Sophie Cooper
@sophcocooper.bsky.social
Social historian of gender, migration & public space | Nuns | Ireland & its diaspora | Senior Lecturer @QUBLiberalArts | Forging Identities in the Irish World @EdinburghUP 2022 | She/her.
Pinned
Sophie Cooper
@sophcocooper.bsky.social
· Oct 24
Very happy that 'Blue Sunglasses and New Habits: Female Correspondence Networks and the Irish Religious Diaspora' is now out as part of a great double issue
@iehs.bsky.social Journal of American Ethnic History ed. by Cian McMahon & Darragh Gannon
scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/jaeh/iss...
@iehs.bsky.social Journal of American Ethnic History ed. by Cian McMahon & Darragh Gannon
scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/jaeh/iss...
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS.
I cannot imagine knowing stuff without getting sucked into a citation rabbit-hole / wonderland and then reflecting on how these works engage with each other.
I cannot imagine knowing stuff without getting sucked into a citation rabbit-hole / wonderland and then reflecting on how these works engage with each other.
Am I the only one who gets a real kick out of citation chains? Reading people's writing and footnotes, and making assessments and notes, finding the sources in the footnotes and reading them yourself, and making more notes?
I...love it?
I...love it?
Not for academics it isn’t. You learn by reading and by following citation chains and talking to other people in the field. Letting the AI do the summary is abdicating your job.
December 23, 2025 at 5:32 AM
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS.
I cannot imagine knowing stuff without getting sucked into a citation rabbit-hole / wonderland and then reflecting on how these works engage with each other.
I cannot imagine knowing stuff without getting sucked into a citation rabbit-hole / wonderland and then reflecting on how these works engage with each other.
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
When decimalisation occurred in 1966, the Australian government compiled an 81 page file on dangers of using decimal coins in Christmas puddings. There was a media campaign warning people not to use the new coins in their cooking. The file is now digitised.
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetri...
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetri...
December 25, 2025 at 9:22 AM
When decimalisation occurred in 1966, the Australian government compiled an 81 page file on dangers of using decimal coins in Christmas puddings. There was a media campaign warning people not to use the new coins in their cooking. The file is now digitised.
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetri...
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetri...
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
90% of military history is about where the latrines are dug. You cannot make war if you have dysentery.
December 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
90% of military history is about where the latrines are dug. You cannot make war if you have dysentery.
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
Some of you have forgotten that only three years ago you were perfectly capable of writing a text, writing an email, telling a bedtime story to a child, and it should worry you that powerful companies have convinced us we can’t do things we’ve been doing since the dawn of time.
December 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Some of you have forgotten that only three years ago you were perfectly capable of writing a text, writing an email, telling a bedtime story to a child, and it should worry you that powerful companies have convinced us we can’t do things we’ve been doing since the dawn of time.
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
It's your birthday, Duane.
December 20, 2025 at 3:21 PM
It's your birthday, Duane.
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
Andrew Tate had his ass handed to him AND this? On the same weekend. We’re being spoilt with these Christmas treats. #r4today #TyMitchell #YaxleyLennon
Not many things in life will have you pumping your fist in the air, but watching little Tommy Robinson’s (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon’s) face and bravado drop when he gets called out for his racism and hypocrisy by boxer Ty Mitchell is one of them.
This is glorious. 🔥
This is glorious. 🔥
December 21, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Andrew Tate had his ass handed to him AND this? On the same weekend. We’re being spoilt with these Christmas treats. #r4today #TyMitchell #YaxleyLennon
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
Andrew Tate getting his face mashed by someone who isn't even a proper boxer is the Sunday morning story you need.
December 21, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Andrew Tate getting his face mashed by someone who isn't even a proper boxer is the Sunday morning story you need.
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
This old interview with a survivor from My Lai hits differently.
I can only imagine what it must feel like to have to retell and relive a deeply traumatising experience over and over again - for 60 years.
I can only imagine what it must feel like to have to retell and relive a deeply traumatising experience over and over again - for 60 years.
December 20, 2025 at 9:24 AM
This old interview with a survivor from My Lai hits differently.
I can only imagine what it must feel like to have to retell and relive a deeply traumatising experience over and over again - for 60 years.
I can only imagine what it must feel like to have to retell and relive a deeply traumatising experience over and over again - for 60 years.
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
It's wild it took 3 years for this to get sorted.
The protest outside the MAC saw people being hassled going in and out of the building. A woman sprinkled "holy water" around counter protesters in attendance.
Security at all entrances as these wingnuts couldn't conduct themselves like adults.
The protest outside the MAC saw people being hassled going in and out of the building. A woman sprinkled "holy water" around counter protesters in attendance.
Security at all entrances as these wingnuts couldn't conduct themselves like adults.
December 19, 2025 at 11:02 PM
It's wild it took 3 years for this to get sorted.
The protest outside the MAC saw people being hassled going in and out of the building. A woman sprinkled "holy water" around counter protesters in attendance.
Security at all entrances as these wingnuts couldn't conduct themselves like adults.
The protest outside the MAC saw people being hassled going in and out of the building. A woman sprinkled "holy water" around counter protesters in attendance.
Security at all entrances as these wingnuts couldn't conduct themselves like adults.
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
Do not cite an academic paper unless you’ve read it
AI Is Inventing Academic Papers That Don't Exist -- And They're Being Cited in Real Journals
Academic articles from authors using large language model are creating an ecosystem of fake research that threatens human knowledge itself.
www.rollingstone.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Do not cite an academic paper unless you’ve read it
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
Just started Liturgies for Resisting Empire by Kat Armas @brazospress.bsky.social and it’s a balm for the soul. Hope, justice, and fierce love for a world in need of liberation.
“Resistance is not simply a cry or an act but a way of being.” (p. 3)
#LiturgiesForResistingEmpire #KatArmas
“Resistance is not simply a cry or an act but a way of being.” (p. 3)
#LiturgiesForResistingEmpire #KatArmas
November 4, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Just started Liturgies for Resisting Empire by Kat Armas @brazospress.bsky.social and it’s a balm for the soul. Hope, justice, and fierce love for a world in need of liberation.
“Resistance is not simply a cry or an act but a way of being.” (p. 3)
#LiturgiesForResistingEmpire #KatArmas
“Resistance is not simply a cry or an act but a way of being.” (p. 3)
#LiturgiesForResistingEmpire #KatArmas
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
Hard no to this: French publisher Harlequin has told translators that their work will now be done by AI. They can ‘revise’ AI translations at much lower rate. It’s a subsidiary of Harper Collins so treat this as a test for rollout elsewhere
"Bradage de la traduction, plan social invisible : Harlequin passe à l’IA"
Faites tourner, parce qu'il va falloir se battre encore plus. :/
#traduction #IA #Harlequin #ATLF
Faites tourner, parce qu'il va falloir se battre encore plus. :/
#traduction #IA #Harlequin #ATLF
December 18, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Hard no to this: French publisher Harlequin has told translators that their work will now be done by AI. They can ‘revise’ AI translations at much lower rate. It’s a subsidiary of Harper Collins so treat this as a test for rollout elsewhere
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
In 1811-12, the Luddites attempted to resist some of the first waves of machine-industrialisation. They were crushed.
20 years later "pauper apprentices" (= orphan children) were being SOLD to factory-owners as cheap labour.
Think on, dear hearts, think on.
20 years later "pauper apprentices" (= orphan children) were being SOLD to factory-owners as cheap labour.
Think on, dear hearts, think on.
Oh no the Governor of the Bank of England compared AI to the Industrial Revolution
December 19, 2025 at 8:22 AM
In 1811-12, the Luddites attempted to resist some of the first waves of machine-industrialisation. They were crushed.
20 years later "pauper apprentices" (= orphan children) were being SOLD to factory-owners as cheap labour.
Think on, dear hearts, think on.
20 years later "pauper apprentices" (= orphan children) were being SOLD to factory-owners as cheap labour.
Think on, dear hearts, think on.
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
What have migration scholars, and in particular historians, to offer when it comes to current debates? Just out.
In: Zeitschrift für Migrationsforschung - Bd. 5 Nr. 1 (2025): Discussion Forum: Negotiating Migration
journals.ub.uni-osnabrueck.de/index.php/zm...
In: Zeitschrift für Migrationsforschung - Bd. 5 Nr. 1 (2025): Discussion Forum: Negotiating Migration
journals.ub.uni-osnabrueck.de/index.php/zm...
December 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
What have migration scholars, and in particular historians, to offer when it comes to current debates? Just out.
In: Zeitschrift für Migrationsforschung - Bd. 5 Nr. 1 (2025): Discussion Forum: Negotiating Migration
journals.ub.uni-osnabrueck.de/index.php/zm...
In: Zeitschrift für Migrationsforschung - Bd. 5 Nr. 1 (2025): Discussion Forum: Negotiating Migration
journals.ub.uni-osnabrueck.de/index.php/zm...
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
People who aspire to be academics: I wish to live a life of the mind
Actual academics:
Actual academics:
I have a weird question for the #bird people on here. Do you think someone could tell that a book was pooped on specifically by a sparrowhawk (or perhaps hawks generally) just from the feces? I'm looking at a 16th c. case where witnesses claim books were pooped on specifically by sparrowhawks!
December 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
People who aspire to be academics: I wish to live a life of the mind
Actual academics:
Actual academics:
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
Israeli settlers entered Gaza today. They were “returned by the IDF” without being arrested despite entering a combat zone where Palestinians are shot and killed merely for walking in the ruins of their own homes
@mairavz.bsky.social
@mairavz.bsky.social
December 18, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Israeli settlers entered Gaza today. They were “returned by the IDF” without being arrested despite entering a combat zone where Palestinians are shot and killed merely for walking in the ruins of their own homes
@mairavz.bsky.social
@mairavz.bsky.social
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
Sounds like they need humanities majors…..
Are these the same companies that told us the robot could do it?
December 18, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Sounds like they need humanities majors…..
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
#OpenAccess highlight: 'Britishness, Irishness, and class: Catholic identities in Anglo-Australia 1880-1916', by Scott Denis McCarthy is available through the following link:
@universitypress.cambridge.org
@universitypress.cambridge.org
Britishness, Irishness and class: Catholic identities in Anglo-Australia, 1880–1916 | Irish Historical Studies | Cambridge Core
Britishness, Irishness and class: Catholic identities in Anglo-Australia, 1880–1916 - Volume 49 Issue 175
www.cambridge.org
December 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#OpenAccess highlight: 'Britishness, Irishness, and class: Catholic identities in Anglo-Australia 1880-1916', by Scott Denis McCarthy is available through the following link:
@universitypress.cambridge.org
@universitypress.cambridge.org
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
It's a few weeks away - January 23rd - but it would be great to see a good turnout for this Dublin discussion of Averill Earls' important new book on male same-sex desire in 20th c. Ireland!
If you'll be in Dublin at the end of January, come to hear me talk for a bit (and then converse with the wonderful @tomhulme.bsky.social and @paraickerrigan.bsky.social), the eventbrite sign up is now live: www.eventbrite.ie/e/love-in-th...
'Love in the Lav' by Dr Averill Earls - Talk and Panel Discussion
Irish launch of Averill Earl’s 'Love in the Lav' with Páraic Kerrigan (UCD) and Tom Hulme (QUB).
www.eventbrite.ie
December 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
It's a few weeks away - January 23rd - but it would be great to see a good turnout for this Dublin discussion of Averill Earls' important new book on male same-sex desire in 20th c. Ireland!
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
I keep thinking—as a historian—that it’s rare when doing research to find a politician who reveals his nasty innards so blatantly—with no sense of self or shame.
Future historians who didn’t live through this will be absolutely open-mouthed.
Future historians who didn’t live through this will be absolutely open-mouthed.
Per @garretthaake.bsky.social, the extremely tacky "presidential wall of fame" that lines the colonnade to the West Wing now has obviously-Trump-penned plaques insulting or praising the presidents.
December 17, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I keep thinking—as a historian—that it’s rare when doing research to find a politician who reveals his nasty innards so blatantly—with no sense of self or shame.
Future historians who didn’t live through this will be absolutely open-mouthed.
Future historians who didn’t live through this will be absolutely open-mouthed.
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
The Vanity Fair photographer with a lot more courage than many titans industry and brokers of power
The Vanity Fair photographer from the Susie Wiles story.
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
December 17, 2025 at 8:41 PM
The Vanity Fair photographer with a lot more courage than many titans industry and brokers of power
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
🚨 annual ‘Santa has clearance to enter Irish airspace’ announcement 🚨
December 17, 2025 at 9:56 PM
🚨 annual ‘Santa has clearance to enter Irish airspace’ announcement 🚨
Reposted by Sophie Cooper
I'm told that HHS has just terminated all funding agreements with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I'm told that HHS has just terminated all funding agreements with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Not to be all Jessica Fletcher, but i think we might be a bit more suspicious of Robert Todd Lincoln...present or meant to be present at 3 different presidential assassinations and attempts. Convenient. (Also, people should have been much more suspicious of Jessica Fletcher, goddess that she was).
a man with a mustache wears a white shirt with black shoulder pads
ALT: a man with a mustache wears a white shirt with black shoulder pads
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Not to be all Jessica Fletcher, but i think we might be a bit more suspicious of Robert Todd Lincoln...present or meant to be present at 3 different presidential assassinations and attempts. Convenient. (Also, people should have been much more suspicious of Jessica Fletcher, goddess that she was).