iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

With our new Prime Minister being an English Literature graduate, could he please help put a stop to the cuts to Arts & Humanities subjects in universities across the country? @downingstreet.bsky.social @andyburnham.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk @universities-uk.bsky.social

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Yesterday, I baked my Mum’s birthday cake 🎂

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

I am delighted to have been elected as a Postgraduate Member of the @royalhistsoc.org (RHS) in their recent council meeting. From a very young age, I’ve always been fascinated by history (being bias, it’s always been about Victorians, being a Victorianist). 1/2

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

This is absolutely disgusting. My thoughts are with all students and staff at the University of Hertfordshire. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/hertfor...

timeshighereducation.com

Hertfordshire drops history, English and other humanities courses

University says programmes no longer financially viable owing to drops in recruitment

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

It’s been a while since I posted! A little update: a couple of weeks ago, I did a telephone interview with a reporter from The Times on the subject of “low-value” degrees. 1/4

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

A few pictures taken in a glorious Stratford-upon-Avon during a visit on Easter Sunday 🌸

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

My cat decided to assist me with thesis-writing yesterday…🐈‍⬛

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

So sad to hear about the passing of Jesse Jackson. A civil rights icon who made such an impact for Black people throughout his life. He will be so missed. Thank you for your advocacy, Jesse.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

I haven’t posted on here for a while! Bit of a life/PhD update: I had my PhD confirmation review last week…

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Just baked an apple crumble 🍏🥧

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

I’d just like to wish everyone a very, Merry Christmas, and all the very best for 2026! I hope you have a wonderful time with your families and loved ones!🎄❄️☃️🌟

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

So Charlie decided to bring a dead mouse into the dining room last night!😩🐭

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

“Just look at the degree on that chick – No man ever” – Richard Cooper, 2025 Recently on X (formerly Twitter), there has been a growing trend of trolls (mostly incels), directing hate towards women who have achieved academic success.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

I am both angered and saddened to read that my previous university, the University of Nottingham, is suspending its music and modern languages courses from 10th November. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham - BBC News

In a statement the institution also says it is "proposing to reduce its nursing offer".

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

🧵I always had my head stuck in a book when I was little…From Ladybird books, to Roald Dahl, to Jacqueline Wilson, I was always fascinated with literature. Every other week, I was reading a different book…

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

‘Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.’ – Dame Jane Goodall I am saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Jane Goodall. She was an incredible woman who cared so much for wildlife. She will be so missed. ❤️ www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Dame Jane Goodall remembered as 'true hero for the planet' - BBC News

Leonardo DiCaprio and Barack Obama are among those paying tribute to the leading conservationist.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Back to thesis-writing! Currently writing Chapter Two, Section Three on Mary Kingsley and West Africa, and reading the Victorian periodical: Mainly about People.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

I’m happy to announce that I have started recording the first episode of my podcast, Victorian Curiosities!🎙️The episode will focus on the life of Victorian icon, Frederick Douglass, and will discuss his tireless advocacy for the civil rights of African Americans.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Currently reading for Chapter Two, Section Three of my thesis, which focuses on Mary Kingsley’s Travels in West Africa (1897). It’s a fascinating narrative! 📚

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Last night, I attended An Evening with Jacqueline Wilson, hosted by @waterstones.bsky.social at the beautiful St Mary’s Church in Nottingham. 1/3

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Happy 207th birthday to my favourite Brontë sister, Emily, and happy 67th birthday to one of my favourite musical artists, Kate Bush! Two amazingly talented women born on the same day, 140 years apart. ‘I will walk where my own nature would be leading.’ - Emily Brontë

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Just renewed my @dickensfellowhq.bsky.social subscription. It’s good to be back!🎩📚

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Yesterday I completed the first draft of Chapter Two, Section Two on Charles Dickens after having a bit of a break from thesis-writing. Current overall word count is about 42,000 words, so I’m now onto the countdown to 50,000. Feeling more determined than ever to finish my PhD.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

I attended Thursday’s lovely service in Durham to remember and celebrate this incredible man, who had such an exuberance for life and positively impacted every person he came into contact with: Professor Simon James.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

I am devastated to hear this news. Professor Simon James was my primary PhD supervisor, and I have been exceedingly lucky to have had him supervise my thesis for the past two years. He was incredibly kind, caring, passionate and funny, and I will miss him so much…

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Hi Bluesky, it’s been a short while since I posted. I just wanted to update you all with some sad news😞. Unfortunately, my beautiful dog, Hope, who most of you will know as my PhD study buddy, went to Rainbow Bridge yesterday morning😢🌈🐾

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Hi Bluesky, long time no see! Hope you’ve all been well. Haven’t posted for a while, as I’ve been concentrating on writing my thesis. Pleased to say that I am now over 40,000 words in total!

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing mum and to all the wonderful mums out there 🌸

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

I would really appreciate it if my lovely friends on Bluesky could like & share the Facebook page of my new podcast, Victorian Curiosities. I'm in the process of planning the first episode, and I would appreciate the support! ☺️ www.facebook.com/victoriancur...

facebook.com

Victorian Curiosities

Victorian Curiosities. 4 likes · 1 talking about this. Historical-based podcast discussing all aspects of the long nineteenth century.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

I love having fresh flowers in front of my PhD desk☺️🌼

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Reposted by Ayesha Gaye

The PhD Place - Academic Community @thephdplace.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

When you were doing an undergrad, you wanted to do a masters. When you did a masters, you wanted to do a PhD. Now you’re doing a PhD, you want to be a cat.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

I really want to create my own podcast on the Victorians and the nineteenth century. Any podcast creators have any tips? #AcademicBluesky #PhDLife #podcast #podcasts #history #PhDSky

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Reposted by Ayesha Gaye

dr joshua phillips @woolfianjosh.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Literature academics ought to get World Book Day off as a religious holiday.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

My first draft of Chapter Two, Section One is done! #PhDLife #MarySeacole

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

My boyfriend and I had a really busy day rearranging my bedroom. After several years of writing essays in my bed, I FINALLY have a desk to work at!😁💻 #PhDLife #AcademicBluesky

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Started watching @davidolusoga.bsky.social’s Black and British: A Forgotten History series, which is absolutely fascinating! I also have the book, which has been a really good companion for my thesis.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Can’t get enough of #Uncanny, so of course I had to buy the book!👻 @dannyrobins.bsky.social #UncannyCommunity

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

So ready for another supervision meeting tomorrow, been struggling a little bit with one of my chapter’s sections 😩 #PhDLife

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Reposted by Ayesha Gaye

Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

On Feb. 14th I try always to give honor to one of the greatest contributors to American democracy in our nation’s history, Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery, Douglass never knew his actual birthdate, and adopted Feb. 14th as the day. His penetrating insights about our country inspire me daily.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Had a lovely stroll around Grasmere yesterday (the gingerbread is delicious!). Completely understand why Wordsworth fell in love with the place; the Lake District is truly beautiful.

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Ayesha Gaye @ayeshagaye.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

In my PhD supervision meeting yesterday, my supervisor advised me to own my research, and in terms of building upon existing scholarship, he wisely told me to ‘Stand on the shoulders of giants’...1/2

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