Dr. Kristina Downs
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Dr. Kristina Downs
@kristinadowns.bsky.social
Folklorist. Childless cat lady. Wine maker. Goth fairy. I research legend and crime. She/her

Thoughts are my own, not speaking for anyone else.
My Welsh DuoLingo is getting dark. "One of the thieves was killed by the parsnips." I'm guessing the police should interview Owen about this?
September 24, 2025 at 5:11 PM
So many bad things happening on this planet, here's a couple of small good things: One of my students turned in a presentation on Audre Lorde that was so well done I literally teared up with pride. (Not in myself, he's only been my student for three weeks. Just proud to have smart students.)
September 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Weird stuff you learn when you Google yourself: apparently my first academic publication is assigned reading for an Environmental Science class.
August 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I have wasp nests all over the exterior of my house. I used to try to spray them, but they'd just rebuild somewhere else. I don't like using spray because of concerns over pollinators and neighborhood animals. Besides, they're paper wasps, so they aren't aggressive. So I gave up.
August 5, 2025 at 11:11 PM
I used my birthday gift cards to buy compression socks and a cookbook, so I think I am officially middle aged.
July 18, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Reposted by Dr. Kristina Downs
ANNOUNCEMENT!
The #FolkloreThursdayVRSocial at @culturalfutureshub.bsky.social:
3 July, 1-2pm BST!

The theme of the day this time is... the folklore of travel and holidays!

Join us for an hour of folklore chat and socialising!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/folkloreth...

#folklorethursday
#FolkloreThursday VR Social @ The Cultural Futures Hub! (3 July, 1-2pm BST)
Join Dee Dee Chainey and Willow Winsham at the #FolkoreThursday and Cultural Futures Hub MASHUP! An hour of folklore chat and socialising!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
June 27, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Next up is Patricia Sawin with MAGA self-extrication stories #ISCLR2025
June 26, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Our first paper after lunch is Theo Meder with "Creative, Narrative, and Analytical Skills of AI" #ISCLR2025
June 26, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Next up: the amazing Libby Tucker with. "Play, Ritual, and Legends during the COVID-19 Pandemic " #ISCLR2025
June 26, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Our next presentation is Laszlo Mark presenting on organ transplant legends #ISCLR2025
June 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Andrea Kitta starts the next panel with "A Reconsideration of the Symbolism of the Hook Legend" #ISCLR2025
June 26, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The next presentation will be "The Crucified Soldier: A Wartime Legend of Propaganda and Religion" presented by James Deutsch and Nadja Gavran #ISCLR2025
June 26, 2025 at 7:33 AM
After a day of excursions, #ISCLR2025 resumes this morning with Jeanmarie Rouhier-Willoughby presenting on the legend of JD Vance.
June 26, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Today's last paper will be Zuzana Panczova presenting, "Phosphorus Man: Threats Lurking in the Streets" #ISCLR2025
June 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Next up Brandon Barker will discuss folk illusion in/and/as legends #ISCLR2025
June 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Last panel of the day begins with Erik Ostling presenting on the channeling motif in extraterrestrial abduction narrative #ISCLR2025
June 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
I'm on this next panel, so I will not be posting much. We start with Ian Brodie discussing the overlaps between jokes and legend #ISCLR2025
June 24, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The next presenter is Clai Rice who will be presenting on folk etymology as legend. #ISCLR2025
June 24, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Our next panel starts with Gail de Vos presenting about wildlife conspiracy theories. #ISCLR2025
June 24, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Third paper of this session is presented by Adam Grydehoj (co-authored with Gang Hong) on the threat of the Other #ISCLR2025
June 24, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Next up is Jakob Lofgren presenting on affect and witnessing legendary creatures online. #ISCLR2025
June 24, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Kicking off #ISCLR2025 with one of our hosts, Henrik Olinder, looking at rumors and crisis communication.
June 24, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Final paper of the day is presented by Jesse Fivecoate and looks at a ghost story from Northern Ireland in the late 1980s. #ISCLR2025
June 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Next up is one our hosts, Tommy Kuusela presenting on Scandinavian changelings. ##ISCLR2025
June 23, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Final panel of the day starts with Sofia Wanstrom on the "legend of the single woman. " #ISCLR2025
June 23, 2025 at 1:20 PM