Orian Brook
@orianbrook.bsky.social
Social and spatial inequalities in the creative economy (and elsewhere).
Chancellor's Fellow in Social Policy, University of Edinburgh
Culture is bad for you http://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526144164
Chancellor's Fellow in Social Policy, University of Edinburgh
Culture is bad for you http://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526144164
Reposted by Orian Brook
I would say this findings shows women are more AI literate than men, because the majority of non-magical beings have no innate ability to "judge truthfulness"
January 28, 2026 at 6:24 AM
I would say this findings shows women are more AI literate than men, because the majority of non-magical beings have no innate ability to "judge truthfulness"
Reposted by Orian Brook
I recently discussed the question "Does Cultural Policy Research Need Theory?" on the @culturaltrends.bsky.social podcast. You can listen here, even without a sub: open.spotify.com/episode/679x...
Episode 2 — Does Cultural Policy Research Need Theory?
open.spotify.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:09 PM
I recently discussed the question "Does Cultural Policy Research Need Theory?" on the @culturaltrends.bsky.social podcast. You can listen here, even without a sub: open.spotify.com/episode/679x...
Reposted by Orian Brook
Blistering piece on ed tech in @economist.com.
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
Ed tech is profitable. It is also mostly useless
Independent research identifies few learning gains
economist.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Blistering piece on ed tech in @economist.com.
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Orian Brook
👀👀👀👀👀👀👀
work with me and @drdaveobrien.bsky.social as part of @creativepec.bsky.social! we're recruiting a postdoc to work on the arts, culture and heritage sectors using quantitative methods. please share, please feel free to email me directly with any Qs! jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Sheffiel...
Research Associate in Creative Industries (Quantitative)
Research Associate in Creative Industries (Quantitative)
jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk
January 24, 2026 at 11:58 AM
👀👀👀👀👀👀👀
Reposted by Orian Brook
This is one of the strangest and most screwed-up stories I’ve worked on. www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
Who's secretly filming fake TikToks inside Londoners' homes?
We tracked down the viral video account invading people's houses to spread false claims about immigrants.
www.londoncentric.media
January 24, 2026 at 6:55 AM
This is one of the strangest and most screwed-up stories I’ve worked on. www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
Reposted by Orian Brook
🚨 Job Alert!
We are looking for a Senior Scientist (40h/week) to develop, establish, and organize the research network “Democracy and Human Rights”.
Start: March 1, 2026
Application deadline: February 2, 2026
Find out more👇
jobs.univie.ac.at/job/Senior-S...
We are looking for a Senior Scientist (40h/week) to develop, establish, and organize the research network “Democracy and Human Rights”.
Start: March 1, 2026
Application deadline: February 2, 2026
Find out more👇
jobs.univie.ac.at/job/Senior-S...
jobs.univie.ac.at
January 23, 2026 at 4:08 PM
🚨 Job Alert!
We are looking for a Senior Scientist (40h/week) to develop, establish, and organize the research network “Democracy and Human Rights”.
Start: March 1, 2026
Application deadline: February 2, 2026
Find out more👇
jobs.univie.ac.at/job/Senior-S...
We are looking for a Senior Scientist (40h/week) to develop, establish, and organize the research network “Democracy and Human Rights”.
Start: March 1, 2026
Application deadline: February 2, 2026
Find out more👇
jobs.univie.ac.at/job/Senior-S...
Reposted by Orian Brook
In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.
January 23, 2026 at 4:01 PM
In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.
Reposted by Orian Brook
"Guyan’s study argues that excluding gender identities from data collection 'presents a more chilling form of power where trans people in data are not possible – when they appear in data, their presence is "wrong" or "inaccurate”'."
archive.is/202601211442...
archive.is/202601211442...
January 21, 2026 at 5:01 PM
"Guyan’s study argues that excluding gender identities from data collection 'presents a more chilling form of power where trans people in data are not possible – when they appear in data, their presence is "wrong" or "inaccurate”'."
archive.is/202601211442...
archive.is/202601211442...
Reposted by Orian Brook
Nice to see two excellent academic collections on audiences, data and policy [including my only (!) academic article] in new (more affordable) editions:
www.routledge.com/A-Reader-on-...
www.routledge.com/Audience-Dat...
Credit to @sdjhadley.bsky.social for editing/making them happen…
www.routledge.com/A-Reader-on-...
www.routledge.com/Audience-Dat...
Credit to @sdjhadley.bsky.social for editing/making them happen…
October 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Nice to see two excellent academic collections on audiences, data and policy [including my only (!) academic article] in new (more affordable) editions:
www.routledge.com/A-Reader-on-...
www.routledge.com/Audience-Dat...
Credit to @sdjhadley.bsky.social for editing/making them happen…
www.routledge.com/A-Reader-on-...
www.routledge.com/Audience-Dat...
Credit to @sdjhadley.bsky.social for editing/making them happen…
Reposted by Orian Brook
Do a funded PhD with me! We are looking for projects at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary enquiry into AI and inequalities!
www.linkedin.com/posts/susan-...
www.linkedin.com/posts/susan-...
Power and Difference in the time of responsible AI at University of Sheffield on FindAPhD.com | Susan Oman
Do a funded PhD with me! We are looking for projects at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary enquiry into AI and inequalities!
"Your doctoral research project will be designed by you to respond to...
www.linkedin.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Do a funded PhD with me! We are looking for projects at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary enquiry into AI and inequalities!
www.linkedin.com/posts/susan-...
www.linkedin.com/posts/susan-...
Reposted by Orian Brook
I always feel roguish to make such a basic point, but bias is an intrinsic feature of _data_, and transitively of any system of analysis or decision-making based on data.
The fact that this point has to keep being demonstrated over and over for more complex systems is crazy-making to me.
The fact that this point has to keep being demonstrated over and over for more complex systems is crazy-making to me.
"Drawing on a 20.3-million-query audit of ChatGPT, we map systematic biases in the model's representations of countries, states, cities, and neighbourhoods. From these empirics, we argue that bias is not a correctable anomaly but an intrinsic feature of generative AI”.
ht: Dagmar Monett
ht: Dagmar Monett
The silicon gaze: A typology of biases and inequality in LLMs through the lens of place - Francisco W. Kerche, Matthew Zook, Mark Graham, 2026
This paper introduces the concept of the silicon gaze to explain how large language models (LLMs) reproduce and amplify long-standing spatial inequalities. Draw...
journals.sagepub.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:47 AM
I always feel roguish to make such a basic point, but bias is an intrinsic feature of _data_, and transitively of any system of analysis or decision-making based on data.
The fact that this point has to keep being demonstrated over and over for more complex systems is crazy-making to me.
The fact that this point has to keep being demonstrated over and over for more complex systems is crazy-making to me.
Reposted by Orian Brook
New research maps the campaign to erase trans people from UK data 🔢
This peer-reviewed article offers the first detailed account of how UK campaign groups have sought to define sex as strictly biological across the census, policing, healthcare and digital ID.
doi.org/10.1080/0958...
This peer-reviewed article offers the first detailed account of how UK campaign groups have sought to define sex as strictly biological across the census, policing, healthcare and digital ID.
doi.org/10.1080/0958...
January 19, 2026 at 1:42 PM
New research maps the campaign to erase trans people from UK data 🔢
This peer-reviewed article offers the first detailed account of how UK campaign groups have sought to define sex as strictly biological across the census, policing, healthcare and digital ID.
doi.org/10.1080/0958...
This peer-reviewed article offers the first detailed account of how UK campaign groups have sought to define sex as strictly biological across the census, policing, healthcare and digital ID.
doi.org/10.1080/0958...
Reposted by Orian Brook
Such a pleasure talking to Dave O’Brien about all things Opera Wars for the New Books Network! Have a listen at the link below! ⬇️
@scribnerbooks.bsky.social
@scribnerbooks.bsky.social
Listen! First episode of 2026 for my @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social is @caitlinvincent.bsky.social discussing her sensational new book Opera Wars
Inside the World of Opera and the Battles for Its Future newbooksnetwork.com/opera-wars
Inside the World of Opera and the Battles for Its Future newbooksnetwork.com/opera-wars
Caitlin Vincent, "Opera Wars: Inside the World of Opera and the Battles for Its Future" (Simon and Schuster, 2026) - New Books Network
newbooksnetwork.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:51 AM
Such a pleasure talking to Dave O’Brien about all things Opera Wars for the New Books Network! Have a listen at the link below! ⬇️
@scribnerbooks.bsky.social
@scribnerbooks.bsky.social
Important January sales news!
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/blog/2026/01... 40% off all of @manchesterup.bsky.social books, which means the new edition of Culture is bad for you is just £6.50 manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526177810/
January Sale - Manchester University Press
We are delighted to share we are currently offering 40% OFF our entire roster of titles, both trade and academic. This is a limited time only deal, available until 31st January 2026. Please note: disc...
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Important January sales news!
Reposted by Orian Brook
It can't hallucinate. It can't lie. It can't apologize.
It is a machine that works the way that it was designed to work BY PEOPLE.
It is a machine that works the way that it was designed to work BY PEOPLE.
I cannot emphasize enough that the attempts to anthropomorphize an algorithm is a fundamental act of journalistic malpractice and an intentional act to shield the people responsible for this. It's fucking shameful.
January 2, 2026 at 7:52 PM
It can't hallucinate. It can't lie. It can't apologize.
It is a machine that works the way that it was designed to work BY PEOPLE.
It is a machine that works the way that it was designed to work BY PEOPLE.
Thrilled to have my paper with @drdaveobrien.bsky.social @markrt.bsky.social and Giuliana Giuliani in @wonkhe.bsky.social
NEW on Wonkhe: For Orian Brook, having multiple jobs isn't a sign of a failure to get a career in the creative economy but a key component of making such roles livable buff.ly/K1x4B3q
December 3, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Thrilled to have my paper with @drdaveobrien.bsky.social @markrt.bsky.social and Giuliana Giuliani in @wonkhe.bsky.social
Reposted by Orian Brook
Please reshare! I'd love to hear from potential candidates with research interests in disability studies and the arts...
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @bars.bsky.social @ukdishisthub.bsky.social
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @bars.bsky.social @ukdishisthub.bsky.social
Delighted to share University of Roehampton and our partners LSE are open to receiving PhD applications to CRICA: Consortium for Researching Inclusive Cultures in the Arts. Funded by the AHRC Doctoral Focal Award scheme www.roehampton.ac.uk/study/academ...
The Consortium for Researching Inclusive Cultures in the Arts (CRICA)
www.roehampton.ac.uk
November 14, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Please reshare! I'd love to hear from potential candidates with research interests in disability studies and the arts...
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @bars.bsky.social @ukdishisthub.bsky.social
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @bars.bsky.social @ukdishisthub.bsky.social
Reposted by Orian Brook
PhD studentships available in: Creative and Cultural Industries, Media, and Arts Practice (EDI in Practice); Identity, Representation, and Social Justice (EDI in Theory and Experience); Humanities, Philosophy, and Literature (EDI in Knowledge and Method). More details in link below.
Oxford Brookes University has a huge raft of AHRC-funded PhD studentships in the Arts, Humanities and allied subjects! Both fees and a stipend covered. Take a look at the ad below - the closing date is 30th January 2026. Anyone interested at all, get in touch!
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPM937/p...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPM937/p...
PhD Studentship : AHRC Landscape Award PhD Studentship in the Arts and Humanities at Oxford Brookes University
Start your UK & international job search for academic jobs, research jobs, science jobs and managerial jobs in leading universities and top...
www.jobs.ac.uk
December 2, 2025 at 10:28 AM
PhD studentships available in: Creative and Cultural Industries, Media, and Arts Practice (EDI in Practice); Identity, Representation, and Social Justice (EDI in Theory and Experience); Humanities, Philosophy, and Literature (EDI in Knowledge and Method). More details in link below.
Reposted by Orian Brook
So kid, in your heart you want to study humanities but you worry about your job prospects? Let’s play a game.
On the latest data, who is more likely to be unemployed after 15 months after graduation. The English Lit grad or the Maths grad?
WRONG!
On the latest data, who is more likely to be unemployed after 15 months after graduation. The English Lit grad or the Maths grad?
WRONG!
December 1, 2025 at 9:19 PM
So kid, in your heart you want to study humanities but you worry about your job prospects? Let’s play a game.
On the latest data, who is more likely to be unemployed after 15 months after graduation. The English Lit grad or the Maths grad?
WRONG!
On the latest data, who is more likely to be unemployed after 15 months after graduation. The English Lit grad or the Maths grad?
WRONG!
Reposted by Orian Brook
No matter how tough you say times are, there’s always enough money in the banana stand to pay an external consultant to scope ‘academic efficiency opportunities’ www.theferret.scot/consultancy-...
‘Nousferatu’: the notorious consultancy advising Edinburgh uni amid 'huge' cuts
Scotland’s largest university has turned to Nous Group at the same time as it is making savings that could lead to nearly 2,000 job losses. Staff say they were misled about the extent of its work.
www.theferret.scot
November 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
No matter how tough you say times are, there’s always enough money in the banana stand to pay an external consultant to scope ‘academic efficiency opportunities’ www.theferret.scot/consultancy-...
Reposted by Orian Brook
Question from @martinwhitfieldmsp.bsky.social in the Scottish Parliament on cuts and job losses at Edinburgh University as @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social take third day of strike action this week #SaveHE #StopTheCuts www.heraldscotland.com/news/2563152...
SNP minister told to intervene in Edinburgh University crisis to protect 1,800 jobs
SNP ministers have been warned they must intervene in the University of Edinburgh's dispute with staff amid fears 1,800 jobs could be lost.
www.heraldscotland.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Question from @martinwhitfieldmsp.bsky.social in the Scottish Parliament on cuts and job losses at Edinburgh University as @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social take third day of strike action this week #SaveHE #StopTheCuts www.heraldscotland.com/news/2563152...
Reposted by Orian Brook
This from @stephenkb.bsky.social cuts to the heart of the matter. Does the government not understand how toxic this argument is? Do they think they can somehow weaponise it? The last governments at least had the merit not of making this kind of foul claim.
November 18, 2025 at 10:04 AM
This from @stephenkb.bsky.social cuts to the heart of the matter. Does the government not understand how toxic this argument is? Do they think they can somehow weaponise it? The last governments at least had the merit not of making this kind of foul claim.
Reposted by Orian Brook
Just to say, I am a supervisor here:
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Responsible and Trustworthy in-the-world Natural Language Processing
www.responsiblenlp.org/2026-student...
If you are reading things like this and planning PhD project, do reach out:
www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Responsible and Trustworthy in-the-world Natural Language Processing
www.responsiblenlp.org/2026-student...
If you are reading things like this and planning PhD project, do reach out:
www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
2026 Studentships
www.responsiblenlp.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Just to say, I am a supervisor here:
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Responsible and Trustworthy in-the-world Natural Language Processing
www.responsiblenlp.org/2026-student...
If you are reading things like this and planning PhD project, do reach out:
www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Responsible and Trustworthy in-the-world Natural Language Processing
www.responsiblenlp.org/2026-student...
If you are reading things like this and planning PhD project, do reach out:
www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
Reposted by Orian Brook
I see James Watson has died.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I see James Watson has died.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
Reposted by Orian Brook
I wrote this yesterday about what to tell young people who are worried about what work will be in the age of AI:
naomialderman.substack.com/p/preparing-...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/preparing-...
preparing for the working world in the age of AI
or: seven things to tell your kids when they ask what they should study now, or what the point of studying is
naomialderman.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I wrote this yesterday about what to tell young people who are worried about what work will be in the age of AI:
naomialderman.substack.com/p/preparing-...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/preparing-...