Gillian Shorter PhD
@gwshorter.bsky.social
Reader in Psychology @QUBelfast
President @kettilbruunsociety.bsky.social
Alcohol/other drugs, #HarmReduction, drug consumption rooms, OPCs, SCS #AddictionSci
Loves: dogs, dance, run, sea, joy
Views own (she/her) bi #BeMoreLyra
In my own time and space
President @kettilbruunsociety.bsky.social
Alcohol/other drugs, #HarmReduction, drug consumption rooms, OPCs, SCS #AddictionSci
Loves: dogs, dance, run, sea, joy
Views own (she/her) bi #BeMoreLyra
In my own time and space
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
B.C. cancelled its drug decriminalization pilot, saying it hadn’t “delivered the results” they wanted.
Its results: fewer drug users arrested and traumatized by cops.
@desmondcole.bsky.social explains that when governments cave to moral panic, we lose good policies. breachmedia.ca/decriminaliz...
Its results: fewer drug users arrested and traumatized by cops.
@desmondcole.bsky.social explains that when governments cave to moral panic, we lose good policies. breachmedia.ca/decriminaliz...
Decriminalization worked. B.C. killed it anyway ⋆ The Breach
The province’s drug decriminalization experiment lowered arrests and reduced harm—but it failed a different political test
breachmedia.ca
February 9, 2026 at 5:38 PM
B.C. cancelled its drug decriminalization pilot, saying it hadn’t “delivered the results” they wanted.
Its results: fewer drug users arrested and traumatized by cops.
@desmondcole.bsky.social explains that when governments cave to moral panic, we lose good policies. breachmedia.ca/decriminaliz...
Its results: fewer drug users arrested and traumatized by cops.
@desmondcole.bsky.social explains that when governments cave to moral panic, we lose good policies. breachmedia.ca/decriminaliz...
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
Delighted to share the final paper from my PhD which explores how Athens’ Drug Consumption Facility operates and is experienced by people in the local community.
lnkd.in/eVymq_kH
lnkd.in/eVymq_kH
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
January 29, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Delighted to share the final paper from my PhD which explores how Athens’ Drug Consumption Facility operates and is experienced by people in the local community.
lnkd.in/eVymq_kH
lnkd.in/eVymq_kH
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
Hey Sacramento PD, stop stealing all of my patients stuff - including their medications - and throwing it away.
I'm really sick and tired of our folks not being able to find them because of sweeps and then when we do, they haven't had their medications in weeks because y'all threw them away.
I'm really sick and tired of our folks not being able to find them because of sweeps and then when we do, they haven't had their medications in weeks because y'all threw them away.
January 28, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Hey Sacramento PD, stop stealing all of my patients stuff - including their medications - and throwing it away.
I'm really sick and tired of our folks not being able to find them because of sweeps and then when we do, they haven't had their medications in weeks because y'all threw them away.
I'm really sick and tired of our folks not being able to find them because of sweeps and then when we do, they haven't had their medications in weeks because y'all threw them away.
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
An important story from N. Ireland. UK Gov is choosing not to fund NI according to need.
Almost 10 x times as many people died on hospital waiting lists in 3 yrs in the North vs 30 yrs of conflict.
'Many people are spending their final days in pain & discomfort, without the treatment they need.'
Almost 10 x times as many people died on hospital waiting lists in 3 yrs in the North vs 30 yrs of conflict.
'Many people are spending their final days in pain & discomfort, without the treatment they need.'
‘Something has gone fundamentally wrong with health service’ as 32,000 die while on waiting lists since 2022
Figures revealing up to 32,000 people have died while waiting on procedures in Northern Ireland since 2022 are a sign that “something has gone fundamentally wrong” with our health service, an Oppositi...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 6:47 AM
An important story from N. Ireland. UK Gov is choosing not to fund NI according to need.
Almost 10 x times as many people died on hospital waiting lists in 3 yrs in the North vs 30 yrs of conflict.
'Many people are spending their final days in pain & discomfort, without the treatment they need.'
Almost 10 x times as many people died on hospital waiting lists in 3 yrs in the North vs 30 yrs of conflict.
'Many people are spending their final days in pain & discomfort, without the treatment they need.'
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
Important publication (by @ginnybraun.bsky.social and co-authors) to add to any critical AI reading list.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
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
December 23, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Important publication (by @ginnybraun.bsky.social and co-authors) to add to any critical AI reading list.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
Our coverage of the closing of a local hygiene center last month spurred a philanthropist to buy the property for $2M. Donors in WA & other states chipped in remaining $500K to secure the land.
Thanks, @ricksteves.bsky.social
Thanks @a-rlnt.bsky.social for reporting
mltnews.com/thanks-to-ri...
Thanks, @ricksteves.bsky.social
Thanks @a-rlnt.bsky.social for reporting
mltnews.com/thanks-to-ri...
Thanks to Rick Steves, Lynnwood Hygiene Center has a permanent home | MLTnews.com
‘If this place wasn’t here I don’t know how I would’ve survived’ -- Sherman Gillins The Jean Kim Foundation’s (JKF) Hygiene Center in Lynnwood is here to
mltnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Our coverage of the closing of a local hygiene center last month spurred a philanthropist to buy the property for $2M. Donors in WA & other states chipped in remaining $500K to secure the land.
Thanks, @ricksteves.bsky.social
Thanks @a-rlnt.bsky.social for reporting
mltnews.com/thanks-to-ri...
Thanks, @ricksteves.bsky.social
Thanks @a-rlnt.bsky.social for reporting
mltnews.com/thanks-to-ri...
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
We are not running out of ideas, I just wrote an entire PhD dissertation full of novel ideas and suggestions for what to do about many social problems. You're just not listening to experts because our ideas are inconvenient for capitalism.
America, you have spoken loud and clear: You do not like AI. But what if AI is the way to restart the world’s idea machine?
We’re running out of good ideas. AI might be how we find new ones.
What if the best use of AI is restarting the world’s idea machine?
www.vox.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:36 PM
We are not running out of ideas, I just wrote an entire PhD dissertation full of novel ideas and suggestions for what to do about many social problems. You're just not listening to experts because our ideas are inconvenient for capitalism.
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
How and why consensus fractured at the 2024 session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs: an exploratory study of international drug policy constellations using social network analysis and qualitative comparative analysis. @deppjournal.bsky.social www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... £0 #OA
How and why consensus fractured at the 2024 session of the UN Commission on narcotic drugs: an exploratory study of international drug policy constellations using social network analysis and qualitati...
Consensus in international drug policy has fractured. It would be useful to explain how and why this occurred.This exploratory study develops and tests theory and methods for describing and explain...
www.tandfonline.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:48 AM
How and why consensus fractured at the 2024 session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs: an exploratory study of international drug policy constellations using social network analysis and qualitative comparative analysis. @deppjournal.bsky.social www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... £0 #OA
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
We Refuse: Health Workers Against Involuntary Care is now public.
@hrna.bsky.social and DSDP are circulating a joint statement opposing BC’s plan to expand involuntary drug treatment. This approach is ineffective, increases overdose risk, violates autonomy, and harms marginalized communities.
@hrna.bsky.social and DSDP are circulating a joint statement opposing BC’s plan to expand involuntary drug treatment. This approach is ineffective, increases overdose risk, violates autonomy, and harms marginalized communities.
November 26, 2025 at 11:28 PM
We Refuse: Health Workers Against Involuntary Care is now public.
@hrna.bsky.social and DSDP are circulating a joint statement opposing BC’s plan to expand involuntary drug treatment. This approach is ineffective, increases overdose risk, violates autonomy, and harms marginalized communities.
@hrna.bsky.social and DSDP are circulating a joint statement opposing BC’s plan to expand involuntary drug treatment. This approach is ineffective, increases overdose risk, violates autonomy, and harms marginalized communities.
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
"Drugs are not forbidden because they are dangerous, they are dangerous because they are forbidden,” said Peter Krykant, who "hit the global harm reduction scene with a bang," running an unauthorized overdose prevention site from a van in Glasgow.
People who knew and worked with him pay tribute:
People who knew and worked with him pay tribute:
Remembering Peter Krykant, Who Knew Harm Reduction Couldn’t Wait
It’s been a few months since Peter Krykant’s passing in July, at the age of 48. He hit the global ...
filtermag.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM
"Drugs are not forbidden because they are dangerous, they are dangerous because they are forbidden,” said Peter Krykant, who "hit the global harm reduction scene with a bang," running an unauthorized overdose prevention site from a van in Glasgow.
People who knew and worked with him pay tribute:
People who knew and worked with him pay tribute:
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
We have at least TWO postdoctoral fellowship openings on our @unm.edu @casaa.bsky.social T32 NIAAA Training Grant, best consideration date for applications is Nov 15 2025. Join our phenomenal community and enjoy incredible quality of life in beautiful New Mexico. casaa.unm.edu/training/ins...
Application Process ::
Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions (CASAA) | The University of New Mexico
casaa.unm.edu
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
We have at least TWO postdoctoral fellowship openings on our @unm.edu @casaa.bsky.social T32 NIAAA Training Grant, best consideration date for applications is Nov 15 2025. Join our phenomenal community and enjoy incredible quality of life in beautiful New Mexico. casaa.unm.edu/training/ins...
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
📢 New research: how Autism charities talk about Autistic people.
TLDR: they say we're a problem.
Summary in The Conversation: theconversation.com/autism-chari...
Full text: https://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0335132
@helenabnett.bsky.social @kat-williams.bsky.social @willowholloway.bsky.social
TLDR: they say we're a problem.
Summary in The Conversation: theconversation.com/autism-chari...
Full text: https://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0335132
@helenabnett.bsky.social @kat-williams.bsky.social @willowholloway.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 5:21 PM
📢 New research: how Autism charities talk about Autistic people.
TLDR: they say we're a problem.
Summary in The Conversation: theconversation.com/autism-chari...
Full text: https://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0335132
@helenabnett.bsky.social @kat-williams.bsky.social @willowholloway.bsky.social
TLDR: they say we're a problem.
Summary in The Conversation: theconversation.com/autism-chari...
Full text: https://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0335132
@helenabnett.bsky.social @kat-williams.bsky.social @willowholloway.bsky.social
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
We need two new full-time lecturers in #criminology here at @sheffielduni.bsky.social. One permanent share.google/RuTNSJWfvkuK... and one 12 month maternity cover share.google/xzf5icskztO9...
Lecturer in Criminology at University of Sheffield
Apply for the Lecturer in Criminology role on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board for academic positions in higher education. View details and apply now.
share.google
October 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM
We need two new full-time lecturers in #criminology here at @sheffielduni.bsky.social. One permanent share.google/RuTNSJWfvkuK... and one 12 month maternity cover share.google/xzf5icskztO9...
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
“For more than 3 hours, officers can be seen walking past while he lay on the floor in his urine in obvious distress…noting he was foaming at the mouth & having seizure-like activity…mistaking his medical emergency for a drug overdose…”
Except a drug overdose is also a medical emergency...
Except a drug overdose is also a medical emergency...
A lawsuit alleges a Black postal worker died after officers ignored clear signs he was suffering from a massive stroke, believing his medical emergency was drugs
The suit says guards left him helpless on a jail cell floor in his own urine for hours
The suit says guards left him helpless on a jail cell floor in his own urine for hours
KARE 11 Investigates: Postal worker died after police mistook stroke for drug impairment
Kingsley Bimpong was jailed instead of hospitalized; video shows guards ignored his suffering for hours.
www.kare11.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
“For more than 3 hours, officers can be seen walking past while he lay on the floor in his urine in obvious distress…noting he was foaming at the mouth & having seizure-like activity…mistaking his medical emergency for a drug overdose…”
Except a drug overdose is also a medical emergency...
Except a drug overdose is also a medical emergency...
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
A new Explainer out from @aoifemod.bsky.social and me detailing the UK's ECHR commitments under the 1998 Agreement in response to recent speculation. It is short, because there is very little to say - the UK's obligations are evident on the B/GFA's plain text:
caj.org.uk/wp-content/u...
caj.org.uk/wp-content/u...
September 16, 2025 at 10:51 AM
A new Explainer out from @aoifemod.bsky.social and me detailing the UK's ECHR commitments under the 1998 Agreement in response to recent speculation. It is short, because there is very little to say - the UK's obligations are evident on the B/GFA's plain text:
caj.org.uk/wp-content/u...
caj.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
Important to hear Hilary Benn affirm, in his Labour Conference Speech, that the official position is that the UK leaving the ECHR would indeed undermine the UK's commitments under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 1998:
September 30, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Important to hear Hilary Benn affirm, in his Labour Conference Speech, that the official position is that the UK leaving the ECHR would indeed undermine the UK's commitments under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 1998:
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
HIGH RENT means MORE TENTS! ⛺
BUILD SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
BUILD SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
September 28, 2025 at 5:14 PM
HIGH RENT means MORE TENTS! ⛺
BUILD SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
BUILD SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
I’m glad to share a new article published as part of HRJ’s special collection: "Harm Reduction in Europe: Histories, Choices and Hopes."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
@gwshorter.bsky.social @dkhumphreys.bsky.social @bchrisinger.bsky.social 1/2
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
@gwshorter.bsky.social @dkhumphreys.bsky.social @bchrisinger.bsky.social 1/2
September 19, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I’m glad to share a new article published as part of HRJ’s special collection: "Harm Reduction in Europe: Histories, Choices and Hopes."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
@gwshorter.bsky.social @dkhumphreys.bsky.social @bchrisinger.bsky.social 1/2
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
@gwshorter.bsky.social @dkhumphreys.bsky.social @bchrisinger.bsky.social 1/2
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
Festival drug-related deaths are rising, but they don’t have to.
In memory of Ellie Rowe and others who have tragically lost their lives at Boomtown in years past, a new blog reinforces the critical role of harm reduction services like The Loop at UK festivals.
drugscience.org.uk/b...
In memory of Ellie Rowe and others who have tragically lost their lives at Boomtown in years past, a new blog reinforces the critical role of harm reduction services like The Loop at UK festivals.
drugscience.org.uk/b...
What can Boomtown 2025 teach us about responding to drug use?
In 2013 Wendy Teasdill’s daughter, Ellie Rowe, died at Boomtown festival as a result of taking a combination of ketamine and alcohol. Neither were taken in excess but the combination was fatal. She did not know what she was doing.
www.drugscience.org.uk
September 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Festival drug-related deaths are rising, but they don’t have to.
In memory of Ellie Rowe and others who have tragically lost their lives at Boomtown in years past, a new blog reinforces the critical role of harm reduction services like The Loop at UK festivals.
drugscience.org.uk/b...
In memory of Ellie Rowe and others who have tragically lost their lives at Boomtown in years past, a new blog reinforces the critical role of harm reduction services like The Loop at UK festivals.
drugscience.org.uk/b...
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
Finally! 🤩 Our position piece: Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia:
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
September 6, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Finally! 🤩 Our position piece: Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia:
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
🚨Pls spread the word!
@issdrugpolicy.bsky.social continues to support & expand #drugpolicy research in the global south
We have a new working group (led by Bisi Akintoye, Gideon Lasco & Rosario Queirolo) & are offering 25 free memberships for ECRs in the global south
www.issdp.org/new-issdp-in...
@issdrugpolicy.bsky.social continues to support & expand #drugpolicy research in the global south
We have a new working group (led by Bisi Akintoye, Gideon Lasco & Rosario Queirolo) & are offering 25 free memberships for ECRs in the global south
www.issdp.org/new-issdp-in...
New ISSDP initiatives to increase global south participation
The ISSDP Board is delighted to introduce two new initiatives to increase global south engagement in the Society. These were announced at the 2025 ISSDP Annual General Meeting and received strong s…
www.issdp.org
August 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
🚨Pls spread the word!
@issdrugpolicy.bsky.social continues to support & expand #drugpolicy research in the global south
We have a new working group (led by Bisi Akintoye, Gideon Lasco & Rosario Queirolo) & are offering 25 free memberships for ECRs in the global south
www.issdp.org/new-issdp-in...
@issdrugpolicy.bsky.social continues to support & expand #drugpolicy research in the global south
We have a new working group (led by Bisi Akintoye, Gideon Lasco & Rosario Queirolo) & are offering 25 free memberships for ECRs in the global south
www.issdp.org/new-issdp-in...
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
This weekend at Lost Village we’re testing confiscated/found drugs & urgent samples from medics. Findings help spot trends & keep people safe. Alerts shared here & on the LV app – please spread the word.
August 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
This weekend at Lost Village we’re testing confiscated/found drugs & urgent samples from medics. Findings help spot trends & keep people safe. Alerts shared here & on the LV app – please spread the word.
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
The housing crisis in NI is worsening, with over 32,000 households now facing homelessness, up 136% in the last decade. Without urgent funding for social housing, more families will be left behind.
Full statement from Homeless Connect: bit.ly/41iUnm9
Full statement from Homeless Connect: bit.ly/41iUnm9
August 21, 2025 at 10:28 AM
The housing crisis in NI is worsening, with over 32,000 households now facing homelessness, up 136% in the last decade. Without urgent funding for social housing, more families will be left behind.
Full statement from Homeless Connect: bit.ly/41iUnm9
Full statement from Homeless Connect: bit.ly/41iUnm9
Reposted by Gillian Shorter PhD
Please help. Please sign & share. I work on a degree programme known as ELCE for mature students who didn't or couldn't do a degree at 18. Bristol uni has decided to close it. Bristol was set up to serve this community & now we are losing our most accessible degree.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Save our pioneering widening participation undergraduate degree in English Literature and Community Engagement at the University of Bristol
19 August 2025
Dear Evelyn Welch (Vice-Chancellor)
cc Judith Squires (Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost), Tansy Jessop (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students)
The School of Humanities has ...
docs.google.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Please help. Please sign & share. I work on a degree programme known as ELCE for mature students who didn't or couldn't do a degree at 18. Bristol uni has decided to close it. Bristol was set up to serve this community & now we are losing our most accessible degree.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...