Laura Sellers
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laurasellers.bsky.social
Laura Sellers
@laurasellers.bsky.social
6.6K followers 1.1K following 67 posts
Historian of medicine, science, forensics & prisons. Freelance curator and heritage consultant. Former curator at Thackray Museum of Medicine. She/her
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Laura Sellers
emilyherring.bsky.social
In 2016, @laurasellers.bsky.social, @kevinmatthewjones.bsky.social, Konstantin Kiprijanov and I interviewed Jon for the Integrated History and Philosophy of Science conference we had organised. You can watch the interview here ihpsleeds.wordpress.com/keynotes/
Keynotes
The keynotes for the first International IHPS Forum were delivered by Dr Jon Hodge and Dr Chiara Ambrosio. Jon’s keynote took the form of a video interview that discussed the current situatio…
ihpsleeds.wordpress.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
No context museum objects
A cream brick pillar with a white plastic sign reading 'miscellaneous tumours' in black font
May 11, 2025 at 7:48 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
Potential candidate for the least appetising recipe: Party Cheese Log.
Hand written recipe for "party cheese log" which reads "3 cocktail gerkins finely chopped. 4ozs grated cheddar cheese. 8ozs cream cheese. 1/4 level teaspoon mustard. 1 level tablespoon mayonnaise. 1 teaspoon grated onion. 1/2 level teaspoon salt. Pepper. 2oz chopped walnuts. 1. Mix together all ingredients, except walnuts, very thoroughly. 2. Turn mixture onto a sheet of greaseproof paper, shape into a log, wrap in foil and refrigerate until requires. 3. To serve remove papers and coat evenly with walnuts. 4. This dish can be kept in fridge for a month."
March 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
Apparently laughing after 9pm is offensive
Black and white cat with long white whiskers lining in a yellow blanket looking disgruntled
February 13, 2025 at 10:51 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
This 1923 model shows the Stanley Road, Leeds, disinfestation unit. It was an epitome of public health programmes at the time.
A house shaped model showing a cross section of the building. On the right is a brown panelled door and the left a large circular door with pipes coming from the top. The walls are off white.
February 12, 2025 at 3:38 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
There's something amazing about very tiny things.
A museum display of a miniature metal operating table, a miniature ceramic chamber pot and two pairs of miniature glasses with cases.
January 27, 2025 at 8:05 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
Public service announcement: To check your eggs are still good simply drop them gently into a cup of water. If it sinks, all good. If it stands on its end, eat it quick. If it floats, bin it.
December 18, 2024 at 5:32 PM
Reposted by Laura Sellers
oispooky.bsky.social
Single and looking for love?

This 1899 Illustrated Police Budget article has the answer 🥚🤍
Clip from a late-Victorian newspaper article headlined CUPID IN AN EGG. It reads: In the spring of 1898 an Illinois farmer's daughter, Margaret Gehl, wrote her name and address on an egg she was packing for export. It was the largest egg she could find and she trusted it would bring her a lover. The egg was unpacked in Boston by a cook named Charles G Duffy who was so struck by the possibilities of the writing that he sent a letter to the girl. She replied, but before they could meet Duffy went to Porto Rico with the 6th Massachusetts Volunteers. When he came home covered in glory, the ex cook lost no time going to Margaret's farm, for he had corresponded with her all the time he was at war. Happily he found the maiden all that his fancy had painted her to be and they are now engaged to be married.
December 10, 2024 at 8:57 AM
laurasellers.bsky.social
With two kids under three objects stuck in throats are a real risk. Luckily there's an infallible recipe for that with two simple ingredients, gunpowder and your favourite alcoholic drink...
A historic hand written recipe on off white paper. It reads: "A recipe for a pin or anything yhay sticks in the throat. Take a spoonful of Gunpowder and mix it in a porridge of beer, ale or what you like best. When it's well stirred from the bottom drink itt off and itt will carry down with itt whatever troubles you."
December 9, 2024 at 9:53 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
It takes a certain amount of confidence to publish multiple pictures of yourself in leopard print pants.
Two black and white photos printed in a book showing a muscular white man with dark curly hair and mustache, wearing leopard print pants and Greek style sandals. He's shown full length, in profile on the left and straight on in the righthand picture, he's flexing his muscles in both showing classic body builder poses.
December 3, 2024 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by Laura Sellers
titachico.bsky.social
Happy anniversary to my favorite copy editor comment of all time.

"You use 'long eighteenth century' a lot in this book, but each century is exactly as long as another."
"You use "long eighteenth century" a lot in this book, but each century is exactly as long as another. I do see in your bibliography that there is a book that uses this. If you want to keep "long" here, please provide a brief explanation of what you mean. After that, I see no need to keep reminding your readers of it..
December 1, 2024 at 6:53 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
Is there a way to check which starter packs you've been included on?
December 1, 2024 at 9:39 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
Unnerving dolls, every museum needs them.

These ones were actually made for paediatrics to explain what to expect during/after surgery to patients and their parents.
5 small plastic dolls wearing handmade clothes, bandages and braces and one large fabric doll with yellow woolen hair, a purple jumper and red trousers sat together on s desk.
November 26, 2024 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by Laura Sellers
outonthemoors.bsky.social
Abbot: Your manuscripts are looking dull. Try to jazz up the illustrations
Monk: 'K
Early Renaissance manuscript illustrated initial letter K showing a naked man - a prisoner with a ball and chain - sitting in a chair with his legs extended before him and a big peacock-like bird diving in to peck at his genitals (Kyrie initial from Jean Courtois' "Missa Domine quis habitabit", 1542, in the Cambrai Library)
November 23, 2023 at 3:49 AM
Reposted by Laura Sellers
alicehewson.bsky.social
This is my plea to anyone involved in recruitment to use your position of power and influence, to prioritise true inclusive recruitment practices, offer feedback and keep people informed throughout the process.
November 22, 2024 at 10:18 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
Introducing the work of Lorina Bulwer.
A hand stitched sampler in many colours (including greens pinks, yellows and blacks) with continuous prose, written in capitals, some of which is underlined. In the centre of the image is a pink box with the words "Prejudice Pink-Think Principle" hand stitched on it.
November 22, 2024 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Laura Sellers
sexhistorian.bsky.social
JOB KLAXON 📢

Would you (or someone excellent you know) like to come do a funded history #PhD with @rebwright.bsky.social and me on the 'Carbon Bodies' project? 🥵🥶🌡️

Info on the project: t.co/IlbeVLiQAm

Info on the PhD #JobAlert: t.co/v6zr8fR0RH

#HSTM #HistMed #HistSci
a red and white thermometer is showing a temperature of 68 degrees celsius
Alt: a red and white thermometer is shown with the temperature rising up and down
media.tenor.com
November 13, 2024 at 12:04 PM
Reposted by Laura Sellers
drfernriddell.bsky.social
There is something intensely soothing about waking up to a feed that is mostly academics and historians and journalists tweeting cool stuff, rather than a collective scream in a bin fire, conspiracy theories, and nazis.
November 22, 2024 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by Laura Sellers
ihr.bsky.social
Celebrated historian and broadcaster David Olusoga will deliver the inaugural National Humanities Lecture!

The first of its kind, the lecture will make the case for the humanities and explore how new ideas are emerging.

Find out more and book: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
November 18, 2024 at 2:28 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
More cat-a-logs should be printed. This edition is from 1967, manufactures of sutures and wound closing devices, Ethicon, provided pictures of cats and practising nurses captioned them. Because why not?
Front cover of a catalogue showing a black and white picture of a light coloured cat with its mouth open and a frustrated expression. The cat is captioned 'Oh yeah! Well hold your own retractor then!' Underneath on a brown background it reads 'ETHICON. CAT-A-LOG' A double spread of an open booklet. The left page shows a black and white image of a fluffy white cat in profile looking off into the distance. It's captioned 'Sister told me not to take my eyes off the drip'. The right hand page has a black and white photo of two cats upright on thier back legs thier front paws are making contact. It is captioned 'I said "lumbar" not "rumba"'
November 17, 2024 at 9:06 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
For those of you considering a career in museums, this could be your life...
Photo taken in a museum store showing boxes in the background and a white, brown haired woman in jeans and a cream jumper, crouched down and polishing the lower half of a naked, gold male statue. (It's actually for acupuncture)
November 15, 2024 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Laura Sellers
barrieshannon.com
Reposting my queer and trans studies feed for anybody who is new and wants a way to connect with others in the field. It will automatically catalogue your posts if you use the rainbow and graduation cap emojis together 🌈🎓
November 14, 2024 at 8:10 AM
laurasellers.bsky.social
Job alert for a historian of medicine or health over in Manchester
ctimmermann.bsky.social Carsten Timmermann @ctimmermann.bsky.social · Nov 13
Join us - come and work with us!
manchstm.bsky.social MancHSTM @manchstm.bsky.social · Nov 13
JOB KLAXON: We are hiring a Lecturer in History of Medicine and/or Health (FT & permanent); we're encouraging applications from colleagues with expertise in history of mental health & mental illness. Please share and repost.
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
#HistMed #HistSTM #HistPsych
November 13, 2024 at 9:35 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
Throw back to our museum redevelopment when we had to move mannequins around the building.
A realistic mannequin of a white, 30-something, red-headed male in Victorian costume, including black trousers and a navy jacket, holding a surgical knife in his left hand and frowning.
November 11, 2024 at 10:16 PM
laurasellers.bsky.social
Visitor feedback is always appreciated.
A white piece of paper pegged to a rope with the outline of a tshirt with the words "I was my bum" handwritten in pencil on it.
November 11, 2024 at 10:35 AM