Julian Dobson
@juliandobson.bsky.social
Place, poetry, a dash of policy. Books on civic universities, urban nature, town centre futures and urban policy. Poems on anything. Imposter geographer. Also at juliandobson.net
Brunnenmarkt, Vienna: the common good not as a benefit bestowed by planners but as emergent and fluid, generated through the everyday exchanges of some of the city’s most precarious residents.
September 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Brunnenmarkt, Vienna: the common good not as a benefit bestowed by planners but as emergent and fluid, generated through the everyday exchanges of some of the city’s most precarious residents.
Well, who’d have thought it? High streets do better in wealthier places.
——
So we need to build wealth in the communities that don’t have it, in ways that lock the benefits into those communities. And that’s what the big-ticket investments consistently fail to do.
——
So we need to build wealth in the communities that don’t have it, in ways that lock the benefits into those communities. And that’s what the big-ticket investments consistently fail to do.
July 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Well, who’d have thought it? High streets do better in wealthier places.
——
So we need to build wealth in the communities that don’t have it, in ways that lock the benefits into those communities. And that’s what the big-ticket investments consistently fail to do.
——
So we need to build wealth in the communities that don’t have it, in ways that lock the benefits into those communities. And that’s what the big-ticket investments consistently fail to do.
Reposted by Julian Dobson
New Post: Can a university be civic if it fails to invest in local relationships? www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/07/c...
July 7, 2025 at 6:02 AM
New Post: Can a university be civic if it fails to invest in local relationships? www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/07/c...
Universities risk losing focus, memory, credibility and relevance as they strip back their civic work at a time when they are being called on to better serve their communities. New research from @cresr-shu.bsky.social out now. Blogged at @hepi-news.bsky.social:
www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/07/c...
www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/07/c...
Can a university be civic if it fails to invest in local relationships? - HEPI
The Government wants English universities to play a greater civic role in their localities. But new research shows universities are failing to invest in the people who perform this work, putting local...
www.hepi.ac.uk
July 7, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Universities risk losing focus, memory, credibility and relevance as they strip back their civic work at a time when they are being called on to better serve their communities. New research from @cresr-shu.bsky.social out now. Blogged at @hepi-news.bsky.social:
www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/07/c...
www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/07/c...
In which my @cresr-shu.bsky.social colleague Jamie Redman and I get to grips with the question of environmental wellbeing: what environment, whose wellbeing, and what about those who cause harm? Free to read.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Environmental wellbeing: a concept and principles for research, policy and action
Environmental wellbeing is often referred to in academic literature but seldom defined. This article provides two contributions to knowledge: (1) developing an integrated concept of environmental w...
www.tandfonline.com
June 24, 2025 at 8:38 AM
In which my @cresr-shu.bsky.social colleague Jamie Redman and I get to grips with the question of environmental wellbeing: what environment, whose wellbeing, and what about those who cause harm? Free to read.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
There’s nothing like turning up at the allotment at 6am just before the solstice…
June 20, 2025 at 8:32 AM
There’s nothing like turning up at the allotment at 6am just before the solstice…
Really pleased to be working with @ella-hubbard.bsky.social and @riverdonproject.bsky.social on this - a chance to understand the rich variety of relationships between people and the river than connects South Yorkshire.
Exciting news! 👀 From September @juliandobson.bsky.social, @riverdonproject.bsky.social & I will be working together on the Ecological Citizen(s) Network+ funded project 'Watershed Moments'. Find out more and see the other amazing projects here: ecologicalcitizens.co.uk/ec-projects
June 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Really pleased to be working with @ella-hubbard.bsky.social and @riverdonproject.bsky.social on this - a chance to understand the rich variety of relationships between people and the river than connects South Yorkshire.
A short poem about long Sunday mornings. Thanks to @benbanyard.bsky.social for taking this for Black Nore Review.
blacknorereview.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/j...
blacknorereview.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/j...
Julian Dobson – “Sabbath”
Sabbath I’d observe a cherry tree through the arch whisking through seasons while Sunday sermons drifted over me in spent blossom. At the time I’d missed the point of boredom, which was only partly…
blacknorereview.wordpress.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
A short poem about long Sunday mornings. Thanks to @benbanyard.bsky.social for taking this for Black Nore Review.
blacknorereview.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/j...
blacknorereview.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/j...
I've reviewed Robert Macfarlane's new book, Is A River Alive? for The Conversation
📚 It's a great read
🌳 It's an urgent call for new ways of relating to the natural world
😀 It’s timely inspiration for everyone who wants systems for mutual flourishing
theconversation.com/robert-macfa...
📚 It's a great read
🌳 It's an urgent call for new ways of relating to the natural world
😀 It’s timely inspiration for everyone who wants systems for mutual flourishing
theconversation.com/robert-macfa...
Robert Macfarlane’s new book is a plea to feel the pulse of our rivers
Robert Macfarlane’s new book asks a simple question that poses a profound challenge to environmental policy and the drive for economic growth.
theconversation.com
May 1, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I've reviewed Robert Macfarlane's new book, Is A River Alive? for The Conversation
📚 It's a great read
🌳 It's an urgent call for new ways of relating to the natural world
😀 It’s timely inspiration for everyone who wants systems for mutual flourishing
theconversation.com/robert-macfa...
📚 It's a great read
🌳 It's an urgent call for new ways of relating to the natural world
😀 It’s timely inspiration for everyone who wants systems for mutual flourishing
theconversation.com/robert-macfa...
Always nice to see a bike shed in full bloom.
April 30, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Always nice to see a bike shed in full bloom.
Fascinating conversations and challenging discussions at the ‘Meeting of Rivers’ workshop in Sheffield today. Kudos to the person who picked the room.
April 26, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Fascinating conversations and challenging discussions at the ‘Meeting of Rivers’ workshop in Sheffield today. Kudos to the person who picked the room.
It’s that time again…
April 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
It’s that time again…
Embracing the bank holiday spirit: Easedale Tarn, Stickle Tarn, Elterwater and Loughrigg Tarn.
April 21, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Embracing the bank holiday spirit: Easedale Tarn, Stickle Tarn, Elterwater and Loughrigg Tarn.
It’s the sort of weekend (gloomy, ominous, unpromising) when thoughts turn to Lake District hillwalking. Here’s my take on the Kentmere round, just out in And Other Poems: andotherpoems.com/2025/04/16/a...
April 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
It’s the sort of weekend (gloomy, ominous, unpromising) when thoughts turn to Lake District hillwalking. Here’s my take on the Kentmere round, just out in And Other Poems: andotherpoems.com/2025/04/16/a...
Plum and damson blossom against a cloudless sky. The allotment is waking up, and thirsty already.
April 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Plum and damson blossom against a cloudless sky. The allotment is waking up, and thirsty already.
An impressive range of responses to the River Don at the Faethm exhibition at Kelham Island, Sheffield. Industry, history, poetry, litter and the backdrop of an unfolding ecological crisis.
March 14, 2025 at 6:13 PM
An impressive range of responses to the River Don at the Faethm exhibition at Kelham Island, Sheffield. Industry, history, poetry, litter and the backdrop of an unfolding ecological crisis.
Reposted by Julian Dobson
Perhaps my favourite starter pack: #poets with collections - finished, WiP - they want to share. Let me know if you'd like to be included. Publishers, reach out to these fine people. There's gold in here. Everyone else, please follow and repost #booksky #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #vss365
March 10, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Perhaps my favourite starter pack: #poets with collections - finished, WiP - they want to share. Let me know if you'd like to be included. Publishers, reach out to these fine people. There's gold in here. Everyone else, please follow and repost #booksky #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #vss365
Great to have a snippet in this fine zine today.
I have a prose poem published in Issue 13 of Briefly Write today among some amazing poets, including my friend @juliandobson.bsky.social
brieflywrite.com/2025/03/09/i...
brieflywrite.com/2025/03/09/i...
Issue 13 – March 2025
In Issue 13 of Briefly Zine, we journey between. In three acts, we travel through rich landscapes of poems, prose and photos.
brieflywrite.com
March 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Great to have a snippet in this fine zine today.
Reposted by Julian Dobson
I started today’s “Putinization of America” article for the Atlantic before the Trump-Zelensky meeting was announced, but I have a bad track record when it comes to hoping I’m wrong. It could’ve been scripted by Putin, especially Vance’s attacks. Maybe it was. www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
The Putinization of America
Trump’s deference to the Russian dictator has become full-blown imitation.
www.theatlantic.com
February 28, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I started today’s “Putinization of America” article for the Atlantic before the Trump-Zelensky meeting was announced, but I have a bad track record when it comes to hoping I’m wrong. It could’ve been scripted by Putin, especially Vance’s attacks. Maybe it was. www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Once he’s had his free banquet at Balmoral, Trump will show the same level of respect to us. The only difference is that our survival isn’t at stake, yet.
Russia does not want to end the war, and the Trump administration has shown no ability to induce Russia to end the war. And so, predictably, the Trump administration blames the victim, blames Ukraine.
February 28, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Once he’s had his free banquet at Balmoral, Trump will show the same level of respect to us. The only difference is that our survival isn’t at stake, yet.
It’s the middle of the night, it’s raining, and I’m walking across Sheffield. Here’s what it feels like.
Thanks to Ink Sweat & Tears for finding a home for this today.
inksweatandtears.co.uk/julian-dobso...
Thanks to Ink Sweat & Tears for finding a home for this today.
inksweatandtears.co.uk/julian-dobso...
Julian Dobson | Ink Sweat and Tears
inksweatandtears.co.uk
February 27, 2025 at 6:18 PM
It’s the middle of the night, it’s raining, and I’m walking across Sheffield. Here’s what it feels like.
Thanks to Ink Sweat & Tears for finding a home for this today.
inksweatandtears.co.uk/julian-dobso...
Thanks to Ink Sweat & Tears for finding a home for this today.
inksweatandtears.co.uk/julian-dobso...
This is what a free press should do. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Trump 2.0: an assault on science anywhere is an assault on science everywhere
US President Donald Trump is taking a wrecking ball to science and to international institutions. The global research community must take a stand against these attacks.
www.nature.com
February 26, 2025 at 10:11 PM
This is what a free press should do. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Great to have a couple of pieces in the latest Tears in the Fence - and to be in the company of such luminaries as @steveeely.bsky.social and @hannahl1n.bsky.social
February 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Great to have a couple of pieces in the latest Tears in the Fence - and to be in the company of such luminaries as @steveeely.bsky.social and @hannahl1n.bsky.social
Editorial footnote of the day.
February 22, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Editorial footnote of the day.
Reposted by Julian Dobson
You kan not run educacioun lyke a businesse. A businesse ys meant to make a profit. Educacioun ys meant to make the future. A businesse ys meant to serve customers. Educacioun ys meant to empower citizens.
February 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
You kan not run educacioun lyke a businesse. A businesse ys meant to make a profit. Educacioun ys meant to make the future. A businesse ys meant to serve customers. Educacioun ys meant to empower citizens.