Gemma Bird
@gemmabird.bsky.social
Reader in Politics & IR at the University of Liverpool. Activist scholar working on the politics of migration and solidarity in the EU & African political theory. Views my own. She/her
As part of our University of Sanctuary work we are very excited to welcome award winning journalist @sallyhayd.bsky.social to the @liverpooluni.bsky.social to discuss her new book This is Also a Love Story: Searching for Good in a Divided World with Dr Seán Columb www.liverpool.ac.uk/events/event...
In conversation with award-winning international correspondent, Sally Hayden
Doors: 5.45pm
Event: 6.00pm
Drinks Reception: 7.15pm-8.00pm
This is a free event with limited capacity; early booking is advised.
Hosted by Dr Seán Columb from School of Law and Social Justice, a...
www.liverpool.ac.uk
September 2, 2026 at 4:41 PM
As part of our University of Sanctuary work we are very excited to welcome award winning journalist @sallyhayd.bsky.social to the @liverpooluni.bsky.social to discuss her new book This is Also a Love Story: Searching for Good in a Divided World with Dr Seán Columb www.liverpool.ac.uk/events/event...
Reposted by Gemma Bird
The Department of Politics and Europe in the World Centre📚🇪🇺🗣️ invites you to join us to celebrate the launch of Professor Harris’ newest book, The Dilemma of Nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
Book launch with Professor Erika Harris
The Dilemma of Nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 2, 2026 at 2:07 PM
The Department of Politics and Europe in the World Centre📚🇪🇺🗣️ invites you to join us to celebrate the launch of Professor Harris’ newest book, The Dilemma of Nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
Reposted by Gemma Bird
🚨 Our Department of Politics at the University of Liverpool is currently looking to appoint up to 7(!) new colleagues.
This includes 2 permanent T&R positions:
lnkd.in/eVabnhrP
And up to 5 fixed-term T&S positions:
lnkd.in/eyYX9tN5
The deadline for applications to both tracks is 28 June!
This includes 2 permanent T&R positions:
lnkd.in/eVabnhrP
And up to 5 fixed-term T&S positions:
lnkd.in/eyYX9tN5
The deadline for applications to both tracks is 28 June!
June 12, 2026 at 1:35 PM
🚨 Our Department of Politics at the University of Liverpool is currently looking to appoint up to 7(!) new colleagues.
This includes 2 permanent T&R positions:
lnkd.in/eVabnhrP
And up to 5 fixed-term T&S positions:
lnkd.in/eyYX9tN5
The deadline for applications to both tracks is 28 June!
This includes 2 permanent T&R positions:
lnkd.in/eVabnhrP
And up to 5 fixed-term T&S positions:
lnkd.in/eyYX9tN5
The deadline for applications to both tracks is 28 June!
Reposted by Gemma Bird
It was a pleasure to host @proftaylor.bsky.social at @livunihss.bsky.social and bring our research projects in conversation as part of the 'Transgressive border dialogue' series. We really enjoyed the dialogic format. Thank you Stefania Tufi, Anna Saunders & @gemmabird.bsky.social for organising it!
June 9, 2026 at 9:18 AM
It was a pleasure to host @proftaylor.bsky.social at @livunihss.bsky.social and bring our research projects in conversation as part of the 'Transgressive border dialogue' series. We really enjoyed the dialogic format. Thank you Stefania Tufi, Anna Saunders & @gemmabird.bsky.social for organising it!
If you’re looking for something to do in the #BISA2026 coffee breaks today exhibition A Place Along the Way Stories from the Island of Samos is in the East Bar. You can also listen to the audio here open.spotify.com/show/0MZwQ1f... This is a collaboration with Simone van den Akker & Andrew Foreman.
a place along the way
Podcast · stories from the island of samos · Samos is a beautiful Greek island in the Aegean that, at its closest point, is situated less than 2 kilometres from the coastline of Türkiye. It is describ...
open.spotify.com
June 5, 2026 at 8:26 AM
If you’re looking for something to do in the #BISA2026 coffee breaks today exhibition A Place Along the Way Stories from the Island of Samos is in the East Bar. You can also listen to the audio here open.spotify.com/show/0MZwQ1f... This is a collaboration with Simone van den Akker & Andrew Foreman.
Reposted by Gemma Bird
New research alert 🚨📚❗: Dr Amal Abu-Bakare has co-authored/edited an article and special issue with the @universitypress.cambridge.org Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics. This special issue also features the research of lecturers Dr Gemma Bird and Professor Andrew Russell
This special issue article is the outcome of a workshop funded by the International Studies Association, held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, and co-led by Anna M. Agathangelou, Christian Kaunert, and myself at the ISA 2023 pre-Annual Convention in Montréal, Quebec: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Who Is the EU for? Race, Europe, and the Global Order | Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics | Cambridge Core
Who Is the EU for? Race, Europe, and the Global Order
www.cambridge.org
May 14, 2026 at 2:36 PM
New research alert 🚨📚❗: Dr Amal Abu-Bakare has co-authored/edited an article and special issue with the @universitypress.cambridge.org Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics. This special issue also features the research of lecturers Dr Gemma Bird and Professor Andrew Russell
Reposted by Gemma Bird
New research alert 📚📰🚨 See the latest blog post from our Senior Lecturer in Politics and IR and expert in Migration Studies, Dr Gemma Bird ( @gemmabird.bsky.social) via @bordercrim.bsky.social:
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
Systemic violence in Greek waters: No border security
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk
May 7, 2026 at 2:53 PM
New research alert 📚📰🚨 See the latest blog post from our Senior Lecturer in Politics and IR and expert in Migration Studies, Dr Gemma Bird ( @gemmabird.bsky.social) via @bordercrim.bsky.social:
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
Reposted by Gemma Bird
A recent lethal collision off the island of Chios raises serious concerns about practices at EU borders, as well as Greece’s ability to provide independent monitoring. Read the latest post by @gemmabird.bsky.social and Emma Musty of @ihaverights.bsky.social 👇
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
May 6, 2026 at 8:49 AM
A recent lethal collision off the island of Chios raises serious concerns about practices at EU borders, as well as Greece’s ability to provide independent monitoring. Read the latest post by @gemmabird.bsky.social and Emma Musty of @ihaverights.bsky.social 👇
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
Project Armonia does fantastic work challenging food insecurity in Athens and also providing free training and qualifications for people on the move looking to become qualified commis-chefs. If you can, please support this fantastic organisation to keep changing lives www.paypal.com/donate/?host...
Donate to Project Armonia
Help support Project Armonia by donating or sharing with your friends.
www.paypal.com
April 24, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Project Armonia does fantastic work challenging food insecurity in Athens and also providing free training and qualifications for people on the move looking to become qualified commis-chefs. If you can, please support this fantastic organisation to keep changing lives www.paypal.com/donate/?host...
Lovely to be back at the @livuninews.bsky.social VG&M for British Science Week. I’m continuing to collect recipes as a response to the Project Armonia cook book. Food brings people together, tells stories and builds community. If you are in the area come and share a recipe!
March 14, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Lovely to be back at the @livuninews.bsky.social VG&M for British Science Week. I’m continuing to collect recipes as a response to the Project Armonia cook book. Food brings people together, tells stories and builds community. If you are in the area come and share a recipe!
This year we are really pleased to be able to offer a new humanitarian scholarship at @liverpooluni.bsky.social, the Humanitarian Scholarship in Irish Studies, which offers tuition fees and maintenance support to a Palestinian student on the MRes in Irish Studies. www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/fees-a...
University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarship in Irish Studies | Study | University of Liverpool
Learn about our University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarship in Irish Studies.
www.liverpool.ac.uk
March 10, 2026 at 2:10 PM
This year we are really pleased to be able to offer a new humanitarian scholarship at @liverpooluni.bsky.social, the Humanitarian Scholarship in Irish Studies, which offers tuition fees and maintenance support to a Palestinian student on the MRes in Irish Studies. www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/fees-a...
Reposted by Gemma Bird
Today is a dark day for anyone who believes in sanctuary in the UK.
People who've fled war and torture should be able to rebuild their lives in peace and security - not live under a constant threat of removal.
We must not stop fighting these appalling anti-refugee laws.
People who've fled war and torture should be able to rebuild their lives in peace and security - not live under a constant threat of removal.
We must not stop fighting these appalling anti-refugee laws.
Refugee status to be temporary as Shabana Mahmood rips up rules on UK asylum
Home secretary announces 30-month protection limit, with refugees required to leave if their home countries are later judged safe
www.theguardian.com
March 2, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Today is a dark day for anyone who believes in sanctuary in the UK.
People who've fled war and torture should be able to rebuild their lives in peace and security - not live under a constant threat of removal.
We must not stop fighting these appalling anti-refugee laws.
People who've fled war and torture should be able to rebuild their lives in peace and security - not live under a constant threat of removal.
We must not stop fighting these appalling anti-refugee laws.
Reposted by Gemma Bird
Green party wins Gorton and Denton byelection, pushing Labour to third place in blow to Keir Starmer
Green party wins Gorton and Denton byelection, pushing Labour to third place in blow to Keir Starmer
Hannah Spencer elected as party’s first MP in northern England, as Labour sees a 25.3% drop in vote compared to 2024
The Green party has pulled off a landmark victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection in a significant blow to Keir Starmer.
Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and Green party councillor, was elected as the party’s first MP in northern England after overturning Labour’s 13,000-vote majority. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 27, 2026 at 4:43 AM
Green party wins Gorton and Denton byelection, pushing Labour to third place in blow to Keir Starmer
Trump’s Davos speech is just one racist, colonial, misogynistic stereotype after another! Rambling and offensive throughout!
January 21, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Trump’s Davos speech is just one racist, colonial, misogynistic stereotype after another! Rambling and offensive throughout!
Reposted by Gemma Bird
There ought to be consequences for the abusive use of meritless prosecutions to harass activists.
Rights groups hail acquittal after seven years of aid workers prosecuted during Greece refugee crisis
Lesbos court clears aid workers of people smuggling, a move Human Rights Watch called a vindication of their lifesaving activities at sea
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:54 AM
There ought to be consequences for the abusive use of meritless prosecutions to harass activists.
Wrote a piece with @davideschmid.bsky.social on the “new” Guest Worker schemes in Europe and how they borrow from practices of the past!
European governments that have pledged to clamp down on immigration are still expanding schemes for workers to come on short-term visas.
Their goal is to maximize predatory exploitation of migrant workers without giving them any rights or security.
Their goal is to maximize predatory exploitation of migrant workers without giving them any rights or security.
Guest Worker Schemes Are a Machine for Labor Exploitation
European governments that have pledged to clamp down on immigration are still expanding schemes for workers to come on short-term visas. Their goal is to maximize predatory exploitation of migrant workers without giving them any rights or security.
jacobin.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Wrote a piece with @davideschmid.bsky.social on the “new” Guest Worker schemes in Europe and how they borrow from practices of the past!
Heading to the The University of Leeds for the day as the lovely people of the political theory seminar series kindly invited me to speak. Looking forward to testing out some of the ideas from the book I have been working on for the last eight years and that I am now in the final stages of editing!
November 17, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Heading to the The University of Leeds for the day as the lovely people of the political theory seminar series kindly invited me to speak. Looking forward to testing out some of the ideas from the book I have been working on for the last eight years and that I am now in the final stages of editing!
Reposted by Gemma Bird
See below EOI for AHRC-funded PhDs at UoL. Keen to supervise a project on critical approaches to migration.
The @livunihss.bsky.social AHRC-funded ‘Crafting Care’ Doctoral Focal College is accepting applications for 2026. EOI due by 1st Dec. I am keen to supervise a project on the politics of abortion care. Get in touch with your project idea! www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-a... @livunipol.bsky.social
Project Areas 2026 | Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences | University of Liverpool
www.liverpool.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:48 PM
See below EOI for AHRC-funded PhDs at UoL. Keen to supervise a project on critical approaches to migration.
Really excited to be spending the day in the @liverpooluni.bsky.social VG&M with the exhibition “A Place Along the Way: Stories from the Island of Samos” as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science where we are also collecting your recipes as a response to the wonderful work of Project Armonia.
November 8, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Really excited to be spending the day in the @liverpooluni.bsky.social VG&M with the exhibition “A Place Along the Way: Stories from the Island of Samos” as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science where we are also collecting your recipes as a response to the wonderful work of Project Armonia.
Really excited to be involved in a pop up exhibition Migration, Refuge & Solidarity‘ on 7th & 8th Nov at @victoriagallery.bsky.social. I will be sharing audio-visual exhibition ‘A Place Along the Way: Stories from the Island of Samos’ as a part of it. vgm.liverpool.ac.uk/whats-on/exh...
Migration, Refuge & Solidarity - Victoria Gallery & Museum - University of Liverpool
vgm.liverpool.ac.uk
October 17, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Really excited to be involved in a pop up exhibition Migration, Refuge & Solidarity‘ on 7th & 8th Nov at @victoriagallery.bsky.social. I will be sharing audio-visual exhibition ‘A Place Along the Way: Stories from the Island of Samos’ as a part of it. vgm.liverpool.ac.uk/whats-on/exh...
Reposted by Gemma Bird
Congratulations to Dr Sarah Elmammeri, our former PhD candidate and the winner of the Manchester Jean Monnet Centre of ExcellenceDoctoral Thesis Prize.Her lecture titled ‘Between Layers of Borders: Reflecting on EU Policies and Asylum Seekers’ reflects the very best of our PhD student scholarship.
October 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Congratulations to Dr Sarah Elmammeri, our former PhD candidate and the winner of the Manchester Jean Monnet Centre of ExcellenceDoctoral Thesis Prize.Her lecture titled ‘Between Layers of Borders: Reflecting on EU Policies and Asylum Seekers’ reflects the very best of our PhD student scholarship.
Reposted by Gemma Bird
1️⃣ Reporting on migration & accountability can often feel futile
Not today
The ECHR ruled Greece violated the right to life in the 2018 Agathonisi shipwreck: 16 dead, incl. 7 children & 2 babies
@rsaegean.org fought for the families; We had investigated w/ former @spiegel.de colleagues
Decision ⬇️
Not today
The ECHR ruled Greece violated the right to life in the 2018 Agathonisi shipwreck: 16 dead, incl. 7 children & 2 babies
@rsaegean.org fought for the families; We had investigated w/ former @spiegel.de colleagues
Decision ⬇️
HUDOC - European Court of Human Rights
The HUDOC database provides access to the case-law of the Court (Grand Chamber, Chamber and Committee judgments and decisions, communicated cases, advisory opinions and legal summaries from the Case-L...
https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNbU3tleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBac3JwWWhXRWVwZ25KeUVrAR5i_i-_IxCFXZkcLzr-LWO2r_VlwDHI6_yWOvify7BqAaKpltIMdjDXWWWy0Q_aem_po49uLWm4ySAmtc28DE0Cg#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-245252%22]}
October 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
1️⃣ Reporting on migration & accountability can often feel futile
Not today
The ECHR ruled Greece violated the right to life in the 2018 Agathonisi shipwreck: 16 dead, incl. 7 children & 2 babies
@rsaegean.org fought for the families; We had investigated w/ former @spiegel.de colleagues
Decision ⬇️
Not today
The ECHR ruled Greece violated the right to life in the 2018 Agathonisi shipwreck: 16 dead, incl. 7 children & 2 babies
@rsaegean.org fought for the families; We had investigated w/ former @spiegel.de colleagues
Decision ⬇️
Reposted by Gemma Bird
Pleased to share our new article in which we critically engage with the role that the “categories of migration” play in determining who does and does not “belong” in Europe and how they are changing.
#OpenAccess from the Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics -
Who is Disposable? The Making and Re-Making of the “Bad” Migrant at Europe’s Borders - https://cup.org/473YrJ8
- @gemmabird.bsky.social & @davideschmid.bsky.social
#FirstView #JREP10
Who is Disposable? The Making and Re-Making of the “Bad” Migrant at Europe’s Borders - https://cup.org/473YrJ8
- @gemmabird.bsky.social & @davideschmid.bsky.social
#FirstView #JREP10
October 8, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Pleased to share our new article in which we critically engage with the role that the “categories of migration” play in determining who does and does not “belong” in Europe and how they are changing.
“Cinema is a friend for life”. Never a truer word spoken from @markcousinsfilm.bsky.social at the @cinemaforall.bsky.social #100YearsGala
September 20, 2025 at 7:20 PM
“Cinema is a friend for life”. Never a truer word spoken from @markcousinsfilm.bsky.social at the @cinemaforall.bsky.social #100YearsGala