Dr Cathryn Pearce
@cathrynpearce.bsky.social
British historian. Author: Cornish Wrecking, 1700-1860 | Researching c18th-19th shipwrecks, the Royal Navy & coastal communities. #CoastalHistory #NavalHistory #MaritimeHistory #SussexCoast
Pinned
For those who post on #CoastalHistory topics, please let me know if you'd like to be added to our starter pack. Coastal History involves the history of coastal communities, both urban and rural, or those who live between land and sea around the world. Coasts connect! go.bsky.app/Pfa95p7
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Love this. Applies just as much to history profs 🗃️
“The iterative process of confusion, endurance, and incremental understanding is what literature professors teach when they assign whole books. This march toward understanding doesn’t have a great name other than reading.”
“The iterative process of confusion, endurance, and incremental understanding is what literature professors teach when they assign whole books. This march toward understanding doesn’t have a great name other than reading.”
Stop Meeting Students Where They Are
What I learned when I finally started assigning the hard reading again.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0... | @theatlantic.com
What I learned when I finally started assigning the hard reading again.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0... | @theatlantic.com
Stop Meeting Students Where They Are
What I learned when I finally started assigning the hard reading again.
www.theatlantic.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Love this. Applies just as much to history profs 🗃️
“The iterative process of confusion, endurance, and incremental understanding is what literature professors teach when they assign whole books. This march toward understanding doesn’t have a great name other than reading.”
“The iterative process of confusion, endurance, and incremental understanding is what literature professors teach when they assign whole books. This march toward understanding doesn’t have a great name other than reading.”
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Question for #histsci, #histastro & #MaritimeHistory colleagues-This is a portrait of William Puntine (1752-1833), of Jamaica, Queens. Do you recognize the instrument he is carrying?
(The friend who shared it w/me thought the lenses at the end might be used w/a sextant to protect viewers' eyes.) 🗃️📜
(The friend who shared it w/me thought the lenses at the end might be used w/a sextant to protect viewers' eyes.) 🗃️📜
February 6, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Question for #histsci, #histastro & #MaritimeHistory colleagues-This is a portrait of William Puntine (1752-1833), of Jamaica, Queens. Do you recognize the instrument he is carrying?
(The friend who shared it w/me thought the lenses at the end might be used w/a sextant to protect viewers' eyes.) 🗃️📜
(The friend who shared it w/me thought the lenses at the end might be used w/a sextant to protect viewers' eyes.) 🗃️📜
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Looking for casual or seasonal work at a world class visitor attraction?
We're looking for new Visitor Experience Team Members to join our world class Mary Rose Museum situated within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Find out more at the link - maryrose.org/about-the-tr...
We're looking for new Visitor Experience Team Members to join our world class Mary Rose Museum situated within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Find out more at the link - maryrose.org/about-the-tr...
Jobs and volunteering - Mary Rose
Jobs, academic placements and volunteering opportunities at the Mary Rose Trust.
maryrose.org
February 6, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Looking for casual or seasonal work at a world class visitor attraction?
We're looking for new Visitor Experience Team Members to join our world class Mary Rose Museum situated within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Find out more at the link - maryrose.org/about-the-tr...
We're looking for new Visitor Experience Team Members to join our world class Mary Rose Museum situated within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Find out more at the link - maryrose.org/about-the-tr...
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Learned about the depressing trend of describing books as TL;DR (Too Long, Didn't Read) at a conference last weekend.
Instead, I propose LR;WI (Long Read and Worth It). What are some long books that you read recently and enjoyed? I'll start: 🗃️
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
Instead, I propose LR;WI (Long Read and Worth It). What are some long books that you read recently and enjoyed? I'll start: 🗃️
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
The Tame and the Wild — Harvard University Press
A dramatic new interpretation of the encounter between Europe and the Americas that reveals the crucial role of animals in the shaping of the modern world.When the men and women of the island of Guana...
www.hup.harvard.edu
February 6, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Learned about the depressing trend of describing books as TL;DR (Too Long, Didn't Read) at a conference last weekend.
Instead, I propose LR;WI (Long Read and Worth It). What are some long books that you read recently and enjoyed? I'll start: 🗃️
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
Instead, I propose LR;WI (Long Read and Worth It). What are some long books that you read recently and enjoyed? I'll start: 🗃️
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
I need to focus on my writing. I need to get my head back into the machinations of the Popish Plot in Newhaven for my Newhaven Times article. There's enough conspiracy, lying, and machinations enough back then. At least it's in the past. After that, I'm escaping to nature writing! #AmWriting
February 6, 2026 at 2:39 PM
I need to focus on my writing. I need to get my head back into the machinations of the Popish Plot in Newhaven for my Newhaven Times article. There's enough conspiracy, lying, and machinations enough back then. At least it's in the past. After that, I'm escaping to nature writing! #AmWriting
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
No excuses for this. It incensed me so much I wrote not one, but two articles linking to millions of free to use public domain images.
world.hey.com/jordanacosta...
world.hey.com/jordanacosta...
Free-to-use Picture Resources for Writers
You have options other than Generative AI to illustrate your work The other day, I posted the following Substack Note: My opinion was challenged with two now-familiar rebuttals: 1. The vast majority o...
world.hey.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:05 PM
No excuses for this. It incensed me so much I wrote not one, but two articles linking to millions of free to use public domain images.
world.hey.com/jordanacosta...
world.hey.com/jordanacosta...
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
A friend who runs a blog had the nerve to tell me that he uses ChatGPT art because he respects artists so much and can't afford to pay them what they deserve. I told him to pretend it's 2010. There was a time recently when we didn't have this technology. Do the work yourself or don't do it at all!
It's been heartbreaking seeing so many people I know use ChatGPT to generate "caricatures" when I am married to a living, breathing caricaturist. This technology was built off theft. It's soulless & bland. Here's caricatures by @tealcartoons.bsky.social to remind people what human art looks like.
February 6, 2026 at 10:43 AM
A friend who runs a blog had the nerve to tell me that he uses ChatGPT art because he respects artists so much and can't afford to pay them what they deserve. I told him to pretend it's 2010. There was a time recently when we didn't have this technology. Do the work yourself or don't do it at all!
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
We are organising a big "Festival of Social History" at the IHR, Friday April 24. The ticket price is an absolute steal for SHS members (join!). Trust me when I say this one's built different, it will be a hands-on day demonstrating how vibrant and engaged UK social history is. ONLY £10!
📣Bookings now open!
👉Celebrating 50 years of the Social History Society with our 'Festival of Social History' @ihr.bsky.social
Panels, zine-making stall, tours, lunch, a roundtable, & keynote by Naomi Tadmor
📅 24 Apr 2026
💷 from £10 for members
All welcome!
socialhistory.org.uk/events/festi...
👉Celebrating 50 years of the Social History Society with our 'Festival of Social History' @ihr.bsky.social
Panels, zine-making stall, tours, lunch, a roundtable, & keynote by Naomi Tadmor
📅 24 Apr 2026
💷 from £10 for members
All welcome!
socialhistory.org.uk/events/festi...
Festival of Social History
To celebrate 50 years of the Social History Society, we’ve teamed up with the Institute of Historical Research to host a Social History Festival! The festival will feature two expert discussion pan…
socialhistory.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 9:24 AM
We are organising a big "Festival of Social History" at the IHR, Friday April 24. The ticket price is an absolute steal for SHS members (join!). Trust me when I say this one's built different, it will be a hands-on day demonstrating how vibrant and engaged UK social history is. ONLY £10!
Woo Hoo! It's great to see Mandy Haggith on the list. Mandy was in our coastal history/studies online writing group!
The shortlist for the 2025 award has been announced
Ghosts of the Farm by Nicola Chester
A Wilding Year by Hannah Dale
Peatlands by Alys Fowler
My Head for a Tree by Martin Goodman
The Lost Elms by Mandy Haggith
Of Thorn & Briar by Paul Lamb
The winner will be announced by late spring.
Ghosts of the Farm by Nicola Chester
A Wilding Year by Hannah Dale
Peatlands by Alys Fowler
My Head for a Tree by Martin Goodman
The Lost Elms by Mandy Haggith
Of Thorn & Briar by Paul Lamb
The winner will be announced by late spring.
February 6, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Woo Hoo! It's great to see Mandy Haggith on the list. Mandy was in our coastal history/studies online writing group!
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Good piece in the Hull Daily Mail about the former steam trawler Viola and the family of one of its skippers, Green Willows Tharratt, including the remarkable story of his 104 year old son Eric: www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/history...
Skipper’s great-great-nephew ‘privileged and honoured’ by Viola celebration
Philip Bennett presented with commemorative plaque at what felt like a ‘family reunion’
www.hulldailymail.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Good piece in the Hull Daily Mail about the former steam trawler Viola and the family of one of its skippers, Green Willows Tharratt, including the remarkable story of his 104 year old son Eric: www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/history...
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Call for Contributions to a Sourcebook for Histories of Weather & Weathering teleskopos.wordpress.com/2026/02/05/c...
Full details linked and here teleskopos.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
It will be edited by me, @lottaleiwo.bsky.social and Tamara Culkins. Please share! #histSTM #envhist 🗃️📜
Full details linked and here teleskopos.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
It will be edited by me, @lottaleiwo.bsky.social and Tamara Culkins. Please share! #histSTM #envhist 🗃️📜
Call for Contributions: Histories of Weather & Weathering
Call for Contributions: A Sourcebook for Histories of Weather and Weathering (working title) Editors: Rebekah Higgitt, Tamara Caulkins and Lotta Leiwo We invite contributions to this planned open a…
teleskopos.wordpress.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Call for Contributions to a Sourcebook for Histories of Weather & Weathering teleskopos.wordpress.com/2026/02/05/c...
Full details linked and here teleskopos.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
It will be edited by me, @lottaleiwo.bsky.social and Tamara Culkins. Please share! #histSTM #envhist 🗃️📜
Full details linked and here teleskopos.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
It will be edited by me, @lottaleiwo.bsky.social and Tamara Culkins. Please share! #histSTM #envhist 🗃️📜
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Disappointing move by Bookshop Org. Supporting Spotify is not supporting artists. www.thebookseller.com/news/spotify...
Spotify branches into physical books through Bookshop.org partnership
Spotify has partnered with Bookshop.org to enable listeners in the US and the UK to purchase physical books via the Spotify app, connecting audiobook discovery with physical ownership.
www.thebookseller.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Disappointing move by Bookshop Org. Supporting Spotify is not supporting artists. www.thebookseller.com/news/spotify...
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Another photo of the colorful aurora last night near Fairbanks, Alaska taken from the middle of a frozen lake. The show was all around us and overhead!
February 5, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Another photo of the colorful aurora last night near Fairbanks, Alaska taken from the middle of a frozen lake. The show was all around us and overhead!
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Wiltshire Museum is delighted to announce that Garfield Weston Foundation has awarded us £300,000 towards creating a new home for the museum in the Devizes Assize Court.
February 5, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Wiltshire Museum is delighted to announce that Garfield Weston Foundation has awarded us £300,000 towards creating a new home for the museum in the Devizes Assize Court.
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Work of the Week! Porthgwarra by Ernest Procter
Though fishermen have been coming to Porthgwarra since at least the Elizabethan era, it was not until the mid-1800s that a real community was formed in the area.
Nowadays, Porthgwarra is best known as a set location in the BBC drama series Poldark.
Though fishermen have been coming to Porthgwarra since at least the Elizabethan era, it was not until the mid-1800s that a real community was formed in the area.
Nowadays, Porthgwarra is best known as a set location in the BBC drama series Poldark.
February 4, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Work of the Week! Porthgwarra by Ernest Procter
Though fishermen have been coming to Porthgwarra since at least the Elizabethan era, it was not until the mid-1800s that a real community was formed in the area.
Nowadays, Porthgwarra is best known as a set location in the BBC drama series Poldark.
Though fishermen have been coming to Porthgwarra since at least the Elizabethan era, it was not until the mid-1800s that a real community was formed in the area.
Nowadays, Porthgwarra is best known as a set location in the BBC drama series Poldark.
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
5 years is not "quite short". those 5 years cost us about fourteen grand, three horrendously stressful applications, and (for example) a full half decade where nobody would offer us a mortgage because my wife only had temporary residency, so we had to keep paying a fortune in rent instead
The Home Secretary several times says she thinks 5 years is "quite short" and "quite quick".
Views differ - but the BSA finds that the general public tend to see 5 years as fair: over 80% of people tend to think 5 years is fair
natcen.ac.uk/publications...
Views differ - but the BSA finds that the general public tend to see 5 years as fair: over 80% of people tend to think 5 years is fair
natcen.ac.uk/publications...
February 5, 2026 at 9:59 AM
5 years is not "quite short". those 5 years cost us about fourteen grand, three horrendously stressful applications, and (for example) a full half decade where nobody would offer us a mortgage because my wife only had temporary residency, so we had to keep paying a fortune in rent instead
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Take the time to do this folks. The proposed changes to ILR are shocking and cruel, which is made abundantly clear in the text of the public consultation linked below. Please lend your voice to try to mitigate the cruelty.
PS. Not too late to tell the government what you think about their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain - the public consultation is open until 12th Feb.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
February 5, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Take the time to do this folks. The proposed changes to ILR are shocking and cruel, which is made abundantly clear in the text of the public consultation linked below. Please lend your voice to try to mitigate the cruelty.
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Very much looking forward to @pbhellawell.bsky.social & @libertypaterson.bsky.social talking about The Ship Bedford and the Atlantic Slave Trade next Wed. @long18thsem.bsky.social @ihrlibrary.bsky.social All welcome, either online or in person, but please register www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
The Ship Bedford: Atlantic and Archival Crossings in the Long Eighteenth-Century Slave Trade
www.history.ac.uk
February 5, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Very much looking forward to @pbhellawell.bsky.social & @libertypaterson.bsky.social talking about The Ship Bedford and the Atlantic Slave Trade next Wed. @long18thsem.bsky.social @ihrlibrary.bsky.social All welcome, either online or in person, but please register www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Presentation I gave for the Warsaw Spatial Humanities Seminar on Layers of London @layersoflondon.bsky.social as an example of applied Deep Mapping is now live on Vimeo vimeo.com/1161792658
#WarSHum12
This is a video recording of a lecture "Deep Mapping in Practice: ‘Layers of London’ and Participatory Experiential Mapping" delivered by Justing…
vimeo.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Presentation I gave for the Warsaw Spatial Humanities Seminar on Layers of London @layersoflondon.bsky.social as an example of applied Deep Mapping is now live on Vimeo vimeo.com/1161792658
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Stumbled across this article from 2008. How times have changed – not just the policies but also the tenor of political discourse 😔
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
February 4, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Stumbled across this article from 2008. How times have changed – not just the policies but also the tenor of political discourse 😔
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
I really, really miss the old, international Yukon Quest, especially being Whitehorse-adjacent, myself. But this seems like a pretty cool solution for Alaska. I love a race with summits. And it's great to see some villages that haven't had races before included. www.adn.com/outdoors-adv...
At a tenuous time for distance mushing, Yukon Quest Alaska takes a new path
At more than 800 miles, the race will have multiple checkpoints that have never hosted a significant race.
www.adn.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:48 PM
I really, really miss the old, international Yukon Quest, especially being Whitehorse-adjacent, myself. But this seems like a pretty cool solution for Alaska. I love a race with summits. And it's great to see some villages that haven't had races before included. www.adn.com/outdoors-adv...
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
'The Awe of The Arctic', a beautifully illustrated book about the 2024 exhibition at the New York Public Library that I sadly didn't get to see. Including a letter from HMS Erebus' Surgeon Stephen Stanley! Well worth getting this book. #Arctic #NavalHistory
February 4, 2026 at 4:12 PM
'The Awe of The Arctic', a beautifully illustrated book about the 2024 exhibition at the New York Public Library that I sadly didn't get to see. Including a letter from HMS Erebus' Surgeon Stephen Stanley! Well worth getting this book. #Arctic #NavalHistory
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
Next week Wednesday 11 February we are delighted to have @pbhellawell.bsky.social & @libertypaterson.bsky.social present their paper titled 'The Ship Bedford: Atlantic and Archival Crossings in the Long Eighteenth-Century Slave Trade'. Join us either in person at the IHR or online from 17:30
www.history.ac.uk
February 4, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
An old photo from the 1930s of an #AranIslander fishing Dún Aonghasa is prehistoric coastal fort on the Aran Islands of County #Galway, #Ireland. Fishing with a hand line off the side of the Fort into the waters of the Atlantic. #coastalhistory #tcdtceh #coastsinmind
February 4, 2026 at 9:07 PM
An old photo from the 1930s of an #AranIslander fishing Dún Aonghasa is prehistoric coastal fort on the Aran Islands of County #Galway, #Ireland. Fishing with a hand line off the side of the Fort into the waters of the Atlantic. #coastalhistory #tcdtceh #coastsinmind
Reposted by Dr Cathryn Pearce
This is glaringly obvious with the most cursory of thought so WHY is the government so intent on forcing this stuff on us, including in schools?
Striking paper from researchers at Anthropic using a randomised control trial to look at the effects of AI use on skills acquisition.
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
February 4, 2026 at 8:05 AM
This is glaringly obvious with the most cursory of thought so WHY is the government so intent on forcing this stuff on us, including in schools?