Rachel Moss
@menysnoweballes.bsky.social
Associate Professor in History @uninorthampton.bsky.social, Departmental Tutor @oxlifelonglearning.bsky.social. Current research interests: late medieval family, gender, literary culture; medievalism and the extreme right.
Who wants to learn more about medieval chivalry AND get to chat to me for an hour live every week (plus plenty of forum-based interaction also)? Of course you do: www.lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/medi... Please share with any friends who might enjoy it!
Medieval Chivalry
Chivalry was more than medieval knights in shining armour jousting for the love of fair ladies. This course explores how chivalric values profoundly shaped political, literary and artistic cultures fr...
www.lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk
January 29, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Who wants to learn more about medieval chivalry AND get to chat to me for an hour live every week (plus plenty of forum-based interaction also)? Of course you do: www.lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/medi... Please share with any friends who might enjoy it!
Reposted by Rachel Moss
Just a reminder that my new book on the Blair years is in the @manchesterup.bsky.social SALE right now - and it's only £12 in hardback! You've got until Saturday night to snap up the bargain...
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526146328/
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526146328/
Manchester University Press - New Labour, New Britain?
New Labour, New Britain? - Browse and buy the Hardcover edition of New Labour, New Britain? by Glen O'Hara
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Just a reminder that my new book on the Blair years is in the @manchesterup.bsky.social SALE right now - and it's only £12 in hardback! You've got until Saturday night to snap up the bargain...
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526146328/
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526146328/
Reposted by Rachel Moss
Just started doing new data analysis and I know I keep saying this, but: I really, really don't think people appreciate how much this moral panic was a deliberate and extremely expensive invention.
January 28, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Just started doing new data analysis and I know I keep saying this, but: I really, really don't think people appreciate how much this moral panic was a deliberate and extremely expensive invention.
Reposted by Rachel Moss
We had eradicated this disease.
And now because of targeted disinformation, children, immunocompromised people, elderly folks, and so many others become victims in this proxy war and we have a new avoidable pandemic.
And now because of targeted disinformation, children, immunocompromised people, elderly folks, and so many others become victims in this proxy war and we have a new avoidable pandemic.
Holy moly this chart: Cumulative US measles cases
January 28, 2026 at 2:03 PM
We had eradicated this disease.
And now because of targeted disinformation, children, immunocompromised people, elderly folks, and so many others become victims in this proxy war and we have a new avoidable pandemic.
And now because of targeted disinformation, children, immunocompromised people, elderly folks, and so many others become victims in this proxy war and we have a new avoidable pandemic.
Reposted by Rachel Moss
I've long been fascinated by this topic, since discovering the role that the past played in the 1884 movement. Sadly, I won't be able to attend, but, really, this is a great topic, and I heartily recommend attending if you can!
CFP: Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present (15-16 June, @uninorthampton.bsky.social) 🗃️We are interested in how nostalgia – which has often been associated with conservatism – is utilised by individuals, groups and movements that may be characterised as politically radical.
Call For Papers: Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present | UON
Centre for Historical Studies, University of Northampton, UK Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 June 2026 Nostalgia, defined most simply as a wistful or...
www.northampton.ac.uk
January 28, 2026 at 10:04 AM
I've long been fascinated by this topic, since discovering the role that the past played in the 1884 movement. Sadly, I won't be able to attend, but, really, this is a great topic, and I heartily recommend attending if you can!
Just over two weeks left to submit your abstracts! Had quite a few already. Please share with your networks. Welcoming colleagues across time periods and disciplines!
CFP: Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present (15-16 June, @uninorthampton.bsky.social) 🗃️We are interested in how nostalgia – which has often been associated with conservatism – is utilised by individuals, groups and movements that may be characterised as politically radical.
Call For Papers: Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present | UON
Centre for Historical Studies, University of Northampton, UK Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 June 2026 Nostalgia, defined most simply as a wistful or...
www.northampton.ac.uk
January 27, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Just over two weeks left to submit your abstracts! Had quite a few already. Please share with your networks. Welcoming colleagues across time periods and disciplines!
Reposted by Rachel Moss
Hi everyone, I'm organising a conference in Leuven, 4-5 June, and you're all invited*! It's called 'Performing evil: the mediation and display of diabolic spectres 1700-2000' and here is the call for papers (get in touch if you'd like a pdf!). Please share widely!
*to submit an abstract before 21/3
*to submit an abstract before 21/3
January 27, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Hi everyone, I'm organising a conference in Leuven, 4-5 June, and you're all invited*! It's called 'Performing evil: the mediation and display of diabolic spectres 1700-2000' and here is the call for papers (get in touch if you'd like a pdf!). Please share widely!
*to submit an abstract before 21/3
*to submit an abstract before 21/3
Reposted by Rachel Moss
Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp.
To commemorate, we’re sharing a small selection of survivors’ stories from our collection – voices preserved in memory and testimony.
Read here: link.bl.uk/hij
To commemorate, we’re sharing a small selection of survivors’ stories from our collection – voices preserved in memory and testimony.
Read here: link.bl.uk/hij
January 27, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp.
To commemorate, we’re sharing a small selection of survivors’ stories from our collection – voices preserved in memory and testimony.
Read here: link.bl.uk/hij
To commemorate, we’re sharing a small selection of survivors’ stories from our collection – voices preserved in memory and testimony.
Read here: link.bl.uk/hij
Reposted by Rachel Moss
I realised over Christmas that I’d never gotten my second MMR jab on account of childhood moves and policy changes. I emailed my GP and I just got it this morning, free on the NHS. It’s never too late and you can’t overdo it. Please get vaccinated.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK loses measles elimination status
Decision made after outbreaks in 2024, when there were nearly 3,000 cases in England and Wales.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 8:57 AM
I realised over Christmas that I’d never gotten my second MMR jab on account of childhood moves and policy changes. I emailed my GP and I just got it this morning, free on the NHS. It’s never too late and you can’t overdo it. Please get vaccinated.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Rachel Moss
someone at alex pretti’s memorial in minneapolis is holding a painting of the hat 5 year old liam ramos was wearing when he was abducted by ICE in columbia heights. all too much
January 27, 2026 at 12:58 AM
someone at alex pretti’s memorial in minneapolis is holding a painting of the hat 5 year old liam ramos was wearing when he was abducted by ICE in columbia heights. all too much
Reposted by Rachel Moss
It was a pleasure to host you! What a fantastic talk! Sign up to support @maternetwork.bsky.social everyone!
Thanks to @drlauravarnam.bsky.social, Univ & the English Faculty for hosting me very warmly and to the 50(!) or so people who came to my talk today. Do join @maternetwork.bsky.social - let’s fight fascism!
January 27, 2026 at 5:09 PM
It was a pleasure to host you! What a fantastic talk! Sign up to support @maternetwork.bsky.social everyone!
Reposted by Rachel Moss
It's weird how after every good thing/gain (even if we don't call it a victory) people circle up to insist we shouldn't celebrate. Celebrating is not how people give up, in my experience; believing we can't win, never win, and have no power is (with a side of joylessness).
I don't keep doomers in my feed but since apparently some folks do: "celebrate each and every win, loudly" is Organizing 101
January 27, 2026 at 3:51 PM
It's weird how after every good thing/gain (even if we don't call it a victory) people circle up to insist we shouldn't celebrate. Celebrating is not how people give up, in my experience; believing we can't win, never win, and have no power is (with a side of joylessness).
Thanks to @drlauravarnam.bsky.social, Univ & the English Faculty for hosting me very warmly and to the 50(!) or so people who came to my talk today. Do join @maternetwork.bsky.social - let’s fight fascism!
January 27, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Thanks to @drlauravarnam.bsky.social, Univ & the English Faculty for hosting me very warmly and to the 50(!) or so people who came to my talk today. Do join @maternetwork.bsky.social - let’s fight fascism!
Reposted by Rachel Moss
The nationalist right - our high streets are empty and it's killing communities
The government - let's explore making them more attractive and easy to navigate destinations
The nationalist right - woah, that is akin to the mass murder of millions of people by a totalitarian dictator
The government - let's explore making them more attractive and easy to navigate destinations
The nationalist right - woah, that is akin to the mass murder of millions of people by a totalitarian dictator
January 26, 2026 at 6:14 AM
The nationalist right - our high streets are empty and it's killing communities
The government - let's explore making them more attractive and easy to navigate destinations
The nationalist right - woah, that is akin to the mass murder of millions of people by a totalitarian dictator
The government - let's explore making them more attractive and easy to navigate destinations
The nationalist right - woah, that is akin to the mass murder of millions of people by a totalitarian dictator
Reposted by Rachel Moss
Reform Party UK sharing Pro-ICE posts on social media. They support seizing 5 year olds as bait, and the extra judicial murder of civilians.
January 26, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Reform Party UK sharing Pro-ICE posts on social media. They support seizing 5 year olds as bait, and the extra judicial murder of civilians.
Reposted by Rachel Moss
"Stalinist cities" no one throws tantrums with quite the unhinged verbosity of the British right wing commentator
January 26, 2026 at 8:45 AM
"Stalinist cities" no one throws tantrums with quite the unhinged verbosity of the British right wing commentator
Reposted by Rachel Moss
Multiple officials of the US federal government are spending their day rather blatantly obstructing Minnesota law enforcement and covering up a murder.
January 24, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Multiple officials of the US federal government are spending their day rather blatantly obstructing Minnesota law enforcement and covering up a murder.
Reposted by Rachel Moss
they're wrong though. our solidarity is the only hope.
January 24, 2026 at 4:17 PM
they're wrong though. our solidarity is the only hope.
Reposted by Rachel Moss
it feels a lot like today's murder is in response to the mass protests yesterday, as if to tell us we're powerless, that our solidarity won't protect us.
January 24, 2026 at 4:06 PM
it feels a lot like today's murder is in response to the mass protests yesterday, as if to tell us we're powerless, that our solidarity won't protect us.
Reposted by Rachel Moss
Norman Rockwell, The Runaway, 1958
Richard Williams, 2014
Richard Williams, 2014
January 24, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Norman Rockwell, The Runaway, 1958
Richard Williams, 2014
Richard Williams, 2014
Reposted by Rachel Moss
As ever, incredibly inspiring words from Rachel 👏🥹❤️
January 23, 2026 at 8:13 PM
As ever, incredibly inspiring words from Rachel 👏🥹❤️
It's sixteen years since I became Dr Moss! Here are some thoughts on my career to date, and on why, in an age of AI, recognising our human failings is more important to the academy than ever: rachelemoss.com/2026/01/23/1...
16 years a doctor
Me in my University of York PhD regalia, which is grey with a red hood. I have been Dr Moss for sixteen years today, when on a cold January day I walked across the stage at Central Hall at the Univ…
rachelemoss.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:13 PM
It's sixteen years since I became Dr Moss! Here are some thoughts on my career to date, and on why, in an age of AI, recognising our human failings is more important to the academy than ever: rachelemoss.com/2026/01/23/1...
Reposted by Rachel Moss
JOB! I'm hiring a postdoc for 2 years on my ERC MaMo project.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
January 21, 2026 at 12:32 PM
JOB! I'm hiring a postdoc for 2 years on my ERC MaMo project.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
Reposted by Rachel Moss
A few months ago I was curious to know how much Anna's Archive was charging AI developers for access to their massive library of pirated works for training - so I emailed them saying I was interested in buying access.
Here is their reply.
🧵 1/n
Here is their reply.
🧵 1/n
January 22, 2026 at 10:34 AM
A few months ago I was curious to know how much Anna's Archive was charging AI developers for access to their massive library of pirated works for training - so I emailed them saying I was interested in buying access.
Here is their reply.
🧵 1/n
Here is their reply.
🧵 1/n
Have had a good time this afternoon writing alongside @ricardameisl.bsky.social and @drhelenroche.bsky.social for our volume Political Nostalgias – Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Managed to bang out 1600 words which for me is quite a lot in 3.5 hours, I'm not a very speedy academic writer!
January 21, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Have had a good time this afternoon writing alongside @ricardameisl.bsky.social and @drhelenroche.bsky.social for our volume Political Nostalgias – Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Managed to bang out 1600 words which for me is quite a lot in 3.5 hours, I'm not a very speedy academic writer!