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Dr Cath Feely

@cathfeely.bsky.social
4.5K followers 1.4K following 3.9K posts

Cultural historian of modern Britain. Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby and Councillor of the Royal Historical Society. All views my own.

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Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Stephen Green @stephenrgreen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
UoN: "While we know many of our students will be unaffected by this action, the timing of this to deliberately disrupt the start of the new academic year for our students is particularly disappointing.” What about your timing to decide to fire a quarter of the academics at your university?
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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
York-born poet W.H. Auden died on this day 1973 (photo by Jane Bown). On former lead mines of the north Pennines: In Rookhope I was first aware Of Self and Not-Self, Death and Dread: There I dropped pebbles, listened, heard The reservoir of darkness stirred.
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
'The Westminster government’s contribution to funding domestic undergraduates studying in England fell in real terms from £8.9 billion in 2012-13 to just £3.3bn in 2024-25, a drop of more than 60 per cent, an analysis has found.'
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Currently plotting to drop all responsibilities at short notice to go to the hundredth anniversary of Manchester Civic Week. I think I may have a problem.
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K M Flett @keithbeard.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
wp.me/p15p2Q-hJu
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27th September 1936. Mosley did not pass in Leeds
The 90th anniversary of Cable St is marked on 3rd October but a week before Mosley’s fascists were stopped from rallying on Holbeck Moor in Leeds. Richard Burgon MP, whose grandfather was the…
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Jonathan Calder @lordbonkers.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
One for every Labour MP to read. #ldconf
lincolnshirelive.co.uk
30 years ago, Lincoln was 'on its knees' - then the university arrived
The construction of the University of Lincoln marked a turning point in the city's fortunes
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Helen Tookey @helentookey.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Wow. @longbarrowpress.bsky.social always make beautiful things but this set of three pamphlets by Matthew Clegg is just gorgeous. The accompanying postcards are going in a frame on the wall!
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Yeah, publications are good or whatever but have you ever seen a photograph of a dog enjoying your exhibition? Priceless.
Cloth exhibition panels hang in pairs from beams in Cromford Mills. A man and a greyhound are walking between them.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Quite a few but one which surprised me recently was Garbage's debut album. Didn't realise how deeply it had echoed my teenage angst.
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Kate Watson @loreandordure.com · 26/09/2026
Yes. Understanding my struggles through a lens other than being a moral failure helps me. The meds help me be an almost functional human being. My adult ADHD diagnosis has been life-changing. I want that for others it would help; fuck you for not wanting that for other people too.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Conversation between me and my husband this evening: Me: I've booked to see a play in London. Him: Without me? Me: You wouldn't. It's about J.M. Keynes (followed by a potted explanation of who that was). Him: (Looking at me like he married an alien) Yeah, you're right. I wouldn't.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Missing Claudia, I'm afraid. #Strictly
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In Otter News @in-otter-news.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
After a long day at the aquarium, the otters help tidy their toys away. Payment is made promptly and entirely in ice cubes.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 26/09/2026
Our great thanks to Prof Glen O'Hara for his excellent RHS lecture yesterday evening: ‘In All Our Footsteps? Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land after the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act’ Recordings now available bit.ly/4ySyB6W #Skystorians @gsoh31.bsky.social 1/2
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Glen O'Hara gives latest RHS lecture on 'Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land' - RHS
On Friday 25 September the Society hosted the latest lecture in its 2026 programme. Our great thanks to Professor Glen O'Hara (Oxford Brookes University) who spoke on: ‘In All Our Footsteps? Rights of...
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I don't expect to experience kindness when crossing the Euston Road, but today a younger woman turned to me and said: 'I love your dress. It's very pretty.' Well done, London! Well done that woman!
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 24/09/2026
'AI and History Teaching in UK Higher Education': today we launch a new autumn series on the Society's blog, with perspectives from historians as teachers bit.ly/4htgtcT We start with the first three posts, offering personal commentaries on current challenges and practice #Skystorians 1/2
Images of three opening blog posts for the RHS series 'AI and History Teaching in UK Higher Education', with contributions by:

> 'History is a Human Craft' by Dave Hitchcock

> 'The Machine’s Silences: Teaching History with AI', by Jesus Sanjurjo

> 'Generative Artificial Intelligence and the Evolving Arms Race in History Assessment & HE Policies' by Miguel Hernandez
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 21/09/2026
The Society is pleased to launch a new programme to support research bit.ly/4iFNuF0 The RHS / Social History Archive Partnership offers free access to resources in @socialhistarchive.bsky.social, published by DC Thomson. Applications for 6-month access to Archive content invited #Skystorians 1/2
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Society launches new programme for researchers, in partnership with The Social History Archive - RHS
The Society is pleased to launch a new programme for researchers, in partnership with The Social History Archive, published by DC Thomson. The Social History Archive is a comprehensive online archive ...
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Such a great opportunity. We are offering scholars the chance to spend a year at the Foreign Office through one of our Innovation Fellowships. The priority themes are outlined below. We offer up to £120k for the fellowship. Please help spread the word! www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
The Academy and the FCDO invite applications for Fellowships in any of the following areas:
1. Applied History
2. Critical Infrastructure and European
Warfare
3. South Asia Geopolitics and Regional
Security
4. The UK-France Relationship in 2027 and
Beyond
5. UK National Security Strategy
Scheme opens date: 22 September 2026
Application Deadline: 18 November 2026,
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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 24/09/2026
Never been to the opera before? Now’s your chance. We’re giving away 70,000 free tickets to the @metopera at the iconic Lincoln Center. Go to on.nyc.gov/opera to enter the lottery. There’s not a bad seat in the house.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 24/09/2026
New from History UK: a valuable and interesting survey of UK history students use of and attitudes towards GenAI in HE teaching - their preliminary report is published today: bit.ly/4hatsRR The report is by Dr Sarah Jones and Dr Simon Peplow @simpep.bsky.social #skystorians
Opening page of History UK's statement on their survey and report on AI and History Students in UK universities. Full text: 

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become impossible to ignore in higher education. For historians, working in a discipline which depends on interpretation, evidence, and critical thinking, the development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has raised particularly significant questions. In 2026, we launched a survey to gather the perspectives of people who are often overlooked in considerations of the impact of AI and appropriate responses – history students themselves.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Grand Designs has surpassed itself with the whole family wearing berets.
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Emma Brennan @emmaeditorial.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Sad news this week: 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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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 22/09/2026
Join us online at 1pm on Thursday (24th Sept) for 'Historical Context: The Climate Crisis' bit.ly/3V4lgKf With panellists @dagomardegroot.bsky.social, @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social and @ellydezateux.bsky.social. How does historical expertise help us understand the world today? All welcome #Skystorians
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Historical Context: The Climate Crisis
A panel discussion, hosted by the Royal Historical Society, in which expert historical researchers provide context for current events.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Reason 55 (this month) why I should avoid LinkedIn: someone who went to the same University I did 33 years ago remembering how proud she was about 'getting into a Russell Group university'. No, you weren't. You might have been proud of getting into Manchester but no-one talked about the RG then.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I just saw Trump's UN speech. Why is this continuing? Seriously, how this allowed to happen?
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Musicology Duck @musicologyduck.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I have not responded to the email that you sent me and which you probably spent awhile writing Forgive me it was so long and my executive functioning is completely shot
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Mary M. Burke @maryburke.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
TOO often news outlets who picked up her research are credited. THIS is where the story started: Catherine Corless, ‘The Home’, JOTS [Journal of the Old Tuam Society] 9 (2012), 75–82.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 20/09/2026
Our second event this week is a public lecture - 'In All Our Footsteps? Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land after the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act' - with Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social 6pm Friday 25th. In person and online: booking for remains open: bit.ly/3TjKYtw
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RHS Lecture: 'In All Our Footsteps?' with Professor Glen O'Hara IN PERSON
'In All Our Footsteps? Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land after the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act' at the IHR
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 20/09/2026
Coming up this week, the Society hosts two events on history and the environment. The first, at 1pm on Thurs 24th, offers 'Historical Context' on 'The Climate Crisis': bit.ly/3V4lgKf With panellists @dagomardegroot.bsky.social, @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social and bsky.app/profile/elly... All welcome.
eventbrite.co.uk
Historical Context: The Climate Crisis
A panel discussion, hosted by the Royal Historical Society, in which expert historical researchers provide context for current events.
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AiredOnTVToday @airedontvtoday.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
On September 20, 1977, TV show 'Happy Days' aired episode "Hollywood: Part 3"
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Katrina Navickas @katrinanavickas.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Repeat after me, the legal definition of redundancy is that the work has "substantially ceased or diminished". This is not that.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Last night, an exhibition I've been working on was launched at Cromford Mills in Derbyshire to mark 250 years since building of 2nd mill (blue print for cotton factories worldwide) and early industrial housing. It's open all weekend, with lots of activities. Critique my graphic design efforts!
Exhibition panels printed on cotton fabric hanging in pairs down a mill building from wooden ceiling beams. On the front panels the date 1776 and 'Why did cotton come to Cromford' are legible.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I have so much work to do but, after induction week and an exhibition launch, I seem to only be able to watch kitten videos this morning. Pray for revision motivation for this afternoon.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 18/09/2026
If you're starting an MA or PhD in #History this term, please consider joining @royalhistsoc.org as a Postgraduate Member. Applications are welcome, with next closing date of 5 Oct bit.ly/4x3eX6S The Society offers research funding, events, publications, history news, and networking #Skystorians
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Apply for Postgraduate Membership - RHS
Closing dates for next applications: Mondays 5 October and 14 December 2026   The Society's Postgraduate Membership is for those studying History, or a cognate subject, at a higher level (from Masters...
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Academics: does anyone else get the spam emails for 'Anna Nytko' about opportunities at 'AKADEUS', and can anyone else see them with immediately singing this?
static.klipy.com
Dr. Zaius Song from The Simpsons
ALT: Dr. Zaius Song from The Simpsons
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Inspired by Lucie, I'm going to share some little wins: a discussion with my personal tutees about what they do well, someone giving me a chef's kiss sign for a graphic detail in an exhibition panel I designed, seeing the messages that our new students added to the Dr Johnson Museum in Lichfield.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Still one of the best scenes ever.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
It's been a long week and the chippy has run out of gravy.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 18/09/2026
What was post-war Labour's vision for the land? How did governments and people struggle to realise this vision? Join us next Friday for: ‘In All Our Footsteps? Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land after the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act’, with Glen O’Hara bit.ly/4i0YEDS
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RHS Lecture: 'In All Our Footsteps?' with Professor Glen O'Hara IN PERSON
'In All Our Footsteps? Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land after the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act' at the IHR
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
When you are at your most tired and busy ever is when proofs will land. It's the law!
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Dr Beckie Rutherford (she/her) @beckierutherford.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
"Including disabled people in the story of Britain, which is what the book grandly tries to do, is about showing that disabled people are always there and that disability isn’t some kind of modern trend." Extremely timely reflections from @profdavidturner.bsky.social's new book project ...
substack.com
David Turner: “Disabled people have always been part of history"
The historian on his landmark new book ‘Disability: A History of Resistance’
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Dr Eleanor Shaw @eleanorshaw.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Fancy coming to work with me at the British Library? Part time for 18 months, collecting oral histories about covid and thinking about covid commemoration. www.nationalmuseums.org.uk/jobs/job/228...
nationalmuseums.org.uk
Jobs - National Museum Directors' Council Website
Association of directors and chief executives of the UK's national museums, galleries, libraries and archives.
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Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Very nice to hear a sane voice from Piddington. Serious respect to this woman, who is apparently already being othered by more bigoted villagers.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
When you think UK HE can't take gaslighting much further ...
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Caitríona Beaumont @caitbeaumont.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
📣 Excellent new resource for academics, ECRs, PGRs & students interested in #historyofexperience. Fully OA & drawing on rich experience of colleagues in @hexhistory.bsky.social it includes oral history, ego documents, institutional records, fiction & photos. #skystorians 📣
link.springer.com
Sources and Methods for the History of Experience
This open access book explores what kinds of sources and methodologies are needed for a history of experience.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
These arrived yesterday. They are beautiful and I was so drawn in that I read them all last night. The herons, haikus and the REF. I will return to them again and again.
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I have had the most Derbyshire morning it's possible to have this morning. Has involved a lot of dogs, talking to everyone, and overfamilar train guards.
Sir Richard Arkwright's Cromford Mills in Derbyshire with a blue sky and fluffy white clouds.
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Matthew Adams @msadams.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Pleased to see this article published in History Workshop Journal on Gandhi's reception by British anarchists: '‘Saint or Politician?’: Mohandas Gandhi, Indian Independence, and the British Anarchist Movement' Available open access here: academic.oup.com/hwj/advance-... @irph.bsky.social
‘Saint or Politician?’: Mohandas Gandhi, Indian Independence, and the British Anarchist Movement' Abstract: This article interrogates British anarchist responses to Mohandas Gandhi during the 1940s, a pivotal period marked by the reemergence of British anarchism and the intensification of Indian independence efforts. It argues that while anarchists supported Indian self-liberation, they were deeply divided over Gandhi. For some, he was an inspiration for nonviolent tactics; for others, he represented the flaws of nationalist-led independence, auguring poorly for genuine freedom for ordinary Indians. This study critically challenges prevailing scholarship that posits a natural affinity between Gandhism and anarchism. Drawing on unexplored primary material, it demonstrates that British anarchists never reached consensus on Gandhi’s ideas or his significance.
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Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high antidepressant use: lots of people need them www.theguardian.com/... My latest article, for the... [checks notes] Guardian? Doesn't ring a bell, must be some new publication. #mentalhealth #antidepressants
theguardian.com
There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high antidepressant use: lots of people need them | Dean Burnett
The idea that GPs are ignoring guidelines and ‘overprescribing’ doesn’t hold water. Instead, look to our social and economic crises, says doctor of neuroscience Dean Burnett
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Dr Vanessa @hpsvanessa.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
This looks like an intriguing part time job for an independent (or underemployed) historian 🗃️: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSX171/c...
jobs.ac.uk
Contributing Editor at Victoria County History Hampshire
Recruiting now: Contributing Editor on jobs.ac.uk. Click for details and explore more academic job opportunities on the top job board
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