iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

You see how Taylor Swift brings people together? It was a joy to meet and work with @ramckay.bsky.social!

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Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

It's the first time I've written an OpEd on Taylor Swift, coauthored with the wonderful @ramckay.bsky.social As the @bmj.com editor noted, my last BMJ piece was on Fauci. From Fauci to Taylor—I contain multitudes, lol The tone is light-hearted, the message is serious www.bmj.com/content/395/...

Opinion
Has Taylor Swift defanged the toxic term “patient zero”?
BMJ 2026; 395 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2026-101044 (Published 05 October 2026)
Cite this as: BMJ 2026;395:e101044
Article
Metrics
Responses
Gavin Yamey, professor of global health and public policy1, Richard A McKay, college lecturer and director of studies in history and philosophy of science2

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Reposting an article I wrote for The Conversation in 2020 about the history of the slippery phrase “patient zero.” Just because. theconversation.com/patient-zero...

theconversation.com

Patient zero: why it’s such a toxic term

Why we should wash our hands of this unhealthy phrase.

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Julia Irwin @juliairwin.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

If you're a historian working on global, international, or transregional topics in the (long) twentieth century, the series editors for INTERCONNECTIONS: THE GLOBAL 20TH CENTURY would be delighted to chat with you about your book project. uncpress.org/series/inter...

uncpress.org

InterConnections: The Global 20th Century

InterConnections: The Global 20th Century is home to innovative global, international, and transregional histories of the long twentieth century. We also publish cutting-edge histories of the US and t...

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

I have always wondered about this too.

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Society for the Social History of Medicine (SSHM) @sshmedicine.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

✨SSHM Mid-Career Online Writing Retreat✨ funded by Wellcome Over 2 days: Friday 9th and Monday 12th January 2026 10am-5.30pm GMT This event is for SSHM members. To sign up and for more details see website Deadline for sign-up: 17 December 2025 (23:59 GMT) #histmed

sshm.org

UPCOMING SSHM EVENTS

SSHM Mid-Career Writing Retreat funded by Wellcome Friday 9th and Monday 12th January 2026 10am-5.30pm GMT Deadline for applications: 17 December 2025 (23:59 GMT) Led by Professor Rowena Murra…

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Though tragic and shocking, this riveting book also offers a message of hope by highlighting the activists who fought against institutional apathy and widespread stigma.

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

With clarity, nuance, and remarkable humanity, Alexander exposes the struggles to counter the transmission of HIV, disinformation, and fear during the Soviet Union’s twilight years.

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

This World AIDS Day, I’d like to highlight a forthcoming new book by Rustam Alexander, AIDS in Soviet Russia: A story of deception, despair and hope (Manchester University Press, February 2026). manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526185327/ #histmed #skystorians #worldaidsday

manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk

Manchester University Press - AIDS in Soviet Russia

AIDS in Soviet Russia - Browse and buy the Hardcover edition of AIDS in Soviet Russia by Rustam Alexander

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

I’ve heard of the practice but not by this name. I don’t know whether Amazon still bundles free Audible versions of physical books purchased, but I’m guessing it was in part responding to a fairly common request from readers wanting both formats.

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Alongside Simon, Dr Bill Bynum of the Wellcome Institute will detail his collaborative work with Roy and cast light on Roy’s major contributions to medical history research and teaching.

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Hosted by the Christ's College Medical Alumni Association, join Professor Sir Simon Schama (m. 1963) as he reflects on his undergraduate and early academic training alongside Roy Porter at Christ’s College, Cambridge.

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Upcoming Public Webinar: “Roy Porter Remembered” Hosted by the Christ's College Medical Alumni Association 6-7 pm, Tuesday, 21 October 2025 Register for free at royporterccmaa.eventbrite.co.uk

royporterccmaa.eventbrite.co.uk

"The Greatest Medical Historian of his Generation" – Roy Porter Remembered

An online event reflecting on the life and legacy of medical historian Roy Porter, hosted by CCMAA and featuring Simon Schama and Bill Bynum

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Society for the Social History of Medicine (SSHM) @sshmedicine.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

The 2026 SSHM Conference will be @universityofleeds.bsky.social. The theme will be In/Out and we are inviting papers that consider experiences of being in and/or out of health or health care in any period or geographical location. #HistMed #HistSTM sshm.org/sshm-2026/

sshm.org

SSHM 2026: In/Out

Location: University of Leeds Dates: 30 June to 3 July 2026 Submission Deadline: 5.00pm (GMT) 11th January 2026 Conference Co-Convenors: Dr Alexia Moncrieff & Dr Katherine Rawling Conference Co…

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Rebecca Wynter @rebeccawynter.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Did I mention this? 🚨Online today, 6 Oct, 4-5:30pm BST. Still time for free registration!🚨 For The SSHM Lecture 2025, Prof. Jeremy Greene will be presenting 'Wasted medicines & medical wastes: Notes from the trash-heap of medical history' #histmed #histSTM #skystorians 🗃 sshm.org/sshm-agm/

sshm.org

SSHM AGM & The SSHM Lecture 2025

Monday 6 October [Online] 4:00 – 5:30pm (UK time) As required, the Society gives notice to members that the Annual General Meeting to formally accept the accounts for 2024 and for…

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Delighted to be invited to co-present today’s keynote to the 5th annual Rise Up conference, with Kevin Kareem Brooks, Leon “Struggle” Davis, and the voice of our team member Reginald T. Qualls. Our title was “Unearthing Carceral Sickness through the Power of Transformative History.” #RiseUp2025

Image illustrating the three keynote speakers in attendance, Richard McKay, Kevin Kareem Brooks, and Leon Davis.

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Society for the Social History of Medicine (SSHM) @sshmedicine.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

📣Exciting News 📣 Dates & host institution for the SSHM Biennial Conference #SSHM2026 are confirmed! Save the Date in your planners 📅 Theme and CFPs to follow later #histmed #medhumanities #histSTM

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Courtney E. Thompson @cethompson.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Came home to the best gift ever - a copy of my new book, edited with @drkyliesmith.bsky.social. This book is the culmination of years of fantastic conversations with some brilliant scholars, and I'm so thrilled to finally hold it in my hands. I might be prouder of this than my actual monograph. 1/

A hand holding a thick paperback book, which has a blue cover with the word "HARM" written in black letters crossed out with a red line repeated as a motif. The title is DO LESS HARM: ETHICAL QUESTIONS FOR HEALTH HISTORIANS edited by Courtney Thompson and Kylie Smith.

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Laura Kelly @tortietabby.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Really happy to see that this special issue on transnational histories of HIV/AIDS activism is out in the world. Thanks so much to @npapadogian.bsky.social and @somakbiswas.bsky.social for all their hard work bringing it together! #histmed [1/2] muse.jhu.edu/issue/55146

muse.jhu.edu

Project MUSE - Journal of the History of Sexuality-Volume 34, Number 2, May 2025

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Society for the Social History of Medicine (SSHM) @sshmedicine.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

✨Join the team ✨ The Society's peer reviewed journal Social History of Medicine published by @oxfordacademic.bsky.social has a vacancy for a co-editor. Deadline for applications 27 June 2025 Further details available at sshm.org/notices/ #histmed #skystorians

Front cover of the journal Social History of Medicine published by Oxford University Press. Purple cover with white text.

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

our wonderful colleagues who took part in our Test, Trace, Trust? project and whose ideas shaped this work indelibly: Dr Alexandra Albert, Dr Stephanie Hare, and Dr Yewande Okuleye; and our project’s principal investigator, Dr Freya Jephcott.

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

My co-author Dr @alexahagerty.bsky.social and I wish to thank our colleagues at the London Borough of Hackney, especially Dr Sandra Husbands and Dr Andrew Trathen; 10/

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

💡 National outbreak management efforts should be led by people with expertise in public health and knowledge of local authorities. 9/

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

💡 Future responses should prioritise a “relational-reciprocal” model of contact tracing which emphasises interpersonal trust and bundles services such as food and prescription deliveries. 8/

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Our key findings: 💡 Contact tracing is a complex relational practice, not reducible to simply collecting data. Beware anyone who suggests a digital app can take care of this vital public health work. 7/

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

We shadowed a local authority’s public health team as their contact tracers worked hard to keep residents safe - at times together with and at times in tension with the efforts of NHS Test and Trace. 5/

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

By contrast, starting from the first UK-wide lockdown in Spring 2020, I spent years with colleagues investigating the merits of local, community-based contact tracing. 4/

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

The government’s public accounts committee eventually found that NHS Test and Trace did not meet its main objective of interrupting chains of COVID-19 transmission. 3/

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

During the pandemic, the UK government spent billions of pounds to build NHS Test and Trace, a hugely expensive and highly centralised system for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. 2/

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

This week’s UK COVID-19 inquiry hearings are investigating the role of test, trace, and isolate - a vital public health practice for responding to infections like COVID-19. 1/

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Kudos to PfizerUK for working to raise awareness of the growing risks of antimicrobial resistance. They interviewed three older members of the public about their memories of a time before antibiotics. I was happy to help them draw the historical threads together. www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qJi...

youtube.com

Before the Breakthrough: Memories from a Pre-antibiotic Era

YouTube video by PfizerUK

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Carsten Timmermann @ctimmermann.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Job Klaxon: come and join us. We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on a project on the history of intensive care medicine, directed by @fcondrau.bsky.social in Zurich and me in Manchester. www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

jobs.manchester.ac.uk

Research Associate - Life Support: Technologies, Institutions and Experiences in the History of Intensive Care Medicine, 1945-2020:Oxford Road

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Jess Dillard-Wright @jessdw.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Oh heyyyy - you need a new book!!

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Dr. Ayah Nuriddin @ayahnerd.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Yay the cover is here! So thrilled I got to contribute a chapter to this volume and collaborate with a bunch of amazing scholars!

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

I LOVE this cover - and the fact that I’ve been able to collaborate with such an amazing scholarly collective!

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Society for the Social History of Medicine (SSHM) @sshmedicine.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Our latest blog piece is by SSHM members who attended the Reproductive Health Histories Working Group Hybrid Meeting in July 2024 An event supported by SSHM conference funding! Deadline for the next round of conference funding is 1 March.

sshm.org

CHSTM Reproductive Health Histories Hybrid Meeting

by Kate Errington, Birkbeck University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Dr Catherine Medici-Thiemann, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Dr Erin Spinney, University of Ne…

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Daniel Bellingradt @dbellingradt.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

If you wanna reach the historical communities of the blue skies, consider using this established hashtag that reaches out to all fields with historical perspectives: #skystorians So, users of #historians #historian #bluestorians #blustorian #history etc, join in and enjoy. Let's boost this posting

A detail from a broadside from 1617 Germany, showing Martin Luther using a giant quill to post his messages onto a church door is shown. Access the print with the title "Göttlicher Schrifftmessiger/ woldenckwürdiger Traum/ welchen der Hochlöbliche/ Gottselige Churfürst Friedrich zu Sachsen/ ..." here: https://www.bavarikon.de/object/bav:KVC-LUT-0000000000049386?lang=de

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

That feeling you get at the end of a long week? Enya and Zelda are with you.

Two whippet dogs lie sleeping in a houndstooth patterned basket, wrapped in a brightly coloured blanket

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Richard McKay @ramckay.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

You can still book a space for today’s talk - 4 pm UK time.

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Dr Vanessa @hpsvanessa.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

It's #DigitalFriday ! This is my routine appeal to #skystorians & all academics prepping for teaching to share any software, hardware, online resources (primary, secondary, teaching tools, blogs), tips and tricks that they've found useful this week! #AcademicSky (pls boost to any relevant feeds)

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Lauren Kassell @laurenkassell.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Attention ECR #histmed #histsci. Tune in on 2 Dec for my talk—'Why Astrological Medicine Doesn't Work: Reflections on How to Write the Histories of Science and Medicine'—to promote @sshmedicine.bsky.social Roy Porter Student Essay Prize sshm.org/portfolio/pr... www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sshm-l...

eventbrite.co.uk

The SSHM Lecture 2024

Why Astrological Medicine Doesn't Work: Reflections on How to Write the Histories of Science and Medicine.

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Dr Vanessa @hpsvanessa.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

#MondayNetwork - a regular appeal to any #Skystorians with intersecting interests: surviving climate change, environmental determinism, race science, exploration, acclimatisation & physiology, citizen science, Indigenous knowledge, & related topics to say hi or share link to your work! 🗃️

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