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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan

@deborahsuggryan.bsky.social
1.9K followers 750 following 55 posts

Prof Emerita of Design History & public historian FRHistSoc📙Ideal Homes ✍️ history of the kitchen 📺📻rep by Knight Ayton bio.site/deborahsuggryan

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Reposted by Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
What you're saying when you say "DEI" when universities say "EDI" (as happens here) and vice versa. And why it actually matters. The great majority of UK (esp. British) universities use "EDI" while US universities use "DEI". Is that "just" semantic, or does it matter? A thread. 🧵1/8
ft.com
How Jason Arday’s appointment became a reckoning for Cambridge
Resignation of Black professor forces university to examine its approach to diversity, equality and inclusion
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Gareth0108 @gareth0108.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
this is important to add
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
This 👇
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Reposted by Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan
Sadiah Qureshi 🦈 @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
For anyone who might need this: Contact details for the Samaritans. Options include calling, texting, and online help. Back to being offline. www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-h...
samaritans.org
Contact Us
Contact Us
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Bye bye Academia.edu I’ve left because I can’t agree to the new terms & conditions
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Delighted to attend the opening of the Kingston Glamour exhibition last night with my PhD student Tara McKinney Marinus who curated the Betty Joel section
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Off to the opening of the exhibition Kingston Glamour: Art, Innovation & the Suburbs at Kingston Museum this evening. Looking forward to seeing the Betty Joel section curated by my Uni of Portsmouth PhD student Tara McKinney Marinus www.kingstonheritage.org.uk/events/event...
kingstonheritage.org.uk
Kingston Glamour: Art, Innovation and the Suburbs – Kingston Heritage
This fascinating exhibition will celebrate the borough as a site of aspiration and innovation in the Twentieth Century. Come and rediscover Kingston’s glamorous reputation for late night cabaret, race...
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
I was talking to a neighbour at the weekend who works in marketing. He says he’s never seen consumer confidence so low. He said it would be great if we could attract some of the talented PGRs, post docs & academics who would have otherwise gone to the USA to help drive innovation in the UK
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Reposted by Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan
Plashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Apart from all the other miseries of the Immigration White Paper, it’s depressing to see an actual government uncritically relying on the unbelievably flawed media-driven university rankings.
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
'Hey universities, we know you're going broke, here's a 6% tax on your only surplus source of income'. Another miserable day in British Higher Education.
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
On #VEDay80 remembering my grandparents Welshman Rob & Londoner Nora & all who gave service. On VEDay Grandad, who served as an armourer in the RAF, was still away & Nanny was living in London with her family & was heavily pregnant with her first child.
A young couple in World War 2 RAF & WAAF uniform
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Chest of drawers is v similar to one in Utility furniture catalogue & styles like this were still in production in the 50s harrislebus.com/utility-furn...
harrislebus.com
Utility furniture catalogue | Harris Lebus
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Greg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
#DoTheWriteThing
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ALCS @alcs.co.uk · 03/04/2025
Today, we'll be joining the @societyofauthors.bsky.social outside Meta's offices to protest the use of pirated works to train their AI models. Join us if you can! More info: societyofauthors.org/2025/04/03/u...
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
A few photos from the Betty Joel exhibition accompanying Clive Stewart-Lockhart’s book launch at Olympia Auctions yesterday, closes tomorrow. This is a taster of a much bigger exhibition that will be curated by my PhD student Tara McKinney Marinus for Portsmouth City Museum & Art Gallery in 2027
Poster for Betty Joel exhibition showing a photo of Betty standing beside a Cheval mirror Portrait of designer Betty Joel in the 1920s depicting her with her auburn hair in a shingled bob, wearing a yellow embroidered jacket. Underneath is one of her asymmetric bookcases.A life-size photo of Betty Joel in the early 1920s with a long fringed shawl draped around her shoulders beside her full-length mirror with integrated lamps with glass flame shades Desk and chair designed by Betty Joel with photos depicting some of her interiors above
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Tom Goodwin @tomgoodwin.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
I’ve written about Arthur Quarmby’s pleasingly bizarre Mole Manor for the Twentieth Century Society, having a huge amount of fun reading about Quarmby’s hugely varied output in the process!
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Not normally staid historians share this alarm.
theguardian.com
‘It reminds you of a fascist state’: Smithsonian Institution braces for Trump rewrite of US history
Normally staid historians sound alarm at authoritarian grasping for control of the premier US museum complex
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Sara Sheridan @sarasheridan.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Today seeing that Mark Zuckerberg's company has used 13 of my books to train his AI model without paying a penny or even, seeking permission. Want to object? You can write him a letter here:https://actionnetwork.org/letters/authors-guild-author-letters-to-ai-companies/
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Alexandra Lange @langealexandra.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Also how can you write about Severance's nostalgia for office glamor without citing Florence Knoll, THE designer of postwar glamor workplaces www.podchaser.com/podcasts/new... CBS (L) and Connecticut General (R)
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Things are dire. But the Royal Historical Society is still funding postgraduate research. Next deadline is 6 June 2025. Grants of £500 or £1,000 available. Details: royalhistsoc.org/research_fun...
royalhistsoc.org
Postgraduate Research Support Grants | RHS
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Tim White @twmcltd.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
I am listening to "More or Less" on BBC Radio4, where @timharford.ft.com and the team have successfully ripped apart the "aid to Ukraine" lies spewed by #TraitorTrump They say the US has given $122bn (not 350 as claimed), while Europe gave $142bn so far. Listen again at BBCSounds.
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Absolutely thrilled to bits to receive a copy of Clive Stewart-Lockhart’s lavishly illustrated book on designer Betty Joel, his great aunt. There will be an exhibition on Joel at Portsmouth City Museum in 2027, curated by my PhD student Tara McKinney Marinus #WomenInDesign #WomenDesigners
The front cover of a book on Betty Joel depicting her standing in front of a chevalier mirror
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Dr Vanessa @hpsvanessa.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Academics, Authors, Artists in the UK here is a CRUCIAL #DigitalFriday task - the govt's consult on AI use of our hard work ends 25 Feb. It's deliberately intimidating but here's a guide to filling in the 9 crucial questions (u don't have to answer it all!) againstthebox.substack.com/p/time-to-ha...
againstthebox.substack.com
NO, we don’t want to give up copyright protection
Follow these tips and tricks to complete the AI consultation in no time at all (and sign our open letter!)
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
The buyer of my house pulled out today. 🏠 Apparently they’ve found another property. Nice 🙃 My solicitor issued the contract today. I’m £100s out of pocket. The English home buying system needs reforming. 😤
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Ooh some great fireplaces & love the kitchen cupboards & would keep that tartan carpet!
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
Check out The Portsmouth Papers published by the council on local history & the Portsmouth History Centre
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. May you be as relaxed as Tenzing the Tibetan Spaniel #DogsOfBluesky
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
🤣 BTW I recommend Apple TV’s Schmigadoon series, which is what made me want to see the film again
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
I’ve been enjoying the musicals shown on BBC2 this week. Why is Brigadoon never on tv? It doesn’t seem to be available to stream either. And how about a stage revival? #musicals
The poster for the film musical Brigadoon featuring Cyd Charisse in a red dress in the arms of Gene Kelly against a red and black tartan background
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Thanks for the recommendation @alistairfair.bsky.social! Michelle, I also discuss scouring sources like car boot fairs & charity shops as well as the experience of restoring, furnishing, decorating & living in my interwar house. Do read my Afterword as well as my intro!
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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Day 2: Carol’s stomach drops a mile as she walks through the door shrugging off her coat. She had somehow assumed that the staff Christmas party would be more……party-ish.
Black form fitting strapless dress with a high low hem lined with ruffles of pink silk taffeta
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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Day 1: Clara knew from the beginning that Cynthia was plotting sabotage. She did not enjoy the ice skating prowess of the others, a fact well known to Cynthia. Now here she was taking her third tumble. But wait……1/2
A mannequin posed as if it has fallen. The figure is wearing a cream fur trimmed silk Pelisse and a soft black hat with stockings and ice skates
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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
There is a lot that is broken with the student finance model and the way that higher education is funded in this country, but the provision of maintenance loans to students is discussed less than tuition fees, and yet it is an ABSOLUTE SCANDAL that is putting thousands of students into poverty.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 02/12/2024
The Royal Historical Society is a membership organisation with 6,500+ Fellows and Members representing academic and professional history in all its diversity. We welcome applications to join us at any time. The next closing date for applications is Friday 13 December bit.ly/45lOzr0
Image advertising the next closing date for applications to join the Royal Historical Society. The Society welcomes applications to join in one of four categories: Fellows, Associate Fellows, Members and postgraduate members. The next closing date for applications us Friday 13 December 2024.
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Stella Duffy @stellduffy.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
It’s important to remember that many middle class women of a certain age grew up as working class girls who were, and are, fierce as fuck. With long memories.
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
We need some #consumerjournalists to get onto the GSPR issue
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
@seasideferry.bsky.social might have some ideas
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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Prepare yourselves for Christmas tales. For my fashion history advent calendar this year, I’ll be sharing a daily mini story as told through a single garment. Totally fabricated, just for fun, I hope you enjoy! Day 1 to follow shortly. This dress mid #1820s @metcostume.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Long white muslin dress with red satin accents embroidered in wool around the hem with holly leaves and berries
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
My socials are full of friends & other small businesses I buy from bemoaning fact that new EU #GSPR legislation means that they will no longer be able to sell to customers in EU of Northern Ireland because they can’t afford increased costs after 12 December. I’ve not seen any press coverage of this
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MJ Porter @mjporterauthor.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
I'm reviewing Casa Paradiso – 300 Years in the Life of a House, a beautiful collection of short stories all taking place in the same location #blogtour #histfic @rararesources @francescascana2
mjporterauthor.blog
I’m reviewing Casa Paradiso – 300 Years in the Life of a House, a beautiful collection of short stories all taking place in the same location #blogtour #histfic
Here's the blurb Lombardy, Northern Italy, 1637 Cristó Lovetta, a skilled stonemason, arrives in the rural village of Pieve Santa Clara to work on a nobleman’s house. Haunted by a tragic past, Cristó wonders if he will ever find happiness again. However, as he immerses himself in his work, the warmth of the community and the beauty of the landscape convince him to begin a new life there.
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Karen Cummings @drkarencummings.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
I sometimes am shocked to hear that not everyone knows about the GRO’s own birth and death indexes and cheaper digital certificate copies for England and Wales. Here’s some more detail. Don’t pay more than you need to! www.professionalfamilyhistory.co.uk/blog/gro-bmd...
professionalfamilyhistory.co.uk
GRO BMD indexes and cheaper PDF and digital certificate options
This post describes the new birth and death indexes launched by the GRO in 2016 and the cheaper copies of certificates available in pdf and digital form.
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Finished @jennyeclair.bsky.social Jokes Jokes Jokes, which took me back to my days hanging out on the alternative comedy circuit. Now reading Jonathan Coe’s The Proof of My Innocence
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Richard Ansell @richardjansell.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
My edition of four travel journals by 18th-c servants is out now, including accounts of France, Italy, the Low Countries, Germany and the Ottoman Empire by three valets and a maid – the majority of people who went on the 'Grand Tour' #skystorians #18thc #c18th global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Green cover of the book 'Servants Abroad: Travel Journals by British Working People, 1765–1798'. The image shows an 18th-century caricature of a male servant carrying books and wine.
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Michael Brown @medhistoryman.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
The advert for our Research Associate post in Victorian Cultural and Material History is now up on jobs.ac.uk - www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DKS158/r... Please spread the word!!!!
jobs.ac.uk
Research Associate in Victorian Cultural and Material History at Lancaster University
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Research Associate in Victorian Cultural and Material History on jobs.ac.uk!
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Watching Britain’s Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story - in memory of my Great Uncle Ron Lacey (b. 1920), a nuclear veteran who had a painful death from bone cancer in 1982. His widow, my Great Aunt Eileen, fought for justice all her life. Too late for justice for them now www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
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Nina Baker @ninabake2.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Just heard about this amazing scheme which lends classic cars to young drivers. It would be especially great if more women drivers applied. classiccarloanproject.co.uk
classiccarloanproject.co.uk
The Classic Car Loan Project
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
Excited to be at Chichester Festival Theatre to see Here You Come Again. And, yes, I’m wearing vintage Western wear & have big hair!
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
My favourite theatre!
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
Fab photo. I’m there right now!
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Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan @deborahsuggryan.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
It feels very much like old Twitter & I’m loving the starter packs to find interesting people to follow
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