Words can change the world, but should they be moderated? 
“There is a widespread perception that negativity is inherent in social media” Spyros Kosmidis, @politicsoxford.bsky.social www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-02-12-majority... #SSDWords

Lecture poster: "The Limits of Identitarianism", 5pm Fri 8 May at Lecture Theatre, Nuffield College with speaker Professor Chetan Bhatt

Register for the 2nd Annual Halsey Lecture @sociologyoxford.bsky.social ⬇️
'The Limits of Identitarianism' with Prof Chetan Bhatt (London School of Economics and Political Science)
8 May - open to all!
Info: www.sociology.ox.ac.uk/event/2nd-annual-halsey-...

Traditional news is struggling; with declining engagement, low trust, and stagnating subscriptions: @reutersinstitute.bsky.social explores the future of news consumption and production➡️ reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2025...

#SSDWords

NEW: Long-term childhood poverty in Britain rose sharply after austerity reforms 📈
The study, by @sbeduk.bsky.social (Departmental Lecturer in Comparative Social Policy) & Anna Yong found that more than 1 in 5 children born after 2013 experience poverty for at least half their childhood.

Is AI putting words into our mouths?

Large Language Models (LLMs) could be influencing our use and interpretation of language.

Watch this video from the @reutersinstitute.bsky.social to see if you think this is a sign of acceleration or homogenisation...

#SSDWords

Social sciences can help us to understand how words are shaping our world.

From the evolution of language in the age of #AI & #ClimateChange to storytelling in mental health interventions, words influence people's actions and experiences... and the world itself.

Follow this month #SSDWords ✏️

OII | The Winners and Losers of Generative AI in the Freelance Job Market A new study led by an international research team, including Dr Fabian Braesemann from the Oxford Internet Institute, part of the University of Oxford, shows how Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are r...

@oii.ox.ac.uk charts changes to the job market in light of #AI.

Jobs like writing and translating have seen demand drop by 20-50% ✏️

‼️But, ChatGPT is not the big job killer feared: net demand for freelancing jobs increased after ChatGPT's launch.

#SSDChanges

www.oii.ox.ac.uk/news-events/...

Colleagues from across Social Sciences Division shortlisted for Vice-Chancellor’s Awards

Congratulations to our colleagues shortlisted in @ox.ac.uk Vice-Chancellors' Awards 2026, in categories focusing on #education, impact, #innovation, partnership & more.

Major changes to the Sahara Desert 8,000 years ago uncovered by Moroccan stalagmites

@unioxarchaeology.bsky.social research uses Moroccan stalagmites to map rainfall patters in the Sahara Desert between 8,700 and 4,300 years ago - helping to understand how future rainfall patterns might change.

#SSDChanges

Find out more: www.arch.ox.ac.uk/article/majo...

Teaching Excellence Awards - Celebrating teaching excellence across the Social Sciences Division. Deadline: 17 April

🌟 Nominations are open for the 2026 Teaching Excellence Awards!
Recognising the outstanding contribution to teaching and learning shown by colleagues across the division, at all career stages. Nominate yourself or a colleague!
Deadline: 17 April
Info: www.socsci.ox.ac.uk/teaching-exc...

'The ranking [...] is testament to the enduring global reach and reputation of our collaborative and multi-disciplinary science and teaching.'
Congratulations @oxfordgeography.bsky.social, awarded number 1 in the QS World University Rankings by subject!

This is a fantastic recognition for our colleagues, staff and students @oxford-anthro.bsky.social - reflecting their excellence in research, teaching and study! 👏

Tracked changes are on! Revealing changes to the global tree population.
🌳 From deforestation to forest growth, data updates shared by @ourworldindata.org show that many countries have seen increases in forest area, set against a backdrop of increased deforestation. #SSDChanges

How are #AI developments impacting the field of law? #SSDChanges
@oxfordlawfac.bsky.social's Law and AI hub brings together research, videos and blogs from across its community to explore how AI is transforming how law is practised and interpreted. Find out more:

🔮 How does humanity tame uncertainty and predict change?
#SSDChanges
Watch Prof David Zeitlyn, @oxford-anthro.bsky.social, talk through his favourite objects in Oracles, Omens & Answers, and hear him explain why divination is still relevant today⤵️

QS World University Rankings for Sociology 2026 Discover the world's top universities for Sociology. Explore the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 in various disciplines.

Proud to remain among the world’s leading Sociology departments! 🌍🎓🏆

Ranked 2nd globally 🥈 and 1st in Europe 🥇 in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.

www.topuniversities.com/university-s...

OII | Learning as infrastructure: building a state that learns at the speed of AI To govern AI effectively, states must learn continuously and at scale, argues Johanna Ballesteros.

ICYMI: Blog from @oii.ox.ac.uk explores how 'learning as infrastructure' will be vital to enabling governments to act effectively in the age of AI.
'This is about reprogramming the operating system of government for an age of continuous change' - read: www.oii.ox.ac.uk/news-events/... #SSDChanges

Rising energy prices will hit millions: here are three ways the UK government could shield vulnerable households Some reforms take years to deliver. These policies could be deployed almost immediately.

Energy bills are rising - and millions could be hit.

Experts from Oxford's Smith School say there are 3 things the UK government could do right now to protect vulnerable households:

1. A social tariff
2. Emergency support
3. Help people access existing savings

Find out more ⬇️

Oldest genetic evidence for domestic dogs identified in Europe and University of Oxford researchers have contributed to a new study which has uncovered the earliest genetic evidence for the existence of dogs. Using ancient DNA analysis, researchers identified dogs

NEW: Oxford researchers have contributed to a new study which has uncovered the earliest genetic evidence for the existence of dogs - approximately 16,000–14,000 years ago.

Find out more ⬇️

Wonderful to see two of our departments ranked first in the world for their subject in the QS World University Rankings for 2026 - congratulations to @oxfordgeography.bsky.social and @oxford-anthro.bsky.social!👏

'There are some real strategic choices for the UK, and this paper is the start of that conversation.'
What does the changing global economic order mean for the UK? #SSDChanges
Find out more from Jenny Bates (Heywood Fellow @blavatnikschool.bsky.social) ⬇️

Evidence has come under threat around the world but universities are pushing ahead to contribute to solving some of the world's largest problems (climate change, unemployment...)

We discussed pathways ahead for social sciences at the Impact Conference of @socsci.ox.ac.uk.

#OxSSIC26 #ImpactInMotion

🎉 SoGE tops 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for #Geography.

Prof Giles Wiggs, Head of School, said: "Topping the QS World Rankings for Geography for an incredible 16th successive year is a remarkable achievement by everybody at SoGE.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/3O03Yuv

Day 2 of #OxSSIC26 is in full swing. Started the day with an inspiring plenary Impact at a Crossroads: Research and Action Amid Global Change. Panel discussed the power of 'tragic optimism', challenging notions we take for granted, and how impact emerges when we work on creating the right conditions

The School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, 51 - 53 Banbury Road Oxford. A Victorian semi detached building framed by trees. With the text School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography ranked number 1 for Anthropology in QS World Rankings 2026

🥇We're delighted to be ranked number one for #Anthropology in the QS World University Rankings 2026!

👏Thank you to everyone @oxford-anthro.bsky.social as this year's ranking reflects the continued excellence of our researchers and achievements of our students.

anthro.web.ox.ac.uk/article/scho...

Today at the @socsci.ox.ac.uk Impact Conference we were delighted to join a panel exploring challenges and opportunities facing researchers addressing climate change and social inequality. Ana Maria Marin Morales shared OPHI’s global MPI 2025 research on multidimensional poverty and climate hazards.

We’re all set to go at the @socsci.ox.ac.uk Social Sciences Impact Conference 2026! The Academy's President Will Hutton is about to speak at the first plenary session of the day, & delegates can come to our conference stand today & tomorrow where there are copies of our latest publications.

We're live at #OxSSIC26! Kicking off the conference with 'Social Sciences in Motion: Power, Pressure & Potential' leading voices in the sector exploring 'the state we're in' in the social sciences in 2026

Saïd Business School appoints first Poet Laureate | University of The University of Oxford's Saïd Business School has appointed Dr Athol Williams as its Poet Laureate, in a first for a business school globally. The role reflects a growing recognition of the value

NEW: Oxford's Saïd Business School has appointed Dr Athol Williams as its Poet Laureate, in a first for business schools globally.

Find out more ⬇️

Congratulations to Professor Leon Feinstein on his inaugural lecture as Director of the Department 🎓

Catch up with his lecture, 'Using the best social science to inform the education and care of children': www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCmY... #Edusky #AcademicSky