Joanna Bourke

@joannabourke.bsky.social

1.2K followers 760 following 72 posts

Historian curious about violence, the emotions, and what it means to be human. Currently writing a book on Women and Wine! See joannabourke.com

Videos

Joanna Bourke is a British historian and academic. She is professor of history at Birkbeck, University of London.

Source: Wikipedia

Political science 32%

History 28%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Joanna Bourke

Mary Fissell @maryfissell.bsky.social · 2d

Delighted to hear that Pushback is on the shelf @ www.staygoldbooks.com! If you are in Pittsburgh, be sure to catch this lovely indy bookshop in Regent Square. Not in Pgh? bit.ly/4iwTsoL

Reposted by Joanna Bourke, Lesley A. Hall

Sarah Bull @sarahebull.bsky.social · 2d

Really like this article on the circulation of the Marquis de Sade's works in C19 England, looking at everything from adaptation/imitation/influence to two-penny serial parts of Nouvelle Justine.

www.jstor.org/stable/10.56...

The Marquis de Sade in English, 1800–1850 on JSTOR

Will McMorran, The Marquis de Sade in English, 1800–1850, The Modern Language Review, Vol. 112, No. 3 (July 2017), pp. 549-566

www.jstor.org

Reposted by Joanna Bourke, Lesley A. Hall, Margot C. Finn , and 4 more Joanna Bourke, Lesley A. Hall, Margot C. Finn, Michael H. Whitworth, Gary Sheffield, Catriona Seth, Alex Drace‐Francis

Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 3d

WAC wrong-headedness
(that's the BBC Written Archives Centre)

I've brought together the key links for the campaign against the changes which now make independent and exploratory research at WAC impossible - and why this matters.

www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/wac-wrong-he...

WAC wrong-headedness - Illuminations

John Wyver writes: Some of you will know that I have been very involved over the past months with attempts to reverse the wrong-headed changes to access at the BBC Written Archives Centre (above, with...

www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk

Reposted by Joanna Bourke, Lesley A. Hall, Margot C. Finn , and 1 more Joanna Bourke, Lesley A. Hall, Margot C. Finn, Julia Hillner

Daniel Grey @djrgrey.bsky.social · 13d

Critical introduction to forthcoming "Gender & Segregation" special issue of @genderandhistory.bsky.social by Lisa Hellman, @writinghelena.bsky.social, Rachel Jean-Baptiste & me is now out and #OpenAccess! Issue itself to follow shortly... 🌟

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Gender and Segregation: An Introduction

This introduction to the Special Issue explores the ways in which a gendered analysis illuminates histories of segregation. It argues three key points. First, it is essential to understand segregatio....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Reposted by Joanna Bourke

CSHHH @cshhh.bsky.social · 14d

One last reminder and then I promise I will stop but if you are anywhere near Glasgow on Wednesday do please come celebrate 20 years of the @cshhh.bsky.social with us! Talks from the fantastic Tracey Loughran and @joannabourke.bsky.social, drinks and @unistrathclyde.bsky.social's best snacks!

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · 15d

I'm breaking my silence with another cocktail blog as part of my 'Let's Lighten Up' series. It is for a spicy tsiporos (or grappa) cocktail. I enjoy it. Try it!
Here is the recipe: www.joannabourke.com/post/spicy-g...

Spicy Tsipouro (or Grappa) Cocktail

Confession: I am not keen on spicy cocktails, but make an exception for this one. And my Greek friends like it, so that is a good reason to shake away! 4/10 Greek tsipouro or Italian grappa4/10 pear ...

www.joannabourke.com

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · 15d

I'm breaking my silence with another cocktail blog as part of my 'Let's Lighten Up' series. It is for a spicy tsiporos (or grappa) cocktail. I enjoy it. Try it!

Reposted by Joanna Bourke, Keith Lilley

Conor Brockbank @conorbrockbank.bsky.social · 19d

Looking forward to this week’s @qubhistory.bsky.social seminar, co-ordinated with @publichistoryqub.bsky.social, with Dr Laura Aguiar (UU) speaking this week! Snacks and drinks provided as usual. For more information & to sign up online follow the link below below:
www.eventbrite.com/e/qub-histor...

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · 20d

I am thrilled to be part of this 20th anniversary of the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare in Glasgow. Will be speaking about 'Violent Women, Femininity, and Medical Professionals'. Would love to see you!

Reposted by Joanna Bourke, Lesley A. Hall, Laura Kelly

Dr Hannah J. Elizabeth @sexhistorian.bsky.social · 21d

Join us on Wednesday afternoon next week for the @cshhh.bsky.social 20th anniversary! We have two fantastic public lectures from Tracey Loughran & @joannabourke.bsky.social! Tell your friends, tell your students and come along! #HistSex #HistMed

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · 28d

Looking forward to speaking at the 20th anniversary of the Centre for the Social History of Health & Healthcare, University of Strathclyde, alongside the incredible Tracey Loughran. I speak about violent women and medical profession. Join us, 29th Oct: from 3.30pm: www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/d...

Reposted by Lesley A. Hall

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · 28d

Looking forward to speaking at the 20th anniversary of the Centre for the Social History of Health & Healthcare at University of Strathclyde, alongside the incredible Tracey Loughran. I speak about violent women and medical profession. Join us, 29th Oct: from 3.30pm: www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/d...

Centre for the Social History of Health & Healthcare seminar series | University of Strathclyde

www.strath.ac.uk

Reposted by Joanna Bourke

Senthorun S. Raj @senthorun.bsky.social · 28d

“She affirmed that our lives hold meaning and that we stand on the shoulders of giants like her, whose courageous love and relentless fight assured our right to live with dignity.”

RIP, Miss Major.

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, activist since Stonewall, has died

The LGBTQ+ community — and particularly the transgender community — has lost an iconic activist.

www.advocate.com

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · 28d

I will definitely join. Thanks for drawing this to my attention.

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · Oct 11

The Sainsbury Centre at the University of East Anglia has produced a beautiful volume based on the exhibition 'Can We Stop Killing Each Other?' (showing until mid-2026). Recommend the exhibition and book: sainsburycentre.ac.uk/whats-on/can... @sainsburycentre.bsky.social @ueahistory.bsky.social

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · Oct 8

The production, National Theatre, is incredible. I strongly recommend it. Strong cast, brilliant feminist analysis, plenty of contemporary relevance. A few jarring moments, but far outweighed by a celebration of women, wine, difference, and gods amongst the refugees. Open-mouth awe, with laughter

Reposted by Joanna Bourke

Dr Hannah J. Elizabeth @sexhistorian.bsky.social · Oct 8

Really looking forward to the @cshhh.bsky.social 20th Anniversary later this month, with Tracey Loughran and @joannabourke.bsky.social giving public lectures to help us celebrate! #HistSex #HistRepro #HistMed

Reposted by Joanna Bourke

CSHHH @cshhh.bsky.social · Oct 6

We are thrilled to announce that @joannabourke.bsky.social and Tracey Loughran will be helping us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the @cshhh.bsky.social. Come along on the 29th of October to hear two fantastic public lectures and to raise a glass with us. Register here:
tinyurl.com/4k98rn7w

Reposted by Joanna Bourke

Lisa Diedrich @lisadiedrich.bsky.social · Oct 4

Look at this gorgeous cover for Keywords/Keyimages in Graphic Medicine!! Thanks to Ian Williams for giving us permission to use his image on the cover, which captures brilliantly the concept & structure of the book. Briana Martino (@briwok.bsky.social) & I are grateful & thrilled!
#GraphicMedicine

Book cover for Keywords/Keyimages in Graphic Medicine edited by Lisa Diedrich and Briana Martino. The image on the cover is from Ian Williams, & is a version of an image from his book The Bad Doctor, a graphic narrative based on his own experience with OCD. A boy is in bed with his hands folded in prayer & his thoughts take the form of a sefirot surrounding his head.

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · Oct 4

I have been writing about Euripides’ The Bacchae for my new book on Wine & Women. It speaks to my lifelong curiosity about orgiastic violence, the gods, female resistance, & wine. I have seen other productions i.e. the Epidaurus Theatre, so can't wait to watch the new National Theatre production.

Reposted by Joanna Bourke

UB History @ubuffalohistory.bsky.social · Sep 29

📚 New faculty book alert! In Birth Politics, Ogechukwu E. Williams examines childbirth in Nigeria from the colonial era to the present to consider the complex relationships between traditional midwives, biomedical maternities & faith-based birthing homes. @hopkinspress.bsky.social #ubuffalo #histmed

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · Sep 29

Some of you will know that I am writing a book on 'Wine and Women' (a celebration, not misery lit!). I just heard that the 'bar suffragette' Merle Thornton died, aged 93. I wish I had met her. See why: www.joannabourke.com/blog

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · Sep 26

Fabulous conference at CHAM Açores - Centro de Humanidades / Universidade dos Açores, on 'Fears, Beliefs, and Representations. Some enlightening papers in Portuguese and English. Thanks to the organisers.

Reposted by Joanna Bourke, Lesley A. Hall, Michael H. Whitworth

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Sep 24

'Even when women were mentioned, the report found they were more often victims than protagonists, with the women murdered by Jack the Ripper more likely to be taught in lessons than the female code breakers at Bletchley Park during the second world war 1/2

School history lessons minimise the role of women, report finds

Campaigners say key stage 3 curriculum plays to misogny and teaches a ‘false version of the past’

www.theguardian.com

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · Sep 13

check this out: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025....

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · Sep 13

Check this out: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

UC Berkeley shares 160 names with Trump administration in ‘McCarthy era’ move

Prominent professor Judith Butler among students and faculty investigated for ‘alleged antisemitic incidents’

www.theguardian.com

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · Sep 13

Outraged that UC Berkeley is pursuing allegations of antisemitism against Judith Butler & 160 others, initiated by the Republican administration. Butler has been open about their critique of the policies of the state of Israel but has always fought against racism & antisemitism. Shame on you.

Reposted by Joanna Bourke

Peter Edwards @peedwards.bsky.social · Sep 13

I fear the parallels with McCarthyism underplay the risks. Having recently finished reading Harald Jahner’s excellent Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany, the echos of 1930s Germany are more chilling.

Joanna Bourke @joannabourke.bsky.social · Sep 13

McCarthyism is here, and gender scholars and equality activists and even basic human/legal rights proponents are in its sights. I have learnt so much from Judith Butler and now this: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

UC Berkeley shares 160 names with Trump administration in ‘McCarthy era’ move

Prominent professor Judith Butler among students and faculty investigated for ‘alleged antisemitic incidents’

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Joanna Bourke, Elizabeth Stokoe, Fabián Muniesa , and 1 more Joanna Bourke, Elizabeth Stokoe, Fabián Muniesa, Nathan P. Kalmoe

Julia Carrie Wong @joolia.bsky.social · Sep 12

“Did you consider not complying with this request?”

Judith Butler spoke to @samtlevin.bsky.social about being reported to the feds by UC Berkeley for supposed antisemitism

UC Berkeley shares 160 names with Trump administration in ‘McCarthy era’ move

Prominent professor Judith Butler among students and faculty investigated for ‘alleged antisemitic incidents’

Light upyour news

Sign in to Lightnews

Sign up to start reading

Connect Bluesky

Connect with Bluesky

Light up
your news