Francesca Stavrakopoulou
@proffrancesca.bsky.social
Chaired Professor of Hebrew Bible & Ancient Religion. Geeky. Greeky. Atheist. Author. Sideline in TV, radio, etc. GOD: AN ANATOMY winner of PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize 2022. Work profile: https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/1365-francesca-stavrakopoulou
Reposted by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
Special offer for May only: my award-winning tome 'A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth' is available on Kindle for just 99 of your English pence. www.amazon.co.uk/Very-Short-H...
May 1, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Special offer for May only: my award-winning tome 'A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth' is available on Kindle for just 99 of your English pence. www.amazon.co.uk/Very-Short-H...
Great early career job opportunities here 👇
JOBS: At the Study of Religions in beautiful Bergen, we are looking for 2 PhD Fellows and 1 Postdoctoral Fellow in HB/Second Temple + ancient forms of Christianity for the RADHEART project: www.linkedin.com/posts/laura-...
Deadline: April 22
Read more about RADHEART: www.uib.no/en/ahkr/1760...
Deadline: April 22
Read more about RADHEART: www.uib.no/en/ahkr/1760...
RADHEART – Radical Habits of the Heart: Emotions, Embodiment, and Strong, Individual Commitment in Ancient Radical Religion
Radical religion scholarship has not yet responded satisfactorily to the question of how and why individual members of radical religious groups become and stay strongly committed. The ERC project RADH...
www.uib.no
March 10, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Great early career job opportunities here 👇
Thread 👇
(1/11) URGENT: York University @YorkUniversity has suspended admissions to Religious Studies. This is a backdoor tactic to shut down the program without due process. This will ultimately be bad for York and everyone. #YUGOOD --we aren't.
February 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Thread 👇
Religion and Theology degrees are among those humanities programmes scheduled for closure at the University of Cardiff. Please consider signing this petition in protest.
chng.it/JC8MgNQyp7
chng.it/JC8MgNQyp7
Sign the Petition
Save Our Religion And Theology Degree!
chng.it
February 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Religion and Theology degrees are among those humanities programmes scheduled for closure at the University of Cardiff. Please consider signing this petition in protest.
chng.it/JC8MgNQyp7
chng.it/JC8MgNQyp7
Reposted by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
I wrote about JD Vance's visit to Dachau today, and how Christians appropriate sites of Jewish murder into Christian penitential narratives: religiondispatches.org/jd-vance-is-...
JD Vance is Merely the Latest Conservative Christian to Use Nazi Camps to Cleanse His Antisemitism Sins
On Thursday of this past week, Vice President JD Vance visited the site of the Dachau concentration camp in Germany, making him the latest in a string of American public officials to visit a former Na...
religiondispatches.org
February 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
I wrote about JD Vance's visit to Dachau today, and how Christians appropriate sites of Jewish murder into Christian penitential narratives: religiondispatches.org/jd-vance-is-...
Short thread 👇
Today's the first day of class, and I was thinking while I was parking that while I always try to drive carefully, I especially drive carefully around campus, because I think of the denizens of this place as my students and coworkers and part of my community and therefore I have a duty of care.
January 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Short thread 👇
Reposted by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
WE ARE HIRING - TWO RESEARCH ASSOCIATES FOR 15 MONTHS
We are looking for someone who can use their expertise in ancient languages such as Coptic, Syriac, or Middle Persian to investigate late antique / early medieval sources for domestic slavery.
Apply here: jobs.le.ac.uk/vacancies/11...
We are looking for someone who can use their expertise in ancient languages such as Coptic, Syriac, or Middle Persian to investigate late antique / early medieval sources for domestic slavery.
Apply here: jobs.le.ac.uk/vacancies/11...
Research Associate (Domestic Slavery in Late Antiquity) - 2 positions available in Leicester | University of Leicester Recruitment Team
View details and apply for this Research Associate (Domestic Slavery in Late Antiquity) - 2 positions available vacancy in Leicester.
Working as part of a collaborative and innovative researc...
jobs.le.ac.uk
January 21, 2025 at 8:08 AM
WE ARE HIRING - TWO RESEARCH ASSOCIATES FOR 15 MONTHS
We are looking for someone who can use their expertise in ancient languages such as Coptic, Syriac, or Middle Persian to investigate late antique / early medieval sources for domestic slavery.
Apply here: jobs.le.ac.uk/vacancies/11...
We are looking for someone who can use their expertise in ancient languages such as Coptic, Syriac, or Middle Persian to investigate late antique / early medieval sources for domestic slavery.
Apply here: jobs.le.ac.uk/vacancies/11...
And as for the prayers and blessings - I have no (clean) words.
This inauguration is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen.
January 20, 2025 at 4:59 PM
And as for the prayers and blessings - I have no (clean) words.
This inauguration is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen.
January 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
This inauguration is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen.
I’m trying so hard not to comment on Melania’s hat #inauguration
January 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I’m trying so hard not to comment on Melania’s hat #inauguration
Greek and Croatian translations, both beautifully produced. Big thank you to the translators and publishers.
January 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Greek and Croatian translations, both beautifully produced. Big thank you to the translators and publishers.
I love this piece
They say a name like mine can hold you back in life, but I will never change it | Xaymaca Awoyungbo
They say a name like mine can hold you back in life, but I will never change it | Xaymaca Awoyungbo
An unusual name can have a detrimental impact on your life and finances – but in my experience, it also has advantages
Growing up, there was a wearying and familiar pattern for me on the first day of school, or whenever a substitute teacher took the…
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2025 at 8:39 AM
I love this piece
Reposted by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
As night follows day, every dead sheep in the area will be blamed on them, though Eurasian lynx are specialist roe deer predators, and avoid open areas, where sheep graze.
This is what happened when a lynx escaped in Wales: all dog attacks became "lynx attacks".
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
This is what happened when a lynx escaped in Wales: all dog attacks became "lynx attacks".
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Two lynx on the loose in the Scottish Highlands
Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) says the animals were at large within its grounds after a suspected ‘illegal release’
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2025 at 6:48 AM
As night follows day, every dead sheep in the area will be blamed on them, though Eurasian lynx are specialist roe deer predators, and avoid open areas, where sheep graze.
This is what happened when a lynx escaped in Wales: all dog attacks became "lynx attacks".
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
This is what happened when a lynx escaped in Wales: all dog attacks became "lynx attacks".
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
I’ve only been back at work for two days and I’m already behind with emails.
January 7, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I’ve only been back at work for two days and I’m already behind with emails.
Reposted by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
The Proustian rush of Hamlyn Children’s Bible in Colour - what’s your favourite?
January 5, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The Proustian rush of Hamlyn Children’s Bible in Colour - what’s your favourite?
Reposted by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
‘A serious but nonetheless entertaining look at the human race’s long-term prospects’ Kirkus Reviews looks kindly on ‘The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire’
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE HUMAN EMPIRE | Kirkus Reviews
A wide-ranging look at the human past and the possibility of our species’ extinction.
www.kirkusreviews.com
January 4, 2025 at 7:35 PM
‘A serious but nonetheless entertaining look at the human race’s long-term prospects’ Kirkus Reviews looks kindly on ‘The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire’
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Reposted by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
my students in the last decade have become teachers, barristers, lawyers, civil servants, midwives, ICU nurses, journalists, accountants, academics, advertising execs, museum curators, TV producers… because we give them broad skills. If I had to train them to do *a job* they’d all be historians.
employers often complain about this to universities and: tough shit! don't whine that you can't be bothered to train your workers! do your job!
Some terminal Ted Talk Brain in the NYT today:
If it's true that millions of young people is not prepared for the workforce, we're probably going to need a more meaningful solution than teachers slightly changing the phrasing of their classroom instruction.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/02/o...
If it's true that millions of young people is not prepared for the workforce, we're probably going to need a more meaningful solution than teachers slightly changing the phrasing of their classroom instruction.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/02/o...
January 3, 2025 at 8:50 AM
my students in the last decade have become teachers, barristers, lawyers, civil servants, midwives, ICU nurses, journalists, accountants, academics, advertising execs, museum curators, TV producers… because we give them broad skills. If I had to train them to do *a job* they’d all be historians.
Ah, a screenshot from the old days when bantz was a thing and Twitter was Twitter.
December 29, 2024 at 8:21 AM
Ah, a screenshot from the old days when bantz was a thing and Twitter was Twitter.
I’ve known Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley since our doctoral days (she remains a very important person to me). And she’s *always* stuck her own neck out to defend those who are vulnerable, marginalised, or traumatised. She’s always been completely ace.
www.thetimes.com/article/a57c...
www.thetimes.com/article/a57c...
Next Archbishop of Canterbury ‘must break up the old boys’ club’
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, led calls for Justin Welby to resign. She says the Church of England needs a radical overhaul
www.thetimes.com
December 14, 2024 at 8:42 AM
I’ve known Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley since our doctoral days (she remains a very important person to me). And she’s *always* stuck her own neck out to defend those who are vulnerable, marginalised, or traumatised. She’s always been completely ace.
www.thetimes.com/article/a57c...
www.thetimes.com/article/a57c...
Reposted by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
A little late. But can't wait to get stuck in.
If @proffrancesca.bsky.social writes half as well as she speaks publicly, this will be a belter.
If @proffrancesca.bsky.social writes half as well as she speaks publicly, this will be a belter.
December 13, 2024 at 2:51 PM
A little late. But can't wait to get stuck in.
If @proffrancesca.bsky.social writes half as well as she speaks publicly, this will be a belter.
If @proffrancesca.bsky.social writes half as well as she speaks publicly, this will be a belter.
End-of-term present from one of my students, who was clearly paying attention in lectures when I explained (and then repeatedly referred to) the gods’ ‘Ready-Brek radiance’. If you know, you know (hi 80s kids)!
December 12, 2024 at 7:03 PM
End-of-term present from one of my students, who was clearly paying attention in lectures when I explained (and then repeatedly referred to) the gods’ ‘Ready-Brek radiance’. If you know, you know (hi 80s kids)!
Reposted by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
Hom sap is on a rapid one-way slide to extinction. But not before you get a chance to read all about it. 'Put this at the head of your reading lists immediately people. Before it’s too late -- Eric Idle. Pre-Order here: www.panmacmillan.com/authors/henr...
The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire by Henry Gee
Find out more about The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire by Henry Gee
www.panmacmillan.com
December 9, 2024 at 10:19 AM
Hom sap is on a rapid one-way slide to extinction. But not before you get a chance to read all about it. 'Put this at the head of your reading lists immediately people. Before it’s too late -- Eric Idle. Pre-Order here: www.panmacmillan.com/authors/henr...
A complaint via email from a YouTube viewer. Can’t think why I didn’t mention temple prostitution … 🙄
December 2, 2024 at 1:06 PM
A complaint via email from a YouTube viewer. Can’t think why I didn’t mention temple prostitution … 🙄
Yes, I said that too (live TV on a Sunday morning can be very triggering 😂)
You also said this, on the BBC: "We were left with monotheism and an intolerant and jealous God who preferred the company of circumcised men to a pantheon of Goddesses" 😇 #bbctbq
November 27, 2024 at 9:38 PM
Yes, I said that too (live TV on a Sunday morning can be very triggering 😂)
And this.
“The rainbow, at which so many of us have looked in delighted wonder, is a polychrome vision of God’s weaponized p*nis.”
This chapter is more than worth the price of this book
@proffrancesca.bsky.social
This chapter is more than worth the price of this book
@proffrancesca.bsky.social
November 27, 2024 at 9:28 PM
And this.