Maria Abreu
@mariaabreu.bsky.social
Prof. of Economic Geography and Fellow of Pembroke College, University of Cambridge. My work is on labour markets, migration, planning, and regional policy. I also love photography and baking, and have a crazy cocker spaniel called Fonzie.
The dog has had enough of the rain and is refusing to budge.
November 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The dog has had enough of the rain and is refusing to budge.
Fonzie is master of the side-eye.
October 12, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Fonzie is master of the side-eye.
I’m sorry, there’s no space for you.
September 29, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I’m sorry, there’s no space for you.
The garden courgette crop is getting out of hand. There are only so many courgette pancakes a person can eat.
September 10, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The garden courgette crop is getting out of hand. There are only so many courgette pancakes a person can eat.
I’ve been tidying up my home office for the first time in many years, and keep finding books tucked into all sorts of nooks and crannies, including under the bookshelves and behind the printer. As a result I have discovered that I own several copies of a few (favourite) books.
August 13, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I’ve been tidying up my home office for the first time in many years, and keep finding books tucked into all sorts of nooks and crannies, including under the bookshelves and behind the printer. As a result I have discovered that I own several copies of a few (favourite) books.
Here is ours, still pride of place in our kitchen:
July 19, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Here is ours, still pride of place in our kitchen:
One minute, let’s go!
July 17, 2025 at 4:01 PM
One minute, let’s go!
It is 20 min to dinner, and we are on high alert!
July 17, 2025 at 3:43 PM
It is 20 min to dinner, and we are on high alert!
My dog Fonzie and his best friend Otto, on their way to a walk.
July 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM
My dog Fonzie and his best friend Otto, on their way to a walk.
I’ve hidden his ball because he’s too hot and I’m tired of throwing it, but he’s still looking.
June 19, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I’ve hidden his ball because he’s too hot and I’m tired of throwing it, but he’s still looking.
Similar story here: Le Pen vote across different geographies.
May 23, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Similar story here: Le Pen vote across different geographies.
And even more interesting, the relative vote for the tight vs the left across types of geographical areas. It shows a dramatic turn in recent years (vote for the right drops in cities and rises in rural areas and small towns).
May 23, 2025 at 10:11 AM
And even more interesting, the relative vote for the tight vs the left across types of geographical areas. It shows a dramatic turn in recent years (vote for the right drops in cities and rises in rural areas and small towns).
Very interesting graph, showing that turnout in poor and rich municipalities was historically very similar, but has diverged massively in recent elections (poorer municipalities have much lower turnout).
May 23, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Very interesting graph, showing that turnout in poor and rich municipalities was historically very similar, but has diverged massively in recent elections (poorer municipalities have much lower turnout).
Another economic geography angle.
May 23, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Another economic geography angle.
Historical background on the French case.
May 23, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Historical background on the French case.
Summary of his framing of the problem. He’s moving on to solution.
May 23, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Summary of his framing of the problem. He’s moving on to solution.
Plug for his new book on this, coming out in English in 2025.
May 23, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Plug for his new book on this, coming out in English in 2025.
Another interesting graph showing the relationship between education and voting left across several countries.
May 23, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Another interesting graph showing the relationship between education and voting left across several countries.
To frame the problem, he shows the trends in educated voters increasingly voting for traditional left-wing parties, while income has an increasingly weak association with voting right.
May 23, 2025 at 9:35 AM
To frame the problem, he shows the trends in educated voters increasingly voting for traditional left-wing parties, while income has an increasingly weak association with voting right.
At Piketty’s third lecture, today on political cleavages and social inequality. He’s talking about the two main political cleavages: income (traditional) and education (newer).
May 23, 2025 at 9:28 AM
At Piketty’s third lecture, today on political cleavages and social inequality. He’s talking about the two main political cleavages: income (traditional) and education (newer).
He’s moving into possible solutions, here redistribution of inherited wealth (would still be unequal, but much less than currently).
May 22, 2025 at 5:19 PM
He’s moving into possible solutions, here redistribution of inherited wealth (would still be unequal, but much less than currently).
Great excitement in Cambridge as Thomas Piketty gives the second of his three lectures. I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have seen historians, economists, geographers, and political scientists all in one room.
May 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Great excitement in Cambridge as Thomas Piketty gives the second of his three lectures. I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have seen historians, economists, geographers, and political scientists all in one room.
This is very familiar to me!
May 22, 2025 at 6:21 AM
This is very familiar to me!