Reposted by Joanne BegiatoThe Victorian Hand @victorianhand.bsky.social · 06/10/2026🤏 Have you ever noticed what politicians do with their hands when they want to appear sincere, authoritative or persuasive? Read the latest blog post from @jbhist.bsky.social and @medhistoryman.bsky.social to explore the long history of hands in politics: www.thevictorianhand.uk/gallery/the-... 154
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMichael Brown @medhistoryman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026@jbhist.bsky.social and I wrote a blog post about some research we did for an upcoming publication on emotional gestures in rhe political realm. Check it out on our website! 074
Joanne Begiato @jbhist.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Realise we didn't thank you for this generous post David! 100
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoThe Victorian Hand @victorianhand.bsky.social · 29/05/2026🎞️ We are delighted that Manual, the first film by our project filmmaker Lily Ford, is available to watch! Blending Victorian self-help culture with contemporary digital media, the film explores ideas of labour, self-improvement, class, gender and creativity through the hand. youtu.be/LhDyk5G02BYyoutu.beManualYouTube video by The Victorian Hand 024
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoOldRailwayAccidents @rwldproject.bsky.social · 01/10/2026This looks very interesting: Railways: 200 Years that Transformed Britain 21 November Exploring how railways reshaped population, society, culture, law & everyday experience; nice to see @medhistoryman.bsky.social & @jbhist.bsky.social involved! midlandrailwaysociety.org.uk/railways-200...midlandrailwaysociety.org.ukRailways: 200 Years that Transformed Britain – Midland Railway Society 153
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Simon Marginson in today's @timeshighered.bsky.social : "The wheels are now rapidly falling off the 2012 funding system" in England. Treasury displays "no signs of awareness or concern about the devastation of the nation's capacity in higher education". What would a wheeled UKHE bus look like? 1/7 22315
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Wolverhampton 'is currently in the middle of a restructure and redundancy process, having last year announced plans to close its Telford campus, as well as proposing to close numerous English courses earlier this year.' 1/3timeshighereducation.comWolverhampton accidentally reveals staff at risk of redundancyImpacted staff were all copied into a group email, prompting outrage 32514
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoGeorge Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Our rapid disillusionment with political leaders is treated by much of the media as some kind of pathology. But what I see is these leaders backtracking on their promises, dashing people's hopes and serving the ultra-rich ahead of the rest of the population. Why wouldn't we be disillusioned? 1582325783
Reposted by Joanne Begiato🌈 Dr Ross Brooks @rossbrooks.co.uk · 20/08/2026It's just magical seeing QUEER ORIGINS in bookshops, especially the iconic Gay's the Word.✨ I've just signed some copies there — nab one while you can (there are also some soon-to-be-collector's-item bookmarks)! #books #booksky #bookshop #newreads #histsci #histsex #queerhistory 🌈📚🦋🗃️ 25611
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoGlen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 17/08/2026No-one should doubt that Anglosphere universities face a very powerful, well-concerted and resourceful attack across the board. This comes at UK universities' moment of maximum weakness - when a string of institutions are teetering on the edge. inews.co.uk/news/educati...inews.co.ukUniversities at risk of going bust before 2026 freshers finish their degreesMergers, course closures and job losses are also expected in the higher education sector and could accelerate in a few years 23212
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 17/08/2026'A June report by UK IT body Jisc and the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) warned that pressure for universities to adopt AI has “outpaced clarity about what responsible action looks like in practice”. ' 1/2timeshighereducation.comIs universities’ AI embrace undermining their net-zero targets?Amid all the debates about student employability and academic integrity, the question of how AI mandates square with universities’ commitments to addressing climate change has been largely neglected. ... 22611
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoZack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Two thirds of articles about the wildfires didn't mention climate change. Once again parts of our media are failing at the most basic part of their job - reporting the truth. uk.themedialeader.com/two-thirds-o...uk.themedialeader.comTwo-thirds of UK news articles about wildfires this summer haven't mentioned climate changeAnalysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit adds to concerns that national newspapers are failing to link this summer's extreme weather to climate change and the net-zero policies necessary to mitigate its drastic effects. 491748615
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 14/08/2026'Now people are asking aloud: why is Burnham ignoring what is in front of his face – the devastating impact of climate breakdown on the country and its citizens?' A Ukrainian comedian stood up to Putin, in the face of all the odds. Can the PM stand up to climate collapse?theguardian.comHot topic: why is Burnham so reluctant to talk about the climate crisis?Extreme heat is harming wellbeing of ordinary people the PM champions, yet little has been said on the topic 1196
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Could we please have a hefty cross party group of MPs urging the 2 most relevant Secretaries of State (at DfE and BIST) to intervene in the car crash that is higher education and research funding and policy, as joined-at-the-hip in universities? We're all in this together. 06015
Reposted by Joanne Begiatoderek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 13/08/2026I enjoyed this. ordinaryabundance.comordinaryabundance.comOrdinary AbundanceA walk through a modern apartment, through the eyes of the people for whom everything in it was new. 753424910
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoGlen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Universities... I've just been sent to the edge today by all this stupid reporting about A-Level results day like everything's fine and dandy. Those 18yos are heading into a proper storm. It's hot, I'm hot, none of us can do anything about it anyway. www.theguardian.com/education/20...theguardian.comUK universities face ‘financial crisis’ amid collapse in international studentsHigher education figures call on Labour to reverse tax on fees and warn institutions at risk of ‘going under’ 28623
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 13/08/2026'languages are often unavailable to students in schools and colleges before they make their subject choices at university. Limited opportunities have suppressed demand. But interest in languages is not limited, and it is important not to forget the joy and vitality of languages too.'hepi.ac.ukThe joy and vitality of languages - HEPIThis blog was kindly authored by Fiona Devine (Manchester) and Jo Fox (Newcastle), on behalf of the N8 subgroup on Modern Languages. We are very familiar with the story that languages are in decline a... 02420
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoCaroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Really? Is that it? If this is all that’s come from COBR, it’s pitifully inadequate. As crisis deepens, it beggars belief that there aren’t eg plans to increase resources for the fire service, support for farmers, max workplace temperature, funded community cool spaces & obvs ban on new fossil fuelsindependent.co.ukAndy Burnham warns of summer ban on disposable barbecuesAndy Burnham said he would consider if a restriction on purchasing the products during the summer months could be justified 2162326848
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoZack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 10/08/2026A fire now the size of 140 football pitches Drought in half of England & all of Wales Heat alerts across the country. Already 3000 dead from the heat. The crisis is here. We can see it, we can smell the smoke. We cannot sit by while government sit on their hands. www.lbc.co.uk/article/new-...lbc.co.ukDrivers told to flee cars ‘if you want to stay alive’ after New Forest fire spreads | LBCAn area the size of 140 football pitches has reportedly been destroyed 37919353
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoIan Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 06/08/2026There's been a real failure on the part of progressive leaders this summer to link the weather and Net Zero in the public mind. Most people get it, but the consensus is crumbling and it would be useful to reinforce it. 551177295
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoThe Material Culture of Wills Project @materialwills.bsky.social · 05/08/2026📢PROJECT UPDATE📢 You may have seen the news that the University of Exeter, home of the wills project, has placed 500 academics at risk of redundancy. The project leader Prof. Jane Whittle & project co-investigator Dr Laura Sangha are both at risk, alongside almost all of the History department. 1/ 1115190
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoGeorge Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 05/08/2026My column on how capital becomes a death cult. Faced with a choice between profit and human life, the radical right chooses profit. Then it tries to persuade us that mass death is what we want. It's the new phase of climate denial: accept your fate, earthlings. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comMurderous heat, an endangered food supply, decimated landscapes: embrace the Mediterranean life | George MonbiotAs climate disaster stares us in the face, the radical right says ‘Embrace the Mediterranean life’. Embrace death, more like it, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot 6821671054
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 05/08/2026'Ben Johnson, co-director of...Science Works and a former government science adviser, told Research Professional News the government must understand how and where the sector is contracting or risk losing pockets of research capability.' That horse is already exiting the stable. 1/3 1177
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Great to see Osterley House, National Trust engage again with the long legacy of the East India Company and its material cultures in Hounslow. Exciting to see another exhibition on this theme: Journeys: Wedding Shawls, Baghs and Phulkaris from the Karun Thakar Collection, open until 1 November. 1/4easterneye.bizKarun Thakar brings British Asians into Osterley House with National Trust exhibitionExhibition of shawls invites visitors to rediscover estate's India links 18529
Reposted by Joanne Begiato💙🪄 Keep Rising 🪄💙 @keeprising.bsky.social · 03/08/2026💖 all animals deserve freedom 🌿❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜🤎🤍🌿 4468591439
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Not to make light of a difficult to diagnose allergy. But given that climate survivals demands that humans eat much less red meat, this may also be read as 'nudge' from nature.nature.comMeat allergy is on the rise — what scientists want to knowThe allergy is caused by ticks, but researchers have much to learn about it. 2112
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoPlashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Really appreciated a piece that lays out the multiple horrors of UK HE in humane detail. 25929
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoWonkhe @wonkhe.bsky.social · 03/08/2026NEW on Wonkhe: International students are often treated as financial assets rather than pedagogic partners. Sumeya Loonat sets out four lenses for moving beyond the deficit model buff.ly/jnPFPMD 011
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 01/08/2026This should be self evident but clearly isn’t. From @lewisgoodall.com 414675
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMichael Brown @medhistoryman.bsky.social · 02/08/2026I'm not only incredibly sad about this, I'm also profoundly angry; mostly with the government & sector leadership who allowed this to happen, but also with colleagues who rejected the idea that lifting the cap would make this inevitable and told me that I had no right to stop students 'trading up'. 1101
Joanne Begiato @jbhist.bsky.social · 02/08/2026These wonderful, talented staff who teach and research are being sacked for no good reason. It's a political failure, a disaster for the academics, and a deep loss for anyone who wants to study humanities across the UK. 050
Joanne Begiato @jbhist.bsky.social · 02/08/2026This is an absolutely disgusting state of affairs. While only Russell Groups are in the news, the humanities at many other universities are being eviscerated. 14410
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 02/08/2026Thinking through the unedifying, un-evidence-based rush to an undefined, apparently unmodelled paradigm of 'specialisation, what's being lost/threatened? Herts History was an excellent example of performing to a top standard in REF, but also much more than that. Questions to think with include: 1/4 110756
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoRoyal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 02/08/2026In late 2023, the Society spent a day with Hertfordshire’s historians. We saw the quality, creativity and distinctiveness of teaching, research and engagement. We were told by a (now departed) senior manager that History was ‘a portfolio the university will guard very carefully’. bit.ly/4hLediN 518489
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoWonkhe @wonkhe.bsky.social · 26/05/2026NEW on Wonkhe: Universities UK’s Future Universities strategy aims to tackle public apathy towards universities. Sally Mapstone explains why that means doing more than “telling better stories” buff.ly/PglwhMi 012
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 22/05/2026The 'stinging rebuke' is open access here. You don't need to be an historian to applaud it. #Skystorians 2/2royalhistsoc.orgHistory and the humanities at the University of Hertfordshire – a statement from the Royal Historical Society - RHSEven for those familiar with bleak times, this has been a particularly bad few weeks in UK higher education. Confirmed job losses at the University of Essex were followed by further bad news from Hert... 27847
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoNina Markl 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 @ninamarkl.bsky.social · 12/05/2026we’re all signing petitions to save other people’s department until we’re the ones organising the petition and then we’re back to signing other people’s petitions please sign & share to save humanities at hertfordshire 1179
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Higher education in the UK just got much lower. How much lower will it sink before your MP notices and speaks out? 46832
Joanne Begiato @jbhist.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Desperately sorry about this Ceri. It's unforgivable behaviour. 020
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 05/05/2026University of Hertfordshire closes a swathe of Humanities courses, accelerating the sweeping tide against Human-centred disciples in the UK. Because understanding humans is so yesterday today. With such happy consequences, as we see when we look around us. 19389202
Joanne Begiato @jbhist.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Imn I'm so very sorry Owen. This is dreadful news. 010
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoThe Victorian Hand @victorianhand.bsky.social · 01/05/2026✍️ Our Public Engagement Fellow, rosscmrn.bsky.social, sheds light on the origins of our project in the latest Bulletin of The Royal College of Surgeons of England! Read the full article here: publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi/full/10.... 072
Joanne Begiato @jbhist.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Next workshop at The Quilters' Guild coming up soon! 080
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoBoydell & Brewer @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social · 16/04/2026Rachel Feldberg shares how the discovery of a young women's diary revealing an interest in science, culture, and sociability in York sparked collaborative research, a conference, and a book that brings Jane Ewbank’s world to light. #18thC #BookSky #skystorians Read the blog > buff.ly/ATgu3WP 0123
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoEmily Brown @embo78.bsky.social · 11/04/2026BBC News - Iris Murdoch's lost poems to be read at Oxford Brookes festival - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukIris Murdoch's lost poems to be read at Oxford Brookes festivalRecently discovered material from the Oxford novelist will be included in the Think Human festival. 042
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoHetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 08/04/2026May I interest you in £10k for humanities or social science research? Our small grants scheme is open. Apply by 3rd June. We allocate through partial randomisation - awarding randomly between all applications that meet our quality threshold www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...thebritishacademy.ac.ukBritish Academy/Leverhulme Small Research GrantsThe British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants are available to support primary research in the humanities and social sciences. These awards, up to £10,000 in value and tenable for up to 24 mont... 29891
Reposted by Joanne BegiatoLloyd's Register Foundation Heritage Centre @lrfheritage.bsky.social · 07/04/2026ONE WEEK REMAINING: Small Grant Scheme📣 Offering #grants up to £10,000 GBP for organisations that want to increase public access and engagement with maritime history and/or their collections. Apply🔗👉 hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/get-involved...hec.lrfoundation.org.ukHEC Small Grants SchemeThe small grant round is now open from 2nd February 2026 to 13th April 2026 01111