Kat Gupta
@mixosaurus.bsky.social
linguistics, feminism, LGB, queer and trans issues 🏳️🌈🦜🏳️⚧️ lecturer in political communication at Royal Holloway University of London
they/them
they/them
Sometimes you're having a kind of crappy week and then the guys at the campus falafel van remember you and give you extra falafel and that's how you end up with eleven (11) hot fresh falafel with your chips #blessed
February 10, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Sometimes you're having a kind of crappy week and then the guys at the campus falafel van remember you and give you extra falafel and that's how you end up with eleven (11) hot fresh falafel with your chips #blessed
Meet Cheese. Today he hung out on this sofa for a solid four hours while a gaggle of adoring students cooed over every twitch of his whiskers and took an absurd number of photos of him.
Tough life being a @royalholloway.bsky.social campus cat
Tough life being a @royalholloway.bsky.social campus cat
February 3, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Meet Cheese. Today he hung out on this sofa for a solid four hours while a gaggle of adoring students cooed over every twitch of his whiskers and took an absurd number of photos of him.
Tough life being a @royalholloway.bsky.social campus cat
Tough life being a @royalholloway.bsky.social campus cat
I'm deeply interested in disaster documentaries which my wife hates, so today we compromised on Titanic (1997) and now, in the year of our Lord 2026, my wife is crying over Titanic
January 30, 2026 at 7:41 PM
I'm deeply interested in disaster documentaries which my wife hates, so today we compromised on Titanic (1997) and now, in the year of our Lord 2026, my wife is crying over Titanic
Reposted by Kat Gupta
The same Palantir that Keir Starmer's Labour have embedded in our NHS and Ministry of Defence.
The level of authoritarian surveillance and data gathering/selling already happening in the UK is deeply frightening.
The level of authoritarian surveillance and data gathering/selling already happening in the UK is deeply frightening.
Palantir employees are pressing company leadership over its work for ICE in internal company Slacks obtained by @wired.com
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
Palantir Defends Work With ICE to Staff Following Killing of Alex Pretti
“In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this,” one worker wrote on Slack.
www.wired.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:49 PM
The same Palantir that Keir Starmer's Labour have embedded in our NHS and Ministry of Defence.
The level of authoritarian surveillance and data gathering/selling already happening in the UK is deeply frightening.
The level of authoritarian surveillance and data gathering/selling already happening in the UK is deeply frightening.
If you are also horrified by ICE's actions in Minnesota, here's a great resource for finding organisations, communities and individuals who need donations. Everything from mutual aid to help people cover their rent and fund emergency food packages to organisations offering legal defence.
tomorrow, StandWithMinnesota.com will hit a million site visits and over 650,000 unique visitors.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
StandWithMinnesota.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:29 AM
If you are also horrified by ICE's actions in Minnesota, here's a great resource for finding organisations, communities and individuals who need donations. Everything from mutual aid to help people cover their rent and fund emergency food packages to organisations offering legal defence.
Nine years and a day since top surgery. Nine years and a day since I woke up and something that had constantly been buzzing - constantly there, a noise I had almost learnt to ignore - went blessedly, blissfully silent.
It's a blessing and a privilege and almost certainly saved my life.
It's a blessing and a privilege and almost certainly saved my life.
January 5, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Nine years and a day since top surgery. Nine years and a day since I woke up and something that had constantly been buzzing - constantly there, a noise I had almost learnt to ignore - went blessedly, blissfully silent.
It's a blessing and a privilege and almost certainly saved my life.
It's a blessing and a privilege and almost certainly saved my life.
"Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, or Alice in Chains"
cba to add album covers but:
Pulp - Different Class
Radiohead - OK Computer
Tricky - Maxinquaye
Portishead - Dummy
Honourable mentions to the Manics (Holy Bible) and Tori Amos (Under the Pink)
cba to add album covers but:
Pulp - Different Class
Radiohead - OK Computer
Tricky - Maxinquaye
Portishead - Dummy
Honourable mentions to the Manics (Holy Bible) and Tori Amos (Under the Pink)
"Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, or Alice in Chains"
these but also most of what the Manics, Smashing Pumpkins, Public Enemy, Pulp and the Fugees/Lauryn Hill were up to all decade among others.
these but also most of what the Manics, Smashing Pumpkins, Public Enemy, Pulp and the Fugees/Lauryn Hill were up to all decade among others.
December 28, 2025 at 10:51 PM
"Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, or Alice in Chains"
cba to add album covers but:
Pulp - Different Class
Radiohead - OK Computer
Tricky - Maxinquaye
Portishead - Dummy
Honourable mentions to the Manics (Holy Bible) and Tori Amos (Under the Pink)
cba to add album covers but:
Pulp - Different Class
Radiohead - OK Computer
Tricky - Maxinquaye
Portishead - Dummy
Honourable mentions to the Manics (Holy Bible) and Tori Amos (Under the Pink)
My mum is attempting to teach me to knit and I am being thoroughly humbled. Please compare my knitting with my crochet
December 27, 2025 at 9:42 PM
My mum is attempting to teach me to knit and I am being thoroughly humbled. Please compare my knitting with my crochet
First bizarre observation of the day from my dad has resulted in a discussion of the etymology of Christmas and my wife singing (loudly, enthusiastically, slightly off-key) "happy birthday to you" to the tune of Gaudete.
Happy Christmas if you celebrate, and a peaceful winter's day if you don't
Happy Christmas if you celebrate, and a peaceful winter's day if you don't
December 25, 2025 at 9:30 AM
First bizarre observation of the day from my dad has resulted in a discussion of the etymology of Christmas and my wife singing (loudly, enthusiastically, slightly off-key) "happy birthday to you" to the tune of Gaudete.
Happy Christmas if you celebrate, and a peaceful winter's day if you don't
Happy Christmas if you celebrate, and a peaceful winter's day if you don't
One of the most delightful of Christmas traditions
Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
Donate to Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025, organized by Rhodri Marsden
Unbelievably, it's the 15th year of this thing.
What is it?
Improbably, the nig… Rhodri Marsden needs your support for Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025
www.gofundme.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:24 AM
One of the most delightful of Christmas traditions
Reposted by Kat Gupta
The BMA has come out swinging for the rights of all trans people in healthcare settings and beyond - both patients and healthcare providers.
Genuinely brilliant news amongst the bad - please read it and share, and remember that we are NOT alone. Not by a long stretch.
Genuinely brilliant news amongst the bad - please read it and share, and remember that we are NOT alone. Not by a long stretch.
The BMA has published an updated policy position on the rights of transgender and non-binary people in healthcare settings.
www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-s...
www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-s...
Policy position on the rights of transgender and non-binary people in healthcare settings
Our policy position is centred around the need to advocate for equitable access to healthcare, create safe and inclusive workplaces for trans and non-binary people working in healthcare settings, and ...
www.bma.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
The BMA has come out swinging for the rights of all trans people in healthcare settings and beyond - both patients and healthcare providers.
Genuinely brilliant news amongst the bad - please read it and share, and remember that we are NOT alone. Not by a long stretch.
Genuinely brilliant news amongst the bad - please read it and share, and remember that we are NOT alone. Not by a long stretch.
Reposted by Kat Gupta
Out now with @adamsharris.bsky.social in @bjpols.bsky.social : We test “rooted” activist frames for LGBTQI tolerance—grounded in local history & national narratives—in Zimbabwe. Biggest thanks to the many people who helped get this off the ground. (1/3) Read here:
NEW -
Rooting Equality: Testing the Effectiveness of Activist Frames Combating Homophobia in Zimbabwe - https://cup.org/3XSzLPn
- @payoub.bsky.social & Adam S. Harris
#OpenAccess
Rooting Equality: Testing the Effectiveness of Activist Frames Combating Homophobia in Zimbabwe - https://cup.org/3XSzLPn
- @payoub.bsky.social & Adam S. Harris
#OpenAccess
December 11, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Out now with @adamsharris.bsky.social in @bjpols.bsky.social : We test “rooted” activist frames for LGBTQI tolerance—grounded in local history & national narratives—in Zimbabwe. Biggest thanks to the many people who helped get this off the ground. (1/3) Read here:
Reposted by Kat Gupta
Pessimistic belief that one of the main reasons trans people are being attacked is to create a false 'need' to quit ECHR, in addition to attacks on migrants and disabled people.
For more on what it took to finally get legal recognition in the UK, read Christine Burns' 'Trans Britain'
For more on what it took to finally get legal recognition in the UK, read Christine Burns' 'Trans Britain'
British trans people had to go to the European Court of Human Rights in 1986, 1990, 1992, 1997, 1998 and 2002 before the UK was finally forced to pass the Gender Recognition Act 2004.
How much work to regain lost rights will they need this time?
www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/...
How much work to regain lost rights will they need this time?
www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/...
December 3, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Pessimistic belief that one of the main reasons trans people are being attacked is to create a false 'need' to quit ECHR, in addition to attacks on migrants and disabled people.
For more on what it took to finally get legal recognition in the UK, read Christine Burns' 'Trans Britain'
For more on what it took to finally get legal recognition in the UK, read Christine Burns' 'Trans Britain'
Devastating realisation
spouse and I occasionally dip back into early Buffy, and spent dinnertime today watching Band Candy for the first time in many years.
Kat: you know what I realised?
me: we’re closer to the adults’ age than the teenagers, I know
Kat: we *are* the adults’ age
me: no, they’re in their 40s- oh.
Kat: you know what I realised?
me: we’re closer to the adults’ age than the teenagers, I know
Kat: we *are* the adults’ age
me: no, they’re in their 40s- oh.
November 25, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Devastating realisation
Some interesting - and troubling - reading on student loneliness at university. It's important that we set students up for success - and that means building spaces to connect in our programmes, in our buildings and on our campuses
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-on...
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-on...
The one where they still don't have any friends
Amid rising reports of student loneliness, Mack Marshall explores how UK universities are failing to design for connection - and why social isolation is no longer just a pastoral issue but a structura...
wonkhe.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Some interesting - and troubling - reading on student loneliness at university. It's important that we set students up for success - and that means building spaces to connect in our programmes, in our buildings and on our campuses
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-on...
wonkhe.com/blogs/the-on...
The difference between the parrots is that Kira will stand by your bowl and just look like she is contemplating flinging herself into the contents.
Leia will march up and not only will she unhesitatingly stick her beak into your dinner, she will rifle through looking for the best bits.
Leia will march up and not only will she unhesitatingly stick her beak into your dinner, she will rifle through looking for the best bits.
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The difference between the parrots is that Kira will stand by your bowl and just look like she is contemplating flinging herself into the contents.
Leia will march up and not only will she unhesitatingly stick her beak into your dinner, she will rifle through looking for the best bits.
Leia will march up and not only will she unhesitatingly stick her beak into your dinner, she will rifle through looking for the best bits.
Reposted by Kat Gupta
For @teenvogue.com I wrote about the death of trans athlete Lia Smith and how trans youth kind themselves with central pillars of their lives being constantly ripped away from them because of politics. www.teenvogue.com/story/politi...
Politicizing Transgender Athletes Is Dangerous. Lia Smith Deserved Better.
"Let her passing be an inflection point for how you think about trans rights and trans people more generally."
www.teenvogue.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:23 AM
For @teenvogue.com I wrote about the death of trans athlete Lia Smith and how trans youth kind themselves with central pillars of their lives being constantly ripped away from them because of politics. www.teenvogue.com/story/politi...
Sitting down with a lot of highlighters, a notebook, and text data from a recent LGBTQIA+ staff survey. It's always exciting to see themes emerging from data, but I think the university should be worried about what LGBTQIA+ staff have to say about their workplace
November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Sitting down with a lot of highlighters, a notebook, and text data from a recent LGBTQIA+ staff survey. It's always exciting to see themes emerging from data, but I think the university should be worried about what LGBTQIA+ staff have to say about their workplace
Was similarly delighted to mark a first year research report on Turnitin with the filename "can't"
Mood, as the kids would say.
Mood, as the kids would say.
Genuinely delighted to download a PhD thesis from a university repository where the author has neglected to remove the words "BITCH THIS IS YOUR THESIS" from the filename.
October 30, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Was similarly delighted to mark a first year research report on Turnitin with the filename "can't"
Mood, as the kids would say.
Mood, as the kids would say.
"hey Kat, what are you up to this Saturday night?"
We are finally getting round to recreating this! because we decided to pre-roast the garlic, the flat smells…less of garlic than it could, I guess.
(eagle eyes will note only 39 bulbs fitted on the tray; we made up the difference)
(eagle eyes will note only 39 bulbs fitted on the tray; we made up the difference)
October 25, 2025 at 8:22 PM
"hey Kat, what are you up to this Saturday night?"
Reposted by Kat Gupta
🚨 One more week to apply to the PhD position at the London Social Media Observatory. If you are interested in empirical, quantitative, and/or computational approaches to studying social media and politics, apply! 😊
🔭🚨 One more week to apply to the fully funded (3.5 years) PhD position at the Observatory!
💻 Deadline: 2nd November
ℹ️ For more information, see the link below!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/media/hquftp...
💻 Deadline: 2nd November
ℹ️ For more information, see the link below!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/media/hquftp...
www.royalholloway.ac.uk
October 22, 2025 at 11:13 AM
🚨 One more week to apply to the PhD position at the London Social Media Observatory. If you are interested in empirical, quantitative, and/or computational approaches to studying social media and politics, apply! 😊
Reposted by Kat Gupta
large language model perfec t size for put classified military information in to pl\an! inside very Secure and Reliable put classified information in chatGPT. Alarge language model yes a place for a classified military information can trust chatbot for giveing good love to military. friend llm
dawg we are gonna lose a war because ChatGPT has this guy mobilizing divisions that don't exist and tasking real troops with holding mountain passes and ports an LLM hallucinated
October 17, 2025 at 8:46 AM
large language model perfec t size for put classified military information in to pl\an! inside very Secure and Reliable put classified information in chatGPT. Alarge language model yes a place for a classified military information can trust chatbot for giveing good love to military. friend llm
Today one of my students took it upon herself to explain the lesbian taxonomy to me, including such terms as "femme", futch" and "chapstick lesbian". According to her, the kids are using "masc" instead of "butch", and "stone top" instead of "stone butch"
October 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Today one of my students took it upon herself to explain the lesbian taxonomy to me, including such terms as "femme", futch" and "chapstick lesbian". According to her, the kids are using "masc" instead of "butch", and "stone top" instead of "stone butch"
I'm on the side of the shark btw
“The films you like to watch are emotionally complex with characters who all look kind of the same* and have incredibly complicated and nuanced motivations, and it’s exhausting. What I want to watch is a film where a big shark wants to bite things.”
* they’re faceblind
So we’re watching Jaws today.
* they’re faceblind
So we’re watching Jaws today.
October 6, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I'm on the side of the shark btw