Neil Stewart
@neilstewart.bsky.social
Head of Library & Digital @ihrlibrary.bsky.social at the Institute of Historical Research, London, UK @ihr.bsky.social. Libraries, history, books, music, film, current affairs, the odd bit of politics- you know, the good stuff.
Top 10 fave guitarists
Tony Iommi
Steve Albini
J. Mascis
Matt Pike
Neil Young
Eddie Hazel
Sir Richard Bishop
King Buzzo
Vini Reilly
Kirk Hammett
Tony Iommi
Steve Albini
J. Mascis
Matt Pike
Neil Young
Eddie Hazel
Sir Richard Bishop
King Buzzo
Vini Reilly
Kirk Hammett
Top 10 fave guitarists
D. Boon
Graham Coxon
Eric Clapton
Jimi Hendrix
Lee Ranaldo
J Mascis
John Squire
Django Reinhardt
Peter Green
Dave Davies
D. Boon
Graham Coxon
Eric Clapton
Jimi Hendrix
Lee Ranaldo
J Mascis
John Squire
Django Reinhardt
Peter Green
Dave Davies
Top 10 fave guitarists
Greg Allman
Robert Cray
Peter Green
Rory Gallagher
Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page
Richard Thompson
Dave Gilmore
Nils Lofgren
BB King
Greg Allman
Robert Cray
Peter Green
Rory Gallagher
Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page
Richard Thompson
Dave Gilmore
Nils Lofgren
BB King
January 6, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Top 10 fave guitarists
Tony Iommi
Steve Albini
J. Mascis
Matt Pike
Neil Young
Eddie Hazel
Sir Richard Bishop
King Buzzo
Vini Reilly
Kirk Hammett
Tony Iommi
Steve Albini
J. Mascis
Matt Pike
Neil Young
Eddie Hazel
Sir Richard Bishop
King Buzzo
Vini Reilly
Kirk Hammett
We're advertising for a new Graduate Trainee Library Assistant, to start here at the IHR in September 2026. It's a great introduction to libraries and the profession, and the IHR is a fascinating place to work. Please repost! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPZ835/g... @ihr.bsky.social @ihrlibrary.bsky.social
Graduate Trainee Library Assistant at University of London
Discover Graduate Trainee Library Assistant jobs and more in higher education on jobs.ac.uk. Apply for further details on the top job board.
www.jobs.ac.uk
January 6, 2026 at 10:24 AM
We're advertising for a new Graduate Trainee Library Assistant, to start here at the IHR in September 2026. It's a great introduction to libraries and the profession, and the IHR is a fascinating place to work. Please repost! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPZ835/g... @ihr.bsky.social @ihrlibrary.bsky.social
“What if lead poisoning made us smarter, actually? What then???”
Could AI relationships actually be good for us?
Could AI relationships actually be good for us?
From companionship to psychotherapy, technology could meet unmet needs – but it needs to be handled responsibly
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 11:02 PM
“What if lead poisoning made us smarter, actually? What then???”
Reposted by Neil Stewart
Did medieval people buy each other Christmas gifts? New Year's Day was the main gifting day, but little is known about everyday people's present giving. Our project on London's customs records has uncovered a wealth of affordable items imported around this time: gloves and hats to toys and rattles🧵
Medieval Londoners’ cheaply imported mass-produced Christmas gifts look surprisingly familiar
We often imagine medieval life as dull, dirty and short, with little in the way of material comfort or decoration. However, medieval Londoners were importing toys, treats and trinkets by the boatload ...
theconversation.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Did medieval people buy each other Christmas gifts? New Year's Day was the main gifting day, but little is known about everyday people's present giving. Our project on London's customs records has uncovered a wealth of affordable items imported around this time: gloves and hats to toys and rattles🧵
A lovely selection from @brighterdayvinyl.bsky.social has just arrived: Van Halen II, Palace Brothers’ “There is No One What Will Take Care of You”, Palace Brothers’ “Self Titled” and Marvin Gaye’s “Trouble Man” soundtrack
December 19, 2025 at 11:31 AM
A lovely selection from @brighterdayvinyl.bsky.social has just arrived: Van Halen II, Palace Brothers’ “There is No One What Will Take Care of You”, Palace Brothers’ “Self Titled” and Marvin Gaye’s “Trouble Man” soundtrack
Reposted by Neil Stewart
We are pleased to launch today a new programme for early career researchers with @ihr.bsky.social & @chalkefestival.bsky.social
'Pitch my Project' is an opportunity for early career historians to present their research at the Chalke History Festival in 2026 bit.ly/44kfUMM Applications now invited.
'Pitch my Project' is an opportunity for early career historians to present their research at the Chalke History Festival in 2026 bit.ly/44kfUMM Applications now invited.
Pitch my Project: an opportunity for early career historians to present their work at the Chalke History Festival 2026 - RHS
Have you ever wanted to share your research with a wide audience? Would you like to gain experience in public speaking, and be supported to develop imaginative ways to communicate your research to the...
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 11:14 AM
We are pleased to launch today a new programme for early career researchers with @ihr.bsky.social & @chalkefestival.bsky.social
'Pitch my Project' is an opportunity for early career historians to present their research at the Chalke History Festival in 2026 bit.ly/44kfUMM Applications now invited.
'Pitch my Project' is an opportunity for early career historians to present their research at the Chalke History Festival in 2026 bit.ly/44kfUMM Applications now invited.
Reposted by Neil Stewart
Time again for my favorite christmas post ever, one that still makes me laugh every time i read it
December 23, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Time again for my favorite christmas post ever, one that still makes me laugh every time i read it
Reposted by Neil Stewart
Over at @ics.bsky.social we are on the hunt for a Lecturer in Classical Studies (Research, Training and Partnerships). This is an open-ended, open-field T&R lectureship. Please pass on the word - and consider applying if you would like to come and work with us! www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Lecturer in Classical Studies (Research, Training and Partnerships):London Senate House
The University of London is a leading UK provider of distance and digital education internationally, offering programmes to 45,000 students in 190 countries around the world. Although proudly rooted in London, our community and impact are global.
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Over at @ics.bsky.social we are on the hunt for a Lecturer in Classical Studies (Research, Training and Partnerships). This is an open-ended, open-field T&R lectureship. Please pass on the word - and consider applying if you would like to come and work with us! www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Reposted by Neil Stewart
He also did voice work for the Dark Souls games, what a career!
Watching Father Ted’s a Christmassy Ted and remembered this nugget of pop trivia, the priest with the most boring voice Father Fitzgerald (Sean Barrett) in Ireland's largest lingeree section was the cover star of The Smith's single "How Soon is Now" a still from the 1958 film "Dunkirk".
December 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
He also did voice work for the Dark Souls games, what a career!
Reposted by Neil Stewart
oh man, literally my professional life and my hobby are colliding! Interesting library job at Games Workshop!
jobs.games-workshop.com/search-and-a...
jobs.games-workshop.com/search-and-a...
Collections Management Librarian - Games Workshop Jobs
About the Job Games Workshop has an exciting new role for a Collections Management Librarian to join our Archiving team, where you will be responsible for
jobs.games-workshop.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:16 PM
oh man, literally my professional life and my hobby are colliding! Interesting library job at Games Workshop!
jobs.games-workshop.com/search-and-a...
jobs.games-workshop.com/search-and-a...
Reposted by Neil Stewart
The @ihr.bsky.social #London #SummerSchool 2026 is now booking on the theme of 'Sickness & Health'. From the Black Death to Covid-19. Use code HEALTH10 before 24th Jan to get 10% discount! Bursaries available www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The @ihr.bsky.social #London #SummerSchool 2026 is now booking on the theme of 'Sickness & Health'. From the Black Death to Covid-19. Use code HEALTH10 before 24th Jan to get 10% discount! Bursaries available www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Neil Stewart
This mural has gone up in Kingston, ostensibly for Christmas but AI has ensured it's actually to celebrate the return of our dark lord Cthulhu
November 18, 2025 at 9:44 AM
This mural has gone up in Kingston, ostensibly for Christmas but AI has ensured it's actually to celebrate the return of our dark lord Cthulhu
Reposted by Neil Stewart
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
Reposted by Neil Stewart
British Library boss unexpectedly quits amid ongoing strike. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
November 5, 2025 at 12:16 PM
British Library boss unexpectedly quits amid ongoing strike. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
IHR Director Professor Claire Langhamer @clairelanghamer.bsky.social has written about today’s History Day #histday25 here at Senate House, and how it reflects the crucial work of @ihr.bsky.social in supporting historical research in all its forms. Read more here! www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Making History Together
History Day
www.history.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:35 AM
IHR Director Professor Claire Langhamer @clairelanghamer.bsky.social has written about today’s History Day #histday25 here at Senate House, and how it reflects the crucial work of @ihr.bsky.social in supporting historical research in all its forms. Read more here! www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Neil Stewart
Our trainees Sasha and Sarah have written a blog showcasing some of the spookier and scarier books in the IHR Library’s collection - check it out! 🎃 🕸️
blog.history.ac.uk/2025/10/hall...
#halloween #libraries #blog
blog.history.ac.uk/2025/10/hall...
#halloween #libraries #blog
October 31, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Our trainees Sasha and Sarah have written a blog showcasing some of the spookier and scarier books in the IHR Library’s collection - check it out! 🎃 🕸️
blog.history.ac.uk/2025/10/hall...
#halloween #libraries #blog
blog.history.ac.uk/2025/10/hall...
#halloween #libraries #blog
To think that just a few weeks ago I hadn’t even heard of “Katie Lam” or seen her ridiculous Margaret Thatcher haircut
October 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
To think that just a few weeks ago I hadn’t even heard of “Katie Lam” or seen her ridiculous Margaret Thatcher haircut
This is excellent. One reflection: the lack of ANY theoretical interest, even in the philosophy of science. Kuhn gives interesting models for paradigm change in science, and shows that ALL science is socially constructed. But no, it's all "the woke postmoderns are infecting science with IDEOLOGY!!!"
October 21, 2025 at 12:26 PM
This is excellent. One reflection: the lack of ANY theoretical interest, even in the philosophy of science. Kuhn gives interesting models for paradigm change in science, and shows that ALL science is socially constructed. But no, it's all "the woke postmoderns are infecting science with IDEOLOGY!!!"
Reposted by Neil Stewart
Our brand new @ihr.bsky.social Discovery Courses are designed to be accessible and engaging for all: historians and other professionals looking for training, as well as individuals looking for new learning experiences, enrichment and inspiration. Book now! www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... #history
October 20, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Our brand new @ihr.bsky.social Discovery Courses are designed to be accessible and engaging for all: historians and other professionals looking for training, as well as individuals looking for new learning experiences, enrichment and inspiration. Book now! www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... #history
Define your musical taste in eight artists.
Black Sabbath
Wu-Tang Clan
New Order
Neil Young
Sleep
The Fall
Can
Underworld
Black Sabbath
Wu-Tang Clan
New Order
Neil Young
Sleep
The Fall
Can
Underworld
Define your musical taste in eight artists.
Basic Channel
Kerri Chandler
DJ Harvey
Gigi Masin
Pet Shop Boys
Miles Davis
Pat Metheny
Laurent Garnier
Could have maybe chosen eight DJs. Or eight singles.
Basic Channel
Kerri Chandler
DJ Harvey
Gigi Masin
Pet Shop Boys
Miles Davis
Pat Metheny
Laurent Garnier
Could have maybe chosen eight DJs. Or eight singles.
Define your musical taste in eight artists:
The Fall
Public Enemy
The Pastels
Rolling Stones
Lee Scratch Perry
Motörhead
Cocteau Twins
David Bowie
I don’t know how many lists would feature both The Pastels and Motörhead but personally I see no contradiction.
The Fall
Public Enemy
The Pastels
Rolling Stones
Lee Scratch Perry
Motörhead
Cocteau Twins
David Bowie
I don’t know how many lists would feature both The Pastels and Motörhead but personally I see no contradiction.
October 19, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Define your musical taste in eight artists.
Black Sabbath
Wu-Tang Clan
New Order
Neil Young
Sleep
The Fall
Can
Underworld
Black Sabbath
Wu-Tang Clan
New Order
Neil Young
Sleep
The Fall
Can
Underworld
Reposted by Neil Stewart
Are you using #maps in research?
Want to learn about their history and use as sources?
In London in late January?
Sign up for @ihr.bsky.social short course, Historic Maps: Interpreting Stories of Place!
#maphistory #skystorians 🗃️
Want to learn about their history and use as sources?
In London in late January?
Sign up for @ihr.bsky.social short course, Historic Maps: Interpreting Stories of Place!
#maphistory #skystorians 🗃️
Historic Maps: Interpreting Stories of Place
Discovery Course 1
www.sas.ac.uk
October 15, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Are you using #maps in research?
Want to learn about their history and use as sources?
In London in late January?
Sign up for @ihr.bsky.social short course, Historic Maps: Interpreting Stories of Place!
#maphistory #skystorians 🗃️
Want to learn about their history and use as sources?
In London in late January?
Sign up for @ihr.bsky.social short course, Historic Maps: Interpreting Stories of Place!
#maphistory #skystorians 🗃️
Reposted by Neil Stewart
For reasons, it would be v. helpful to have information from a broad range of academic and non-academic (incl. GLAM) users of the BBC Written Archives OTHER THAN historians, briefly on: 1) What you've used it for and 2) How the proposed changes would impact on your research.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposts welcomed.
Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...
Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research
observer.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:09 AM
For reasons, it would be v. helpful to have information from a broad range of academic and non-academic (incl. GLAM) users of the BBC Written Archives OTHER THAN historians, briefly on: 1) What you've used it for and 2) How the proposed changes would impact on your research.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposts welcomed.
Whom amongst can truly say, hand on heart, that our close associates have not taken bribes from a hostile foreign state in order to influence domestic politics?
I called this out on #BBCQT last night and I'm calling it out again now.
He is gaslighting a nation.
He is gaslighting a nation.
Farage insists ex-Reform UK Wales leader convicted of bribery is ‘bad apple’
October 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Whom amongst can truly say, hand on heart, that our close associates have not taken bribes from a hostile foreign state in order to influence domestic politics?
Haha the usual eco-fascist propaganda from the woke communists of the [reads article] Joint Intelligence Committee???
October 8, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Haha the usual eco-fascist propaganda from the woke communists of the [reads article] Joint Intelligence Committee???