Helen Rottier
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helenrottier.bsky.social
Helen Rottier
@helenrottier.bsky.social
2.6K followers 1.3K following 920 posts
PhD in Disability Studies. Disabled Dis-Epistemologies and Knowledge Production. Opinions are my own. she/her
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helenrottier.bsky.social
Pittsburgh is a *gorgeous* city. 🤩
curved road with bus and cars, large building with arches and windows. mural of a futuristic city skyline in a geometric art style in shades of orange, red, and blue.
November 6, 2025 at 4:32 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Sky-eyed. 🌤️
Out an airplane window, a thick layer of cloud stretches out like the sea, and the horizon shows an ombré orange sunrise.
November 2, 2025 at 1:35 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Honored to present the keynote at the Disability in STEM Symposium on campus today! Even when told, over and over, that disabled people cannot know, we know anyways. #DisabilityInSTEM #AcademicSky
Helen sits at a podium with a microphone. Behind her, slides are displayed, with the title “Disabled Dis-Epistemologies: On Academic Ableism, (In)Access, and Knowing Anyways.
October 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Dr. Rottier as Doctor Worm for #GameholeCon Day 2 (yesterday)! My highlight was the Promoting Mental Health Through Games panel. Ready for another exciting day!
photo of Helen wearing a white coat and holding drumsticks.
October 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
I’m at Gamehole Con all weekend! If you see me, say hi and ask for a sticker - I brought a mini album so that I can share! #GameholeCon #TTRPG #TabletopGaming #Madison
mini sticker album, convention program, and weekend badge all decorated with stickers.
October 16, 2025 at 2:51 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
It’s fall, and I am fully charred. 🙃🔥📆 #AcademicSky
Art by Brittany Frost Designs.
Illustration by Brittany Frost Designs with repeating pattern of ghost marshmallows on sticks, campfires, s’mores, bats, and spiderwebs. Text reads, “I’m not burned out, I’m fully charred. I’m a human marshmallow with a calendar.”
September 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Grateful for sunny days and afternoons working from the Terrace. ☀️💚
selfie of Helen, a white person with short brown hair and sunglasses with a background of plants and metal tables and chairs painted orange, green, and yellow.
August 19, 2025 at 10:25 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
colorful letter magnets that spell out “don’t forget to include yourself on the list of things to take care of this week”
August 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Abby Howells is a treasure, and watching Taskmaster NZ Season 5 is constant delight in seeing someone who thinks like me celebrated for her lateral thinking. ❤️ @taskmaster.tv #TaskmasterNZ
Abby Howells standing in a lab saying “They’re the planets.” Abby Howells in a lab saying “Autism rules! Pattern recognition.” Abby Howells in a lab saying, “My man.”
August 1, 2025 at 10:58 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Today, for the first time, the Disability Pride flag is waving over the Madison Municipal Building. Grateful to gather with my fellow advocates, especially in difficult times. The flag calls us to action, to boldness, and to solidarity. #DisabilityPrideMonth
flag pole with US, Dane County, Madison, and Disability Pride flags waving against a blue sky with wispy clouds in front of a cream-colored brick building.
July 1, 2025 at 8:47 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
We love to see it. 🤩
screenshot of the Outlook app with an illustration of a hot air balloon and text that says, “Nothing Left to Read. Enjoy your empty inbox.”
July 1, 2025 at 6:52 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Tonight my husband and I went to trivia night at a local craft store, and it may have been my perfect night out. Our team name was Mr. Roly-Poly & Dr. Worm, and we came in 2nd!
easel with illustrated “team flag” of a roly-poly bug and a worm sitting on a table with a painted ceramic blob and a decorated wooden fish
June 28, 2025 at 1:32 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
I did not expect that holding the bound copy of my dissertation would make me verklempt! This has been an incredible process, and to hold on to the finished product is so fulfilling. #ThisDiss #PhDone
Helen, a white person with short brown hair and glasses wearing a red shirt and holding up a blue bound copy of her dissertation. Helen holding the bound copy of her dissertation looking shocked and emotional.
May 20, 2025 at 12:47 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
We saw a mama duck with 12 fluffy ducklings! 🦆
one female duck leading 12 fluffy ducklings over a paved terrace along a concrete raised garden bed.
May 18, 2025 at 11:45 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Views from a taco walk. 😂
a silver railing, blue lake and sky on a sunny day with trees in the horizon
May 18, 2025 at 10:31 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Helen Rottier, PhD ❤️🎓
Helen is smiling in front of a UIC photo backdrop wearing red and blue academic regalia and holding her diploma cover.
May 16, 2025 at 12:26 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
My dissertation theme song was Doctor Worm by TMBG, so all weekend when I was anxious, Joseph led me though this affirmation: “This worm is a princess. This worm is a PhD.” 🪱🎓👑
selfie of Helen at commencement. She is wearing a blue tan with long gold tassel and red and blue robes. She has an honor cord in the colors of the Disability Pride flag.
May 11, 2025 at 5:09 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
I’m just saying… 🤷🏻‍♀️

#PopeLeoXIV #Chicago
Old Style logo with red and blue shield. coat of arms for Pope Leo XIV, vaguely resembling Old Style logo.
May 11, 2025 at 1:12 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
My incredible husband has supported me through so much. His love is the fuel inside of me and the shield that surrounds me. He deserves so much - including a real honeymoon! I love you, @josephwetzel.bsky.social! Love, Dr. Wife ❤️
Helen and Joseph smiling in front of a brick wall. Joseph is wearing a suit. Helen is wearing graduation robes, hood, and tam.
May 10, 2025 at 4:37 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Washieka Torres is truly a kindred spirit. We have been best friends since day one. We laughed and rolled our eyes together in our classes, studied together, stressed together, and ate our way through Chicago. You are the best part of UIC.
Washieka and Helen, laughing in a close embrace in front of a brick wall. Washieka is wearing a purple dress and patterned hair wrap. Helen is wearing graduation robes, hood, and tam.
May 10, 2025 at 4:33 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
I am so grateful to my parents for encouraging me and supporting me. My dad and I have eaten at this Giordano’s whenever he drove me back and forth between Madison and Chicago. My mom listened to me complain and then told me, “keep going! keep writing!” I love them so much!
three people stand and smile in front of a brick wall. Eric is wearing a suit. Helen is wearing graduation robes, hood, and tam. Amy is wearing a black and white blazer and red blouse.
May 10, 2025 at 4:29 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
In August 2018, I moved to Chicago to start my program. I had never lived outside of Madison. I did not know anyone in Chicago. It rained on me and my dad while we moved all my stuff into my grad student housing. And we had dinner at Giordano’s. 🍕
Helen, age 22, holding up a Giordano’s menu and smiling across the booth.
May 10, 2025 at 4:24 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
I LOVE the United States Postal Service! 📬 Art by Tara Velarde #SnailMailSuperFan #HandsOffUSPS
blue background with illustrated red heart stamp and postmark and text that reads, “We (heart) the USPS.”
May 3, 2025 at 7:48 PM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Additionally, @josephwetzel.bsky.social and I were scrolling through our phones in bed and I sent him this Instagram post and made him dance with me because we are the ladybugs under the moon.
white background with two illustrated ladybugs with arms outstretched and text that reads, “I freaking love my husband.”
April 18, 2025 at 3:19 AM
helenrottier.bsky.social
Joseph and I have been married for almost six months! Immediately after our wedding in October, I locked in for the final stretch of my dissertation. I was not easy to live with during this stressful time, but Joseph did wonderfully. ❤️
Photo Booth strips with pictures of Helen and Joseph.
April 6, 2025 at 9:13 PM