Ailsa Henderson
PoliSci Prof at Edinburgh - run Scottish Election Study, co-run Union survey/Future of England survey
Voting, polling, attitudes to the union
@scotvoting.bsky.social @theunionsurvey.bsky.social
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonTrafodir ymchwil @theunionsurvey.bsky.social gan @richardwynjones.bsky.social ac @ailsahenderson.bsky.social yn yr erthygl hon 👇 / This article discusses our research about Englishness from The Union Survey 👇 www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonThe underlying study: "Experimental evidence of the effects of large language models versus web search on depth of learning" academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar... "participants reported developing shallower knowledge from LLM summaries even when the results were augmented by...web links" vs. search
- Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other. Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson"I am willing to accept slower economic growth in Canada if it means greater economic independence from the United States" 🟢 Agree: 70% 🔴 Disagree: 19% Read it here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/budget-wee...
- Newly out from James Mitchell and me, explaining the 2024 UKGE in Scotland @edinburghpir.bsky.social academic.oup.com/pa/article-a... Email me if you want access and can't get it via your institution
- New SES methodology incoming. Flawless.
- Indeed. While often ignoring the devolved elections in May, which *will* lead to government formation Both UK Lab and UK Cons making life difficult for their devolved parties by fighting the next UKGE 4 years early
- Advice for the age
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonLatest ITV BarnCymru 🏴 poll confirms trend seen over last 6 months - neck and neck race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK for largest party, with Labour falling to even more distant third. Evidence growing of distinct realignment in Wales 🧵
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson158. AP-GfK, 2009: "If you had to choose, would you prefer to attend a wedding that served champagne and caviar, wine and chicken breasts, or beer and pigs in a blanket?"
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson153. Gallup/CNN/USA Today, 1998: "For the next question, assume that the Seinfeld characters were real people. Aside from how funny you think they are, would you generally consider them to be likeable people or annoying people?"
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonHumanities, arts and social sciences degrees are disappearing in many UK regions. With more young people than ever studying close to home, course cuts are narrowing their choices at university. @timeshighered.bsky.social covers our 'Cold Spots' report today. Read more at bit.ly/46e3wOy
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonThose who say the Western provinces should join the United States: 🔴 MB: 6% 🔴 AB: 6% 🔴 BC: 4% 🔴 SK: 3% Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/canadian...
- Department of Offense
- Featuring @scotvoting.bsky.social data and our recent blog You can read it, and other great SES analysis, here: scottishelections.ac.uk/category/blog/
- Scots split three ways on second independence referendum www.thetimes.com/article/de58...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonLovely use of the phrase "constitutional Tetris" in explaining why lack of effective devolved (and local?) democracy in England enables Farage to stir up xenophobia
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson
- Same is visible in SQA data (which admittedly is begging out for control vars like course choice) Large gap at Nat5 Visible gap at Highers Gone by Adv Highers - pity we don't use those for uni entrance as much www.itv.com/news/2025-08...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonI grew up near the route of the old Aberdeen-Ellon-Fraserburgh railway - it would have made my life a lot easier. Freight was still using the line after oil was struck, and towns mushroomed. Maybe a pipe dream, but this would be great for the region. www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/politics/...
- I think it's really nice they do this but this is my fairly regular request that someone in the PSA puts the Scottish Higher results day in the diary and creates an equivalent post. We need Scottish students to study politics as well.
- Good luck to #Students receiving their #ALevel results today. If you are continuing your studies at #University why not consider a #Politics degree! Here are some helpful pointers from PSA CEO Michelle Doyle Wildman. buff.ly/1LYW8F8 #ALevelResultsDay #ALevelResults2025
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson❗Calling all social scientists ❗ 🔎 Want your work to get noticed by non-academic audiences? Our blog page provides clear and insightful analysis on topical issues, especially UK-EU relations🇬🇧🇪🇺 Got an idea? Send it to info@ukandeu.ac.uk Check out our latest blogs 👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/analysis/blo...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonA new iPhone update threatens to upend public opinion research, particularly state and local polls - Op-ed from pollster Patrick Ruffini www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
- More SQA data Attainment gap for girls and boys %A at National 5 Girls 43.6 Boys 34.7 %A at Higher Girls 34.1 Boys 27.0 %A at Adv Higher Girls 31.6 Boys 31.1 www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/114507.h...
- Happy SQA results day (To me, who has 7 more to enjoy 🥳🫠) Amidst the stats released re #s going to Sc uni, might also be worth reporting Sc clearing degrees available to those from Sc schools vs rUK on UCAS site Strathclyde Sc students 0 RUK students 223 degrees available via clearing. Or ...
- Happy SQA results day (To me, who has 7 more to enjoy 🥳🫠) Amidst the stats released re #s going to Sc uni, might also be worth reporting Sc clearing degrees available to those from Sc schools vs rUK on UCAS site Strathclyde Sc students 0 RUK students 223 degrees available via clearing. Or ...
- Glasgow Scottish students 4 degrees open via clearing RUK students 606 degrees Can you get into Econ at Glasgow via clearing as a Sc student? No Can you from outside Sc? Yes But ..
- There's also equal number of degrees open in clearing at Abdn Sc 389 RUK 389 St Andrews Sc 0 RUK 0 (Well equal, but equally unavailable) And, in a different direction Edinburgh Scottish students 39 degrees open via clearing RUK 1
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonSir Robert Chote, who has been chair since June 2022, announced his resignation last month www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonThere it is: call for papers, inaugural conference of @epssnet.bsky.social in Belfast, 2026. Please send your best work and support this new important initiative! epssnet.org/belfast-2026/
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonQuick reminder of this time limited offer on the latest "Nuffield" study, which will be out in the autumn - 25% off with Waterstones online until tomorrow
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson[This post could not be retrieved]
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonDon’t miss our very own SPS academics taking part in this year’s Festival of Politics. Nida Alahmad - Peace in the Middle East? Leah McCabe - The rise of misogyny Hayley Bennett - Holyrood 2026 the big issues Benjamin Martill - How safe is Europe? www.festivalofpolitics.scot
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonUnderstanding your members is vital - but many organisations struggle to know what data to collect or what to ask Our new report, funded by @acadsocsciences.bsky.social sciences.bsky.social & ESRC, shares best practice to help membership bodies build a clearer, data-driven picture
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonFunding announcement comes as MPs warn of “severe challenges” faced by research and innovation sector www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonI think @cbreton.bsky.social is understating how useful and even important this image from the resentment index is. I guess the succinct way to summarize it is: this explains a lot.
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonThe piece bemoans that polls include the views of people the author doesn't think much of. But whether they, or I, agree with people doesn't take away their voice, their vote or their citizenship. Polls are a democratic leveller, far preferable to elitism of thinking only some views should count.
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson🤔 What's the point of democratic innovation? Can it address crurrent crises and build democracies for the future? 💡In this new article @adrianbua.bsky.social and I argue that the field needs to strengthen its change-making orientation and capacity. Open access 👉🏼 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
- For folks newly interested in 16 year olds voting can I recommend years of scholarship by @eichhornjan.bsky.social in Scottish setting Also, in 2014 indyref the risk survey showed youngest members of electorate were our ideal deliberative citizens, most open minded in their info sources
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson"The Potato Eight". 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔 These "glamour girls" of the Potato Marketing Board toured British seaside resorts in summer 1939 to promote eating potatoes as a route to health and efficiency and "overturn old fashioned notions about the potato being taboo for the woman who wants to keep her figure" 🤸
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonA beautiful, beautiful refutation of a very strange claim about #farright voting in #Germany that can 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 serve as a methodological primer
- Local reactions to wolf attacks in Germany are not powerful enough to influence the election decisions of many voters www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson🖥️New on the Data Impact blog 🖥️ Annie Flynn from @royalstatsoc.bsky.social introduces the launch of a new open access journal, RSS: Data Science and AI, and the relaunch of the digital platform Real World Data Science. blog.ukdataservice.ac.uk/a-steadying-...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonTHIS!!!!!
- In a study of professors, women got 378 new work requests over 4 weeks vs 118 for men. Women spent more time on service, advising & teaching; men on research. Orgs should track who is taking extra duties & ensure they are rewarded and distributed fairly. www.forbes.com/sites/kimels...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonOne of the reasons I started the Minute; local media sales + election turnout have both fallen in parallel for two decades in Edinburgh. The more people are aware of who’s in power, how their/our tax money is spent, I hope the more likely they will be to vote. Simple as that. Start local etc
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonThis extraordinarily long and detailed review, in Foreign Policy, of the movie Heads of State, about a UK Prime Minister and a US President in an Air Force One hijacking heist, somehow does not mention that one of the two is not actually a head of state foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/04/h...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonNah, the best Friday nights are when you crack open a new spreadsheet and fill it full of lovely crosstab data.
- It's not racist to believe in English identity Identities are subjective But it's exclusive to police the boundaries of who gets to feel English It's racist to root English identity in race And it's ahistorical to believe English id was always constructed this way www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07...
- Has there been an 'Elbows up' effect on national identity in Canada? Maybe 85%+ of Canadians attached to Canada - same as before - but *very attached* up from about half to high 50s Report link 2nd item in thread from @parkinac.bsky.social
- «Léger renforcement» de l’identité canadienne www.ledevoir.com/societe/8958...
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson🌍 European Political Science Society is officially launched (EPSS)! 🗓️ June 26, 2025 📍EPSS is a not-for-profit & member-led association for political science in Europe 👉 Visit us: epssnet.org Some updates 👇🏽 🧵
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson🔍 Are you an early career behavioural researcher? Our Accelerator proposals offer up to £50,000 for innovative projects! 💡 Perfect for kickstarting your research journey. Applications open July 1st—closing August 12th, 2025. Get ready to apply! #ECR #Innovation #BRUKFunding
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson6. Will there be two conferences in 2026? EPSS will hold its inaugural conference in Belfast. It's the first major step toward a democratic, nonprofit future for European political science. Stay in the loop: epss-info-join@list.epssnet.org 6/
- The line has moved. We're actually at 'are sandals/flipflops at presentations acceptable' Qtwtain, never
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson📢 Applications are now open for NatCen’s Social Research Apprenticeship Learn more and apply: natcen.ac.uk/news/social-... Deadline: 7th July 2025 #Hiring #Apprenticeship
- The breakdowns by party suggest if you want to receive compliments date a Labour supporter not a Reform supporter (suspect that washes out once you control for age).
- Most men (54%) say they don't receive compliments on their appearance on even a monthly basis, compared to 34% of women Most women (56%) say they give compliments to others on at least a weekly basis, compared 43% of men yougov.co.uk/topics/consu... / yougov.co.uk/topics/consu...
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson[colleague]: hey rob, I hope this email finds you well - just wanted to check how you're getting on with the first draft how your email finds me:
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonWhat are impact indicators, and why are they important in research and evaluation? In this episode, we unpack how impact indicators help measure the broader effects of a project, policy, or research. Watch it here: youtu.be/FXUwRrLomRQ #TerminologyTuesday #researchimpact #impactindicators
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson*PSA JOB OPPORTUNITY* We are looking for an Operations & Finance Officer to join our team. 📆 Application deadline 14 July. ➡️ Full details and job spec online
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson
[This post could not be retrieved] - Reposted by Ailsa HendersonWe are pleased to announce the release of our Survey Futures Position Statement on Response Rates: surveyfutures.net/publications.... We encourage all relevant organisations to review and share this statement widely.
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson🚨 Attention EPSA goers, please check if you are a chair or discussant. Many are finding out late! You won't see it by using the "Search" button in the #EPSA2025 program (only Browse), and there was no email to inform you. Check it in your profile coms.app/epsa2025/wel... or the spreadsheet below:
- Another excellent judging panel for the SES prizes this year. Please share w the politics-loving student in your life @psaepop.bsky.social
- Essay Prize 2025 📝 🧑🏻🎓 Undergraduate and school pupil competitions 📆 Deadline 6th July Fantastic judging panel of @simeonkerr.bsky.social, @yougov.co.uk's Abigail Axe-Browne and @edinburghpir.bsky.social's own Alan Convery! scottishelections.ac.uk/2025/06/09/e...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonReflecting on yesterday’s by-election result, our recent event looked at the rise of the political party Reform UK. Ft @markdiffley1.bsky.social, @ailsahenderson.bsky.social & @robfordmancs.bsky.social in conversation with Chris Deerin. youtu.be/a2vFcE3hlwo?... www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXAe...
- Jesus wept. Ethnic purity tests. By this def'n my kids aren't white British, despite being white, born in the UK and having 4 white British grandparents. This is lazy operationalization grafted onto a dangerous agenda. What's next, their Irish surname disbars them? Bit of a Groucho Marx moment
- 'the white British share of the population – defined as people who do not have an immigrant parent' 😂😂 www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06...
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson*PSA EVENT - CALL FOR PAPERS* ECN Annual Conference - Politics in an Age of Uncertainty. Organised by PSA #EarlyCareer Network @psaecn.bsky.social 📆 21 - 24 July, Online. 🚨 Paper proposal deadline 20 June. ➡️ Full details online.
- This, but with psephologists. Who wouldn't stay up for Curtice in a tree?
- The speech was 10 June 2020. Relevant sections in pics Speech in full is here: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-...
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonStarmer’s reset with the Scottish government, and Scotland at large, has been businesslike and quietly productive. But the rivalry is intense, the gulf in worldwide large, and political fundamentals are reasserting themselves. www.economist.com/britain/2025...
- Edinburgh is a festival city after all ... University of Edinburgh Impact Festival @uoe-cahss.bsky.social
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonThis is a fascinating and remarkably… forthright piece on the state of the UK-Welsh intergovernmental (& intra Labour) relations & Welsh Labour’s strategy from someone who was, until recently, one of the most senior officials in the Welsh Govt post-devolution #senedd #devolution
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonAmazing
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson🚨 New today in @policyoptions.irpp.org: I share some thoughts on the global ripple effect of defunding #womenshealth research in the US, and Canada’s opportunity to lead in this moment. policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/ma...
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson@ailsahenderson.bsky.social & @richardwynjones.bsky.social "among those English-identifiers, we found ambivalence towards the Union as a project and a commonly held sense of grievance about the perceived cost and political influence of the other nations within the UK" @theunionsurvey.bsky.social
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonAnother big FU from Harvard… free online courses on the US government, the US constitution, civic engagement, and more. pll.harvard.edu/subject/gove...
- New educational tool from the SES @scotvoting.bsky.social 's @eoghanly.bsky.social Play around w the seat projector with your poll results of choice Ideal for Modern Studies students taking a break from studying 🤓
- Our postdoc @eoghanly.bsky.social has co-developed @devolvedelections.bsky.social, a seat projection tool for devolved elections 🤓🧮 You can select from some preset scenarios or plug in your own vote share numbers to generate precise estimates. More info ⬇️ scottishelections.ac.uk/2025/05/22/a...
- Reposted by Ailsa Henderson📊New Nanos poll suggests optimism outweighs anger, and few voters want another election soon. 🍁Minority Government? Most Canadians Are Fine With It, the latest from @canadianpolling.bsky.social for 338 ↓ www.338canada.ca/p/minority-g...
- Heaven help us. Broch doesn't need me coming to its defences but surely this undercounts employment (catching, sure, but processing, storage, transport) & geographic concentration (and thus local economic disaster). (Don't block me @drjennings.bsky.social) @ruthwishart.bsky.social
- Bittersweet @edinburghpir.bsky.social away day. Lovely to see colleagues (and win fiendishly difficult quiz) but hard to comprehend PIR without Fiona Mackay next year. So grateful to have been her colleague
- Reposted by Ailsa HendersonDystopian, shameless, nihilistic.
