Duncan Bell

@duncanbell.bsky.social

14K followers 1.9K following 360 posts

Teaches politics & history at Cambridge. Interests include empire, war, technology, architecture, science fiction, utopia. Currently writing a book on transhumanism

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Duncan Bell is professor of Political Thought and International Relations at the University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge.

Source: Wikipedia

Political science 52%

Sociology 20%

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Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · Dec 9

NEW ARTICLE:

Duncan Bell & Apolline Taillandier, "Cosmos-Politanism: Transhumanist Visions of Global Order from the First World War to the Digital Age," Perspectives on Politics (2024) @blazefutures.bsky.social

bit.ly/3D5vUY5

Cosmos-Politanism: Transhumanist Visions of Global Order from the First World War to the Digital Age | Perspectives on Politics | Cambridge Core

Cosmos-Politanism: Transhumanist Visions of Global Order from the First World War to the Digital Age

bit.ly

Reposted by Duncan Bell

APSA @apsa.bsky.social · 3d

Cosmos-Politanism: Transhumanist Visions of Global Order from the First World War to the Digital Age

Cosmos-Politanism: Transhumanist Visions of Global Order from the First World War to the Digital Age By Duncan Bell, University of Cambridge and Apolline Taillandier, Newnham College Inspired by…

Cosmos-Politanism: Transhumanist Visions of Global Order from the First World War to the Digital Age

Cosmos-Politanism: Transhumanist Visions of Global Order from the First World War to the Digital Age By Duncan Bell, University of Cambridge and Apolline Taillandier, Newnham College Inspired by developments in artificial intelligence, space engineering, and genetics, discussion of post-human visions of the future is now widespread, especially in the tech world. This reflective essay analyses various ideological configurations of “transhumanism,” a body of thought centred on the pursuit of radical human improvement through technoscientific intervention.

politicalsciencenow.com

Reposted by Duncan Bell

Daniel R. McCarthy @drmccarthy.bsky.social · 4d

Submitted manuscript 'Reclaiming Utopia in International Relations' edited with @mattfluck.bsky.social to Bristol Uni Press yesterday - forthcoming in 2026

#utopiainIR

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 6d

Glad to see an Arsenal fan elected mayor of NYC

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 9d

Good question!

Reposted by Diane Coyle, Lesley A. Hall, Judith N. Shklar , and 4 more Diane Coyle, Lesley A. Hall, Judith N. Shklar, Elaine Treharne, Michael H. Whitworth, Talia Schaffer, Fredrik Albritton Jonsson

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 9d

JOB
Assistant Professor in the History of Knowledge Pre-1400,
University of Cambridge

www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...

Assistant Professor in History of Knowledge Pre-1400

Applications are invited for the position of Assistant Professor in History of Knowledge Pre-1400, in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge. Please note

www.cam.ac.uk

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 9d

This was a very enjoyable event!

María del Pilar Blanco @mpblanco.bsky.social · 10d

Just wrapped up a week of inspiring and packed seminars, conversations, and a lecture with Douglas Mao, who was in @ox.ac.uk as Astor Visiting Lecturer. Thank you to @duncanbell.bsky.social, who has co-authored Utopias with Doug, forthcoming from OUP, and who brought even more brilliance here.

Reposted by Duncan Bell

María del Pilar Blanco @mpblanco.bsky.social · 10d

Reposted by Howard Williams, Lesley A. Hall, Carolyne Larrington , and 1 more Howard Williams, Lesley A. Hall, Carolyne Larrington, Duncan Bell

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 10d

Lost grave of daughter of Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano found by A-level student

Fitzwilliam Museum has uncovered student’s work from 1977 that revealed Cambridgeshire location of child’s burial place An A-level pupil found the lost grave of the Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano’s daughter, revealing a story of love and solidarity in 18th-century rural England. Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797), also known as Gustavus Vassa, escaped enslavement to become a celebrated author and campaigner in Georgian England. His memoir, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, was a bestseller. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Lesley A. Hall, Duncan Bell, Keith Lilley , and 3 more Lesley A. Hall, Duncan Bell, Keith Lilley, Mary L. Dudziak, Kevin O’Sullivan, Evan Roberts

Tehila Sasson @tsasson.bsky.social · 13d

🚨We’re hiring a Junior Research Fellow in Economic History (Sept 2026–Aug 2029) at Wadham College, University of Oxford. It’s a genuinely supportive place to work. Happy to answer any questions. Spread the word!

www.wadham.ox.ac.uk/about/the-da...

The David Richards Junior Research Fellowship in Economic History

Wadham College invites applications for a fixed-term Junior Research Fellowship in Economic History, named the David Richards Fellowship, September 2026 – August 2029.

www.wadham.ox.ac.uk

Reposted by Duncan Bell

Digressionsimpressions @nescio13.bsky.social · 14d

Lippmann, Rawls, Locke and the Social Contract as Public Philosophy
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...

Lippmann, Rawls, Locke and the Social Contract as Public Philosophy

Today’s post brings together two recurring themes in my digressions: first, my denial that John Locke should be conceptualized as a liberal (now a joint project with John Trasher at OSU); second, my g...

open.substack.com

Reposted by Michael H. Whitworth

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 14d

Looking forward to talking with Douglas Mao about our new book, Utopia, this Wednesday in Oxford

intellectualhistory.web.ox.ac.uk/event/utopia...

'Utopia across Disciplines': A conversation between Douglas Mao and Duncan Bell

intellectualhistory.web.ox.ac.uk

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 16d

If anyone is interested, two of my books - Dreamworlds of Race (2020) and Reordering the World (2016) - are 70% off in the excellent Princeton University Press sale. It's on until the end of the month

press.princeton.edu

Homepage

Princeton University Press is a nonprofit publisher with close connections to Princeton University.

press.princeton.edu

Reposted by Duncan Bell

Giovanni Mantilla @giofabman.bsky.social · 17d

A new, forthcoming article on the law of armed conflict, or IHL, and US and UK nuclear policy change.

(It’s always exciting to get work published; a personal reaction of this type, by a diplomat with such experience, is surreal)

Reposted by Samuel Moyn, Dave O’Brien

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 19d

New book, coming soon!

Duncan Bell & Douglas Mao, Utopia (Oxford UP, 2026)

It's a short interdisciplinary volume in the recently launched OUP Literature and Politics series.

global.oup.com/academic/pro...

global.oup.com

Reposted by Duncan Bell

Lawrence Hamilton 🌍 @lawrencehamilton.bsky.social · 21d

I’m giving a talk soon at the Instituto de Filosofia a Ciências Sociais do Rio de Janeiro @ufrjoficial.bsky.social (see below). In Portuguese. Wish me luck! Come along! Or just spread the word please. @campolis.bsky.social @camilavergara.bsky.social @ayeshaomardr.bsky.social @duncanbell.bsky.social

Reposted by Aviel Roshwald

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 25d

JOB

Childers Professorship of Irish History
University of Cambridge

www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/the-chi...

The Childers Professorship of Irish History

The Board of Electors to the Childers Professorship of Irish History invite applications for this Professorship from persons whose work falls within the general field of the Professorship to take up

www.cam.ac.uk

Reposted by Diane Coyle, Elizabeth Saunders, Lesley A. Hall , and 3 more Diane Coyle, Elizabeth Saunders, Lesley A. Hall, Sylvain Laurens, Christina Pagel, Markus W. Gehring

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · 26d

JOB

Assistant Professor, History of the United States since 1920 @ University of Cambridge

www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...

www.cam.ac.uk

Reposted by Duncan Bell, Jacob T. Levy, Lasse Thomassen

Global Theory Forum @globaltheoryldn.bsky.social · 29d

We are delighted to announce a Call for Papers for a special issue and accompanying workshop with the Journal of International Political Theory on Relating Theory and Method in Global Political Contexts. Submit abstracts by November 10th (link below) - share widely!
forms.gle/zDGSnQWoVYzF...

Reposted by Duncan Bell

Digressionsimpressions @nescio13.bsky.social · Oct 10

Maybe of interest to @thecambridgeschool.bsky.social @duncanbell.bsky.social @liberalcurrents.com @karenilsehorn.bsky.social

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · Oct 9

👍

Cambridge University Press Political Science & IR @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org · Oct 6

#OpenAccess from @poppublicsphere.bsky.social -

Cosmos-Politanism: Transhumanist Visions of Global Order from the First World War to the Digital Age - https://cup.org/425MDEm

- @duncanbell.bsky.social & @blazefutures.bsky.social

Cover of "Perspectives on Politics" journal featuring a person viewing an Amnesty International street installation displaying the quote, "First they came for the journalists and I did not speak out, because they said it was all fake news," set against a cityscape background.

Reposted by Duncan Bell

Cambridge University Press Political Science & IR @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org · Oct 6

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · Sep 25

Congratulations, Fernanda (i've just seen the good news)!

Reposted by Duncan Bell

Una McCormack @unamccormack.bsky.social · Sep 23

Taking my cold to bed where we shall sulk at each other.

Reposted by Duncan Bell

Lawrence Hamilton 🌍 @lawrencehamilton.bsky.social · Sep 22

Recent (v. belated) arrival from Musk madhouse. Please make me feel welcome

Reposted by Magnus Johansson, Duncan Bell, Mary Burke , and 1 more Magnus Johansson, Duncan Bell, Mary Burke, Victoria Moul

Anna Alexandrova @annaalexandrova.bsky.social · Sep 22

I hope Melvin Bragg's retirement will not end In Our Times. He has a lovely voice and manner but it's the people he invites that hold the show. I'll take this chance to post a thread of some of the more memorable episodes for me. Starting with Schaffer, Worrall, and @michelamassimi.bsky.social

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Scientific Method

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Scientific Method.

www.bbc.co.uk

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell, Andrew Scott , and 4 more Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell, Andrew Scott, Simon Wren‐Lewis, Duncan Bell, Jon Dean, Francesco Nicoli

The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · Sep 18

Jimmy Kimmel’s TV show suspended indefinitely after Charlie Kirk comments

Trump’s chair of US broadcast regulator threatened ABC network’s licence if action was not taken against host

www.irishtimes.com

Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · Sep 13

Elon Musk spoke by video to Tommy Robinson's anti-immigrant rally in the UK today.

"You're in a fundamental situation here where, whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you," said Musk. "You either fight back or you die."

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · Sep 11

Wow, congratulations!

Reposted by Duncan Bell

Cambridge University History Faculty @camhistory.bsky.social · Sep 8

📢 Congratulations to Fernanda Gallo, Associate Professor in History and Politics (@fernandag.bsky.social), recognised by @ecpr.bsky.social in the prestigious Political Theory Book Prize 2025.

Her "stunningly written" book 'Hegel and Italian Political Thought' was awarded an Honourable Mention.

Fernanda Gallo, Associate Professor in History and Politics at the University of Cambridge, has been recognised by the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) in the Political Theory Book Prize 2025.

Gallo’s book, Hegel and Italian Political Thought: The Practice of Ideas, 1832-1900 (Cambridge University Press, 2024), was awarded an Honourable Mention by the Prize Jury.

Duncan Bell @duncanbell.bsky.social · Sep 7

Michael Billig & Michael Skey, "Banal Nationalism, 30 Years On—A Review," Nations and Nationalism (2025) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Banal Nationalism, 30 Years On—A Review

Click on the article title to read more.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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