Isabel “Izzy” Black (Joely)
@autisticalchemyst.bsky.social
I study the anthropology of magic, objects, and people. Moomins. Writing a book about making magical objects in Roman Egypt. I also write fantasy fiction and building a model of the Moomin House. Autistic.
joelyblack.substack.com.
joelyblack.substack.com.
Pinned
The Bradbury #07: Impostor Syndrome
A student has to find a way to use her skills to escape the onslaught of a colonising army.
open.substack.com
The Bradbury #07: Impostor Syndrome open.substack.com/pub/amnar/p/...
This week's story plays with pronouns. One non-binary magical tech-head and a trans warrior must find their way out of danger as a totalitarian colonial power descends on their home. #fiction #skywriters
This week's story plays with pronouns. One non-binary magical tech-head and a trans warrior must find their way out of danger as a totalitarian colonial power descends on their home. #fiction #skywriters
Exciting news! I got the final list of objects and papyri documents for the @thejohnrylands.bsky.social catalogue.
It's got three magical amulets showing the full progression of change from 150BCE to 500CE Egypt. I can now write about the whole transition. #AcademicSky #ClassicsSky
It's got three magical amulets showing the full progression of change from 150BCE to 500CE Egypt. I can now write about the whole transition. #AcademicSky #ClassicsSky
June 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Exciting news! I got the final list of objects and papyri documents for the @thejohnrylands.bsky.social catalogue.
It's got three magical amulets showing the full progression of change from 150BCE to 500CE Egypt. I can now write about the whole transition. #AcademicSky #ClassicsSky
It's got three magical amulets showing the full progression of change from 150BCE to 500CE Egypt. I can now write about the whole transition. #AcademicSky #ClassicsSky
So I didn’t get the fellowship I applied for.
Haven’t managed to get any job (academic and not) I’ve applied for in 18 months of applying.
Feeling kind of dreadful. Please don’t do the getting a job in academia is hard. It’s bollocks awful everywhere. #AcademicSky
Haven’t managed to get any job (academic and not) I’ve applied for in 18 months of applying.
Feeling kind of dreadful. Please don’t do the getting a job in academia is hard. It’s bollocks awful everywhere. #AcademicSky
June 19, 2025 at 12:02 PM
So I didn’t get the fellowship I applied for.
Haven’t managed to get any job (academic and not) I’ve applied for in 18 months of applying.
Feeling kind of dreadful. Please don’t do the getting a job in academia is hard. It’s bollocks awful everywhere. #AcademicSky
Haven’t managed to get any job (academic and not) I’ve applied for in 18 months of applying.
Feeling kind of dreadful. Please don’t do the getting a job in academia is hard. It’s bollocks awful everywhere. #AcademicSky
I should be working on a book proposal, a catalogue essay, and a book chapter.
My brain can't stop planning a book that's all about the Moomin House. A whole book.
My brain can't stop planning a book that's all about the Moomin House. A whole book.
June 17, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I should be working on a book proposal, a catalogue essay, and a book chapter.
My brain can't stop planning a book that's all about the Moomin House. A whole book.
My brain can't stop planning a book that's all about the Moomin House. A whole book.
I'm starting to think the spectre of Marx doesn't want me reading Specters of Marx.
Or maybe it's another ghost. This week I've got a GP appointment to look at my dodgy foot (a real medical term). @lizgloyn.bsky.social @bigfridge224.bsky.social
Or maybe it's another ghost. This week I've got a GP appointment to look at my dodgy foot (a real medical term). @lizgloyn.bsky.social @bigfridge224.bsky.social
June 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
I'm starting to think the spectre of Marx doesn't want me reading Specters of Marx.
Or maybe it's another ghost. This week I've got a GP appointment to look at my dodgy foot (a real medical term). @lizgloyn.bsky.social @bigfridge224.bsky.social
Or maybe it's another ghost. This week I've got a GP appointment to look at my dodgy foot (a real medical term). @lizgloyn.bsky.social @bigfridge224.bsky.social
Reposted by Isabel “Izzy” Black (Joely)
June 17, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Reposted by Isabel “Izzy” Black (Joely)
We dont often in life get to work with actual real-world heroes. That happened for us yesterday when Jenna and 300 of her brave #NIH colleagues allowed us to stand up with them against the Trump regime's war on science and health in America.
TY Jenna & all #NIHheroes
#StandUpForScience
#SaveNIH
TY Jenna & all #NIHheroes
#StandUpForScience
#SaveNIH
Today, my NIH colleagues and I did something scary but really important. We spoke up about egregious harms we are seeing happen to research participants and public health through thoughtless and politicized policies at NIH. 🧵1/3
apnews.com/article/nih-...
apnews.com/article/nih-...
June 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM
We dont often in life get to work with actual real-world heroes. That happened for us yesterday when Jenna and 300 of her brave #NIH colleagues allowed us to stand up with them against the Trump regime's war on science and health in America.
TY Jenna & all #NIHheroes
#StandUpForScience
#SaveNIH
TY Jenna & all #NIHheroes
#StandUpForScience
#SaveNIH
If I had money I would get one of these.
June 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
If I had money I would get one of these.
I'll say this for Derrida. He's horrible to read but the horror did compel me to go out for a run.
So there's that. #AcademicSky #Hauntology
So there's that. #AcademicSky #Hauntology
June 10, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I'll say this for Derrida. He's horrible to read but the horror did compel me to go out for a run.
So there's that. #AcademicSky #Hauntology
So there's that. #AcademicSky #Hauntology
Yesterday I submitted the edits for my first academic article to Studia Scandinavica. Moomins ahoy!
Now I have finally opened the review, edit, and notes on my proposal for @edinburghup.bsky.social's editors. With deep apologies for my procrastination.
*Bows* #AcademicSky
Now I have finally opened the review, edit, and notes on my proposal for @edinburghup.bsky.social's editors. With deep apologies for my procrastination.
*Bows* #AcademicSky
June 10, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Yesterday I submitted the edits for my first academic article to Studia Scandinavica. Moomins ahoy!
Now I have finally opened the review, edit, and notes on my proposal for @edinburghup.bsky.social's editors. With deep apologies for my procrastination.
*Bows* #AcademicSky
Now I have finally opened the review, edit, and notes on my proposal for @edinburghup.bsky.social's editors. With deep apologies for my procrastination.
*Bows* #AcademicSky
Reposted by Isabel “Izzy” Black (Joely)
A History of the World in Six Plagues explores the myriad ways in which people people exerted their agency during the pandemic lockdown.
How lockdowns through history have led to revolt and misinformation
www.bigissue.com
May 28, 2025 at 10:46 AM
A History of the World in Six Plagues explores the myriad ways in which people people exerted their agency during the pandemic lockdown.
My first academic article has been accepted for publication by Studia Scandinavica.
It’s about Moominmamma’s handbag.
Revisions due in three weeks. After @theconversation.com’s event last week I guess this makes me a Moominologist now. #academicsky
It’s about Moominmamma’s handbag.
Revisions due in three weeks. After @theconversation.com’s event last week I guess this makes me a Moominologist now. #academicsky
May 28, 2025 at 11:15 AM
My first academic article has been accepted for publication by Studia Scandinavica.
It’s about Moominmamma’s handbag.
Revisions due in three weeks. After @theconversation.com’s event last week I guess this makes me a Moominologist now. #academicsky
It’s about Moominmamma’s handbag.
Revisions due in three weeks. After @theconversation.com’s event last week I guess this makes me a Moominologist now. #academicsky
Reposted by Isabel “Izzy” Black (Joely)
My not-hot take on the ‘why don’t UK universities aggressively pursue American academics cut adrift’ discussion is three-fold.
One: there are a lot of brilliant un- and under-employed academics here already.
Two: have you *seen* what’s happening in HE here?
Three: immigrating isn’t that easy.
One: there are a lot of brilliant un- and under-employed academics here already.
Two: have you *seen* what’s happening in HE here?
Three: immigrating isn’t that easy.
May 5, 2025 at 9:39 AM
My not-hot take on the ‘why don’t UK universities aggressively pursue American academics cut adrift’ discussion is three-fold.
One: there are a lot of brilliant un- and under-employed academics here already.
Two: have you *seen* what’s happening in HE here?
Three: immigrating isn’t that easy.
One: there are a lot of brilliant un- and under-employed academics here already.
Two: have you *seen* what’s happening in HE here?
Three: immigrating isn’t that easy.
It's been a minute, but here I am writing about Moominmamma's handbag for @theconversation.com:
theconversation.com/with-moominm...
theconversation.com/with-moominm...
With Moominmama, Tove Jansson created a hero who wields a handbag instead of a sword
Moominmama is resourceful, and shows it is possible to survive a long and arduous journey without a weapon, instead using her bag.
theconversation.com
May 1, 2025 at 8:12 AM
It's been a minute, but here I am writing about Moominmamma's handbag for @theconversation.com:
theconversation.com/with-moominm...
theconversation.com/with-moominm...
Reposted by Isabel “Izzy” Black (Joely)
'Archaeologists make breakthrough as life-size sculptures discovered in Pompeii tomb'
Breakthrough as life-size sculptures discovered in Pompeii tomb
New discoveries are overturning the assumptions that used to be made about a woman’s place in society, writes Emily Hauser
www.independent.co.uk
April 23, 2025 at 4:49 PM
'Archaeologists make breakthrough as life-size sculptures discovered in Pompeii tomb'
Crabs out here fighting the good fight.
This statement about the transphobic Supreme Court ruling by the UK's Crab Museum (yes a museum about crabs) is better than 99% of the statements I've seen on the topic
www.crabmuseum.org/visit
🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀
www.crabmuseum.org/visit
🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀
April 23, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Crabs out here fighting the good fight.
@moudhy.bsky.social’s Between Two Rivers has me doing one of my favourite things: hunting museum online catalogues for stuff. Usually for me it’s papyri and terracottas. Now it’s cuneiform tablets. I want to LOOK AT THEM ALL.
April 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
@moudhy.bsky.social’s Between Two Rivers has me doing one of my favourite things: hunting museum online catalogues for stuff. Usually for me it’s papyri and terracottas. Now it’s cuneiform tablets. I want to LOOK AT THEM ALL.
I’m really only here to say I decided to pick up @chuckwendig.bsky.social’s Wanderers a couple of months back because it was on offer.
It’s mind-bendingly good so far. Very much recommend.
It’s mind-bendingly good so far. Very much recommend.
April 18, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I’m really only here to say I decided to pick up @chuckwendig.bsky.social’s Wanderers a couple of months back because it was on offer.
It’s mind-bendingly good so far. Very much recommend.
It’s mind-bendingly good so far. Very much recommend.
Reposted by Isabel “Izzy” Black (Joely)
No #DigitalFriday today because it is a public holiday in the UK; take that work/life balance seriously and I'll see you all next week ;)
April 18, 2025 at 7:08 AM
No #DigitalFriday today because it is a public holiday in the UK; take that work/life balance seriously and I'll see you all next week ;)
Reposted by Isabel “Izzy” Black (Joely)
Public voting for the 2025 Locus Awards is open till April 15.
THE SENTENCE has been long-listed in the best SF novel category, along with a ton of great work.
If you’re so inclined, the voting link (open to all) is available here: poll.voting.locusmag.com
THE SENTENCE has been long-listed in the best SF novel category, along with a ton of great work.
If you’re so inclined, the voting link (open to all) is available here: poll.voting.locusmag.com
Welcome to the Locus Awards Poll. Deadline for voting is April 15. You can return and edit or add to your ballot up until the deadline.
poll.voting.locusmag.com
April 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Public voting for the 2025 Locus Awards is open till April 15.
THE SENTENCE has been long-listed in the best SF novel category, along with a ton of great work.
If you’re so inclined, the voting link (open to all) is available here: poll.voting.locusmag.com
THE SENTENCE has been long-listed in the best SF novel category, along with a ton of great work.
If you’re so inclined, the voting link (open to all) is available here: poll.voting.locusmag.com
This. I teach because being with the students and helping them learn is the best bit.
Academic workloads are often used to justify automation. But our research into staff experience in large group teaching found that what kept people going was precisely the connection with students. Reducing the 'load' of this, while keeping more disconnected work, makes the problem worse.
April 13, 2025 at 10:27 AM
This. I teach because being with the students and helping them learn is the best bit.
My favourite @thejohnrylands.bsky.social papyri discovery of the week: Proclus writes to Sarapion asking about his health.
Everyone is worried for him. His daughter is annoyed she hasn’t had an update.
“Can you tell dad to let me know he’s okay?” It’s so human and it’s 1700 yrs old. #skystorians
Everyone is worried for him. His daughter is annoyed she hasn’t had an update.
“Can you tell dad to let me know he’s okay?” It’s so human and it’s 1700 yrs old. #skystorians
April 13, 2025 at 10:11 AM
My favourite @thejohnrylands.bsky.social papyri discovery of the week: Proclus writes to Sarapion asking about his health.
Everyone is worried for him. His daughter is annoyed she hasn’t had an update.
“Can you tell dad to let me know he’s okay?” It’s so human and it’s 1700 yrs old. #skystorians
Everyone is worried for him. His daughter is annoyed she hasn’t had an update.
“Can you tell dad to let me know he’s okay?” It’s so human and it’s 1700 yrs old. #skystorians
New plan.
Add four more and attach them to each month.
Your birth month is your hamster.
Hamstomancy: predicting your future from your hamster chart.
Add four more and attach them to each month.
Your birth month is your hamster.
Hamstomancy: predicting your future from your hamster chart.
Grain Piglet is my nickname at the local bakery.
Meanings of words for a hamster from eight other languages…
8. Cuddle mouse (Afrikaans)
7. Storehouse mouse (Mandarin)
6. Grain piglet (old Swabian German)
5. Earth wolf (Silesian)
4. Squawker (old Polish)
3. One who snores (Serbian)
2. Fat cheeks (Welsh)
1. Screeching rat (Turkish)
8. Cuddle mouse (Afrikaans)
7. Storehouse mouse (Mandarin)
6. Grain piglet (old Swabian German)
5. Earth wolf (Silesian)
4. Squawker (old Polish)
3. One who snores (Serbian)
2. Fat cheeks (Welsh)
1. Screeching rat (Turkish)
April 13, 2025 at 8:19 AM
New plan.
Add four more and attach them to each month.
Your birth month is your hamster.
Hamstomancy: predicting your future from your hamster chart.
Add four more and attach them to each month.
Your birth month is your hamster.
Hamstomancy: predicting your future from your hamster chart.
I wasn’t going to attend @archaeobruja.bsky.social’s talk today because I was having a bad anxiety day.
Then I did.
It was so inspirational. Made me see I could combine storytelling with ancient research for this fellowship proposal.
Now I’m all excited. #AcademicSky #Skystorians.
Then I did.
It was so inspirational. Made me see I could combine storytelling with ancient research for this fellowship proposal.
Now I’m all excited. #AcademicSky #Skystorians.
April 11, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I wasn’t going to attend @archaeobruja.bsky.social’s talk today because I was having a bad anxiety day.
Then I did.
It was so inspirational. Made me see I could combine storytelling with ancient research for this fellowship proposal.
Now I’m all excited. #AcademicSky #Skystorians.
Then I did.
It was so inspirational. Made me see I could combine storytelling with ancient research for this fellowship proposal.
Now I’m all excited. #AcademicSky #Skystorians.
Reposted by Isabel “Izzy” Black (Joely)
The Ancient Worlds, Modern Communities initiative provides mini-grants of up to $2,000 to support public engagement projects. The next deadline is May 16, 2025! To learn more about the initiative, please visit: classicalstudies.org/outreach/anc...
April 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The Ancient Worlds, Modern Communities initiative provides mini-grants of up to $2,000 to support public engagement projects. The next deadline is May 16, 2025! To learn more about the initiative, please visit: classicalstudies.org/outreach/anc...
I’m supposed to be writing a research proposal but instead I am lying here crying with anxiety.
April 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I’m supposed to be writing a research proposal but instead I am lying here crying with anxiety.