Laura Fenton
@soc-researcher.bsky.social
Sociologist and researcher based at the University of Sheffield
Reposted by Laura Fenton
Between 1840 and 1918, British attitudes towards drink changed dramatically. Life assurance company archives reveal their influence and also offer insights into the lives of ordinary abstainers.
Available (at 35% off with code GLR AT8) from Bloomsbury Academic www.bloomsbury.com/uk/temperanc...
Available (at 35% off with code GLR AT8) from Bloomsbury Academic www.bloomsbury.com/uk/temperanc...
Temperance Lives
This book explains how the rise of temperance life assurance affected ideas surrounding the dangers of drinking and abstinence between 1840 and 1918.James Kneal…
www.bloomsbury.com
December 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Between 1840 and 1918, British attitudes towards drink changed dramatically. Life assurance company archives reveal their influence and also offer insights into the lives of ordinary abstainers.
Available (at 35% off with code GLR AT8) from Bloomsbury Academic www.bloomsbury.com/uk/temperanc...
Available (at 35% off with code GLR AT8) from Bloomsbury Academic www.bloomsbury.com/uk/temperanc...
Reposted by Laura Fenton
I can’t envisage a child poverty strategy which garners any credibility without fully scrapping the two-child limit.
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
November 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I can’t envisage a child poverty strategy which garners any credibility without fully scrapping the two-child limit.
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
What a beautifully written and breathtakingly honest paper. It's rare to see this level of honesty, reflexivity, and creativity in academia.
Failure hurts. How can the concept of bipolar time help us understand it?
@lizziereed.bsky.social @robinskyer.bsky.social reflect on an unsuccessful research project, relentless demands for productivity, and the importance of radical acceptance.
#OpenAccess @journals.sagepub.com buff.ly/zb4uVL6
@lizziereed.bsky.social @robinskyer.bsky.social reflect on an unsuccessful research project, relentless demands for productivity, and the importance of radical acceptance.
#OpenAccess @journals.sagepub.com buff.ly/zb4uVL6
October 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
What a beautifully written and breathtakingly honest paper. It's rare to see this level of honesty, reflexivity, and creativity in academia.
Reposted by Laura Fenton
Nice to have this out in popNAD. It summarises key ideas around declines in youth drinking that we explore in our book. Worth a read for overview of this body of work!
@amypennay.bsky.social @soc-researcher.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social @capraustralia.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/bdzajx8c
@amypennay.bsky.social @soc-researcher.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social @capraustralia.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/bdzajx8c
Young people, alcohol and risk: A Culture of Caution
A recent book by an international team of authors theorises the social, cultural and economic shifts accompanying the decline in youth alcohol consumption observed in many high-income countries since ...
nordicwelfare.org
August 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Nice to have this out in popNAD. It summarises key ideas around declines in youth drinking that we explore in our book. Worth a read for overview of this body of work!
@amypennay.bsky.social @soc-researcher.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social @capraustralia.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/bdzajx8c
@amypennay.bsky.social @soc-researcher.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social @capraustralia.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/bdzajx8c
Reposted by Laura Fenton
"What makes gen Z slightly distinct as a generation is their attitude towards risk." SARG researcher @soc-researcher.bsky.social is quoted in this @theguardian.com article exploring the possible explanations for the recent increase in gen Z's alcohol consumption. #alcoholresearch
Booze up: is gen Z’s ‘sensible’ relationship with alcohol moving towards hedonism?
Reports those born between 1997 and 2012 are ditching clean-living ways don’t tell whole story, say experts
www.theguardian.com
August 18, 2025 at 2:48 PM
"What makes gen Z slightly distinct as a generation is their attitude towards risk." SARG researcher @soc-researcher.bsky.social is quoted in this @theguardian.com article exploring the possible explanations for the recent increase in gen Z's alcohol consumption. #alcoholresearch
Reposted by Laura Fenton
Another shout out for @milliemaglet.bsky.social brilliant blog, which has been (rightly) getting a lot of love on here. So important to foreground the precarity that shapes the lives of so many, including within academia itself.
We feel very lucky to have Millie @changingrealities.bsky.social
We feel very lucky to have Millie @changingrealities.bsky.social
As a research associate on a participatory project, lived experience is valued, carefully held, and entangled with our (researchers') own lives. My blog for Big Issue covers precarious work, ill-health, and Labour's cuts.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/canc...
www.bigissue.com/opinion/canc...
How patients could suffer after Labour's universal credit cuts
Millie Light writes of the deep sorrow she feels for anyone who becomes sick or disabled with cancer after the universal credit cuts.
www.bigissue.com
August 6, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Another shout out for @milliemaglet.bsky.social brilliant blog, which has been (rightly) getting a lot of love on here. So important to foreground the precarity that shapes the lives of so many, including within academia itself.
We feel very lucky to have Millie @changingrealities.bsky.social
We feel very lucky to have Millie @changingrealities.bsky.social
Reposted by Laura Fenton
We seek a committed & dynamic feminist to join the existing team as a new book review editor @genderandjustice.bsky.social
Details:
✳️Deadline 1 August 2025 17:00 CEST
✳️Informal enquiries: admin@lexnetwork.org
✳️Info: www.lexnetwork.org/gender-and-j...
@lexnetwork.bsky.social
Details:
✳️Deadline 1 August 2025 17:00 CEST
✳️Informal enquiries: admin@lexnetwork.org
✳️Info: www.lexnetwork.org/gender-and-j...
@lexnetwork.bsky.social
Gender and Justice – Call for Book Editor – LEX Research Network
www.lexnetwork.org
July 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
We seek a committed & dynamic feminist to join the existing team as a new book review editor @genderandjustice.bsky.social
Details:
✳️Deadline 1 August 2025 17:00 CEST
✳️Informal enquiries: admin@lexnetwork.org
✳️Info: www.lexnetwork.org/gender-and-j...
@lexnetwork.bsky.social
Details:
✳️Deadline 1 August 2025 17:00 CEST
✳️Informal enquiries: admin@lexnetwork.org
✳️Info: www.lexnetwork.org/gender-and-j...
@lexnetwork.bsky.social
Reposted by Laura Fenton
Earlier this week @soc-researcher.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social and Shangshang Gu spoke at a national conference about how alcohol consumption patterns are evolving among young people and the specific implications for university students. Read more on the SARG website 👇
SARG researchers share insights into youth and student drinking at national conference - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
Researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) recently presented their findings on youth and student drinking trends at the Student Health Association Annual Conference, held from Su...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
July 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Earlier this week @soc-researcher.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social and Shangshang Gu spoke at a national conference about how alcohol consumption patterns are evolving among young people and the specific implications for university students. Read more on the SARG website 👇
Reposted by Laura Fenton
📚 Find out more about this new book co-authored by SARG's @jholmessheff.bsky.social and @soc-researcher.bsky.social which explores the complex social, cultural and economic factors driving the significant decline in youth drinking observed in high-income countries since the early 2000s #PublicHealth
SARG researchers co-author new book exploring 'culture of caution' in youth drinking decline - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
A new book by an international team of experts, including researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), unpacks the complex social, cultural and economic factors driving the decline...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
July 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
📚 Find out more about this new book co-authored by SARG's @jholmessheff.bsky.social and @soc-researcher.bsky.social which explores the complex social, cultural and economic factors driving the significant decline in youth drinking observed in high-income countries since the early 2000s #PublicHealth
Reposted by Laura Fenton
It's the last day of #KBS2025 and SARG's @abi-stevely.bsky.social & @soc-researcher.bsky.social are speaking this morning. Find out more about Laura's @alcoholchangeuk.bsky.social funded project co-led with @melissaoldham.bsky.social which explores young people's consumption of no/lo drinks 👇
Young people's consumption of no/low alcohol drinks in family settings - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
This project explores young people's consumption of no/low alcohol drinks in Great Britain, focusing on family settings. Using surveys and interviews, it will investigate adult perceptions, consumptio...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
June 13, 2025 at 8:15 AM
It's the last day of #KBS2025 and SARG's @abi-stevely.bsky.social & @soc-researcher.bsky.social are speaking this morning. Find out more about Laura's @alcoholchangeuk.bsky.social funded project co-led with @melissaoldham.bsky.social which explores young people's consumption of no/lo drinks 👇
Registration is closing soon for the BSA ECR event Beyond the ‘archival turn’: Making and using sociological archives, being held at the University of Leicester on 30th June.
All are welcome to register. Registration is open until this Friday 13th June. www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
All are welcome to register. Registration is open until this Friday 13th June. www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
June 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Registration is closing soon for the BSA ECR event Beyond the ‘archival turn’: Making and using sociological archives, being held at the University of Leicester on 30th June.
All are welcome to register. Registration is open until this Friday 13th June. www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
All are welcome to register. Registration is open until this Friday 13th June. www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
Reposted by Laura Fenton
I'm very excited that my first book, Borders, Citizenship, & Pregnancy, will be coming out this month, published by @brisunipress.bsky.social.
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/borders-citi...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/borders-citi...
Borders, Citizenship, and Pregnancy
Borders, Citizenship, and Pregnancy - Migrant Women’s Experiences of Pregnancy and Maternity Care in the UK; Available open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence. How do immigration policies shap...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
June 2, 2025 at 9:43 AM
I'm very excited that my first book, Borders, Citizenship, & Pregnancy, will be coming out this month, published by @brisunipress.bsky.social.
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/borders-citi...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/borders-citi...
Reposted by Laura Fenton
Registration is now open for this BSA event on making and using sociological archives with contributions from a range of established and emerging researchers as well as archives. Includes a workshop led by Rachel Thomson on creative repurposing of qualitative data. Book your place by 13th June.
**Save the date** Beyond the archival turn: Making & using sociological archives. 30 June, Leicester. tinyurl.com/3fuducmm. Exploring the rich archival resources that exist within sociology and how creative methods can be used to make the past anew and help us to imagine different kinds of futures.
Beyond the ‘archival turn’: Making and using sociological archives
britsoc.co.uk
May 13, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Registration is now open for this BSA event on making and using sociological archives with contributions from a range of established and emerging researchers as well as archives. Includes a workshop led by Rachel Thomson on creative repurposing of qualitative data. Book your place by 13th June.
Reposted by Laura Fenton
A new book explores why young people in high-income countries are drinking less, linking the decline to growing health consciousness, closer parental relationships, and a broader culture of caution.
In our latest blog, the authors discuss the findings.
www.ias.org.uk/2025/05/28/y...
In our latest blog, the authors discuss the findings.
www.ias.org.uk/2025/05/28/y...
Young People, Alcohol and Risk: A Culture of Caution - Institute of Alcohol Studies
A new book explores why young people in high-income countries are drinking less, linking the decline to growing health consciousness, closer parental relationships, and a broader culture of caution. I...
www.ias.org.uk
May 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
A new book explores why young people in high-income countries are drinking less, linking the decline to growing health consciousness, closer parental relationships, and a broader culture of caution.
In our latest blog, the authors discuss the findings.
www.ias.org.uk/2025/05/28/y...
In our latest blog, the authors discuss the findings.
www.ias.org.uk/2025/05/28/y...
Reposted by Laura Fenton
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
They'll tell you about benefits to the local economy..... but.......
Slot machine firms target UK’s poorest areas and channel funds to billionaires
They'll tell you about benefits to the local economy..... but.......
Slot machine firms target UK’s poorest areas and channel funds to billionaires
Slot machine firms target UK’s poorest areas and channel funds to billionaires
Exclusive: Politicians including Andy Burnham call for councils to be given powers to stop new sites opening
www.theguardian.com
May 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
They'll tell you about benefits to the local economy..... but.......
Slot machine firms target UK’s poorest areas and channel funds to billionaires
They'll tell you about benefits to the local economy..... but.......
Slot machine firms target UK’s poorest areas and channel funds to billionaires
Registration is now open for this BSA event on making and using sociological archives with contributions from a range of established and emerging researchers as well as archives. Includes a workshop led by Rachel Thomson on creative repurposing of qualitative data. Book your place by 13th June.
**Save the date** Beyond the archival turn: Making & using sociological archives. 30 June, Leicester. tinyurl.com/3fuducmm. Exploring the rich archival resources that exist within sociology and how creative methods can be used to make the past anew and help us to imagine different kinds of futures.
Beyond the ‘archival turn’: Making and using sociological archives
britsoc.co.uk
May 13, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Registration is now open for this BSA event on making and using sociological archives with contributions from a range of established and emerging researchers as well as archives. Includes a workshop led by Rachel Thomson on creative repurposing of qualitative data. Book your place by 13th June.
Reposted by Laura Fenton
Reposted by Laura Fenton
Advertising new @unistrathclyde.bsky.social PhD studentship (covers fees + stipend), as part of new ESRC Centre @equalise.bsky.social. We've kept the application as broad as possible as we're keen to support someone to undertake research that they have designed: www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/... 1/2
PhD in the ESRC Centre for Lifecourse Health Equity | University of Strathclyde
www.strath.ac.uk
April 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Advertising new @unistrathclyde.bsky.social PhD studentship (covers fees + stipend), as part of new ESRC Centre @equalise.bsky.social. We've kept the application as broad as possible as we're keen to support someone to undertake research that they have designed: www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/... 1/2
Reposted by Laura Fenton
The SNP have drawn media attention towards the @changingrealities.bsky.social report by #CASE's @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social which found that the UK Government could lift 700,000 children out of poverty by following Scotland's approach. www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-...
New analysis shows 700,000 children could be lifted out of poverty overnight by following Scotland
New analysis shows 700,000 children could be lifted out of poverty overnight by following Scotland
www.lse.ac.uk
April 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The SNP have drawn media attention towards the @changingrealities.bsky.social report by #CASE's @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social which found that the UK Government could lift 700,000 children out of poverty by following Scotland's approach. www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-...
Reposted by Laura Fenton
This is going to be a great event- 30 June- early and later career sociologists and community archivists explore working with marginalised voices and experiences held in archives to challenge, shape or disrupt public discourse.
www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
Beyond the ‘archival turn’: Making and using sociological archives
www.britsoc.co.uk
April 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM
This is going to be a great event- 30 June- early and later career sociologists and community archivists explore working with marginalised voices and experiences held in archives to challenge, shape or disrupt public discourse.
www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
**Save the date** Beyond the archival turn: Making & using sociological archives. 30 June, Leicester. tinyurl.com/3fuducmm. Exploring the rich archival resources that exist within sociology and how creative methods can be used to make the past anew and help us to imagine different kinds of futures.
Beyond the ‘archival turn’: Making and using sociological archives
britsoc.co.uk
March 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
**Save the date** Beyond the archival turn: Making & using sociological archives. 30 June, Leicester. tinyurl.com/3fuducmm. Exploring the rich archival resources that exist within sociology and how creative methods can be used to make the past anew and help us to imagine different kinds of futures.
We've been busy getting this new project up and running! Looking forward to working with Lucy Burke & Samantha Wilkinson on the ethnographic components, & @melissaoldham.bsky.social, Inge Kersbergen, @jholmessheff.bsky.social, & @jamiebrown.bsky.social on the integration of qual & quant findings
As we continue to expand our research into the consumption of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks, here are details of a new project focusing on young people. It's funded by @alcoholchangeuk.bsky.social and led by @soc-researcher.bsky.social and @melissaoldham.bsky.social #alcohol #publichealth
Young people's consumption of no/low alcohol drinks in family settings - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
This project explores young people's consumption of no/low alcohol drinks in Great Britain, focusing on family settings. Using surveys and interviews, it will investigate adult perceptions, consumptio...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
March 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
We've been busy getting this new project up and running! Looking forward to working with Lucy Burke & Samantha Wilkinson on the ethnographic components, & @melissaoldham.bsky.social, Inge Kersbergen, @jholmessheff.bsky.social, & @jamiebrown.bsky.social on the integration of qual & quant findings
Reposted by Laura Fenton
This past year, we've been working closely with 3 ace community partners to co-create anti-poverty strategies in Manchester.
Our framework for how to work together & toolkit for policy-makers are now on our website:
www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/morgan-centr...
Please use and share widely!
Our framework for how to work together & toolkit for policy-makers are now on our website:
www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/morgan-centr...
Please use and share widely!
February 7, 2025 at 5:42 PM
This past year, we've been working closely with 3 ace community partners to co-create anti-poverty strategies in Manchester.
Our framework for how to work together & toolkit for policy-makers are now on our website:
www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/morgan-centr...
Please use and share widely!
Our framework for how to work together & toolkit for policy-makers are now on our website:
www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/morgan-centr...
Please use and share widely!
Reposted by Laura Fenton
The @cfyounglives.bsky.social Play Commission publishes its interim report today, making the case for more play in more spaces for all children and calling for a national play strategy and a play sufficiency duty.
So good to see play on the agenda.
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
So good to see play on the agenda.
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
Inquiry Report Calls On The Government To Restore School Playtime Amid Warning That Play Is Being Squeezed Out Of Children’s Lives — Play Commission
The Raising the Nation Play Commission, a year-long independent inquiry into why play is critical to the wellbeing of children in England, publishes its Interim Report, ‘State of Play’. The Commission...
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk
February 24, 2025 at 8:33 AM
The @cfyounglives.bsky.social Play Commission publishes its interim report today, making the case for more play in more spaces for all children and calling for a national play strategy and a play sufficiency duty.
So good to see play on the agenda.
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
So good to see play on the agenda.
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
Reposted by Laura Fenton
SARG's Laura Fenton @soc-researcher.bsky.social was quoted in a Times article last week about young people drinking less alcohol than their parents. Laura was heavily involved in our @wellcometrust.bsky.social funded 'Youth Drinking in Decline' project which looked at these trends in depth 👇
Youth Drinking in Decline - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
The Youth Drinking In Decline (Y-DID) project aimed to provide the most detailed analysis to date of the nature and drivers of recent reductions in alcohol use among 11-24 year-olds in England.
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
February 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
SARG's Laura Fenton @soc-researcher.bsky.social was quoted in a Times article last week about young people drinking less alcohol than their parents. Laura was heavily involved in our @wellcometrust.bsky.social funded 'Youth Drinking in Decline' project which looked at these trends in depth 👇