Dr Gillian Jack
@drgillhistory.bsky.social
Historian of women in late medieval/early mod Italy. Writing a book on a monastery for repentant prostitutes. Open University. Feminist. Strong words; weak tea. UCU rep. She/her.
Pinned
Sex Workers and Salvation in the Renaissance
www.historytoday.com
Extremely excited to see my article in @historytoday.com this morning! EXTREMELY excited.
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...
This is an issue at the OU where there is a widespread attitude that not only are we not doing research, but that we are not capable of it. I would love to hear about better practice elsewhere in the hope we could learn from it here.
Dons #UCU HEC member hat. UK academics on teaching-focused/teaching-only contracts: how, if at all, does your employer support you in doing research? Are there any good local policies on this I should be aware of? My DMs are open and confidentiality assured. #UKHE #academicsky
November 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
This is an issue at the OU where there is a widespread attitude that not only are we not doing research, but that we are not capable of it. I would love to hear about better practice elsewhere in the hope we could learn from it here.
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
Early Florentine self-portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi on view at Christie's in New York, and up for auction in in February. I just saw it in August and it's very close to her Inclination in the Casa Buonarroti (c. 1615) and other early self-portraits in Florence (thanks, @pjeromack.bsky.social!)
November 8, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Early Florentine self-portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi on view at Christie's in New York, and up for auction in in February. I just saw it in August and it's very close to her Inclination in the Casa Buonarroti (c. 1615) and other early self-portraits in Florence (thanks, @pjeromack.bsky.social!)
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
Currently doing some marking. A reminder to everyone involved in archives and collections: digitisation is not preservation. If I digitise a box of records and put the files on a USB stick I haven't preserved a thing. It's all about what you do with the files post-digitisation. #archives #digipres
November 10, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
This week we published the 25th volume in the Society's New Historical Perspectives book series: 'Forging Fraternity in Late Medieval Society. The Palmers' Guild of Ludlow', by Rachael Harkes bit.ly/49CIDzC
Rachael's new book is available free Open Access & paperback print @uolpress.bsky.social 1/2
Rachael's new book is available free Open Access & paperback print @uolpress.bsky.social 1/2
Forging Fraternity in Late Medieval Society - University of London Press
Forging Fraternity in Late Medieval Society is an ambitious and innovative study of the social, political and religious histories of medieval England and Wales. Using the Palmers’ Guild of Ludlow as a...
bit.ly
November 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
This week we published the 25th volume in the Society's New Historical Perspectives book series: 'Forging Fraternity in Late Medieval Society. The Palmers' Guild of Ludlow', by Rachael Harkes bit.ly/49CIDzC
Rachael's new book is available free Open Access & paperback print @uolpress.bsky.social 1/2
Rachael's new book is available free Open Access & paperback print @uolpress.bsky.social 1/2
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
Hey!
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
November 8, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Hey!
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
My critical analysis of the anti-trans astroturf group, the LGB Alliance, has just been published in the special edition of the Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies. I recommend the whole special edition - it's open access, no pay wall.
bulletin.appliedtransstudies.org/article/4/1-...
bulletin.appliedtransstudies.org/article/4/1-...
Astro-TERFs - Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies
In the backlash against trans rights in the UK since the late 2010s,
the LGB Alliance has been implicated as a leading exponent of the new
moral panic, typified by its newspaper campaign against GRA r...
bulletin.appliedtransstudies.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
My critical analysis of the anti-trans astroturf group, the LGB Alliance, has just been published in the special edition of the Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies. I recommend the whole special edition - it's open access, no pay wall.
bulletin.appliedtransstudies.org/article/4/1-...
bulletin.appliedtransstudies.org/article/4/1-...
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
Over 50,000 cis women have signed the @nionwomen.bsky.social open letter rejecting the narrative that trans women are a danger to women.
The real threat to women has never been trans women. The real threat to women is male violence.
Add your name today: notinourname.org.uk/petition/not...
The real threat to women has never been trans women. The real threat to women is male violence.
Add your name today: notinourname.org.uk/petition/not...
October 17, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Over 50,000 cis women have signed the @nionwomen.bsky.social open letter rejecting the narrative that trans women are a danger to women.
The real threat to women has never been trans women. The real threat to women is male violence.
Add your name today: notinourname.org.uk/petition/not...
The real threat to women has never been trans women. The real threat to women is male violence.
Add your name today: notinourname.org.uk/petition/not...
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
An incredibly important third win in a row in our ongoing fight for the rights and dignities of trans people
October 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
An incredibly important third win in a row in our ongoing fight for the rights and dignities of trans people
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
1. A new journal report in the prestigious Medical Journal of Australia eviscerates the Cass review, saying it is filled with fallacies and launders anti-trans disinformation.
It methodically goes through each problem in the review.
The latest from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism
It methodically goes through each problem in the review.
The latest from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism
New Journal Report: Cass Review “Echoes Fallacies Promoted By Anti-Trans Disinformation”
While American lawyers pushed the anti-trans Cass Review this week, Australia’s top scholars rebuked it.
www.erininthemorning.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:37 PM
1. A new journal report in the prestigious Medical Journal of Australia eviscerates the Cass review, saying it is filled with fallacies and launders anti-trans disinformation.
It methodically goes through each problem in the review.
The latest from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism
It methodically goes through each problem in the review.
The latest from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
News from UCU Scotland: Autumn of university strikes on the cards amidst cuts and job losses: "... unprecedented number of universities making budget cuts, jobs being lost and a record number of universities facing industrial action ballots and strikes..." www.ucu.org.uk/article/1421...
Autumn of university strikes on the cards amidst cuts and job losses
University and College Union (UCU) Scotland members at universities across Scotland are preparing for an autumn of strikes and industrial action as the funding and jobs cuts crisis in Scottish univers...
www.ucu.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM
News from UCU Scotland: Autumn of university strikes on the cards amidst cuts and job losses: "... unprecedented number of universities making budget cuts, jobs being lost and a record number of universities facing industrial action ballots and strikes..." www.ucu.org.uk/article/1421...
Even those of us working in universities but on teaching-only contracts are excluded from a variety of opportunities and funding.
With yet another university hosted event closed to 'non academics' (aka those not employed by a university)* I'm just going to leave this piece by @drhelenkara.bsky.social and myself here blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
* yes I know it's utter nonsense and academics/researchers exist outside unis
* yes I know it's utter nonsense and academics/researchers exist outside unis
Institutional affiliation should not be a requirement for doing research - Impact of Social Sciences
Universities espouse a universalist approach to creating research-based knowledge. Helen Kara & Petra Boynton argue, from the outside these claims are hollow.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Even those of us working in universities but on teaching-only contracts are excluded from a variety of opportunities and funding.
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
New! Cassetteboy vs Keir Starmer.
This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
September 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
New! Cassetteboy vs Keir Starmer.
This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
Wikipedia editors trying to fend off the onslaught of AI crap have crowdsourced some telltale signs of LLM-generated writing; it might be handy for editors and proofreaders generally. Thanks to @ellenrykers.com for pointing me to it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikiped...
Wikipedia:Signs of AI writing - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
August 31, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Wikipedia editors trying to fend off the onslaught of AI crap have crowdsourced some telltale signs of LLM-generated writing; it might be handy for editors and proofreaders generally. Thanks to @ellenrykers.com for pointing me to it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikiped...
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
£140m cuts. 1,800 jobs at risk.
Edinburgh staff are voting again.
@drjogrady.bsky.social: “The quickest way to force their hand is a resounding YES vote.
We stand with our members at Edinburgh as they ballot to defend jobs, students, and education. ✊
Edinburgh staff are voting again.
@drjogrady.bsky.social: “The quickest way to force their hand is a resounding YES vote.
We stand with our members at Edinburgh as they ballot to defend jobs, students, and education. ✊
Herald coverage of the re-ballot opening at @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social #StopTheCuts #SaveHE #NoCompulsoryRedundancies www.heraldscotland.com/news/2549091...
Edinburgh University staff balloted on further strike action in row over job cuts
Staff at Edinburgh University are to be re-balloted on potential strike action in protest against financial cuts and job losses.
www.heraldscotland.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
£140m cuts. 1,800 jobs at risk.
Edinburgh staff are voting again.
@drjogrady.bsky.social: “The quickest way to force their hand is a resounding YES vote.
We stand with our members at Edinburgh as they ballot to defend jobs, students, and education. ✊
Edinburgh staff are voting again.
@drjogrady.bsky.social: “The quickest way to force their hand is a resounding YES vote.
We stand with our members at Edinburgh as they ballot to defend jobs, students, and education. ✊
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
✨ We’ve Moved! ✨
Thank you to the 42,890 people who have signed, shared and supported our letter so far: Not In Our Name: Women in support of the trans+ community.
🌐 NotInOurName.org.uk
Thank you to the 42,890 people who have signed, shared and supported our letter so far: Not In Our Name: Women in support of the trans+ community.
🌐 NotInOurName.org.uk
September 19, 2025 at 10:25 AM
✨ We’ve Moved! ✨
Thank you to the 42,890 people who have signed, shared and supported our letter so far: Not In Our Name: Women in support of the trans+ community.
🌐 NotInOurName.org.uk
Thank you to the 42,890 people who have signed, shared and supported our letter so far: Not In Our Name: Women in support of the trans+ community.
🌐 NotInOurName.org.uk
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
'Counting the Stakes: A Reassessment of Vlad III Dracula': new in 'Transactions of the Royal Historical Society' bit.ly/46iJfIU
In this new article, Dénes Harai reconsiders the victims of 'Vlad the Impaler' (c.1431-76), the historical inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula #Skystorians 1/2
In this new article, Dénes Harai reconsiders the victims of 'Vlad the Impaler' (c.1431-76), the historical inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula #Skystorians 1/2
September 23, 2025 at 11:01 AM
'Counting the Stakes: A Reassessment of Vlad III Dracula': new in 'Transactions of the Royal Historical Society' bit.ly/46iJfIU
In this new article, Dénes Harai reconsiders the victims of 'Vlad the Impaler' (c.1431-76), the historical inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula #Skystorians 1/2
In this new article, Dénes Harai reconsiders the victims of 'Vlad the Impaler' (c.1431-76), the historical inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula #Skystorians 1/2
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
We're starting day 4 of the strike with Jack the cat's full support. He also says that this is a manufactured crisis because there is no deficit at the University of Edinburgh. Clever cat.
September 11, 2025 at 7:32 AM
We're starting day 4 of the strike with Jack the cat's full support. He also says that this is a manufactured crisis because there is no deficit at the University of Edinburgh. Clever cat.
Should know not to look at FB first thing. This morning, person in England explaining Scottish politics with the customary absence of understanding.
Spending the rest of the day draped in a saltire, singing 'Caledonia' while softly weeping, and framing a photo of John Swinney for the wall.
Spending the rest of the day draped in a saltire, singing 'Caledonia' while softly weeping, and framing a photo of John Swinney for the wall.
September 2, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Should know not to look at FB first thing. This morning, person in England explaining Scottish politics with the customary absence of understanding.
Spending the rest of the day draped in a saltire, singing 'Caledonia' while softly weeping, and framing a photo of John Swinney for the wall.
Spending the rest of the day draped in a saltire, singing 'Caledonia' while softly weeping, and framing a photo of John Swinney for the wall.
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
The consultative ballot response unfortunately has not given HEC a clear steer.
To inform our decision, we are asking @ucu.org.uk members' views on the questions below. If you are a UCU member in HE, we want to hear from you! Please respond to the form below by 5 pm on Friday, 29 August
To inform our decision, we are asking @ucu.org.uk members' views on the questions below. If you are a UCU member in HE, we want to hear from you! Please respond to the form below by 5 pm on Friday, 29 August
NEW on our Substack: Help your HEC reps decide what we should do next for our pay dispute!
Please see the linked form, fill it in, & pass to your contacts. The form is open until 5pm Friday 27th Aug in advance of HEC on Monday 1st Sep.
Please repost #ucu
ucucommons.substack.com/p/help-your-...
Please see the linked form, fill it in, & pass to your contacts. The form is open until 5pm Friday 27th Aug in advance of HEC on Monday 1st Sep.
Please repost #ucu
ucucommons.substack.com/p/help-your-...
Help your UCU Higher Education reps decide what we should do next for our pay dispute
Please read, fill in, and share with your contacts
ucucommons.substack.com
August 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The consultative ballot response unfortunately has not given HEC a clear steer.
To inform our decision, we are asking @ucu.org.uk members' views on the questions below. If you are a UCU member in HE, we want to hear from you! Please respond to the form below by 5 pm on Friday, 29 August
To inform our decision, we are asking @ucu.org.uk members' views on the questions below. If you are a UCU member in HE, we want to hear from you! Please respond to the form below by 5 pm on Friday, 29 August
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
Each year, we publish lists of books, journal articles, and chapters published by historians working off the tenure track. It's never too early to start collecting, so if you or someone you know has something with a 2025 publication date to submit, have at it!
Publications by Non-Tenure-Track Historians
Since we began publishing in 2019, Contingent has published end-of-year lists of books and articles by non-tenure-track historians released in the past calendar year. To submit something for inclusion...
contingentmagazine.org
August 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Each year, we publish lists of books, journal articles, and chapters published by historians working off the tenure track. It's never too early to start collecting, so if you or someone you know has something with a 2025 publication date to submit, have at it!
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
Academic historians rarely speak up like this but have made an exception in speaking in support of trans people in the UK and against the current trans exclusionary situation over there.
Not just a few historians but hundreds signed this.
www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/02/h...
Not just a few historians but hundreds signed this.
www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/02/h...
Warning from historians over government's treatment of trans people
Over 350 historians and academics have urged the government to turn back on its growing attacks on trans rights in the UK.
www.thepinknews.com
August 17, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Academic historians rarely speak up like this but have made an exception in speaking in support of trans people in the UK and against the current trans exclusionary situation over there.
Not just a few historians but hundreds signed this.
www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/02/h...
Not just a few historians but hundreds signed this.
www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/02/h...
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
Do you run a business in the UK? Concerned about the proposed guidance on single sex spaces? Information and a letter sign www.transsolidarityalliance.com/businesses-o...
Businesses Open Letter | TSA
www.transsolidarityalliance.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Do you run a business in the UK? Concerned about the proposed guidance on single sex spaces? Information and a letter sign www.transsolidarityalliance.com/businesses-o...
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
EXACTLY as trans people predicted...
Cis women & non-binary people are being harassed & assaulted in toilets since the supreme court misjudgement. @libbybrooks.bsky.social in the Guardian.
I'm now working on a way to monitor, document and record incidents like these.
Attn @cliveefford.bsky.social
Cis women & non-binary people are being harassed & assaulted in toilets since the supreme court misjudgement. @libbybrooks.bsky.social in the Guardian.
I'm now working on a way to monitor, document and record incidents like these.
Attn @cliveefford.bsky.social
‘I’ve been spat on’: gender non-conforming women tell of toilet abuse in aftermath of supreme court ruling
Support groups report that women and non-binary people are increasingly being challenged in toilets and changing facilities – but others call it scaremongering
www.theguardian.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:19 AM
EXACTLY as trans people predicted...
Cis women & non-binary people are being harassed & assaulted in toilets since the supreme court misjudgement. @libbybrooks.bsky.social in the Guardian.
I'm now working on a way to monitor, document and record incidents like these.
Attn @cliveefford.bsky.social
Cis women & non-binary people are being harassed & assaulted in toilets since the supreme court misjudgement. @libbybrooks.bsky.social in the Guardian.
I'm now working on a way to monitor, document and record incidents like these.
Attn @cliveefford.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
#MedievalSky #EarlyModern
If you're working on any aspect of the life-cycle (eg birth, marriage, baptism, leaving home, death, childbearing, etc) and want to present at the Life Cycles Seminar at IHR I'd be keen to hear from you! Echo chambers are never good, so it's always worth casting the net.
If you're working on any aspect of the life-cycle (eg birth, marriage, baptism, leaving home, death, childbearing, etc) and want to present at the Life Cycles Seminar at IHR I'd be keen to hear from you! Echo chambers are never good, so it's always worth casting the net.
August 11, 2025 at 10:27 AM
#MedievalSky #EarlyModern
If you're working on any aspect of the life-cycle (eg birth, marriage, baptism, leaving home, death, childbearing, etc) and want to present at the Life Cycles Seminar at IHR I'd be keen to hear from you! Echo chambers are never good, so it's always worth casting the net.
If you're working on any aspect of the life-cycle (eg birth, marriage, baptism, leaving home, death, childbearing, etc) and want to present at the Life Cycles Seminar at IHR I'd be keen to hear from you! Echo chambers are never good, so it's always worth casting the net.
Reposted by Dr Gillian Jack
For years gender critical activists have called Nicola a whole range of lesbian slurs, provided rampant speculation while refusing to give her any space or privacy on the matter.
This isn't something that a gay ally does, that's the behaviour of a bigot.
This isn't something that a gay ally does, that's the behaviour of a bigot.
August 9, 2025 at 10:22 AM
For years gender critical activists have called Nicola a whole range of lesbian slurs, provided rampant speculation while refusing to give her any space or privacy on the matter.
This isn't something that a gay ally does, that's the behaviour of a bigot.
This isn't something that a gay ally does, that's the behaviour of a bigot.