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Robert Bickers

Robert Bickers

@bickers.bsky.social

800 followers 360 following 61 posts

Writer & historian. European. Professor of History, University of Bristol. Rewriting British and other history is my job. Find out more via my staff profile: http://tinyurl.com/rbickers, & blog: http://robertbickers.net I also run http://hpcbristol.net .. more

Robert A. Bickers is a British historian of modern China and colonialism. He is currently a professor of history at the University of Bristol. Bickers is the author of six books and editor or co-editor of three more. .. more

Sociology 42%

Political science 33%

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Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · Dec 13

New platform, so here's an introduction. I’m a historian of modern China and of British colonialism working at @uobrishistory.bsky.social . I’ve written six books, edited eight more, and run various projects, on the Chinese Maritime Customs, on Tianjin, on creative & heritage work closer to home.

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 1d

The 20th-century globe, as 'colonised by immigrants'.

Map of the British empire in the 20th century, prior to decolonisation. Canada, significant portions of Africa, India, Australia, NZ etc in red, with areas not then (20th c.) colonised by British depicted in white, with blue oceanic background.

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 8d

It’s the 5th of February. Time for a song. youtu.be/WJBrAIVrK-4?...

The 5th of February

YouTube video by John Finnemore

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 9d

Our latest quarterly round up: a busy three months in the life of the Hong Kong History Centre here at the University of Bristol @hongkonghistory.bsky.social @uobrishistory.bsky.social @bristoluni.bsky.social

Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 10d

Welcome to our autumn quarterly roundup!

We remain happily and productively busy, advancing new research from around the world through our talks and video series.

Full text:
www.hkhistory.net/2026/02/02/n...

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Arts Matter Bristol @uobartsmatter.bsky.social · 9d

'We understand Hong Kong as a subject providing a wide range of opportunities, as a city and a territory with a distinctive past that has never been more alive.'

Excellent write up on the @hongkonghistory.bsky.social in the latest @iias.bsky.social newsletter

For more pp.38-40 👉 brnw.ch/21wZEyV

Book stall, pedlar, and shoppers, Hong Kong,
c.1938 (Photo courtesy of Historical Photographs of
China Project, Hutchinson Family Collection, reference
Hn-d044)

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · 10d

Welcome to our autumn quarterly roundup!

We remain happily and productively busy, advancing new research from around the world through our talks and video series.

Full text:
www.hkhistory.net/2026/02/02/n...

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · 15d

with a song about extraterritoriality, and the wonderful 'Someone in a Tree' about witnessing history in the making; www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpoK...

Reposted by Robert Bickers

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · Jan 14

Speaking of thrillers, I heartily recommend this trilogy by @eadbrookes.bsky.social

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · Jan 12

Continue introducing our network of ECS, we have Dexter Tse sharing with us his reflections on his academic journey and current doctoral project on “Piracy and British Shipping in Hong Kong, 1900-1945”.

Read:
tinyurl.com/5n78d9ea

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · Jan 12

Great to see about 60 people showing up in History Salon last Saturday. A stimulating presentation on the Anglo-Chinese negotiation and experience in archival research by Gary Cheung, a veteran journalist and independent researcher, followed by bites of home-made egg rolls😋. What a wonderful day!

Reposted by Robert Bickers, Peter Holmes, James Connelly

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · Dec 6

And here’s my response to an attempt to infiltrate this historical propaganda into a serious scholarly journal (albeit a Russian Empire - focused one): alanlester.co.uk/blog/accusat...

Accusation in the Mirror? Distinguishing Scholarship From Propaganda

Alan Lester The Truth About Empire, a collection of essays for a public readership by fourteen leading historians of British colonialism that I edited and introduced, was the subject of Alexander M…

alanlester.co.uk

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · Dec 5

Continue introducing our network of ECS, we have Yuan JIN sharing with us on her academic journey and current project on the Kowloon Waterworks system in Hong Kong.

Full text see:
tinyurl.com/4pwk72vf

Reposted by Robert Bickers

History at Bristol @uobrishistory.bsky.social · Dec 5

‘Since January 2025, I have collaborated with Imagined Malaysia, a Malaysia-based NGO, and started a public history campaign titled ‘Malaysia Unbound: Transregional Histories through Documents’…

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · Dec 3

And .. the Hong Kong History Centre here is also accepting applications for our Visiting Scholar Scheme
Come visit us here @uobrishistory.bsky.social
www.hkhistory.net/2025/11/24/v...

Visiting Scholar Scheme 2026/27 – Hong Kong History Centre

www.hkhistory.net

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · Dec 3

Come join us, or please share the opportunities to: this 4-year Hong Kong History Centre PhD studentship is for projects focusing on any historical period
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPQ731/p...

PhD Studentship: Hong Kong History Centre Studentship at University of Bristol

Find a PhD Studentship: Hong Kong History Centre Studentship on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board in higher education. Click to view more!

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · Dec 3

Come join us, or please share the opportunities to: our great 4-year PhD studentships are now advertised. This one is for pre-1950 history
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPQ727/p...

PhD Studentship: Hong Kong History Centre Studentship (pre-1950 history) at University of Bristol

Discover a PhD Studentship: Hong Kong History Centre Studentship (pre-1950 history) on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other PhD opportunities.

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Thomas Larkin @thomaslarkin.bsky.social · Nov 28

The articles for "Who Belongs in the Empire" have now been published together as a special issue in Itinerario alongside the highly relevant special issue "Hidden Economies of Slavery." Check out both open-access collections now!

Introduction: Who Belongs in the Empire? Culture, Race, and Malleable Identities in (semi)Colonial Port Cities, 1840–1960 | Itinerario | Cambridge Core

Introduction: Who Belongs in the Empire? Culture, Race, and Malleable Identities in (semi)Colonial Port Cities, 1840–1960 - Volume 49 Issue 2

www.cambridge.org

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · Nov 25

Please share: 2 fully funded 4 year PhD studentships for autumn 2026 entry at the Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social here at @uobartsmatter.bsky.social @bristoluni.bsky.social

Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · Nov 25

𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰:
t.co/ueTuU4kwKE

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Hong Kong History Centre @hongkonghistory.bsky.social · Nov 25

𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰:
t.co/ueTuU4kwKE

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Visualising China @vischina.bsky.social · Oct 29

1/2 Two new posts, one on visualisingchina.net/blog, on Shanghai's former First World War Memorial (shown below as it never was): visualisingchina.net/blog/2025/10...

Reposted by Robert Bickers, Kathleen Kennedy

Bristol Centre for Medieval Studies @bristolcms.bsky.social · Oct 23

We are SO excited to announce that applications are now open for this year's Medieval Studies Summer School! 🎉 Please do pass this information on to anyone you think might be interested!

We'll be sharing some highlights of last year's programme over the next few weeks!

#medievalsky #skystorians

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Visualising China @vischina.bsky.social · Oct 21

On our blog, a new post Dr Yorgos Moraitis introduces his new book on Robert Hart: visualisingchina.net/blog/2025/10...

Guest blog: Yorgos Moraitis on Robert Hart and his Loyalties, Neither Chinese Nor British | Visualising China

visualisingchina.net

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · Oct 13

I've added some links in this brief blog-post to other appreciations of Andy's work and interests.
robertbickers.net/2025/10/13/a...

Andy West (1960-2025)

I have written briefly in the Guardian recently about the life and work of my former classmate Andy West who died in the summer, or at least some of it. Andy has left a large archive of his work, a…

robertbickers.net

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · Oct 11

The student union at SSEES in London held an Andropov Pop Off Party to mark his passing.

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · Oct 9

I've written about the life and just some of the achievements of my former classmate Andy West aka 魏安, Ando, and BabelStone @babelstone.co.uk
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Andy West obituary

Other lives: Expert in encoding scripts for languages

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Robert Bickers

History at Bristol @uobrishistory.bsky.social · Sep 30

Dr Sijie Ren, who was supervised by @robertbickers and Adrian Howkins, was awarded the British Association for Chinese Studies 'Best Doctoral Thesis Prize' for their PhD “Science and Politics in Maoist China: The Synthetic Insulin Project and its Legacy."

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Pauline Fairclough @paulinefairclough.bsky.social · Sep 29

Out now with @oxunipress.bsky.social @uobartsmatter.bsky.social with thanks to @leverhulme.ac.uk .... Joseph Stalin banned it, but was it too sexy or just too noisy?

Robert Bickers @bickers.bsky.social · Sep 27

And then there was this

A day in the life of Tom Baker, the fourth Doctor

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Marianna Dudley @dudleymarianna.bsky.social · Sep 25

Electric Wind is here! Thank you for the surprise post @manchesterup.bsky.social ! Available for pre-order and in all good bookshops from 14 October 🙂

A woman holds a book with the title ‘Electric Wind:An Energy History of Modern Britain’. She is smiling.

A small ginger, white and tabby cat curls up in a box of books with the title ‘Electric Wind’. She looks happy.

Reposted by Robert Bickers, Gwen Seabourne

Prof Ben Pohl @benpohl.bsky.social · Sep 24

🤩 Check out the shiny new website of Bristol's world-class Centre for Medieval Studies (@bristolcms.bsky.social), home to over 35 full-time medievalists and over 160 research students and research associates: medievalstudies.blogs.bristol.ac.uk 🤩 @uobartsmatter.bsky.social #medievalsky #skystorians

CMS; Bristol; University of Bristol; Medieval Studies; MA degree;

medievalstudies.blogs.bristol.ac.uk

Reposted by Robert Bickers

Jeff Wasserstrom @jwassers.bsky.social · Sep 23

My tribute to Paul Cohen as historian & mentor to many www.asianstudies.org/in-memoriam-... cc @lmansley.bsky.social

In Memoriam: Paul A. Cohen (1934-2025) - Association for Asian Studies

Paul A. Cohen, who died on September 15, 2025 at the age of 91, made significant contributions to both the interdisciplinary field of Chinese studies and the discipline of history. The most obvious wa...

www.asianstudies.org