Excited to share 1st study of my PhD now published: scoping review of candidate mechanisms for the neurocognitive social-transactional model - the idea that interpersonal trauma in childhood can change how we think/feel/act in relationships, which in turn could affect mental health. Links below 1/5
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter
In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career.
I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters.
Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
6 days to go to apply to 2 postdoc positions (3-year and 2-year) at @ucl.ac.uk with @pravpatalay.bsky.social!
For all those interested in employment<->health, trade unions & longitudinal methods.
Feel free to share.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPB406/r...
Text saying: Apply now Professor and Director of the Centre for Longitudinal Studies, closing date: Tuesday, 2 September 2025, plus photo of UCL portico
✨ One week to go! We're looking for a new Director. Find out more about the role and apply on the CLS website: bit.ly/452oe4v
🚨 Paper alert 🚨 There’s a lot of debate at the moment around universal, interventions in schools. A thread 🧵
Our new meta-analysis, published today, shows they can work in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/chi...
Findings discussed more below…
I was wondering after, have there been no attempts at replication?
Super interesting insights about a famous study!
Some thoughts on social prescribing in a climate of funding cuts and closing community spaces:
open.substack.com/pub/pravpata...
(and I've finally started a substack and aim to write more about topics in health and prevention!)
Amazing news, congrats Miri
An *excellent* and damning review of The Body Keeps the Score that is very much worth a read.
“Implying that sexually abused girls have an entirely different developmental pathway […] “is bullshit.””
An essential (and depressing) read for anyone working or interested in what is happening to UK universities.
Thanks for doing this, would be great to be added
Just joined on here. Any starter packs anyone can recommend related to mental health, social epidemiology or casual methods please?
