Sign in

Sam Aston she/her

@manclibrarian.bsky.social
970 followers 308 following 146 posts

Lecturer in ed tech learning in Public Health CeLP SFHEA Mum. Former Librarian/Learning Developer. Programme manager for LILAC conf. Reads, hikes and occasionally knits. Loves Cornwall and the Lakes.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
LTHEchat @lthechat.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Join us for today’s #LTHEChat, which will explore how the design of time and space shapes student engagement, participation and belonging with @columfromcork.bsky.social on Wednesday at 8.00pm (GMT/BST). Read the blog post here: buff.ly/CrhmjWL
buff.ly
LTHEChat 374: Apathy or Architecture? The hidden curriculum of time and space
Join us on Wednesday 30th of September at 8.00pm (GMT/BST) with our guest contributor, Colum Cronin of Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, (@columfromcork.bsky.social). This #LTHEChat on BlueSky…
044
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Amy Diehl, Ph.D. @amydiehl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The year is 2026 and research has just now started on what the ovary do after menopause. It is not a dead organ. Removing ovaries even after menopause may not be advisable except for women at an increased risk of ovarian cancer. www.wired.com/story/ovary-...
wired.com
The Ovary Is Surprisingly Active After Menopause. Scientists Are Trying to Figure Out Why
A growing body of research is putting the ovary in a new light, not as an egg factory with an expiration date, but as an organ that shapes women’s health long after the fertile years have passed.
12111
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
The Abominable Jonathan L. Howard @jonathanlhoward.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Alan Ritchson seems an okay sort of feller.
From Twitter. fattys_revenge writes "Every season of Reacher so far has been great, and I understand why they may be avoiding the earlier novels due to their slightly less standalone nature, but every year I'm sad to learn that next season won't be the book where he kills his way through a white supremacist militia camp"
Alan Ritchson replies, "My favorite book. Fun fact: I had it approved until someone got re-elected."
013638
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Liam Thorp @liamthorp.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Lord give me the arrogance of a tax exile who feels the right to comment on the tax policies and general running of a country who you have deprived of billions by registering yourself in Monaco
bbc.co.uk
Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he has lost confidence in UK
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells the BBC he thinks the country is "on the slide" and calls for more investment in the North Sea.
721182326
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Eek. England "needs 120% of typical rainfall over the next seven months for all areas to be considered out of drought." Probably a good time to fix the insane level of leakage... www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Government, Environment Agency, and water companies step up efforts to prevent England remaining in drought by next spring
Water bosses updated National Drought Group on winter plans, as research shows above-average rainfall needed to end drought by April 2027.
1829487
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Mabel Frances Layng, English painter, (1881–1937), Girls Dressing, 1920 #womensart
Painting featuring three white young women in an interior, a bedroom, wearing long skirts and tops. One sits on the bed to the left, the others stand
573094
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The fallacy that University leaders pushing AI are falling into is thinking that the point of undergraduate research is to find things out. It isn't. What students find out is typically already generally known. The point of undergraduate research is to learn how to find things out.
351442412
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Open Book Collective @openbookcollective.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Academic librarians - how does your institution actually decide whether to fund collective, fee-free open access? What finally ends up moving the internal discussions from yes, or maybe to no? We're running a short, anonymous survey (10–15 mins) to find out. 📚
forms.gle
What made you say yes? OBC open access library support survey
About this survey This survey is run by the Open Book Collective - a charity registered in England and Wales (charity no. 1206287). For the purposes of data protection law, the Open Book Collective is...
01016
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
LILAC Conference @lilacconf.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The #LILAC27 call for presentations opens soon. If you’re thinking about your submission, check our archive to see what’s been presented at previous conferences. We can’t wait to read your contribution to the #infolit & #digilit discussion! buff.ly/CnoJZzh
lilacconference.com
LILAC
LILAC is an annual conference covering all aspects of information literacy and is a firm favourite in the calendar of information professionals. The conference is brimming with new ideas, innovative…
021
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Teaching in Higher Education @teachinginhe.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
New publication alert! 🚨 Beyond participation: reimagining silence as pedagogical presence in the university seminar By Julia Hope www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #HigherEducation #StudentEngagement
A screenshot of the first page of the article from the journal Teaching in Higher Education: Critical Perspectives titled: Beyond participation: reimagining silence as pedagogical presence in the university seminar by Julia Hope. The screenshot includes the abstract of the article (available via the link).A screenshot of the cover of the journal Teaching in Higher Education: Critical Perspectives. The cover is red with a black band on the edge.
001
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
From the series Medicinal Flowers of Lebanon, 2021 by street artist, muralist Faith47 #WomensArt
Photo of a brown wall with a mural of a plant with white flowers in a steet on which a woman walks carrying a child
6692122
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Gail Brodholt, London Calling, 2023 UK printmaker #WomensArt #Monday #ReframingWomenPrintmakers
Print featuring a covered grand railway station with commuters in silhouette on a platform betweem two trains, all bathed in early yellow light
51540231
Sam Aston she/her @manclibrarian.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I loved The Tiger who came to Tea. (See also Sean Lock’s version The Tiger who came for a Pint)
000
Sam Aston she/her @manclibrarian.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
It is weird attending university open days as a parent when I have been at so many uni open days for work. Also visited many campuses for LILAC. Tomorrow is another of them as we head to Nottingham.
110
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
CILIP Information Literacy Group @infolitgroup.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Time for IL Professionals to don those thinking caps and begin cogitating...the LILAC 2027 Call for Presentations opens 21st September! infolit.org.uk/lilac-call-f...
infolit.org.uk
LILAC Call for Presentations 2027! – Information Literacy Website
101
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
The Open University Library @oulibrary.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Apply for our Senior Library Manager (Business Systems) vacancy. We're looking for a strategic leader to manage and lead a key Library service area, ensuring our services evolve to meet our community's needs. 👉 ow.ly/X6SJ50ZLb4R Closing date: 24 September 2026 #LibraryJobs
Announcement for a Senior Library Manager role in Business Systems at Open University Library inviting applications.
058
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Philippa Vishnyakov @revealmcr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Manchester students, join me on this walk about the Women of Oxford Road, in conjunction with @eilzabethgaskellsh.bsky.social where we'll end. Part of The Cultural Welcome @oxrdmcr.bsky.social. Free for students incl entry to the House, booking essential. 8 Oct oxfordroadcorridor.com/events/women...
oxfordroadcorridor.com
Guided walk – Women of Oxford Road
Pioneering women from the arts, literature, science, medicine and activism take centre stage on a walk exploring Oxford Road’s feminist legacy. Booking essential.
035
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Dr Daisy Abbott @daisyabbott.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Call for Contributions: No More Boring Lectures! Do you have a 5 min activity that brings energy/interaction to a lecture? Collaboration to build a deck of activities for educators. playfullearningassoc.co.uk/no-more-bori... Deadline Fri 2nd Oct. #gbl @playfullearning.bsky.social #HigherEd
playfullearningassoc.co.uk
No More Boring Lectures! – Playful Learning Association
012
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Royal Society for Public Health @rsph.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
We are proud to announce that London will stage the 2030 World Congress on Public Health 🎉 RSPH will serve as the host organisation, bringing together the global public health community to tackle the health challenges of the next decade. www.rsph.org.uk/news/rsph-se...
rsph.org.uk
RSPH selected to host 2030 WFPHA World Congress
Author: RSPH 09 September 2026 1 min read
041
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Dr Kelly Birtwell @kellybirtwell.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
This has been a fantastic project to be involved in. The toolkit is freely available for anyone who wants to find out more about what research is, & how to get involved as a participant, or in helping design research ( #PPIE #Co-production). Useful for autistic & non-autistic people, & researchers.
11610
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 09/09/2026
Even better than the Real Thing? The overlooked Black music scene of 1970s Liverpool
theguardian.com
Even better than the Real Thing? The overlooked Black music scene of 1970s Liverpool
Despite the city’s backdrop of deprivation and racism, vibrant nightclubs and daring artists thrived – but after No 1 success for the Real Thing, why was the scene ignored?
33514
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Andrew Walsh @playbrarian.uk · 09/09/2026
Fancy an insight into managing neurodivergent staff, making the most of them, understanding some of the ways in which people's brains work that might differ from your own (so be a tad difficult for you)? Get yourself booked on this webinar (or book us to deliver something for your management team).
024
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Social Responsibility at The University of Manchester @socialresponuom.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
BA Drama graduate Emilia O'Donoghue shares how her time at @officialuom.bsky.social shaped her passion for using arts and culture to support communities across Greater Manchester. @uomhums.bsky.social
012
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Emma Mitchell @silverpebble2.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
A slightly enchanted thing just happened-had the door open bc have been gardening and a WREN hopped in to the house, had a quick look around, spotted a deceased spider in the doorframe, had it as a snack and then…left. What the heck 🪶
3765765
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Dr Jo Edge 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @hagenilda.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Jesus Christ, vice-chancellor of MMU and president of UUK Malcolm Press *attending the Reform UK conference and sharing a stage with Suella Braverman*. With friends like this... #UKHE www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
linkedin.com
#universities #socialmobility #wideningparticipation #opportunity #scholarships | Malcolm Press CBE
I believe it's important to engage with politicians across the political spectrum on issues that matter. Today I participated in a discussion at the Reform Party conference alongside Suella Braverman...
22717
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Andrew Walsh @playbrarian.uk · 04/09/2026
New Intro to Lego Serious Play workshop (online) just set up! Friday 11th December for anyone who is interested :) legodec2026.eventbrite.co.uk
legodec2026.eventbrite.co.uk
Introduction to Lego Serious Play for Adult Training / Support. Dec. 2026
A basic Introduction to using Lego Serious Play ideas in Adult Teaching / Support. Includes a pack of Lego to use in the training.
024
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Susie Dent @susiedentwords.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
If you like to read in bed, consider yourself a librocubicularist. If that strikes a chord, I’ve written a short piece about the language of book-loving here: susiedent.substack.com/p/between-th...
A picture of books and a link to my Substack post about the language of bibliophilia.
1134565
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
A former chief prosecutor will examine the support provided to Jason Arday prior to the professor’s death, the University of Cambridge has said
timeshighereducation.com
Manchester chancellor to lead review of Cambridge Arday support
061
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
CILIP @cilip.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Congratulations to #CILIP members James Ripley and Emily Pickard on the news that Saughton Library at HMP Edinburgh won Library of the Year at the #Nibbies. Thanks to The Bookseller for celebrating the excellent work that prison librarians do.#CILIPPrLG ow.ly/xF7P50ZJnJK
ow.ly
The ballad of reading in gaol: prison libraries are a vital resource
HMP Edinburgh’s triumph at the Nibbies underscored the excellent and essential work of prison libraries – but the sector still faces considerable challenges.
022
Sam Aston she/her @manclibrarian.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Hey y’all LOOK It is time……to start preparing that presentation #LILAC27 New presentation types. Now who did I talk to about a collab?
111
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Julie S. Lalonde @julieslalonde.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Gloria Steinem died with fewer rights than she had during her lifetime. That fact needs to be front and centre of every media report, every dedication, every discussion of her death.
5951231739
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
DocHackenBOOOOOsh @dochackenbush.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Gen AI can eat my farts. #art #NoAI
Graphic line illustration of a human butt farting in a robots face. Text: I SUPPORT THE HUMAN ARTS. GEN AI CAN EAT MY FARTS.
3447161
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Josh Gondelman @joshgondelman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
My heart goes out to the millions of people struggling to remember how to write "Thanks! Sounds great!" in an email.
8067121153
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Association for Learning Development in Higher Education @aldinhe.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
#Take5 #162 Life on Earth: How teaching, assessment & feedback can help educators & students learn actively together by Pen Holland, University of York. Disco... aldinhe.ac.uk/take5-162-life-on-earth-how-teaching-assessment-and-feedback-can-help-educators-and-students-learn-actively-together #LoveLD
Eggolution: one of the games that was rapidly developed and reviewed by students to explore evolution of the amniotic egg
001
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Caroline Ball @heroicendeavour.eurosky.social · 01/09/2026
Call for speakers! We are looking for speakers for the @nlisn.bsky.social event 'Intersections: Identity, Neurodivergence & Library/Information Work', in-person at City St George's, London, 21 Oct 2026. Deadline for submissions is 22 Sept, link below. First-time speakers especially welcome! 📚
forms.gle
Intersections: Identity, Neurodivergence, and Library & Information Work - Call for Speakers
We are inviting proposals for contributions to an in-person one-day event exploring intersectionality and neurodivergence in library and information work, taking place at City St George's University i...
01114
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Roger @rogger.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Rabies is of course extraordinarily serious. But also “rabies at the petting zoo” feels like the punchline to an extremely lazy joke about libertarians, and like the salad that makes you shit yourself inside out, it’s frankly exhausting for this all to keep being real.
042
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
It's ME(Jaime) @exceedhergrasp1.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
One of the more obscure facts I remember about Dolly Parton is this: just like Star Trek would not exist without Lucille Ball, Buffy would not exist without Dolly Parton. She was a silent producer of the movie and show. That's why Buffy Summers has the same birthday as Dolly: January 19.
234008869
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 26/08/2026
📈 New government figures show a significant rise in library use across England - 36% of people aged 16+ engaged with a library service at least once in 2025/26. That's up from 31% the previous year and the highest level since the pandemic. Read the full findings: www.gov.uk/government/s...
gov.uk
Community and Engagement Survey 2025/26 - libraries: report
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
02413
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Dr. Elinor Carmi @elinorcarmi.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Private schools in the UK have banned smart glasses because they realised it can harm their students, teachers and visitors. Universities should also adopt this approach and fast. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
telegraph.co.uk
083
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 26/08/2026
The Empire State Building went pink at exactly 9:25pm for Dolly Parton. Because of course they made it 9 to 5. That’s how you honor an icon. 🩷
381272906277
Sam Aston she/her @manclibrarian.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
000
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Library of Congress @librarycongress.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The Library is devastated to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton, a music legend and titan of children's literacy. Her Imagination Library program has earned multiple Library Literacy Awards and, in 2018, she visited us to donate its 100 millionth book to our collection and host a story time. 🦋❤️
Dolly Parton reads to children in the Library’s Great Hall in 2018. Photo by Shawn Miller.
194335177164
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Reminder: Dolly Parton helped fund the Moderna vaccine for COVID.
nytimes.com
Dolly Parton, who helped fund the Moderna vaccine, gets a ‘dose of her own medicine.’ (Published 2021)
The country music star broke into song before she was inoculated, and urged her fans to “get out there and get your shot.”
247238635776
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Kyle Clark @kylec.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
COMMENTARY: A whole lot of celebrities are loved. Dolly Parton loved you back.
13476791526
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Micah @rincewind.run · 25/08/2026
we simply didn’t have to do this vaccination was working we solved this problem it was over with we did not have to do this
403938954
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Sheila Webber @sheilawebber.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
dlvr.it
Short online courses on teaching information literacy
I haven't highlighted Library Juice Academy courses for a while. They are online, priced, and on a variety of topics, including teaching information literacy. Forthcoming ones include: - Online Instructional Design and Delivery. Cost - US $375.00. Duration: September 7 - October 18 2026. Tutor: Mimi Otten "This six-week course equips educators with the essential skills and frameworks for designing engaging, learner-centered online courses. Grounded in the principles of backward design and the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework, participants will explore how to align learning outcomes with meaningful assessments and select instructional strategies that promote active student engagement..." https://libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/111-online-instructional-design-and-delivery/ - Backwards Design for Library Instruction. Cost: US $250.00. Duration: October 5 - November 1 2026. Tutor: Liz Johns "This four-week course introduces participants to backwards design principles and practices for teaching. Unlike the traditional forward design method, which selects content or activities first and then aligns them with learning goals, backwards design starts with the end goal: what students should learn, know, or do. It then builds teaching from that end result, emphasizing a student-centered approach..." https://libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/342-backwards-design-for-library-instruction/ - Curriculum Mapping Information Literacy for Academic Librarians. Cost: US $250.00. Duration: October 5 - November 1 2026. Tutor: Logan Rath. https://libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/282-curriculum-mapping-information-literacy-for-academic-librarians/ - Developing a Credit-Bearing Information Literacy Course. Cost: US $250.00. Duration: October 5 - November 1 2026. Tutor: Jessica Critten. https://libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/125-developing-credit-bearing-information-literacy-course/ The home page for all the courses is at https://libraryjuiceacademy.com/ Photo by Sheila Webber: house in Lewes, Sussex, August 2026
033
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Public Health Jobs UK @pubhealthjobsuk.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Project Officer (Active Travel) – Darlington Tees Valley Rural Action Based in Middlesbrough £22,878 – £24,818 for 0.8wte (£28,598 – £31,023 FTE) Closes 01/09 www.rcvda.org.uk/opportunitie...
rcvda.org.uk
Project Officer - Darlington - RCVDA
Project Officer – Darlington — Permanent, Part Time, Tees Valley. Apply by 01/09/2026.
001
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Dr Jane Secker @jsecker.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Introducing CARaL: Copyright Anxiety, Resilience and Leadership - a new collaboration between me, @cbowiemorrison.bsky.social and @thekindbraveleader.bsky.social - find out more here: copyrightliteracy.org/2026/08/21/i... - starting this autumn!
copyrightliteracy.org
Introducing CARaL: Copyright Anxiety, Resilience and Leadership
Many of you will know that Chris and I have been working for some time on research into Copyright Anxiety and Legal Chill. Therefore we are really excited to launch a new collaboration this autumn …
004
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Chance the Lawyer @chancethelawyer.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
say what you will about the myriad valid concerns with current LLMs but I personally will never get over the fact that Aaron Swartz was prosecuted to his literal death for downloading JSTOR and then a decade later, they downloaded & ingested the entire world and our IP laws just went ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
4645491569