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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Today we say goodbye 👋 to our display celebrating the Bents Green Arts Award! Take a tour with us, and learn about this special partnership between the National Fairground and Circus Archive, the school, and local artists 🎨 Including a range of REMARKABLE artworks by their Year 10 students ✨

A row of glass museum cases with a text panel titled Bents Green School Arts Award Project 2025-2026

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

"Like a sketch, the contours of these women are shaded by different interpretations..." Last month we hosted the very first Women in Circus Symposium 🤹‍♀️ From clowning to snake-charmers, explore the day with Rebecca in writing and sketches... and her take as a performer and postgraduate researcher 🎨

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

From in the air, to on the air 📻 Co-curator Rebecca Truman joined Kat Cowan on BBC Radio to talk about her aerialist career, and exhibition tours for Heritage Open Days. Catch her interview on BBC Sounds (from 1h 42m): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Curator Becky talks to an exhibition visitor in front of a glass case full of objects

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

✨🎡SHEFFIELD FAYRE IS NOW OPEN!🎠✨ Stop by our tent to pick up some of our NEW postcards for FREE and hear all about our exhibitions and collections! 🗓️ Today, Monday 31st August 🕥 10:30-5pm 📍 Norfolk Heritage Park, Sheffield

Poster for Sheffield Fayre 2026 happening today at Norfolk Heritage Park, 10:30-5pm.

A hand holding 3 postcards in front of the Special Collections, Heritage and Archives tent at Sheffield Fayre at Norfolk Heritage Park happening today 10:30-5pm.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Aerialist. Entrepreneur. Artist. As part of Heritage Open Days, join Rebecca Truman for a curator-led tour of our new exhibition, Rope Women. Learn more about ground-breaking all-female circus troupe, from her direct involvement as founder and artistic director of Skinning the Cat 👇

Aerial performer Rebecca Truman upside down on a rope in a red and gold costume

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Yesterday we attended the first ever #ArchivesSpace UK Users Forum at @bodleian.ox.ac.uk ! 📚 Our Senior Archivist Mariam and Digital Library Developer Phil spoke about how we use the archives management system to make our collections discoverable. Check it out for yourself ➡️ archives.shef.ac.uk

Mariam and Phil, staff from the University of Sheffield, stood at a lecturn in front of a presentation screen in a lecture hall at Oxford University. The screen features the title of the presentation ‘ArchivesSpace at the University of Sheffield’.

Jessica, a member of ArchivesSpace staff, stood at a lecturn in front of a presentation screen in a lecture hall at Oxford University. The screen features the title of the presentation ‘Beyond the application: A Brief Introduction to ArchivesSpace’.

Some Oxford University buildings including the Radcliffe Camera.

A sign outside some Oxford University Library buildings which features a painting of a man in medieval dress holding his finger to his lips and the text ‘shhh Quiet please’.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Our public reading room is open as usual over the summer! ☀️ We are open: Mondays - Thursdays 10am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 4:30pm More info about how to book and how to find us 👀➡️ tinyurl.com/57f5tb82 Browse our collections📜📚➡️ archives.shef.ac.uk 🖼️F741.5(R)/4, Caricatures Collection

A hand-printed caricature from 1801 poking fun at the fashion of summer clothing in 1801. The caption on the print reads 'Light Summer Clothing for the year 1801' and the person is wearing a large hat that covers their face, a scarf, long sleeves, long skirt and is shielding themselves from the sun with an umbrella.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

New and now open! 🎪🐈‍⬛ Follow the story of Skinning the Cat, a ground-breaking all-female circus troupe from Bradford. Explore their contribution to the history of aerial performance, and the role of women in circus. Brought to life by costumes, sculptures and poems by its founder Rebecca Truman.

Purple poster for Rope Women, an exhibition at the University of Sheffield. Features six performers in colourful costumes, hanging from aerial ropes.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Our Senior Archivist Arantza wrote a blog post for #EYAArchitecture ! Fairground architecture fans will love this one... 🎡😍🎠

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

One week left! 🎈 Final few in-person tickets remaining. Don't miss out on this unique (and free) event! tinyurl.com/WomenInCircus2026

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

🎉HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY ARTS TOWER🎈 Did you know... 🔍It is Grade II listed 🔍It is 78m tall 🔍It was once the tallest academic building in Europe 🔍It is still the tallest academic building in the UK 🔍It once had pools and fountains at the front! 🖼️University Archives #EYAArchitecture [1/2]

Black and white photograph of the Arts Tower building being constructed.

Black and white photograph of the Arts Tower building after construction had finished

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Family of Dr Mariano Martin de Bartolomé (1813-90) visited us last month and donated a print of the painting of Dr Bartolomé hung in the Medical School Heritage Boardroom. The print will go on display as part of the Medical School bicentenary exhibition 2028. See the painting➡️ tinyurl.com/ym5mkmk6

A person holding the print which is in a gold frame.

Three people looking at books and papers from the Bartolomé Family Papers on a table.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Discover our fantastic line-up of speakers for the Women in Circus Symposium! Beyond excited for this free one-day event on Wednesday 05 August 🎪 Hear from practitioners, academics and researchers at the University of Sheffield. Book your place, in-person or online, by Friday 17 July 🎟️

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Hot 🥵 off the press! This summer, the National Fairground and Circus Archive is hosting a one-day symposium on women in circus. For free! Students can also apply for a UK travel bursary to get to the University of Sheffield 🐎 Book your free place, online or in-person: tinyurl.com/WomenInCircu...

Black and white archival photographs of female circus performers on a red background. Text reads: Women in Circus Symposium, Wednesday 5 August. Free, open to all.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Our Rosemary Anne Sisson Archive documents the career of the female British writer. We have had 2 MA students working on the archive this year as part of their studies. Read the blog posts below to find out what they got up to👀 Aaron Kearsley➡️ tinyurl.com/3ezv99fm Ed Frost ➡️ tinyurl.com/y9wtvswd

MA History student Aaron is stood over a table of archive material from the Rosemary Anne Sisson Archive and a laptop and screen.

Ed is seated at a desk in front of a laptop and folders of archive material which he is labelling.

Archive boxes containing the Rosemary Anne Sisson Archive on shelves.

A typewriter that belonged to Rosemary Anne Sisson with 3 published plays she wrote.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Researchers… it’s time to roll up, roll up 🎪 Join The National Fairground and Circus Archive for a one-day symposium on women in circus 🤹‍♀️ Open to the public at the University of Sheffield. Book your free place, online or in-person: tinyurl.com/WomenInCircus2026

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

We were delighted to meet the family of Dr Lydia Henry last month and show them our collection the Lydia Henry Documents. Dr Lydia Henry (1891-1985) was the first female graduate in medicine from the @sheffielduni.bsky.social Medical School in 1916 💊💉 Find out more ➡️ tinyurl.com/3ctz5tya

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

121 years ago today @sheffielduni.bsky.social was granted its Royal Charter🎉 In 1897, the Sheffield School of Medicine, Firth College & the Sheffield Technical School formed the University College of Sheffield, becoming the University of Sheffield on 31 May 1905 after receiving the charter. [1/3]

An image of the University of Sheffield Royal Charter red leather cover and gold lettering and the first page of the charter.

An image of the University of Sheffield Royal Charter red leather cover and gold lettering and the last page of the charter which features a red seal.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

🚨NEW DISPLAY ALERT🚨 Broken Rules: Ken Campbell at Sheffield Love artists' books, letterpress printing and graphic design? YOU WILL LOVE THIS! 📍WBL, Level 4. Email us for access if you don't have a Ucard ➡️ lib-special@sheffield.ac.uk Our Ruth and Ken Campbell Collection ➡️ tinyurl.com/378v7ytc

An artists' book created by Ken Campbell which is open and in a display case.

An artists' book created by Ken Campbell which is open and in a display case. It is next to a label of written text and in front of a black and white banner also made by Campbell.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Wonderful times we had at the May Fayre last weekend! It's so special to see the fun of the fair in action, especially whilst sharing items about Sheffield stories and showmen communities 🎢 So, we were inspired to compare contemporary amusements to our historic collections... Time to vote! 👇 1/🧵

Visitor in a blue hat stands in front of matching blue exhibition boards, with photos of ornate glass and zoology.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Today we’re celebrating Music Hall & Variety Day with @musichallsociety.bsky.social These uniquely British forms of entertainment began in the 1850s, and flourished until the 1960s. Let’s take a look at their history… 1/🧵

Sepia photographic print of an all-female dance troupe act stood in a line with matching bobs and checked costumes. Handwritten label reads: The Linden Patey Juveniles.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

This weekend, join us at Sheffield's May Fayre! We'll be in Weston Park with fun for all the family 🎪 Free entry, 11am to 5pm 🌞

Poster for Weston Park May Fayre, Sunday 17 May, 11am-5pm. Includes fun fair rides, food stalls, street entertainers and craft activities.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Cartoon Chaos! From royalty to rear ends, our Caricatures Collection has it all! 👑🍑 What better way to celebrate National Cartoonists Day than sharing with you our Caricatures Collection 🎉 Strap in for sketches, scandal & satirical sting...

Drawing about taxation, featuring a man stood on top of a large bag of coins, on top of a person’s back.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

"Oral histories often capture perspectives that don’t appear in official records... Voices that might otherwise be overlooked" Petar plays a key part in a series of student work placements with the National Fairground and Circus Archive this year. The aim? Making audio recordings more accessible 🎧

Student sat at a computer watching a video of a fairground ride

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

"It's like Ikea flatpack for fairgrounds" 🪛 Check out over 500 newly digitised items from the Ernie Summerhayes Collection 🎠 This collection encompasses key insights into the early technology, mechanics and manufacturing of fairground rides. So, where do they come from? 1/🧵

Diagram drawing of a roundabout fairground ride, similar to a carousel.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Interested in archives, oral histories, or simply learning something new? Join students Anna, Sam and Petar for a collaborative introduction to transcription skills in study, research and careers in GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums). With the National Fairground and Circus Archive!

Poster for Transcribing Fairground Stories: Archival Skills Workshop on Friday 08 May. Includes historic photograph of a colourful waltzer fairground ride.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Missed History and Archives in Practice last week @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social? Step inside the #HAP26 showcase, rated by the best bit... The free archives-branded #swag 🛍️😎 @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy @ihr.bsky.social @royalhistsoc.org

Staff member Abby stands at a stall with large roll-up banners for The National Fairground and Circus Archive, and Special Collections and Archives

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Last week we hosted the History and Archives in Practice annual conference #HAP26 and what an incredible day we had!👏 This year's theme 'Shaping Societies, Improving Lives' was explored through panels, workshops and a showcase of archive services and projects all over the UK... [1/4]

A 'Welcome to the History and Archives Practice' conference sign on a door.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

We have 3 new Curations on Art UK @artukdotorg.bsky.social 🎉 These Curations have been created by students and volunteers Helena, Sharron and Jarrad and feature items in our Heritage Collection. tinyurl.com/b2exnh6j tinyurl.com/5fad6mux tinyurl.com/4e7k6z5y SCHA on Art UK ➡️ tinyurl.com/b34ymmm2

Image of portrait of Dr Kathryn Riddle painted by Keith Robinson in 2017. Portrait depicts Dr Riddle seated wearing blue and gold ceremonial gowns.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Hello Barnsley! We got to share some local stories from our collections at the Yorkshire Heritage Summit this week #YHS2026 Chuffed to meet and hear from reyt good groups working to preserve and promote our region's heritage. Tell us - what's your best titbit of Yorkshire history? [1/2]

Red telephone box with pasted-up photographs of people and a sign reading 'Barnsley Stories'.

Staff members Abby and Arantza stood smiling at stall with a University of Sheffield banners.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Happy #WorldPoetryDay everyone! 🥳 Today we celebrate all things poetry, not just the writing and reading of it, but also the publishing and teaching of poetry. We are going to highlight some of the fantastic poetry collections we hold @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social 👀 #WPD26 #PoetryMatters

Image of poetry books written by poet Geraldine Monk of varying sizes and colours stood upright on a shelf.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

1 week to go! 📣⌛ Join The National Fairground and Circus Archive to celebrate the role of women in circus through history 🎪 Got an idea for a 20-minute presentation at the one-day symposium @sheffielduni.bsky.social? Submit your proposal by Monday 23 March: tinyurl.com/WomenInCircu...

Red background with black and white photographs of women circus performers, for example an aerialist and horse rider. Text reads: Women in Circus Symposium, Call for papers, Monday 23 March, University of Sheffield

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

This #WomensHistoryMonth join us and @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social for a free Lib Fest creative workshop exploring representation of women in the University Archives! 🕑 2-4:30pm 📆 18th March 📍 Western Bank Library Book here ➡️ tinyurl.com/mrbypwpx

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

What better way to celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth? 👯‍♀️ Some of our placement students, Anna and Sam, have been up to hijinks in @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social… Finding wonderful women in the National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA) Book Collection 🤹‍♀️ #InternationalWomensDay #GiveToGain #WHM [1/3]

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Happy 10th birthday to @artukdotorg.bsky.social 🥳 We have 195 artworks made accessible on Art UK from @sheffielduni.bsky.social's Heritage Collection, including Curations created by students inspired by the collection. Explore Curations here ➡️ tinyurl.com/4udjttfv 🎨'Pink Sky' by Amrik Varkalis

Image of the painting titled 'Pink Sky' by artist Amrik Varkalis which features green and grey fields with a pink sky.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Call for papers now OPEN! 📣 Join The National Fairground and Circus Archive in a one-day symposium to celebrate the role of women in circus through history 🎪 Want to present your research at @sheffielduni.bsky.social? Keep reading 👇 [1/7]

Red background with black and white figure of a variety of women circus performers, for example on an aerial rope and horse. Text reads: Women in Circus Symposium, Call for papers, Monday 23 March, University of Sheffield

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Meet Miss Vesta Tilley (1864 - 1952). This LGBTQIA+ History Month, get to know a legend of performance royalty... and what might now be interpreted as an early drag king 👑 [1/9]

Male impersonator Vesta Tilley, stood in a shiny black tailcoat and top hat, smiling with a cigarette in her mouth.

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Reposted by Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA

Institute of Historical Research @ihr.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Registration for #HAP26 is now OPEN! Join us on the 16 April in Sheffield as we explore ‘Shaping Societies, Improving Lives: the Impact of Archives and Historical Research’ With @royalhistsoc.org @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy & @uoscollections.bsky.social Register today: bit.ly/4roSsqU

bit.ly

History and Archives in Practice 2026 | Shaping Societies, Improving Lives: the Impact of Archives and Historical Research

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

More than a Degree: 120 Years of Life at the Student Union exhibition is now 🎉OPEN!🎉 The exhibition explores life at the SU and how the SU has come to be such a popular part of the student experience through displays of archives, artefacts, memories and more!… @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social

A photo of a leaflet which advertises the exhibition held in front of a display case of archives and hanging artefacts.

A photo of two people looking at archives in a display case in the exhibition.

A photo of a display case of archives with a banner hanging above.

The back of the leaflet for the exhibition which explains that the exhibition explores life at the student union and how the student union has come to be such a popular part of the student experience in Sheffield through displays of archives, artefacts, photographs and personal memories. The image also states that the exhibition is at Western Bank Library and lists its opening times.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Let’s say a sorry farewell to Dreamland’s Scenic Railway 👋 This 100-year-old rollercoaster is believed to be the oldest in Britain. Sadly, the iconic Grade II* listed ride in Margate will now retire from operation 🎢 [1/4]

Aerial view of a large wooden rollercoaster in Dreamland amusement park in the 1980s.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

We are pleased to announce that applications are open for 3 PhD studentships in History using the newly catalogued Arthur Scargill Archive for research 🎉 Find out more here ➡️ tinyurl.com/56ft64xc @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Interested to see more from the Arthur Scargill Archive? 👀 We have curated a display of highlights from the archive on Level 5 of the Western Bank Library! Access to the display is by using a Uni of Sheff Ucard or email us to arrange access on lib-special@sheffield.ac.uk

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

🚨NEWLY CATALOGUED COLLECTION🚨 We are delighted to announce that after a 2-year project, the Arthur Scargill Archive is now available for research in our public reading room!🎉 More info➡️ tinyurl.com/cz3s5dxk Browse the catalogue➡️ tinyurl.com/vn4xvdd6 @mrcwarwick.bsky.social @sslh.bsky.social

tinyurl.com

The Arthur Scargill Archive

Following a two year cataloguing project the Library is pleased to announced that the Arthur Scargill Archive is now open to all researchers.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Our team are busy installing our next exhibition on Level 4 of Western Bank Library! Any guesses as to what the exhibition will be about? HINT: this year marks 120 years of Sheffield Students’ Union…

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Our @sheffielduni.bsky.social School of English is pleased to advertise 3 funded PhDs supported by the Champernowne Trust and a bequest from director Geoffrey Ost with research anchored in the Irene Champernowne Archive which we hold in Special Collections! 🎉 More info here ➡️ tinyurl.com/bdh9nvfn

tinyurl.com

Funded PhD Opportunities in the School of English

The School of English at the University of Sheffield is pleased to advertise three PhD projects funded by the Champernowne Trust and the bequest of Sheffield theatre director Geoffrey Ost.

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

We were delighted to host @apac-ssn.bsky.social AGM and annual Research Showcase last week 🥳🥳 We loved talking about our performance-related archives and Special Collections, as well as hearing about some of the fantastic research being undertaken using performance-related collections 😍

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

‼️🚨This week is your LAST CHANCE to visit our Peter Blundell Jones: Architecture, Landscape and the City exhibition at Western Bank Library! 🚨‼️ The free exhibition explores the life, work and legacy of the late British architect, writer and teacher PBJ

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Some of our very talented team are selling their handmade crafts at @sheffielduni.bsky.social Students’ Union TODAY! ✨Christmas Craft Fair ✨10-4pm ✨Uni of Sheffield Students’ Union

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Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives SCHA @uoscollections.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

⚡We are recruiting🌟 We are looking for a fixed-term Digitisation Officer and a fixed-term Digital Engagement Officer (with possibility to extend) to work in our Special Collections, Heritage and Archives team! Find out more info here 👀👀➡️ tinyurl.com/4epkcfp2

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