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Robert Bickers

@bickers.bsky.social
838 followers 401 following 72 posts

Writer & historian. European. Professor of History, University of Bristol. Rewriting British and other history is my job. Find out more via my staff profile: tinyurl.com/rbickers, & blog: robertbickers.net I also run hpcbristol.net

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Reposted by Robert Bickers
History at Bristol @uobrishistory.bsky.social · 22h
Fifth post from our students: Nancy Mitchell traces the careers of two high profile 1950s @bristoluni.bsky.social Malaysian law grads: Lal Chand Vohrah and Raja Aziz historiansatbristol.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/archives/994 @uobartsmatter.bsky.social
Photograph of two men sitting on a sofa reading documents Raja Aziz (left) and Tun Salleh Abas (right)Photograph of 5 standing judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. Lal Chang Vohra is back right
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Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Come join us (or please spread the word) -- we have a great team and with our colleagues in the wider Dept of History we can offer supervision across a great range of subjects. Full bursary will cover both UK and international students. www.hkhistory.net/2026/09/24/h...
hkhistory.net
Hong Kong History Centre Studentship (starting September 2027) – Hong Kong History Centre
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Alex Cheung @klalexcheung.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
It is a magical moment to see my very first peer-reviewed article, ‘Chinese Villagers at the Colonial Urban Periphery: Improvement Schemes, Landed Property and Indigeneity in Hong Kong, c. 1890s–1930s’ published on @urbanhistory.bsky.social!
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History at Bristol @uobrishistory.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Fourth post from our students: Clara Tyrpak's wonderful account of wartime language learning, and romance at @bristoluni.bsky.social historiansatbristol.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/archives/996 @uobartsmatter.bsky.social @frenchatbristol.bsky.social
Black and white photograph of a couple on the English coast
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Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A new article, and his first, out today from @klalexcheung.bsky.social who @viviankonghk.bsky.social and I co-supervise here in the @hongkonghistory.bsky.social www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
cambridge.org
Chinese villagers at the colonial urban periphery: improvement schemes, landed property and indigeneity in Hong Kong, c. 1890s–1930s | Urban History | Cambridge Core
Chinese villagers at the colonial urban periphery: improvement schemes, landed property and indigeneity in Hong Kong, c. 1890s–1930s
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It was a great honour to have had Prof. Elizabeth Sinn visit us yesterday. She shared with us her decade-long research on the colorful life of Ho Amei (何崑山), a cousin of Ho Kai and an enterprising figure who climbed the social hierarchy in colonial Hong Kong in the late 19th century.
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Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
John M MacKenzie, the founding editor of the Manchester University Press Studies in Inperialism series that i have the honour of co-editing, has sadly passed away. Our tributes here: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/blog/2026/09...
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
Celebrating the life and contribution of John M MacKenzie - Manchester University Press
Manchester University Press remembers Professor John M. MacKenzie, founding editor of Studies in Imperialism, with tributes from colleagues reflecting on his scholarship, generosity and lasting legacy...
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History at Bristol @uobrishistory.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Third post from our students: Charleigh Hebbard on the students of CAYDA, the Caribbean & Young Dominions Association incl Nigerian Supreme Court judge Anthony Aniagolu historiansatbristol.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/archives/982 @uobartsmatter.bsky.social @bristoluni.bsky.social @bristolunilaw.bsky.social
Black and white photograph of Nigerian Supreme Court justice Anthony Aniagolu in regalia
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
HPHK blogpost from Dr Catherine S. Chan. //In colonial Asia, the interweaving of native dogs with ‘white’ societal constructions of ‘race’ and ‘class’ was inseparable from two developments: rabies and the introduction of Victorian dog fancy.// hphk.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2026/09/15/g...
Tong gau outside a house in Penny’s Bay. HPHK: Nigel Spry Collection, DM3263-1-4-10In 1921 Shanghai, a shih-tzu poses at a gathering with a group of foreigners and Eurasians (credit: Hutchinson family Collection, Hn05-078, Historical Photographs of China, University of Bristol
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History at Bristol @uobrishistory.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Next in our series of posts from student researchers: Cerys Davies on Prof George Hare Leonard and his life-long commitment to adult education and civic engagement @uobartsmatter.bsky.social @engagebristol.bsky.social @bristoluni.bsky.social historiansatbristol.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/archives/988
1912 poster advertising University of Bristol Saturday Popular Lectures
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History at Bristol @uobrishistory.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Ahead of our 10/10 birthday event, our blog will host posts authored by our undergrads, who have been researching @bristoluni.bsky.social history. 1st up, Archie McKinlay on James Rowley, first History chair historiansatbristol.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/archives/986 @uobartsmatter.bsky.social
Photograph of James Rowley with beard and bow-tie
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Vivian Kong @viviankonghk.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Super late in posting this but so glad to see the Stanton album on HPC website! Fascinating photos - do check them out.
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Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The first of 8 posts from our student researchers, who have been teaching me a great deal about the history of @bristoluni.bsky.social @uobartsmatter.bsky.social
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Why is History studied, and why should it be part of a liberal education? Speaker: Dr Vivian Kong Date: 10 Oct 2026 Time: 11am – 12:15pm (UKT) Venue: Room B.H05, Arts Complex, University of Bristol Language: English Please register on eventbrite. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-...
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
New HPHK blogpost from Vivian Kong. //Have you ever wondered how your grandparents met? What your parents were like as kids? ... Here are some ideas I have on how you might use our platform to pursue your family history.// blog.hphkbristol.net/2026/09/10/h...
Families playing with lanterns and lighting candles at night during Mid-Autumn Festival, 1983. HPHK Nigel Spry Collection, DM3263/1/6/22A vendor with a baby selling fish at Sheung Shui Market, 1984. HPHK, Nigel Spry Collection, DM3263/1/1/106Dragon dance at Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long, 1960s. HPHK, Nigel Spry Collection, DM3263/1/1/31
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Visualising China @vischina.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Andrew's new book, Living in the shadow of empire: women and the China Consular World, 1843-1900, will be published by Manchester University Press on 22 September 2026 manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526194589/
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
Manchester University Press - Living in the shadow of empire
Living in the shadow of empire - Browse and buy the Hardcover edition of Living in the shadow of empire by Andrew Hillier
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Visualising China @vischina.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
A new post on the blog from Andrew Hillier on a consular couple in China hpchina.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2026/09/12/g...
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Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Come join us as we mark 150 years of the teaching and study of History at @bristoluni.bsky.social @uobartsmatter.bsky.social
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
We're grateful to colleagues in Bristol University's Research IT team, who developed the platform including the ever super @mikej1971.bsky.social The number of images accessible online is currently modest, but will grow and grow and grow
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
For more on the what, why, and how, here's an introductory post on our new Historical Photographs of Hong Kong blog blog.hphkbristol.net This striking image from 1984 is from the large Nigel Spry collection hphkbristol.net/collection/n... That's Spry's shadow 2/3
Photograph of a Chinese child on a sandy beach in Hong Kong with the photographer's shadow also showing
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Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
We've just launched our new online platform, showcasing the photographs donated amongst other materials to the Hong Kong Collections in the University of Bristol Library's Special Collections
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Mike Jones @mikej1971.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Historical Photographs of Hong Kong hphkbristol.net was launched today. A digital resource I was lucky enough to work on for @hongkonghistory.bsky.social
hphkbristol.net
Welcome | Historical Photographs of Hong Kong
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
"The Story of Hong Kong Resettlement Programme" Initially an emergency response to build basic resettlement accommodation following the disastrous fire at Shek Kip Mei in 1953. Illustrated with historical photos, Tim will trace this journey. Ticket: t.co/mcoEclDGgN
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
"Hong Kong and American Business: From 19th century to Post-War years" This talk contrasts various generations of enterprising Americans initial presence in the 19th century with the rise of US dominance in Hong Kong after World War II. Ticket: tinyurl.com/hkhchistday2...
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
"Manager America: Li Choh Ming, CUHK and MBA education" Peter will revisit the American influence on the CUHK's development and discuss how it prepared local talent for engaging with corporate America. Ticket: t.co/mcoEclDGgN
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
"Hong Kong Toy Story: Hong Kong’s Roles and Impacts in the Circulation of Ideas" This talk examines the circulation of creative ideas at the regional and global levels, exploring how an interesting concept can trigger a wave of change. Ticket: tinyurl.com/hkhchistday2...
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
"Managing Youth in Post-war Hong Kong" This talk explores how the colonial govt' sought to manage youth leisure through voluntary youth organisations, examining those initiatives addressed what it and wider society perceived as ‘youth problems.’ Ticket: tinyurl.com/hkhchistday2...
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
"A Reluctant Intervention: Public Housing and Colonial Rule in Postwar Hong Kong" This talk revisits what one might call a reluctant intervention. It explains why the intervention failed to resolve a housing problem that continues to affect HK today. Ticket: tinyurl.com/hkhchistday2...
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Bristol IGRCT @igrct.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
We would like to say a huge thank you to Lily Bickers for their contributions as the IGRCT intern for the past year and a half! We wish you all the best with the rest of your PhD and hope to see your face at this year’s upcoming events 💫
Lily stands in front of a large sculpture by Louise Bourgeois
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Rachel Herrmann @raherrmann.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Curious about food and history at Cardiff? In this post for our History blog, @historyeats.bsky.social, Helena Lopes, and I write about food "as a way of accessing cross-cultural encounters and cross-cultural identities." blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/history-at-c... #clearing
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk
History is delicious at Cardiff!
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Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
We've just published a varied collection of 96 photographs of early 1890s Hong Kong including this hpcbristol.net/visual/Do01-87
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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
PB edition of the critically acclaimed ‘The Truth About Empire’ edited by @alanlester.bsky.social w/foreword by @sathnam.bsky.social out now! ‘Book of the Year’ @historyextra.bsky.social Extracted in @theguardian.com Sample 👉 tinyurl.com/38u2ndw3 & use code TRUTH20 for a 20% off in buy link.
Book cover of 'The Truth About Empire'
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Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Professor Whittle is one of four colleagues in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Faculty at the University of Exeter elected to Fellowship of the British Academy this year. 🗃️ ALL FOUR of these outstanding scholars were placed at risk of redundancy last month. Here's their statement:
A written statement from from University of Exeter scholars just elected to the British Academy Fellowship 2026. There are photos of each scholar at the side of the text.
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
"Travel with Hong Kong Characteristics: Tourism and Hong Kong History" Tourism reflects and influences culture, identity, and politics. What’s so “Hong Kong” about the history of Hong Kong tourism? Hong Kong History Day 2026 Secure your spot: tinyurl.com/hkhchistday2...
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
What a ride! Big congrats to everyone who graduated from the inaugural Hong Kong History Summer School. Those three weeks flew by—so many awesome lectures, visits, and workshops. Loved the discussions and the energy in the room. Great fun!
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Visualising China @vischina.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
New content: burying Sun Yat-sen, returning Weihaiwei, Yangzi Gorges and portraits of rural fold: China 1928-31 caught in an album of photographs compiled by British naval officer Leslie Ayre: hpcbristol.net/collections/... Here's one of them, a man in Changsha with a big smile and a big hat
Photograph of smiling Chinese countryman wearing a very big-brimmed straw hat
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Visualising China @vischina.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Content update! We have added 247 photographs of Hong Kong from the National Archives, 1869-1900 by Lai Fong, John Thomson & William Pryor. Nice to have 65 by von Stillfried commissioned by governor Hennessy in 1881-82 including this waterfront view. All in www.hpcbristol.net search NA14 NA17 NA25
Photograph of buildings on harbour side at Hong Kong in the winter of 1881 to 1882 with some vessels moored to the shore
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Jon Howlett @jonhowlett.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Last week I posted Song Qingling on a fun dove-shaped jet, so today I thought I’d stay on the theme of rocket-power in Mao-era Chinese propaganda. The most famous example of which is ‘rocket Mao’ from this Great Leap Forward poster from 1958. (1/7) #China #Skystorians #propaganda #Communism
Chinese workers and peasants stride across large waves out at sea. One drives a tractor. In the back there is a man who looks like Mao on a rocket reading a Little Red Book.
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Jon Howlett @jonhowlett.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
I happened across this cover for the January 1957 edition of China Reconstructs, an ‘external propaganda’ publication for overseas readers. Featuring a flyover from Song Qingling (宋庆龄) in a dove-shaped jet(!), it captures many of the key features of 'external propaganda' (1/8) 🧵 #skystorians #china
A magazine cover in cartoon style with newspaper workers busily producing their next edition.
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Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History @bcricciinstitute.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Here are some more photos taken by the Jesuits in Taiwan, ca. 1960s. #photography #Taiwan
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Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Writer's block? Always remember Virginia Woolf to Vita Sackville-West, 29 December 1931: ‘Not a word have I written, and I’ve 4 books surging in my head, and shall be 50 next month, and how am I ever to write them? And does it matter if I don’t? Why not give up writing & lavish my days in joy?’
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Vivian Kong @viviankonghk.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Thrilled to see this fine article on the Girl Guide movement in late colonial HK by Tracy Leung, @hongkonghistory.bsky.social PhD researcher, published by the Journal of Imperial & Commonwealth History! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
From ‘To Serve Hong Kong’ to ‘To be True to My Country’: The Girl Guide Movement in Late Colonial Hong Kong, 1950s–1997
Using unexamined Girl Guide publications, government papers and oral history testimonies, this article examines how the role of the Girl Guide movement changed throughout late colonial Hong Kong. I...
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Lily Bickers @cyberantiquities.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
desperately searching for this painting that i've been shown in various art history lectures over the years - it's probably 18th/19th century and depicts art from different ancient cultures all lined up in the order of value that european collectors supposed it to have. does anyone know the title?
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Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
One month to go before registrations close. Excited to announce the latest addition to the programme: Prof Madeline Y. Hsu (University of Maryland, College Park) and Prof Su Lin Lewis (Bristol) will join the teaching team for the Hong Kong History Summer School! www.bristol.ac.uk/centre-for-s...
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Association for Asian Studies @asianstudies.org · 31/03/2026
Call for Applications: University of Bristol Hong Kong History summer school, for either undergraduate or grad students—an opportunity to conduct primary-source research in Hong Kong from June 14 to July 4. Apply by May 1.
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Saima Nasar @saimanasar.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Happy publication day to @uobrishistory.bsky.social’s Professor Sumita Mukherjee!
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Fantastic blog by my former colleague @alanlester.bsky.social forensically refuting the disgraceful attacks on the University of Sussex by the disgracefully ignorant Nigel Biggar. If you’re interested in protecting academic freedom please do read and share
alanlester.co.uk
Smearing Sussex (and Me): Responding to Nigel Biggar’s Latest Attack in The Spectator
The University of Sussex, Feb 2026, taken by the author. Alan Lester The Spectator has published an article by Nigel Biggar smearing the University of Sussex as repressing students who ‘don&#…
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Thomas Larkin @thomaslarkin.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
We're hosting the CHA this year at UPEI in June. It's going to be a blast. It overlaps with the ACSC and the CCHA. Our wee campus is about the become the historical profession's version of a clown car. I canvased hard locally to have this postcard from a family trip c.2001 on the programme cover.
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Jon Howlett @jonhowlett.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Three-year Lectureship in the History of Modern China - please share widely! jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/lect... #China #Skystorians #History
jobs.york.ac.uk
Jobs - The University of York
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Jon Howlett @jonhowlett.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Good news for the weekend! Four posts in History at York: Lecturer (Modern Middle East after 1800) Lecturer (Medieval History c.1100-1450) Lecturer (Modern China) Associate Lecturer (Modern British History and Public History) Find out all about them here: features.york.ac.uk/history-jobs/
features.york.ac.uk
York History Department - Academic Jobs
Uncover the past to define the future. We are seeking research-led historians to join our world-class, collaborative community. Discover career-defining opportunities within one of the UK’s most disti...
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