Paul Cowdell
@paulcowdell.bsky.social
I research, write on, & talk about folklore. Happy to have been variously described as an 'expert in morbid eschatology' and a 'cannibalism celebrity'.
A friend's dad yesterday identified me as 'the cockney academic from the University of Southampton'. I'm an East Londoner by (my dad's) family, by long-time residence and by inclination (COYI), but not by birth, as you can't hear Bow Bells from Tooting, where I was born. (1/2)
November 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
A friend's dad yesterday identified me as 'the cockney academic from the University of Southampton'. I'm an East Londoner by (my dad's) family, by long-time residence and by inclination (COYI), but not by birth, as you can't hear Bow Bells from Tooting, where I was born. (1/2)
This is fantastic news, long-overdue recognition of Steve Roud's phenomenal work. Huge congratulations to Steve, and a word of thanks to those who finally made it happen (Marion).
The Open University awards Steve Roud the honorary degree of Doctor of the University in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the study of folk song and vernacular culture.
Congratulations Steve, our former Folklore Society Hon Librarian
Congratulations Steve, our former Folklore Society Hon Librarian
November 4, 2025 at 10:49 AM
This is fantastic news, long-overdue recognition of Steve Roud's phenomenal work. Huge congratulations to Steve, and a word of thanks to those who finally made it happen (Marion).
The weekend's big treat was the 1977 Louis Jourdan/Frank Finlay 'Dracula' - both magnificent and it really stood up. But the absolute knockout, the greatest take on the part ever, was Jack Shepherd's Renfield. The only one I've ever seen not ultimately traceable to Dwight Frye. Astonishing and real.
November 3, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The weekend's big treat was the 1977 Louis Jourdan/Frank Finlay 'Dracula' - both magnificent and it really stood up. But the absolute knockout, the greatest take on the part ever, was Jack Shepherd's Renfield. The only one I've ever seen not ultimately traceable to Dwight Frye. Astonishing and real.
Hey there London people, next week the mighty Doc Rowe will be talking (and boy can he talk) about what he's been documenting in a life well spent. Any opportunity to hear Doc is highly recommended
Buy tickets – OffBeat Presents: An Evening with Doc Rowe – Walthamstow Trades Hall
OffBeat Presents: An Evening with Doc Rowe – Walthamstow Trades Hall, Mon 10 Nov 2025 - OffBeat is back at the Walthamstow Trades Hall for a very special event. On the 10th of November, we will be wel...
www.tickettailor.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Hey there London people, next week the mighty Doc Rowe will be talking (and boy can he talk) about what he's been documenting in a life well spent. Any opportunity to hear Doc is highly recommended
This is not only an excellent story in itself, its acknowledgement of chains of research is also heartening.
Lost grave of daughter of Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano found by A-level student
Fitzwilliam Museum has uncovered student’s work from 1977 that revealed Cambridgeshire location of child’s burial place
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:10 AM
This is not only an excellent story in itself, its acknowledgement of chains of research is also heartening.
Today's win: a whole cohort of students enthusing about Carl Wilhelm von Sydow.
October 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Today's win: a whole cohort of students enthusing about Carl Wilhelm von Sydow.
Current state: I finished a Guardian crossword and became enraged at the compiler for being crap enough for me to do their crossword.
October 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Current state: I finished a Guardian crossword and became enraged at the compiler for being crap enough for me to do their crossword.
Local charity shop had a bunch of these, and suddenly I am /extremely interested/ in WW Bride, who seems to have written serially on early C20 charismatic American cults
October 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Local charity shop had a bunch of these, and suddenly I am /extremely interested/ in WW Bride, who seems to have written serially on early C20 charismatic American cults
A last-minute cancellation means a couple of tickets have become available for this previously sold-out #storytelling gig by the two best tellers on #IoW. So if you tried to get a ticket and couldn't, you've got another chance! Highly recommended.
Fancy something a bit different for Halloween? Join @hollyofthestories.bsky.social and me for an evening of tantalising terror at Babushka Books, #IsleOfWight. Very dark, very scary, and strictly for grown-ups.
There's only a handful of tickets left, so grab yours while you can. Info in AltText.
There's only a handful of tickets left, so grab yours while you can. Info in AltText.
October 27, 2025 at 12:57 PM
A last-minute cancellation means a couple of tickets have become available for this previously sold-out #storytelling gig by the two best tellers on #IoW. So if you tried to get a ticket and couldn't, you've got another chance! Highly recommended.
Reposted by Paul Cowdell
A reminder that my book on the history of protest is now published. It is superbly produced with a great cover. Buy it now from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 8:59 AM
A reminder that my book on the history of protest is now published. It is superbly produced with a great cover. Buy it now from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
Robert Burton's 1638 warning on internet diagnosis:
Yet one caution let me give by the way to my present or future reader, who is actually melancholy, that he read not the symptoms or prognostics in this following tract, lest by applying that which he reads to himself,... (1/2)
Yet one caution let me give by the way to my present or future reader, who is actually melancholy, that he read not the symptoms or prognostics in this following tract, lest by applying that which he reads to himself,... (1/2)
October 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Robert Burton's 1638 warning on internet diagnosis:
Yet one caution let me give by the way to my present or future reader, who is actually melancholy, that he read not the symptoms or prognostics in this following tract, lest by applying that which he reads to himself,... (1/2)
Yet one caution let me give by the way to my present or future reader, who is actually melancholy, that he read not the symptoms or prognostics in this following tract, lest by applying that which he reads to himself,... (1/2)
Oh no. Thank you for everything Dave. The end of this performance is almost unbearable now.
Soft Cell revisit Say Hello Wave Goodbye on Later… with Jools Holland
YouTube video by BBC Music
youtu.be
October 23, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Oh no. Thank you for everything Dave. The end of this performance is almost unbearable now.
I have just realised that my jumper is completely covered in pomegranate splashes. I am trusting these will not be visible online when I teach this afternoon, because I'm too cold to change.
October 23, 2025 at 10:33 AM
I have just realised that my jumper is completely covered in pomegranate splashes. I am trusting these will not be visible online when I teach this afternoon, because I'm too cold to change.
Reposted by Paul Cowdell
lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/15187764 #RecipesfromtheAmericanSouth
#Richmond #RVA
Please help me share to 100 folks! (It really helps.) Ill be on stage with a legend--Dr. Leni Sorenson formerly of Monticello!
October 28 2025
6-7:30 pm
#Richmond #RVA
Please help me share to 100 folks! (It really helps.) Ill be on stage with a legend--Dr. Leni Sorenson formerly of Monticello!
October 28 2025
6-7:30 pm
Weinstein Author Series – Michael W. Twitty | Recipes From the American South
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT
Join us for a conversation between culinary historian Leni Sorensen and award-winning author and culinary historian Michael W. Twitty on Twitty’s new...
lva-virginia.libcal.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/15187764 #RecipesfromtheAmericanSouth
#Richmond #RVA
Please help me share to 100 folks! (It really helps.) Ill be on stage with a legend--Dr. Leni Sorenson formerly of Monticello!
October 28 2025
6-7:30 pm
#Richmond #RVA
Please help me share to 100 folks! (It really helps.) Ill be on stage with a legend--Dr. Leni Sorenson formerly of Monticello!
October 28 2025
6-7:30 pm
I find I've read some recent research of immediate relevance. It's not the final word, but interested readers will find useful background material in Moshe Bensimon and Shiran Hen, ‘The Role of Hate Songs among Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Fans: The Entrapping Loop of Hatred’... (1/2)
October 21, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I find I've read some recent research of immediate relevance. It's not the final word, but interested readers will find useful background material in Moshe Bensimon and Shiran Hen, ‘The Role of Hate Songs among Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Fans: The Entrapping Loop of Hatred’... (1/2)
Your periodic reminder that if you cite the work of marginalised colleagues, or teach it, or recommend it to students - let the scholar know! It can help.
October 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Your periodic reminder that if you cite the work of marginalised colleagues, or teach it, or recommend it to students - let the scholar know! It can help.
Reposted by Paul Cowdell
His system of ‘Roud Numbers’ now serves as the definitive way of tracing a song’s many different versions and titles, across books, recordings, and other sources.”
Full episode: youtu.be/i_0rN8XPJGA
Full episode: youtu.be/i_0rN8XPJGA
Folklore Fragments Podcast 43: Indexing Folklore with Steve Roud | Blúiríní Béaloidis
YouTube video by UCD - University College Dublin
youtu.be
October 15, 2025 at 10:35 AM
His system of ‘Roud Numbers’ now serves as the definitive way of tracing a song’s many different versions and titles, across books, recordings, and other sources.”
Full episode: youtu.be/i_0rN8XPJGA
Full episode: youtu.be/i_0rN8XPJGA
I wish the inside of my head wasn't singing 'Ibn Battuta Bless my soul I really love that rock'n'roll...'
October 14, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I wish the inside of my head wasn't singing 'Ibn Battuta Bless my soul I really love that rock'n'roll...'
I was enjoying responses to this yesterday. Today I was in a charity shop and heard someone whistle the riff to 'Tom Hark' by the Piranhas, a little slowly and out of tune.
It. Was. Serial. Killer. Perfection.
It. Was. Serial. Killer. Perfection.
October 9, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I was enjoying responses to this yesterday. Today I was in a charity shop and heard someone whistle the riff to 'Tom Hark' by the Piranhas, a little slowly and out of tune.
It. Was. Serial. Killer. Perfection.
It. Was. Serial. Killer. Perfection.
Does anyone have contact details for Sarah Goldingay? She was at Exeter, but the staff page appears to be defunct. I did a show with her many years ago and am trying to get in touch.
October 8, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Does anyone have contact details for Sarah Goldingay? She was at Exeter, but the staff page appears to be defunct. I did a show with her many years ago and am trying to get in touch.
Reposted by Paul Cowdell
📢Call for Papers📢 ‘Folklore on the Move’: The Folklore Society’s annual conference 2026 in collaboration with the Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen. In person conference: 5-7 Jun 2026; online conference day: 10 Jun 2026. Proposal deadline 14 Dec www.folklore-society.com/event/call-f...
October 3, 2025 at 4:07 PM
📢Call for Papers📢 ‘Folklore on the Move’: The Folklore Society’s annual conference 2026 in collaboration with the Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen. In person conference: 5-7 Jun 2026; online conference day: 10 Jun 2026. Proposal deadline 14 Dec www.folklore-society.com/event/call-f...
Given how much I love Gillian Bennett's 'Traditions of Belief' - one of my favourite books - my inability ever to remember where I have shelved my copy is psychopathologically fascinating.
October 6, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Given how much I love Gillian Bennett's 'Traditions of Belief' - one of my favourite books - my inability ever to remember where I have shelved my copy is psychopathologically fascinating.
I'm so proud of my students. It is only week 2 and they have already broken the bureaucratic will of the course admin office. I couldn't be happier.
October 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I'm so proud of my students. It is only week 2 and they have already broken the bureaucratic will of the course admin office. I couldn't be happier.
How did I miss this news at the time? Vegetable Eurovision.
October 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
How did I miss this news at the time? Vegetable Eurovision.