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John Smith Centre
@johnsmithcentre.com
740 followers 520 following 190 posts
We empower diverse voices across the UK to engage in politics.
Everyone benefits from a representative democracy.

Director: Eddie Barnes
🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com
📍 University of Glasgow
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · Mar 31
🚨 The UK Youth Poll 2025 is here! 🚨

Young people believe in democracy but fear for its future. They want better politics & financial stability.

📊 Read the #UKYouthPoll2025 now: www.ukyouthpoll.com

@focaldata.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social #Nationwide
johnsmithcentre.com
Over the last week, the Centre has been out in communities across Scotland: from Ullapool to the UofG campus, from schools to the SEC’s The Rest is Politics live show on Saturday night 💫

Thanks to @kirstymcneill.bsky.social, @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social, Annie Wells & @paulsweeney.bsky.social!
Kirsty McNeill MP and Eddie Barnes with the John Smith Centre 'Making Change Happen' masterclass series cohort. The group is standing at the front of a seminar room with three rows of benches and chairs in front of them. MSPs Annie Wells and Paul Sweeney and Eddie Barnes with John Paul Academy students. The group is standing in two rows in front of a large blue curtain. Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart sat on stage at the SEC during a live recording of 'The Rest is Politics' podcast. The large screen behind them is showing a photo of Alastair Campbell and Eddie Barnes sitting on high stools at the front of a lecture theatre with two John Smith Centre pull-up banners behind them. Dr Elli Loose, Sean McNamara and Lucie Beattie sat on chairs in front of a seated audience facing them. Professor Christopher Carman is standing beside them; all four are holding handheld microphones. There is an RSE pull-up banner and a projector screen showing text reading "Disordered truth in a democracy" behind them.
November 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Thank you to Marie Macklin CBE for shouting out our schools programme on BBC Debate Night earlier this week! 🙌📺

Want to find out more? Check out what Kilmarnock Academy students wrote about our pilot event in the summer 📝 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/politic...
@uofgsocsci.bsky.social
Marie Macklin CBE discusses John Smith Centre Schools Programme on BBC Debate Night
Friend of the John Smith Centre Marie Macklin CBE discusses our schools programme on BBC Debate Night (hosted by Stephen Jardine) - 12 November 2025. The John Smith Centre's schools programme takes…
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 ICYMI: In our last research blog, @pcorreavila.bsky.social, Dr Anne Jenichen and Dr Tahmineh Tayebi shared their findings on online abuse faced by women MPs in the UK.

Read it here: 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/researc...

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
A designed graphic with text reading: "Research, November 2025. 1 in every 9 tweets that women MPs receive is abusive. Dr Patricia Correa, Dr Anne Jenichen and Dr Tahmineh Tayebi." The graphic also shows headshot-style photos of Patricia, Anne and Tahmineh and the John Smith Centre logo.
November 14, 2025 at 10:22 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
Many thanks to @kirstymcneill.bsky.social for delivering our first #MakingChangeHappen Masterclass at @uofglasgow.bsky.social on Tuesday! 🙏

Our Masterclass series gives students the opportunity to learn how to make real change happen from people who have been there and done it 💡
November 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Missed out on @royalsoced.bsky.social's 'Disordered truth in a democracy' panel last week? Don't worry - you can watch the recording now! 🎥

Dr Elli Loose shared insights from our #UKYouthPoll as part of a discussion on how misinformation is shaping democracy in Scotland 📊

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social
Disordered truth in a democracy
YouTube video by The Royal Society of Edinburgh
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🏫 We had a great morning having #PoliticalConversations with S5 and S6 students at John Paul Academy in Glasgow!

A big thank you to MSPs Annie Wells and @paulsweeney.bsky.social for speaking and taking questions 🙌

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
A photo of MSPs Annie Wells and Paul Sweeney and Eddie Barnes with John Paul Academy students. The group is standing in two rows in front of a large blue curtain.
November 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Why are some young people disengaging from politics? 🤔

📻 Listen to Dr Elli Loose discussing #UKYouthPoll2025 findings on political engagement, social media, optimism & more on Voice of Islam Radio's Drive Time programme on Monday.

#UKYouthPoll @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
Why are some young people disengaging from politics? Dr Elli Loose on Voice of Islam Drive Time
John Smith Centre Research and Engagement Manager Dr Elli Loose appears on Voice of Islam Drive Time - 3 November 2025. Sign up to our newsletter: johnsmithcentre.com/newsletter Follow us for…
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🚨 Exciting news - a small number of spaces have become available on our Masterclass Series!

🤝 Exclusive to @uofglasgow.bsky.social undergrads
🗣️ Featuring speakers such as Kirsty McNeill MP & Alastair Campbell
ℹ️ Sign up by 9 Nov: www.johnsmithcentre.com/our-work/mas...

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social
A designed graphic with text reading: "Masterclass Series 2025/6: Making Change Happen. Five 1-hour sessions; limited to 60 UofG undergraduate students; no coursework required; receive a John Smith Centre certificate of attendance." The graphic also shows the John smith Centre logo.
November 6, 2025 at 10:13 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 Don't forget to tune in to catch our Research and Engagement Manager Dr Elli Loose on this @royalsoced.bsky.social panel tomorrow evening as part of their Scottish election events programme!

💻 Join online: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/disordered...
johnsmithcentre.com John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 18d
How can we navigate a world in which truth is increasingly contested? 🤔

Join @royalsoced.bsky.social's event featuring Dr Elli Loose next week to explore how misinformation is shaping democracy in Scotland.

📅 6 Nov
📍 Online & in person, Ullapool Village Hall
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/disordered...
Disordered truth in a democracy | Online
How can we navigate a world where truth is increasingly contested?
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🙌 A big thank you to @proftomkins.bsky.social who joined us and a room full of students and academics last week to discuss his new book: "On the Law of Speaking Freely"!

📰 Read Centre Director @eddiebarnes.bsky.social's takeaways from the event on our blog: www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/we-simp...
A collage of photos of the "SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free?" event: some are of John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes and Professor Adam Tomkins speaking at the front of the room, and some are of the audience watching them.
November 4, 2025 at 12:09 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 New research blog out now!

💻 @pcorreavila.bsky.social, Dr Anne Jenichen & Dr Tahmineh Tayebi have found that 1 in every 9 tweets sent to women MPs across the political spectrum is abusive.

Find out more 👇
1 IN EVERY 9 TWEETS THAT WOMEN MPS RECEIVE IS ABUSIVE - John Smith Centre
Online abuse has become part of the day-to-day experience of politicians in the UK. Women especially experience harassment, abuse and intimidation via email and on social media. Previous analyses…
www.johnsmithcentre.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
❗️DEADLINE EXTENDED❗️

We are aware of a visibility issue that has affected the application page for our Engagement & Impact Media Intern - the page is now back up and running and we have extended the deadline by 24hrs.

🕐 NEW DEADLINE: 23:59 3 Nov
🤝 Open to @uofgsocsci.bsky.social PGRs
⬇️ Apply now!
Engagement and Impact Media Intern (UofG PGR students only) - John Smith Centre
Job Purpose To produce engaging video and social media materials that highlight the impact of the Centre’s initiatives, including the UK Youth Poll and the Parliamentary Internship Programme (PIP). To...
www.johnsmithcentre.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
How can we navigate a world in which truth is increasingly contested? 🤔

Join @royalsoced.bsky.social's event featuring Dr Elli Loose next week to explore how misinformation is shaping democracy in Scotland.

📅 6 Nov
📍 Online & in person, Ullapool Village Hall
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/disordered...
Disordered truth in a democracy | Online
How can we navigate a world where truth is increasingly contested?
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by John Smith Centre
uofgsocsci.bsky.social
We are excited for the next Stevenson Trust event on November 4th.

We will have David McGill, Clerk and Chief Executive of reflecting on 26 years of devolution in the @parliament.scot.

This event is open to anyone interested: tinyurl.com/zfj54rsf
Reflections on 26 years of devolution in the Scottish Parliament
David McGill, Clerk and Chief Executive of the Scottish Parliament reflects on its past.
tinyurl.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:06 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
🏫 We were delighted to return to Kilmarnock Academy on Monday for the second of our #PoliticalConversations events!

Many thanks to Lillian Jones MP & Cllr. Sally Cogley for joining us to tell students about making change through politics 🙏

Find out more: 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/politic...
A photo of Lillian Jones MP, Kilmarnock Academy student Devlyn Ritchie, John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes, Councillor Sally Cogley, and Kilmarnock Academy student Carolina Sharp standing in front of two John Smith Centre pull-up banners. Lillian and Sally are handing a voucher to each of the students. A photo of Lillian Jones MP, John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes, and Councillor Sally Cogley sat in chairs in front of two John Smith Centre pull-up banners.
October 29, 2025 at 1:23 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🎤 “We can’t grow unless we hear from others whom we disagree with or who are telling us things we do not already know.”

@proftomkins.bsky.social speaks about free speech and why it’s important for public debate and individuals.

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofglaw.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
❗️This is your last week to apply for our Engagement and Impact Media paid internship!

🤝 Open to @uofgsocsci.bsky.social PGR students
📅 Jan-Mar 2026, 70h total
🚀 Develop skills in media production & impactful engagement
🕐 2 Nov
🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/job/engageme...

#InternshipOpportunity
A designed graphic with text reading: "Deadline extended! 2 Nov '25. Engagement and Impact Media Intern. Open to all PGRs from the UofG College of Social Sciences. 7h/week for 10 weeks; January - March 2026, UofG Grade 5 salary, pro rata. Apply today!" The graphic also shows the John Smith Centre logo.
October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📣 ICYMI - you can read Prof @ariadnevromen.bsky.social & Dr Michael Scanlan's blog on the relationship between music & politics on our website now!

👇 👇 👇
POLITICAL MUSIC OR MUSIC FOR POLITICS? - John Smith Centre
A blog based on a shared playlist created for a UoG Politics Society Pints and Politics event on Music and Politics on October 14. In the 1980s song Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards, English…
www.johnsmithcentre.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🚨 @uofglasgow.bsky.social students & staff: it's your last chance to register for our free speech event with @proftomkins.bsky.social tomorrow!

🎟️ Tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1818334941...
johnsmithcentre.com John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 25d
🕐 Not long to go until our event discussing the debate around #FreeSpeech with @proftomkins.bsky.social!

🎟️ Free tickets for UofG students & staff available here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shut-up-sh...

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @uofglaw.bsky.social
A designed graphic with text reading: "EVENT. SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free? There has never been a more important time to talk about talking. Join Prof Adam Tomkins and the John Smith Centre to examine how to navigate free speech. 28 October 2025, 6.00-8.00pm, Humanities Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building, Glasgow. With Prof Adam Tomkins, John Millar Chair of Public Law." The graphic also shows the logos of the John Smith Centre and the University of Glasgow.
October 27, 2025 at 10:58 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 Are you a @uofglasgow.bsky.social PGR student passionate about storytelling, politics, and digital media?

🤝 Join the John Smith Centre for a 10-week Engagement & Impact Media internship!

Apply now: 🔗https://www.johnsmithcentre.com/job/engagement-and-impact-media-intern-uofg-pgr-students-only/
A designed graphic with text reading: "Deadline extended! 2 Nov '25. Engagement and Impact Media Intern. Open to all PGRs from the UofG College of Social Sciences. 7h/week for 10 weeks; January - March 2026, UofG Grade 5 salary, pro rata. Apply today!" The graphic also shows the John Smith Centre logo.
October 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
🕐 Not long to go until our event discussing the debate around #FreeSpeech with @proftomkins.bsky.social!

🎟️ Free tickets for UofG students & staff available here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shut-up-sh...

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @uofglaw.bsky.social
A designed graphic with text reading: "EVENT. SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free? There has never been a more important time to talk about talking. Join Prof Adam Tomkins and the John Smith Centre to examine how to navigate free speech. 28 October 2025, 6.00-8.00pm, Humanities Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building, Glasgow. With Prof Adam Tomkins, John Millar Chair of Public Law." The graphic also shows the logos of the John Smith Centre and the University of Glasgow.
October 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
We were proud to celebrate the launch of Joe Greenwood-Hau
@niceonecombo.bsky.social's new book 'Capital, Privilege & Political Participation' at
@uofglasgow.bsky.social earlier this month 🥳

Want to find out more about the event and book? Read Joe's blog 👇
BOOK LAUNCH SUCCESS: CAPITAL, PRIVILEGE AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION - John Smith Centre
Overcoming barriers to political participation is at the heart of the John Smith Centre’s mission to help young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, step into roles in public…
www.johnsmithcentre.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:02 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
🚨 APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED 🚨

Good news - the application deadline for our Engagement & Impact Media internship has been extended to 2 Nov!

🤝 Paid internship for UofG College of Social Sciences PGR student
📅 Jan – Mar 26, 70h total
🔗 Apply now: www.johnsmithcentre.com/job/engageme...
A designed graphic with text reading: "Deadline extended! 2 Nov '25. Engagement and Impact Media Intern. Open to all PGRs from the UofG College of Social Sciences. 7h/week for 10 weeks; January - March 2026, UofG Grade 5 salary, pro rata. Apply today!" The graphic also shows the John Smith Centre logo.
October 21, 2025 at 10:14 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
⌛️ There's still time to get your free tickets to 'SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free?', a John Smith Centre event with @proftomkins.bsky.social.

📅 28 Oct 2025
📍 Humanities Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building
🤝 Open to @uofglasgow.bsky.social students & staff
🎟️ 👇
SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free?
Join Professor Adam Tomkins and the John Smith Centre to examine how to navigate free speech.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
⌛️ There's still time to get your free tickets to 'SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free?', a John Smith Centre event with @proftomkins.bsky.social.

📅 28 Oct 2025
📍 Humanities Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building
🤝 Open to @uofglasgow.bsky.social students & staff
🎟️ 👇
SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free?
Join Professor Adam Tomkins and the John Smith Centre to examine how to navigate free speech.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM