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Esme (she/her)

@esmegrace31.bsky.social
74 followers 168 following 32 posts

Archives MA student Broadside ballad and trad folk enthusiast Big fan of the sea!

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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I’ve had some great responses to my survey so far, but would love to hear from more musicians/academics or anyone who regularly uses broadside ballad websites, especially if you were impacted by the closure of the Bodleian’s Ballads Online site. Thanks so much!
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I’ve had some great responses to my survey so far, but would love to hear from more musicians/academics or anyone who regularly uses broadside ballad websites, especially if you were impacted by the closure of the Bodleian’s Ballads Online site. Thanks so much!
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
📣BROADSIDE BALLAD USERS!📣 If you use online databases of early modern English broadside ballads for any sort of research, please fill out my dissertation survey: forms.cloud.microsoft/e/TQrAhSLXkK I’m looking at the databases people use and the impact of Bodleian Ballads Online closing - thanks!
forms.cloud.microsoft
Microsoft Forms
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
📣BROADSIDE BALLAD USERS!📣 If you use online databases of early modern English broadside ballads for any sort of research, please fill out my dissertation survey: forms.cloud.microsoft/e/TQrAhSLXkK I’m looking at the databases people use and the impact of Bodleian Ballads Online closing - thanks!
forms.cloud.microsoft
Microsoft Forms
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
'What is perhaps remarkable about the Exeter cuts is that they are targeted at some of the university’s most successful departments, many of which turn over a profit even after they have made enormous and increasing contributions to the central university budget.' Read, rage and weep.
johnheathershaw.substack.com
The Crisis in Britain’s Universities
The cuts that have been proposed at the University of Exeter demonstrates the crisis of purpose in Britain’s universities. Should not universities also be places to prepare for "eternal dwellings"?
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
A petition has now been created by Exeter UCU against these measures. Sign it here: c.org/LF57sK7YfR This careless obliteration of HASS subjects is needless and so cruel to the fantastic staff at Exeter, and the wider devaluing of humanities & arts subjects within UKHE must be stopped.
c.org
Sign the Petition
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Studying English at Exeter was the incredible experience it was because of the passionate, dedicated, and caring academics in the department. These cuts to English and other HASS departments are so awful and disheartening from a university that I thought valued arts and the humanities. Solidarity.
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
“And winter’s gone away O” A May Day favourite 🌷🌷 youtu.be/Fe-WWMHQASg?...
youtu.be
'Till April is dead' Lisa Knapp Youtube
YouTube video by Lisa Knapp
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Dr Miranda Fay Thomas (they/she) @drmirandafay.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
If you want a new-found appreciation of early modern visual culture, teach yourself linocut and try and replicate famous woodcuts from the period. Here’s The Spanish Tragedy.
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Beach curation 🐚
A large flat rock on the beach with smaller shells arranged on top of it
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Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Gemini: 'I deeply regret the time and effort you spent searching for references that I fabricated. My ‘methodology’ was a series of errors and an attempt to cover those errors with more artificial information.' www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/news/gemini-...
whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com
“My ‘methodology’ was a series of errors”: Gemini generates false records and fake screenshots of TNA website | Who Do You Think You Are Magazine
The Gemini LLM generates fake records and screenshots from the UK National Archives, a family historian has revealed
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Angeline Morrison @angelcakepie2.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
The Cambridge Companion to Folk Music edited by the brilliant Ross Cole is now officially published & out in the world - and I’ve got an essay in it! Buzzing 🐝 🐝 🐝
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
The medicinal power of being pummelled by the wind! 🌊
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Rebecca Colesworthy @rcolesworthy.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Super pleased to say you can now read my essay here! (featuring @angelcakepie2.bsky.social because I’m incapable of writing an essay that’s not about folk music in some capacity…) I hope anyone who reads it enjoys - I loved writing on this subject, and thanks to BOA for running the competition!
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Marc Morris @marcmorris.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
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Elsa Williams @pidgewilliams.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
‘Real friendships felt mythical to me’: On autism, reading and growing up
medium.com
‘Real friendships felt mythical to me’: On autism, reading and growing up
Some people liken autistic girls to an iceberg. Personally, I prefer the analogy of a rotten log: overturn any one of us and there’ll be…
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Jon Wilks @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
I’ve written a new piece: Why Are Artists Leaving Spotify? A Guide for Listeners. Low payouts, AI slop, Daniel Ek’s €600m weapons investment — the “Spotify exodus” is real, and listeners have choices. Read here... www.jonwilks.online/blog/why-art...
jonwilks.online
Why Are Artists Leaving Spotify? A Guide for Listeners — Jon Wilks
Artists are leaving Spotify over low payouts, AI slop, and military ties. Here’s why it matters and how you can support them elsewhere.
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Really interesting piece by Jon Wilks - I’ve recently cancelled my Spotify subscription and moved platforms. While other streaming services are by no means perfect, at least my money isn’t directly funding causes I disagree with. Recommend this to any artists/listeners thinking of ditching Spotify!👇
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Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
I know all the news is terrible right now, but it really is wretched to see our brilliant city museum targeted by thieves. www.devonlive.com/news/devon-n...
devonlive.com
Exeter museum broken into as thieves steal valuable items
It is believed two people forced entry into the museum
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Eliza Carthy @elizacarthy.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Absolutely DELIGHTED to tell you that #thedaddy has been nominated for this year’s MERCURY PRIZE!!!!!! About time, Dad! You total BELTER! 🐟🐟🐟👑👑👑🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🌟🌟🌟 Congratulations team: Ben Seal, Liz, Chris Salt, Kairen Kemp, Jon Wilks, Tim Youster and Dan Macdonald! #transformmethenintoafish
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The Daily Tism @thedailytism.com · 02/09/2025
When asked who her patient was apologising to, Hoyland shrugged and responded: “Her teeth, I suppose.”
thedailytism.com
Dentist forced to remind sobbing autistic woman that having a cavity is not a moral failing
An autistic woman was today rendered inconsolable at a routine dental checkup by the assessment and diagnosis of a small cavity that may require a filling.  Dental hygienist Karen Hoyland, 34,…
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amy brown 👻 @amybrown.xyz · 22/08/2025
this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like
Why should I write better when a machine can do it for me?
Because actually no one can do it for you, because your voice is unique among all the people on earth. Siri never petted a horse's neck. Alexa has never been ghosted by the captain of the football team. But you have lived, your heart is beating, you have suffered, and you have something important to say. It's a human's job, to use words, and whatever job you give to a machine, that part of your brain goes dark. Maybe it's worth it when it comes to remembering phone numbers and directions, but when that part of your brain that uses words goes dark, that's a vast area that's very close to your soul. Don't let some internet platform convince you that what you have to say and create isn't worthwhile. Words are the echo of your soul. Honing that echo matters.
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 23/08/2025
Glad to see BBC News picking up this story about AI generated music being released on real artists’ Spotify/YouTube pages. So odd and really quite disturbing!! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
'AI slop': Musicians on the mystery of fraudsters releasing songs in their name
Artists on the mystery of being targeted by fraudsters releasing
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Hester L-J @starcrossed2018.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Stop doing this! Whoever is paying @timeshighered.bsky.social‬ for story after story is also funding environmental vandalism on a catastrophic scale. This isn't journalism, it's naive ethical bankruptcy - and intellectually and pedagogically obtuse.
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Not In Our Name (NION) Women @nionwomen.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
🎉 40,000 women have signed - and we’re not stopping here. We’re united in rejecting discrimination against the trans and non-binary community. We refuse to let our voices be used to divide. This is our moment — and we’re heading for 50,000...and beyond! 🚀💥 📢 Here’s how you can help us get there...
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The Daily Tism @thedailytism.com · 21/07/2025
Lottie Fitzgerald, 35, from Southsea, has developed a strong attachment to a blue studio pottery mug she was given last Christmas. She reports that she is beginning to feel intensely anxious about the effect on other mugs that she owns.
thedailytism.com
Autistic woman worried her mugs have realised she has a favourite
An autistic woman is facing an ethical dilemma over her preference for drinking out of one particular mug, it has been revealed. Lottie Fitzgerald, 35, from Southsea, has developed a strong attachment...
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
The sinister weirdness of GenAI continues… Phenomenal folk musician Emily Portman has had A WHOLE ALBUM OF AI MUSIC released under her name without her knowledge - with plausible song titles & even cover art, all AI generated without her consent and attributed to her on streaming platforms! 1/2
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Rose Ruane @regretteruane.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
What is the charge? Walking a path? A succulent salt path?
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Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 20/05/2025
sorry I know it's not "ha ha" funny but finding Labour's conference clusterfuck hysterical, like a cross parent going "well in that case NO ONE can have women"
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The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) @themerl.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
duolingo recently declared they are now an AI-first company. well, here at The Museum of English Rural Life, we pride ourselves in being EI-first. EI EI O
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Matthias Eberl @eberlmat.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Just when you thought it couldn't possibly get any worse.
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Cecil Sharp House @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
STATEMENT FROM ENGLISH FOLK DANCE AND SONG SOCIETY
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Well it’s 8:30 on May Day and I already have Hal-an-Tow stuck in my head …
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Sometimes I feel mildly comforted when Google’s compulsory AI overview is wildly wrong; this is a sung line from The Knight of Burning Pestle that I am trying to find the origin for!
A computer screen featuring a Google search with the AI overview. The searchbar says “Give him flowers enow palmer” and the AI Overview has determined that this line “likely refers to the football player Cole Palmer, and it could be interpreted as a suggestion to send him flowers in celebration of his achievements or to show appreciation for his skills on the pitch.”
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John McCafferty @jdmccafferty.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Shells By Nicolas Robert b. #otd 18 Apr 1614
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Dripped Out Trade Unionists @uniondrip.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Three panel cartoon drawing with a woman and a dog. The first panel shows a woman kneeling in front of her dog saying speak. The second panel the dog says "not without my union rep". The third panel the woman says "good boi" and gives a treat to the dog.
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Sophie Bacchus-Waterman @sophiebwaterman.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
In light of this, I want to share some resources on trans people in the medieval and early modern period, for anyone who might be interested. There is a thriving field of research into the lives, identities, and experiences of trans people globally before the advent of modern medicine (a 🧵)
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Simon HB @norock.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Actually, his message was "It's certainly [BUY A CAR] not going to [ESSENTIAL PILLS FOR PREGNANT PEOPLE] be a walk in [BIO-OIL] the park, [JOIN THE MAILING LIST] but if we [MORE LIKE THIS] get it right [GO DADDY DOMAINS CHEAP] the opportu [1 WEIRD TRICK] nity is massive [ACCEPT UPDATES?]"
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Sonja Drimmer @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Love to refuse a prompt. static1.squarespace.com/static/53a4b...
REFLECTIONS ON AI IN THE CLASSROOM:
How We are Not Using Al in the Classroom
By Sonja Drimmer & Christopher J. Nygren
Premise
Prompt engineering is a term that has become commonplace since the widespread availability of generative Al applications like ChatGPT. The idea is that the outputs of the large language models (LLMs) on which these applications are based are only as good as the prompts that are input: vague prompts result in equally vague outputs. And thus was born the race to train for careers in prompt engineering. Unfortunately, the bubble seems to have burst before even the first generation of students was trained for this career outcome.
We were given a prompt as an invitation to participate in this newsletter: "How are you using Al in the classroom?" While we have accepted this invitation, we are engaging in the most humanistic act we can imagine—refusing the prompt.”
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Tom Freeman @tomfreeman.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
The phrase "trapped on disability benefits", which I've seen used several times this week, is quite like "wheelchair-bound". Both phrases take something that can be a means of liberation and describe it as a prison.
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Absolutely gorgeous concert in Crediton tonight from Lady Maisery!! What a delight, such beautiful and complex harmonies - and amazing to finally see the group who were my first proper introduction to folk music! #FolkSky #FolkMusic #LadyMaisery
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Angeline Morrison @angelcakepie2.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
As promised, my 2nd podcast - huge thanks to the wonderful Mia Thornton for including me in her Instrumental podcast, conversations about the genres that get left of out of Black British music. I’m in the Folk episode (E04). Listen on @bbciplayer.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
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👻madeline bOoOoOoOodent👻 @oldenoughtosay.com · 01/03/2025
Abortions are relatively easy to procure in the uk, but did you know they are still technically illegal, and you are technically getting an exception to the law? It’s past time to change the law.
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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
It's Student Volunteering Week! 🎉 This academic year, Special Collections has been working with four fantastic student volunteers on exhibitions and collections care. Find out more about what they've been working on in our brand new blog! ➡️ bit.ly/4hzZwfO #StudentVolunteeringWeek #Archives
Collage of 40 images of archives and rare books held at the University of Exeter Special Collections
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Sophie Molly @sophiemolly.co.uk · 05/02/2025
This is huge. My petition got approved. It challenges the UK government to the lift the Puberty Blocker ban on the grounds that it contradicts article 8 of The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child. Please sign and Repost ✊️🏳️‍⚧️ petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Lift restrictions on prescribing puberty blockers to trans children.
We want the Government to reverse the restrictions it has introduced relating to the prescription of puberty blockers to children. The Government introduced legislation banning them from being prescri...
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Loved using Special Collections materials to write this blog post celebrating the birthdays of Baring-Gould and Child! So cool to be able to work from Baring-Gould’s personal copies of the Child ballads!! Give it a read if you’re interested ☺️
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Enormously behind the times, but gosh isn’t this a beautiful album - A Pocket of Wind Resistance, Karine Polwart and Pippa Murphy. Was privileged to see Karine at Sidmouth Folk Fest last summer, utterly spellbinding, and I LOVE the use of spoken word on this album ❤️ open.spotify.com/album/0U4vDH...
open.spotify.com
A Pocket of Wind Resistance
Karine Polwart · Album · 2017 · 14 songs
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
This is old news, but the absence of the Bodleian Ballads website is reeeeeally starting to affect my research abilities 😔 Massively appreciating the wayback machine for at least keeping access open, but consistently finding that the exact pages I need haven’t been archived … help!
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Esme (she/her) @esmegrace31.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
This is a vital, engaging, thought-provoking and, for me, shocking, piece about falling through the cracks of the UK’s failing mental health system… really really urge everyone to read. @scouttzofiya.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
theguardian.com
Nobody could help me with my psychosis. Then I was sent to jail for holding up a shop with a toy gun
I didn’t remember committing my crime but I knew I had fallen through the cracks of the system. Could prison really be my salvation?
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