, Spads, Researchers…
4
Nurse:
Most mornings we’ll get a call about someone acting strangely
[Nurse on phone taking a call]
Ok - we’ll be right over
5
Nurse:
We just have a gentle chat
[Nurses approach a minister –Robert Jenrick? - standing in the Palace of Westminster
Minister:
I understand your concerns…
6
Nurse:
Are you OK love?
Minister:
Yes I’m just hearing legitimate concerns from real voters
7
Nurse:
That’s a robot, a Nazi and a poorly-disguised Russian
[Show that the people he is talking to are precisely these characters]
Nurse 2:
Give us your phone, love
8
Nurse:
At the clinic we put them in a Grass-Touching Pod, with a real voter to talk to
[We see them back at the clinic, holding the minister's head and pushing him into a glass isolation booth with a grass floor. And it is a baffled looking woman, on a chair, ready to talk to him.]
9
Minister:
YOU MUST BE WORRIED ABOUT THE COMING CIVIL WAR
[woman looks baffled]
10
woman:
I just want a bus service
Minister:
LOOK AT MY FLAG
[produces a St George's flag]
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreicahofq6s4xow7vowj7dx6odw6ejdwr4kwcmzta7qwi4hg2nvywji@jpeg)
I have so many documents to code, but I just can't seem to concentrate on it for more than a few minutes, before I click away, do something else, and get back to it.
(which is exactly why I'm writing this post...)
Any tips? Anything that works well for you?
(which is exactly why I'm writing this post...)
Any tips? Anything that works well for you?
October 17, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I have so many documents to code, but I just can't seem to concentrate on it for more than a few minutes, before I click away, do something else, and get back to it.
(which is exactly why I'm writing this post...)
Any tips? Anything that works well for you?
(which is exactly why I'm writing this post...)
Any tips? Anything that works well for you?
I've updated my professional profile. Give it a read when you have a moment, and if anyone is interested in potential collaborations or might be looking for a PhD supervisor in my areas of interest, let me know.
people.ucd.ie/matthew.dono...
people.ucd.ie/matthew.dono...
Discovery
people.ucd.ie
October 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I've updated my professional profile. Give it a read when you have a moment, and if anyone is interested in potential collaborations or might be looking for a PhD supervisor in my areas of interest, let me know.
people.ucd.ie/matthew.dono...
people.ucd.ie/matthew.dono...
One the one hand, these things are incoherent if we believe in a particular kind of enlightenment liberalism. On the other hand, I expect this juxtaposition is in fact very coherent based on Jenrick's personal politics.
Jenrick is absurdly incoherent on principles of free expression because he wants immediate arrests for "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) while turning up to court to defend shouting "Fuck Islam" while burning a Quran
www.theguardian.com/politics/art...
www.theguardian.com/politics/art...
Robert Jenrick criticised for saying people shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ should be arrested
Tory leadership candidate’s comments around far-right protests described as nasty, divisive and ignorant
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM
One the one hand, these things are incoherent if we believe in a particular kind of enlightenment liberalism. On the other hand, I expect this juxtaposition is in fact very coherent based on Jenrick's personal politics.
That's my podcast title sorted, then.
October 10, 2025 at 10:28 AM
That's my podcast title sorted, then.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I did some of my PhD fieldwork in Handsworth in the late 00s-early 10s. Felt pretty integrated to me, despite high levels of deprivation. The residents weren't particularly enamoured with the government, mind.
I did some of my PhD fieldwork in Handsworth in the late 00s-early 10s. Felt pretty integrated to me, despite high levels of deprivation. The residents weren't particularly enamoured with the government, mind.
Robert Jenrick accused of fuelling ‘toxic nationalism’ with Birmingham claims
Shadow justice secretary stands by comments made in March amid criticism including from a Tory colleague
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:13 PM
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I did some of my PhD fieldwork in Handsworth in the late 00s-early 10s. Felt pretty integrated to me, despite high levels of deprivation. The residents weren't particularly enamoured with the government, mind.
I did some of my PhD fieldwork in Handsworth in the late 00s-early 10s. Felt pretty integrated to me, despite high levels of deprivation. The residents weren't particularly enamoured with the government, mind.
I have decided that the coffee bag (like a teabag but with coffee) is the perfect example of innovation under capitalism. It's nice and it's convenient, but we don't *really* need it.
October 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I have decided that the coffee bag (like a teabag but with coffee) is the perfect example of innovation under capitalism. It's nice and it's convenient, but we don't *really* need it.