Nicole Townsend
@townsend-nic.bsky.social
Historian of war and conflict
Lecturer at UNSW Canberra
Director, Second World War Research Group, Asia-Pacific
2026 David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellow, State Library of New South Wales
All views my own
Lecturer at UNSW Canberra
Director, Second World War Research Group, Asia-Pacific
2026 David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellow, State Library of New South Wales
All views my own
Pinned
Nicole Townsend
@townsend-nic.bsky.social
· Oct 22
I'm delighted to say that I have been awarded the State Library of NSW's David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship for 2026!
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
Maybe don’t name a thing for a sword that breaks, I dunno
US defense firm Anduril faces setbacks from drone crashes, including in a recent Air Force test, reported here for the first time reut.rs/3XFSBtb
November 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Maybe don’t name a thing for a sword that breaks, I dunno
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
Huge thanks to everyone who supported me along the way! It truly takes a village to get a DECRA submitted!
(And if you're a potential PhD candidate interested in modern warfare - or you know someone who is - I will be recruiting a doctoral researcher on the project soon, so please get in touch!)
(And if you're a potential PhD candidate interested in modern warfare - or you know someone who is - I will be recruiting a doctoral researcher on the project soon, so please get in touch!)
November 25, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Huge thanks to everyone who supported me along the way! It truly takes a village to get a DECRA submitted!
(And if you're a potential PhD candidate interested in modern warfare - or you know someone who is - I will be recruiting a doctoral researcher on the project soon, so please get in touch!)
(And if you're a potential PhD candidate interested in modern warfare - or you know someone who is - I will be recruiting a doctoral researcher on the project soon, so please get in touch!)
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
Happy to share my new book 'Quiet Protest: A New History of Activism during the Vietnam War', which will be published by UNSW Press on 1 April 2026.
November 19, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Happy to share my new book 'Quiet Protest: A New History of Activism during the Vietnam War', which will be published by UNSW Press on 1 April 2026.
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
Delighted that the University of Canberra has announced my appointment as Donald Horne Professor of History and Public Ideas, and Director of UC's new Vice-Chancellor's Centre of Public Ideas. Looking forward to developing this exciting initiative from early 2026. www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/med...
UC launches newly established Vice-Chancellor’s Centre of Public Ideas and appointment of inaugural director
UC to establish the Vice-Chancellor’s Centre of Public Ideas, and Prof Frank Bongiorno AM to take up Donald Horne Professorship as Centre director.
www.canberra.edu.au
November 7, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Delighted that the University of Canberra has announced my appointment as Donald Horne Professor of History and Public Ideas, and Director of UC's new Vice-Chancellor's Centre of Public Ideas. Looking forward to developing this exciting initiative from early 2026. www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/med...
Google AI overview also informed us that both Japan and Australia drive on the right side of the road. Came as a shock to learn we'd been on the wrong side of the road forever.
Yes, 'Australian road rules headlights' was trending search. No, there is NOT a new headlights rule with a $250 fine from November 1 — even if it's appearing in Google under 'People also ask' results as a direct quote AND as the AI Overview result, the answer is still no. www.theguardian.com/...
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Google AI overview also informed us that both Japan and Australia drive on the right side of the road. Came as a shock to learn we'd been on the wrong side of the road forever.
🚨 Delighted to share that I have signed with Bloomsbury to write my first book: a study of Australia's involvement and strategic interests in the Middle East and Mediterranean in WW2.
November 5, 2025 at 7:43 PM
🚨 Delighted to share that I have signed with Bloomsbury to write my first book: a study of Australia's involvement and strategic interests in the Middle East and Mediterranean in WW2.
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
What was the Italian naval strategy in the Mediterranean during World War Two? Here is explained, with the words of Admiral Giuseppe Fioravanzo
@crusaderproject.bsky.social @navalairhistory.com @dralexclarke.bsky.social @drachinifel.bsky.social
youtu.be/DKk-2DDjD84?...
@crusaderproject.bsky.social @navalairhistory.com @dralexclarke.bsky.social @drachinifel.bsky.social
youtu.be/DKk-2DDjD84?...
October 27, 2025 at 6:04 PM
What was the Italian naval strategy in the Mediterranean during World War Two? Here is explained, with the words of Admiral Giuseppe Fioravanzo
@crusaderproject.bsky.social @navalairhistory.com @dralexclarke.bsky.social @drachinifel.bsky.social
youtu.be/DKk-2DDjD84?...
@crusaderproject.bsky.social @navalairhistory.com @dralexclarke.bsky.social @drachinifel.bsky.social
youtu.be/DKk-2DDjD84?...
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
Tim Cook CM
1971 – 2025
A great loss to the military history community worldwide. Thoughts and aroha with his family in Canada. www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
1971 – 2025
A great loss to the military history community worldwide. Thoughts and aroha with his family in Canada. www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Tim Cook, chief historian at the Canadian War Museum dies
The historian was the author of over 19 books focusing on Canada’s military history.
www.thestar.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Tim Cook CM
1971 – 2025
A great loss to the military history community worldwide. Thoughts and aroha with his family in Canada. www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
1971 – 2025
A great loss to the military history community worldwide. Thoughts and aroha with his family in Canada. www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
One of our best is gone
War Museum announces passing of Chief Historian, Dr. Tim Cook
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
War Museum announces passing of Chief Historian, Dr. Tim Cook
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
War Museum announces passing of Chief Historian, Dr. Tim Cook
/CNW/ - The following is a statement issued today by Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of History President and CEO Caroline Dromaguet: "The Canadian War...
www.newswire.ca
October 26, 2025 at 9:13 PM
One of our best is gone
War Museum announces passing of Chief Historian, Dr. Tim Cook
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
War Museum announces passing of Chief Historian, Dr. Tim Cook
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
It's been hard adjusting to a magpie-less house after moving, so we visited our friendly magpies near our old house. We were chuffed to see they'd had three babies since we left, still young enough to be fluffy, and only just able to fly.
a black and white bird is standing on the ground .
ALT: a black and white bird is standing on the ground .
media.tenor.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:48 AM
It's been hard adjusting to a magpie-less house after moving, so we visited our friendly magpies near our old house. We were chuffed to see they'd had three babies since we left, still young enough to be fluffy, and only just able to fly.
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
You'll pry these Oxford commas out of my cold, dead, third thing hands
October 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
You'll pry these Oxford commas out of my cold, dead, third thing hands
The short abstract for my fellowship project is now on the State Library of New South Wales' website—so here it is!
October 23, 2025 at 2:54 AM
The short abstract for my fellowship project is now on the State Library of New South Wales' website—so here it is!
I'm delighted to say that I have been awarded the State Library of NSW's David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship for 2026!
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
October 22, 2025 at 11:08 AM
I'm delighted to say that I have been awarded the State Library of NSW's David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship for 2026!
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
What a difference three weeks makes!
Hating the heat in Canberra right now, but the tomatoes are loving it.
L to R: 19 October, 12 October, 5 October
Hating the heat in Canberra right now, but the tomatoes are loving it.
L to R: 19 October, 12 October, 5 October
October 20, 2025 at 7:07 AM
What a difference three weeks makes!
Hating the heat in Canberra right now, but the tomatoes are loving it.
L to R: 19 October, 12 October, 5 October
Hating the heat in Canberra right now, but the tomatoes are loving it.
L to R: 19 October, 12 October, 5 October
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
“We are all, how you say, trying to find zee guy who did zis.”
This photo accompanying a news story about the heist at the Louvre is perfection.
October 20, 2025 at 1:55 AM
“We are all, how you say, trying to find zee guy who did zis.”
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
I mean, you should not be citing primary sources *you have not seen* without saying "Cited in." 🗃️
It is hella annoying when people cite sources I found & translated from an archival source - while using *my translation & not mentioning me*. So I don't want my students to do that to others!
It is hella annoying when people cite sources I found & translated from an archival source - while using *my translation & not mentioning me*. So I don't want my students to do that to others!
Do you have any extremely niche, but serious, ethical stances?
October 20, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I mean, you should not be citing primary sources *you have not seen* without saying "Cited in." 🗃️
It is hella annoying when people cite sources I found & translated from an archival source - while using *my translation & not mentioning me*. So I don't want my students to do that to others!
It is hella annoying when people cite sources I found & translated from an archival source - while using *my translation & not mentioning me*. So I don't want my students to do that to others!
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
Your Saturday need some spicing up? 😄 Via the link below you can read my latest article (open access) on surveillance of the Scottish public during the Second World War. Enjoy!
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
A country with “its own special problems”: domestic surveillance in Scotland during the Second World War
In the early years of the Second World War, rising workplace discontent, perceived communist influence, and war weariness sparked a suite of investigations into civilian mood and behaviour in the v...
www.tandfonline.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Your Saturday need some spicing up? 😄 Via the link below you can read my latest article (open access) on surveillance of the Scottish public during the Second World War. Enjoy!
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
As a certified AFL diehard, I'm watching the trade period news keenly.
That means I got to enjoy this gem of an editing/proofing oversight from Fox Sports.
Though, to be fair, I kind of like this version. We've all had a bit of a whine over dinner.
That means I got to enjoy this gem of an editing/proofing oversight from Fox Sports.
Though, to be fair, I kind of like this version. We've all had a bit of a whine over dinner.
October 10, 2025 at 3:13 AM
As a certified AFL diehard, I'm watching the trade period news keenly.
That means I got to enjoy this gem of an editing/proofing oversight from Fox Sports.
Though, to be fair, I kind of like this version. We've all had a bit of a whine over dinner.
That means I got to enjoy this gem of an editing/proofing oversight from Fox Sports.
Though, to be fair, I kind of like this version. We've all had a bit of a whine over dinner.
Three months ago, our house flooded in the middle of the night. Suddenly moving meant leaving behind my magpie brood, well before I was ready.
We visit the area when we can, and they fly to me immediately, warbling the familiar song that woke me each morning for several years. I miss them greatly.
We visit the area when we can, and they fly to me immediately, warbling the familiar song that woke me each morning for several years. I miss them greatly.
October 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Three months ago, our house flooded in the middle of the night. Suddenly moving meant leaving behind my magpie brood, well before I was ready.
We visit the area when we can, and they fly to me immediately, warbling the familiar song that woke me each morning for several years. I miss them greatly.
We visit the area when we can, and they fly to me immediately, warbling the familiar song that woke me each morning for several years. I miss them greatly.
Something I was pondering myself earlier this week.
Palantir, Anduril, Valinor...I feel certain that #Tolkien would have absolutely loathed his work being used to name defence technology firms. It's all rather Saruman-ish.
October 5, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Something I was pondering myself earlier this week.
With the unseasonably warm weather, interspersed with soaking rain, my tomatoes and zucchini have gone bonkers. These were planted as small seedlings ~3 weeks ago!
October 5, 2025 at 6:58 AM
With the unseasonably warm weather, interspersed with soaking rain, my tomatoes and zucchini have gone bonkers. These were planted as small seedlings ~3 weeks ago!
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
The Special Issue of AJPH on ‘Australia and Vietnam: the Fifty Year Legacy’ is finally out! 🥳🥳🥳
#VietnamWar #history #auspol
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14678497...
#VietnamWar #history #auspol
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14678497...
Special Issue: Australia and Vietnam: The Fifty Year Legacy: Australian Journal of Politics & History: Vol 71, No 3
Click on the title to browse this issue
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The Special Issue of AJPH on ‘Australia and Vietnam: the Fifty Year Legacy’ is finally out! 🥳🥳🥳
#VietnamWar #history #auspol
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14678497...
#VietnamWar #history #auspol
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14678497...
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
I get a lot of joy out of being a compassionate professor. Helping students improve their writing and knowledge is a blessing. My classrooms are happy, fun, at times serious, intense, respectful places of learning. The right will never understand, because for us, teaching is a form of love, not hate
October 3, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I get a lot of joy out of being a compassionate professor. Helping students improve their writing and knowledge is a blessing. My classrooms are happy, fun, at times serious, intense, respectful places of learning. The right will never understand, because for us, teaching is a form of love, not hate
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
From 1939-1945 German officers also listened to speeches from civilians about how the laws of war didn’t apply to them. And then they participated in the Holocaust, starved millions of prisoners of war, destroyed villages and cities, and were defeated.
Hegseth: "We unleash overwhelming and punishing violence on the enemy. We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country. No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement."
October 2, 2025 at 12:47 AM
From 1939-1945 German officers also listened to speeches from civilians about how the laws of war didn’t apply to them. And then they participated in the Holocaust, starved millions of prisoners of war, destroyed villages and cities, and were defeated.
Reposted by Nicole Townsend
Job alert! We have a 5 year fixed term teaching-focussed position in our new Indo-Pacific Studies program. Can highly recommend UNSW Canberra as a place to work.
IPS is an emerging field, so applications welcome from cognate disciplines.
Details: external-careers.jobs.unsw.edu.au/cw/en/job/53...
IPS is an emerging field, so applications welcome from cognate disciplines.
Details: external-careers.jobs.unsw.edu.au/cw/en/job/53...
Lecturer, Indo-Pacific Studies
Share your knowledge and expertise in Indo-Pacific Studies with our cohort at UNSW Canberra.
external-careers.jobs.unsw.edu.au
October 2, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Job alert! We have a 5 year fixed term teaching-focussed position in our new Indo-Pacific Studies program. Can highly recommend UNSW Canberra as a place to work.
IPS is an emerging field, so applications welcome from cognate disciplines.
Details: external-careers.jobs.unsw.edu.au/cw/en/job/53...
IPS is an emerging field, so applications welcome from cognate disciplines.
Details: external-careers.jobs.unsw.edu.au/cw/en/job/53...