Alastair Owens
@alastairhackney.bsky.social
Professor at Queen Mary University of London; Chair of Trustees at the Geographical Association. Research, write and teach about Britain (especially London) since 1800. Collaborator, especially with heritage sector + food, music, books, Hackney.
Pinned
Running the Hackney Half 2025 for Hackney Night Shelter
Help Alastair Owens raise money to support Hackney Night Shelter
justgiving.com
I am running the 2025 Hackney Half Marathon on 18 May in aid of Hackney Night Shelter - a local charity I volunteer for which supports people out of homelessness.
Check out my @justgiving.bsky.social page and please donate if you can. Thank you!
justgiving.com/page/alastai...
Check out my @justgiving.bsky.social page and please donate if you can. Thank you!
justgiving.com/page/alastai...
Had a piece published in @timeshighered.bsky.social (Campus) on collaborative PhD research in the arts and humanities.
www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/bette...
www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/bette...
Better together? The secret to successful collaborative arts and humanities PhD research
Insights into managing collaborative relationships in arts and humanities PhD research, based on Alastair Owens’ extensive experience with museums and doctoral students
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Had a piece published in @timeshighered.bsky.social (Campus) on collaborative PhD research in the arts and humanities.
www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/bette...
www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/bette...
Reposted by Alastair Owens
Thrilled to announce that the #CockneyYiddishPodcast has been shortlisted for the independentpodcastawards.com/IPA25/en/pag... in the History and the Culture categories
@engageqm.bsky.social @migrationmuseum.org @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @jewishmuseumldn.bsky.social
@thegentleauthor.bsky.social
@engageqm.bsky.social @migrationmuseum.org @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @jewishmuseumldn.bsky.social
@thegentleauthor.bsky.social
Independent Podcast Awards 2025 - Our 2025 Shortlist
Independent Podcast Awards 2025 - Our 2025 Shortlist
independentpodcastawards.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Thrilled to announce that the #CockneyYiddishPodcast has been shortlisted for the independentpodcastawards.com/IPA25/en/pag... in the History and the Culture categories
@engageqm.bsky.social @migrationmuseum.org @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @jewishmuseumldn.bsky.social
@thegentleauthor.bsky.social
@engageqm.bsky.social @migrationmuseum.org @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @jewishmuseumldn.bsky.social
@thegentleauthor.bsky.social
A key piece of research...
Hot off the press, the British Academy's Cold Spots: Mapping Inequality in SHAPE Provision in UK Higher Education report. Read it if you care about universities or access to the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for the rising generation. 1/5
Cold spots: Mapping inequality in SHAPE provision in UK higher education
This British Academy report reveals that many parts of the UK are becoming subject cold spots – areas with no provision in a subject within a commutable distance. These are often in rural, coastal or ...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
September 10, 2025 at 7:55 AM
A key piece of research...
Very interesting and probably a sign of more to come elsewhere in the country...
www.gre.ac.uk/articles/uni...
www.gre.ac.uk/articles/uni...
Two universities announce ‘trailblazing’ collaboration | Articles | University of Greenwich
www.gre.ac.uk
September 10, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Very interesting and probably a sign of more to come elsewhere in the country...
www.gre.ac.uk/articles/uni...
www.gre.ac.uk/articles/uni...
A real privilege to have been shortlisted for Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year in the @timeshighered.bsky.social #THEAwards (as has my legendary biology colleague @larschittka.bsky.social). And wonderful to see @qmul.bsky.social shortlisted for University of the Year.
Queen Mary is delighted to be a ‘University of the Year’ finalist in the #THEAwards!
And we’re so proud Professors @larschittka.bsky.social and @alastairhackney.bsky.social have been shortlisted for Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year. @timeshighered.bsky.social.
tinyurl.com/ebe8yx23
And we’re so proud Professors @larschittka.bsky.social and @alastairhackney.bsky.social have been shortlisted for Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year. @timeshighered.bsky.social.
tinyurl.com/ebe8yx23
September 4, 2025 at 8:23 AM
A real privilege to have been shortlisted for Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year in the @timeshighered.bsky.social #THEAwards (as has my legendary biology colleague @larschittka.bsky.social). And wonderful to see @qmul.bsky.social shortlisted for University of the Year.
Record number of students took GCSE Geography this year over 302,000 (up from 180,000 15 years ago). Congratulations to Geography teachers and students celebrating!
Good news for geography in the GCSE results day with a record 302,000+ entries. Many congrats from @geographicalassoc.bsky.social to all the young people receiving their results and we hope, whatever you go onto, that you continue to take your geography with you
geography.org.uk/gcse-results...
geography.org.uk/gcse-results...
GCSE results analysis 2025 - Geographical Association
Congratulations to all students getting their GCSE results today, see our results analysis headlines here...
geography.org.uk
August 21, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Record number of students took GCSE Geography this year over 302,000 (up from 180,000 15 years ago). Congratulations to Geography teachers and students celebrating!
This has been a great project to be a part of -- come explore the Bengali history of east London!
www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2...
www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2...
Queen Mary partners on Bengali heritage walk marking 25 years of the Swadhinata Trust
www.qmul.ac.uk
August 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
This has been a great project to be a part of -- come explore the Bengali history of east London!
www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2...
www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2...
Enjoyed World Economic History Congress in Lund, Sweden, though at certain moments couldn’t help reflecting that economic history seems to have lost its way. I heard some great papers and a brilliant final session I went ‘Decolonising affluent societies’ (sadly sparsely attended) gave some hope!
July 31, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Enjoyed World Economic History Congress in Lund, Sweden, though at certain moments couldn’t help reflecting that economic history seems to have lost its way. I heard some great papers and a brilliant final session I went ‘Decolonising affluent societies’ (sadly sparsely attended) gave some hope!
Reposted by Alastair Owens
We're taking part in Open House Festival 2025! 🏠
On Sunday 14th September we'll be running two social history tours of our Mile End campus, led by @alastairhackney.bsky.social and Nadia Valman.
Booking will open on 20th August ⚡
programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/1432
On Sunday 14th September we'll be running two social history tours of our Mile End campus, led by @alastairhackney.bsky.social and Nadia Valman.
Booking will open on 20th August ⚡
programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/1432
Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Campus
Explore the hidden corners of Queen Mary University's Mile End campus. Guided tour includes the former People’s Palace (1887), Mile End Hospital (1858), and the Sephardic Jewish cemetery (1733), the U...
programme.openhouse.org.uk
July 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
We're taking part in Open House Festival 2025! 🏠
On Sunday 14th September we'll be running two social history tours of our Mile End campus, led by @alastairhackney.bsky.social and Nadia Valman.
Booking will open on 20th August ⚡
programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/1432
On Sunday 14th September we'll be running two social history tours of our Mile End campus, led by @alastairhackney.bsky.social and Nadia Valman.
Booking will open on 20th August ⚡
programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/1432
Reposted by Alastair Owens
British Academy postdoctoral fellowships scheme is now open. The deadline is 1 October. Time to get talking with potential host institutions and mentors about planning an application for this year or instead waiting for a future round. (The scheme is annual).
Postdoctoral Fellowships
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships is a three year award made to an annual cohort of outstanding early career researchers in the humanities or social sciences.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
July 10, 2025 at 7:38 AM
British Academy postdoctoral fellowships scheme is now open. The deadline is 1 October. Time to get talking with potential host institutions and mentors about planning an application for this year or instead waiting for a future round. (The scheme is annual).
Raunchy Handel’s Semele at Royal Opera House last night. Pretty Yende a fabulous diva Semele, Ben Bliss a virile Jupiter, and Alice Coote a persuasive Juno. Other roles just as good and nice taught choruses. Only cried twice. Go see - POWER30 gets 30% off
July 3, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Raunchy Handel’s Semele at Royal Opera House last night. Pretty Yende a fabulous diva Semele, Ben Bliss a virile Jupiter, and Alice Coote a persuasive Juno. Other roles just as good and nice taught choruses. Only cried twice. Go see - POWER30 gets 30% off
On the 17 June 1995 I moved to Hackney, probably the best thing I've ever done. Here's to the next 30 years!
June 17, 2025 at 10:46 AM
On the 17 June 1995 I moved to Hackney, probably the best thing I've ever done. Here's to the next 30 years!
Reposted by Alastair Owens
Great to be at UWE for the South West Geography Conference organised by wonderful Geography South West - how many free conferences are there nowadays? What an opportunity! Jon from The GA is kicking things off with a look at green skills. @stevebracegeog.bsky.social @alastairhackney.bsky.social
June 16, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Great to be at UWE for the South West Geography Conference organised by wonderful Geography South West - how many free conferences are there nowadays? What an opportunity! Jon from The GA is kicking things off with a look at green skills. @stevebracegeog.bsky.social @alastairhackney.bsky.social
Schubertiade! Come hear world-class musicians in Mile End at our 5th Ragged School Music Festival, 20-22 June 2025
Alina IBRAGIMOVA, violin
Marie-Elisabeth HECKER, cello
Elisabeth LEONSKAJA, piano
Pavel KOLESNIKOV, piano
Samson TSOY, piano
Tickets:
raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk/fifth-ragged...
Alina IBRAGIMOVA, violin
Marie-Elisabeth HECKER, cello
Elisabeth LEONSKAJA, piano
Pavel KOLESNIKOV, piano
Samson TSOY, piano
Tickets:
raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk/fifth-ragged...
Fifth Ragged School Music Festival: Schubertiade - Ragged School Museum
20–22 June 2025 This June, the Ragged Music Festival returns with a very different kind of edition.
raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk
May 28, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Schubertiade! Come hear world-class musicians in Mile End at our 5th Ragged School Music Festival, 20-22 June 2025
Alina IBRAGIMOVA, violin
Marie-Elisabeth HECKER, cello
Elisabeth LEONSKAJA, piano
Pavel KOLESNIKOV, piano
Samson TSOY, piano
Tickets:
raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk/fifth-ragged...
Alina IBRAGIMOVA, violin
Marie-Elisabeth HECKER, cello
Elisabeth LEONSKAJA, piano
Pavel KOLESNIKOV, piano
Samson TSOY, piano
Tickets:
raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk/fifth-ragged...
Last call! New perspectives on nineteenth-century childhoods at the Ragged School Museum, London E3, 1pm-8pm, Wednesday 4 June. Free but please register by 4pm on Friday 30 May (so we can plan catering): buytickets.at/qmul19c/1704...
May 28, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Last call! New perspectives on nineteenth-century childhoods at the Ragged School Museum, London E3, 1pm-8pm, Wednesday 4 June. Free but please register by 4pm on Friday 30 May (so we can plan catering): buytickets.at/qmul19c/1704...
Queen Mary College’s (@qmul.ac.uk) new Crittall windows — a feature of its Engineering Building Stage 2 development (designed by Playne and Lacey Architects) advertised in East London Papers, July 1965
May 27, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Queen Mary College’s (@qmul.ac.uk) new Crittall windows — a feature of its Engineering Building Stage 2 development (designed by Playne and Lacey Architects) advertised in East London Papers, July 1965
Reposted by Alastair Owens
REMINDER: We offer bursaries of up to £500 per head to support UK-based postgraduate and early career researchers to arrange panels on London-related topics for academic conferences. See here for further details on how to apply (please repost to help spread the word!)
Conference Panel Bursary | The London Journal
The London Journal is eager to support early career scholars present their work on London at conferences and publish articles based on this work. To that end, the Journal is pleased to annouce a conference panel bursary.
www.thelondonjournal.org
May 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM
REMINDER: We offer bursaries of up to £500 per head to support UK-based postgraduate and early career researchers to arrange panels on London-related topics for academic conferences. See here for further details on how to apply (please repost to help spread the word!)
Hackney Half done (and a bit quicker this year at 1:48). Thank you to everyone who cheered me on and supported my fundraiser
May 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Hackney Half done (and a bit quicker this year at 1:48). Thank you to everyone who cheered me on and supported my fundraiser
May 18, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Join us for 'New perspectives on nineteenth-century childhoods', 1pm-8pm on Wednesday 4 June 2025 at the Ragged School Museum, London E3. Panel discussions followed by keynote lecture by Prof Josephine McDonagh (Chicago). Free, but booking essential: www.tickettailor.com/events/qmul1...
May 15, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Join us for 'New perspectives on nineteenth-century childhoods', 1pm-8pm on Wednesday 4 June 2025 at the Ragged School Museum, London E3. Panel discussions followed by keynote lecture by Prof Josephine McDonagh (Chicago). Free, but booking essential: www.tickettailor.com/events/qmul1...
Fascinating @suttontrust.bsky.social report on geography of social mobility in England. Using constituencies, highest ranked areas are in London (East Ham, top). Demonstrates critical importance of education at all levels and wider measures to tackle child poverty
www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
The Opportunity Index - The Sutton Trust
An unprecedented insight into the geography of opportunity and social mobility in England.
www.suttontrust.com
May 15, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Fascinating @suttontrust.bsky.social report on geography of social mobility in England. Using constituencies, highest ranked areas are in London (East Ham, top). Demonstrates critical importance of education at all levels and wider measures to tackle child poverty
www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
Reposted by Alastair Owens
Our @geographicalassoc.bsky.social statement on the crisis impacting UK Higher Education Geography.
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
GA Higher Education geography statement - Geographical Association
As the subject association for geography the Geographical Association is concerned about the funding position of many UK universities...
geography.org.uk
May 14, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Our @geographicalassoc.bsky.social statement on the crisis impacting UK Higher Education Geography.
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
Our @geographicalassoc.bsky.social statement on the crisis impacting UK Higher Education Geography.
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
GA Higher Education geography statement - Geographical Association
As the subject association for geography the Geographical Association is concerned about the funding position of many UK universities...
geography.org.uk
May 14, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Our @geographicalassoc.bsky.social statement on the crisis impacting UK Higher Education Geography.
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
Work Awayday at QE Olympic Park — feels like I am on A Level Geography field trip
May 13, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Work Awayday at QE Olympic Park — feels like I am on A Level Geography field trip
When you live on the flight path for Buck Palace
May 5, 2025 at 12:52 PM
When you live on the flight path for Buck Palace