Of interest to UK university #Skystorians: Royal Historical Society open online meeting on 'The crisis in UK higher education: The future for History'. 4 August 2-4 pm.

One final note on @imc-leeds.bsky.social and then I'll shut up about it (at least for this year). I think this was my most cathartic edition ever. To understand that you only have to look at the state of our world, where it's no longer even a matter of finding jobs. Not even about jobs disappearing.

Glasgow is hiring a lecturer in medieval history (c.800-1500) on an open-ended basis. We are a lovely bunch in the medieval area, would be great to have a new colleague! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSF052/l...

If you’ve got nothing better to do in October… It’s free to attend and everyone’s welcome. Come for the medieval monks and manuscripts, stay for the refreshments—or vice versa! Book your space (in person or online) here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inaugural-...

'Politicians from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages have told the university’s executive “in the strongest possible terms to reconsider” the plans, in a letter seen by Times Higher Education.' 1/3

OK set up a feed for #IMC2026 for easy following along #MedievalSky 🗃️ @imc-leeds.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/did:...

Off to IMC 2026 for the first time in several years. Looking forward to catching up with friends. I've even written my paper... @imc-leeds.bsky.social

First they came for the languages. In the hope that no one would have the words to say what was happening. 1/9🧵

Very much looking forward to this book coming out: a silver lining to the arrival of autumn! manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526187185/

"The Univ. of Hertfordshire has decided to close all eight Humanities undergraduate programmes in English Language and Linguistics, English Literature, Creative Writing, History and Philosophy.... PLEASE sign this petition to support staff and students in Humanities" www.change.org/p/save-the-h...

This implications of this so-called 'ban' is going to make teaching queer and trans history all the more risky. How can we discuss the possibilities that a historical figure was 'trans' if to make being trans acceptable becomes tantamount to 'conversion'?

I weep for the country that once gave me, a "white working class" child, funded access to the higher reaches of the education system, far beyond anything my own parents ever claimed to understand enough to want, because I was capable of it, and the system was there to show me the way.

I'm sad to hear this news. I still remember John Hatcher's superb undergraduate lectures.

Yet another one, please sign and share c.org/vMBx2TXjc7

The heatwave gripping western Europe is the most severe and widespread on record. Scientists are clear that it was only made possible by the climate crisis, driven by fossil fuel burning. [1/4]

The University of Nottingham is cutting over 600 academic jobs. This includes 1 in 3 #geography lecturers. "The lecturers *are* the University, and without them it's nothing" - Geography student (BBC interview): www.instagram.com/reels/DYprAN...

Second day of 'The Fetal Archive' workshop today in London with curators, biologists, philosophers, geographers, geneticists, historians & sociologists from 7 different countries. We're looking at how we understand, interpret, display & analyse, historic fetal & embryological remains.

An academic tribute to Rosamond McKitterick, published by Reti Medievali. www.rm.unina.it?p=554

The Ockenden report on Nottingham has now been published here: www.ockendenmaternityreview.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Egypt and Iran have requested that Pride events in Seattle during their World Cup match be canceled and… no. Welcome to Seattle. This might be the most patriotic I’ve felt in my life. Pride isn’t happening during your game; you’re here during Pride. Suck a rainbow. apnews.com/article/worl...

the media and voter messaging should be this: the current government and the government in waiting do not want your children to be able to go to university, they will not support people in the UK to do original research, they do not care about job losses in one of the largest sectors in the economy

A statement from Exeter UCU branch @ucu.org.uk - please share far and wide.

A few words of appreciation. 600transformer.blogspot.com/2026/06/rosa...

Please consider signing and sharing this petition against the self-destructive university cuts at Dundee (on the table: everything from complete abolition of English for International Students, to maths, the chaplaincy and the nursery).

Unlike management's race to the bottom, this 69-page alternative proposal shows how a functioning, thriving & secure university is possible. This is what happens when principled, intelligent people, who genuinely care about HE put their amazing minds together. Well done @uonucu.bsky.social

Outrageous. The ones who put American lives – and the lives of countless others – at risk were Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth and Benjamin Netanyahu. Don’t blame the UK for your catastrophic blunder.

No Equality Act. All new family rights in the Employment Rights Act scrapped. But, a “Women and Motherhood Protection Act” From a party of misogynists with links to MAGA christofascists and anti-abortionists. Just call it the Gilead Act and be done with it. www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ref...

Please repost. This message doesn't use insults or crude language. It's simply the truth. We haven't just left the EU, we have allowed our society to sink to the depths of hatred & bigotry. We are being manipulated by the arrogant, mad privileged minority, preying on the uneducated, morally bankrupt

This is really good. Read it.

Casework, counter proposals to redundancy, more counter proposals, job searches. Thanks, UoN, for all the 'transferable skills' I'm gaining out of this incredible mess. So tired. So bored.

Palestine Action is not like the suffragettes, it’s true. Because one suffragette threw a hatchet at the prime minister, while another bombed the chancellor’s house.

Great talk by @ajwestauthor.bsky.social tonight at @fiveleavesbooks.bsky.social about how queer bookshops changed the world, which is coincidentally the title of his book that you must buy.

In the wake of Rosamond McKitterick's death, on the blog @samottewillsoulsby.bsky.social remembers her as a teacher and a mentor: salutemmundo.wordpress.com/2026/06/15/a...

Shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Rosamond McKitterick. One of four outstanding women- with Jinty Nelson, Mayke de Jong and Regine Le Jan -who transformed our view of the Carolingians through their work & the students they trained & nurtured. Thro’ that work & students she will live on.

Very sad to hear that Rosamond Mckitterick has died. I didn't know her especially well but we met at conferences and she helped me early in my career for which I was grateful. I shall miss reading her work of course.

Let's hope this leads to the repoliticisation of pride events. See how councils like that! www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

Well this doesn't sound good. Lisa, attending #FawcettConf on behalf of UCU Women Members' Standing Committee, has been asking questions repeatedly about how we can be trans inclusive, to be met with silence.

This critique of a dangerous pseudo-historical website/X account which promotes inaccurate extreme rightwing versions of Britain's past is well worth reading #Skystorians jon-chadwick.com/2026/04/16/p...

Deeply concerned about the ProudOfUs website claiming to uncover the hidden truths of British history. Whilst clearly nefarious, it's also laughable. After just a few minutes browsing the site, it demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of what history is and how it works.

Attention early medievalists! This workshop on coastal communities organised by Marco Panato & Irene Bavuso is being held in Nottingham (hybrid format via Teams) on 20/21 June. All welcome.

We don't half know how to crack down on protests when it suits us

Have you seen this? Reform UK has just pledged to rip up legal protections for workers and renters. I'm really worried about it. I've signed a petition to stop the steal. Can you add your name too? www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/st...

I keep hearing people say things like the current race riots are wrong because immigration has fallen. You are missing the point. Firstly, the media are addicted to anti-immigration coverage, because it is so easy. Secondly, no drop in immigration will ever placate the racists.

For historians who are endlessly organising workshops on the "material turn" - please remember that archaeology is an entire discipline predicated on material culture and we might just have something to contribute #disciplinarymyopia

I get the impression that some people aren't clear what this means. This is the UK state deciding to intervene directly in the healthcare of individual children, depriving them of medicine that their doctors have prescribed for their personal health & wellbeing, in defiance of global best practice.

An event is planned to be hosted in London proudly promoting the sale of land on illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. This is obscene. I've called on @london.gov.uk and @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social to stop the event and for this govt to take real action on illegal settlements.

Initially, some organisers assume that a book tour will be paid for by the publisher. Now, I have a great publisher, but the most they have contributed towards any event was to pay my train fare, once, to a litfest. Even at the upper level events are funded by ticketholders 3/🧵

A fellow of the Royal Society slashed funding for disease prevention, leading directly to the deaths of uncounted children. He promotes white supremacy and is actively encouraging racist violence in the UK. But he's Elon Musk, a billionaire. So the Royal Society does nothing. @royalsociety.org