Laurence Totelin
@ltotelin.bsky.social
Historian of Ancient Mediterranean science and medicine. Mother of two. Feminist. Plant lover. Trade unionist. Super Belgie. Welsh by adoption. Many typos.
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
'people who are multilingual are half as likely to show signs of accelerated biological ageing than are those who speak just one language.'
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Want a younger brain? Learn another language
A vast study suggests that being multilingual can slow down cognitive ageing.
www.nature.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
'people who are multilingual are half as likely to show signs of accelerated biological ageing than are those who speak just one language.'
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
We are also currently hiring a curatorial fellow to work with the papers of Rosalind Franklin and others in the History of Molecular Biology Collection!
This is a 2-year staff position in the archive with a salary of $55k/year and full benefits:
www.sciencehistory.org/research/fel...
This is a 2-year staff position in the archive with a salary of $55k/year and full benefits:
www.sciencehistory.org/research/fel...
For those with a scholarly interest in Franklin, Watson, and other pioneering researchers in molecular biology, @sciencehistory.org has just opened our new landmark collection of their papers, and applications for research fellowships are currently open:
www.sciencehistory.org/hmbc
www.sciencehistory.org/hmbc
History of Molecular Biology Collection
This unparalleled collection includes Rosalind Franklin's historic 'Photo 51,' which revealed the double-helix structure of DNA.
www.sciencehistory.org
November 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
We are also currently hiring a curatorial fellow to work with the papers of Rosalind Franklin and others in the History of Molecular Biology Collection!
This is a 2-year staff position in the archive with a salary of $55k/year and full benefits:
www.sciencehistory.org/research/fel...
This is a 2-year staff position in the archive with a salary of $55k/year and full benefits:
www.sciencehistory.org/research/fel...
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
A few years ago I bought the tunic of a First World War soldier of the US 89th Infantry Division. The veteran clearly wore his uniform after the war at services of remembrance, for in his breast pocket was this - a very old and crumpled crepe paper poppy.
#RemembranceDay
#RemembranceDay
November 9, 2025 at 12:44 PM
A few years ago I bought the tunic of a First World War soldier of the US 89th Infantry Division. The veteran clearly wore his uniform after the war at services of remembrance, for in his breast pocket was this - a very old and crumpled crepe paper poppy.
#RemembranceDay
#RemembranceDay
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
You never quite know what you will find when renovating buildings. Sometime it is bad and costly news but in this case it was interesting. While restoring the 19th-century University of Huddersfield's Ramsden building Henry Boot Construction uncovered some hand-painted Victorian wallpaper hidden
November 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
You never quite know what you will find when renovating buildings. Sometime it is bad and costly news but in this case it was interesting. While restoring the 19th-century University of Huddersfield's Ramsden building Henry Boot Construction uncovered some hand-painted Victorian wallpaper hidden
Almost ten months since my job and that of many colleagues has been put at risk. We lost our degrees and now we are in limbo. The situation brings out both the best and the worst in people, and it is exhausting. In the grand scheme is is nothing, of course, but I'm so tired and often so sad.
November 7, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Almost ten months since my job and that of many colleagues has been put at risk. We lost our degrees and now we are in limbo. The situation brings out both the best and the worst in people, and it is exhausting. In the grand scheme is is nothing, of course, but I'm so tired and often so sad.
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
We're hiring in history of science at UW Madison! TT Assistant Professorship with a focus on water. Joint appointment between the History and Integrated Liberal Studies depts, and part of a university-wide hiring cluster on earth/sustainability science. jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess... #STS #HSMT
Professor of History - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:FacultyEmployment Type:Regula...
jobs.wisc.edu
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
We're hiring in history of science at UW Madison! TT Assistant Professorship with a focus on water. Joint appointment between the History and Integrated Liberal Studies depts, and part of a university-wide hiring cluster on earth/sustainability science. jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess... #STS #HSMT
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
Wow! 😮🤩
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
November 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Wow! 😮🤩
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
Sounds sadly familiar. Solidarity
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Sounds sadly familiar. Solidarity
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I found my 30s difficult for this very reason. You are always either too old or too young. I found turning 40 (a while ago now) extremely liberating!
A 34-year-old as a politician: My god he's like a baby. It's like they just elected an infant to be their mayor.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
November 6, 2025 at 12:44 PM
I found my 30s difficult for this very reason. You are always either too old or too young. I found turning 40 (a while ago now) extremely liberating!
I have no doubt that the observed toxicity exists. But trying to solve that issue by trying to 'streamline' (or whatever phrase they use 'modernise', 'make more agile') ancient democratic structures, is bound to accelerate the demise of UK HE.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
'Power struggles and toxic culture' at University of Aberdeen
A review says the structure at the University of Aberdeen is "overly complex and lacking clarity".
www.bbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I have no doubt that the observed toxicity exists. But trying to solve that issue by trying to 'streamline' (or whatever phrase they use 'modernise', 'make more agile') ancient democratic structures, is bound to accelerate the demise of UK HE.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
Hoping this helps our colleagues across the industry
November 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Hoping this helps our colleagues across the industry
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
Such wonderful news for @melkatrey.bsky.social, an excellent co-editor at The Recipes Project!
This year, the John Ben Snow Prize is awarded to Melissa Reynolds for her book Reading Practice: The Pursuit of Natural Knowledge from Manuscript to Print. Congrats @melkatrey.bsky.social !! 👏 @uchicagopress.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Such wonderful news for @melkatrey.bsky.social, an excellent co-editor at The Recipes Project!
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
This. Also: We’ve no idea how much groundbreaking research we might actually be missing out on when core research doesn’t have the opportunity to gradually unfold, take place without being tailored to surface claims about high impact and fantastic deliverables.
We need more "unfunded" research, not less. Or rather, we need more "core" funding and much less project based funding. Then universities can *invest* in core research infrastructure (including people), reduce precarity, and focus on growing and retaining talent.
November 5, 2025 at 6:45 AM
This. Also: We’ve no idea how much groundbreaking research we might actually be missing out on when core research doesn’t have the opportunity to gradually unfold, take place without being tailored to surface claims about high impact and fantastic deliverables.
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
What's that? You want another Tang Dynasty camel? Here you are, then.
November 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
What's that? You want another Tang Dynasty camel? Here you are, then.
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
Great example. I’ve often heard people say they believe medieval people discouraged or punished female literacy, whereas Mary is usually shown reading during the Annunciation, so every medieval person constantly saw images of the #1 female role model reading. The anti-learning Middle Ages is a myth.
St Anne teaching the Virgin to read, carved stone, France, Troyes, ca. 1500-1530
(V&A Museum, London)
(V&A Museum, London)
November 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Great example. I’ve often heard people say they believe medieval people discouraged or punished female literacy, whereas Mary is usually shown reading during the Annunciation, so every medieval person constantly saw images of the #1 female role model reading. The anti-learning Middle Ages is a myth.
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
Félicitations au professeur Jitse Dijkstra (UOttawa), nouvellement élu membre de la Société royale du Canada! Il fait partie des rares classicistes canadiens à recevoir cet honneur, aux côtés de son collègue Richard Burgess. #SOSÉtudesAnciennesUO #Antiquité #Ottawa #AntiquitéTardive
November 4, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Félicitations au professeur Jitse Dijkstra (UOttawa), nouvellement élu membre de la Société royale du Canada! Il fait partie des rares classicistes canadiens à recevoir cet honneur, aux côtés de son collègue Richard Burgess. #SOSÉtudesAnciennesUO #Antiquité #Ottawa #AntiquitéTardive
How cool is this? Never understood why some teachers require students to 'give them their full attention'. Why discourage the creativity that goes into doodling and day dreaming?
We have lots of student notebooks containing sketches on anatomy, diseases etc, however, this one is by far our favourite. It shows Joseph Lister, father of antiseptic surgery, disappearing through a trapdoor after his lecture in Glasgow in 1868. Now that's how to make an exit!
#Museum30 #Sketchbook
#Museum30 #Sketchbook
November 4, 2025 at 12:43 PM
How cool is this? Never understood why some teachers require students to 'give them their full attention'. Why discourage the creativity that goes into doodling and day dreaming?
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
We have lots of student notebooks containing sketches on anatomy, diseases etc, however, this one is by far our favourite. It shows Joseph Lister, father of antiseptic surgery, disappearing through a trapdoor after his lecture in Glasgow in 1868. Now that's how to make an exit!
#Museum30 #Sketchbook
#Museum30 #Sketchbook
November 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
We have lots of student notebooks containing sketches on anatomy, diseases etc, however, this one is by far our favourite. It shows Joseph Lister, father of antiseptic surgery, disappearing through a trapdoor after his lecture in Glasgow in 1868. Now that's how to make an exit!
#Museum30 #Sketchbook
#Museum30 #Sketchbook
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
For #CoffeeWithACodex on November 6 (12pm ET, Zoom), Lawrence J. Schoenberg Curator Nick Herman will bring out Ms. Codex 2324, a Flemish illuminated book of hours including 6 full-page arched miniatures and 15 historiated initials on gold grounds. #medievalsky
Register here: https://bit.ly/48JljzY
Register here: https://bit.ly/48JljzY
Coffee with a Codex: Flemish Book of Hours
An informal lunch or coffee time to meet virtually with Kislak curators and talk about one of the manuscripts from Penn's collections. Each week we'll feature a different...
bit.ly
November 2, 2025 at 8:10 PM
For #CoffeeWithACodex on November 6 (12pm ET, Zoom), Lawrence J. Schoenberg Curator Nick Herman will bring out Ms. Codex 2324, a Flemish illuminated book of hours including 6 full-page arched miniatures and 15 historiated initials on gold grounds. #medievalsky
Register here: https://bit.ly/48JljzY
Register here: https://bit.ly/48JljzY
Tests don't improve literacy. And being 'ready to take on unions' really translates as 'I'm trying to pander to some parts of the electorate by needlessly fighting with those who actually work in the sector'.
If you want kids to read:
-Reopen the closed libraries
-Give them free books
-Sponsor author visits in schools with high % pupil premium or FSM students
-Work on adult literacy
Then Y8s will have a chance of passing this test
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
-Reopen the closed libraries
-Give them free books
-Sponsor author visits in schools with high % pupil premium or FSM students
-Work on adult literacy
Then Y8s will have a chance of passing this test
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Bridget Phillipson ‘ready to take on unions’ over year 8 reading tests
Education secretary says mandatory test needed to tackle ‘shocking outcomes’ for many working-class children
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Tests don't improve literacy. And being 'ready to take on unions' really translates as 'I'm trying to pander to some parts of the electorate by needlessly fighting with those who actually work in the sector'.
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
From tomorrow I’ll be knitting every day for a month in aid of Dementia UK. I will try to post a picture of my progress each day. This is my starting point, just over half way through the central section of a shawl with three borders.
If you can, please donate: www.facebook.com/donate/83589...
If you can, please donate: www.facebook.com/donate/83589...
October 31, 2025 at 8:33 PM
From tomorrow I’ll be knitting every day for a month in aid of Dementia UK. I will try to post a picture of my progress each day. This is my starting point, just over half way through the central section of a shawl with three borders.
If you can, please donate: www.facebook.com/donate/83589...
If you can, please donate: www.facebook.com/donate/83589...
Reposted by Laurence Totelin
Quelqu'un·e pour trouver la source de cette image? (Un truc un peu plus précis que Allemagne XVe siècle?)
October 31, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Quelqu'un·e pour trouver la source de cette image? (Un truc un peu plus précis que Allemagne XVe siècle?)