Omar Khan
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
CEO of @taso.org.uk, Chair of Trust for London, Executive Committee of Political Studies Association. The usual disclaimers.
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Omar Khan
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Sadly, humans can be mobilised in the cause of hatred. We should bemoan & condemn it wherever we see it. We must also defend and promote a positive alternative, of how we can and do work together across our differences, indeed of how those interactions produce the best of us
I first left the US before Fox News was launched in 1996
Every year I go back since it's impossible to miss the impact of cable news on political views, interpersonal interactions, and individual psychological wellbeing (including 'hatewatching')
Every year I go back since it's impossible to miss the impact of cable news on political views, interpersonal interactions, and individual psychological wellbeing (including 'hatewatching')
A study earlier this month found that America’s more fragmented media landscape — particularly the takeoff of cable news — accounts for fully one third of the increase in cultural conflict in the US since the year 2000.
November 10, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I first left the US before Fox News was launched in 1996
Every year I go back since it's impossible to miss the impact of cable news on political views, interpersonal interactions, and individual psychological wellbeing (including 'hatewatching')
Every year I go back since it's impossible to miss the impact of cable news on political views, interpersonal interactions, and individual psychological wellbeing (including 'hatewatching')
Reposted by Omar Khan
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
Reposted by Omar Khan
Nice summary of our paper and related work by @tomdee.bsky.social and @kslungaardmumma.bsky.social here.
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Nice summary of our paper and related work by @tomdee.bsky.social and @kslungaardmumma.bsky.social here.
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
Reposted by Omar Khan
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
When my father was born in Pakistan, life expectancy was ~30
As it was everwhere until the last 4-5 generations (compare to 400 generations since agriculture, thousands since homo sapiens)
Both my parents recall electricity reaching their homes
In 1960s UK, ppl died a decade earlier than today
As it was everwhere until the last 4-5 generations (compare to 400 generations since agriculture, thousands since homo sapiens)
Both my parents recall electricity reaching their homes
In 1960s UK, ppl died a decade earlier than today
November 9, 2025 at 11:55 PM
When my father was born in Pakistan, life expectancy was ~30
As it was everwhere until the last 4-5 generations (compare to 400 generations since agriculture, thousands since homo sapiens)
Both my parents recall electricity reaching their homes
In 1960s UK, ppl died a decade earlier than today
As it was everwhere until the last 4-5 generations (compare to 400 generations since agriculture, thousands since homo sapiens)
Both my parents recall electricity reaching their homes
In 1960s UK, ppl died a decade earlier than today
Well, the Melians did at least get a dialogue
November 9, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Well, the Melians did at least get a dialogue
Reposted by Omar Khan
One of the most precious things about Remembrance is that it sets no political tests.
It asks only that we "remember", and that we do so in the silence of our own thoughts.
It doesn't dictate what we remember, how we remember or what lessons we draw.
That's between ourselves and our conscience.🧵
It asks only that we "remember", and that we do so in the silence of our own thoughts.
It doesn't dictate what we remember, how we remember or what lessons we draw.
That's between ourselves and our conscience.🧵
November 10, 2024 at 6:10 PM
One of the most precious things about Remembrance is that it sets no political tests.
It asks only that we "remember", and that we do so in the silence of our own thoughts.
It doesn't dictate what we remember, how we remember or what lessons we draw.
That's between ourselves and our conscience.🧵
It asks only that we "remember", and that we do so in the silence of our own thoughts.
It doesn't dictate what we remember, how we remember or what lessons we draw.
That's between ourselves and our conscience.🧵
Reposted by Omar Khan
When climate scientists say an outcome is “unlikely,” do you hear “it probably won’t happen” or “scientists aren’t sure”?
A new study shows word choice can influence perception of scientific consensus
Does “a small probability” sound more confident to you?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A new study shows word choice can influence perception of scientific consensus
Does “a small probability” sound more confident to you?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Negative verbal probabilities undermine communication of climate science - Nature Climate Change
Effective communication of uncertainty is vital for public accurate understanding of climate science. Here the authors find that projections using positive probability terms (for example, a small prob...
www.nature.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:56 AM
When climate scientists say an outcome is “unlikely,” do you hear “it probably won’t happen” or “scientists aren’t sure”?
A new study shows word choice can influence perception of scientific consensus
Does “a small probability” sound more confident to you?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A new study shows word choice can influence perception of scientific consensus
Does “a small probability” sound more confident to you?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Omar Khan
Mosques set on fire, shot at with air guns, and smashed with paving slabs.
Just the latest examples of the real world consequences of the political mainstreaming of racism
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Just the latest examples of the real world consequences of the political mainstreaming of racism
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Flags and Christian nationalist slogans feature in soaring attacks on UK mosques
Between July and October, 25 buildings were targeted in 27 attacks, according to British Muslim Trust
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Mosques set on fire, shot at with air guns, and smashed with paving slabs.
Just the latest examples of the real world consequences of the political mainstreaming of racism
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Just the latest examples of the real world consequences of the political mainstreaming of racism
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
10 years ago, Sir Geoffrey Bindman, who recently passed away, wrote this piece, based on a conference I organised commemorating the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and 50th anniversary of the first Race Relations Act
November 7, 2025 at 9:10 PM
10 years ago, Sir Geoffrey Bindman, who recently passed away, wrote this piece, based on a conference I organised commemorating the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and 50th anniversary of the first Race Relations Act
As the child of a mother born in Ireland and a father born in Pakistan, I can't endorse this message strongly enough
#brotherhoodisuniversal
#brotherhoodisuniversal
November 7, 2025 at 10:55 AM
As the child of a mother born in Ireland and a father born in Pakistan, I can't endorse this message strongly enough
#brotherhoodisuniversal
#brotherhoodisuniversal
Reposted by Omar Khan
I helped make a film, out this week, called “Rovina’s Choice,” about the deaths this man without conscience or accountability has caused — already 600,000, ⅔ of them children.
November 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I helped make a film, out this week, called “Rovina’s Choice,” about the deaths this man without conscience or accountability has caused — already 600,000, ⅔ of them children.
Sending my condolences to his family and friends
I met him a few times, to discuss the 1965, 68 and 75 Race Relations Acts, his experience as legal advisor to the Race Relations Board over 1968-75
He has left an important legacy, showing why the law matters, tho acknowledging its limitations
I met him a few times, to discuss the 1965, 68 and 75 Race Relations Acts, his experience as legal advisor to the Race Relations Board over 1968-75
He has left an important legacy, showing why the law matters, tho acknowledging its limitations
We are very sorry to announce the death of our founder, Sir Geoffrey Bindman on 4 November 2025 at the age of 92.
He was a magnificent lawyer and a profoundly honourable man. He was a significant force for good and will be deeply missed. We extend our most sincere condolences to his family.
He was a magnificent lawyer and a profoundly honourable man. He was a significant force for good and will be deeply missed. We extend our most sincere condolences to his family.
November 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Sending my condolences to his family and friends
I met him a few times, to discuss the 1965, 68 and 75 Race Relations Acts, his experience as legal advisor to the Race Relations Board over 1968-75
He has left an important legacy, showing why the law matters, tho acknowledging its limitations
I met him a few times, to discuss the 1965, 68 and 75 Race Relations Acts, his experience as legal advisor to the Race Relations Board over 1968-75
He has left an important legacy, showing why the law matters, tho acknowledging its limitations
This obviously racist comment is revealing in a way: racism isnt about 'skin colour' per se, but stereotypes that justify discrimination against people. For the racist 'Black' just means bad/dangerous person, an attribution of negative pathologies & cultural stereotypes to justify wrongful treatment
Conservative Councillor says "young black males" are "flooding" the UK
Contacted by Byline, she defended her comments, saying “we cannot sustain the volume of.. black males” that “jeopardises [our] security"
Asked why their skin colour matters, she replied “because they are [black], aren’t they?"
Contacted by Byline, she defended her comments, saying “we cannot sustain the volume of.. black males” that “jeopardises [our] security"
Asked why their skin colour matters, she replied “because they are [black], aren’t they?"
Conservative Councillor Accused of 'Old-Fashioned Racism' After Saying 'Young Black Males' Are 'Flooding' the UK
EXCLUSIVE: Pauline Giles defended her comments to Byline Times, saying that "we cannot sustain the volume of young black males" that "jeopardises the security of our country"
bylinetimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:12 AM
This obviously racist comment is revealing in a way: racism isnt about 'skin colour' per se, but stereotypes that justify discrimination against people. For the racist 'Black' just means bad/dangerous person, an attribution of negative pathologies & cultural stereotypes to justify wrongful treatment
Reposted by Omar Khan
The haters said they couldn't do it. And they were right. Honestly, great call from the haters.
NEW: The End of the Line: the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s Neom gigaproject - a 500m tall, 170km long wall-like building intended ultimately to house 9 million people - can’t get out of the ground, say more than 20 former Neom architects, engineers and senior executives.
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled
Mohammed bin Salman’s utopian city was undone by the laws of physics and finance
ig.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:08 AM
The haters said they couldn't do it. And they were right. Honestly, great call from the haters.
Reposted by Omar Khan
I think she would make the claim that all these people can be British, on the basis that it’s a kind of civic nationality rather than English, which is an ethnic group. NB I am not endorsing her view, just saying what I think it is
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
I think she would make the claim that all these people can be British, on the basis that it’s a kind of civic nationality rather than English, which is an ethnic group. NB I am not endorsing her view, just saying what I think it is
Reposted by Omar Khan
Braverman would have a four generation purgatory period in which people born in England were provisionally learning stuff that would somehow transmit by osmosis to make their grandchildren potentially English in a way they could not be - but being either *really* something else, or of nowhere
November 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Braverman would have a four generation purgatory period in which people born in England were provisionally learning stuff that would somehow transmit by osmosis to make their grandchildren potentially English in a way they could not be - but being either *really* something else, or of nowhere
Reposted by Omar Khan
I am fascinated by a question @lastpositivist.bsky.social raised - will the mundane reality of Mamdani's governance cause anyone like this to reconsider their fantasies or the basis of their fantasies? How much do they even believe this crap themselves?
November 5, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I am fascinated by a question @lastpositivist.bsky.social raised - will the mundane reality of Mamdani's governance cause anyone like this to reconsider their fantasies or the basis of their fantasies? How much do they even believe this crap themselves?
Any thoughts on the impact of the curriculum review on access to higher education for disadvantaged groups?
Given that prior attainment, particularly at GCSE, is the biggest barrier for free school meal children to attend HE, it's good to see the review focused on inequalities
Given that prior attainment, particularly at GCSE, is the biggest barrier for free school meal children to attend HE, it's good to see the review focused on inequalities
November 5, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Any thoughts on the impact of the curriculum review on access to higher education for disadvantaged groups?
Given that prior attainment, particularly at GCSE, is the biggest barrier for free school meal children to attend HE, it's good to see the review focused on inequalities
Given that prior attainment, particularly at GCSE, is the biggest barrier for free school meal children to attend HE, it's good to see the review focused on inequalities
Reposted by Omar Khan
This #TrusteesWeek we celebrate the PSA trustees and recognise the difference they make to our charity.💙 buff.ly/qC1d7TZ
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
@dralberro.bsky.social
@profnjallen.bsky.social
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
@rosegann.bsky.social
@stefwolff.bsky.social
@teachpolitics.bsky.social
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
@dralberro.bsky.social
@profnjallen.bsky.social
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
@rosegann.bsky.social
@stefwolff.bsky.social
@teachpolitics.bsky.social
Governance and Board of Trustees | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
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buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
This #TrusteesWeek we celebrate the PSA trustees and recognise the difference they make to our charity.💙 buff.ly/qC1d7TZ
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
@dralberro.bsky.social
@profnjallen.bsky.social
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
@rosegann.bsky.social
@stefwolff.bsky.social
@teachpolitics.bsky.social
@drdonnasmith.bsky.social
@dralberro.bsky.social
@profnjallen.bsky.social
@omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
@rosegann.bsky.social
@stefwolff.bsky.social
@teachpolitics.bsky.social
When I was born to my migrant parents in 1970s New York City, they saw the beauty, vibrancy and hope in the city, even as they were aware of the ugliness and hardship. They are feeling more hope today, in a city they still think of as home
November 5, 2025 at 9:09 AM
When I was born to my migrant parents in 1970s New York City, they saw the beauty, vibrancy and hope in the city, even as they were aware of the ugliness and hardship. They are feeling more hope today, in a city they still think of as home
Reposted by Omar Khan
What a heartwarming story. The news should feature more stories like this!
Refugees bring opportunities and often turn their own experiences of suffering and loss into hope for others. Nahid's story is one of courage, resilience and hope.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Entrepreneurial refugee says 'thank you UK' for giving family sanctuary
Since settling in North Yorkshire, Nahid Hamidi has set up a pop-up restaurant and helps other refugees.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 8:59 AM
What a heartwarming story. The news should feature more stories like this!
Reposted by Omar Khan
Lots of commentary saying that it's not clear what the point of the speech is. Seems pretty clear to me. It's pitchrolling broad based tax rises in the Budget and making sure - as Reeves did with the fiscal rule change in 2024 - that it doesn't surprise the markets on the day.
Rachel Reeves' answer to @pippacrerar.bsky.social makes it crystal clear that Reeves is headed towards breaking a manifesto pledge on tax and how she will frame it - as a necessary response to "the world as it is" when the alternative would be more cuts or borrowing.
November 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Lots of commentary saying that it's not clear what the point of the speech is. Seems pretty clear to me. It's pitchrolling broad based tax rises in the Budget and making sure - as Reeves did with the fiscal rule change in 2024 - that it doesn't surprise the markets on the day.
Having been born in Brooklyn in the 1970s to migrant parents, one endorsement I particularly noted is the person who has since then endorsed discrimination against my parents and millions of New Yorkers, migrant and US born, in access to basic rights of housing, employment, education and health
November 4, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Having been born in Brooklyn in the 1970s to migrant parents, one endorsement I particularly noted is the person who has since then endorsed discrimination against my parents and millions of New Yorkers, migrant and US born, in access to basic rights of housing, employment, education and health
Reposted by Omar Khan
‘If the industrial strategy is to succeed, we’ll need English graduates as well as engineers, historians alongside computer scientists, and social scientists together with health professionals.’
www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/do-we-n... @timeshighered.bsky.social
www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/do-we-n... @timeshighered.bsky.social
Do we need humanities graduates to deliver the industrial strategy?
Policymakers should take a broad view of the value of degree courses when building our future workforce, says Charlotte Hallahan
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:44 AM
‘If the industrial strategy is to succeed, we’ll need English graduates as well as engineers, historians alongside computer scientists, and social scientists together with health professionals.’
www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/do-we-n... @timeshighered.bsky.social
www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/do-we-n... @timeshighered.bsky.social