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Alex Wragge-Morley

@wraggem.bsky.social
547 followers 817 following 206 posts

Science & Medicine Historian @ Lancaster University. Author of Aesthetic Science: Representing Nature in the Royal Society of London tinyurl.com/yy4nhqn7

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Reposted by Alex Wragge-Morley
Krista Kesselring @kjkesselring.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Really pleased to see Rosamund Oates's new 'Silent Histories' out. For a taster, Rosamund is giving a talk on the work at at the IHR (hybrid) on Oct. 1, as well as a talk at the Chelsea History Festival on Oct. 2 (links with details below). #earlymodern
Image of book cover for 'Silent Histories: Defness in Early Modern England' by Rosamund Oates, showing two hands as depicted in an early modern sign language manual.
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Fabrizio Baldassarri @fabribald.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Descartes's Le Monde is a fascinating and under-studied work in its own. The articles collected in this special issue tackle several important features from an innovative perspective! here the TOC
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JW Mason @jwmason.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is the master key to deciphering contemporary debates about free speech. www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/se...
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Ulrich Schwarz @ulrichschwarz.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Our summer academy on "Science and Histories of Fever" is in full swing at the Marsilius Kolleg, with great talks from e.g. @kakape.bsky.social, @feverprojecthd.bsky.social and @lendertgelens.bsky.social. If you are around, join us for "Marsilius Kontrovers" tonight at 7 pm: tinyurl.com/y8dkkxw4
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Adrian Currie @adrian-currie.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The aesthetics of science is a happening place where many of the cool kids hang out and do cool kid stuff (like, uh, think about the relationship between art and science), as @milenaivanova.bsky.social, @alicemurphs.bsky.social and i explain: philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/31... #philsci
philsci-archive.pitt.edu
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Lancaster University @lancasteruni.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Don't miss our own Dr Nicholas Radburn on 'Finding Britain’s Slave Traders with David Olusoga', beginning tonight at 9pm on BBC 2 📺 Watch it on iPlayer here 👉 pulse.ly/vkjy6e3i9k 📸: BBC/Hillgate Films and Voltage TV/Stephen Robinson
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Celine Camps @celinecamps.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Friday next week ❤️ 🔩 📍Oxford For those of you who are in the vicinity and would like to join, let me know! Attendance is free, but tickets are limited.
Screenshot of a powerpoint slide from my presentation on "(Re)Assembling Arts. The Invisible Screwmaker and the Construction of Objects in the Early Modern German-Speaking Lands." The slide shows part of 16th century clock, with screw-mechanisms on both ends, under a microscope.
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Vicky MacKenzie @vickymackenzie.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
My John Ruskin novel, EACH LEAF, EACH CURVE OF STEM, is out in January next year! You can pre-order a copy if you like - including from @kirkdalebooks.bsky.social! uk.bookshop.org/p/books/each...
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Politicians on the centre-left and centre-right simply don't seem to understand they are in an existential battle for the future of British democracy.
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
That challenge comes from malign foreign interference in British politics and society, direct challenges on the street to authority of the state, and an unprecedented influx of finance that significantly erodes democratic pluralism.
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This is completely on Andy Burnham Last week Labour could have stopped this. Now we have a single person giving more money than the entire general election spending limit for a political party www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
telegraph.co.uk
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Will Tullett @willtullett.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
More positively I am really pleased that SNIFF: A HISTORY OF SMELLS is out today!! Published by @yalebooks.bsky.social and out in all good bookshops. It's a history of smell across time and space that takes in a panoply of pongs and perfume from paper and ink to stink bombs and whale oil.
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Katherine Weikert @kateweikert.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A very quick turn around because of paperwork, but we're hiring a one year post in Modern British History! Please have a look and share widely with anyone interested! Happy to take informal queries at the email in the job posting! www.winchester.ac.uk/About-Us/Wor...
winchester.ac.uk
Work with us - University of Winchester
Explore the University of Winchester and discover your new career. We have a variety of positions in academic and professional services. Work with us.
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Will Tullett @willtullett.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
If you pick up the new issue of Tate Etc., you’ll find a piece in it by me on the smell of formaldehyde - real or imagined - that lingers around Damien Hirst’s ‘Natural Histories’ works (including, in this case, his 1994 ‘Away from the Flock’). More on formaldehyde in Sniff as well!
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ceej @ceej.online · 03/09/2026
I do think “every rich person went insane during covid because it was the first time they’ve been inconvenienced in decades” felt a little reductive at first but damn if isn’t more and more compelling as the years drag on
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Bruce Buchan @brucealexb.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Why did medicine and moral philosophy in the Scottish Enlightenment give rise to a global and colonial science of race? Find out here! @lindaaburnett.bsky.social and me in History of Science, Volume 64 Issue 3, September 2026. Out now, open access: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.....
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Adam Rutherford @adamrutherford.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I presume Steven Pinker et al. will be signing the inevitable petition to protect this academic’s freedom?
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Richard Sambrook @sambrook.eurosky.social · 16/08/2026
BBC’s coverage of Reform’s welfare plans is frankly bizarre. Headlines in Ten, leading on some radio networks. Reform are not even the official opposition and the plans have less credibility than Count Binface. Will BBC News do the same for Lib Dem and Greens policy two years out from an election?
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Liberal Currents @liberalcurrents.com · 14/08/2026
"Living through a global resurgence of fascism, the greatest difficulty has proved to be not arguing against it, but convincing non-fascists that fascism’s adherents really mean it. That they believe what they are telling us they believe—and they will act accordingly."
liberalcurrents.com
Fascists Really Believe It
Millions could die because of ideas intellectually and morally equivalent to the ‘lizard people’ conspiracy theory.
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David Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
This should be self evident but clearly isn’t. From @lewisgoodall.com
The problem is not that higher education has failed as an engine of social mobility. It is that, for too long, it has been treated as the only engine. The curriculum is not the problem which is driving our NEET malaise; the weakness of local economies is. Any Labour administration should therefore tread very carefully before dismantling any part of the comprehensive educational settlement created by the Labour governments of the 1960s. Burnham's proposals also misunderstand the multi-layered nature of the modern university, which in many cases is as likely to offer vocational courses as strictly academic ones.
In any case, let's stop the obsession with STEM subjects and
"practical" training. There is already too much snobbery in the assumption that working-class students are somehow less interested in the arts and humanities. And we've never needed those graduates more. In an age in which we are already outsourcing so much of our critical thinking to machines, and in which none of us can be entirely sure of the truth of what we see, where the world's complexity is ever deepening, subjects like philosophy, history, political science, linguistics, classics and literature have rarely been more important.
I'm sure our English graduate prime minister might agree.
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Duygu Yıldırım @duyguyildirim.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
So happy to finally share the news that my book, “A History of Uncertainty: Science between the Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe,” will be out in Spring 2027 by the University of Pittsburgh Press. I still can't believe it's now beyond my hands and on its way to meeting its readers.
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
It's driving me insane. The govt spends £1.4 trillion a year. Borrowing estimates are often by tens of billions over a year. But we're supposed to imagine money is budgeted to the last penny.
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Dr Ian McCormick @wokestudies.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
*** Lectureship in Creative Writing *** School of English, University of Leeds Salary £41,064 to £59,966 p.a. jobs.leeds.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx...
University of Leeds
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Philippa Carter @extispex.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
My first book is finally out! Here's a blog post about it: cambridgeblog.org/2026/07/fren...
cambridgeblog.org
Frenzy in Early Modern England: Madness, Brain Disease and the Soul
In the last decade of his life, my paternal grandfather suffered from undiagnosed vascular dementia. During those years, we saw sudden changes in his speech, mood, personality and behaviour, ranging f...
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Sihong Lin @sihonglin.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Glasgow is hiring a lecturer in medieval history (c.800-1500) on an open-ended basis. We are a lovely bunch in the medieval area, would be great to have a new colleague! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSF052/l...
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer in Medieval History (Research & Teaching Track) at University of Glasgow
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Lecturer in Medieval History (Research & Teaching Track) on jobs.ac.uk!
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Katie Murphy @manymanyplies.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Two-year early modern English job, at Oriel College and the Oxford English Faculty, starting October. Happy to field any questions! my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
my.corehr.com
Job Details
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Courtney Weiss Smith @cweiss-smith.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
I am *thrilled* to share that we are hiring again! A tenure track job in early modern literature! I’ve found Wesleyan a terrific place to work—help us spread the word? wesleyan.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/career...
wesleyan.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
Professor of English
The Department of English at Wesleyan University seeks a scholar-teacher of early modern literature for a tenure-track appointment beginning July 1, 2027. We are open to candidates with comparative ap...
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Will Tullett @willtullett.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Got hard copy proofs a week or so ago, which was fun, so Sniff is slowly but surely getting closer to publication on September 8th. It's nice to hold something physical with all the words in (but the hardback cover will be shinier and more colourful looking!). Struggling to index it at the moment...
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Sadiah Qureshi 🦈 @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Permanent lectureship in Modern British History at the University of Manchester. FT, £42-58k, closing date 30 June 26, starting Sept 26 onwards. For international people, this is equivalent to a tenure-track Assistant Lectureship. www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai... #SkyStorians
jobs.manchester.ac.uk
Lecturer in Modern British History (post-1800):Oxford Road
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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
the lie (or misunderstanding) at the heart of this is the idea that a 26-year old graduate should be earning the same as a 42-year old aka the average worker when has that ever been the case?
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Teresa Göltl @teresagoeltl.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Yellow #fever apparently also troubled the English and French Anti-Slavery Societies in the 1830s! Fascinating finds in Oxford’s archives and libraries. Time to explore these historical documents, thanks to @feverprojecthd.bsky.social 📚☺️
Letter from Isambert to Scoble, 08.11.1839, MS. Brit. Emp. S 22, G103
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Fabrizio Baldassarri @fabribald.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Very happy to have the proofs of this contribution on Locke's botany for a volume on John Locke and the sciences, edited by Luisa Simonutti and Roberto Evangelista for @brepols.net #Locke #histphilo #histsci #plantstudies #pineapple #essences
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Alex Wragge-Morley @wraggem.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Workshop at Lancaster Museum on 27 May! We'll explore the history of touch through talks & interactive activities, in collaboration with the brilliant @victorianhand.bsky.social project! Open to all, but registration required - sign up here! www.eventbrite.com/e/histories-...
eventbrite.com
Histories of Touch: Hands-on Workshop
An interactive workshop exploring the sensory past.
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UCL Science and Technology Studies (STS) @stsucl.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
We’re hiring! We are recruiting for a Lectureship in Global History of Science to join our Department from September 2026. For more info and to apply, please visit: bit.ly/3R94V58 Closing Date: 9th June 2026 #WeAreSTS #Science #Historyofscience #Globalscience
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Alex Bamji @alexbamji.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
We're looking for a Lecturer in Global Medieval History (ongoing) to join us in the vibrant School of History @universityofleeds.bsky.social ! Deadline 1 June. Full details jobs.leeds.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx... #jobfairy #medievalsky #history
jobs.leeds.ac.uk
Job Opportunity at University of Leeds: Lecturer in Global Medieval History
Are you an academic with proven abilities to carry out research and teaching in global medieval history? Do you have an established background in interdisciplinary global medieval studies? Are you est...
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Michael Brown @medhistoryman.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
IMPORTANT UPDATE - there was an administrative error that resulted in the closing date for this post being listed as 19 May. It is, in fact, 19TH JUNE. This has now been corrected, so please do alert anyone you know who might be interested in applying.
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Emilie K. M. Murphy @emiliekmmurphy.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
fab late #medievalsky / #earlymodern history job folks! considering what magical unicorns perm jobs in history departments are these days, i can only imagine with some trepidation how many apps this well get... 🗃️
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Alex Wragge-Morley @wraggem.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
It's quaint that Keir Starmer thinks a policy blitz can improve his chances. If the current situation were about a few policies, Reform wouldn't be anywhere near power. The issue is his failure to articulate a vision for society. Apart from Sunak, I don't think I've seen a PM more devoid of vision.
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Michael Brown @medhistoryman.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
📢JOB ALERT 📢 We are looking to appoint a F/T open-ended Lecturer in Late Medieval / Early Modern History (1400-1700) @lancasteruni.bsky.social. This is an amazing opportunity that we are very proud to announce, so please spread the word far and wide! www.hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx...
hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk
Job Opportunity at Lancaster University: Lecturer in Medieval/Early Modern History
The School of Global Affairs at Lancaster University is seeking to appoint a Lecturer in Late Medieval / Early Modern History (1400-1700). This is a 1.0 FTE indefinite appointment to start on 1 August...
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Jenny McHugh @jmmchugh.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
A rare permanent medieval/EM lectureship is being advertised at Lancaster. Get your apps in! Loved my time working at Lancaster - apply and then invite me to all your events please and thanks 🙏
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Michael Brown @medhistoryman.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
So glad that the @victorianhand.bsky.social project is teaming up with @wraggem.bsky.social to deliver this exciting engagement event in Lancaster. If you are free on the (half-term) afternoon of 27 May, please do sign up and come along.
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Modern Humanities Research Association @themhra.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
🗣️ We have just signed a new volume for our 'Critical Texts' series! 'George Psalmanazar, An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa', edited by Alice Wickenden (@awickenden.bsky.social). 👉 www.mhra.org.uk/publications...
Book's front-cover.
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Holly Fletcher @drhollyfletcher.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Author copies are here and the book is officially out!! Please order a copy for your university libraries 🙏 Also online here: doi.org/10.1093/9780...
A photo of the author, Holly Fletcher, holding a copy of her book 'Body Size in Early Modern Germany'.A photo of the book's blurb reading: 

Body Size in Early Modern Germany uncovers the significance of fatness and thinness in early modern German society and culture. It explores how early modern people conceived of fat and thin bodies, in terms of both the cultural meanings attached to body size and personal perceptions of the body. Holly Fletcher argues that body size became an increasingly prominent concern throughout the German-speaking regions from the late fifteenth to the early seventeenth century. During this period, perceptions and practices relating to body size shifted dramatically, as the size and shape of people’s bodies attracted unprecedented attention. Body size became embedded in everyday habits and experiences like never before. This transformation took place against the backdrop of profound social, religious and cultural developments which characterised the sixteenth century. Drawing on a wide array of sources, the book charts changing attitudes towards body size in relation to these developments, including the proliferation of printed medical advice, artistic theories of proportion, Reformation debates, and new body-moulding fashions. It also connects shifting ideals for women’s and men’s bodies to the embodied experiences of early modern protagonists. By revealing the enormous importance that early modern Germans attached to body size, this study overturns the false assumption that concern with body size is a modern phenomenon and sheds new light on sixteenth-century German culture.
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Pierre Purseigle @purseigle.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
🚨#History Job Alert: My Department is hiring an Assistant Professor in the History of Capitalism. 🗃️ Come work with us at Warwick. You'll get both excellent colleagues and great students! See details below... And do not hesitate to spread the word... 👇👇👇 warwick-careers.tal.net/vx/appcentre...
warwick-careers.tal.net
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Pierre Purseigle @purseigle.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
🚨And another #History Job Alert: My Department is hiring an Assistant Professor in the History of Iberian Empires. 🗃️ Come work with us at Warwick. You'll get both excellent colleagues and great students! And do not hesitate to spread the word... 👇👇👇 warwick-careers.tal.net/vx/appcentre...
warwick-careers.tal.net
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John Rogers @johnrogers.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
You must learn to hate the aristocracy as much as it hates you. It changes shape, tosses aside old husks like "divine right of kings" and "bloodlines" and slides right into slick new shells like "meritocracy".
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Kate Smith @kateesthersmith.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Publication day! My book Keeping Hold: A Cultural and Social History of Possession in Eighteenth-Century Britain is out now. 20% discount code KEHO2026. www.cambridge.org/core/books/k...
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The Victorian Hand @victorianhand.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
We launched our Work of Mending workshop series at The Quilters' Guild in York, exploring skilled hands from the nineteenth century to the present day. Thank you to everyone who joined and we’re looking forward to continuing the conversation at our next workshop at @hunterianmuseum.bsky.social!
Ornate quilt featuring a central star, surrounded by floral and bird patterns. Various colors and shapes create a vibrant, intricate design.
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
So it turns out the real scandal of the Gorton and Denton by-election was the willingness of media organisations to collude in Nigel Farage's attempt to undermine the result of a free and fair election www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/how-the-bb...
adambienkov.co.uk
How the BBC and Daily Mail Spread Reform's ‘Family Voting’ Lies
The real scandal of the Gorton and Denton by-election was the willingness of media organisations to collude in Nigel Farage's attempt to undermine the result of a free and fair election
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