Helen Blaby
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blabers.bsky.social
Helen Blaby
@blabers.bsky.social
180 followers 300 following 27 posts
Radio producer. PhD student studying Virtual Reality and its role in combatting domestic violence. Founder of Headfest. Idiot. 3 cats, no kids.
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blabers.bsky.social
The times they are a-changing as someone once said. Thoughts on AI as emotional support. Backed up by statistics and everyfin.
#ai #therapy #artificialintelligence
🎭 More Effective Than Therapy?
AI, Emotional Support, and the Goblin in the Mirror
helenblaby.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 8:33 PM
blabers.bsky.social
A year and a bit in I am currently without supervision. So I’ve decided to write about what I’m doing. Please have a look and subscribe. You might just help me get through it. At least until supervision is back in place #academicsky #phd #neurodiversity #AI #VR #research
PhD: Powered by Goblins, Grudges, and Glitter
This is not the tidy academic journey you’re looking for. It’s messier. It’s louder. And it’s wearing mismatched socks.
open.substack.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:18 PM
blabers.bsky.social
I’m looking for conferences next year that align with my research into Ai-driven VR Therapy for perpetrators of Domestic Violence. What would you suggest? Thanks

#academicsky #phdsky #AI #virtualreality #psychology #behaviour #conference #therapy
June 6, 2025 at 10:13 AM
blabers.bsky.social
If you’re a #baker #insomniac #musiclover you might enjoy my new substack.
April 25, 2025 at 11:16 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Show me that a cat stood on your keyboard without showing me your cat on the keyboard.
February 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Hattie will be having none of you nonsense thank you very much. #cat
A tabby cat looks askance at the camera.
February 5, 2025 at 1:39 AM
blabers.bsky.social
Cat leaning post. #cat
December 4, 2024 at 8:56 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Massive imposter syndrome today #phdvoice #academicsky #phdsky
December 2, 2024 at 5:06 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Tell me you’re middle-aged without telling me you’re middle-aged (varifocals, computer glasses and readers 🙄)
November 27, 2024 at 12:41 PM
blabers.bsky.social
The sequel *snortle*
November 26, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Reposted by Helen Blaby
biggreenbooks.bsky.social
THE FESTIVE BIG GREEN BOOK SWAP

You let me know what kind of stuff you like reading.

I'll match you up with someone with similar tastes.

I'll post you both a book I think you'll like (+ choc & tea!).

Read & chat with your book buddy.

Just £15

DETAILS HERE!
www.biggreenbookshop.com/index.php
There are two books (they're the same book) wrapped up in festive wrapping paper. On top of each of them is a bar of chocolate and a pack of Pukka tea. If you join the Big Green Book Swap, you and a new online buddy will be matched up and you'll each get a book, some choc and a lovely cup of tea.
November 24, 2024 at 7:04 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Biscuit making
November 22, 2024 at 10:24 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Bashed out 2000ish words for my lit review this evening. Tomorrow I will read it and probably delete it. And repeat. #phd #phdvoice #phdsky #academicsky #psychology
November 22, 2024 at 1:27 AM
Reposted by Helen Blaby
adamcsharp.bsky.social
My six favourite European Mr Men character names...

6. Mr Muddle in Spain = Don Confuso
5. Mr Topsy-Turvy in Germany = Herr Kuddelmuddel
4. Mr Bounce in France = Monsieur Bing
3. Mr Dizzy in Portugal = Senhor Bobo
2. Mr Greedy in Sweden = Gubben Glufs Glufs
1. Mr Bump in Norway = Herr Dumpidump
A cover of Herr Dumpidump by Roger Hargreaves that says "Herr Dumpidump by Roger Hargreaves" and with an illustration of Herr Dumpidump looking especially dumpidumpish (forgive me but I can't stop repeating the word dumpidump... DUMPIDUMP!)
November 18, 2024 at 12:04 PM
blabers.bsky.social
😝
flups.bsky.social Flups @flups.bsky.social · Nov 18
FACT OF THE DAY.

Seventies icon Brian Cant’s sister, Dee, was the first person to pour wine from a bottle into a glass jug. His brother, Des, was the first person to sing a melody higher than the main tune.
November 18, 2024 at 11:56 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Things that are not helpful number 371

Laptop dying when you’re on a #phd roll. #phdsky
November 18, 2024 at 8:18 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Wait just a minute now. A week on Sunday it’s DECEMBER
barack obama sitting in a chair with his hands up
ALT: barack obama sitting in a chair with his hands up
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2024 at 4:50 PM
blabers.bsky.social
It is TOO EARLY to hear The Pogues on the radio.
November 18, 2024 at 12:20 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Car in for service and MOT. I am doing a literature search whilst waiting. Chap just asked me what I was doing but glazed over when I started explaining 😂 #phdlife
November 18, 2024 at 10:29 AM
Reposted by Helen Blaby
mrdiscopop.bsky.social
In case you can’t access Instagram, here’s the full text of Robbie Williams’ response to former Take That manager Nigel Martin Smith’s appearance on the BBC’s “Boybands Forever” documentary.

Powerful, revealing and emotional. (1/3)
Screenshot of Robbie Williams’ post to Instagram, which reads: “Hey Nige, Hope all is good in your world and life is being kind to you. “Just thought I'd jot down a few thoughts about our appearance together as talking heads on the boyband doc "Boybands Forever" “I was equal parts terrified and excited to be sharing a screen with you again. Excited to see where we both are on this journey and terrified in case old emotions would be triggered and l'd still be in a place of anger, hurt or fear. As it happens it would appear that time has done its thing, and I guess the wisdom it brings has taken its mop to a few nooks and crannies here and there. I guess not every nook has been bleached though.” Second page of Robbie Williams’ statement: "He's smart, is Robbie and it's quite clever, you know, 'I did drugs because I was in this band where I couldn't have girlfriends or I couldn't go out. That evil twat, Nigel, it's his fault that I'm behaving like a wanker' Nigel Martin Smith. “Allow me to respond to your assertion. My drug taking was never your fault. My response to the warped world that surrounded me is solely my own. How I chose to self-medicate is and was something that I will be monitoring and dealing with for the whole of my life. It's part of my makeup and I would have the same malady had I been a taxi driver. “I just got there quicker due to having the finances whilst trying in vain to counteract the turbulence of pop stardom's matrix-bending washing machine. “If you are following the story closely you can't help but notice a pattern emerge. “Boys join a boy band. The band become huge. Boys get sick. Some are fortunate through a series of self-examinations and…” Part three of Robbie’s statement: “…help to overcome their experience. Some never quite manage to untangle the mess of the wreckage of the past. “I'm not breaking anyone's anonymity by sharing the side effects of boyband dysphoria that relate to just us lads. “Everyone has publicly put this on record: Howard - Contemplated suicide when the band ended. Mark - Addiction, alcoholism, rehab. Gaz - Bulimia. Me - I think that one is well-documented. Jason - Whatever effect Take That had on him is so painful he can't even be part of it. “I will also remind you that the person acting like a 'wanker' was 16 when he joined the band and 21 when he left. That was the last time I saw you. I hope I have more grace and understanding when and if any of my own 4 children at such a vulnerable age behave in the same manner.” Part four of Robbie’s statement: "You get to a certain age and you just think, 'Fuck it, I'm not going to me grave as some big, nasty, evil bastard'." Nigel Martin Smith. “Allow me to help here. Nige, you continue to not come across as a relatable character and could do with a glow-up where redeemable features are concerned. “Therefore you play into the narrative you don't want for yourself. Here's what you should say: "The level of success was new to us all. I wish I knew then what I know now - I could have been there for them on a level that in hindsight maybe I wasn't" “Everyone will understand and appreciate that level of self-reflection. It's okay to admit your shortcomings. “No one is going to sue you for not knowing or understanding the psychological effects everything was having on everyone. We were outliers. Just concede a few points here and there cos no-one's gonna buy the version of perfection and upright behaviour that is your current M.O.”
November 17, 2024 at 12:18 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Sunday evening. Kahlua and Baileys
Yum. 🤪
November 17, 2024 at 8:02 PM
blabers.bsky.social
Sad news. He was a man who made time for everyone.
November 17, 2024 at 10:34 AM
Reposted by Helen Blaby
bbcstever.bsky.social
Do you ever get the feeling the world’s gone crazy? With this in mind, I play the Flintstones theme in the style of the Russian classics.
November 16, 2024 at 7:42 AM
blabers.bsky.social
Been thinking about my Dad a lot today. I keep hearing him say “it’s upstairs in the jug” is that a Northamptonian thing?!
November 15, 2024 at 11:07 PM
blabers.bsky.social
It’s alright here I think.
November 14, 2024 at 11:09 PM