Sonia Zakrzewski
@soniaz.bsky.social
FSA Professor of Bioarchaeology at @unisouthampton.bsky.social, biological anthropology, archaeology, paleopathology... Archaeological dead bodies, identity, disability. Ancient Egypt, medieval Spain, Saxons in England.
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
X is in clear + systemic breach of its legal duties in the UK to remove unlawful content from its platform.
Proof: when X users abuse + harass others with the racial slur "paki", X reporting system defends the racist abuse in more than 90% of cases reported.
A new thread documenting this.
Proof: when X users abuse + harass others with the racial slur "paki", X reporting system defends the racist abuse in more than 90% of cases reported.
A new thread documenting this.
November 13, 2025 at 12:43 AM
X is in clear + systemic breach of its legal duties in the UK to remove unlawful content from its platform.
Proof: when X users abuse + harass others with the racial slur "paki", X reporting system defends the racist abuse in more than 90% of cases reported.
A new thread documenting this.
Proof: when X users abuse + harass others with the racial slur "paki", X reporting system defends the racist abuse in more than 90% of cases reported.
A new thread documenting this.
@turiking.bsky.social
well done! Great hearing you talk on R4 just now. Really well explained. Thank you! Xx
well done! Great hearing you talk on R4 just now. Really well explained. Thank you! Xx
November 13, 2025 at 7:32 AM
@turiking.bsky.social
well done! Great hearing you talk on R4 just now. Really well explained. Thank you! Xx
well done! Great hearing you talk on R4 just now. Really well explained. Thank you! Xx
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
Excellent piece this
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Excellent piece this
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
November 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
Ed Davey, once again, miles ahead of our Government. Between him and Polanski, I'd be very concerned if I was Labour. Often these two are saying what it should be saying, but for reasons not entirely obvious, it is not.
I’ve written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage urging them to condemn Donald Trump’s attack on the BBC.
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump. We must defend it together.
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump. We must defend it together.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Ed Davey, once again, miles ahead of our Government. Between him and Polanski, I'd be very concerned if I was Labour. Often these two are saying what it should be saying, but for reasons not entirely obvious, it is not.
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
I suspect there's also a strong element here of far too many journalists and BBC managers spending too much time on X and getting a wholly misleading impression of how big a story the Trump edits were. They're excessively influenced by right-wing activist opinion, and particularly US opinion.
The BBC is hopeless at reporting on itself. The idea that a minor, if misleading, edit is the most serious crisis in its history is ludicrous self-absorption, even allowing for the context of a Faragite desire to break it. It's certainly not as serious as the Iraq-Gilligan crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 9:48 AM
I suspect there's also a strong element here of far too many journalists and BBC managers spending too much time on X and getting a wholly misleading impression of how big a story the Trump edits were. They're excessively influenced by right-wing activist opinion, and particularly US opinion.
A thread worth reading - especially the 3rd part
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 10:33 AM
A thread worth reading - especially the 3rd part
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
UK universities cannot thrive while continually cutting academic staff
No amount of wellness webinars, Lego play workshops, communal climbing events, bounce back sessions, desk yoga, jigsaw puzzle nights or Vice Chancellor's Special Awards for Resilience can change this
No amount of wellness webinars, Lego play workshops, communal climbing events, bounce back sessions, desk yoga, jigsaw puzzle nights or Vice Chancellor's Special Awards for Resilience can change this
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
UK universities cannot thrive while continually cutting academic staff
No amount of wellness webinars, Lego play workshops, communal climbing events, bounce back sessions, desk yoga, jigsaw puzzle nights or Vice Chancellor's Special Awards for Resilience can change this
No amount of wellness webinars, Lego play workshops, communal climbing events, bounce back sessions, desk yoga, jigsaw puzzle nights or Vice Chancellor's Special Awards for Resilience can change this
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
I don't understand these kinds of business news stories. Why do we not have proper ways to take back the money from owners with convoluted trusts? How come they can escape with our money in this way? It feels like they are stealing from us.
PPE Medpro owes £39m in taxes
www.bbc.com/news/article...
PPE Medpro owes £39m in taxes
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mone-linked firm PPE Medpro owes £39m in tax
Administrator's report shows firm owes £39m to HMRC on top of £148m owed to Department of Health
www.bbc.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I don't understand these kinds of business news stories. Why do we not have proper ways to take back the money from owners with convoluted trusts? How come they can escape with our money in this way? It feels like they are stealing from us.
PPE Medpro owes £39m in taxes
www.bbc.com/news/article...
PPE Medpro owes £39m in taxes
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
It's obviously a bad thing if any prisoner is released by mistake, but why is it worse if it's an asylum-seeker?
It seems just to be taken for granted now that someone is more dangerous because they're an asylum-seeker than because they're a criminal.
Something very dangerous is building here.
It seems just to be taken for granted now that someone is more dangerous because they're an asylum-seeker than because they're a criminal.
Something very dangerous is building here.
Well, that was a very weird deputy PMQs. James Cartlidge asking the same question five times – could David Lammy guarantee no other jailed asylum seekers have been accidentally released rather than deported – and Lammy each time instead condemning the Tories' record on prisons and justice.
November 5, 2025 at 1:26 PM
It's obviously a bad thing if any prisoner is released by mistake, but why is it worse if it's an asylum-seeker?
It seems just to be taken for granted now that someone is more dangerous because they're an asylum-seeker than because they're a criminal.
Something very dangerous is building here.
It seems just to be taken for granted now that someone is more dangerous because they're an asylum-seeker than because they're a criminal.
Something very dangerous is building here.
A fabulous thread for heritage, archaeology, history and bureaucracy! 🏺
So this reminds me of one of my favourite WTF moments in heritage bureaucracy, which was the 2018 archaeological excavations just outside the chapel of St Peter at the Tower of London. nobody could decide who, apart from the king, could legally sign off on the project
…so there isn’t some department that is empowered to deal with this stuff that can just override the inevitable objections, I guess? rough, if so
November 5, 2025 at 9:02 PM
A fabulous thread for heritage, archaeology, history and bureaucracy! 🏺
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
⚠️Just a quick reminder, there are a few days left to apply for these two positions in #palaeoproteomics.
I'm hiring!⭐ As part of the DFF Sapere Aude-funded project MiddleEarth, I am looking for 1 postdoctoral researcher and 1 research assistant.
November 4, 2025 at 7:13 AM
⚠️Just a quick reminder, there are a few days left to apply for these two positions in #palaeoproteomics.
Really enjoyed today's lunchtime talk by @josephinequinn.bsky.social on How the Eorld made the West. Just gutted I had to leave early for a meeting. Food for thought. But then archaeology is BIG on sex, trade and war! 🏺
November 5, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Really enjoyed today's lunchtime talk by @josephinequinn.bsky.social on How the Eorld made the West. Just gutted I had to leave early for a meeting. Food for thought. But then archaeology is BIG on sex, trade and war! 🏺
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
If you’re wondering why archaeologists were upset about the Lost King film, you should read this and ask yourself how you would feel if someone misrepresented your profession and professionalism in this way. I also recommend @pittsmike.bsky.social book Digging for Richard III.
Updated thread on The Lost King film:
I’m digging over old ground but I have to challenge Steve Coogan's line. He claims it’s all true (as has Philippa Langley): Langley will be celebrated for her achievement, Richard Taylor & his personal gripes will be forgotten
So what’s the real story? 1/15
I’m digging over old ground but I have to challenge Steve Coogan's line. He claims it’s all true (as has Philippa Langley): Langley will be celebrated for her achievement, Richard Taylor & his personal gripes will be forgotten
So what’s the real story? 1/15
November 1, 2025 at 12:06 PM
If you’re wondering why archaeologists were upset about the Lost King film, you should read this and ask yourself how you would feel if someone misrepresented your profession and professionalism in this way. I also recommend @pittsmike.bsky.social book Digging for Richard III.
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
The plan seems to be to widely perceive the UK as such an unsafe place for international students because of rampant racism & xenophobia that they stop coming and seek their education in alternative countries.
We have a role as academics to counter this. Both our morality & livelihoods depend on it.
We have a role as academics to counter this. Both our morality & livelihoods depend on it.
November 3, 2025 at 8:56 AM
The plan seems to be to widely perceive the UK as such an unsafe place for international students because of rampant racism & xenophobia that they stop coming and seek their education in alternative countries.
We have a role as academics to counter this. Both our morality & livelihoods depend on it.
We have a role as academics to counter this. Both our morality & livelihoods depend on it.
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Log In
Welcome to the National Trust 2025 voting website, hosted by independent voting service provider Civica Election Services.
secure.cesvotes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:19 PM
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
Could Katie Lam identify the London schools where "more than three-quarters of children don’t speak English to a serviceable school standard". Well done to @davehillonlondon.bsky.social for giving Lam + CPS the chance to substantiate this claim at the Tory fringe
www.onlondon.co.uk/dave-hill-ka...
www.onlondon.co.uk/dave-hill-ka...
Dave Hill: Katie Lam should learn London's language
Recent comments about the capital's school children's English skills suggest the Tory MP from Kent must try harder
www.onlondon.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Could Katie Lam identify the London schools where "more than three-quarters of children don’t speak English to a serviceable school standard". Well done to @davehillonlondon.bsky.social for giving Lam + CPS the chance to substantiate this claim at the Tory fringe
www.onlondon.co.uk/dave-hill-ka...
www.onlondon.co.uk/dave-hill-ka...
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
Man with stubble, "Small boats arrivals are 37,000. There are over 4 million kids in child poverty. And 4.5 million who can't get a dentist appointment" #BBCQT
"We spend 90% of the media discourse on the 37,000. How much more could we achieve if we put that effort into the 4.5 million?"
"We spend 90% of the media discourse on the 37,000. How much more could we achieve if we put that effort into the 4.5 million?"
October 30, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Man with stubble, "Small boats arrivals are 37,000. There are over 4 million kids in child poverty. And 4.5 million who can't get a dentist appointment" #BBCQT
"We spend 90% of the media discourse on the 37,000. How much more could we achieve if we put that effort into the 4.5 million?"
"We spend 90% of the media discourse on the 37,000. How much more could we achieve if we put that effort into the 4.5 million?"
Everyone with a Labour MP needs to do this. Mine is @libdems.org.uk and I am pleased to say is on here instead @dannychambers.bsky.social
The secret here is to contact your MP (not reply to a post on X or other social media) and ask them why they think official government accounts or UK politicians should remain on X and if they don't think they should ask what are they going to do about it?
www.theyworkforyou.com
www.theyworkforyou.com
TheyWorkForYou: Hansard and Official Reports for the UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament, and Northern Ireland Assembly - done right
Making it easy to keep an eye on the UK’s parliaments. Discover who represents you, how they’ve voted and what they’ve said in debates.
www.theyworkforyou.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Everyone with a Labour MP needs to do this. Mine is @libdems.org.uk and I am pleased to say is on here instead @dannychambers.bsky.social
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
I've written a couple of things over the last days about how the government and much of Westminster remaining on X as the platform becomes increasingly toxic is having consequences for our politics...
Our politics is increasingly normalised to racism – because politicians are addicted to X
The platform has quietly dragged British politics into a dark place
inews.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I've written a couple of things over the last days about how the government and much of Westminster remaining on X as the platform becomes increasingly toxic is having consequences for our politics...
Reposted by Sonia Zakrzewski
Colour me Janan. (www.ft.com/content/00e9...)
October 30, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Colour me Janan. (www.ft.com/content/00e9...)
Hey BBC and newspapers! This is what can happen if you actually stop fawning over the hard right and give media coverage to other parties! Please could you do the same with the @libdems.org.uk and @greenparty.org.uk and give them the coverage they deserve?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Dutch centrist liberals neck and neck in close finish with populist Wilders
Rob Jetten's D66 party celebrates but with 90% of votes counted the result is too close to call.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Hey BBC and newspapers! This is what can happen if you actually stop fawning over the hard right and give media coverage to other parties! Please could you do the same with the @libdems.org.uk and @greenparty.org.uk and give them the coverage they deserve?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...