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Hannah Barker

@historyhannahb.bsky.social
8.5K followers 777 following 418 posts

Professor of British History, University of Manchester. Social historian of northern England. Currently partial to a bit of material culture, religion, digital community history, popular culture and boxing. 🗃️

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Reposted by Hannah Barker
Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
📌 ICYMI — Times Higher Education, Sponsored by Orbán’s Hungary, Failed to Report James Orr Allegations — Samantha Asumadu The publication signed a partnership with Viktor Orbán's government and has since published no coverage of the allegations around a Cambridge academic and former Reform UK…
bylinetimes.com
Times Higher Education, Sponsored by Orbán’s Hungary, Failed to Report James Orr Allegations
The publication signed a partnership with Viktor Orbán's government and has since published no coverage of the allegations around a Cambridge academic and former Reform UK policy chief whose foundation receives Hungary-linked funding
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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Circus Tavern, Portland Street, Manchester, 1980. Smallest pub in the city, with one of the smallest bars in the country. Built as a house c.1790, became a pub c.1840 (Mirrorpix/Manchester Evening News).
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Andy Westwood @andywestwood.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Funding Local Democracy reporters/reporting though the BBC licence fee is a very good thing indeed. www.thetimes.co.uk/article/69ad...
thetimes.co.uk
Reform blacklisted me for doing my job as a local reporter
Eddie Bisknell, a local democracy reporter for Reform-led Derbyshire county council was told it would no longer engage with him after “concerns” over coverage
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Reposted by Hannah Barker
Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I've been a member of the lobby for well over a decade. Not a single one of my lobby colleagues has said a word about the Conservatives banning me from their conferences, without any explanation. Contrast with the US where even Fox News stood in solidarity when Trump banned news outlets he disliked
bylinetimes.com
Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives Block Byline Times From Conference After Condemning Reform for Journalist Ban
The ban comes just weeks after the Conservative leader called Reform's barring of critical journalists from their conference an "authoritarian" attack on the free press
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Patrick Dunleavy @patrickdunleavy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
“We’re the only major country in the world losing visitation,” the head of the US Travel Association said. “It’s mind-boggling.” www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
semafor.com
Decline in tourism hits US economy
Overseas visitors to the US are on track to drop by almost two million year-on-year.
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History and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
🧵Back to Ryedale Museum and my favourite exhibit mainly because it tells a wonderful story of community. It is, the Farndale hearse. Victorian funerals were taken very seriously and a certain level of ceremony was expected. In some ways they were the equivalent of a present day wedding. These
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
'Sussex has moved away from Turnitin, UEA has indicated that it will, and in private conversations I’ve had with SU colleagues, other universities are signalling that a Southampton-style exit is on the cards.'
wonkhe.com
A supplier shouldn’t be able to rewrite who owns students’ essays
Sam Dickinson looks at Turnitin’s paused plan to put student essays to work on AI – and finds that neither anonymisation nor university regulations answer the copyright question
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pollollups.bsky.social @pollollups.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
@historyhannahb.bsky.social did you miss this?
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
'University and College Union (UCU) branches refused to grade coursework and exams at the universities of Nottingham and Edinburgh and Goldsmiths, University of London, in response to managers’ plans for sweeping job cuts.'
timeshighereducation.com
Hundreds of students still without marks after boycotts – union
Learners left unable to graduate or progress by ‘last resort’ industrial action
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Adam Farrer @adamjfarrer.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Got a £1500 bill for some roofing work, so to cheer myself up I went to a Norman fashion show in the car park of Chetham’s Library.
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Sarah Elizabeth Cox @oispooky.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
2yrs after I finished my MA History at Goldsmiths, my research rights were bought and I was hired to work as historical consultant on this TV show. It's had BAFTA and International Emmy nominations. I got a book deal, too. Goldsmiths: "No point in MA History, let's fire everyone and delete it."
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Dr Sophie Michell @sophiemhistory.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The BBIH should be YOUR FIRST PORT OF CALL when doing a lit review on British or Irish history. HIGHLY RECOMMEND
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Dave Haslam @davehaslam.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
My new book, 'Creative Journeys', is a collection of interviews with such glorious characters as Neneh Cherry, Maxine Peake, Jarvis Cocker, Paddy Considine, Terry Hall. Here are a London date, and a special in Manchester. All the info for the book tour here; davehaslam.substack.com/p/john-simm-...
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
BTW - it’s over 23,000 now.
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Emilie K. M. Murphy @emiliekmmurphy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A day in the life of a university lecturer in Gaza #academicsky www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
theguardian.com
‘First there’s the gruelling task of trying to charge my laptop’: a day in the life of a university lecturer in Gaza
As the war in Gaza approaches its fourth year, the Guardian follows five ordinary Palestinians as they go about their lives. Each tells the story of their day, revealing the terrible toll of the confl...
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Cristina Temenos @ctemenos.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Such curbs by the NHS are likely to force those who can afford it to pay a private provider for an assessment, which can cost several thousand pounds. They are being implemented when there are 960,000 people in England waiting for an ADHD assessment and another 295,000 awaiting one for autism.
theguardian.com
NHS bodies in England impose two-year minimum wait for ADHD and autism assessments
Patient groups decry ‘scandalous’ delays as four integrated care boards take step due to soaring demand for diagnoses
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Abigail Swingen @abigailswingen.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Working on a book, article, or dissertation on #18thc British world? The Lewis Walpole Library offers 4-week visiting fellowships and 2-week travel grants for scholars. The deadline for applications is November 2. 🗃️ More info: walpole.library.yale.edu/fellowships/...
walpole.library.yale.edu
Visiting Fellowships and Travel Grants | Lewis Walpole Library
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Sadiah Qureshi 🦈 @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
40 years ago Ahmed Iqbal Ullah was murdered in a racist attack at school. This article discusses his family’s remarkable attempts to tackle the root causes of the murder. Heading to a memorial event and wishing him, and his family, true justice and peace. hyphenonline.com/2026/09/17/a...
hyphenonline.com
The legacy of Ahmed Iqbal Ullah's murder, 40 years on - Hyphen
The racist killing would rally hundreds to campaign for justice. Now, his family feel a ‘duty’ to speak up again amid the rise of the far right
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Hannah Barker @historyhannahb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“to the person who says it's a snowflake generation, just try living 24 hours as a 16-year-old."
bbc.co.uk
Young people are not snowflakes, head of mental health review says
Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Prof Peter Fonagy says being young is much harder now than it was.
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Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
What surprises me is that people who have left Britain for the sake of their own greed still feel entitled to express an opinion about the country.
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Hannah Barker @historyhannahb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
🙏🏻
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Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco @joshpizpom.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
EXC: 90 programmes in Edinburgh University's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are to be closed. The casualties, which include 48 language and literature programmes, will be 'taught out', w/ no admissions after 2027. @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2655839...
heraldscotland.com
Ninety programmes to close at leading university as savings plan takes shape
According to the document, a total of 90 programmes will be “taught out” over the next several years, including 48 in the School of Language.
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Unofficial BBCNews (UK) Bot @bbcnews-uk-rss.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Police hold press conference in search for girl, 13, missing for six days
bbc.co.uk
Police hold press conference in search for girl, 13, missing for six days
Lillia went missing from Bolton, Greater Manchester, on Friday and was last seen boarding a bus on Saturday.
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Hannah Barker @historyhannahb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
theguardian.com
Former student of suspended Reform official ‘reopens case’ against University of Cambridge
Cambridge previously paid £5,000 compensation after an investigation partially upheld allegations against Dr James Orr
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Reposted by Hannah Barker
Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Tallymen, Newcastle, photo by Jimmy Forsyth (1914-2009).
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Hannah Barker @historyhannahb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Great news!
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 17/09/2026
What does an early 20th-century beauty brand for Black women reveal about the intersection of race, gender, beauty and higher education in the Jim Crow South? Hillary Belzer, founder of the @makeupmuseum.org explores the radical history of Tuskegee Belle Cosmetics.
historyworkshop.org.uk
Radical Object: Tuskegee Belle Cosmetics
What does a beauty brand for Black women reveal about the intersection of race, gender, beauty, and higher education in the Jim Crow South? Hillary Belzer explores Tuskegee Belle Cosmetics.
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Reposted by Hannah Barker
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
What a sad loss. She was ace.
theguardian.com
‘Newsnight’s kindest critic’: Bonnie Greer was always effortlessly in command
Playwright was an unusual mix of originality and authority and in high demand as a cultural critic
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Those of you with an Irish connection may enjoy this upcoming lecture we are holding at Coventry University on how rain has shaped the Irish urban experience! 6th October - free, in person www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/lectu...
thebritishacademy.ac.uk
Living with Rainfall: Fogs, Mists, Vapours in Irish History, 1800 – present
In the towns and cities of western seaboard of Ireland, it rains more than 250 days a year, a notable wetness of the air which shifts from swirling moisture to pounding rain as weather systems roll in...
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Clare Stainthorp @claregs.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Faculty Research Impact Officer, Arts & Humanities, @ucl.ac.uk (deadline 4 Oct). It’s a version of the role I had back in 2019, and could be a brilliant opportunity for those whose have recently finished a PhD, have some experience of engagement/impact, and aren't sure what their next step might be.
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
'A “larger, fewer grants” model that concentrates research on established UK institutions would be a “huge mistake” and could risk hampering Andy Burnham’s ambition to drive prosperity across the nation, academics have warned.' Not to mention its impact of researchers who are female and/or black.
timeshighereducation.com
‘Larger, fewer grants’ could harm Burnham’s regional agenda
Changes to grant system suggested by Chris McDonald could ‘mistakenly’ further concentrate funding in the golden triangle, academics warn
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Ros Ballaster @ballasterros.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSX678/t... We are looking for a special scholar to lead our remarkable team in 18th century literature @engfac.bsky.social
jobs.ac.uk
Thomas Warton Professorship of English Literature at University of Oxford
Discover an exciting academic career path as a Thomas Warton Professorship of English Literature at jobs.ac.uk. Don't miss out on this job opportunity - apply today!
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Reposted by Hannah Barker
Daniel C. Blight @danielcblight.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
***URGENT PLEASE SHARE*** University of Brighton management have announced today that they ‘give notice of termination of all collective agreements’. This is a fundamental erasure of workers' rights. Management have announced the termination of all contractual documents, which includes:
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
'Am I really reading a report on universities offering work experience that has managed to involve 30 universities, 200 employers and business groups, a poll of 500 employer senior leaders, but not a single student?' 'I am, I'm afraid.' UUK: universities, but without the faff of students & staff.
wonkhe.com
UUK's work experience target forgets that most students already have some
Am I really reading a report on universities offering work experience that has managed to involve 30 universities, 200 employers and business groups, a poll of 500 employer senior leaders, but not a s...
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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Vile abuse and doxxing of RNLI volunteers www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
RNLI volunteer targeted online and branded ‘traitor’ after Portsmouth protests
Lifeboat crew member wrongly identified as having helped small boat migrants speaks to BBC Verify.
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Alice Marples @alicemarples.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
@britishlibrary.bsky.social were grateful to receive a large allocation of studentships as part of the AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award scheme. We have 4 exciting new studentships starting in Oct 2027 - 3 are now open for prospective HEI supervisor proposals! www.bl.uk/services/res...
bl.uk
Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Awards
Fully-funded and jointly supervised studentships across four developing research areas.
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Widening participation and disabled students are among those most affected in these circumstances.
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
'Students whose higher education providers or courses closed have subsequently endured homelessness, relationship breakdowns and the threat of deportation from the UK, a new study says.' Report: www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-an...
timeshighereducation.com
Closures ‘led to divorce, homelessness and visa revocation’
Students continue to suffer long after their degree providers or courses suddenly disappear, says report by England’s student complaints handler
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Cristina Temenos @ctemenos.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
If you're in Manchester, please join us this Thursday 10th Sept 3-5pm for a talk by Prof Paola Jirón Universidad de Chile: Towards a Situated Urbanism in Latin American Cities. Simon Building 1.34. All Welcome! @uomseed.bsky.social @manchesterup.bsky.social @cperguom.bsky.social
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
'In the last academic year, £519,000 was lost to scammers who defrauded 168 students, according to the SLC. More than 1,100 people had their details changed but in most cases the fraud was stopped before money was lost.'
theguardian.com
The student loan scam looking to dupe already anxious students
With about £2.6bn in funds paid out each September, scammers are targeting student anxiety over the loan funding process
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
'Leading universities have been forced to close music departments and arts courses. The number of teachers training in creative subjects has also declined sharply...[since] the Ebacc, which prioritised core academic subjects at the expense of the arts, was introduced by the Conservatives in 2010.'
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
'The statistics for drama are similarly bleak. A-level drama entries have almost halved in 10 years, with by far the biggest drop in state schools. Forty per cent of state schools no longer even offer music or drama GCSEs.'
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
'The number of students taking A-level music is at a record low: under 5,000, a drop of nearly half from 15 years ago....Music GCSE entries have also fallen. It has the widest attainment gap for disadvantaged students of any subject.'
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on music and drama education: reversing elitism starts at school | Editorial
Editorial: The number of students taking creative subjects at A-level and GCSE is at a record low. The arts must not become the preserve of the most privileged
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
“We have already seen an increase in swastikas drawn all over the school, Vietnamese pupils called ‘cat-eaters’… One former pupil who uses a wheelchair was very badly bullied. A group of boys told him, ‘Back in 1936 they would have gassed people like you’.” www.thetimes.com/article/0083...
thetimes.com
Life under the AfD: Germany prepares for a political earthquake
The hard right is poised to secure its first victory in Saxony-Anhalt, raising fears of a radical agenda targeting migrants, reforming education and smashing public broadcasters
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Andy Birss @andybirss.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Maybe Dr James Orr was only hired by the University of Cambridge as they needed to get the quota of white male academics up. His fall from grace is perhaps due to his over-promotion and the fact that rich white men aren't really suited to positions of trust and authority. #r4today #Arday
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Reading Museum @readingmuseum.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Haven’t got tickets for the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum? Don’t worry you can visit Reading's full-size copy, faithfully embroidered by 35 women in 1885-86 (plus extra pants!) Or latest blog compares the two tapestries www.readingmuseum.org.uk/blog/comparing-bayeux-and-reading-tapestries
readingmuseum.org.uk
Comparing the Bayeux and Reading tapestries
Reading’s Bayeux Tapestry is a full-size copy of the original 11th century tapestry. It was created in 1885-1886 by 35 women of the Leek Embroidery Society 'so that England should have a copy of its o...
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Rachel Salvidge @rachelsalvidge.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Revealed! How companies ‘secretly’ use billions of litres of public water in drought-hit England. Companies use 2.6 billion litres of public water a day, many not required to report or cut their use. Less than 1% use same amount of water as 10 million people. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Revealed: how companies ‘secretly’ use billions of litres of public water in drought-hit England
Exclusive: As millions of people face hosepipe bans, many companies are not required to report, let alone cut, use of public supply
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Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Sidebar to all this (and noting the FT’s long profile of Orr yesterday) is that it looks terrible for Cambridge University, which already looks terrible after the sad and awful Arday affair (with criticism coming both from the left and the right).
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