Dr Cath Feely
@cathfeely.bsky.social
Cultural historian of modern Britain. Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby and Councillor of the Royal Historical Society. All views my own.
Pinned
Dr Cath Feely
@cathfeely.bsky.social
· Nov 9
The Trenches, the Tram and the Trolley Bus
A twentieth-century story
botheringmiancestors.substack.com
For Remembrance Sunday, a short reflection on the life and death of my great grandfather in the twenty years after his return. botheringmiancestors.substack.com/p/the-trench...
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Next Wednesday, the Society visits historians at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield.
Our visit closes (5.45pm) with a guest lecture by Prof David Stack (Reading) on 'History and Well-Being: a Historian's Perspective' bit.ly/4aa4Yoe
Open to all and followed by a reception.
Our visit closes (5.45pm) with a guest lecture by Prof David Stack (Reading) on 'History and Well-Being: a Historian's Perspective' bit.ly/4aa4Yoe
Open to all and followed by a reception.
February 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Next Wednesday, the Society visits historians at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield.
Our visit closes (5.45pm) with a guest lecture by Prof David Stack (Reading) on 'History and Well-Being: a Historian's Perspective' bit.ly/4aa4Yoe
Open to all and followed by a reception.
Our visit closes (5.45pm) with a guest lecture by Prof David Stack (Reading) on 'History and Well-Being: a Historian's Perspective' bit.ly/4aa4Yoe
Open to all and followed by a reception.
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
#jobfairy this is an intriguing one - 18 month research fellowship for an object-focused historian, museums studies person or similar at Chatsworth House! £48k + £11k travel, outreach etc #skystorians
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
Devonshire Collections Research Fellow at Chatsworth House Trust
Searching for an academic job? Explore this Devonshire Collections Research Fellow opening on jobs.ac.uk! Click to view more details and browse other academic jobs.
www.jobs.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 11:08 AM
#jobfairy this is an intriguing one - 18 month research fellowship for an object-focused historian, museums studies person or similar at Chatsworth House! £48k + £11k travel, outreach etc #skystorians
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
Losing friends younger than you is a new one on me and it hits harder than I could have imagined. Honestly it's a different kind of grief.
February 10, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Losing friends younger than you is a new one on me and it hits harder than I could have imagined. Honestly it's a different kind of grief.
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
“I don’t understand why so many people have conceded that the university is a left space. Can someone show me a Marxist university president?”
Defending the Possibility of the University: A Roundtable on “University Keywords” - Public Books
“What would it look like for faculty unions and graduate student unions to collaborate or work together with K-12 teachers’ unions to push back against anti-DEI legislation or book bans?”
www.publicbooks.org
February 9, 2026 at 7:18 PM
“I don’t understand why so many people have conceded that the university is a left space. Can someone show me a Marxist university president?”
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Thanks to Warwick Digital Archives, but also the Marxist Internet Archive and the Internet Archive who make amazing historical documents like this available to unaffiliated researchers like me
#MollyMurphy #HistNursing
#MollyMurphy #HistNursing
Papers of Tom Mann
wdc.contentdm.oclc.org
February 8, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Thanks to Warwick Digital Archives, but also the Marxist Internet Archive and the Internet Archive who make amazing historical documents like this available to unaffiliated researchers like me
#MollyMurphy #HistNursing
#MollyMurphy #HistNursing
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
"Eighty-two years after his execution by the Gestapo on June 16, 1944, the Jewish historian and resistance fighter Marc Bloch will be inducted into the Pantheon on June 23... His family requested that 'the far right, in all its forms, be excluded from any participation in the ceremony.'"
Marc Bloch, historien et résistant juif, entrera au Panthéon le 23 juin
Marc Bloch, historien et résistant juif, entrera au Panthéon le 23 juin
La date du 16 juin avait été dans un premier temps pressentie pour son entrée au Panthéon, mais la cérémonie a dû être décalée de quelques jours en raison du G7 à Evian-les-Bains.
www.lemonde.fr
February 8, 2026 at 7:02 PM
"Eighty-two years after his execution by the Gestapo on June 16, 1944, the Jewish historian and resistance fighter Marc Bloch will be inducted into the Pantheon on June 23... His family requested that 'the far right, in all its forms, be excluded from any participation in the ceremony.'"
In today's surprising news from my mid 40s, I think I am now allergic to lemon juice. I have recently had really raw &small patches of eczema that seemed random until I realised that a certain salad we have with lots of lemon juice on it was the common denominator in sudden flare ups. What next?!
February 8, 2026 at 12:03 PM
In today's surprising news from my mid 40s, I think I am now allergic to lemon juice. I have recently had really raw &small patches of eczema that seemed random until I realised that a certain salad we have with lots of lemon juice on it was the common denominator in sudden flare ups. What next?!
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
On 1 May 1517, xenophobic mobs, riled up by preachers who were in turn pressured by wealthy broker John Lincoln, rioted in London. They claimed that foreigners were stealing their jobs and welfare. Thomas More, then under-sheriff of London, tried to stop the mob with an empassioned speech.
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 1:24 PM
On 1 May 1517, xenophobic mobs, riled up by preachers who were in turn pressured by wealthy broker John Lincoln, rioted in London. They claimed that foreigners were stealing their jobs and welfare. Thomas More, then under-sheriff of London, tried to stop the mob with an empassioned speech.
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
I can't stand those 'you should monetise your hobby' people. No, Chad, I should do my hobby because it fulfils me in ways that work does not, because I am more than my economic output, because there is joy in doing something just because.
February 4, 2026 at 2:57 PM
I can't stand those 'you should monetise your hobby' people. No, Chad, I should do my hobby because it fulfils me in ways that work does not, because I am more than my economic output, because there is joy in doing something just because.
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Excellent article but stark reminder that for all the perceptions of universities as ivory towers for elites, they are actually vital hubs in towns n cities supporting local businesses and providing key services as well as education….
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Excellent article but stark reminder that for all the perceptions of universities as ivory towers for elites, they are actually vital hubs in towns n cities supporting local businesses and providing key services as well as education….
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Devastatingly sad.
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
'When it opened, the campus housed a GP surgery and a new dental clinic offering free treatment to local people. This was followed later by the forum – a library and art gallery shared by the university and local people.' 1/2
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Devastatingly sad.
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
We're looking to capture experiences of what it means to be queer in the UK today! To do that we're collecting day diaries for 12th February. It doesn't matter what you get up to, or how you record it, we'd love to have it!🧵 (1/4) #LGBTplusHM #lgbthm26
In 1982, inspired by the work of MO the National Lesbian and Gay survey began, it sought to capture what everyday life was like for queer people living in the UK. For our latest open call we're continuing the work of NLGS and asking what does it mean to be queer every day?
#lgbtqhistory
#lgbtqhistory
February 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
We're looking to capture experiences of what it means to be queer in the UK today! To do that we're collecting day diaries for 12th February. It doesn't matter what you get up to, or how you record it, we'd love to have it!🧵 (1/4) #LGBTplusHM #lgbthm26
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
18 month postdoc at the lovely IHR in London, $41,740. Deadline 7 March. 'The Fellow will play a key role within the IHR team responsible for hosting the 2027 North American Conference in British Studies (NACBS)' in London 2027.
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Jacob Price Fellowship in British Studies (18 month FTC):London Senate House - Hybrid
The University of London is both the UK’s largest provider of international distance and online learning and the convenor of a federation of 17 renowned higher education institutions.
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 9:07 AM
18 month postdoc at the lovely IHR in London, $41,740. Deadline 7 March. 'The Fellow will play a key role within the IHR team responsible for hosting the 2027 North American Conference in British Studies (NACBS)' in London 2027.
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Gordon Brown sending all relevant information to the police to help them with their inquiries.
February 3, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Gordon Brown sending all relevant information to the police to help them with their inquiries.
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Three scholarships for PhD in Arthur Scargill Archive - quite the opportunity. Believe me when I say that I am sure that some of the stuff in here will be quite the eye-opener! (if the good stuff hasn't been already shredded or slapped with an embargo)
FindAPhD : PhD Studentships to support doctoral research in the Arthur Scargill Archive at the University of Sheffield at University of Sheffield
Apply for a PhD: PhD Studentships to support doctoral research in the Arthur Scargill Archive at the University of Sheffield at University of Sheffield
www.findaphd.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Three scholarships for PhD in Arthur Scargill Archive - quite the opportunity. Believe me when I say that I am sure that some of the stuff in here will be quite the eye-opener! (if the good stuff hasn't been already shredded or slapped with an embargo)
Today I was my aunt's funeral, which was weird enough without people coming up to me casually saying 'Hi Cath' who I haven't seen for at least 35 yrs, FIVE former teachers in attendance and a personal message from Vincent Nicholls, Cardinal of England and Wales. Well, it was something of a send off!
February 3, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Today I was my aunt's funeral, which was weird enough without people coming up to me casually saying 'Hi Cath' who I haven't seen for at least 35 yrs, FIVE former teachers in attendance and a personal message from Vincent Nicholls, Cardinal of England and Wales. Well, it was something of a send off!
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
The latest issue of History Workshop Journal is out now, and it marks two exciting milestones: 50 years and 100 issues of innovative radical history.
You can read the journal on the HWJ website through the link below!
academic.oup.com/hwj...
You can read the journal on the HWJ website through the link below!
academic.oup.com/hwj...
February 2, 2026 at 7:30 AM
The latest issue of History Workshop Journal is out now, and it marks two exciting milestones: 50 years and 100 issues of innovative radical history.
You can read the journal on the HWJ website through the link below!
academic.oup.com/hwj...
You can read the journal on the HWJ website through the link below!
academic.oup.com/hwj...
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
New free online research training course 5 May 2026. Engaging Histories: Working with/in the Media as an Historian.
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
January 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM
New free online research training course 5 May 2026. Engaging Histories: Working with/in the Media as an Historian.
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
What changes were made to REF2029 as part of last December's 'unpausing'; and what are the likely implications - positive and negative - for History and the wider humanities?
New on the RHS blog: bit.ly/3ZIfe0P
#Skystorians @artsandhums.bsky.social
New on the RHS blog: bit.ly/3ZIfe0P
#Skystorians @artsandhums.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 9:32 AM
What changes were made to REF2029 as part of last December's 'unpausing'; and what are the likely implications - positive and negative - for History and the wider humanities?
New on the RHS blog: bit.ly/3ZIfe0P
#Skystorians @artsandhums.bsky.social
New on the RHS blog: bit.ly/3ZIfe0P
#Skystorians @artsandhums.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
We’ve been trying to get to grips with Gorton and Denton, one of the UK’s strangest and bitty-est constituencies.
Meet Mary, a lifelong Labour voter in her 60s, Abdul, a Reform-supporting Uber driver, and Rita, who’s in a toss-up between a Greens vote and a lie-in.
Meet Mary, a lifelong Labour voter in her 60s, Abdul, a Reform-supporting Uber driver, and Rita, who’s in a toss-up between a Greens vote and a lie-in.
February 2, 2026 at 9:36 AM
We’ve been trying to get to grips with Gorton and Denton, one of the UK’s strangest and bitty-est constituencies.
Meet Mary, a lifelong Labour voter in her 60s, Abdul, a Reform-supporting Uber driver, and Rita, who’s in a toss-up between a Greens vote and a lie-in.
Meet Mary, a lifelong Labour voter in her 60s, Abdul, a Reform-supporting Uber driver, and Rita, who’s in a toss-up between a Greens vote and a lie-in.
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Nothing must be allowed to get between you and your service to capitalism. Oh, you're grieving your dead father? Here's an AI slop simulacrum for you to talk to on your down time, now GET BACK TO WORK.
Even if you have absolutely no belief in life after death, you would be more authentically in touch with your dead grandmother by speaking to her photo.
IN DEPTH | If you could speak to your dead grandmother forever, would you?
February 2, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Nothing must be allowed to get between you and your service to capitalism. Oh, you're grieving your dead father? Here's an AI slop simulacrum for you to talk to on your down time, now GET BACK TO WORK.
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Always a pleasure to read Sam on palaeography. Learning to read historical handwriting is often an exercise in language-learning, even if it's a language you already (sort of) know!
Honestly thought this was a nice, quite legible hand! Maybe it's all the 18C hands I've been staring at this month.
This prompts me to make a short 🧵 about recent thoughts about handwriting and palaeography: (1/11)
This prompts me to make a short 🧵 about recent thoughts about handwriting and palaeography: (1/11)
I decided to take a break from reading (about) Aquinas's handwriting to open some mail that had been accumulating on my hall table. And lo: a card from one of my three most paleographically challenging friends, a buddy from textual criticism class long ago. It says... 🧵
February 2, 2026 at 6:29 AM
Always a pleasure to read Sam on palaeography. Learning to read historical handwriting is often an exercise in language-learning, even if it's a language you already (sort of) know!
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Even if you have absolutely no belief in life after death, you would be more authentically in touch with your dead grandmother by speaking to her photo.
IN DEPTH | If you could speak to your dead grandmother forever, would you?
If you could speak to your dead grandmother forever, would you?
www.independent.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Even if you have absolutely no belief in life after death, you would be more authentically in touch with your dead grandmother by speaking to her photo.
It's my aunt's funeral on Tuesday. She was housebound for the last decade and her hairdresser of 30 years came round every week to do her hair. I just found out that she did her hair one last time at the funeral directors. One of the most moving things I've heard in a long time. True everyday love.
February 1, 2026 at 7:30 PM
It's my aunt's funeral on Tuesday. She was housebound for the last decade and her hairdresser of 30 years came round every week to do her hair. I just found out that she did her hair one last time at the funeral directors. One of the most moving things I've heard in a long time. True everyday love.
Reposted by Dr Cath Feely
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich