Ayesha Gaye
@ayeshagaye.bsky.social
PhD candidate at Durham University Department of English Studies, researching Representations of Black Identity in Nineteenth-Century British Literature📚 | Victorianist🎩 | Occasional poet🖋️ | she/her ✨
Fortunately, academic women worldwide have stood up. They are reposting Richard Cooper’s original post of “Just look at the degree on that chick”, and posting it alongside images of themselves in their graduation gowns, with their acquired degrees (I may have also joined in🙊).
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Fortunately, academic women worldwide have stood up. They are reposting Richard Cooper’s original post of “Just look at the degree on that chick”, and posting it alongside images of themselves in their graduation gowns, with their acquired degrees (I may have also joined in🙊).
“Just look at the degree on that chick – No man ever” – Richard Cooper, 2025
Recently on X (formerly Twitter), there has been a growing trend of trolls (mostly incels), directing hate towards women who have achieved academic success.
Recently on X (formerly Twitter), there has been a growing trend of trolls (mostly incels), directing hate towards women who have achieved academic success.
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
“Just look at the degree on that chick – No man ever” – Richard Cooper, 2025
Recently on X (formerly Twitter), there has been a growing trend of trolls (mostly incels), directing hate towards women who have achieved academic success.
Recently on X (formerly Twitter), there has been a growing trend of trolls (mostly incels), directing hate towards women who have achieved academic success.
Back to thesis-writing! Currently writing Chapter Two, Section Three on Mary Kingsley and West Africa, and reading the Victorian periodical: Mainly about People.
September 29, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Back to thesis-writing! Currently writing Chapter Two, Section Three on Mary Kingsley and West Africa, and reading the Victorian periodical: Mainly about People.
I’m happy to announce that I have started recording the first episode of my podcast, Victorian Curiosities!🎙️The episode will focus on the life of Victorian icon, Frederick Douglass, and will discuss his tireless advocacy for the civil rights of African Americans.
September 23, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I’m happy to announce that I have started recording the first episode of my podcast, Victorian Curiosities!🎙️The episode will focus on the life of Victorian icon, Frederick Douglass, and will discuss his tireless advocacy for the civil rights of African Americans.
Amazing night at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham for #UncannyFearoftheDark last night! #UncannyCommunity #IKnowWhatISaw #TeamBeliever
September 22, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Amazing night at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham for #UncannyFearoftheDark last night! #UncannyCommunity #IKnowWhatISaw #TeamBeliever
Currently reading for Chapter Two, Section Three of my thesis, which focuses on Mary Kingsley’s Travels in West Africa (1897). It’s a fascinating narrative! 📚
September 3, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Currently reading for Chapter Two, Section Three of my thesis, which focuses on Mary Kingsley’s Travels in West Africa (1897). It’s a fascinating narrative! 📚
Thank you so much to Waterstones Nottingham for a wonderful evening, and of course, to the amazing Jacqueline Wilson, for being such a big part of mine, and so many others’ childhoods!🥺📚📖🌟 3/3
August 26, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Thank you so much to Waterstones Nottingham for a wonderful evening, and of course, to the amazing Jacqueline Wilson, for being such a big part of mine, and so many others’ childhoods!🥺📚📖🌟 3/3
I, like so many other girls, grew up reading books. It was a pleasure to hear her thoughts on her career, writing experience, and characters; she is such a lovely lady! 2/3
August 26, 2025 at 5:11 AM
I, like so many other girls, grew up reading books. It was a pleasure to hear her thoughts on her career, writing experience, and characters; she is such a lovely lady! 2/3
Last night, I attended An Evening with Jacqueline Wilson, hosted by @waterstones.bsky.social at the beautiful St Mary’s Church in Nottingham. 1/3
August 26, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Last night, I attended An Evening with Jacqueline Wilson, hosted by @waterstones.bsky.social at the beautiful St Mary’s Church in Nottingham. 1/3
Happy 207th birthday to my favourite Brontë sister, Emily, and happy 67th birthday to one of my favourite musical artists, Kate Bush! Two amazingly talented women born on the same day, 140 years apart.
‘I will walk where my own nature would be leading.’ - Emily Brontë
‘I will walk where my own nature would be leading.’ - Emily Brontë
July 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Happy 207th birthday to my favourite Brontë sister, Emily, and happy 67th birthday to one of my favourite musical artists, Kate Bush! Two amazingly talented women born on the same day, 140 years apart.
‘I will walk where my own nature would be leading.’ - Emily Brontë
‘I will walk where my own nature would be leading.’ - Emily Brontë
Yesterday I completed the first draft of Chapter Two, Section Two on Charles Dickens after having a bit of a break from thesis-writing. Current overall word count is about 42,000 words, so I’m now onto the countdown to 50,000. Feeling more determined than ever to finish my PhD.
July 17, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Yesterday I completed the first draft of Chapter Two, Section Two on Charles Dickens after having a bit of a break from thesis-writing. Current overall word count is about 42,000 words, so I’m now onto the countdown to 50,000. Feeling more determined than ever to finish my PhD.
I’m back on the other place if anybody’s still there 😅 Same username as before.
July 13, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I’m back on the other place if anybody’s still there 😅 Same username as before.
I attended Thursday’s lovely service in Durham to remember and celebrate this incredible man, who had such an exuberance for life and positively impacted every person he came into contact with: Professor Simon James.
July 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I attended Thursday’s lovely service in Durham to remember and celebrate this incredible man, who had such an exuberance for life and positively impacted every person he came into contact with: Professor Simon James.
This is just one of the many lovely emails Simon sent me – he would always ensure that I took care of myself, and would always remind me not to email him while I was on holiday! His feedback on my thesis was ALWAYS positive, but constructive…
June 17, 2025 at 9:18 AM
This is just one of the many lovely emails Simon sent me – he would always ensure that I took care of myself, and would always remind me not to email him while I was on holiday! His feedback on my thesis was ALWAYS positive, but constructive…
Obviously I’m heartbroken. My house is empty and I haven’t stopped crying since yesterday. But, time heals, and I know she’ll always be with me🐾❤️🌈
May 31, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Obviously I’m heartbroken. My house is empty and I haven’t stopped crying since yesterday. But, time heals, and I know she’ll always be with me🐾❤️🌈
She was my best friend and supported me through all of my university degrees. It’s not going to be the same writing my thesis without her sitting next to my desk, but I know that she would want me to carry on. She was the most amazing little research assistant, and I will miss her so, so much 🥺❤️
May 31, 2025 at 5:43 PM
She was my best friend and supported me through all of my university degrees. It’s not going to be the same writing my thesis without her sitting next to my desk, but I know that she would want me to carry on. She was the most amazing little research assistant, and I will miss her so, so much 🥺❤️
Hi Bluesky, it’s been a short while since I posted. I just wanted to update you all with some sad news😞. Unfortunately, my beautiful dog, Hope, who most of you will know as my PhD study buddy, went to Rainbow Bridge yesterday morning😢🌈🐾
May 31, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Hi Bluesky, it’s been a short while since I posted. I just wanted to update you all with some sad news😞. Unfortunately, my beautiful dog, Hope, who most of you will know as my PhD study buddy, went to Rainbow Bridge yesterday morning😢🌈🐾
Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing mum and to all the wonderful mums out there 🌸
March 30, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing mum and to all the wonderful mums out there 🌸
Writing Chapter Two, Section Two on Charles Dickens!💻 #PhDlife #AcademicBluesky #PhDSky #AcademicSky #CharlesDickens #AcademicLife #Victorians
March 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Writing Chapter Two, Section Two on Charles Dickens!💻 #PhDlife #AcademicBluesky #PhDSky #AcademicSky #CharlesDickens #AcademicLife #Victorians
I love having fresh flowers in front of my PhD desk☺️🌼
March 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I love having fresh flowers in front of my PhD desk☺️🌼
Here’s Hope sleeping next to my desk 🥰🐾
March 10, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Here’s Hope sleeping next to my desk 🥰🐾
My first draft of Chapter Two, Section One is done! #PhDLife #MarySeacole
March 7, 2025 at 3:20 PM
My first draft of Chapter Two, Section One is done! #PhDLife #MarySeacole
My boyfriend and I had a really busy day rearranging my bedroom. After several years of writing essays in my bed, I FINALLY have a desk to work at!😁💻 #PhDLife #AcademicBluesky
March 6, 2025 at 8:26 PM
My boyfriend and I had a really busy day rearranging my bedroom. After several years of writing essays in my bed, I FINALLY have a desk to work at!😁💻 #PhDLife #AcademicBluesky
Managed to get tickets to the live show in Nottingham on 21st September!👻 #UncannyCommunity
February 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Managed to get tickets to the live show in Nottingham on 21st September!👻 #UncannyCommunity