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Nicole Townsend

@townsend-nic.bsky.social
576 followers 264 following 354 posts

Historian Lecturer in War Studies, UNSW Canberra Director, Second World War Research Group, Asia-Pacific 2026 David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellow, State Library of New South Wales All views my own

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Reposted by Nicole Townsend
Hélène Solot @helenesolot.bsky.social · 16h
📣Call for Articles📣 Candice Raymond (CNRS) and I are coordinating a special issue of the Revue d'histoire des sciences humaines on the Making of the Humanities and Social Sciences in the “Gray Areas” of War, 1945—2011 Submit your proposals by Dec. 18 More details➡️ journals.openedition.org/rhsh/12940
journals.openedition.org
The Making of the Humanities and Social Sciences in the “Gray Areas...
Abstract Now ubiquitous in Western Europe, the idea of the “return of war” (Heisbourg, 2021; Marangé, 2026) betrays a perspective that pays little heed to the wars waged elsewhere in recent decades...
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Anthony Moser @anthonymoser.com · 21/09/2026
7. "some people find LLMs useful" is a different claim than any of the following: a) LLMs are good at doing the things people use them for b) LLMs are well suited to the tasks for which they are advertised c) LLMs "can do" something
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
How good is Canberra? Good enough to not use AI imagery to promote it. This image was posted by a tourism industry body to promote Canberra on World Tourism Day. The problem? AI has clearly been used, and the photos aren't accurate. The more you look, the more you notice.
A post showing what appears to be AI-generated images of Canberra to promote tourism
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Luke Stark @lukestark.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
What if there's no such thing as "responsible AI adoption" in an education context?
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Dr. Damien P. Williams, dread portent down from a mountain cave @wolven.blacksky.app · 24/09/2026
If we let the current crop of "AI" people stay in charge, we are not gonna make it; not because of "superintelligent AI," but because of what the MIT study terms "cognitive surrender": offloading and deterioration of critical skills. And it increasingly feels like that's exactly what they want.
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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.
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Asheesh Kapur Siddique @asheeshks.org · 11/09/2026
“It is humanities scholarship that will suffer most immediately, as it is more likely to depend upon obscure texts, specific editions, and material books, and it relies on methods of quotation and citation for which LLMs offer no alternative“
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Alex Winter @alexwinter.com · 08/09/2026
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open, period.
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Jonathan Fennell @jonathanfennell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Back from much needed hols and such a lift to read Robert Lyman's review of Collapse in Aspects of History! Emphasises originality: ‘Single-authored multi-volume treatises on the war as a whole are vanishingly rare’. And I'll take ‘first-rate’ and ‘weighty new tome’ any day! aspectsofhistory.com
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Kate Littlejohn @kelittlejohn.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I'm currently in the middle of PhD research that is showing unequivocally that this is not even close to a thing. Women are still massively underrepresented in the curriculum and almost every teacher I interviewed raised the manosphere's influence on male students as an explicit blocker.
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Iris van Rooij 💭 @irisvanrooij.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
The conclusion is NOT "we need to debias LLMs" Besides that it's impossible, it also detracts from the point, which is: We shouldn't use machines to offload of the very cognition that is constitutive of the work to be done & supercharge existing inequities and injustices in the process. 🧵
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
My latest piece in @aunz.theconversation.com examines the ongoing threat posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war in light of unexploded munitions located amid fires and drought in Europe. Check it out here: theconversation.com/landmines-an...
theconversation.com
Landmines and remnants of war pose a serious threat, and more needs to be done to solve it
Landmines from wars can stay hidden and a threat for decades. Climate change is making the risk even greater.
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👻madeline bOoOoOoOodent👻 @oldenoughtosay.com · 17/08/2026
Academia and its millennia long history would not exist without autism and adhd send skeet
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Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
I'm old enough to remember when South Korea was the linchpin of US plans to increase ship building capacity. (That was 3 days ago btw.)
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Dr. Lindsay Stallones Marshall (she/her) @lindstorian.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
This is SO GOOD. And this is also why genAI has no place in historical research. A genuine conversation and the traceable provenance of ideas are crucial to what we do. There is no such thing as “machine written history” because it can’t possibly be history.
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Amy J. Rutenberg @amyjay401.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Military history and adjacent folks, public access to DTIC has been discontinued. This is an incredible loss to anyone who studies the US military 🗃️ @modamhist.bsky.social @oah.org @afssage.bsky.social @warontherocks.bsky.social @taskandpurpose.com #milhist
Homepage of the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) showing how authorized personnel can gain access.
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Peter Johnston @peterajohnston.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
euronews.com
Danube: Wehrmacht soldiers and WWII motorbike recovered after 80 years
The Danube is at such a low level that Second World War relics are resurfacing in Budapest: alongside a motorbike, the bodies of two soldiers have been recovered. #EuropeNews
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B. A. Friedman @bafriedman.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
The planner in CENTCOM that had been forgetting to add the word “decisive” to the CONOP slides this whole time.
static.klipy.com
Drake & Lil Yachty Looking at Laptop
ALT: Drake & Lil Yachty Looking at Laptop
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Lucy Betteridge-Dyson @lmbd1418.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Right, bills weigh me, and the coffers are close to empty. Who needs some research done/archive records copied? I’m excellent and there‘s no project too big or small!
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Alas, I'm teaching at the same time, but do pop along to the Australian War Memorial tomorrow to catch Roger Noble sharing his experiences in the Australian Army.
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Richard Dunley @redunley.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Public attitudes towards the ADF - Strong public trust in the institution - Limited support for additonal funding - Mixed public opinion on conscription - Increased opposition to working with allies The latest piece from myself and @townsend-nic.bsky.social theconversation.com/australians-...
theconversation.com
Australians are more concerned about terrorism and cyberattacks than war: new research
A new survey reveals Australians’ growing sense of insecurity in the wake of the Bondi terror attack and global threats.
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Just over two weeks left to submit a paper/panel proposal for our Second World War conference in Feb 2027, hosted by UNSW Canberra. Details below.
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Mark Jones @mark18681918.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
All hail the Chicago referencing system!
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MEAA @withmeaa.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Vale Sam Neill, legendary actor whose unrivalled talent was only matched by his humility. Neil was a MEAA member for almost half a century and awarded the Equity NZ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Our condolences to his friends and family. meaa.io/4fcYm9V
abc.net.au
Breaking: Actor Sam Neill dies aged 78
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, who starred in My Brilliant Career and Jurassic Park, has died aged 78.
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
As someone who *loved* Carmen San Diego as a kid, this is too good. www.maptap.gg July 7 95🏅 98🔥 100🎯 90👑 94🏅 Final score: 945
maptap.gg
🎯MapTap Daily Geography Game
Play MapTap - the daily geography game! Find 5 world locations on a 3D globe with historical stories. Free browser-based daily game for geography lovers.
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The definition of burying the lede. Wade through the load of specific detail to hit the best disclosure statement in the final sentence.
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
One month to go! If you've been thinking about submitting a paper for our upcoming conference on the aftermath of the Second World War in Feb next year, there's still plenty of time. Applications close on 2 August, and I'm happy to answer questions by email. Details below.
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The Society for the History of War @sochistorywar.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
📢 Just two days left to submit to SHoW 2026! We welcome proposals on all aspects of the history of war and violence, including irregular warfare, military identities, gender, memory and commemoration, civil wars, cultures of violence, and experiences of war. 🗓️ Deadline: 3 July www.show.org.uk
show.org.uk
Society for the History of War
Welcome to the Society for the History of War, a new academic society for academics interested in the History of War.
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Wolfcat 🥄 @wolfcat.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Just when you thought the dumb shit could not get any dumber... New dumb shit drops.
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The Society for the History of War @sochistorywar.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
‼️There is now just one week left to submit paper and panel proposals for the 2026 Society for the History of War Conference, taking place at the University of Limerick on 26–27 November‼️ We look forward to welcoming you to its picturesque campus! Submission deadline: 3 July CFP: www.show.org.uk
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
"Boredom...is turning into unrest" at the Melbourne World Cup live site at Fed Square, says morning TV today. Meanwhile, the same broadcast, shows young attendees generally calm. I'll discuss these framing issues at the AHA conference next week, in the context of anti-Iraq War student protests.
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The Society for the History of War @sochistorywar.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
📢 CfP: Society for the History of War Conference 2026 📍 University of Limerick 🗓 26–27 Nov 2026 Papers & panels invited on all aspects of war & violence incl. gender, memory, civil wars, cultures of conflict, and lived experience. 🗓 Deadline: 3 July 2026 📩 SHOWconferences@gmail.com
CALL FOR PAPERS
***The deadline for paper and panel submissions is 3rd July 2026***
The Society for the History of War invites proposals for its Annual Conference:
The Conference is organised in collaboration with the University of Limerick and will be
held at the University of Limerick, Ireland, on 26-27 November 2026.
****
Keynote speaker:
Prof. Robert Gerwarth, University College Dublin, ‘Europe's Age of Civil Wars, 1917-
1949’

Proposals, either individual paper or panel proposals are welcome on any topic
addressing the history of war. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
Society for the History of War
• Government policies, domestic politics, and the conduct of war
• Warfare, irregular warfare, counterinsurgency, peacekeeping
• Globalising histories of war
• Empires, imperialism, war and violence
• Civil-military relations
• Militarism, military identities
• War, violence, emotions and senses
• Experiences of war and violence; war and the everyday
• Gender and war
• Media and the military
• Memory and commemoration
• Military cultures, military institutions, military landscapes
• Cultures of war and violence
• Representations of war and violence
• Civil wars
We would welcome early innovative and/or interdisciplinary methodological approaches
that highlight the range and complexity of challenges faced when studying violence and
war, as well as contributions by scholars who, although interested in the past, would not
call themselves historians.

SUBMISSION PROCESS
We welcome proposals for individual papers or for themed panels. Postgraduate
students are encouraged to participate in panels or to submit their own panel proposals
or individual papers. The conference is intended to offer a constructive environment in
which to present work in progress to a specialist audience.
Panels will last for 90 minutes each and should have three to four speakers, and a chair.
Each paper should be no longer than 15 minutes to leave sufficient time for discussion.
Individual paper proposals must include a paper title, a 300-word abstract of the paper,
and a one-page CV with current contact information / email address combined into a
single file. If accepted, individual papers will be assigned by the program committee to
Society for the History of War
an appropriate three to four person panel and assigned a chair. Speaking time per paper
will be 15 minutes.
Panel proposals must include a panel title and 300-word abstract summarizing the
theme of the panel; a paper title and a 300-word abstract for each proposed paper
proposed; and a one-page CV for each panellist, combined into a single file. Do note that
every panel must be chaired.
The deadline for proposals is 3rd July 2026. Please send all the relevant paperwork to
SHOWconferences@gmail.com making it clear that you are responding to this particular
CfP. The conference organisers will make a decision on the final programme by 31st
August 2026 at the latest.
We ask those organising panels to take diversity and gender balance seriously when
proposing their composition.
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Applications are now open for the 2026 War Studies Workshop at UNSW Canberra! We're looking for applicants who: ✴️ Are currently based in Australia ✴️ Are completing or recently completed an Honours degree ✴️ Are interested in pursuing a Phd related to War Studies. Details below 👇
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The newest addition to my office, and another step towards making it a true Indiana Jones-style office.
A photo of part of an academic office. On the left half of the photo is a wall map of the Far East, which includes East and Southeast Asia. On the right is a bookshelf filled with books.
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Alera @starlit-siren.at.madoka.systems · 31/05/2026
I'm not saying we should abandon electrical technology, it's very good. But I will say I think we should return to mechanical means for many things. You do not need an app for your door lock. You do not need a smart fridge. You do not need a coffee machine with a camera. Bring back the mechanical.
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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Yes, I use dashes. Yes, I use the Oxford comma. Yes, I sometimes say: “Not… but.” Fuck anyone who thinks those things belong to AI. Who did you think they were stolen from in the first place?
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David Fedman @dfeds.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
can't think of a time i've smashed the order button harder www.sup.org/books/asian-...
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Richard Dunley @redunley.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
A quiet revolution has happened in maritime strategy and we are only just beginning to realise. Some thoughts from me on how sea control has changed and what it means. warontherocks.com/a-sea-contro...
warontherocks.com
A Sea Control Revolution?
Sea control has changed. In recent years, there has been a quiet revolution in maritime strategy that has seen navies increasingly expected to exert
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Pleased to announce our forthcoming conference "The Greater Second World War and Modern Global Geopolitics", which will be held on 8–9 February 2026 at UNSW Canberra City. The website is now live, and you can download the Call for Papers here: unsw.to/wwwii-conf Submissions close 2 August.
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
What even is this timeline we are in?
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
For a good rundown of these reports and the history involved, check this article: www.middleeasteye.net/news/palesti...
middleeasteye.net
Exclusive: US and Israel 'actively working' to strip Jordan of Al-Aqsa custodianship, sources say
The plan has sparked fears that Jordan's role in Jerusalem could be sidelined in favour of a new arrangement aligned with Israeli interests
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Nicole Townsend @townsend-nic.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
At this point, I shouldn't be surprised by the sheer lunacy of events I wake up to each morning, but this? It takes the cake.
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Brendan Keogh @brkeogh.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Deeply disrespectful to the entire Australian cultural sector that the Office of the Arts can't be bothered actually reading all the submissions people are working very hard on for the National Cultural Policy, and instead will be asking genAI for a summary. www.arts.gov.au/have-your-sa...
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Nicole Bedera @nbedera.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
For anyone else who wants a not-AI search engine:
theguardian.com
Leave big tech behind! How to replace Amazon, Google, X, Meta, Apple – and more
A handful of companies monopolise the web, with unprecedented access to our data. But there are many more ethical – and often distinctively European – alternatives
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Arsenal FC @arsenalfc.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
The Arsenal. Your Premier League champions.
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Ted McCormick @tedmccormick.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Historical research does not need to be done faster or in greater volume for any social or intellectual purpose whatever; if anything, it needs to be done more slowly and deliberately than at present, by people allowed the training, time, space, and resources to do it that way.
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Alex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
*laughs in archivist* It always amuses me at how little historical material is actually not only digitized but also made available online compared to what lay people think.
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
This 1952 memo from the Pentagon UFO files is superb There is no point preparing for aliens ‘because no one of consequence is going to take this rubbish seriously unless it happens. At that point, our policy will be determined in the traditional manner of grand panic.’ 🤣 www.war.gov/medialink/uf...
There likely is nothing to be done at the moment to prepare for these possibilities (the only body of writing on the subject available in an emergency is science fiction), because no one of consequence is going to take this rubbish seriously unless it happens. At that point, our policy will be determined in the traditional manner of grand panic.

Maxwell W. Hunter, II
Member, Professional Staff
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Briony Neilson @brionyneilson.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
12‑month fixed‑term fellowship for early‑career historians in Australian history at the University of Sydney starting 2027. Historians of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and scholars working in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander history, are especially encouraged to apply.
usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com
Colonel George Johnson Fellowship in Australian History
A 12‑month fixed‑term opportunity at 0.8 FTE, starting 2027 with scope for variation Applications are invited for the 2027 Colonel George Johnston Fellowship in Australian History for early‑career his...
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Kara Dixon Vuic @karadixonvuic.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Looking forward to this!!!
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