Rebekah Higgitt
@rhiggitt.bsky.social
Historian of science; Principal Curator of Science at National Museums Scotland & Hon Fellow, STIS, Uni of Edinburgh. VP British Society for the History of Science #histSTM. Views own.
Formerly known as @beckyfh
https://teleskopos.wordpress.com/profile
Formerly known as @beckyfh
https://teleskopos.wordpress.com/profile
An eloquent plea for more Irish #histSTM souvenirs
[A recent exchange between @irmorus.bsky.social & @rhiggitt.bsky.social has moved me to retrieve my #IrishScienceSouvenirs thread from Twitter. Even though neither of them asked for it. I wrote it when I was in the middle of my first trip to #Ireland. 🇮🇪]
Let me tell you What Ireland Needs.
1/15
Let me tell you What Ireland Needs.
1/15
November 20, 2025 at 7:43 PM
An eloquent plea for more Irish #histSTM souvenirs
Fabulous PhD opportunity at Queen's University Belfast and Armagh Observatory:
Observing the Heavens from the 'Periphery': Astronomy in Ireland 1640-1830
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post... Deadline 13 Jan #histSTM #histastro
Observing the Heavens from the 'Periphery': Astronomy in Ireland 1640-1830
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post... Deadline 13 Jan #histSTM #histastro
November 20, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Fabulous PhD opportunity at Queen's University Belfast and Armagh Observatory:
Observing the Heavens from the 'Periphery': Astronomy in Ireland 1640-1830
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post... Deadline 13 Jan #histSTM #histastro
Observing the Heavens from the 'Periphery': Astronomy in Ireland 1640-1830
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post... Deadline 13 Jan #histSTM #histastro
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
In one of those “obvious once you think about how insane British politics is” moments…
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
London's giant AI artwork to be torn down
The bizarre story of why a much-talked-about creation is being torn down. Plus: Docklands Light Railway extension, giant laser stalks the night sky, and more tales of Android phone theft rejection.
www.londoncentric.media
November 20, 2025 at 7:24 AM
In one of those “obvious once you think about how insane British politics is” moments…
Very good work from Scottish Ballet here (from their Facebook account)
November 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Very good work from Scottish Ballet here (from their Facebook account)
Amazing to be debating which was the best of Scotland's goals! McTominay for the former dancer in me, Tierney for the Arsenal supporter in me & McLean's was all the sweeter as emphatic response to the ref playing into the 9th minute of 6 minutes extra time www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Was McTominay overhead kick Scotland's third best goal of night?
Scotland scored three stunning goals in their era-defining win over Denmark - but which was the best?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Amazing to be debating which was the best of Scotland's goals! McTominay for the former dancer in me, Tierney for the Arsenal supporter in me & McLean's was all the sweeter as emphatic response to the ref playing into the 9th minute of 6 minutes extra time www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
This looks to be an essential book
Thrilled to see Ruthless reviewed in the FT by Linda Colley, and to be placed among the FT's books of the week too! 😊
www.ft.com/content/67c1...
www.ft.com/content/67c1...
Ruthless by Edmond Smith — the brutal rise of Britain’s industrial power
The historian’s splendid account sets out the ideas, inventions and relentless exploitation that drove the nation’s growth from 1660-1800
www.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This looks to be an essential book
what a match - three, four amazing goals, some dreadful football, and Scotland are going to the World Cup!
Tierney!!
November 18, 2025 at 9:49 PM
what a match - three, four amazing goals, some dreadful football, and Scotland are going to the World Cup!
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
Remember, always, that the post-Brexit-vote Tory government, and specifically Home Secretary Sajid Javid, deliberately and with malice aforethought reduced to almost zero the timely processing of asylum claims in the UK. They literally created the "overwhelming backlog" that traps people in hotels.
November 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Remember, always, that the post-Brexit-vote Tory government, and specifically Home Secretary Sajid Javid, deliberately and with malice aforethought reduced to almost zero the timely processing of asylum claims in the UK. They literally created the "overwhelming backlog" that traps people in hotels.
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
'The science select committee should recognise that its remit covers all of research, and conduct an inquiry into the Library, with a view to helping it recover. It could quantify the funding that is needed to properly rebuild the Library’s digital infrastructure'.
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:55 AM
'The science select committee should recognise that its remit covers all of research, and conduct an inquiry into the Library, with a view to helping it recover. It could quantify the funding that is needed to properly rebuild the Library’s digital infrastructure'.
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
#Edinburgh! Join Alison Bashford tomorrow, Nov 18 at 7pm, at Blackwell's Edinburgh South Bridge as she and @hcaatedinburgh.bsky.social's Richard Oosterhoff discuss her new book, Decoding the Hand: A History of Science, Medicine, and Magic. #HistSTM #HSTM #HistSci #BookTour #Palmistry buff.ly/3WjBiMJ
November 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
#Edinburgh! Join Alison Bashford tomorrow, Nov 18 at 7pm, at Blackwell's Edinburgh South Bridge as she and @hcaatedinburgh.bsky.social's Richard Oosterhoff discuss her new book, Decoding the Hand: A History of Science, Medicine, and Magic. #HistSTM #HSTM #HistSci #BookTour #Palmistry buff.ly/3WjBiMJ
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
Amnesty International has slammed Labour’s “divisive and cruel” asylum crackdown, warning that it marks a dangerous drift toward treating fundamental human rights as optional depending on who you are.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/amn...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/amn...
Amnesty slam Labour's 'divisive and cruel' asylum crackdown
"This headline-chasing cruelty will not fix the immigration system. It will only fuel fear"
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Amnesty International has slammed Labour’s “divisive and cruel” asylum crackdown, warning that it marks a dangerous drift toward treating fundamental human rights as optional depending on who you are.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/amn...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/amn...
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
I fully endorse this. Political leaders are falling prey to AI hype, and seem to lack any kind of help from reputable sources who could counter the false claims of tech CEOs. Where are their science advisers???
In a short piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social, @abeba.bsky.social and I write #AIHype Is Steering EU Policy Off Course.
Stop peddling in unscientific discourse about “AGI” and “superintelligence.” Serve citizens. Don't cater to the whims of tech CEOs.
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
Stop peddling in unscientific discourse about “AGI” and “superintelligence.” Serve citizens. Don't cater to the whims of tech CEOs.
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
AI Hype Is Steering EU Policy Off Course | TechPolicy.Press
Kris Shrishak and Abeba Birhane say policymakers should stop peddling in unscientific discourse about "AGI" and "superintelligence."
www.techpolicy.press
November 17, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I fully endorse this. Political leaders are falling prey to AI hype, and seem to lack any kind of help from reputable sources who could counter the false claims of tech CEOs. Where are their science advisers???
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
When the gentrification of Seven Dials begins to eat itself (with custard or vanilla whipped cream on top).
November 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
When the gentrification of Seven Dials begins to eat itself (with custard or vanilla whipped cream on top).
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
Wonderful tribute to a teacher: young Sofonisba Anguissola paints herself being created by Bernardino Campi -- yet at same time, she is of course creating him! Today is her day.
November 16, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Wonderful tribute to a teacher: young Sofonisba Anguissola paints herself being created by Bernardino Campi -- yet at same time, she is of course creating him! Today is her day.
Hadrian's Wall walk today, from Housesteads Fort to the Sycamore Gap gap
November 15, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Hadrian's Wall walk today, from Housesteads Fort to the Sycamore Gap gap
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
heads up #histSTM people - nominations are open for the @bshsnews.bsky.social Pickstone Prize - best scholarly book (in English) published in the last 2 years. Don't assume your publisher will nominate you, be proactive about your book or books you love!
🗃️
🗃️
The BSHS Pickstone Prize
The BSHS Pickstone Prize is awarded every two years to the best scholarly book in the history of science (broadly construed) in English. The Prize aims to recognize pioneering works that advance the s...
www.bshs.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 11:46 AM
heads up #histSTM people - nominations are open for the @bshsnews.bsky.social Pickstone Prize - best scholarly book (in English) published in the last 2 years. Don't assume your publisher will nominate you, be proactive about your book or books you love!
🗃️
🗃️
A key site for #histsci, so historians as well as geologists may want to donate to help create the trail and make it more accessible and better interpreted. The James Hutton tercentenary is next year!
Siccar Point is one of the most important geoheritage sites in the world; we think visitors deserve to hear why.
Help us install a Deep Time Trail - donate to the Crowdfunder now. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/siccar-point
youtu.be/OeHsVJiO9gE
Help us install a Deep Time Trail - donate to the Crowdfunder now. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/siccar-point
youtu.be/OeHsVJiO9gE
Help us build a Deep Time Trail at Siccar Point
YouTube video by Scottish Geology Trust
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 11:51 AM
A key site for #histsci, so historians as well as geologists may want to donate to help create the trail and make it more accessible and better interpreted. The James Hutton tercentenary is next year!
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
November 12, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Online lecture, open to all: 2 Dec 18:30 (GMT)
Renée Bergland on her book 'Natural Magic: Emily Dickinson, Charles Darwin, and the Dawn of Modern Science'
Winner of @bshsnews.bsky.social Hughes Prize, for the best #histSTM book accessible to a broad audience
www.bshs.org.uk/online-lectu...
Renée Bergland on her book 'Natural Magic: Emily Dickinson, Charles Darwin, and the Dawn of Modern Science'
Winner of @bshsnews.bsky.social Hughes Prize, for the best #histSTM book accessible to a broad audience
www.bshs.org.uk/online-lectu...
November 12, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Online lecture, open to all: 2 Dec 18:30 (GMT)
Renée Bergland on her book 'Natural Magic: Emily Dickinson, Charles Darwin, and the Dawn of Modern Science'
Winner of @bshsnews.bsky.social Hughes Prize, for the best #histSTM book accessible to a broad audience
www.bshs.org.uk/online-lectu...
Renée Bergland on her book 'Natural Magic: Emily Dickinson, Charles Darwin, and the Dawn of Modern Science'
Winner of @bshsnews.bsky.social Hughes Prize, for the best #histSTM book accessible to a broad audience
www.bshs.org.uk/online-lectu...
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
My book with Andy Bartlett - an STS analysis of Bigfooting - is now out and available to order at www.routledge.com/Bigfooters-a... If this is of interest, I would really appreciate it being shared. Thank you.
Bigfooters and Scientific Inquiry: On the Borderlands of Legitimate Science
Bigfoot exists. Not necessarily as a biological creature, but certainly as an object around which thousands of Americans organise their lives, analysing evidence, and making knowledge. This book exami...
www.routledge.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 PM
My book with Andy Bartlett - an STS analysis of Bigfooting - is now out and available to order at www.routledge.com/Bigfooters-a... If this is of interest, I would really appreciate it being shared. Thank you.
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
The government is allegedly reconsidering payments for WASPi women. I wrote this last year on why I don't think they're due compensation – and why it would be hugely unfair to pay it out.
www.thenewworld.co.uk/the-case-aga...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/the-case-aga...
The case against payouts for the WASPi women
Pensioners who have benefited greatly from the triple lock should not get more at everyone else’s expense
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The government is allegedly reconsidering payments for WASPi women. I wrote this last year on why I don't think they're due compensation – and why it would be hugely unfair to pay it out.
www.thenewworld.co.uk/the-case-aga...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/the-case-aga...
#histSTM (NB Hutton anniversary for those headed to ESHS/HSS 2026)
Scotland's Siccar Point is the birthplace of the concept of ‘deep time’, pioneered by James Hutton. Discover a new Deep Time Trail and Viewpoint being planned to celebrate 300 years since his birth.
geoscientist.online/sections/une...
#geoscience #geology #scicomm #scotland #fundraiser
geoscientist.online/sections/une...
#geoscience #geology #scicomm #scotland #fundraiser
Celebrating Hutton - GEOSCIENTIST
Most geologists recognise James Hutton as one of the founders of modern geology, but his contributions to science and agriculture are not so well known by the wider public. 2026 marks the 300th annive...
geoscientist.online
November 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
#histSTM (NB Hutton anniversary for those headed to ESHS/HSS 2026)
"it too often chooses not to think at all, because it’s easier, and safer- the intellectual crouch position. But that is precisely because it has been so terrified by the criticism it receives" - the criticism from the right, that is.
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
"it too often chooses not to think at all, because it’s easier, and safer- the intellectual crouch position. But that is precisely because it has been so terrified by the criticism it receives" - the criticism from the right, that is.
I'm pretty sure that creating a less-than-healthy polity is exactly what some of those attacking the BBC and other parts of civil society want
The BBC simply is not a robust, independent institution.
Those who clap and cheer at these resignations are only having a short-term fillip - for this capitulation indicates a less-than-healthy wider polity.
Those who clap and cheer at these resignations are only having a short-term fillip - for this capitulation indicates a less-than-healthy wider polity.
November 10, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I'm pretty sure that creating a less-than-healthy polity is exactly what some of those attacking the BBC and other parts of civil society want