Matthew Davies
@mpdavies.bsky.social
Urban historian, especially medieval and early modern London. Executive Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Birkbeck, University of London. Director of @layersoflondon.bsky.social
Reposted by Matthew Davies
The Curriers' Prize is now open! Submit your best unpublished essay on any aspect of London's history, and you could get a £1,000 award!
Full details: 👇 w ww.history.ac.uk/funding/awards-bursaries-prizes/curriers-prize
Full details: 👇 w ww.history.ac.uk/funding/awards-bursaries-prizes/curriers-prize
The Curriers’ Prize
The Worshipful Company of Curriers, has established an essay prize on the history of London, in association with The London Journal Trust and the IHR.
www.history.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The Curriers' Prize is now open! Submit your best unpublished essay on any aspect of London's history, and you could get a £1,000 award!
Full details: 👇 w ww.history.ac.uk/funding/awards-bursaries-prizes/curriers-prize
Full details: 👇 w ww.history.ac.uk/funding/awards-bursaries-prizes/curriers-prize
Reposted by Matthew Davies
‘The CBI and Universities UK… said universities already subsidised research by £5.4 billion a year, largely through international student income. A levy would "accelerate contraction" in research and innovation, they warned.’
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...
Tax on international students would be crippling, universities say
The Confederation of British Industry and Universities UK warn plans for a 6% levy will also affect the wider economy
www.thetimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:15 AM
‘The CBI and Universities UK… said universities already subsidised research by £5.4 billion a year, largely through international student income. A levy would "accelerate contraction" in research and innovation, they warned.’
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...
Pleased to see my ‘viewpoint’ looking at the historiography of London’s crafts and guilds now available @thelondonjournal.bsky.social as part of the journal’s 50th birthday celebrations!
Our latest Viewpoint article is out: 'Guilds and Companies in London, 1200–1700: Contexts and Comparisons' by @mpdavies.bsky.social.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.
Guilds and Companies in London, 1200–1700: Contexts and Comparisons
Published in The London Journal: A Review of Metropolitan Society Past and Present (Ahead of Print, 2025)
www.tandfonline.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Pleased to see my ‘viewpoint’ looking at the historiography of London’s crafts and guilds now available @thelondonjournal.bsky.social as part of the journal’s 50th birthday celebrations!
Reposted by Matthew Davies
Our latest Viewpoint article is out: 'Guilds and Companies in London, 1200–1700: Contexts and Comparisons' by @mpdavies.bsky.social.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.
Guilds and Companies in London, 1200–1700: Contexts and Comparisons
Published in The London Journal: A Review of Metropolitan Society Past and Present (Ahead of Print, 2025)
www.tandfonline.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Our latest Viewpoint article is out: 'Guilds and Companies in London, 1200–1700: Contexts and Comparisons' by @mpdavies.bsky.social.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.
Reposted by Matthew Davies
Reposted by Matthew Davies
Antisemitism: how to measure it, how to confront it. Read BISA’s David Feldman @dmf101.bsky.social, @bengidley.bsky.social and @brendanmcgeever.bsky.social in www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/religi...
The difficult truth about antisemitism
Why don’t we acknowledge that there are different ways of measuring the prevalence of anti-Jewish prejudice?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Antisemitism: how to measure it, how to confront it. Read BISA’s David Feldman @dmf101.bsky.social, @bengidley.bsky.social and @brendanmcgeever.bsky.social in www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/religi...
Reposted by Matthew Davies
Some more detailed analysis on the maintenance grants policy here from @wonkhe.bsky.social wonkhe.com/blogs/grants...
Grants return, the levy stays
An announcement at the Labour Party conference promises the return of targeted student grants, but the cost will be covered by a levy on international student fee income
wonkhe.com
September 29, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Some more detailed analysis on the maintenance grants policy here from @wonkhe.bsky.social wonkhe.com/blogs/grants...
Reposted by Matthew Davies
Happy #TrailsTuesday!
Take a step back in time and explore #Clerkenwell's history of #radical politics on @layersoflondon.bsky.social
www.layersoflondon.org/map/...
#Islington #DirectAction #RadicalClerkenwell #London #History #Maps
Take a step back in time and explore #Clerkenwell's history of #radical politics on @layersoflondon.bsky.social
www.layersoflondon.org/map/...
#Islington #DirectAction #RadicalClerkenwell #London #History #Maps
September 23, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Happy #TrailsTuesday!
Take a step back in time and explore #Clerkenwell's history of #radical politics on @layersoflondon.bsky.social
www.layersoflondon.org/map/...
#Islington #DirectAction #RadicalClerkenwell #London #History #Maps
Take a step back in time and explore #Clerkenwell's history of #radical politics on @layersoflondon.bsky.social
www.layersoflondon.org/map/...
#Islington #DirectAction #RadicalClerkenwell #London #History #Maps
Very sad news. I was fortunate to know Barbara when a graduate student and then when starting to work on medieval London. She was always insightful, with a prodigious memory for both documents and people! One of our finest medieval historians.
We are deeply saddened by news of the death of our Emeritus Fellow Barbara Harvey, CBE, FBA, at the age of 97. Barbara was a Fellow and Tutor in Medieval History at Somerville from 1955 to 1993. Read more here: buff.ly/X9SANFs
August 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Very sad news. I was fortunate to know Barbara when a graduate student and then when starting to work on medieval London. She was always insightful, with a prodigious memory for both documents and people! One of our finest medieval historians.
Reposted by Matthew Davies
As we celebrate our fiftieth anniversary this year, we've gotten our board members to nominate an article from the Journal's archives that was particularly important to and influential on then. @tandfresearch.bsky.social have kindly agreed to make these all freely available for a period of time. 🧵
August 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
As we celebrate our fiftieth anniversary this year, we've gotten our board members to nominate an article from the Journal's archives that was particularly important to and influential on then. @tandfresearch.bsky.social have kindly agreed to make these all freely available for a period of time. 🧵
This is fantastic news for archaeology at Birkbeck, and for all of us in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences! www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbec...
Birkbeck launches Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies thanks to transformative gift from alumnus
Birkbeck is launching a ground-breaking new research and teaching institute - the Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies - thanks to a transformative gift from alumnus Marc Carena.
www.bbk.ac.uk
July 25, 2025 at 11:33 AM
This is fantastic news for archaeology at Birkbeck, and for all of us in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences! www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbec...
Reposted by Matthew Davies
Come and work with us, and an amazing national network of volunteers, early career researchers, experts in a huge range of fields, and the amazing @ihr.bsky.social.
Job alert! Come and join us for 12 months in our lovely @chppc.bsky.social team. We're seeking a fixed-term Lecturer in Historic Environment, who'll work on our projects, including research, publishing and digitisation. Closing date 29 August. Please share!
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Lecturer in Historic Environment:London Senate House
The University of London
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
July 21, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Come and work with us, and an amazing national network of volunteers, early career researchers, experts in a huge range of fields, and the amazing @ihr.bsky.social.
Reposted by Matthew Davies
We are delighted to announce the publication this month of the ninth digital edition in the REED series, the collection of the Newington Butts Playhouse records, edited by Sally-Beth MacLean. Check it out here:
ereed.org/collections/...
ereed.org/collections/...
REED Online:
Collection: Newington Butts Playhouse
ereed.org
July 21, 2025 at 11:07 AM
We are delighted to announce the publication this month of the ninth digital edition in the REED series, the collection of the Newington Butts Playhouse records, edited by Sally-Beth MacLean. Check it out here:
ereed.org/collections/...
ereed.org/collections/...
Reposted by Matthew Davies
Thanks to an incredibly generous former student, we have some wonderful news for archaeology at Birkbeck: a new institute.
The Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies will enable research projects, support global collaborations, and fund studentships as well.
www.bbk.ac.uk/research/cen...
The Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies will enable research projects, support global collaborations, and fund studentships as well.
www.bbk.ac.uk/research/cen...
Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies - Birkbeck, University of London
www.bbk.ac.uk
July 14, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Thanks to an incredibly generous former student, we have some wonderful news for archaeology at Birkbeck: a new institute.
The Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies will enable research projects, support global collaborations, and fund studentships as well.
www.bbk.ac.uk/research/cen...
The Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies will enable research projects, support global collaborations, and fund studentships as well.
www.bbk.ac.uk/research/cen...
Reposted by Matthew Davies
So pleased that we have MA funding available this year for our MA Archaeology & Heritage Programme. Please spread the word (or get in touch if you have questions)!
www.bbk.ac.uk/student-serv...
www.bbk.ac.uk/student-serv...
The Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies Postgraduate Scholarships - Birkbeck, University of London
Find out more about the Carena Institute postgraduate scholarships with project themes and how to apply.
www.bbk.ac.uk
July 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
So pleased that we have MA funding available this year for our MA Archaeology & Heritage Programme. Please spread the word (or get in touch if you have questions)!
www.bbk.ac.uk/student-serv...
www.bbk.ac.uk/student-serv...
Delighted and honoured to be taking over as chair of the Executive Board of @reedproject.bsky.social over the summer. Fabulous project, reaching far and wide via its print and digital collections.
July 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Delighted and honoured to be taking over as chair of the Executive Board of @reedproject.bsky.social over the summer. Fabulous project, reaching far and wide via its print and digital collections.
Reposted by Matthew Davies
We're delighted to announce the publication of our historical map of Bradford — UK City of Culture 2025. This multi-layered map shows the development of an industrial city which was constantly rebuilding. Grab a copy of the map from our online shop: shop.historictownstrust.uk/product/hist...
July 1, 2025 at 4:17 PM
We're delighted to announce the publication of our historical map of Bradford — UK City of Culture 2025. This multi-layered map shows the development of an industrial city which was constantly rebuilding. Grab a copy of the map from our online shop: shop.historictownstrust.uk/product/hist...
Reposted by Matthew Davies
Dr Esther Breithoff has won this year's Tress Prize, for excellence in research. Congrats, Esther! 🥳
www.bbk.ac.uk/news/dr-esth...
www.bbk.ac.uk/news/dr-esth...
Dr Esther Breithoff wins Birkbeck’s Tress prize
www.bbk.ac.uk
June 30, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Dr Esther Breithoff has won this year's Tress Prize, for excellence in research. Congrats, Esther! 🥳
www.bbk.ac.uk/news/dr-esth...
www.bbk.ac.uk/news/dr-esth...
My biography of Derek Keene, former colleague and founding director of the Centre for Metropolitan History, now available on the ODNB website (behind paywall). www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1...
www.oxforddnb.com
June 13, 2025 at 2:27 PM
My biography of Derek Keene, former colleague and founding director of the Centre for Metropolitan History, now available on the ODNB website (behind paywall). www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1...
Reposted by Matthew Davies
Our @geographicalassoc.bsky.social statement on the crisis impacting UK Higher Education Geography.
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
GA Higher Education geography statement - Geographical Association
As the subject association for geography the Geographical Association is concerned about the funding position of many UK universities...
geography.org.uk
May 14, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Our @geographicalassoc.bsky.social statement on the crisis impacting UK Higher Education Geography.
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
We urge universities to maintain their current capacity for geography and to capitalise on its growth in schools and relevance to the workplace and wider economy.
geography.org.uk/ga-higher-ed...
Cut-price Magna Carta 'copy' now believed genuine www.bbc.com/news/article...
Harvard cut-price Magna Carta 'copy' now believed genuine
Harvard Law School paid just $27 for the document, which UK academics now think is the real thing.
www.bbc.com
May 15, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Cut-price Magna Carta 'copy' now believed genuine www.bbc.com/news/article...
Very much looking forward to @patrickwallis.bsky.social talking about his new book this evening !
May 14, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Very much looking forward to @patrickwallis.bsky.social talking about his new book this evening !
Reposted by Matthew Davies
History & Policy will shortly be unveiling the first publicly-searchable database of historians with policy-relevant expertise. If you are a professional historian who would like to engage more with policymakers, there's still time to submit a profile. Register your interest here: bit.ly/3YMcsXu
Microsoft Forms
bit.ly
May 9, 2025 at 11:05 AM
History & Policy will shortly be unveiling the first publicly-searchable database of historians with policy-relevant expertise. If you are a professional historian who would like to engage more with policymakers, there's still time to submit a profile. Register your interest here: bit.ly/3YMcsXu
Different route to work today, so a great view of the flowering gorse in the New Forest!
May 9, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Different route to work today, so a great view of the flowering gorse in the New Forest!