Helen Esfandiary
@helenesfandiary.bsky.social
Social & cultural historian specialising in motherhood, childcare, body, gender, medicine, material culture in early modern/long c18th. Visiting Lecturer, Herts Uni. IHR Fellow. Lead Convenor IHR seminars: Lifecycles & British History in the Long c18th.
I’ll be speaking about the very object featured below - the Le Vacher machine - and how mothers in Georgian England used devices like it to 'straighten' children’s bodies. #HistMed #MaterialCulture #MedicalHumanities #18thCentury
Less than a month to go until our free online workshop *Object Stories in Health and Medicine, 1700-1900*. Friday 5 December from 10am GMT. Tickets available through this link!
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/objec...
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/objec...
November 8, 2025 at 2:34 AM
I’ll be speaking about the very object featured below - the Le Vacher machine - and how mothers in Georgian England used devices like it to 'straighten' children’s bodies. #HistMed #MaterialCulture #MedicalHumanities #18thCentury
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
The Weekly Read is "Archival Irruptions" by @ktgerbs.bsky.social, which traces how British colonial authorities in mid-eighteenth-century Jamaica came to criminalize Obeah, a religious practice held by enslaved Africans. Read the entire book now, for free!
buff.ly/rccy0qL
buff.ly/rccy0qL
November 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The Weekly Read is "Archival Irruptions" by @ktgerbs.bsky.social, which traces how British colonial authorities in mid-eighteenth-century Jamaica came to criminalize Obeah, a religious practice held by enslaved Africans. Read the entire book now, for free!
buff.ly/rccy0qL
buff.ly/rccy0qL
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
The Institute of Historical Research's 2026 June summer school in Bloomsbury is on Sickness and Health, from London's medieval history to the present. Suitable for the History-curious over the age of 16.
IHR London Summer School 2026: Sickness and Health
From the Black Death to the Covid-19 pandemic, from medieval medicine to public health across the centuries, from hospitals to archives & collections. Join us to discover Londo...
www.history.ac.uk
October 31, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The Institute of Historical Research's 2026 June summer school in Bloomsbury is on Sickness and Health, from London's medieval history to the present. Suitable for the History-curious over the age of 16.
@ihrlifecycles.bsky.social strikes again with another rising star! Huge congrats to @berrypillot.bsky.social for winning the 2025 @ihr.bsky.social Pollard Prize for: 'No Place to be a Child? The Persistence and Peculiarities of Children’s Play during the Second World War in London and Liverpool.'🏆🙌🎉
October 17, 2025 at 4:06 PM
@ihrlifecycles.bsky.social strikes again with another rising star! Huge congrats to @berrypillot.bsky.social for winning the 2025 @ihr.bsky.social Pollard Prize for: 'No Place to be a Child? The Persistence and Peculiarities of Children’s Play during the Second World War in London and Liverpool.'🏆🙌🎉
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
New post today on #FindTheMidwife. Midwives under pressure with @sallypezaro.bsky.social and myself! What happened when midwives were pushed by town fathers to interrogate their clients? How did they balance their obligations? www.findthemidwife.com/midwives-und...
October 16, 2025 at 12:26 AM
New post today on #FindTheMidwife. Midwives under pressure with @sallypezaro.bsky.social and myself! What happened when midwives were pushed by town fathers to interrogate their clients? How did they balance their obligations? www.findthemidwife.com/midwives-und...
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
The 2026 SSHM Conference will be @universityofleeds.bsky.social. The theme will be In/Out and we are inviting papers that consider experiences of being in and/or out of health or health care in any period or geographical location. #HistMed #HistSTM
sshm.org/sshm-2026/
sshm.org/sshm-2026/
SSHM 2026: In/Out
Location: University of Leeds Dates: 30 June to 3 July 2026 Submission Deadline: 5.00pm (GMT) 11th January 2026 Conference Co-Convenors: Dr Alexia Moncrieff & Dr Katherine Rawling Conference Co…
sshm.org
October 13, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The 2026 SSHM Conference will be @universityofleeds.bsky.social. The theme will be In/Out and we are inviting papers that consider experiences of being in and/or out of health or health care in any period or geographical location. #HistMed #HistSTM
sshm.org/sshm-2026/
sshm.org/sshm-2026/
There’s still time to sign up in person or online to hear Amy Wilson talk about pastoral dress & ideas about female fertility, pregnancy, and maternal identity in eighteenth century elite culture 👇
Our next seminar will be with @amywilsonstorey.bsky.social on Tuesday 7th. October '25 from 17:30BST. Amy will present '‘Good’ Mothers and Fashionable Dress in Eighteenth-Century Elite Culture'. The abstract and details about attending can be found through the link:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
‘Good’ Mothers and Fashionable Dress in Eighteenth-Century Elite Culture
www.history.ac.uk
October 6, 2025 at 6:43 PM
There’s still time to sign up in person or online to hear Amy Wilson talk about pastoral dress & ideas about female fertility, pregnancy, and maternal identity in eighteenth century elite culture 👇
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
October 1, 2025 at 12:15 PM
We look forward to hosting you Amy!
What did #18thcentury women wear when they were pregnant? What did a ‘good’ mother look like? Which fashion was both patriotic and recommended by midwives? For the answers to all these questions join me at the #IHR on 7th Oct archive.history.ac.uk/events/good-...
September 28, 2025 at 12:38 AM
We look forward to hosting you Amy!
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
10 days until the #CFP deadline for the online workshop *Object Stories in Health and Medicine 1700-1900*.
We invite proposals for 15-minute talks on a single object related to health or medicine during the 18th & 19th centuries #histmed #histpsych #medhums
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/objec...
We invite proposals for 15-minute talks on a single object related to health or medicine during the 18th & 19th centuries #histmed #histpsych #medhums
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/objec...
Object Stories in Health and Medicine, 1700-1900 - University of Birmingham
x9artsandlaw-event,x9history-event,x9historycultures-event,x9clemt-event
www.birmingham.ac.uk
September 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM
10 days until the #CFP deadline for the online workshop *Object Stories in Health and Medicine 1700-1900*.
We invite proposals for 15-minute talks on a single object related to health or medicine during the 18th & 19th centuries #histmed #histpsych #medhums
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/objec...
We invite proposals for 15-minute talks on a single object related to health or medicine during the 18th & 19th centuries #histmed #histpsych #medhums
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/objec...
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
"How things seem is not how they are" -- more reasons to pursue the history of experience. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Can you see circles or rectangles? And does the answer depend on where you grew up? | Anil Seth
We may believe we see the world exactly as it is – but as studies of optical illusions show, it’s far more complex than that, says cognitive and computational neuroscience professor Anil Seth
www.theguardian.com
July 5, 2025 at 10:15 AM
"How things seem is not how they are" -- more reasons to pursue the history of experience. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
Great to see the video of David Turner's recent talk, 'Histories of Resistance: Disability, Agency and Embodiment in the Long Eighteenth Century' @long18thsem.bsky.social @ihrlibrary.bsky.social now available online. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... It was a great evening.
Histories of Resistance: Disability, Agency and Embodiment in the Long Eighteenth Century
British History in the Long 18th Century Semianr
www.history.ac.uk
July 4, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Great to see the video of David Turner's recent talk, 'Histories of Resistance: Disability, Agency and Embodiment in the Long Eighteenth Century' @long18thsem.bsky.social @ihrlibrary.bsky.social now available online. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... It was a great evening.
There’s still time to sign up online/in person for this important talk this weds @long18thsem.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social 👇
I'm excited to be speaking at @long18thsem.bsky.social on 30 April at @ihr.bsky.social. It's a dark topic with a lot of modern relevance given the ongoing threat to women's reproductive rights. Join in person or online (it's free)
#skystorians #history #AcademicSky
www.history.ac.uk/events/force...
#skystorians #history #AcademicSky
www.history.ac.uk/events/force...
Forced Abortion in England and Wales in the Long Eighteenth-Century
www.history.ac.uk
April 28, 2025 at 10:57 PM
There’s still time to sign up online/in person for this important talk this weds @long18thsem.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
Hello! This is 'Material Identities, Social Bodies', a Leverhulme Trust-funded research project at the University of Birmingham. Led by @kharveyhistory.bsky.social and supported by @helenesfandiary.bsky.social, it explores embodiment & social identity in C18th British letters
socialbodies.bham.ac.uk
socialbodies.bham.ac.uk
Social Bodies
Social Bodies research project website
socialbodies.bham.ac.uk
March 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Hello! This is 'Material Identities, Social Bodies', a Leverhulme Trust-funded research project at the University of Birmingham. Led by @kharveyhistory.bsky.social and supported by @helenesfandiary.bsky.social, it explores embodiment & social identity in C18th British letters
socialbodies.bham.ac.uk
socialbodies.bham.ac.uk
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
A first post on a cheering topic. Coming up in February, at Birmingham, with thanks to Lucie Ryzova and Karen Harvey: www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/hist...
Feminist histories: care, loneliness and embodiment
Panel Discussion with Dr Anna Jamieson, Professor Sarah Knott, Dr Naomi Pullin and Professor Karen Harvey.
www.birmingham.ac.uk
January 14, 2025 at 11:31 AM
A first post on a cheering topic. Coming up in February, at Birmingham, with thanks to Lucie Ryzova and Karen Harvey: www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/hist...
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
Funded PhD Studentship @UCL History and @wellcomecollection.bsky.social on project titled 'Translating Monstrosity: Constructions of Difference in #earlymodern England and France'. Deadline Jan 31st 2025. Project & application info: www.ucl.ac.uk/history/oppo.... #histmed #histsci #HSTM #bookhistory
Opportunities
Find opportunities to join UCL History in academic, research, teaching and learning, admin and other capacities below.
www.ucl.ac.uk
December 16, 2024 at 7:28 AM
Funded PhD Studentship @UCL History and @wellcomecollection.bsky.social on project titled 'Translating Monstrosity: Constructions of Difference in #earlymodern England and France'. Deadline Jan 31st 2025. Project & application info: www.ucl.ac.uk/history/oppo.... #histmed #histsci #HSTM #bookhistory
Hear, hear!!!!
The same very much applies to breastfeeding and bottle-feeding and historical constructions around these. I experienced the awful double-whammy of being subjected to the guilt and shame surrounding a c-section *plus* bottle feeding.
The same very much applies to breastfeeding and bottle-feeding and historical constructions around these. I experienced the awful double-whammy of being subjected to the guilt and shame surrounding a c-section *plus* bottle feeding.
This essay feels very close to home: 'Compared with a “natural birth” or “normal vaginal delivery,” the language used to describe caesarean birth implies that it is in some way unnatural and inferior'
I wrote about my experiences on @nursingclio.bsky.social: nursingclio.org/2024/06/13/t...
I wrote about my experiences on @nursingclio.bsky.social: nursingclio.org/2024/06/13/t...
November 29, 2024 at 10:42 AM
Hear, hear!!!!
The same very much applies to breastfeeding and bottle-feeding and historical constructions around these. I experienced the awful double-whammy of being subjected to the guilt and shame surrounding a c-section *plus* bottle feeding.
The same very much applies to breastfeeding and bottle-feeding and historical constructions around these. I experienced the awful double-whammy of being subjected to the guilt and shame surrounding a c-section *plus* bottle feeding.
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
We're delighted to welcome @healthhistory.bsky.social, who's giving his paper 'Six Misconceptions about Modern Medicine that Historical Research Undermines', this Thursday, 28th Nov! Free tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/why-we-nee.... In person only.
Why We Need the History of Health and Medicine
'Six Misconceptions about Modern Medicine that Historical Research Undermines' with Professor Matthew Smith (University of Strathcylde)
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 26, 2024 at 3:23 PM
We're delighted to welcome @healthhistory.bsky.social, who's giving his paper 'Six Misconceptions about Modern Medicine that Historical Research Undermines', this Thursday, 28th Nov! Free tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/why-we-nee.... In person only.
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
Such a delight to present my research @long18thsem.bsky.social last night. It is such a supportive & challenging forum of senior scholars - presenting here never fails to help me improve the quality of my work. Thank you everyone who came, & to all those who asked questions #skystorians 🗃️
@ihr.bsky.social @long18thsem.bsky.social Just sitting down to listen to @sarahfoxhistory.bsky.social talk about food and British identity in the 18th century.
October 10, 2024 at 10:22 AM
Such a delight to present my research @long18thsem.bsky.social last night. It is such a supportive & challenging forum of senior scholars - presenting here never fails to help me improve the quality of my work. Thank you everyone who came, & to all those who asked questions #skystorians 🗃️
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
Our fortnightly seminar series continues next Wed 9/10 at 17:30 at the IHR Wolfson Room (as well as online via Zoom) as @sarahfoxhistory.bsky.social of Edge Hill University will discuss the role of food in the formation of British identities. #c18th #britishhistory
www.history.ac.uk/events/briti...
www.history.ac.uk/events/briti...
Britishness revisited: food and the formation of British identities in the late eighteenth century
www.history.ac.uk
October 2, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Our fortnightly seminar series continues next Wed 9/10 at 17:30 at the IHR Wolfson Room (as well as online via Zoom) as @sarahfoxhistory.bsky.social of Edge Hill University will discuss the role of food in the formation of British identities. #c18th #britishhistory
www.history.ac.uk/events/briti...
www.history.ac.uk/events/briti...
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
Join us next Wed 25/9 at 17:30 either at the IHR Wolfson Room or online via Zoom as @brycchancarey.bsky.social of Northumbria University will kick off our Autumn seminar program with a paper on eighteenth century clerical naturalism. #c18th #britishhistory www.history.ac.uk/events/ratio...
The ‘rational study of God’s works’: Eighteenth-century clerical naturalists and the origins of the modern life sciences
www.history.ac.uk
September 18, 2024 at 6:48 AM
Join us next Wed 25/9 at 17:30 either at the IHR Wolfson Room or online via Zoom as @brycchancarey.bsky.social of Northumbria University will kick off our Autumn seminar program with a paper on eighteenth century clerical naturalism. #c18th #britishhistory www.history.ac.uk/events/ratio...
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
Apply by 6 Sept to become our new PG convenor! 👇
History PhD students around London: the 'British History in the Long 18th Century’ seminar at @ihr.bsky.social is looking for a postgraduate convenor for the academic year 2024/25. A stipend of £200 and a chance to get involved in a great seminar! Deadline 6 Sept. #18thCentury.
Apply below:
September 1, 2024 at 1:44 PM
Apply by 6 Sept to become our new PG convenor! 👇
A fantastic opportunity to become part of our vibrant seminar culture. Deadline 6 Sept! Don’t delay!!!
History PhD students around London: the 'British History in the Long 18th Century’ seminar at @ihr.bsky.social is looking for a postgraduate convenor for the academic year 2024/25. A stipend of £200 and a chance to get involved in a great seminar! Deadline 6 Sept. #18thCentury.
Apply below:
August 19, 2024 at 9:54 PM
A fantastic opportunity to become part of our vibrant seminar culture. Deadline 6 Sept! Don’t delay!!!
Reposted by Helen Esfandiary
Registration for #SSHM2024 is now OPEN📢
Society for the Social History of Medicine Biennial Conference 'Resistance' University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 16 - 19 July 2024 Organized by the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/d...
#histmed
Society for the Social History of Medicine Biennial Conference 'Resistance' University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 16 - 19 July 2024 Organized by the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/d...
#histmed
SSHM Biennial Conference | University of Strathclyde
www.strath.ac.uk
July 4, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Registration for #SSHM2024 is now OPEN📢
Society for the Social History of Medicine Biennial Conference 'Resistance' University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 16 - 19 July 2024 Organized by the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/d...
#histmed
Society for the Social History of Medicine Biennial Conference 'Resistance' University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 16 - 19 July 2024 Organized by the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/d...
#histmed
