James Hickson
@jmchickson.bsky.social
Political theorist and policy researcher at the Heseltine Institute, University of Liverpool.
Pinned
James Hickson
@jmchickson.bsky.social
· May 6
Delighted to share that @mwojciechowska.bsky.social and I have published our article, Why go local? Developing the research agenda for “local political theory”, in the European Journal of Political Theory. It's available open access here: doi.org/10.1177/1474...
Reposted by James Hickson
NEW POLICY BRIEFING: As Andy Burnham prepares to become Prime Minister, @jmchickson.bsky.social explores why the 'securonomics' agenda remains critical for UK policymaking, and why it should now be meaningfully devolved from central government.
livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3194542/1/PB...
livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3194542/1/PB...
July 15, 2026 at 8:31 AM
NEW POLICY BRIEFING: As Andy Burnham prepares to become Prime Minister, @jmchickson.bsky.social explores why the 'securonomics' agenda remains critical for UK policymaking, and why it should now be meaningfully devolved from central government.
livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3194542/1/PB...
livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3194542/1/PB...
For those who missed the brilliant public event on 'The City as a Democratic Frontier in an Authoritarian Age' at LSE Cities, I've turned my notes into a new blog post for @livuniheseltine.bsky.social
www.liverpool.ac.uk/heseltine-in...
www.liverpool.ac.uk/heseltine-in...
Can cities save democracy? | Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place | University of Liverpool
www.liverpool.ac.uk
July 7, 2026 at 9:29 AM
For those who missed the brilliant public event on 'The City as a Democratic Frontier in an Authoritarian Age' at LSE Cities, I've turned my notes into a new blog post for @livuniheseltine.bsky.social
www.liverpool.ac.uk/heseltine-in...
www.liverpool.ac.uk/heseltine-in...
Burnham's speech today offers a good opportunity to reshare this paper by @jacknewman.bsky.social and I, where we argue more is needed to deliver practically on the promise of English devolution to disrupt concentrated power and renew our democracy. Is this something a Number 10 North can achieve?
Localism, Levelling up, and Taking Back Control: tensions in the ambiguous justification of English devolution
@jmchickson.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social
#Englishdevolution #politicaldecentralisation #takingbackcontrol #levellingup #localism
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
@jmchickson.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social
#Englishdevolution #politicaldecentralisation #takingbackcontrol #levellingup #localism
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
June 29, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Burnham's speech today offers a good opportunity to reshare this paper by @jacknewman.bsky.social and I, where we argue more is needed to deliver practically on the promise of English devolution to disrupt concentrated power and renew our democracy. Is this something a Number 10 North can achieve?
Spaces available in person and online for this public event at LSE -- part of a three day conference on The City as a Democratic Frontier in an Authoritarian Age that I am organising with @mwojciechowska.bsky.social @drjoehoover.bsky.social and @ben-rog.bsky.social www.lse.ac.uk/cities/event...
LSE Cities Public Lecture | The City as a Democratic Frontier in an 'Authoritarian Age'
Cities are often described as inherently more progressive and cosmopolitan than nation states. But is this true, and if yes, why?
www.lse.ac.uk
June 5, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Spaces available in person and online for this public event at LSE -- part of a three day conference on The City as a Democratic Frontier in an Authoritarian Age that I am organising with @mwojciechowska.bsky.social @drjoehoover.bsky.social and @ben-rog.bsky.social www.lse.ac.uk/cities/event...
Reading Raymond Williams' novel, The Fight for Manod (1979), and this passage feels as timely as ever...
May 11, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Reading Raymond Williams' novel, The Fight for Manod (1979), and this passage feels as timely as ever...
The Commentary Roundtable on The Global Politics of Precarity and Insecure Work, edited by @stellamorgana.bsky.social and I, now has a permanent home in the latest issue of @gpejournal.bsky.social (Volume 5, Issue 1). Read more here: bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
March 31, 2026 at 4:15 PM
The Commentary Roundtable on The Global Politics of Precarity and Insecure Work, edited by @stellamorgana.bsky.social and I, now has a permanent home in the latest issue of @gpejournal.bsky.social (Volume 5, Issue 1). Read more here: bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
Reposted by James Hickson
⭐Enjoy free access to our journal Editors’ highlights from recent issues. Access these articles for free until 30 April. Congrats to all featured authors! @gemmagasseau.bsky.social @jmchickson.bsky.social
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/subject/Edit...
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/subject/Edit...
February 16, 2026 at 1:58 PM
⭐Enjoy free access to our journal Editors’ highlights from recent issues. Access these articles for free until 30 April. Congrats to all featured authors! @gemmagasseau.bsky.social @jmchickson.bsky.social
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/subject/Edit...
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/subject/Edit...
Reposted by James Hickson
Call for papers: We're getting used to cities standing up to populists leaders. But what explains this & what intellectual, legal & political resources can they draw on in their fight? Delighted to be working w/ @mwojciechowska.bsky.social @jmchickson.bsky.social Joe Hoover. Apply: lnkd.in/ee3dkZj6
January 27, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Call for papers: We're getting used to cities standing up to populists leaders. But what explains this & what intellectual, legal & political resources can they draw on in their fight? Delighted to be working w/ @mwojciechowska.bsky.social @jmchickson.bsky.social Joe Hoover. Apply: lnkd.in/ee3dkZj6
Wonderful to end the year with news that my recent article with @jacknewman.bsky.social now has a permanent home in Vol.96 Issue 4 of @politicalquarterly.bsky.social. Read it here: doi.org/10.1111/1467...
Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution
There is an increasingly powerful argument for the decentralisation of policy making in England's highly centralised political context. In recent years, this issue has represented one of the clearest...
doi.org
December 19, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Wonderful to end the year with news that my recent article with @jacknewman.bsky.social now has a permanent home in Vol.96 Issue 4 of @politicalquarterly.bsky.social. Read it here: doi.org/10.1111/1467...
Big thank you to @drjoehoover.bsky.social and @theorylab.bsky.social for inviting me to present my paper on Inequality, precarity, and domination in 'left behind' communities as part of their work in progress seminar series. Some great feedback to think about on the train back north...
November 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Big thank you to @drjoehoover.bsky.social and @theorylab.bsky.social for inviting me to present my paper on Inequality, precarity, and domination in 'left behind' communities as part of their work in progress seminar series. Some great feedback to think about on the train back north...
Reposted by James Hickson
TheoryLAB is excited to have @jmchickson.bsky.social presenting on "Inequality, precarity and domination in ‘left behind’ communities” at our Work in Progress Seminar Wed., 11 Nov. (4-5.30pm) at QM’s Mile End Campus. Message here or [email protected] for info or to join our mailing list.
November 5, 2025 at 12:58 PM
TheoryLAB is excited to have @jmchickson.bsky.social presenting on "Inequality, precarity and domination in ‘left behind’ communities” at our Work in Progress Seminar Wed., 11 Nov. (4-5.30pm) at QM’s Mile End Campus. Message here or [email protected] for info or to join our mailing list.
Reposted by James Hickson
📢 My new journal article is out today in Global Political Economy in a great collection edited by @jmchickson.bsky.social and @stellamorgana.bsky.social. I explore job insecurity across England’s mayoral combined authorities — and what this means for regional inequality and economic growth.
A🧵...
A🧵...
November 3, 2025 at 10:12 AM
📢 My new journal article is out today in Global Political Economy in a great collection edited by @jmchickson.bsky.social and @stellamorgana.bsky.social. I explore job insecurity across England’s mayoral combined authorities — and what this means for regional inequality and economic growth.
A🧵...
A🧵...
Reposted by James Hickson
Surveillance and propaganda reign supreme in the fictional world of “1984”—for which generations have found real-life parallels, again and again. The new film “Orwell: 2+2=5” argues that noting such similarities isn’t enough, writes Shirley Li:
It’s Not Enough to Read Orwell
A new film argues that, in an era of rising authoritarianism, audiences have become too numb to the speculative force of “1984.”
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Surveillance and propaganda reign supreme in the fictional world of “1984”—for which generations have found real-life parallels, again and again. The new film “Orwell: 2+2=5” argues that noting such similarities isn’t enough, writes Shirley Li:
Building on our workshop last year on The Global Politics of Precarity and Insecure Work, @stellamorgana.bsky.social and I are delighted to share a collection of 6 original commentary articles on this theme in @gpejournal.bsky.social
Read the full introduction here: doi.org/10.1332/2635...
Read the full introduction here: doi.org/10.1332/2635...
October 7, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Building on our workshop last year on The Global Politics of Precarity and Insecure Work, @stellamorgana.bsky.social and I are delighted to share a collection of 6 original commentary articles on this theme in @gpejournal.bsky.social
Read the full introduction here: doi.org/10.1332/2635...
Read the full introduction here: doi.org/10.1332/2635...
Reposted by James Hickson
What is the endgame in this toxic immigration debate: is it friends and neighbours thrown out of the country? | Jonthan Liew
What is the endgame in this toxic immigration debate: is it friends and neighbours thrown out of the country? | Jonthan Liew
The notion of remigration was abstract, but the right is dragging it towards respectability. If the goal is homogeneous whiteness, they should say it, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew
www.theguardian.com
September 10, 2025 at 9:45 AM
What is the endgame in this toxic immigration debate: is it friends and neighbours thrown out of the country? | Jonthan Liew
Reposted by James Hickson
I’ve been frustrated to see so much of the ongoing story about asylum seekers and the protests against them covered without hearing from those seeking asylum and now being met with hostility and hatred
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
We escaped war and torture but now we feel unsafe in Britain
Special report: Amid protests and rising aggression towards asylum seekers across the country, we spoke to those being targeted
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I’ve been frustrated to see so much of the ongoing story about asylum seekers and the protests against them covered without hearing from those seeking asylum and now being met with hostility and hatred
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
Reposted by James Hickson
@jacknewman.bsky.social and @jmchickson.bsky.social discuss the tensions and ambiguity at the heart of the devolution agenda
"Although the what of English devolution appears to be settled for now, the why remains much more volatile."
"Although the what of English devolution appears to be settled for now, the why remains much more volatile."
Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution
The government’s devolution bill is justified along economic growth lines. This risks the devolution agenda as a whole if it doesn't materalise.
politicalquarterly.org.uk
September 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
@jacknewman.bsky.social and @jmchickson.bsky.social discuss the tensions and ambiguity at the heart of the devolution agenda
"Although the what of English devolution appears to be settled for now, the why remains much more volatile."
"Although the what of English devolution appears to be settled for now, the why remains much more volatile."
Nice to be back in Manchester today for the MANCEPT workshops, where I presented on radical municipalism and republican political theory as part of the workshop on The City as a Normative Political Space: Institutions, Relations, and Republicanism.
September 3, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Nice to be back in Manchester today for the MANCEPT workshops, where I presented on radical municipalism and republican political theory as part of the workshop on The City as a Normative Political Space: Institutions, Relations, and Republicanism.
Reposted by James Hickson
"Although the what of English devolution appears to be settled for now, the why remains much more volatile."
@jacknewman.bsky.social and @jmchickson.bsky.social discuss the tensions and ambiguity at the heart of the devolution agenda
@jacknewman.bsky.social and @jmchickson.bsky.social discuss the tensions and ambiguity at the heart of the devolution agenda
Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution
The government’s devolution bill is justified along economic growth lines. This risks the devolution agenda as a whole if it doesn't materalise.
politicalquarterly.org.uk
August 28, 2025 at 9:26 AM
"Although the what of English devolution appears to be settled for now, the why remains much more volatile."
@jacknewman.bsky.social and @jmchickson.bsky.social discuss the tensions and ambiguity at the heart of the devolution agenda
@jacknewman.bsky.social and @jmchickson.bsky.social discuss the tensions and ambiguity at the heart of the devolution agenda
Reposted by James Hickson
My take on the hefty English devolution & community empowerment bill that was introduced earlier this month.
One of several reforms the govt is quietly getting on with, it marks a shift towards a more coherent, standardised framework and places English devolution on a firmer constitutional footing.
One of several reforms the govt is quietly getting on with, it marks a shift towards a more coherent, standardised framework and places English devolution on a firmer constitutional footing.
The English devolution bill marks a major shift in how England is governed, with more powers for mayors & local areas—but concerns remain over accountability & local voice.
@alwalker.bsky.social explores this big moment for the governance of England.
www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/english...
@alwalker.bsky.social explores this big moment for the governance of England.
www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/english...
July 30, 2025 at 9:52 AM
My take on the hefty English devolution & community empowerment bill that was introduced earlier this month.
One of several reforms the govt is quietly getting on with, it marks a shift towards a more coherent, standardised framework and places English devolution on a firmer constitutional footing.
One of several reforms the govt is quietly getting on with, it marks a shift towards a more coherent, standardised framework and places English devolution on a firmer constitutional footing.
Reposted by James Hickson
Localism, Levelling up, and Taking Back Control: tensions in the ambiguous justification of English devolution
@jmchickson.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social
#Englishdevolution #politicaldecentralisation #takingbackcontrol #levellingup #localism
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
@jmchickson.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social
#Englishdevolution #politicaldecentralisation #takingbackcontrol #levellingup #localism
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
July 23, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Localism, Levelling up, and Taking Back Control: tensions in the ambiguous justification of English devolution
@jmchickson.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social
#Englishdevolution #politicaldecentralisation #takingbackcontrol #levellingup #localism
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
@jmchickson.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social
#Englishdevolution #politicaldecentralisation #takingbackcontrol #levellingup #localism
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by James Hickson
New article in @politicalquarterly.bsky.social by @jmchickson.bsky.social and @jacknewman.bsky.social - a timely intervention following the recent publication of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution
There is an increasingly powerful argument for the decentralisation of policy making in England's highly centralised political context. In recent years, this issue has represented one of the clearest....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
New article in @politicalquarterly.bsky.social by @jmchickson.bsky.social and @jacknewman.bsky.social - a timely intervention following the recent publication of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
NEW: @jacknewman.bsky.social and I have just published our new article 'Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution' open access in @politicalquarterly.bsky.social. Read the article here: doi.org/10.1111/1467...
Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution
There is an increasingly powerful argument for the decentralisation of policy making in England's highly centralised political context. In recent years, this issue has represented one of the clearest...
doi.org
July 21, 2025 at 8:11 AM
NEW: @jacknewman.bsky.social and I have just published our new article 'Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution' open access in @politicalquarterly.bsky.social. Read the article here: doi.org/10.1111/1467...
In a new blog for the @apaphilosophy.bsky.social, I explore how republican political philosophy can help us to illuminate the expansion of unchecked, arbitrary power in contemporary politics, and articulate why this poses such a threat to freedom and democracy blog.apaonline.org/2025/06/11/t...
The Republican Moment: Reviving Freedom and Democracy in an Authoritarian Age
Across the globe, authoritarianism is in the ascendancy. As Freedom House have reported, over the last two decades many repressive regimes across the world have increased their domestic power, and amp...
blog.apaonline.org
June 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM
In a new blog for the @apaphilosophy.bsky.social, I explore how republican political philosophy can help us to illuminate the expansion of unchecked, arbitrary power in contemporary politics, and articulate why this poses such a threat to freedom and democracy blog.apaonline.org/2025/06/11/t...
Reposted by James Hickson
If any members have any ideas for applications for this funding, please get in touch with the group convenors by 20 June 👇
*PSA OPPORTUNITY* - New Excellence & Impact Fund available for PSA Specialist Groups.
📆 Apply by 30 June.
➡️ Full details online.
📆 Apply by 30 June.
➡️ Full details online.
PSA Excellence & Impact Fund | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
In recognition and celebration of our 75th anniversary, we are launching this new PSA Excellence & Impact Fund.
buff.ly
June 11, 2025 at 6:31 PM
If any members have any ideas for applications for this funding, please get in touch with the group convenors by 20 June 👇