Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 9hThe lives of these men intersected with wider socio-political contexts: the 1857 uprising in India, developing concepts of empire, the possibilities and limits of entering elite spaces (specifically Oxbridge) as a Muslim. How did these men utilise networks to accrue privilege in this context? 010
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 10hFinal paper is from Abdul Sabur Kidwai on Indian Muslims in 1860s London: Syed Abdullah, professor of Hindustani at UCL, and Masihuddin Alvi, an envoy of the deposed Nawab of Lucknow. What did processes of self-fashioning look like for these men? 110
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 10h@lhaasis.bsky.social is aiming to construct a multi-perspective account of life aboard the ship: how did convicts feel about their (enforced) mobility, how did they interact with sailors employed to transport them, how did they use social capital to make their experiences bearable? 100
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 10h3rd paper is from @lhaasis.bsky.social on convict letters sent from a prison ship in 1803. Another interesting view of mobility: forced migration in service of colonialism 110
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 10hFascinating insights into how ethnically mixed neighbourhoods in early 20thC England negotiated difference and points of similarity 120
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 10h2nd paper from Gioia Rosetti @sheffielduni.bsky.social on 'mixedness' in working class Anglo-Chinese families. Gioia uses oral history & newspapers to understand the (ordinary) lived realities against racist newspaper discourses. 120
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 10hGreat first paper @ihr.bsky.social Migration & Mobility x @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social seminar from Jasper Segerink @uantwerpen.be: intensive quantitative work shedding important light on the experiences of migrants lodgers in late 19thC Antwerp. What can this tell us about 'mobility' v. 'migration' 170
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsLiminal Waterway Countercultures @liminalwater.bsky.social · 11hFrom our PI at London’s @ihr.bsky.social for a @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social event organised by @kabcommons.bsky.social with a strong maritime/port city angle. Here’s a display from @layersoflondon.bsky.social, a #DigitalHumanities project that inspired the mapping element of our #LiminalWater project. 021
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsSafe Passage International @safepassageintl.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Family should never be out of reach. Our Young Leaders share what family means to them, and why this issue is deeply personal. Hear their message, then stand with refugee families and call on the Government to restore this vital safe route: act.safepassage.org.uk/sign-petitio... 043
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 30/09/2026At our first seminar, we will be hearing exciting and innovative new research about Indian Muslims in Victorian London; 19thC prison ships; lodgers in 19th/20thC Antwerp & working class Anglo-Chinese couples in early 20thC Liverpool. Join us! 000
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 30/09/202601/12/26: ECR roundtable: Historical and Theoretical Approaches to Mobility, Migration and Citizenship: an ECR roundtable 15/12/26 Anna O Law: Migration Federalism in the U.S 100
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 30/09/202603/11/26: Becky Taylor: How do you displace a Gypsy? Belvedere Marshes and the dangers of a progressive state 17/11/26: Technologies and Arts of Crossing Imperial Borders: A roundtable 100
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 30/09/2026A great lineup for the @ihr.bsky.social Migration and Mobility Seminar this term! 🧵 Sign up to our mailing list: forms.gle/iAeiGQT1w7rt... 06/10/26: PhD Research showcase 20/10/26: Jonah Miller: Race and the Rent Collector: Housing, Migration, and Sociology in Modern Britainforms.gleIHR Migration and Mobility Seminar mailing listSign up here to be kept informed about the IHR Migration and Mobility Seminar 100
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Really thrilled to be a 2026 LHub Visitor @ials.bsky.social. Delighted and a little (justifiably) overwhelmed to be spending the next year working with this amazing group of scholars: ials.sas.ac.uk/research/lhu...ials.sas.ac.ukLHub People and PartnersExplore the diverse community of scholars and partners connected to the Law and Humanities Hub, including legal historians, writers, and interdisciplinary researchers. 170
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Just 2 wks till @ihr.bsky.social @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social & Migration & Mobility Seminar New Research showcase w/papers on 19thC prison ships, Muslims in 19thC London, migrants lodgers in late 19thC Antwerp & working class Anglo-Chinese families in 20thC Liverpool. Sign up: tinyurl.com/mr22jn5etinyurl.comHistory Lab/Migration and Mobility SeminarSign up form 043
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Incredibly powerful testimony from RNLI volunteers (now being abused by Patriot Platform among others) about their rescues of people seeking asylum www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...theguardian.com‘Their boat was sinking’: RNLI vows to keep rescuing asylum seekers despite attacksCharity emphasises small boat rescues are tiny part of its work and speaks out after volunteers abused by far right 030
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsLucas Haasis @lhaasis.bsky.social · 04/09/2026“I am conscious I have deserv’d all I suffer.” What did remorse, hope and survival mean aboard HMS Calcutta in 1803? Join me at the Migration & Mobility Seminar & @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social, Senate House London/online, 6 Oct, on convict letters & Britain’s transportation system #earlymodern #history 2208
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Just 10 days to submit to this amazing ECR roundtable @ihr.bsky.social Migration and Mobility Seminar, convened by MC Loureiro, which aims to open space for new ways of understanding & challenging practices and theories of belonging, rights & protections. Details here: le.ac.uk/law/news/law... 0913
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 28/08/2026@julietatkinson.bsky.social's work is *so good* - on mobility, and paperwork, and the ways that mobility was governed and surveilled 050
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsThomas C Jones @thomas-c-jones.bsky.social · 24/08/2026The @ihr.bsky.social Migration and Mobility seminar is starting with a bang this year, with 4 pieces of new postgraduate research on 6 October - sign up to attend at forms.gle/tUCt9uWatCYK... 0179
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 25/08/2026I'm so proud to be a trustee @afrilcharity.bsky.social - an incredible charity, supporting refugees and migrants in some really innovative ways (incredible & growing advice service, Saturday school, destitution service). This is a great opportunity to get involved & develop skills (& feel great!) 030
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Migration & Mobility x HistoryLab new research showcase 06/10/25 5.30pm (hybrid). Papers: Indian Muslims in Victorian London; migrant lodgers in Antwerp 1850-1900; convict letters from HMS Calcutta, 1803; experiences of working-class Anglo-Chinese couples, 1906-39. Sign up: forms.gle/tUCt9uWatCYK...forms.gleHistory Lab/Migration and Mobility SeminarSign up form 088
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsLondon Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 20/08/2026‘According to Deportation Alarm, a charter flight has been scheduled at 1 a.m. from Leipzig to Kabul between 25 and 27 August. Tofan didn’t know if he would be forced to get on it.’ Caitlin L. Chandler on a German deportation case, new on the blog. www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/au...lrb.co.ukCaitlin L. Chandler | Deported for Leaving the CountryFaridoon Tofan wanted to see Rome. The 46-year-old Afghan national had been living in Germany since 2022 without leaving... 033
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 14/08/2026The @ihr.bsky.social Migration and Mobility Seminar has an open CFP for what will be a brilliant ECR roundtable: Historical and Theoretical Approaches to Mobility, Migration and Citizenship Deadline 10/09 - pls apply, share etc! le.ac.uk/law/news/law...le.ac.ukLaw news | Leicester Law School | University of LeicesterRead news stories from Leicester Law School and keep up to date. 056
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Submitted a book manuscript! Is it good? I genuinely have stared at it so much I have no idea 080
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsLondon Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 23/07/2026‘The trend in recent years has been for countries to do away with, rather than affirm, 𝘫𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪. Ireland abolished the practice in 2005 after a referendum; Australia, New Zealand and India have all revoked it.’ @kabcommons.bsky.social on birthright citizenship. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukKathleen Commons · Short Cuts: England’s Birthright CitizenshipIt was relatively straightforward for the British government to end birthright subjecthood: statute overrides common law... 0126
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsLondon Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 20/07/2026‘Just as the judges in 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘪𝘯’𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘦 made legal contortions to interpret the law in a way consistent with existing legal principles and the desires of the new monarch, so have supporters of Trump’s effort to abolish birthright citizenship.’ @kabcommons.bsky.social: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukKathleen Commons · Short Cuts: England’s Birthright CitizenshipIt was relatively straightforward for the British government to end birthright subjecthood: statute overrides common law... 1189
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsLondon Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 18/07/2026‘It was relatively straightforward for the British government to end birthright subjecthood: statute overrides common law. It is less easy for those seeking to end birthright citizenship in the US.’ @kabcommons.bsky.social on birthright citizenship in England. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukKathleen Commons · Short Cuts: England’s Birthright CitizenshipIt was relatively straightforward for the British government to end birthright subjecthood: statute overrides common law... 094
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsKrista Kesselring @kjkesselring.bsky.social · 17/07/2026My new post: 'Grand Juries and Star Chamber’s Haunting Spectre' legalhistorymiscellany.com/2026/07/17/g...legalhistorymiscellany.comGrand Juries and Star Chamber’s Haunting SpectreWith curbs on trial juries now proposed in the UK, this post looks back to the part played by their now defunct counterpart, the grand jury. 1109
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsLondon Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 16/07/2026‘Law is not the only element in determining citizenship: the actions of those who interpret or challenge the law are just as important.’ @kabcommons.bsky.social on England’s birthright citizenship. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukKathleen Commons · Short Cuts: England’s Birthright Citizenship 01910
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 15/07/2026I wrote about US efforts to strip birthright citizenship from migrants' children using a 17thC English court case @lrb.co.uk. Calvin's Case (1608) is comically clear that the basis of citizenship is birthright: the rest of the judgement tho was much more controversial... tinyurl.com/mv5m8ady 0115
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsCameron @cameronboyle95.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Burnham's first act should be to reinstate family reunion. At present, more than 16,000 people are trapped. The big question is: will he? www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...theguardian.comMore than 16,000 refugees unable to reunite with families in UK, says Refugee CouncilSuspension of family reunion route has left many stuck in conflict zones or using people smugglers to reach safety 132
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Modesty means I should demur, but as am currently without an academic post will hang on to 'great mind' with all I have (thank you @roperlou.bsky.social and @dsmyth.bsky.social) 010
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Yes! Very much so not manorial court business. 120
Reposted by Kathleen CommonsThe Historical Journal @historicaljnl.bsky.social · 13/07/2026📘From our latest issue! Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social on 'Discovering ‘Immigration Control’ in England, c. 1540 – c. 1640' #Migration #History #EarlyModern #England #Immigration 📜 16thc 17thc 👉Read open access here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal... 03413
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Congratulations! 🎉 @stephaniewanga.bsky.social @gianamar97.bsky.social 230
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 27/06/2026It should also be noted that a key "safe route" was suspended by the govt in September, causing untold distress to refugees in the UK, and placing their families overseas in often imaginable danger. Family reunion was already hugely restricted - now no refugee can access it. 054
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Just one week to sign up for our last @ihr.bsky.social Migration & Mobility Seminar with Daniel Renshaw presenting on 'Catholic Refugees and Protestant Churches in Britain during the First World War'. 30th June online and in-person - sign up here: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...history.ac.ukInstitute of Historical ResearchThe Institute of Historical Research is the UK's national centre for history 010
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Our next (last of the year!) @ihr.bsky.social Migration & Mobility Seminar will be Daniel Renshaw presenting on 'Catholic Refugees and Protestant Churches in Britain during the First World War'. 30th June online and in-person - sign up here: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...history.ac.ukCatholic Refugees and Protestant Churches in Britain during the First World WarMigration and Mobility Seminar 010
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Last chance to sign up for this fascinating paper! 021
Kathleen Commons @kabcommons.bsky.social · 10/06/2026How?! (Sorry. Slight overuse of punctuation but my mind is v blown) 110