iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

New paper alert! The next of our genome sequence papers has just been published on Wellcome Open Research. This is another of the specimens collected during a 'genome blitz' at @gilbertwhites.bsky.social wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/11-...

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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Congratulations @beetlequeen.bsky.social on this remarkable paper towards resolving the evolutionary relationships of ground beetles!! 🪲🪲🪲

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Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) @bsbibotany.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Great article by @donnalferguson.bsky.social in today's @theguardian.com about Darwin & Henslow's plant specimens & illustrations and the fab new @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social Certificate in Botany: www.theguardian.com/environment/... Links for this course & many others here: bsbi.org/learn/traini...

theguardian.com

Cambridge offers botany course that inspired Darwin after rare archive uncovered

University’s botanic garden will use study materials created by John Stevens Henslow, the naturalist’s mentor, 200 years ago

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Our Spring Naturalist Challenge is now up on the Urban Nature Network - pop over for a few ideas on what to do this spring to build your natural history skills 🌻 the-urban-nature-network.mn.co/share/1kFX9L...

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

We’re up and running at Gilbert White’s Book Day! We’ve got a brilliant line up of authors and it’s a glorious day down here in Selborne! I’ll be interviewing Melissa Harrison at 1pm. If you’re in the area come and join us! #LiteraryFestival #NatureWriting

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Last week I was invited to assist with an MSt class for @ox.ac.uk Faculty of History at @morethanadodo.bsky.social to discuss working as a historian with natural history specimens #HistoryOfNaturalHistory #HistoryOfScience #MuseumResearch.

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

1/ A research paper involving our Head of Ringing & Nest Recording Ellie Leech looked at the importance of increasing inclusivity in biological recording. Discover more in this thread ⬇️🧵 📖 www.bto.org/UKInclusivit... #WomenInScience #CitizenScience

A group of people gather round looking at birds on a lake. Wording to the left of the image reads: New work. Increasing inclusivity in biological recording in the United Kingdom: progress to date and future priorities. www.bto.org/UKInclusivityBiologicalRecording

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Delighted that my first solo history paper has just been published in Archives of Natural History (the journal of @sochistnathist.bsky.social)! It’ll be available online soon at @edinburghup.bsky.social, or you could join the Society and get a print copy of your own! 🙂

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Delighted to announce that I have been elected to the board of trustees for Gilbert White’s House & Gardens @gilbertwhites.bsky.social ! #Trusteeship #GilbertWhite #NewRole #HistoryOfNaturalHistory #MuseumLife

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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 03/12/2025

The Society currently invites applications for its David Berry Fellowship in the History of Scotland and the Scottish People. The Fellowship, for up to £2500, supports research by historians of Scotland at any career stage: bit.ly/4ns6LJj Closing date: Friday 6 March 2026 #Skystorians

bit.ly

David Berry Fellowship in the History of Scotland and the Scottish People - RHS

Launched in 2023, the David Berry Fellowship provides an annual award of up to £2,500 to undertake research on the history of Scotland and the Scottish people worldwide. Applications for the 2026 Fell...

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

New article out today with @andy4040.bsky.social on the Liebig Trading Cards in the collection for the #BritishNaturalistsAssociation Country-Side Magazine #TradingCards #NaturalHistory #Ephemera #NewArticleAlert❗️

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Curious Travellers @curioustravellers.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

A conference report for our exhilarating 'Curious Collections' day at the Natural History Museum (@nhm-london.bsky.social) curioustravellers.ac.uk/conference-r...

A man in a grey jacket points at antique books as a crowd looks on with interest

A large serrated fossil shark's tooth rests on the palm of a hand, almost filling it

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Teaching today in the @morethanadodo.bsky.social seminar room, what better place to teach about natural history & natural history collecting to history undergrads for my first ever class for @ox.ac.uk history faculty! Huge thanks as always to @andy4040.bsky.social for the extra specimen loans!

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

I had no chance to post about Friday’s fantastic Curious Collections conference for @curioustravellers.bsky.social, but suffice to say these chairs were full as we welcomed nearly 60 guests to @nhm-london.bsky.social for a packed programme on Thomas Pennant and the work (and future🤞) of the project.

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Rhys Kaminski-Jones @rhyskamjones.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Come meet us (@stephholtnh.bsky.social included!) at the Natural History museum next month for specimens, travels, and digital humanities!

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Back to history today and a lecture for the Oxford History Faculty Environmental Humanities group on @curioustravellers.bsky.social and our Curious Minds: Thomas Pennant and Gilbert White exhibition. #HistoricalResearch #DigitalHumanities #ThomasPennanr #GilbertWhite @ox.ac.uk

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Yesterdays launch of the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year was excellent - I ran a science station on bats celebrating one of the best bat photos I’ve seen, chatting to our guests about bats, photography, and @nhm-london.bsky.social science 🦇 #WPY61

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

So busy at the Journeys Of Curiosity conference in Liverpool today that this was the only photo I took! But we had excellent talks covering Wales, the Himalayas, Egypt, Brazil discovering natural history, archaeology, and teacher training…you’ll have to take my word for it though! 🤦‍♀️

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Institute of Historical Research @ihr.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

📣Calling all new research students in history & historical subjects. Do you want to learn how the IHR can help you during your studies? Join us on the 8 October to find out more. @royalhistsoc.org @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social @historyandpolicy.bsky.social @chppc.bsky.social bit.ly/41UPOyG

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Gilbert White's House & Gardens @gilbertwhites.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

We are looking for an Environmental Trustee to join our board. 🌱 For full details follow the link: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/opportunities/

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Jack Ashby @jackdashby.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

150 years ago today, the last known Rodrigues parakeet died. It - and one other specimen - is now in @zoologymuseum.bsky.social: the only physical evidence the species ever existed. I wrote about them & the importance of #museums in our knowledge of #extinction: theconversation.com/the-rodrigue...

theconversation.com

The Rodrigues parakeet’s last day: what one extinct bird tells us about the role of museums

Two specimens at a museum in Cambridge are the only physical evidence this bird ever existed.

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

Excellent day speaking in The New Dark Aesthetic: The Bats Project at Orleans House Gallery. Nestor Pestana has drawn together such an inspiring project combining art & science for bat conservation, it’s a joy to be a part of it!🦇🦇🦇 #ArtAndScience #ArtOfNature #ArtInConservation

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Myself, the amazing Nestor Pestana, and others are doing this event on Saturday at Orleans House Gallery combining the art, science, and mythology of bats! Come along and join in the conversation! #Bats #ArtAndScience www.orleanshousegallery.org/events/19055...

orleanshousegallery.org

The Bats Project: Conversation on Darkness, Bats, and Poetry – Orleans House Gallery

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

And just like that our exhibition Curious Minds: Thomas Pennant and Gilbert White is over 🥲. I’ve loved the whole process of exhibition design, installation, and events, and I’m so proud of what we created for @curioustravellers.bsky.social

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Curious Travellers @curioustravellers.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Panel 2 begins! Here is @stephholtnh.bsky.social, explaining the differences and similarities between the real letters between Thomas Pennant and Gilbert White, and the edited and polished versions that make up so much of White's classic 'Natural History of Selborne'

A woman with long hair in a white shirt speaks at a wooden lectern

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Curious Travellers @curioustravellers.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

"fossil fish, a collection of graptolites, trilobites, a bear jaw..." In our new research blog, @stephholtnh.bsky.social gives us a rare hands-on look at Thomas Pennant's specimens in the British Museum curioustravellers.ac.uk/enlightening...

A row of three connected wooden cabinets, with glass panels, the lids open in a wood floored library

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

It’s been a beautiful day here in Selborne, and we’re set up and ready to go for the Gilbert White and His Contexts conference! gilbertwhite.org.uk #GilbertWhiteConference #GilbertWhite #HistoryOfNaturalHistory #HistoricalResearch

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

On Thursday I got to view parts of the Du Bois herbarium at @ox.ac.uk. An incredible collection, and, although disbound and reordered in the 19th, fascinating examples of 17thC. herbaria and pre-Linnean nomenclature! #Herbarium #17thCentury #HistoryOfNaturalHistory #HistoricalResearch

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

It’s my Transfer of Status interview today (essential part of my DPhil progression). Re-reading my emotional support copy of the Natural History of Selborne over a cuppa, wish me luck!

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Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Charles Darwin is best known for his work on evolution. But he was a prolific scientist who studied much more. Now, over 20,000 of Darwin's letters, books and publications have been recognised as a UNESCO heritage. Find out what this means 👇 www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...

nhm.ac.uk

Darwin’s letters and books recognised as a UNESCO documentary heritage | Natural History Museum

The documents will join other important archives such as the illuminated manuscripts of Charlemagne’s court.

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Bat Conservation Trust @batconservation.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

🦇 Whether you've just discovered you have a bat roost, have had a known bat roost for a while or are just curious about what having bats means this page is for you: buff.ly/hB0v79Y . It's designed to help answer your questions and offer advice and support.

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Vote for us! Our amazing Naturally Curious course is up for a Webby Award, but is currently in second place! #WebbyAward #NaturallyCurious vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...

vote.webbyawards.com

Vote for the best of the internet

I just voted in The Webby People's Voice Awards and checked my voter registration.

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Our exhibition catalogue is for Curious Minds: Thomas Pennant and Gilbert White is beautiful! Pop over to my Instagram for a quick flick through! Copies are available to buy when you visit the exhibition 😁 @curioustravellers.bsky.social @gilbertwhites.bsky.social www.instagram.com/reel/DIQ7Wxb...

instagram.com

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

How yesterday started vs how it finished! Yesterday we installed the Curious Minds: Thomas Pennant and Gilbert White exhibition from the @curioustravellers.bsky.social project at @gilbertwhites.bsky.social. It looks amazing and is on until 22nd June, do come and visit! #HistoryOfNaturalHistory

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Our exhibition Curious Minds: Thomas Pennant and Gilbert White launches on the 8th April at @gilbertwhites.bsky.social! We’re delighted that the exhibition will feature objects and images loaned by many organisations (see comments!) Book your place at the launch at info@gilbertwhites.org.uk

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Reminder that our exhibition Curious Minds: Thomas Pennant and Gilbert White is launching soon! Do come and join us! @bsecs.bsky.social @bshsnews.bsky.social @sochistnathist.bsky.social @gilbertwhite.bsky.social @brycchancarey.bsky.social

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Royal Society Publishing @royalsocietypublishing.org · 05/03/2025

Just published in Notes and Records, a paper about Newton's beer mug! Take a look at the wooden flagon that Newton is on record as giving to his Trinity College, Cambridge chamber-fellow, John Wickins, which survives intact: youtu.be/j6mk2NYnIRQ #notesandrecords #histsci

youtu.be

Unboxing Isaac Newton's beer mug | The Royal Society

The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world's most eminent scientists and is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.▶https://royals...

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Prof Julia Steinberger 🌹🌱🌍 #ClimateAction #Fightfascism @jksteinberger.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

As promised, here are the slides I shared with students to convince them to NOT use chatGPT and other artificial stupidity. TL;DR? AI is evil, unsustainable and stupid, and I'd much rather they use their own brains, make their own mistakes, and actually learn something. 🪄

NO CHATGPT Or other artificial stupidity: motivation
First, clarity on distinguishing AIs:
Non-generative: grammar aid, translation, dictionary, text-to-audio (e.g. Natural Reader): no problem
As long as you use the appropriate tools (least intensive in data and server energy use).
Why? Because you provide the content. Your brain is doing the most important work
Generative: ChatGPT & Co.
You only supply the prompt, the AI supplies the content.
Why is this delegation of work problematic?
3 domains: ethical, environmental, intellectual engagement.

(Caveat: generative is probably ok for computer programming, where it can be useful and save time. Not relevant to this class.)

1) AI and ethics
Mass theft of all and everything
«learning» on books, articles, blogs, social media, images, music, cultural production, without permission of authors/creators, and leading to their mass joblessness. Profits are not reditributed to originators.
Permanent destruction of the mental health of underpaid precarious tech workers in the Global South (Kenya, Philippines …):
«correction» to avoid production of violent and pedophile contents etc, tech workers are obliged to watch and correct super violent contents for days on end, leading to extreme psychological suffering and trauma, from which recovery is doubtful. No or little compensation (certainly not at the level of the suffering inflicted).
In short, an industry built on theft of real human creation and sacrifice of real human health, profiting a few megafortunes.

2) AI and (un)sustainability

Massive consumption of electricity, water, server capacity for generative AI.
Outcome: keep fossil fuel companies in business, using up new renewable capacity, without any satisfaction of basic human needs.
Massive misappropriation of the finance necessary for climate and ecological action (renewable generation, efficiency and retrofit for buildings, public transit, infrastructures for cycling etc) towards AI industry.
Overall: undermine climate action, reinforce fossil industry, waste resources necessary for human development.

3) AI and intellectual engagement

First, what learning is (or should be) about:
The goal should not (only) be the reproduction of «correct» knowledge,
But mainly personal engagement and experience of thinking about topics of interest. Personal engagement = using one’s own brain.
The most important activity for learning and intellectual engagement is the experience of making one’s own mistakes, by trial and error, corrections based on new ideas, starting over again. Learning to recognise nuances, knowledge gaps, better explanations
This kind of learning is possible only through using your own brain, not AI.
Also, Ais are not «intelligent». At all.
They simply reproduce pre-existing patterns. They «bullshit», invent false references, false facts, false data, simply because those sound plausible. VERY DANGEROUS.
If you learn how to NOT use AI, and how to research facts and data on your own, this will serve you and your communities for the rest of your life.

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

This little volume in the @orieloxford.bsky.social archives contains Gilbert White’s accounts for his bachelors and masters degrees. Notes like these provide a fascinating insight into the day to day life of a person, and how they change 🎓📝🧾🍷🍓🍋📚🐴🐶 #HistoricalResearch #HistoryOfNaturalHistory

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Ferwen @ferwen.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Ernst Haeckel, German biologist, philosopher & artist, was born on #OTD in 1834. ”Kunstformen der Natur” (Art forms of Nature) was his master work. master work #sciart #histsci wp.me/p3ihHu-1fa

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Bat Conservation Trust @batconservation.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Your donations enable us to continue discovering more about bats, take action to protect them, educate people about bats and their environment along with enabling more people to get involved in bat conservation. Every donation makes a difference: buff.ly/3fyG3uW

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Look at this amazing cartoon sketched while I was filming an interview with the Royal College of Art!

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Yesterday was my first Oriel Talks session as convenor for the MCR. We had 2 great talks from Orielenses researching at CERN, absolutely fascinating! Our next is on the 26th! @orieloxford.bsky.social

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Today is #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience #IDWGS2025. I get to work with many amazing women in #science & #HistSci I’m on my research today though, so here are some of the women in #GilbertWhite’s life: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/women-gilber... #HistoryOfNaturalHistory #HistoricalResearch

gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk

The Women in Gilbert White’s Life – Gilbert Whites House

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