Louise, Prof/Dr
@louiselocock.bsky.social
Mostly retired qualitative health services researcher, linguist, europhile, cat lover. Other animals welcome.
Mostly in Oxford, occasionally in Aberdeen
I block if you have no bio or posts
She/her
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8109-1930
Mostly in Oxford, occasionally in Aberdeen
I block if you have no bio or posts
She/her
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8109-1930
Pinned
One of my favourite places in the world
It's cold but rather lovely here at the moment. A respite from the very wet and windy first three weeks of December. Unusual to see no snow on the tops. A drone shot from yesterday morning. Loch Shieldaig, Upper Loch Torridon and the Torridon Hills. (Most, but not all of them).
December 26, 2025 at 11:32 AM
One of my favourite places in the world
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
We've always had these dead-eyed socipaths around. It's just a few years ago they were ignored and now they're "senior fellow" at places funded by evil millionaires + going on podcasts with a brain-rotted ex-PM.
Harrison Pitt accuses the King of treachery. Pitt is a Senior Policy Fellow for Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain, who also regularly co-hosts podcasts with his ally Tomlinson (who advocates banning all ethnic and faith minorities from public office). Like Lowe, Pitt is keen to dissolve boundaries/norms
December 26, 2025 at 9:08 AM
We've always had these dead-eyed socipaths around. It's just a few years ago they were ignored and now they're "senior fellow" at places funded by evil millionaires + going on podcasts with a brain-rotted ex-PM.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Harrison Pitt accuses the King of treachery. Pitt is a Senior Policy Fellow for Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain, who also regularly co-hosts podcasts with his ally Tomlinson (who advocates banning all ethnic and faith minorities from public office). Like Lowe, Pitt is keen to dissolve boundaries/norms
December 26, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Harrison Pitt accuses the King of treachery. Pitt is a Senior Policy Fellow for Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain, who also regularly co-hosts podcasts with his ally Tomlinson (who advocates banning all ethnic and faith minorities from public office). Like Lowe, Pitt is keen to dissolve boundaries/norms
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
This is British Facism if set against basic theoretical criteria and the nervousness at the BBC or other big UK media outlets over calling this out bodes ill for their willingness to robustly defend democracy
Could the idea of making Rupert Lowe the King instead be "mainstreamed", ask the online racist right!
December 26, 2025 at 10:46 AM
This is British Facism if set against basic theoretical criteria and the nervousness at the BBC or other big UK media outlets over calling this out bodes ill for their willingness to robustly defend democracy
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Thread. This is a crucial thing for non-Christian Americans to understand. Most Christian Nationalists think it’s an act of kindness on their part to tell you that you will be going to hell if you don’t convert. It’s incomprehensible to most of them that they’re being bigots.
I'm going to tell my favorite story again about reflecting the certainty of beliefs back at people who don't expect it.
A friend was one of the few Jews on faculty at a North Dakota University. Every year, his colleague in religious studies would invite him to come to his religious studies class...
A friend was one of the few Jews on faculty at a North Dakota University. Every year, his colleague in religious studies would invite him to come to his religious studies class...
December 25, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Thread. This is a crucial thing for non-Christian Americans to understand. Most Christian Nationalists think it’s an act of kindness on their part to tell you that you will be going to hell if you don’t convert. It’s incomprehensible to most of them that they’re being bigots.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Thread
I'm going to tell my favorite story again about reflecting the certainty of beliefs back at people who don't expect it.
A friend was one of the few Jews on faculty at a North Dakota University. Every year, his colleague in religious studies would invite him to come to his religious studies class...
A friend was one of the few Jews on faculty at a North Dakota University. Every year, his colleague in religious studies would invite him to come to his religious studies class...
December 25, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Thread
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
This is straight up American culture war crap. And what's the boomer mythology about the Second World War code for?
December 25, 2025 at 9:31 PM
This is straight up American culture war crap. And what's the boomer mythology about the Second World War code for?
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
“Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor & strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself.”
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Pope Leo, on Christmas Eve, says denying help to poor is rejecting God
Leo has made care for immigrants and the poor key themes of his early papacy.
www.reuters.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:00 AM
“Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor & strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself.”
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
December 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.” https://cnn.it/4b6g3rd
Oklahoma instructor removed from teaching for failing a Bible-based gender essay | CNN
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
cnn.it
December 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
In Icelandic folklore Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat, comes to eat those who do not wear their new clothes for Christmas. In this image, you can see somebody did not put on their new Christmas sweater. Or perhaps even more unfortunately, no one got them one!
More ... 👇
More ... 👇
December 20, 2025 at 5:21 PM
In Icelandic folklore Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat, comes to eat those who do not wear their new clothes for Christmas. In this image, you can see somebody did not put on their new Christmas sweater. Or perhaps even more unfortunately, no one got them one!
More ... 👇
More ... 👇
Happy Christmas all. A detail from the Capella dei Magi in Florence, the journey of the wise men
December 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Happy Christmas all. A detail from the Capella dei Magi in Florence, the journey of the wise men
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Boomers consumed with misery and self-loathing.
Most voters say 2025 was a bad year for the UK...
Reform UK: 83% bad
Con: 77%
Green: 60%
Labour: 55%
Lib Dem: 54%
...and many expect 2026 to be bad too
Reform UK: 79% bad
Con: 67%
Green: 45%
Lib Dem: 40%
Labour: 37% (16% good, 33% average)
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Reform UK: 83% bad
Con: 77%
Green: 60%
Labour: 55%
Lib Dem: 54%
...and many expect 2026 to be bad too
Reform UK: 79% bad
Con: 67%
Green: 45%
Lib Dem: 40%
Labour: 37% (16% good, 33% average)
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
December 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Boomers consumed with misery and self-loathing.
Peace prize eh?
European leaders have moved swiftly to back Greenland today after U.S. President Donald Trump had named a special envoy to the Arctic island, sparking a new diplomatic frenzy on the continent.
Europe stands with Greenland as Trump threat returns
Donald Trump’s appointment of a special envoy reignites a fight over the Arctic island.
www.politico.eu
December 23, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Peace prize eh?
This is hilarious
I mean yeah it’s an authoritarian takeover but can we take some comfort in the fact that the people doing it are INSANELY stupid?
December 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
This is hilarious
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
If I could say one sentence to cats and make them understand it, it would probably be "If you are going to puke, please do it on a hard surface."
December 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
If I could say one sentence to cats and make them understand it, it would probably be "If you are going to puke, please do it on a hard surface."
For the best local news for Oxford
It’s the Clarion Christmas newsletter! Featuring:
🚠 Cable cars for Oxford
🫡 Remembering Ian Hudspeth
🗳 Elections to be postponed?
🧀 Queuing for cheese
🎶 Beautiful Oxfordshire Christmas music
Read online or by email: oxfordclarion.uk/the-clarion-...
🚠 Cable cars for Oxford
🫡 Remembering Ian Hudspeth
🗳 Elections to be postponed?
🧀 Queuing for cheese
🎶 Beautiful Oxfordshire Christmas music
Read online or by email: oxfordclarion.uk/the-clarion-...
A Christmas Clarion, 23 December 2025
This week’s top stories
Ian Hudspeth, former leader of Oxfordshire County Council, has died. He was awarded an OBE in 2021 for services to local government.
First elected in 2005 as Conservative cou...
oxfordclarion.uk
December 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
For the best local news for Oxford
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Oxfordshire County Council says it is “stepping up the removal of flags and unauthorised items” from streetlights given the windy weather. “Placing flags near highways can create safety hazards including reduced visibility for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and increased risk of distraction.”
December 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Oxfordshire County Council says it is “stepping up the removal of flags and unauthorised items” from streetlights given the windy weather. “Placing flags near highways can create safety hazards including reduced visibility for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and increased risk of distraction.”
Finally @oxfordshirecc.bsky.social starts publicly discouraging flags on highways. Hurrah. www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2571782...
Warning issued as Union Jack and St George's Day flags 'posing risk' removed
A warning has been issued by an Oxfordshire council following the removal of Union Jack and St George's flags 'posing an immediate risk'.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Finally @oxfordshirecc.bsky.social starts publicly discouraging flags on highways. Hurrah. www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2571782...
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Happy solstice - tonight is the longest night.
The light is creeping back in, too slowly to notice it just yet. And maybe, so could the hope.
Another world is possible ❤️
The light is creeping back in, too slowly to notice it just yet. And maybe, so could the hope.
Another world is possible ❤️
December 21, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Happy solstice - tonight is the longest night.
The light is creeping back in, too slowly to notice it just yet. And maybe, so could the hope.
Another world is possible ❤️
The light is creeping back in, too slowly to notice it just yet. And maybe, so could the hope.
Another world is possible ❤️
Stamp collecting, birdwatching, or fighting fascism, maybe?
Apparently engaging with the EU is all about economics, while also avoiding freedom of movement. Sigh.
Anyone hoping to rejoin has a very very long wait.
Frankly, if you're a rejoiner over 50, I'd suggest taking up stamp collecting or bird watching instead. It'll be more fulfilling.
Anyone hoping to rejoin has a very very long wait.
Frankly, if you're a rejoiner over 50, I'd suggest taking up stamp collecting or bird watching instead. It'll be more fulfilling.
December 21, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Stamp collecting, birdwatching, or fighting fascism, maybe?
Christmas has started. Resting on the sofa with a glass of fizz, and my boys (grown-ups but still my boys) are home and cooking supper for us.
Unforgettable image of indolence from @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social exhibition on colour
Unforgettable image of indolence from @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social exhibition on colour
December 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Christmas has started. Resting on the sofa with a glass of fizz, and my boys (grown-ups but still my boys) are home and cooking supper for us.
Unforgettable image of indolence from @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social exhibition on colour
Unforgettable image of indolence from @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social exhibition on colour
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
In any case, history has repeatedly shown that when parties adopt far right framing of issues like immigration and attempt to do just a bit of "cracking down", it only serves to raise salience of the issue and suggest the far right have a point. It doesn't address anything, it's just appeasement.
December 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
In any case, history has repeatedly shown that when parties adopt far right framing of issues like immigration and attempt to do just a bit of "cracking down", it only serves to raise salience of the issue and suggest the far right have a point. It doesn't address anything, it's just appeasement.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Turns out that if you want to actually know stuff, at some point you’re going to have to do the work yourself, or you’re just cosplaying expertise. It’s selling a shortcut that is at best a simulacrum of knowledge.
December 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Turns out that if you want to actually know stuff, at some point you’re going to have to do the work yourself, or you’re just cosplaying expertise. It’s selling a shortcut that is at best a simulacrum of knowledge.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
I get the joke here, but it is important to stress to folks that we're taught a lot of stuff that most of us will never use, because:
1. learning it makes you better prepared for whatever path your career eventually takes, and
2. learning abstract math trains one's brain to *think*, in general
1. learning it makes you better prepared for whatever path your career eventually takes, and
2. learning abstract math trains one's brain to *think*, in general
December 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I get the joke here, but it is important to stress to folks that we're taught a lot of stuff that most of us will never use, because:
1. learning it makes you better prepared for whatever path your career eventually takes, and
2. learning abstract math trains one's brain to *think*, in general
1. learning it makes you better prepared for whatever path your career eventually takes, and
2. learning abstract math trains one's brain to *think*, in general