Spring is here, spring is here Life is skittles and life is beer

🗃️ jobs, jobs, jobs - and one for #medievalsky

🚨Job klaxon 🚨 Come and be my colleague at York! We're looking for an Associate Lecturer in Modern British History and Public History. Two year post - apply by 19 March. 🗃️ More details here www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQO971/a...

What are your favourite texts, podcasts, articles, and videos on Christian Nationalism - past or present. Thanks

🚨WE'RE HIRING AGAIN!🚨 Music @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Permanent lectureship in historically European music (anywhere in the world) in the long 18C. Must have PhD in hand at application. Deadline 12th March; job talks/interviews 1st & 2nd April for ASAP start. www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/138148-...

Genuine question - a PhD student wrote a popular article that I deeply disagree with (it was pro Christian nationalism), but I don’t want to do a social media pile on. I’m a salaried PhD with a much larger following, so am aware of power dynamics. But he’s discussed his piece on social media

“To love another person is to see the face of God” One the most insidious things the anti-immigration voices have done is reduced immigrants to their economic output. And so I hear myself wanting to say “but this person does XYZ”. No, they’re people who are intrinsically deserve respect and dignity

How about those who are anti-immigration be required to insist that they only use British NHS staff when they next go to hospital. Self-select the kind of care you want, and see what contribution non-British peoples make to our society

I hope someone at Oatly quoted Bart Simpson, telling the dairy industry not to have a cow (man) over this

The decision at Bangor is terrible. Free speech - especially in a debate society - includes views you can’t abide. All this does is foster the Reform narrative that they are the plucky outsider. Debate them and show them up for what they are

Just had to wrestle the toilet brush off the dog

The Hypatia episode of You’re Dead to Me is maddening - the anti-Christian trope feels lazy, especially when a lot of historical inaccuracies went unchallenged. I’m an avid listener of new episodes, but this one is grating

They say that parental love is unconditional, but nothing prepares you for how much more you love your kids when they can go to birthday parties on their own and you don’t have to stay in a sensory overload small talk hell

I’m sad to report at how happy I am that we have a new dehumidifier to help with the laundry. The excitement of arriving at new frontiers of domestic efficiency is tempered by the sheer horror at what I have become. This is when Peter Pan stopped returning to Neverland

I may have a stroke. Someone said protests don’t belong in church and it took every ounce of self-censure within me not to say “Deborah you are literally a Protestant.” A PROTESTant. I assume they think Luther was nailing Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons to the door.

You live and die by the right pillow

“I can’t believe there are people protesting against us - we’re just a church”

Maybe it turns out that all Trump wanted was a prawn ring and some frozen peas

Our latest PhD Placement opportunities - come and work at the British Library for 3-6 months to develop your research and professional skills. 8 projects available, deadline for applications 27 February. www.bl.uk/services/res...

🚨 PhD Funding alert‼️ 2026 Scottish Episcopal Church International Scholarships for applicants from the Global South. 3 year PhD funding in divinity, theology + religious studies at a Scottish University plus living support and mentorship. More info here: www.scotland.anglican.org/applications...

“…and on guitar, The Edge! This song is called Pride (in the Name of Love)”

The reference to Prince Charming in “Something There” from Beauty and the Beast confirms the existence of a Disney metaverse

So glad he finally received this great honor. People are saying that no one deserved it more than him.

Preachers this Sunday: “Do you know someone else whose sacrifice should not be made in vain? Turn with me in your Bibles…” #TheTraitors

Fiona’s leaving speech

I was grateful to receive a review copy of a new academic book. I was less grateful to notice that the series editorial board is 15 white men

My research ambitions for this year are to finish my monograph, finish co-editing another volume, write 2 or 3 chapters/articles…which sounds a lot until I’ve also thought that Christmas Carols (broadly defined) need a lot of academic attention - maybe through a special edition of a journal

I don’t mean to show off, but you know the roof bars that have been by the front door since October? Totally just put them in the shed. Link in bio for more tips to maximise your productivity in 2026

I watched Farage’s 2026 promo video. How do we engage with Reform voters when they’re so willing to accept his lies, and so desperate for him to fuel their hate? It feels impenetrable, when everything he says is so demonstrably false…and yet they love it

I got invited to review for a journal. I like doing this stuff, so I’m happy to. However… Their offer is payment is a voucher towards any costs I may incur if I submit to this journal in the future. So, I’m getting “paid” to do free work, and doubly help their revenue streams. Wild

My great gran, born in 1908, saw Rod Stewart singing on The Old Grey Whistle Test in the early 70s and said afterwards, “if he was hung for singing, he’d die innocent”

My daughter enjoyed Christmas she asked me to rewrap some of her presents and she opened them again this morning. She FULLY committed to the second opening, acting with total surprise and expecting us all to do the same

I like my December weather the way I like my mercy: mild

Family made a Christmas cake, an daughter is excited about it

My line manager has hand-written notes from the 6 probation meetings for my new job all written in different coloured ink, on the same page, on top of each other. It’s surprisingly legible

“Thanks for coming!” “We’re not going.” “I’m…I’m sorry?” “You heard.” “Sorry, is everything ok?” “You not been listening?” “Sorry, I’m not sure…” “We. Won’t. Go. Un. Til. We. Get. Some.” “Get some what?” “. . .” (Internally) “I should write a song about this”

@mvclarke.bsky.social and I have just submitted the manuscript of our co-edited volume, The Legacies of Isaac Watts’ Hymnody, to Routledge Press. Thank you to all of the contributing authors, we think you’ve done an excellent job!

Do I know anybody who subscribes to the Spectator and can send me their review of David Olusoga's 'Empire' series please? Thanks

Maple 🍁 🐶

My PhD thesis is under contract with Routledge. My external examiner is also my editor. And the big change they wanted was a final chapter on the immediate legacy of Isaac Watts. I’ve been researching it today, and I’ve found so much material. It’s been wonderful

I'm really pleased that my paper on evangelical hymns and slavery was accepted for the Reformation Studies Colloquium. At heart, I'm a historian, and that is how and why I engage with the hymn tradition. Being able to present my work in the wider context of Protestant history is a joy

The right (far right) are angry about these postage stamps. On the left, Mary holding Jesus - both have brown skin, and Mary is wearing pink which historically symbolises her (I think?) love and devotion. On the right is the new “fixed” version of the stamp. Made by, and for, nasty little racists

Some high school students attended my “Living standards before the Black Death” lecture at @viuniversity.bsky.social yesterday. The lecture included a bit about coins, so I had an opportunity to show off some medieval silver pennies, including this one from King John’s reign (1199–1216).

A Christmas film is one that requires Christmas to be an essential component in the plot. As such, Home Alone is not a Christmas film, but Home Alone 2 is

This broccoli is not happy about being cut into

I hate this. I can see that tower from my house. A symbol of the UK university sector being actively and intentionally destroyed. Devastating

This is indeed horrific and stupid, and so sad

Boaty McBoatface

I’ve just been asked if I’d like to buy shares in an Egyptian tourism project. The idea is that if I invest £5000 today, I should get a return of £50,000 by next year. And I get bonuses if I get others to invest I’m a bit suspicious, as it just sounds like a pyramid scheme to me

Facebook memories are reminding me of the time I played a set of Christmas songs *in October* in a garden centre cafe as they launched their Christmas stock. You haven't known despair until you've played Wizard before the clocks change to an empty cafe surrouded by tinsel