Reposted by Richard BattenRichard Toye @richardtoye.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Launching 13 October. shows.acast.com/tales-from-t... 033
Reposted by Richard BattenThe Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History @jich.bsky.social · 27/09/2026We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Professor John MacKenzie, a giant in the field of imperialism studies. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him. manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/blog/2026/09...manchesteruniversitypress.co.ukCelebrating the life and contribution of John M MacKenzie - Manchester University PressManchester University Press remembers Professor John M. MacKenzie, founding editor of Studies in Imperialism, with tributes from colleagues reflecting on his scholarship, generosity and lasting legacy... 1259
Reposted by Richard BattenRoyal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 26/09/2026Our great thanks to Prof Glen O'Hara for his excellent RHS lecture yesterday evening: ‘In All Our Footsteps? Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land after the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act’ Recordings now available bit.ly/4ySyB6W #Skystorians @gsoh31.bsky.social 1/2bit.lyGlen O'Hara gives latest RHS lecture on 'Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land' - RHSOn Friday 25 September the Society hosted the latest lecture in its 2026 programme. Our great thanks to Professor Glen O'Hara (Oxford Brookes University) who spoke on: ‘In All Our Footsteps? Rights of... 24824
Reposted by Richard BattenVanda Wilcox @vandawilcox.bsky.social · 25/09/2026please share with anyone who might be interested! 069
Reposted by Richard BattenDr Julia Ribeiro Thomaz @juliarsct.bsky.social · 24/09/2026So excited to see this in print! You can also catch the recording here if you prefer a different medium: youtu.be/yoaRVrmjDLw?...youtu.beDennis Showalter Lecture 2025 by Julia Ribeiro Thomaz: 'Poetry under fire'YouTube video by International Society for First World War Studies 054
Reposted by Richard BattenChristian Damm Pedersen @christiandp.bsky.social · 25/09/2026A few impressions from last week’s international workshop in Venice. Stimulating discussions, amazing venue and great company all round. #venice #VeniceInternationalUniversity 064
Reposted by Richard BattenThe Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) @themerl.bsky.social · 23/09/2026How can films designed for audiences in the past be made accessible to viewers today? Our new blogpost reflects on our ongoing project to restore, digitise, and share a collection of 1,800 films depicting historic farming life. merl.reading.ac.uk/news-and-vie...merl.reading.ac.ukBeyond nostalgiaHow do we help audiences of today encounter films from the past? 414838
Reposted by Richard BattenRichard Toye @richardtoye.bsky.social · 12/09/2026If you've listened to our Lloyd George and Churchill series, you'll enjoy this quiz! If you've not listened yet, you can find Churchill: The Finest Half Hour on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. lnkd.in/emjGtCmJlnkd.inLinkedInThis link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn 011
Reposted by Richard BattenRoyal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 18/09/2026What was post-war Labour's vision for the land? How did governments and people struggle to realise this vision? Join us next Friday for: ‘In All Our Footsteps? Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land after the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act’, with Glen O’Hara bit.ly/4i0YEDSbit.lyRHS Lecture: 'In All Our Footsteps?' with Professor Glen O'Hara IN PERSON'In All Our Footsteps? Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land after the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act' at the IHR 01110
Reposted by Richard BattenGreg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 16/09/2026I’m saddened to hear of Bonnie Greer’s death, she was a passionate advocate of the arts, culture, education, and decency in society, and she will be missed www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukBonnie Greer: British-American author and critic dies at 77Her husband says the playwright and cultural and political commentator died after a brief illness. 737377
Reposted by Richard BattenIan Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 16/09/2026She was brilliant and sharp and warm - three things that very rarely go together. We were Twitter friends for years and she was one of those steadfastly moral and compassionate voices who made every day online nicer place to be. I am so deeply sorry to read this www.theguardian.com/books/2026/s...theguardian.comBonnie Greer, writer and cultural commentator, dies aged 77The British-American novelist and playwright who regularly appeared on panel shows will be remembered for her ‘warmth, humour and generosity’, says her husband 381130157
Reposted by Richard BattenRok Stergar @stergarr.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Historiography needs you! Join our team and become an associate editor of the First World War Studies. 0117
Reposted by Richard BattenFootball and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 05/09/2026The National WW1 Museum and Memorial's - The Beautiful Game Exhibition is still on. The Exhibition closes on the 14th September. If you are in Kansas City, then why not pay a visit! www.theworldwar.org/exhibitions/...theworldwar.orgThe Beautiful GameJourney through the story of football's impact on WWI and explore the poignant influence of “the beautiful game” on people living during wartime. 011
Reposted by Richard BattenUniversity of Exeter News @uniofexeternews.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Professor @richardtoye.bsky.social spoke to @uk.theconversation.com about #CountBinface and "joke" candidates in British elections who highlight serious issues🗳️ theconversation.com/from-count-b...theconversation.comFrom Count Binface to AI Steve: why are we voting for joke candidates?While their antics might make us pay attention to election campaigns, how did we end up with joke candidates as part of our political culture? 012
Reposted by Richard BattenUniversity of Exeter News @uniofexeternews.bsky.social · 04/08/2026"The history of British democracy is also the history of the losers, loners and long-shots whose campaigns reveal what voters find funny, what they find unacceptable, and what they are, in the end, prepared to take seriously" - @richardtoye.bsky.social theconversation.com/count-binfac...theconversation.comCount Binface: why Britain’s ‘joke’ election candidates deserve to be taken seriouslySatirical candidates are part of a longstanding tradition in British politics. 064
Reposted by Richard BattenBuckinghamshire Archives @bucksarchives.bsky.social · 04/08/2026The Archive but it's a videogame from 1998. 251098296
Reposted by Richard BattenHistory Today @historytoday.com · 16/07/2026The legacy of a decade of British #nuclearweapons testing in its vast central deserts has forced Australia into an uncomfortable reckoning with its nuclear past. 🔓 Jessica Urwin’s new Behind the Times is free for 7 days buff.ly/FciHgskbuff.lyThe British Bombs Down UnderThe legacy of a decade of British weapons testing in its vast central deserts has forced Australia into an uncomfortable reckoning with its nuclear past. 011
Reposted by Richard BattenDr Tom Thorpe MCIPR @kensingtons.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Watch the talk my editorial colleagues Charles Fair and @parhistory.bsky.social and I gave on our latest publication looking at the London TF in the Great War at @nationalarmymuseum.bsky.social Museum in June. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhxR.... 031
Reposted by Richard BattenDigital Scholarship @ British Library @bldigischol.bsky.social · 08/07/2026EThOS platform restored! 'Following restoration work, all metadata records previously available on EThOS have now been restored, along with an additional 14,000 records added since the service was taken offline' - more to come www.bl.uk/stories/news/ethos-record…bl.ukEThOS records restoredWe are pleased to share that EThOS (E-Theses Online Service) is now available again following restoration work after the cyber-attack. 29850
Reposted by Richard BattenOh! What a Lovely Podcast @owalpodcast.bsky.social · 02/06/2026What happens when a classic Agatha Christie story is reimagined with the memory of war? This month we are joined by Kemper Donovan, author and host of All About Agatha, to discuss Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials Mystery and its recent Netflix adaptation ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/agat...ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.ukAgatha Christie & The Seven Dials MysteryWhat happens when a classic Agatha Christie story is reimagined with the memory of war lingering behind it? In the latest episode of Oh! What a Lovely Podcast, Jessica, Chris and Angus a... 032
Reposted by Richard BattenOh! What a Lovely Podcast @owalpodcast.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Can a crime novel help us understand the long shadow cast by the #FWW? This month we explore Christina Koning’s 'Blind Detective' novel. It follows Frederick Rowlands, a veteran who lost his sight at Ypres but must investigate a suspicious murder. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/the-...ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.ukThe Blind DetectiveCan a crime novel help us understand the long shadow cast by the First World War? In this episode of Oh! What a Lovely Podcast, we explore Christina Koning's acclaimed Blind Detective se... 011
Richard Batten @richardbatten.bsky.social · 29/06/2026My book For King and Country - The Role of #Patriotism in #Mobilisation in the #FirstWorldWar is now on #SpecialOffer with 25% off the RRP via @penandswordbooks.bsky.social www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/For-King-and...pen-and-sword.co.ukFor King and CountryThis book is an original interpretation of domestic patriotism and the limitations of wartime mobilisation in rural and urban communities of the British Home Front… 021
Reposted by Richard BattenPierre Purseigle @purseigle.bsky.social · 28/06/2026🚨Conference: Disastrous Pasts and Sustainable Futures. Urban #disasters and #resilience in historical and social scientific perspectives. University of Warwick, 29-30 June 2026 🗃️ warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/his... 0135
Reposted by Richard BattenGreg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 27/06/2026The value of the humanities is more than just what people are willing to pay for it — it can’t just be a business decision. The arts and humanities are fundamental to the flourishing of our society; knowledge gathering, critical thinking, and creativity should be defended as sacred things 121862
Reposted by Richard BattenGreg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 27/06/2026The crisis in UK higher education is worsening week by week — Exeter University is one of the best in the UK, with superb lecturers (and several You’re Dead To Me guests), but it’s planning massive job cuts in History, Archaeology, Classics — see the petition below to lend your voice in support 10226122
Reposted by Richard BattenDr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 26/06/2026Thanks to all sending messages of support as me and my colleagues in Humanities and Social Sciences at Exeter face being made redundant in September. I'll be back here once it's less hot & I can think. Please consider signing & sharing this petition: www.change.org/p/stop-redun... #EarlyModern 🗃️change.orgSign the PetitionStop Redundancies at the University of Exeter 614170
Reposted by Richard BattenDr Jo Edge 🏴 @hagenilda.bsky.social · 26/06/2026Please sign this petition - now over 9k sigs - to stop the philistinic slashing of Humanities and Social Sciences staff at Exeter. #UCU #UKHE All solidarity with my brilliant friends and colleagues at @exeterucu.bsky.social 24546
Reposted by Richard BattenThe Historical Journal @historicaljnl.bsky.social · 26/06/2026📣Out now on #firstview! Kit Kowol @kitkowol.bsky.social and Richard Toye @richardtoye.bsky.social on 'The Management of British MPs’ Postbags and Politician-Voter Relations in the Democratic Age' #Politics #Letters #Communication 20thc 🗃️ 👉Read open access: www.cambridge.org/core/journal... 095
Reposted by Richard BattenConnie Ruzich @wherrypilgrim.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Happy to announce that I have a new article published on #FWW #poetry. Thanks to @juliarsct.bsky.social for her insightful response, as well as to Ann-Marie Einhaus, Susan Grayzel, and Catriona Pennel for editing the issue. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comThe Verse-Atility of First World War Poetry in the Classroom – A Reflection and ResponseOnce one moves beyond the canonical authors and texts, the diversity of First World War poetry makes it an ideal choice of source material for anyone wishing to teach a broad range of perspectives ... 092
Reposted by Richard BattenChris Kempshall @chriskempshall.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Our piece is in a special issue of @fwwsjournal.bsky.social focused on 'Teaching the First World War for the Twenty-First Century' and it was expertly edited by @teachlearnwar.bsky.social, Ann-Marie Einhaus, and Susan Grayzel. I recommend you all take a look! 🗃️ www.tandfonline.com/toc/rfww20/1...tandfonline.comFirst World War StudiesTeaching the First World War for the Twenty-First Century – Pedagogies in Dialogue; Guest editors: Ann-Marie Einhaus, Susan R. Grayzel and Catriona Pennell. Volume 17, Issue 1-2 of First World War Studies 183
Reposted by Richard BattenChris Kempshall @chriskempshall.bsky.social · 24/06/2026The final academic article that I've contributed to has just been published in @fwwsjournal.bsky.social! I'm delighted to have acted as a respondent to @bertalg.bsky.social in this piece. She's a wonderful historian and it was an honour to work with her. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comFrom Satirical Cartoons to Memes: Teaching the First World War in a Visual Society – A Reflection and ResponseThis article reflects on the different ways of approaching cartoons in today’s history classrooms, using the links drawn between other forms of graphic humour familiar to students, such as memes. W... 2205
Reposted by Richard BattenInstitute of Historical Research @ihr.bsky.social · 16/06/2026In June 1348, the first recorded death from the Black Death occurred in England. The disease entered England through the port in Weymouth. Over the next year, between one third and half of the population of England died of the disease 25618
Reposted by Richard BattenRoyal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 15/06/2026'What’s the value of a History PhD? A view from business' bit.ly/4elv1cW In this new post, Richard Marks charts the skills gained from completing a doctorate. From project design & management to data retrieval & analysis, History PhDs bring capacity and experience that are in demand #Skystorians 13830
Reposted by Richard BattenDavid Turner @profdavidturner.bsky.social · 10/06/2026My 500 year history of disabled people's political activism is out now! Thanks to The Independent for making it their non-fiction book of the month! www.penguin.co.uk/books/455782... #disabilityhistorypenguin.co.ukDisabilityA ground-breaking history of modern Britain that puts the experiences of disabled people to the fore for the first time. Despite there being more than 16 million disabled people in the UK today, disa... 512863
Reposted by Richard BattenRob Campbell @robcampbell15959.bsky.social · 29/05/2026this is a cracking read. Really enjoying it and would recommend it to anyone interested in the messy truths about the British ‘home front’ in WW1 111
Reposted by Richard BattenRoyal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 21/05/2026The Society's President and Council have released the following statement on the proposed closure of undergraduate degrees at the University of Hertfordshire, in #History and the wider humanities bit.ly/4dmV5oO This comes at a time of further bad news from Essex and Nottingham #Skystoriansbit.lyHistory 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... 1138120
Reposted by Richard BattenFootball and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 15/05/2026The National WW1 Museum and Memorial's - The Beautiful Game Exhibition is now on. If you are in Kansas City during the World Cup, then why not pay a visit! More information @ www.theworldwar.org/exhibitions/...theworldwar.orgThe Beautiful GameOpen April 2, 2026: Journey through the story of football's impact on WWI and explore the poignant influence of “the beautiful game” on people living during wartime. 011
Richard Batten @richardbatten.bsky.social · 15/05/2026Join me on 18th May at 7.30pm where I will be giving a talk on #Zoom to the @devonfhs.bsky.social about #Patriotism & #Conscription in #Devon during the #FirstWorldWar #HomeFront #ww1 www.devonfhs.org.uk/event/virtua...devonfhs.org.ukVirtual Talk: Patriotism and Conscription in Devon during the First World War - Richard Batten - Devon Family History SocietyPatriotism and Conscription in Devon during the First World War - Richard Batten For details of how to join the meeting, please sign up to the Mailing List http://eepurl.com/cF1G8n 020
Reposted by Richard BattenRichard Toye @richardtoye.bsky.social · 12/05/2026Episode 2 of Churchill and the General Strike is now available. We explore how Churchill framed the strike not simply as an industrial dispute, but as a challenge to the state itself — and how that interpretation shaped both public debate and his own image. open.spotify.com/episode/2I2H...open.spotify.comSeries 6: Churchill and the General Strike Episode 2 001
Richard Batten @richardbatten.bsky.social · 12/05/2026It was great to be on the @owalpodcast.bsky.social with @chriskempshall.bsky.social @thehistorygirl1.bsky.social & @anguswallace.bsky.social to talk about my latest book: For King & Country. You can watch it online: youtu.be/pC-1BnQwcmw Or listen to it: ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/for-...youtu.be68 - For King and CountryYouTube video by Oh! What a lovely podcast 132
Reposted by Richard BattenChris Kempshall @chriskempshall.bsky.social · 11/05/2026We have returned! This month @richardbatten.bsky.social talks to us about his latest book, 'For King and Coutnry'! 062
Reposted by Richard BattenOh! What a Lovely Podcast @owalpodcast.bsky.social · 11/05/2026Was patriotism in the #FWW really shared by all? This month we speak with @richardbatten.bsky.social about his book 'For King and Country', an examination of patriotism in Devon during the First World War. ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/for-...ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.ukFor King and CountryWas patriotism in the First World War really shared by all, or was it shaped and enforced from above? In the latest episode of Oh What a Lovely Podcast, we speak with Richard Batten abou... 021
Reposted by Richard BattenRichard Toye @richardtoye.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Brand new episode! May 1926. The General Strike is underway and dividing the nation. Dr. Warren Dockter and I deliver the inside story in this episode, 'The Red Menace and the Blue Pencil'. open.spotify.com/episode/2I2H...open.spotify.comSeries 6: Churchill and the General Strike Episode 2 011
Reposted by Richard BattenRoyal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 07/05/2026Last week we hosted our latest public lecture at the University of Warwick with @sashahandley.bsky.social. Recordings of Sasha's excellent lecture - a history of early modern ghost stories - are now available bit.ly/3QWxQJp #Skystorians 1/2bit.lySasha Handley on a 'Haunting at the Rectory': recordings now available. - RHSVideo and audio recordings of Professor Sasha Handley's recent lecture (1 May 2026) are now available. Sasha's lecture, entitled 'The Haunting at the Rectory: Ghost Stories and Women’s Lives in Early ... 195
Reposted by Richard BattenRoyal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery @rammuseum.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Join us 13 May for the 3rd Exeter University History Department/Friends of RAMM Annual Lecture with Prof Helen Berry, Head of History @exeter.ac.uk This year's talk is titled 'Making lace in Devon: an environmental & social history from handicraft to mass production' rammuseum.org.uk/whats-on/mak...rammuseum.org.ukMaking lace in Devon: an environmental and social history from handicraft to mass production - RAMMJoin us at the third Exeter University History Department/Friends of RAMM Annual Lecture with Professor Helen Berry, Head of the Department of History at the University of Exeter. Professor Berry spec... 053
Reposted by Richard BattenFootball and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 02/05/2026We are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of @footballandwar.bsky.social at @wlvuni.bsky.social on the 13th May. Professor Gary Sheffield aka @profgsheffield.bsky.social is the Keynote Speaker. It is a free event. To book a place either DM us or use the email on the poster 023
Reposted by Richard BattenChris Kempshall @chriskempshall.bsky.social · 22/04/2026'Gallipoli: Ottoman Fronts' by @blackmillgames.bsky.social releases on 21st May. Watch the release date trailer below and see the blog to catch up on everything we've announced about the game so far. 🗃️ youtu.be/1xjzolTHWFU?... store.steampowered.com/news/app/306...youtu.beGallipoli - Release Date Reveal Trailer | Anzac Cove | Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X|S & EpicYouTube video by WW1 Game Series 1199
Reposted by Richard BattenElisabeth Piller @elisabeth-piller.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Advertising 2 more positions (doc/postdoc) as part of BLOCKADE. PhD cand to examine the heroization of blockade runners in the era of the world wars; postdoc to explore the transatlantic dimension of blockades. 4 year positions in beautiful Freiburg. Please SHARE! www.hsozkult.de/opportunity/... 12728
Reposted by Richard BattenChris Kempshall @chriskempshall.bsky.social · 16/04/2026For PhD/ECR members of @fwwsoc.bsky.social - the Society has a call for papers out for 'New Voices in First World War Studies' - a virtual conference planned for June. It's a great opportunity for members to showcase their amazing new research. See here for more: drive.google.com/file/d/12DLx... 🗃️drive.google.comCall for papers - New Voices in FWWS.pdf 01116
Reposted by Richard BattenJessica Meyer @thehistorygirl1.bsky.social · 15/04/2026In the wake of Lord Roberston’s report, a quick reminder that spending on #defence v. #welfare has never been a zero sum game: historyandpolicy.org/opinion-arti...historyandpolicy.orgWelfare and Warfare: An Entangled History - History & PolicyThe British government’s recent commitment to raising defence spending as a proportion of the budget, alongside plans to cut spending on welfare, has led to considerable debate over the shift from wel... 097