Valerie Wright
@vawright10.bsky.social
Historian of modern and contemporary Scotland: deindustrialisation, regional policy, housing, new towns, women and work | Feminist, mum and Paisley Buddy | she/her
https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/dr-valerie-wright
https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/dr-valerie-wright
Pinned
🔉 Listen in! Dr @alistairfair.bsky.social & Dr @vawright10.bsky.social: Building Modern Scotland - The Social Histories of New Towns. Ep3, s2 of Artful Inquiry, the ECA research podcast.
Listen in on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1qDQ...
More about the series: www.eca.ed.ac.uk/eca-research...
Listen in on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1qDQ...
More about the series: www.eca.ed.ac.uk/eca-research...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
Really enjoyed recording this episode of Artful Inquiry with @alistairfair.bsky.social - thanks to James, Miranda and the team at @edincollegeofart.bsky.social 🗃️ (1/2)
Reposted by Valerie Wright
The thread about Argyle House; “preposterously large and a potential rival to the Castle rock”
Brutalist buildings are the Marmite of architecture - passionately loved or loathed - and one in Edinburgh was much in the news yesterday when it was announced that plans had been lodged for the…
Brutalist buildings are the Marmite of architecture - passionately loved or loathed - and one in Edinburgh was much in the news yesterday when it was announced that plans had been lodged for the…
The thread about Argyle House; “preposterously large and a potential rival to the Castle rock”
Brutalist buildings are the Marmite of architecture - passionately loved or loathed - and one in Edinburgh was much in the news yesterday when it was announced that plans had been lodged for the demolition and replacement of Argyle House. But while other news sources make much click capital out of it having briefly appeared in some Netflix police show or another, here at Threadinburgh I prefer to get down to the nitty-gritty of the how, why and what of this much critiqued building. And just what it has to do with the Lyceum Theatre, Dalgety Bay and the Water of Leith Walkway...
threadinburgh.scot
November 13, 2025 at 6:46 AM
The thread about Argyle House; “preposterously large and a potential rival to the Castle rock”
Brutalist buildings are the Marmite of architecture - passionately loved or loathed - and one in Edinburgh was much in the news yesterday when it was announced that plans had been lodged for the…
Brutalist buildings are the Marmite of architecture - passionately loved or loathed - and one in Edinburgh was much in the news yesterday when it was announced that plans had been lodged for the…
Reposted by Valerie Wright
My new book, An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class, will be published by Verso next year.
It's now listed, which makes it feel that bit more official!
It's now listed, which makes it feel that bit more official!
An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class : Gibbs, Ewan: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Buy An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class by Gibbs, Ewan (ISBN: 9781804296493) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 5:16 PM
My new book, An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class, will be published by Verso next year.
It's now listed, which makes it feel that bit more official!
It's now listed, which makes it feel that bit more official!
Reposted by Valerie Wright
I'm saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Elspeth King, the legendary curator of the People's Palace, and a fierce advocate for Glasgow and its history.
This was fascinating on the release of the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's "Poor Things".
yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/p...
This was fascinating on the release of the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's "Poor Things".
yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/p...
November 1, 2025 at 8:52 AM
I'm saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Elspeth King, the legendary curator of the People's Palace, and a fierce advocate for Glasgow and its history.
This was fascinating on the release of the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's "Poor Things".
yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/p...
This was fascinating on the release of the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's "Poor Things".
yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/p...
Reposted by Valerie Wright
Our colleagues at @churchheritage.bsky.social have published a lovely blog from Matthew Dransfield to help ease your way into the weekend.
Read their first "Heritage Spotlight" piece looking at some of Scotland's amazing post-war churches here 👇
churchheritage.scot/2025/10/22/h...
Read their first "Heritage Spotlight" piece looking at some of Scotland's amazing post-war churches here 👇
churchheritage.scot/2025/10/22/h...
October 31, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Our colleagues at @churchheritage.bsky.social have published a lovely blog from Matthew Dransfield to help ease your way into the weekend.
Read their first "Heritage Spotlight" piece looking at some of Scotland's amazing post-war churches here 👇
churchheritage.scot/2025/10/22/h...
Read their first "Heritage Spotlight" piece looking at some of Scotland's amazing post-war churches here 👇
churchheritage.scot/2025/10/22/h...
Reposted by Valerie Wright
Had a fantastic time presenting and attending the @womenshistscot.bsky.social conference on Saturday. Congratulations to all the speakers and particularly @vawright10.bsky.social for her in depth history of women’s housing activism in Scotland. Thanks to @ymcfadden.bsky.social and the team
September 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Had a fantastic time presenting and attending the @womenshistscot.bsky.social conference on Saturday. Congratulations to all the speakers and particularly @vawright10.bsky.social for her in depth history of women’s housing activism in Scotland. Thanks to @ymcfadden.bsky.social and the team
Reposted by Valerie Wright
This year’s Sue Innes Memorial Lecture at @womenshistscot.bsky.social conference given by @vawright10.bsky.social on ‘Housing as a ‘Women’s Issue’: Women and Housing Activism in Twentieth Century Scotland.
September 13, 2025 at 6:45 PM
This year’s Sue Innes Memorial Lecture at @womenshistscot.bsky.social conference given by @vawright10.bsky.social on ‘Housing as a ‘Women’s Issue’: Women and Housing Activism in Twentieth Century Scotland.
Reposted by Valerie Wright
And you can hopefully read all about it in the National newspaper next Tuesday. 📰
September 5, 2025 at 2:34 PM
And you can hopefully read all about it in the National newspaper next Tuesday. 📰
Really enjoyed recording this episode of Artful Inquiry with @alistairfair.bsky.social - thanks to James, Miranda and the team at @edincollegeofart.bsky.social 🗃️ (1/2)
🔉 Listen in! Dr @alistairfair.bsky.social & Dr @vawright10.bsky.social: Building Modern Scotland - The Social Histories of New Towns. Ep3, s2 of Artful Inquiry, the ECA research podcast.
Listen in on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1qDQ...
More about the series: www.eca.ed.ac.uk/eca-research...
Listen in on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1qDQ...
More about the series: www.eca.ed.ac.uk/eca-research...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
September 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Really enjoyed recording this episode of Artful Inquiry with @alistairfair.bsky.social - thanks to James, Miranda and the team at @edincollegeofart.bsky.social 🗃️ (1/2)
Reposted by Valerie Wright
Recently @vawright10.bsky.social and I were interviewed for a podcast about the Scottish new towns book which we recently co-wrote (and which is available Open Access for free download via bloomsburycollections, though you can also buy a copy in print if you wish!)
🔉 Listen in! Dr @alistairfair.bsky.social & Dr @vawright10.bsky.social: Building Modern Scotland - The Social Histories of New Towns. Ep3, s2 of Artful Inquiry, the ECA research podcast.
Listen in on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1qDQ...
More about the series: www.eca.ed.ac.uk/eca-research...
Listen in on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1qDQ...
More about the series: www.eca.ed.ac.uk/eca-research...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
September 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Recently @vawright10.bsky.social and I were interviewed for a podcast about the Scottish new towns book which we recently co-wrote (and which is available Open Access for free download via bloomsburycollections, though you can also buy a copy in print if you wish!)
Reposted by Valerie Wright
⏰ Don’t miss out! Registration for the Women’s History Scotland Conference closes Friday 5 September!
Join us for a fascinating day! 👉 www.tickettailor.com/events/women...
Join us for a fascinating day! 👉 www.tickettailor.com/events/women...
Buy tickets – Women’s History Scotland Conference: New Directions in Women’s and Gender History in Scotland – Kinning Park Complex, Glasgow
Women’s History Scotland are delighted to announce their one-day conference is taking place on Saturday 13 September 2025 at th...
www.tickettailor.com
September 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
⏰ Don’t miss out! Registration for the Women’s History Scotland Conference closes Friday 5 September!
Join us for a fascinating day! 👉 www.tickettailor.com/events/women...
Join us for a fascinating day! 👉 www.tickettailor.com/events/women...
Reposted by Valerie Wright
I've just submitted An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class to my publisher, Verso.
My book explores how a British working class which was powerfully grounded in politics, the economy and culture has been unmade since the 1960s. An Injury to All is due for publication next year!
My book explores how a British working class which was powerfully grounded in politics, the economy and culture has been unmade since the 1960s. An Injury to All is due for publication next year!
August 24, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I've just submitted An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class to my publisher, Verso.
My book explores how a British working class which was powerfully grounded in politics, the economy and culture has been unmade since the 1960s. An Injury to All is due for publication next year!
My book explores how a British working class which was powerfully grounded in politics, the economy and culture has been unmade since the 1960s. An Injury to All is due for publication next year!
Reposted by Valerie Wright
Delighted to have an extract from Glasgow 1975 up on @glasgowbell.bsky.social this weekend - you can read it here www.glasgowbell.co.uk/racist-killi...
Paramilitaries, King Billy tattoos and a racist murder in Woodlands
What can a senseless killing from 1975 tell us about the fight against fascism today?
www.glasgowbell.co.uk
June 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Delighted to have an extract from Glasgow 1975 up on @glasgowbell.bsky.social this weekend - you can read it here www.glasgowbell.co.uk/racist-killi...
Reposted by Valerie Wright
Women's Sport and Art panel with Olympic Gold Winner Rhona Howie, Imogen Gibbon Chief Curator of Portraiture and myself.
Where: The National Galleries of Scotland, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
When: Tuesday 24 June 2025, 12.45–1.30pm (in person & online)
www.nationalgalleries.org/event/women-...
Where: The National Galleries of Scotland, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
When: Tuesday 24 June 2025, 12.45–1.30pm (in person & online)
www.nationalgalleries.org/event/women-...
Women in Sport | Rhona Howie (in person) | National Galleries of Scotland
Rhona Howie, skip of the Great Britain curling team that won gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and deliverer of the final stone − the ‘stone of destiny’ − that sealed that famous triu...
www.nationalgalleries.org
June 6, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Women's Sport and Art panel with Olympic Gold Winner Rhona Howie, Imogen Gibbon Chief Curator of Portraiture and myself.
Where: The National Galleries of Scotland, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
When: Tuesday 24 June 2025, 12.45–1.30pm (in person & online)
www.nationalgalleries.org/event/women-...
Where: The National Galleries of Scotland, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
When: Tuesday 24 June 2025, 12.45–1.30pm (in person & online)
www.nationalgalleries.org/event/women-...
Reposted by Valerie Wright
Live Methods was partly responding to the ‘crisis in empirical sociology’. Writing this special issue we were in another crisis- the brutal destruction of the social sciences– inc Goldsmiths, the intellectual home of the collection. It makes Live Methods, its spirit and aims more important than ever
OUT NOW #OnlineFirst: Live Methods Revisited
Eight new papers focus on @academicdiary.bsky.social and Nirmal Puwar’s Live Methods and its clarion call for more “artful and crafty” sociological methodologies. Edited by @emmakjackson.bsky.social & @kirsteen-paton.bsky.social
buff.ly/sM4Uta3
Eight new papers focus on @academicdiary.bsky.social and Nirmal Puwar’s Live Methods and its clarion call for more “artful and crafty” sociological methodologies. Edited by @emmakjackson.bsky.social & @kirsteen-paton.bsky.social
buff.ly/sM4Uta3
May 28, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Live Methods was partly responding to the ‘crisis in empirical sociology’. Writing this special issue we were in another crisis- the brutal destruction of the social sciences– inc Goldsmiths, the intellectual home of the collection. It makes Live Methods, its spirit and aims more important than ever
Reposted by Valerie Wright
My book is out on 28 October with
@versobooks.bsky.social 💥 It’s available for pre-order at £20: www.waterstones.com/book/up-in-t...
@versobooks.bsky.social 💥 It’s available for pre-order at £20: www.waterstones.com/book/up-in-t...
May 24, 2025 at 9:51 AM
My book is out on 28 October with
@versobooks.bsky.social 💥 It’s available for pre-order at £20: www.waterstones.com/book/up-in-t...
@versobooks.bsky.social 💥 It’s available for pre-order at £20: www.waterstones.com/book/up-in-t...
Reposted by Valerie Wright
NEW: How do lived experience perspectives impact decisions in the Scottish Parliamentary process?💡🗣️
@clemmiehilloconnor.bsky.social writes about her research which aims to better understand how this evidence is used and how it influences policy decision making.
www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
1/2
@clemmiehilloconnor.bsky.social writes about her research which aims to better understand how this evidence is used and how it influences policy decision making.
www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
1/2
May 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
NEW: How do lived experience perspectives impact decisions in the Scottish Parliamentary process?💡🗣️
@clemmiehilloconnor.bsky.social writes about her research which aims to better understand how this evidence is used and how it influences policy decision making.
www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
1/2
@clemmiehilloconnor.bsky.social writes about her research which aims to better understand how this evidence is used and how it influences policy decision making.
www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
1/2
Last couple of days to submit an expression of interest to our Workshop on Emotions and Scottish History in Edinburgh on 22 July ⬇️ 🗃️
Are you interested in Scottish History? Are you interested in Emotions History? Well, you are in luck - John McCallum and I are organising a Workshop on Emotions and Scottish History in Edinburgh on 22 July. Deadline for expressions of interest 21 May. 🗃️
All welcome and please spread the word. ⬇️
All welcome and please spread the word. ⬇️
Cfp: Workshop on Emotions and Scottish History
This Workshop aims to bring together scholars with interests in or around the intersections of emotions history and Scottish History to share ideas across periods and approaches, to reflect on common ...
hca.ed.ac.uk
May 19, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Last couple of days to submit an expression of interest to our Workshop on Emotions and Scottish History in Edinburgh on 22 July ⬇️ 🗃️
Reposted by Valerie Wright
The epilogue from my book. Siva said it best - “what Powell says today, the Tories say tomorrow and Labour legislates on the day after”
May 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The epilogue from my book. Siva said it best - “what Powell says today, the Tories say tomorrow and Labour legislates on the day after”
Are you interested in Scottish History? Are you interested in Emotions History? Well, you are in luck - John McCallum and I are organising a Workshop on Emotions and Scottish History in Edinburgh on 22 July. Deadline for expressions of interest 21 May. 🗃️
All welcome and please spread the word. ⬇️
All welcome and please spread the word. ⬇️
Cfp: Workshop on Emotions and Scottish History
This Workshop aims to bring together scholars with interests in or around the intersections of emotions history and Scottish History to share ideas across periods and approaches, to reflect on common ...
hca.ed.ac.uk
April 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Are you interested in Scottish History? Are you interested in Emotions History? Well, you are in luck - John McCallum and I are organising a Workshop on Emotions and Scottish History in Edinburgh on 22 July. Deadline for expressions of interest 21 May. 🗃️
All welcome and please spread the word. ⬇️
All welcome and please spread the word. ⬇️
Reposted by Valerie Wright
94% of the people raped in the UK are women, and 98% of the people arrested for rape or sexual assault are men. And — to repeat — around 3% of *reported* rapes result in a conviction. If you are looking for a feminist campaign, put down the LARGE GAMETES placard and start screaming at the CPS.
April 16, 2025 at 8:42 PM
94% of the people raped in the UK are women, and 98% of the people arrested for rape or sexual assault are men. And — to repeat — around 3% of *reported* rapes result in a conviction. If you are looking for a feminist campaign, put down the LARGE GAMETES placard and start screaming at the CPS.
Reposted by Valerie Wright
Had the privilege of attending a symposium on the launch of ‘Building Modern Scotland’ today, by @alistairfair.bsky.social @vawright10.bsky.social, Miles Glendinning and others.
Was impressed by the project’s engagement with planning, and the social and political context of of the Clyde region.
Was impressed by the project’s engagement with planning, and the social and political context of of the Clyde region.
April 2, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Had the privilege of attending a symposium on the launch of ‘Building Modern Scotland’ today, by @alistairfair.bsky.social @vawright10.bsky.social, Miles Glendinning and others.
Was impressed by the project’s engagement with planning, and the social and political context of of the Clyde region.
Was impressed by the project’s engagement with planning, and the social and political context of of the Clyde region.
Reposted by Valerie Wright
Hello everyone going to the British History Today conference at @qmcbs.bsky.social at the start of May! I'm giving a paper on young people, politics & age in late 1980s Britain at the @ihr.bsky.social
the night before! See details here: www.history.ac.uk/events/fancy... #skystorians #histchild 🗃️
the night before! See details here: www.history.ac.uk/events/fancy... #skystorians #histchild 🗃️
‘Fancy calling an election on the day of my History "O" Level’: teenagers write about age and adulthood in late 1980s Britain
www.history.ac.uk
April 1, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Hello everyone going to the British History Today conference at @qmcbs.bsky.social at the start of May! I'm giving a paper on young people, politics & age in late 1980s Britain at the @ihr.bsky.social
the night before! See details here: www.history.ac.uk/events/fancy... #skystorians #histchild 🗃️
the night before! See details here: www.history.ac.uk/events/fancy... #skystorians #histchild 🗃️
Reposted by Valerie Wright
We are delighted to be a part of the #GeneralStrike 100 anniversary national partnership with other museums, libraries, archives and groups.
Find out how you can support this partnership here: bit.ly/GeneralStrike100
#GeneralStrike100
Find out how you can support this partnership here: bit.ly/GeneralStrike100
#GeneralStrike100
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the General Strike 1926
I have just contributed to help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the General Strike 1926. Join me and support this year of celebration
bit.ly
April 1, 2025 at 8:32 AM
We are delighted to be a part of the #GeneralStrike 100 anniversary national partnership with other museums, libraries, archives and groups.
Find out how you can support this partnership here: bit.ly/GeneralStrike100
#GeneralStrike100
Find out how you can support this partnership here: bit.ly/GeneralStrike100
#GeneralStrike100
Reposted by Valerie Wright
We are delighted to be a part of the #GeneralStrike 100 anniversary national partnership with other museums, libraries, archives and groups.
Find out how you can support this partnership here: bit.ly/GeneralStrike100
#GeneralStrike100
Find out how you can support this partnership here: bit.ly/GeneralStrike100
#GeneralStrike100
April 1, 2025 at 10:40 AM
We are delighted to be a part of the #GeneralStrike 100 anniversary national partnership with other museums, libraries, archives and groups.
Find out how you can support this partnership here: bit.ly/GeneralStrike100
#GeneralStrike100
Find out how you can support this partnership here: bit.ly/GeneralStrike100
#GeneralStrike100
Reposted by Valerie Wright
In 1982 the Cumbernauld Development Corporation reported on "the continuing success of the film ‘Gregory’s Girl’ [and that] the result has been of real benefit to the town." Come and see what you think of the film:
26 March 2025, 1.30pm
NL Heritage Centre, ML1 3HU
Free; to book tinyurl.com/2r84v3sh
26 March 2025, 1.30pm
NL Heritage Centre, ML1 3HU
Free; to book tinyurl.com/2r84v3sh
March 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
In 1982 the Cumbernauld Development Corporation reported on "the continuing success of the film ‘Gregory’s Girl’ [and that] the result has been of real benefit to the town." Come and see what you think of the film:
26 March 2025, 1.30pm
NL Heritage Centre, ML1 3HU
Free; to book tinyurl.com/2r84v3sh
26 March 2025, 1.30pm
NL Heritage Centre, ML1 3HU
Free; to book tinyurl.com/2r84v3sh