Dr. Lucy Potter
@lucypotter.bsky.social
PhD in non-religion, apostasy & asylum | Sociologist exploring identities, human and refugee rights & (de)coloniality | ESRC Postdoc at Uni of York | PGR Officer for SocRel
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
October 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
📣 My research on apostate asylum claims has been cited in the UN’s Special Rapporteur FoRB interim report!
The report explores whether ‘people on the move’ are equally protected within human right provisions for freedom of religion or belief.
More here 👉🏻 humanists.uk/2025/10/23/u...
The report explores whether ‘people on the move’ are equally protected within human right provisions for freedom of religion or belief.
More here 👉🏻 humanists.uk/2025/10/23/u...
UN demands asylum protection for the non-religious
A United Nations report has demanded that asylum systems worldwide must become fit for purpose for non-religious individuals, citing evidence submitted by Humanists UK. The UN Special Rapporteur on Fr...
humanists.uk
October 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
📣 My research on apostate asylum claims has been cited in the UN’s Special Rapporteur FoRB interim report!
The report explores whether ‘people on the move’ are equally protected within human right provisions for freedom of religion or belief.
More here 👉🏻 humanists.uk/2025/10/23/u...
The report explores whether ‘people on the move’ are equally protected within human right provisions for freedom of religion or belief.
More here 👉🏻 humanists.uk/2025/10/23/u...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
One in, one out, one in again. It is demonstrably not a success for either the government or the man who has had to risk his life twice because of this ridiculous scheme.
That's some spin from Lammy. Not only does someone having to make another channel crossing, particularly due to their expressed fear of being trafficked, show how inhumane and pointless the policy is, it shows how it risks creating a never ending cycle of people forced into using irregular routes.
October 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
One in, one out, one in again. It is demonstrably not a success for either the government or the man who has had to risk his life twice because of this ridiculous scheme.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Most people are shocked to learn that ALL state-funded in schools are legally required to hold daily acts of worship.
We’re campaigning to change that – and replace worship with assemblies that all children can participate in.
Want to help us? Donate! humanists.uk/2025/10/14/h...
We’re campaigning to change that – and replace worship with assemblies that all children can participate in.
Want to help us? Donate! humanists.uk/2025/10/14/h...
Help give every child a fair start in life. Support Humanists UK’s Every Child, Every Chance appeal today
Humanists UK has launched its 2025 Faith Schools Fundraiser, ‘Every Child, Every Chance’, aiming to raise £40,000 on JustGiving to support its ongoing campaign for a fair, inclusive, and non-discrimin...
humanists.uk
October 15, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Most people are shocked to learn that ALL state-funded in schools are legally required to hold daily acts of worship.
We’re campaigning to change that – and replace worship with assemblies that all children can participate in.
Want to help us? Donate! humanists.uk/2025/10/14/h...
We’re campaigning to change that – and replace worship with assemblies that all children can participate in.
Want to help us? Donate! humanists.uk/2025/10/14/h...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
The Mediterranean continues to be a graveyard for people attempting to reach safety in Europe. 🧵
October 13, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The Mediterranean continues to be a graveyard for people attempting to reach safety in Europe. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
BREAKING: A man who burnt a Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in London has had his conviction for religiously motivated harassment, alarm, or distress overturned on appeal by Southwark Crown Court. A huge victory for free speech and a blow against the revival of blasphemy laws. 🧵
October 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
BREAKING: A man who burnt a Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in London has had his conviction for religiously motivated harassment, alarm, or distress overturned on appeal by Southwark Crown Court. A huge victory for free speech and a blow against the revival of blasphemy laws. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Her research explores refugees who face persecution for leaving their religion & their experiences of the asylum claims process in the UK.
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#Research #Asylum #Sociology #Refugees #ESRC
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#Research #Asylum #Sociology #Refugees #ESRC
October 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Her research explores refugees who face persecution for leaving their religion & their experiences of the asylum claims process in the UK.
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#Research #Asylum #Sociology #Refugees #ESRC
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#Research #Asylum #Sociology #Refugees #ESRC
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Dr Lucy Potter has joined the Department of Sociology at the University of York as an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow, mentored by Dr Anna Strahn.
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#UniversityofYork #Sociology #Postdoctoral #Research
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#UniversityofYork #Sociology #Postdoctoral #Research
October 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Dr Lucy Potter has joined the Department of Sociology at the University of York as an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow, mentored by Dr Anna Strahn.
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#UniversityofYork #Sociology #Postdoctoral #Research
@lucypotter.bsky.social
#UniversityofYork #Sociology #Postdoctoral #Research
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
On Yom Kippur many Jewish people in Britain have their phones off to mark the holy day.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
October 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
On Yom Kippur many Jewish people in Britain have their phones off to mark the holy day.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
Blasphemy-linked violence is becoming an issue in the UK. Non-religious people seeking asylum/refugees are particularly vulnerable to facing criminal charges for expressing their beliefs, such as in anti-blasphemy protests.
humanists.uk/2025/09/24/a...
humanists.uk/2025/09/24/a...
Anti-blasphemy attacker who ‘lost his temper’ spared jail
A man who attacked a Quran-burning protester with a knife in central London to ‘protect [his] religion’ has avoided jail time despite pleading guilty to the assault. Instead, Moussa Kadri, has been gi...
humanists.uk
September 25, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Blasphemy-linked violence is becoming an issue in the UK. Non-religious people seeking asylum/refugees are particularly vulnerable to facing criminal charges for expressing their beliefs, such as in anti-blasphemy protests.
humanists.uk/2025/09/24/a...
humanists.uk/2025/09/24/a...
Interesting perspectives on Christian responses to immigration: ‘cultural’ (non-practising) Christians are among the most hostile. As far-right groups weaponise Christianity, I think all beliefs need to unite around shared values of human rights & protection.
Listen - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Listen - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, Faith versus Fear
What is the ‘Christian’ response to migrants?
www.bbc.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Interesting perspectives on Christian responses to immigration: ‘cultural’ (non-practising) Christians are among the most hostile. As far-right groups weaponise Christianity, I think all beliefs need to unite around shared values of human rights & protection.
Listen - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Listen - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Very worrying for all supporters of a tolerant society to see the London rally this weekend. Besides the the many violent incidents recorded, there were so many blatantly racist signs and Christian nationalist slogans in the crowds. 🧵
September 15, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Very worrying for all supporters of a tolerant society to see the London rally this weekend. Besides the the many violent incidents recorded, there were so many blatantly racist signs and Christian nationalist slogans in the crowds. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
The so-called "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London was a chilling sight for anyone who values tolerance. Extremists ripped up a flag that read “Secular Humanism”, a term long-demonised by the American far-right. To truly "Unite the Kingdom", we need to put an end to divisive, imported US rhetoric.
September 16, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The so-called "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London was a chilling sight for anyone who values tolerance. Extremists ripped up a flag that read “Secular Humanism”, a term long-demonised by the American far-right. To truly "Unite the Kingdom", we need to put an end to divisive, imported US rhetoric.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
BREAKING: A UN inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
All eyes are now on the UK Government who must stop indulging in genocide denial.
It must fulfil its legal and moral responsibility by taking immediate, decisive steps to prevent and punish genocide.
All eyes are now on the UK Government who must stop indulging in genocide denial.
It must fulfil its legal and moral responsibility by taking immediate, decisive steps to prevent and punish genocide.
September 16, 2025 at 1:06 PM
BREAKING: A UN inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
All eyes are now on the UK Government who must stop indulging in genocide denial.
It must fulfil its legal and moral responsibility by taking immediate, decisive steps to prevent and punish genocide.
All eyes are now on the UK Government who must stop indulging in genocide denial.
It must fulfil its legal and moral responsibility by taking immediate, decisive steps to prevent and punish genocide.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
They tried students and they tried care workers, but that wasn't enough. Now they're coming for families.
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
Now they're coming after families
If today’s announcement felt like another crossing of the Rubicon, that's because it is.
open.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 8:19 PM
They tried students and they tried care workers, but that wasn't enough. Now they're coming for families.
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
Today Nick Ferrari asked if treaties like the ECHR & the Refugee Convention that were drawn up in the wake of WWII are still relevant to modern Britain.
I said the context of racial hatred towards Muslim immigrants now echoes the hatred of Jewish immigrants in the 20th century. We need these laws.
I said the context of racial hatred towards Muslim immigrants now echoes the hatred of Jewish immigrants in the 20th century. We need these laws.
September 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Today Nick Ferrari asked if treaties like the ECHR & the Refugee Convention that were drawn up in the wake of WWII are still relevant to modern Britain.
I said the context of racial hatred towards Muslim immigrants now echoes the hatred of Jewish immigrants in the 20th century. We need these laws.
I said the context of racial hatred towards Muslim immigrants now echoes the hatred of Jewish immigrants in the 20th century. We need these laws.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
The coverage of the Reform plans today really needs to reflect what is being proposed. The plan isn't for a duty to remove people who "arrive" without leave - but for anyone in the UK who doesn't have it. It would be Windrush on steroids.
August 26, 2025 at 10:36 AM
The coverage of the Reform plans today really needs to reflect what is being proposed. The plan isn't for a duty to remove people who "arrive" without leave - but for anyone in the UK who doesn't have it. It would be Windrush on steroids.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
It's important to assume that Reform in Government would indeed try to do this. The right thing is not to tell the public that this won't happen - so they can therefore vote for Reform without guilt - but rather that a vote for Reform is a vote for the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people.
None of this will ever happen, and it's incumbent on the BBC to at least indicate that everybody who knows anything about this topic says it's a load of baloney. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK would pay countries for migrant return deals
The party outlines its plans to detain and deport all migrants who arrive in the UK on small boats.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
It's important to assume that Reform in Government would indeed try to do this. The right thing is not to tell the public that this won't happen - so they can therefore vote for Reform without guilt - but rather that a vote for Reform is a vote for the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
There's no credible evidence asylum seekers commit more crime, or are guilty of more sexual assaults. I am so sick of being force-fed lies by these mendacious thugs in their expensive suits.
share.google/WCAREyAQN5TG...
share.google/WCAREyAQN5TG...
August 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
There's no credible evidence asylum seekers commit more crime, or are guilty of more sexual assaults. I am so sick of being force-fed lies by these mendacious thugs in their expensive suits.
share.google/WCAREyAQN5TG...
share.google/WCAREyAQN5TG...
Saw a banner on the news: ‘British people before boat people’ - it’s a slogan about asylum hotels, but also is an example of racial exclusivism and nationalism that has a long history in the UK.
August 20, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Saw a banner on the news: ‘British people before boat people’ - it’s a slogan about asylum hotels, but also is an example of racial exclusivism and nationalism that has a long history in the UK.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
I regret to inform you that Starmer’s been tweeting dehumanising videos of migrants again.
These videos have been shown to increase support for Reform, by increasing salience of migration.
He has to go.
These videos have been shown to increase support for Reform, by increasing salience of migration.
He has to go.
August 9, 2025 at 7:13 AM
I regret to inform you that Starmer’s been tweeting dehumanising videos of migrants again.
These videos have been shown to increase support for Reform, by increasing salience of migration.
He has to go.
These videos have been shown to increase support for Reform, by increasing salience of migration.
He has to go.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
There's a reason why the conservatives and far right want to shut down universities and independent media.
"Nearly half of Britons wrongly believe that illegal migrants now outnumber those here legally. A staggering 72% of those who support mass deportations hold this belief"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on asylum myths: when truth loses, scapegoating takes over Britain’s migrant debate | Editorial
Editorial: Labour’s cautious fixes for immigration and asylum policy face a toxic public mood shaped by fear, falsehoods and far-right provocation
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2025 at 9:16 AM
There's a reason why the conservatives and far right want to shut down universities and independent media.
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
'My family decided that if I don’t believe in Allah... I must be crazy. It was as though I had told them I wanted to fling myself into a volcano.' A fantastic interview with Mubarak Bala, the Nigerian humanist and activist who was imprisoned for 'blasphemy'.
www.humanism.scot/2025/07/29/m...
www.humanism.scot/2025/07/29/m...
Mubarak Bala on humanism, imprisonment, and hope - Humanist Society Scotland
In a new, in-depth article for our news blog, humanist hero and and freed religious prisoner Mubarak Bala tells us about his background in an ultra-conservative region of Nigeria, how he became a pris...
www.humanism.scot
July 29, 2025 at 10:15 AM
'My family decided that if I don’t believe in Allah... I must be crazy. It was as though I had told them I wanted to fling myself into a volcano.' A fantastic interview with Mubarak Bala, the Nigerian humanist and activist who was imprisoned for 'blasphemy'.
www.humanism.scot/2025/07/29/m...
www.humanism.scot/2025/07/29/m...
Reposted by Dr. Lucy Potter
As scholars of genocide, we demand an end to Israel’s atrocities | Open letter
As scholars of genocide, we demand an end to Israel’s atrocities | Open letter
Within weeks, 400 colleagues joined our organization. We say: it is not too late to save lives. End the genocide now
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:19 AM
As scholars of genocide, we demand an end to Israel’s atrocities | Open letter