Chris Cocking
@chriscocking.bsky.social
Social Psychologist interested in crowd behaviour, mass emergencies, pandemics, collective resilience, social influence, public messaging & media/social discourse. No unsolicited DMs please
Interesting that 1st Minister for NI is on the ground at #GarvaghyRoad stand off against proposed Orange Order march in #Portadown. This shows institutional support at a v high level for spontaneous crowd action & would have been unthinkable before power sharing introduced post Good Friday agreement
September 27, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Interesting that 1st Minister for NI is on the ground at #GarvaghyRoad stand off against proposed Orange Order march in #Portadown. This shows institutional support at a v high level for spontaneous crowd action & would have been unthinkable before power sharing introduced post Good Friday agreement
Reposted by Chris Cocking
UCU members at Brighton University face the threat of derecognition. We have called an emergency rally tomorrow at 1:15pm.
It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.
58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.
58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
September 14, 2026 at 5:02 PM
UCU members at Brighton University face the threat of derecognition. We have called an emergency rally tomorrow at 1:15pm.
It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.
58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.
58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
Reposted by Chris Cocking
***URGENT PLEASE SHARE*** University of Brighton management have announced today that they ‘give notice of termination of all collective agreements’. This is a fundamental erasure of workers' rights. Management have announced the termination of all contractual documents, which includes:
UCU members at Brighton University face the threat of derecognition. We have called an emergency rally tomorrow at 1:15pm.
It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.
58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.
58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
September 14, 2026 at 7:40 PM
***URGENT PLEASE SHARE*** University of Brighton management have announced today that they ‘give notice of termination of all collective agreements’. This is a fundamental erasure of workers' rights. Management have announced the termination of all contractual documents, which includes:
We helped create UK emergency alert system - but question how government is using it www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Serious questions over use of UK emergency alerts, its creators say
Millions across England and Wales received a wildfire alert on their phones earlier this month, but it partly backfired.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 29, 2026 at 11:45 AM
We helped create UK emergency alert system - but question how government is using it www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
RIP #DollyParton & here’s the Sisters of mercy cover of Jolene as a tribute
youtube.com/watch?v=xvcD...
youtube.com/watch?v=xvcD...
Sisters Of Mercy - Jolene
YouTube video by James Cameron
youtube.com
August 25, 2026 at 6:11 PM
RIP #DollyParton & here’s the Sisters of mercy cover of Jolene as a tribute
youtube.com/watch?v=xvcD...
youtube.com/watch?v=xvcD...
The camera oscura on Buzza Hill, St. Mary’s, the Isles of Scilly is remarkably similar to @countbinface.bsky.social
July 13, 2026 at 8:50 PM
The camera oscura on Buzza Hill, St. Mary’s, the Isles of Scilly is remarkably similar to @countbinface.bsky.social
My cat’s getting into the England Mexico game! #worldcup2026
July 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM
My cat’s getting into the England Mexico game! #worldcup2026
Interview with man who used hurling stick to stop #Belfastattack highlights well concept of bystander intervention in emergencies aka 'zero responders'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
Belfast knife attack latest: 12 police officers injured in latest disorder after - follow live
Riot police came under sustained attack from a group throwing bricks, bottles and pieces of wood, in unrest prompted by a serious knife attack.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 11, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Interview with man who used hurling stick to stop #Belfastattack highlights well concept of bystander intervention in emergencies aka 'zero responders'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
Those in authority shouldn't say 'don't panic' (as the boss of EasyJet has just done) for 2 reasons:
1) People don't tend to 'panic' anyway, so there's no point saying it
2) It makes people think there might be something to 'panic' about & distrust future messages
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
1) People don't tend to 'panic' anyway, so there's no point saying it
2) It makes people think there might be something to 'panic' about & distrust future messages
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
EasyJet boss says summer flights won't be hit by jet fuel shortages
The airline has seen no problems with fuel, but says people are booking later because of uncertainty caused by the Iran war.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 21, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Those in authority shouldn't say 'don't panic' (as the boss of EasyJet has just done) for 2 reasons:
1) People don't tend to 'panic' anyway, so there's no point saying it
2) It makes people think there might be something to 'panic' about & distrust future messages
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
1) People don't tend to 'panic' anyway, so there's no point saying it
2) It makes people think there might be something to 'panic' about & distrust future messages
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Recently got a letter published in @privateeyenews.bsky.social about art imitating life
May 14, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Recently got a letter published in @privateeyenews.bsky.social about art imitating life
I was interviewed today by BBC Hereford & Worcester about the psychology behind helping others in the context of the recent #BostonMarathon The story starts about 22 minutes into the clip below & my interview is from 25.00-29.30.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Elliott Webb - 23/04/2026 - BBC Sounds
Your stories with the very best interviews and plenty of laughter with Elliott.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 23, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I was interviewed today by BBC Hereford & Worcester about the psychology behind helping others in the context of the recent #BostonMarathon The story starts about 22 minutes into the clip below & my interview is from 25.00-29.30.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
500 Irish petrol stations could have 'no fuel by end of the day' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ireland fuel protests: Protester says they are willing to close Ireland down
The Irish military will be deployed to move vehicles "blocking critical infrastructure".
www.bbc.co.uk
April 10, 2026 at 4:55 PM
500 Irish petrol stations could have 'no fuel by end of the day' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Japanese govt is doing right thing in reassuring public that there's no need to stockpile toilet paper, but media risk creating self-fulfilling prophecy if they report 'panic-buying'
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...
Japan urges calm after consumers empty toilet paper shelves
Japan's government releases a statement assuring people there is no issue with supply and no need to stock up, despite "reports and social media posts regarding the distribution of toilet paper".
www.abc.net.au
March 26, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Japanese govt is doing right thing in reassuring public that there's no need to stockpile toilet paper, but media risk creating self-fulfilling prophecy if they report 'panic-buying'
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...
Interesting article on crowd behaviour at gigs & the use of 'show-stop' procedure when safety is at risk. Links to scary example at an Oasis gig in 2005 when crowd surged to front, breaking crowd safety barrier. Gig had to be paused for 25 mins while it was fixed www.youtube.com/watch?v=aue6...
March 22, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Interesting article on crowd behaviour at gigs & the use of 'show-stop' procedure when safety is at risk. Links to scary example at an Oasis gig in 2005 when crowd surged to front, breaking crowd safety barrier. Gig had to be paused for 25 mins while it was fixed www.youtube.com/watch?v=aue6...
I did an interview yesterday for @BBCRadioStoke about the social psychology of trust & social/media influence to coincide with the new series of the BBC drama 'The Capture'.
My bit starts at 42.00 into the following link www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
My bit starts at 42.00 into the following link www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Liz Ellis on BBC Radio Stoke - Russ Morris sits in (15/03/2026) - BBC Sounds
Russ puts a smile on your face with great guests, big events and all the music you love.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 16, 2026 at 12:26 PM
I did an interview yesterday for @BBCRadioStoke about the social psychology of trust & social/media influence to coincide with the new series of the BBC drama 'The Capture'.
My bit starts at 42.00 into the following link www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
My bit starts at 42.00 into the following link www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
UK government loses appeal over Kneecap terror charge www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Kneecap: Government loses appeal over terror charge
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, had been accused of showing support for proscribed organisation Hezbollah following a gig in London in 2024.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 11, 2026 at 3:49 PM
UK government loses appeal over Kneecap terror charge www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Chris Cocking
Man and couple who died trying to stop Bondi Beach attackers praised for heroic efforts reut.rs/3YtA4jR
Man and couple who died trying to stop Bondi Beach attackers praised for heroic efforts
While a Sydney shopowner is being hailed as a hero after disarming one of the gunmen shooting at a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, a couple and another man who died after physically confronting the attackers are also being remembered for their heroic efforts to save those around them.
reut.rs
December 16, 2025 at 11:52 AM
My blog from mid-March 2020 argued that we shouldn't have delayed lockdown & that the stated reason (that the public wouldn't comply with lockdown) had no basis in behavioural science & that people would likely be more resilient dontpaniccorrectingmythsaboutthecrowd.blogspot.com/2020/03/coro...
November 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
My blog from mid-March 2020 argued that we shouldn't have delayed lockdown & that the stated reason (that the public wouldn't comply with lockdown) had no basis in behavioural science & that people would likely be more resilient dontpaniccorrectingmythsaboutthecrowd.blogspot.com/2020/03/coro...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
2 main headlines from #COVIDinquiry are that earlier lockdown would have saved 1000s of lives & lockdown may have been avoided altogether if protective measures had been introduced earlier
2 main headlines from #COVIDinquiry are that earlier lockdown would have saved 1000s of lives & lockdown may have been avoided altogether if protective measures had been introduced earlier
Covid inquiry: Lockdown could have been avoided and other key findings
The long-awaited report is published into how well or badly the government handled the Covid pandemic.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
2 main headlines from #COVIDinquiry are that earlier lockdown would have saved 1000s of lives & lockdown may have been avoided altogether if protective measures had been introduced earlier
2 main headlines from #COVIDinquiry are that earlier lockdown would have saved 1000s of lives & lockdown may have been avoided altogether if protective measures had been introduced earlier
Eye-witness reports of extreme heroism in response to #TrainAttack in Cambridgeshire, UK last night. Man uses own head to protect woman from being stabbed. Evidence of concept of 'zero responders' & shows that people don't tend to 'panic' in emergencies. www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
'Run, there's a guy stabbing everyone' - eyewitnesses describe attack
Two passengers on the Doncaster-London train during Saturday's stabbing attack describe chaos as people scrambled for safety.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Eye-witness reports of extreme heroism in response to #TrainAttack in Cambridgeshire, UK last night. Man uses own head to protect woman from being stabbed. Evidence of concept of 'zero responders' & shows that people don't tend to 'panic' in emergencies. www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
Please don’t use the term ‘stampede’ to describe tragedies such as these @theguardian.com as it rarely matches up with what actually happens. This tragedy is more likely to have been a crowd crush or crowd collapse & it’s unlikely that people were trampled to death by other crowd members
September 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Please don’t use the term ‘stampede’ to describe tragedies such as these @theguardian.com as it rarely matches up with what actually happens. This tragedy is more likely to have been a crowd crush or crowd collapse & it’s unlikely that people were trampled to death by other crowd members