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Laura C Forster

@lauracforster.bsky.social
794 followers 983 following 83 posts

Historian @york.ac.uk | Editorial collective @historyworkshop.org.uk | 'The Paris Commune in Britain', OUP shorturl.at/662e4 | 'Friends in Common', Pluto Press shorturl.at/f2nRs | now writing a history of (bird) egg collecting in Britain

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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
youtu.be/b-3mh1ApWG8?...
youtu.be
Tie Our Love (In A Double Knot)
YouTube video by Dolly Parton - Topic
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Such a great opening piece by @marralsham.bsky.social, including discussion of Doreen Massey's wonderful 1995 HWJ article on places & their pasts 🧡 Really looking forward to reading the rest of the series
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Ewan Gibbs @ewangibbs.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
I’m looking forward to doing a sneak preview talk on my new book, An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class, for @historylabplus.bsky.social on 10 September. The full programme looks great too, especially the Radical Glasgow walking tour led by @kamack.bsky.social.
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 13/08/2026
How can historians use institutional archives to recover the lived experiences of disabled people? @lucyanne.bsky.social explores technological collaboration and disabled expertise in the General Post Office in early twentieth-century Britain.
historyworkshop.org.uk
A Tale of Two Signals
Lucy Jameson explores technological collaboration and disabled expertise in the General Post Office in early twentieth-century Britain.
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Great new work from @oliviawyatt1999.bsky.social 💫
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 06/08/2026
Final call! We are hiring a new Editorial Fellow who specialises in pre-1800 CE history from any part of the globe 🌍 👉 this 2-year fellowship runs from October 2026 - September 2028 👉 this role is paid and part-time (3 hours per week) 👉 the application deadline is tomorrow, Friday 7 August
historyworkshop.org.uk
Call for Applications: Editorial Fellowship at History Workshop, 2026
History Workshop is seeking to appoint one Editorial Fellow in 2026, with specialism in pre-1800 CE history from any part of the globe.
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The English Historical Review @enghistrev.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Alex Middleton reviews 'The Paris Commune in Britain: Radicals, Refugees, and Revolutionaries after 1871', by Laura C. Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-... @academic.oup.com
academic.oup.com
The Paris Commune in Britain: Radicals, Refugees, and Revolutionaries after 1871, by Laura C. Forster
This is an innovative and richly suggestive study of British political culture in international context. Rather than concentrating on Britain’s more heated
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
'...the book is a complete success, and it should become a staple of reading lists on international political-ideological interactions' Thanks to Alex Middleton for this generous & thoughtful review!
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 26/06/2026
📣 Call for Applications 📣 History Workshop is seeking to appoint one Editorial Fellow in 2026, with specialism in pre-1800 CE history from any part of the globe. This is a part-time, paid role. Application deadline: 7 August 2026. Please share widely!
historyworkshop.org.uk
Call for Applications: Editorial Fellowship at History Workshop, 2026
History Workshop is seeking to appoint one Editorial Fellow in 2026, with specialism in pre-1800 CE history from any part of the globe.
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
In Paris and at a loose end this afternoon? Come for some Commune chat @sorbonnenouvelle.bsky.social, 4pm 🙌
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Society for the Study of Labour History @sslh.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
An exciting new hybrid talk from @lauracforster.bsky.social on 9 June, exploring the Communard refugees who arrived in Britain following the defeat of the Paris Commune in May 1871. Find out more: sslh.org.uk/2026/05/29/e...
sslh.org.uk
Event: Exile, affinity, and the afterlives of the Paris Commune in Britain
Dr Laura C. Forster (University of York) will deliver an online and in-person talk on Tuesday 9 June titled: “Exile, affinity, and the afterlives of the Paris Commune in Britain”, covering her rece…
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
My German is crap but from what I can gather this is a lovely and thoughtful review of 'The Paris Commune in Britain'! Thank you @christopherwimmer.bsky.social 🙌
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
HAPPY MAY DAY✊🟥 For Radical May, 'Friends in Common' is half price! Treat yourself! It's a book about friendship & radical struggle, historically & today. It argues that friendship has revolutionary potential in the face of a profoundly anti-social capitalist system (1/8)
plutobooks.com
Friends in Common - Pluto Press
Friendship is potent and full of possibilities for social change
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Oskar Jensen @oskarjensen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Jobs! Three jobs! I am hiring three full-time, three-year postdocs to research the long history of song at Newcastle, from any disciplinary background (within reason), starting 1 October 2026. Spread the news far and wide – all details in the link below... jobs.ncl.ac.uk/job/Newcastl...
jobs.ncl.ac.uk
Research Assistant/Associate: Mainstream Song, Class, and Culture 1520-2020
Research Assistant/Associate: Mainstream Song, Class, and Culture 1520-2020
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
New article! It considers how travelling activists - lecturers, wandering outsiders & Clarion caravanners - figured in the landscape of socialist organising in the late 19thC & argues that experiences of intimacy, friendship, & frustration were key in generating socialist ideas & making socialists
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London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 19/03/2026
‘In​ its short life, the Commune could fulfil little of its programme. But it transformed Paris into a network of elected democracies, cancelled rent arrears and abolished religious education.’ Neal Ascherson on the Paris Commune in Britain. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Neal Ascherson · Soup at La Marmite: Communards in Exile
Solidarity with Commune veterans on the part of British working-class movements was usually more symbolic than active....
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Googled my favourite Matilda quote to find a clip of the relevant scene and the auto AI overview that I can't seem to turn off came through with something accurate for once
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London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 16/03/2026
‘Once, the men and women waiting for soup in Newman Passage had believed that everything was possible. Now they knew it wasn’t.’ Neal Ascherson on the Paris Commune’s refugees in Britain. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Neal Ascherson · Soup at La Marmite: Communards in Exile
Solidarity with Commune veterans on the part of British working-class movements was usually more symbolic than active....
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Robert Chapman @drrobertchapman.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Hey everyone, a collective I'm part of is starting a radical bookshop and community space in Newcastle, a city where the last radical bookshop closed around 40 years ago. We've just launched our crowdfunder. Please take a look a share widely! www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/booksfromb...
crowdfunder.co.uk
Books from Below: A Radical Bookshop for Newcastle
Opening new radical bookshop, coffee shop, and community space in Newcastle UK!
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
✊✊✊
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Such a brilliant book!
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Sam Wetherell @samwetherell.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Hey look - a lovely review in the @lrb.co.uk of @lauracforster.bsky.social's magnificent book about the exiles of the Paris commune! www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Neal Ascherson · Soup at La Marmite: Communards in Exile
Solidarity with Commune veterans on the part of British working-class movements was usually more symbolic than active....
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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 17/03/2026
Happy St. Patrick's Day, New York.
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Raphael Samuel History Centre @rshc.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Call for Papers New Left Histories and Historiographies: Mapping a Renewed Research Field Workshop to assess the current state of research on the New Left. Cfp for an event to be held in November at QMUL. Info here www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event... @bbkhistorical.bsky.social @qmul.bsky.social
bbk.ac.uk
Call for Papers. New Left Histories and Historiographies: Mapping a Renewed Research Field
Call for papers.
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
'...a lively, scholarly account, full of bold personalities and surprising connections' Thanks to Neal Ascherson for this generous review of 'The Paris Commune in Britain' in the @lrb.co.uk today Particularly pleased to read that the book took Neal to the Newman Arms in search of the Communards 🍻
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London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 12/03/2026
‘Solidarity with Commune veterans on the part of British working-class movements was usually more symbolic than active. Plenty of “Vive la Commune!” and “Down with Capitalism!”, but no barricades.’ Neal Ascherson on the Paris Commune in Britain. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Neal Ascherson · Soup at La Marmite: Communards in Exile
Solidarity with Commune veterans on the part of British working-class movements was usually more symbolic than active....
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
'...a lively, scholarly account, full of bold personalities and surprising connections' Thanks to Neal Ascherson for this generous review of 'The Paris Commune in Britain' in the @lrb.co.uk today Particularly pleased to read that the book took Neal to the Newman Arms in search of the Communards 🍻
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
This is really excellent and informative, as ever. From the best @eskandarsadeghi.bsky.social
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
I've got a new article out @parlhistjournal.bsky.social 💥 It's about late 19thC socialist caravan tours & the production of everyday forms of cross-cultural connection & provincial internationalisms that were vital for the development of socialist ideas in this period
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Travelling Activists, Radical Hospitality and the Intimate History of Socialist Organising in Britain, c.1880–1914*
This article considers the political lecture tour, and particularly the travelling socialist caravan tours organised by Clarion socialists at the end of the 19th century, to argue that, for socialist...
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 19/02/2026
What does history have to offer to a world beset by upheaval? @lauracforster.bsky.social, @julialaite.bsky.social, Laura Schwartz, Anne Irfan and Jo Kelcey consider the complexities of this question in our new podcast 🎙️
historyworkshop.org.uk
History Workshop in Turbulent Times
How can history offer illumination and hope at a time of global upheaval and chaos?
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
CONFERENCE - 'Sociability & Political Life', University of York, 3rd/4th July 2026 Get your abstracts in by 14th Feb!
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 02/02/2026
The latest issue of History Workshop Journal is out now, and it marks two exciting milestones: 50 years and 100 issues of innovative radical history. You can read the journal on the HWJ website through the link below! academic.oup.com/hwj...
The cover of History Workshop Journal 100. The cover is a woodland green, and shows an abstract illustration of a coniferous tree based on Sadiah Qureshi's article on the Wollemi pine.
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
CONFERENCE - 'Sociability & Political Life', University of York, 3rd/4th July 2026 Get your abstracts in by 14th Feb!
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Interdependent Study Podcast @interdependentstudy.com · 17/12/2025
📖 EPISODE 230! 📖 In today’s episode, we discuss the book Friends in Common: Radical Friendship and Everyday Solidarities by @lauracforster.bsky.social and @joeljoel.bsky.social (and published by @plutopress.bsky.social).
New episode announcement image for the Interdependent Study podcast featuring a gray background with black marks and stylized image renderings of the cohosts in each bottom corner of the image with episode title The Radical Practice of Friendship in yellow text
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 10/12/2025
Next year we are co-hosting a celebration event with @rshc.bsky.social to mark the 100th issue of History Workshop Journal. 📍Birkbeck, University of London 🗓️Saturday 31 January 2026 ⏱️14:00-18:00 Everyone welcome! Please make sure to book via the link below.
eventbrite.co.uk
History Workshop Journal’s 100th Issue: a celebration
Speakers include former and newer editors, and friends of the journal. Tea, coffee and a drink will be provided.
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
This is tonight! 6pm! York! Come along if you're in the neighbourhood
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Will Tullett @willtullett.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
On Wednesday at 6pm my two fantastic colleagues Purba Hossain and @lauracforster.bsky.social are having a joint book launch for their new monographs at Kings Manor in the centre of York. If you're interested you can sign up at the Eventbrite here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/labour-mov....
eventbrite.co.uk
Labour Movements and Movements of Labour in Britain and its Empire
York historians explore 19th-century labour politics, transnational radicalism, and indentured migration following the abolition of slavery.
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
📢Call For Papers📢 Sociability & Political life Marc Jaffré & I are organising a conference! We're asking: can there be politics without sociability? How have friendship, intimacy, socialising & informal attachments been central to political projects & movements? Get your abstracts in by Feb 14th!
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 20/11/2025
"Palestinians experience the displacement of the 2020s genocide not as a singular event, but as part of a repeated cycle." Anne Irfan on the importance of writing Gaza's history.
historyworkshop.org.uk
Writing history in a time of genocide
Anne Irfan asks, what does it mean to write the history of a place as it is being destroyed before our very eyes?
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Brendel @brendelbored.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
It shouldn’t be forgotten that a big piece of Mamdani’s campaign was simply “cities are cool and lots of people enjoy living in them” which in and of itself dismantles alot of rightwing talking points
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Institute of Historical Research @ihr.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
The Curriers' Prize is now open! Submit your best unpublished essay on any aspect of London's history, and you could get a £1,000 award! Full details: 👇 w ww.history.ac.uk/funding/awards-bursaries-prizes/curriers-prize
history.ac.uk
The Curriers’ Prize
The Worshipful Company of Curriers, has established an essay prize on the history of London, in association with The London Journal Trust and the IHR.
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Lieke Smits @elckerlieke.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
In the midst of political pessimism, this episode on friendship as transformative power gave me some hope.
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Joel & I in conversation with the wonderful @marybethhamilton13.bsky.social - talking about friendship, forms of belonging, & revolutionary histories for @historyworkshop.org.uk
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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 30/10/2025
How might we reassess friendship as a transformative, even revolutionary, political resource? Laura Forster (@lauracforster.bsky.social) and Joel White (@joeljoel.bsky.social) join Marybeth Hamilton (@marybethhamilton13.bsky.social) to discuss the radical potential of friendship 🎙️🗃️
historyworkshop.org.uk
Friends in Common
How might we reassess friendship as a transformative, even revolutionary, political resource?
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Tuva Skjelbred Nodeland @tuva-s-nodeland.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
I can heartily recommend Laura's brilliant new article - innovative, creative and hopeful!
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Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
I’ve just added my voice to this consultation saying I don’t want a situation in which staff and fellow swimmers might scrutinise or judge my body, or anyone else’s, when I use the ponds. The current policy of trans inclusion works perfectly well. You can fill out the consultation linked below.
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Laura C Forster @lauracforster.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
This will be great!!
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