Mark Riboldi
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markriboldi.bsky.social
Mark Riboldi
@markriboldi.bsky.social
250 followers 360 following 120 posts
Lecturer in social impact and social change at UTS. Non-profits, civil society, democracy, etc: https://profiles.uts.edu.au/mark.riboldi
AWFC / Tillies. OG Fool. Chaotic Good.
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markriboldi.bsky.social
Mark Riboldi @markriboldi.bsky.social · Feb 10
"For organisations claiming some kind of broad democratic role or impact, there is a responsibility to question whether what we are doing is having the intended impact."

Thanks to The Commons Social Change Library for publishing this shorter, conciser, version of the main hook of my PhD thesis.
Power and Connection - Exploring how Organisations Engage with Communities
The Commons is an online library for the change makers of the world and for those interested in social change, activism, organising, advocacy and justice.
commonslibrary.org
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
danilic.bsky.social
Happy #LibSpill Day for those who celebrate.
February 11, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
kurtsengul.bsky.social
🚨 New article by me and Jordan McSwiney in The Conversation about One Nation’s long history of dysfunction, infighting and scandal, and why this is will be one of the biggest barriers to the party translating its polling surge into electoral success

theconversation.com/can-one-nati...
Can One Nation turn its polling hype into seats in parliament? History shows it will struggle
Pauline Hanson’s party has been dysfunctional and scandal-ridden for its entire existence. Capitalising on strong polling will mean changing decades-old patterns.
theconversation.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:52 PM
markriboldi.bsky.social
...'a global network of free-market think tanks to target the "intellectuals" in society, and to market their ideas like toothpaste to win the "battle for ideas"...'

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...

#auspol #thinktanks #agendasetting
A discreet intellectual network has been reshaping the world for 70 years. Here's how
A constant battle of ideas reshapes the world we live in, and few groups have been more successful in winning the war than the little-known Atlas Network.
www.abc.net.au
January 26, 2026 at 1:46 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
Very interested in this potential resurgence in one of Australia's oldest civil society orgs - the Country Women's Association.

Promoting a solution to modern disillusionment, disengagement and detachment - getting involved in community around shared interests.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
'More than just tea and scones': Why young members are joining city's CWA
More young women are joining the Country Women's Association's city branches, with a passion for jams and scones along with social connection and purpose.
www.abc.net.au
December 29, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
asherwolf.bsky.social
Brigitte Bardot's 30 years of sympathy for the far right www.lemonde.fr/en/obituarie...
Brigitte Bardot's 30 years of sympathy for the far right
Convicted five times for racist remarks, the actress – whose foundation announced her death on Sunday, December 28 – remained one of the only French celebrities to openly embrace far-right views.
www.lemonde.fr
December 28, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
cathywilcox.bsky.social
Put it down.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
Single frame. Left: man and woman at kitchen table having drinks. Woman pointing to her phone, saying: “Immigrants are causing the housing crisis, the environmentalists want to ruin our lifestyle, and our children’s minds are being poisoned by woke!” Right: Young teen girl walking through doorway carrying drink and plate with sandwich, says, “Omigod Mum, put that thing down, can’t you see what it’s doing to you?”
December 10, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
popgroupaus.bsky.social
This week's Tallyroom podcast is essential listening for understanding the modern Australian Labor Party.

👏 friends of POP: host @benraue.com in conversation with @redrabbleroz.bsky.social

www.tallyroom.com.au/63678
Podcast #159 – The Labor factions
Ben was joined this week by Osmond Chiu, Per Capita research fellow and contributor editor for the Labor Left magazine Challenge, to discuss the factions of the Australian Labor Party. Read Osmond&…
www.tallyroom.com.au
December 8, 2025 at 11:02 PM
markriboldi.bsky.social
Great to see this event we organised, with funds from @auspsa.bsky.social and featuring George Megalogenis, @frankbongiorno.bsky.social @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social @lizhumphrys.bsky.social & @emilyrosefoley.bsky.social has been made into a podcast by UTS Impact Studios.

pod.link/1760672339/e...
December 4, 2025 at 10:38 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
"Because being 'right' isn't enough." The hubris in this advert for Advance's 2026 conference is quite beautiful, really.

If you need a refresher on who Advance are, etc., here's something I prepared in advance... theconversation.com/right-wing-p...
December 2, 2025 at 7:25 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
I ran an experiment this semester, to see what impact listening to the subject coordinator and engaging with subject materials had on students' grades.

tl;dr - students can excel without doing either, but if they want to pass they should do both.

www.markriboldi.com.au/teaching-edu...
A Simple Equation (Schrödinger’s Class)
Students sometimes ask me how to do well in a subject. My TL;DR response is “make sure you’re clear about what the assessment expectations are”. I tell everyone this, so it’s not a secret.
www.markriboldi.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
markriboldi.bsky.social
🚨 🚨 Some inspiration for those opposing job cuts and the general corporatisation of public universities around Australia - the staff/union led campaign at ANU has resulted in the halting of forced redundancies.

Join your union ✊

www.miragenews.com/union-triump...
Union Triumphs: ANU Halts Forced Redundancies
The Australian National University (ANU) has announced that there will be no forced redundancies.Quotes attributable to NTEU ACT Division Secretary Dr
www.miragenews.com
September 18, 2025 at 3:05 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
Some ramblings on my blog about philanthropic organisations, accountability, etc., if that's your thing.

www.markriboldi.com.au/democracy-ci...
Australian Philanthropic Organisations – Organisation, Accountability and Action
While the responsibility for solving complex social problems ultimately falls on governments, organisations across civil society and industry also play important roles.
www.markriboldi.com.au
September 3, 2025 at 4:16 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
“Justice here is set up to favour the wealthy and well connected; the poor just get processed.”

Marcia Langton outlines a damning story of institutional racism in @thesaturdaypaper.com.au

www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi...
The NT’s wilful ignorance over Black deaths in custody
When Tim Fischer called High Court judges “pissants” in the ’90s, after they recognised native title and overturned terra nullius, he created the rare spectacle of a government minister excoriating a ...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
August 23, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
fionakatauskas.bsky.social
V good piece by the legend that is @amyremeikis.bsky.social www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2025...
Gripped by an 'Abundance fever' that makes us see only red
Canberra is in the grip of Abundance fever, a virus that threatens to overwhelm public policy with a diagnosis of overregulation.
www.thenewdaily.com.au
August 18, 2025 at 2:29 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
Worried about losing your job? Just wash your undies and brush your teeth twice a day... 😡🤬

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...?
Uni staff told to 'wash delicates' for stress management as 146 courses suspended
The University of Technology Sydney is suspending more than 100 courses as it prepares for a controversial redundancy program to save $100 million.
www.abc.net.au
August 14, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
nteunion.bsky.social
Senator @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social: ‘Is ANU being trashed by the Bell and Bishop leadership?’

ACT Division Secretary @lachlanclohesy.bsky.social: ‘Absolutely. We need a new leadership approach or we need a new leadership.’

The Senate Inquiry into university governance continues…
August 12, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
robertsaunders.bsky.social
The rich must be incentivised; the poor must be disciplined.

The political economy of the super-elite in one headline.
August 5, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
anuausi.bsky.social
How do politicians talk about housing, and does it impact policy?

#ICYMI Political scientists @markriboldi.bsky.social & @pandanuspetter.bsky.social join @marijataflaga.bsky.social to discuss housing policy, safety nets and the fair go.

#AUListen 🎧 #DemocracySausage ausi.anu.edu.au/news/democra...
Democracy Sausage Episode: Safety nets below and a roof above
Political scientists Mark Riboldi and Pandanus Petter join Democracy Sausage to discuss housing policy, safety nets and the fair go. How do politicians talk about housing, and does it impact policy? W...
ausi.anu.edu.au
July 31, 2025 at 5:34 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
In which I sneak in a gag about an AI-generated Presidential penis.
pandanuspetter.bsky.social Pandanus Petter @pandanuspetter.bsky.social · Jul 30
@marijataflaga.bsky.social @markriboldi.bsky.social and I have a chat about UBIs & crisis thinking in housing and social welfare policy. I haven't listened, so if I say anything regrettable just know I've grown and changed since back then (yesterday). 😱🏠💰🗣️

reporter.anu.edu.au/all-stories/...
Democracy Sausage: Safety nets below and a roof above
Political scientists Mark Riboldi and Pandanus Petter join Democracy Sausage to discuss housing policy, safety nets and the fair go.
reporter.anu.edu.au
July 30, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
theshovel.bsky.social
The 19-year-old has also been cast in The Price Is Not Inflating, and The Bold And The Big Beautiful Bill.

theshovel.com.au/2025/07/23/p...
Paramount Announce Barron Trump As New Late Show Host, “For Purely Financial Reasons” — The Shovel
After the network was accused of having political motivations for axing Stephen Colbert, CBS and Paramount put an end to suspicions by announcing Barron Trump as the new host of The Late Show.
theshovel.com.au
July 23, 2025 at 2:16 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
From a supporter email Climate 200 sent today - a good example of how the organisation exhibits 'party-like' behaviour, as @phoebehayman.bsky.social, @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social and I wrote about @ausjpolsci.bsky.social in 2024: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
July 23, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Reposted by Mark Riboldi
emilyrosefoley.bsky.social
Hello Sydneysiders! On Tuesday 23rd Sep join Frank Bongiorno, George Megalogenis, @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social, @lizhumphrys.bsky.social & me for our public event A New Australian Politics: Rupture or Realignment. Registration is free & we'd love to see you there! events.humanitix.com/a-new-austra...
A New Australian Politics: Rupture or Realignment Please join us on at the University of Technology Sydney on Tuesday 23 September 2025, for a public event on the future of Australian democracy. Is Australia entering a new political era? With a record majority off a near record low primary vote, the new parliament continues the rise of new electoral coalitions, unsettling our assumptions about class, gender, race, and power. Our stellar panellists George Megalogenis, Frank Bongiorno, Elizabeth Humphrys, Ben Spies-Butcher, and Emily Foley will be engaged in a wide-ranging discussion exploring whether we’re witnessing a rupture or a realignment in Australian politics, and what it means for political life today. The conversation will explore how the traditional party duopoly is being eroded under pressure from shifting demographics, growing economic inequality, and increasing political disillusionment. What happens when the working class no longer feels represented, and when younger, more diverse voters no longer see themselves in the major parties? Tuesday 23 September — UTS Green Lecture Theatre Building 7 — Room 025 (full location details below) Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/a-new-australian-politics-rupture-or-realignment Speakers George Megalogenis is an author and journalist with over thirty years’ experience in the media, including over a decade in the federal parliamentary press gallery. His latest Quarterly Essay, Minority Report, explores the strategies and secret understandings of a political culture under pressure. Frank Bongiorno is based at the Australian National University and author of several works of Australian history, including The Eighties: The Decade That Transformed Australia (2015) and Dreamers and Schemers: A Political History of Australia (2022). He is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian Academy of Humanities. Elizabeth Humphrys is the Head of Discipline of Social and Political Scie…
July 17, 2025 at 2:42 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
"Part of a worldwide trend towards right-wing populism, Advance will likely continue to be at the centre of conservative politics in Australia."

Me writing for @theconversation.com on conservative campaign group Advance.

theconversation.com/right-wing-p...
Right-wing political group Advance is in the headlines. What is it and what does it stand for?
The husband of antisemitism special envoy Jillian Segal has donated to Advance. Here’s what the group’s all about.
theconversation.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:08 AM
markriboldi.bsky.social
"Universities are public institutions, not corporate machines. The way this process is unfolding [at UTS] raises serious concerns about governance," (Labor Senator Tony) Sheldon said.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...
UTS staff member risks sack to speak out against 'devastating' plan for mass redundancies
The University of Technology Sydney is being investigated by SafeWork over "psychological hazards" arising from a restructure with other universities also wielding the axe.
www.abc.net.au
July 3, 2025 at 12:28 AM