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Dr Emma J McAlister

@emmajmca.bsky.social
221 followers 297 following 39 posts

Belfast-based scholar & curator. APRIL 2026 Fellow. Researches sacred spaces, material religion and ritual in museums. Interested in Ireland’s cultural industries. Distracted by the casualised job market.

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Reposted by Dr Emma J McAlister
Independent Social Research Foundation @isrfoundation.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
For many academics in the UK, there are increasingly narrow career pathways - teaching only contracts or conducting 'strategic' research. In our latest dispatch, Eva Nanopoulos interrogates how the university's two-tier system reinforces precarity 
f.mtr.cool
The Two-Tier University
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Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman @niamhroisin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Looking forward to giving a talk on Catholic architecture in the diocese of Kildare & Leighlin as part of @heritagecouncil.ie Heritage Week on 18 August - free, all welcome! carlowcollege.ie/events/catho...
carlowcollege.ie
Heritage Week Lecture – Catholic Churches and Chapels Before and After Emancipation | Carlow College
The Delany Archive welcomes Dr Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman for a lecture on “Catholic Churches and Chapels Before and After Emancipation”, including examples from churches in the Diocese of Kildare & Le...
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Stephen O'Neill @oneillsb.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
teachingfellows.ie
teachingfellows.ie
Teaching Fellows at Trinity College Dublin — Campaign for Fair Conditions
Teaching Fellows at Trinity College Dublin are organising for fair pay, progression, and proper recognition. Learn about the campaign and how you can support it.
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
University funding and regulatory bodies must consider the impact course closures are having on research activity across the UK, the vice-chancellor of Royal Holloway, University of London has said. SO good to see this statement from VC Julie Sanders, RHUL. More leadership like this, please. 1/3
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
A cathartic piece I wrote for ICOM Voices: icom.museum/en/news/is-m... You can read or listen to the article in English, French or Spanish. #exploitation #casualisation #care
Two images. One of  man walking down stairs with a low battery icon and the other with the title of the piece 'Is museum work a sustainable career on the Island of Ireland?'
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Global Museum @globalmuseum.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Is Museum Work a Sustainable Career on the Island of Ireland? Working conditions and the impact of casualisation. icom.museum/en/news/is-m... #globalmuseum #museums #ICOM #Careers #museumjobs
icom.museum
Is Museum Work a Sustainable Career on the Island of Ireland? Working conditions and the impact of casualisation - International Council of Museums
A global organisation of museums & museum professionals committed to the promotion and protection of cultural heritage
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Stephen O'Neill @oneillsb.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Reminder about this event on August 4th at the Féile with Michael Magee
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Stephen O'Neill @oneillsb.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Doing this talk, 'Writing Belfast in the Age of Partition', with my mate Michael Magee at Féile an Phobail on Tuesday 4th August at St Mary's, 5PM. Free and no booking needed. Lifetime ambition achieved!
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Yesterday, as part of the Association of Public Religion and Intellectual Life @april-cc-commons.bsky.social Colloquium, I presented my research on religion, ritual & museums at Judson Church in New York City. I discussed key themes of my research & recieved really generous feedback 🥰!
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Dónal Hassett @donalh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Solidarity with all the colleagues across the water and up North who are facing the uncertainty and potential devastation of redundancy. The amount of emotional damage wrought by university administrations on scholars and support staff is unconscionable.
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Dr Ellie Mackin Roberts @elliemackinroberts.net · 23/06/2026
I am once again begging universities to realise that staff - academic, professional services, estates, all of them - are the product they are trying to sell. Without staff there is nothing to sell. No amount of flashy buildings will replace staff in universities. UKHE is in freefall.
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
A fabulous networking events in October in Limerick -
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Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera @pantibliss.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
rte.ie
Thousands attend anti-racism rally in Belfast
Around 5,000 people have attended an anti-racism rally in Belfast city centre, following days of unrest provoked by a knife attack earlier this week.
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
What's it actually feel like to live through the decline and fall of mass Higher Education in Britain? Today I've written about this from the inside here... Hope you like it, and hope you find it useful. isrf.org/blog/what-do...
isrf.org
What Does It Feel Like to Live Under the Threat of Redundancy?
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Catherine Clarke @cathamclarke.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Delighted that the article based on my Historical Research Lecture (Nov 2025) is now online in the @ihr.bsky.social / @oxfordunipress.bsky.social journal Historical Research. 'Can popular #history be radical?' A real honour: thanks to my colleagues, especially journal editor @saracharles.bsky.social
Screenshot of article:
'Can popular history be radical? Historical research and writing for the public with a manifesto for radical popular history'

https://academic.oup.com/histres/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/hisres/htag003/8672900?utm_source=authortollfreelink&utm_campaign=histres&utm_medium=email

You will need to have access to the journal to read the article. Please message me directly if you need advice on this.Images of the Historical Research journal
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April & The Commons @april-cc-commons.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
📣Meet the 2026 APRIL-Summer Colloquium Fellows “Representing Religion in Museums” 20-27 June, NYC Brings together curators, community organizers, academics, and artists to explore the ways religion is represented, reified, and recreated in museums. Link below: www.aprilonline.org/april-summer...
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National Museum of Ireland @nmireland.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Roger Casement is remembered as a revolutionary & humanitarian, but new research reveals a surprising side to him- a lifelong passion for zoology. He even has a hawkmoth named after him (Gnathothlibus casementi). Dr Aidan O’Hanlon’s new @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social piece www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Photograph of Sir Roger Casement  'who laid down his life for Ireland August 3 1916'. Casement standing against rail with hat, cane and coat in hand. Autographed 'From his sister Agnes Casement Newman, with best wishes, 1924'.The Gnathothlibus casementi, a species of Hawkmoth named in honour of Roger Casement. Photo: Eitschberger & O'Hanlon, 2023
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Michael Pierse @michaelpierse.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Great to get hands on the first print copies of our new book, the product of many "notions", edited by @ionaburnellreilly.bsky.social @stephenbaker.bsky.social and yours truly. Official launch 8 May at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social
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Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman @niamhroisin.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
It is National Infertility Awareness week - a week to acknowledge the impact of infertility on millions of people around the world. An appropriate time to share the programme for the Locating Loss conference, which will take place @unioflimerick.bsky.social on 27 May
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Irish Studies at QUB @irishstudiesqub.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
This afternoon Melissa Baird and Michael Kennedy will be talking about the fallout from the failed Sunningdale peace deal in NI in 1974-5
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Stephen O'Neill @oneillsb.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Belfast launch of Irish Culture and Partition 1920-1955 will be at the Seamus Heaney Centre on May 1, from 5.30pm to 7pm. Bígí Linn
eventbrite.co.uk
Irish Culture and Partition, 1920-1955 (Stephen O'Neill Book Launch)
Join Stephen O'Neill in conversation with Eamonn Hughes.
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National Museum of Ireland @nmireland.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Curator @brendamalone.bsky.social spoke to @seanmoncrieff.bsky.social about the Catalpa escape. 18–19 April 2026 marks 150 years since the dramatic rescue, The flag will be on display at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, for 2 days only 🎧https://link.goloudplayer.com/s/pGo4FzZmg4du
link.goloudplayer.com
150th Anniversary of the Catalpa Fenian Rescue Mission
On the 18th and 19th of April, the National Museum of Ireland will host a limited time exhibition at Collins Barracks to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Catalpa rescue mission. The mission involved the rescue of six Irish Fenians from a British penal colony in western Australia in April 1876 by a US whaling ship. After their rescue, the Fenians, who had been transported to Australia on the last convict ship, were brought safely to New York, much to the annoyance of the British who tried to intercept them as they sailed away. To discuss this and the exhibition, Seán is joined by Brenda Malone, Curator of Military History at the National Museum of Ireland. Image: National Museum of Ireland
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
When in the Hague 💁‍♀️
Emma standing outside a shop called Emma
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Reposted by Dr Emma J McAlister
Véronique Altglas @valtglas.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
When a male journalist decides to cover a femicide on the line of "why should I feel ashamed for what others have done". I've had it too. @ivehaditpodcast.bsky.social www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comment/were...
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
We’re not asking men like Malachi to feel shame over violence against women but we need change
Malachi O’Doherty’s recent article in the Belfast Telegraph, written in response to the murder of Natalie McNally, is an unnecessary intervention.
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Maurice J. Casey @mauricejcasey.com · 06/04/2026
“Immigrants could be found in every corner of the Irish Free State at that time.” Excited for this release - and grateful it’s not paywalled, unlike its UK counterpart www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
‘Such a mix of people’: Ireland of 1926 was not monocultural, release of census shows
Archive is freely available online from 18 April, revealing the lives, occupations and secrets of 2.9m people
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Stephen O'Neill @oneillsb.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Seeing as we are all sharing our 1916 work, here's my own from ten years ago, about ruin souvenirs and compensation claims www.rte.ie/centuryirela...
rte.ie
After the bombardment: representing the ruins of 1916 | Century Ireland
After the bombardment: representing the ruins of 1916 | The Century Ireland project is an online historical newspaper that tells the story of the events of Irish life a century ago
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Laura McAtackney @lauramca.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
As requested: if anyone can’t access and would like a copy of this paper just email me at ucc and i’ll send it on. Essentially it’s a material memory study of McGurks pub bombing through the lens of structural (as well as physical) violence #speirgorm link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Material Dissonances in the Post-Conflict City: Re-Presencing Social Injustice in Belfast, Northern Ireland - Historical Archaeology
The city of Belfast in Northern Ireland has been made and remade through cycles of violence during its 400-year “history.” The most recent manifestation of violent conflict associated with the city wa...
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Kristof Smeyers @kristofsmeyers.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
It's Good Friday which seems as good a day as any to remind you that I wrote a book about stigmata and am still, *still* happy to come talk to you about it
book cover: a black background that says, in pale letters, 'Supernatural bodies: stigmata in modern Britain and Ireland' above a painting; at the bottom it says 'Kristof Smeyers'
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Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman @niamhroisin.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
New publication post this morning! Delighted to have an essay in this volume - this essay begins w the town of Emly in Tipperary & the controversial request by the Catholics to buy Church of Ireland cathedral building there. Drop me a DM if you would like to read but can’t get hold of a hard copy.
Cover of the new publication ‘Essays on Competing Churches and Chapels, 1828-1939’ First page and title of my essay on Competition and Cooperation - Catholic expansion and challenges to the established Church of Ireland in the aftermath of Emancipation
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Happy St Patrick's Day! - you can find out more about 'The Shrine of St Patrick's Hand' displayed for most of the year in the Ulster Museum in my open access chapter in Bloomsbury Collections-Venerating Musealized Religious Objects: St. Patrick’s Hand between Di share.google/0wBglS4juqV6...
share.google
Venerating Musealized Religious Objects: St. Patrick’s Hand between Display Case and Altar
“The Shrine of St. Patrick’s Hand” (Ulster Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland) AnalysisIntroduction “Do not touch” signs and objects protected behind glass are a familiar sight in museums. Museum obj...
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History Today @historytoday.com · 12/03/2026
#StPatricksDay is a global celebration of Irish culture, but in the US its parades have always been political. 🔓 Melissa Baird’s new Behind the Times is free for 7 days www.historytoday.com/archive/behi...
historytoday.com
St Patrick’s Day Protests
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Laura McAtackney @lauramca.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
A case of anti-Irish racism articulated as old stereotypes of inferiority. I’ve strong memories of studying in Eng & the pervading undercurrent of anti-Irishness. Constant ‘jokes’ about stupidity or drunkness happened so frequently it became almost unremarkable www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/202...
irishtimes.com
Irish book-keeper wins £23,000 after boss repeatedly shouted ‘potato’ at her
Bernadette Hayes described suffering ‘a death by 1,000 cuts’ during time at UK engineering company
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
It was wonderful to reconnect with my brilliant former colleague Órlaith Styles to chat 'Curating New Realities' at the @irishmuseums.bsky.social conference this year. Órlaith and I spoke about our work curating the new 'Changing Ireland' exhibition @nmireland.bsky.social .
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Looks like a fascinating conference!
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Looking forward to presenting with Órlaith Styles at the @irishmuseums.bsky.social conference on Friday. Be great to connect with other delegates 😊
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Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman @niamhroisin.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
We put together a report summarising the project here, in case anyone is interested! religiousspacesintransition.home.blog/wp-content/u...
religiousspacesintransition.home.blog
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Delighted to have been invited to lead a workshop on @secondhandsacred.bsky.social 'Exhibiting Religion' course at Northwestern University. I described the curatorial work at @nmireland.bsky.social in creating 'Changing Ireland' and reflected on my academic expertise in religion in museums.
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Rory Waterman @rorywaterman.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
My new book, exploring folk tales in Lincolnshire, is now available for pre-order! Publication: April 2026. fiveleaves.co.uk/product/devi...
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EMoDiR @emodir.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
CfP📢Hagiographic Identities: Catholic Communities and Their Saints in Early Modern Times 📅15–17 October 2026 |🌍Vilnius University ⏰31 January 2026 🔗https://www.hsozkult.de/event/id/event-158057 #CFP #EarlyModerns #Hagiography #CatholicSaints
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Michael Harris @davidmichaelharris.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
I need at least 3 more folk to sign up for my Edinburgh Adult Education Programme archaeology classes at Craigentinny, or the course will be cancelled. If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know. Thank you! adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
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Irish Studies at QUB @irishstudiesqub.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
If you missed the launch this week of Veronique Altglas's new book 'Judaizing Christianity and Christian Zionism in Northern Ireland: For God, Israel, and Ulster', a recording is now available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9nt...
youtube.com
Irish Studies Booklaunch: Veronique Atlglas 19.1.26
YouTube video by QUB Irish Studies
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Thomas Cauvin @thomascauvin.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
A new Pub museum? Helping Charo Havermans in her quest to make, preserve and share histories of Pubs. @ncph.bsky.social @c2dh.uni.lu @uni.lu #Pub #Beer #London www.uni.lu/c2dh-en/news...
uni.lu
New PHACS Collaboration in the United Kingdom: The Pub Museum Pilot
The Public History as a New Citizen Science of the Past (PHACS) project has the pleasure to announce a new collaboration with Charo Havermans, public historian and historic pub tour guide in London, t...
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Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman @niamhroisin.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Hello historians - there is a specific purpose role now advertised in UL’s history department - Title of Post: Assistant Professor in Irish History (specialism History of the Family) - all details are over on UL vacancies! Do share! #jobsky #skystorians #speirgorm #speirghorm
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Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman @niamhroisin.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Hello! I am sharing information about my @researchireland.ie project Locating Loss: histories of infertility in landscapes and spaces. I would love to connect with researchers/ practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, so please share widely! @nursingclio.bsky.social
Page of information outlining the aims of the Locating Loss research project which explores the histories of infertility in landscapes and spaces. This project aims to bring scholars from a wide range of disciplines together in 2026. Please DM me if more info is needed and this alt text is not enough!
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Teaching Slavery: New Approaches to Britain's Colonial Past is now available as individual (free to download) chapters from JSTOR (no subscription needed). The first set of chapters deal with historical perspectives and the second set with pedagogical perspectives. 1/2
jstor.org
Teaching Slavery: New approaches to Britain’s colonial past on JSTOR
This groundbreaking book brings together the latest academic research on Britain's involvement in transatlantic slavery, with innovative thinking on the te...
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Dan Hicks @profdanhicks.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Sorry to read about these thefts from the colonial collections of Bristol Museum, wishing for a speedy recovery And some still claim objects are safer in the warehouses of European museums rather than with the communities from whom they were originally stolen 🙃 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Hundreds of items stolen in 'high-value' Bristol Museum raid
More than 600 artefacts from the museum's British Empire and Commonwealth collection were taken.
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Anna Aslanyan @anna-aslanyan.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
British Library staff asked for a decent pay. Instead they got ‘a few money-saving present ideas’, such as ‘consider not giving presents this holiday season’. They are on strike this week. I wrote about it for @lrb.co.uk. www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/de...
lrb.co.uk
Anna Aslanyan | On the Picket Line
On Monday morning, more than a hundred people formed a picket line outside one of the entrances to the British Library...
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Sarah Roddy @seroddy.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
We are delighted to announce that we'll be hosting the SSNCI conference in Maynooth next June. Call for papers attached. Please spread far and wide!
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Dr Emma J McAlister @emmajmca.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
A selection of objects from the 'Changing Ireland, 1900-2020' I digitally curated are available now: Changing Ireland Gallery Highlights | National Museum of Ireland share.google/L0x6DEq3SnxR...
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