James Ryan
@yasharyan.bsky.social
Historian of modern Russia and the Soviet Union.
Reader (Associate Professor) in Modern European History,
Cardiff University.
Currently writing an intellectual history of inter-war Soviet state violence.
Reader (Associate Professor) in Modern European History,
Cardiff University.
Currently writing an intellectual history of inter-war Soviet state violence.
Reposted by James Ryan
New skills White Paper proposes radical changes to UK research that ‘could tear up long-held notions of what a British university is, rolling back the Humboldtian model of research-informed higher education’. Jack Grove reports #highered #EduSky
https://ow.ly/YuQy50Xov5F
https://ow.ly/YuQy50Xov5F
November 10, 2025 at 7:30 AM
New skills White Paper proposes radical changes to UK research that ‘could tear up long-held notions of what a British university is, rolling back the Humboldtian model of research-informed higher education’. Jack Grove reports #highered #EduSky
https://ow.ly/YuQy50Xov5F
https://ow.ly/YuQy50Xov5F
Reposted by James Ryan
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Writing Game Histories
This book offers an accessible introduction to the dynamic intersection between history and games, and the flourishing discipline of Historical Game Studies. Fr…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:39 AM
A project that started with a DiGRA23 workshop is finally, nearly out in the world! Coming May 2026 from Bloomsbury’s Writing History series, Writing Games Histories is a collection of essays on historical game studies methods&approaches. Find the ToC here:
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writing-g...
Reposted by James Ryan
Complete shutdown in archive access since invasion of Ukraine has transformed Russian studies, say historians finding ways to keep discipline going https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/locked-out-archives-scholars-forced-study-russia-afar
November 6, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Complete shutdown in archive access since invasion of Ukraine has transformed Russian studies, say historians finding ways to keep discipline going https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/locked-out-archives-scholars-forced-study-russia-afar
Reposted by James Ryan
'If the ceasefire holds, this language is an augur of the future. One where there is no reckoning, no addressing of root causes. Only a hurtling into the imperatives of cleanings-up and workings-out. All the while illegal occupation continues'.
While the perpetrators of Gaza’s genocide pose as its saviours, survivors return home – to a wasteland | Nesrine Malik
Western leaders attending the Sharm el-Sheikh summit have enabled and sponsored this slaughter. They are in no position to build a Palestinian future, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM
'If the ceasefire holds, this language is an augur of the future. One where there is no reckoning, no addressing of root causes. Only a hurtling into the imperatives of cleanings-up and workings-out. All the while illegal occupation continues'.
Reposted by James Ryan
“We want our international students to continue to feel welcomed for the positive social and cultural and economic contributions they make in Wales, and we're very keen to ensure that that continues so there will not be a levy in Wales.” (Welsh education secretary Lynne Neagle)
Wales rules out levy on international student fees
Education secretary confirms devolved nation will not follow UK government in taking a cut of overseas tuition fee income
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:47 AM
“We want our international students to continue to feel welcomed for the positive social and cultural and economic contributions they make in Wales, and we're very keen to ensure that that continues so there will not be a levy in Wales.” (Welsh education secretary Lynne Neagle)
Reposted by James Ryan
📣 It's publication day! 🔥Burning Swamps🔥 is out with @universitypress.cambridge.org ! My book tells the forgotten history of peat in the context of Russia’s industrialization & electrification and points to the lingering presence of past extraction 1/5
#envhist #energysky
#envhist #energysky
September 25, 2025 at 8:46 AM
📣 It's publication day! 🔥Burning Swamps🔥 is out with @universitypress.cambridge.org ! My book tells the forgotten history of peat in the context of Russia’s industrialization & electrification and points to the lingering presence of past extraction 1/5
#envhist #energysky
#envhist #energysky
Reposted by James Ryan
I'm very pleased to announce that the call for proposed Special Issues of the Historical Journal is now live, with a deadline of 12th December. Please do spread widely among your networks — @saracaputo.bsky.social and I look forward to reading your submissions! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Historical Journal Call for Special Issues
Welcome to Cambridge Core
www.cambridge.org
September 22, 2025 at 7:34 AM
I'm very pleased to announce that the call for proposed Special Issues of the Historical Journal is now live, with a deadline of 12th December. Please do spread widely among your networks — @saracaputo.bsky.social and I look forward to reading your submissions! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by James Ryan
Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, says UN inquiry
Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, says UN inquiry
Commission’s 72-page legal analysis cites examples including scale of killings, aid blockages and forced displacement
*
Middle East crisis – live updates
A UN commission of inquiry concluded on Tuesday that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza and that top Israeli officials including the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had incited these acts.
It cited examples of the scale of the killings, aid blockages, forced displacement and the destruction of a fertility clinic to back up its genocide finding, adding its voice to rights groups and others that have reached the same conclusion. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, says UN inquiry
Superbly insightful, balanced, but nonetheless scary episode of @newsagents.bsky.social on AI and its historic significance. Well done to @lewisgoodall.com for pushing this conversation forward.
“If the tech keeps getting better this quickly, there’s the potential for a large-scale employment impact.”
Jack Clark, co-founder of AI company Anthropic, says the speed of AI’s development is unprecedented and “hard to believe” for many.
@lewisgoodall.com
Jack Clark, co-founder of AI company Anthropic, says the speed of AI’s development is unprecedented and “hard to believe” for many.
@lewisgoodall.com
August 30, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Superbly insightful, balanced, but nonetheless scary episode of @newsagents.bsky.social on AI and its historic significance. Well done to @lewisgoodall.com for pushing this conversation forward.
'Figures from a classified Israeli military intelligence database indicate five out of six Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza have been civilians, an extreme rate of slaughter rarely matched in recent decades of warfare.'
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Revealed: Israeli military’s own data indicates civilian death rate of 83% in Gaza war
Figures from classified IDF database listed 8,900 named fighters as dead or probably dead in May, as overall death toll reached 53,000
www.theguardian.com
August 21, 2025 at 3:22 PM
'Figures from a classified Israeli military intelligence database indicate five out of six Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza have been civilians, an extreme rate of slaughter rarely matched in recent decades of warfare.'
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Reposted by James Ryan
'Fewer graduates regret going to university than is widely assumed and the public have a more favourable view of universities than people imagine, according to new research.' 1/3
Public vastly overestimate level of ‘graduate regret’, poll finds
New research highlights misconceptions about higher education, with people more positive about universities than is commonly realised
www.timeshighereducation.com
August 20, 2025 at 6:32 AM
'Fewer graduates regret going to university than is widely assumed and the public have a more favourable view of universities than people imagine, according to new research.' 1/3
Reposted by James Ryan
obviously, the time to throw in a new 5* (sorry, 4* plus) rating to this system is the time when there are sector-wide cuts in research time and resources
Research culture element of REF 2029 set to be shrunk.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Research culture element of REF 2029 set to be shrunk - Research Professional News
New ‘4-star plus’ research rating also being considered by Research Excellence Framework team, briefings suggest
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
August 6, 2025 at 7:24 AM
obviously, the time to throw in a new 5* (sorry, 4* plus) rating to this system is the time when there are sector-wide cuts in research time and resources
Reposted by James Ryan
Be my replacement for a year and work in a great School with lovely colleagues! Please share with any modern Europeanists who might be interested!
A proper 12-month replacement post with decent salary (for UKHE, at least) in modern European history. Belfast is a decent place to live - relatively affordable apart from extortionate pint prices - and I can personally vouch for what a great & friendly School we have.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOE451/l...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOE451/l...
Lecturer (Education) in Modern European History at Queen's University Belfast
Apply now for the Lecturer (Education) in Modern European History role on jobs.ac.uk - the leading job board for higher education jobs. View details.
www.jobs.ac.uk
August 4, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Be my replacement for a year and work in a great School with lovely colleagues! Please share with any modern Europeanists who might be interested!
Reposted by James Ryan
A short piece by me on early modern ships’ surgeons and emotions!
In this week’s Miscellanies: life at sea was hard. An #earlymodern ship’s surgeon had to treat not just broken bones but distress and trauma.
📬 Sign up for our email newsletter at mailchi.mp/historytoday...
📬 Sign up for our email newsletter at mailchi.mp/historytoday...
July 30, 2025 at 9:40 AM
A short piece by me on early modern ships’ surgeons and emotions!
Reposted by James Ryan
The British Academy has responded to a consultation by Medr on its new regulatory system for tertiary education in Wales.
We make the case for ensuring a wide breadth of subjects for all learners in Welsh tertiary education. Read our full response: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
We make the case for ensuring a wide breadth of subjects for all learners in Welsh tertiary education. Read our full response: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
July 29, 2025 at 6:51 AM
The British Academy has responded to a consultation by Medr on its new regulatory system for tertiary education in Wales.
We make the case for ensuring a wide breadth of subjects for all learners in Welsh tertiary education. Read our full response: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
We make the case for ensuring a wide breadth of subjects for all learners in Welsh tertiary education. Read our full response: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
Reposted by James Ryan
I've written a short piece for History Today on ships' surgeons and emotional lives at sea. Enjoy!
In Thursday’s Miscellanies: life at sea was hard. An #earlymodern ship’s surgeon had to treat not just broken bones but distress and trauma.
📬 Sign up for our free newsletter at mailchi.mp/historytoday...
📬 Sign up for our free newsletter at mailchi.mp/historytoday...
July 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I've written a short piece for History Today on ships' surgeons and emotional lives at sea. Enjoy!
Reposted by James Ryan
Are you looking to publish your research in an academic journal? Then this ICCEES roundtable is for you! Featuring the editors of @conteurohistory.bsky.social sky.social @europe-asia.bsky.social, Diaspora, & Journal of Baltic Studies www.myeventflo.com/event-lectur...
July 21, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Are you looking to publish your research in an academic journal? Then this ICCEES roundtable is for you! Featuring the editors of @conteurohistory.bsky.social sky.social @europe-asia.bsky.social, Diaspora, & Journal of Baltic Studies www.myeventflo.com/event-lectur...
Reposted by James Ryan
Congratulations to all 92 newly elected FBAs including the wonderful @clairelanghamer.bsky.social whose sterling research is matched by her sterling (or is it platinum?) work for the discipline of History (in all its academic, public and other forms) at the also ace @ihr.bsky.social . 1/2
The British Academy welcomes 92 new Fellows in 2025
92 distinguished scholars have today been elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
July 18, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Congratulations to all 92 newly elected FBAs including the wonderful @clairelanghamer.bsky.social whose sterling research is matched by her sterling (or is it platinum?) work for the discipline of History (in all its academic, public and other forms) at the also ace @ihr.bsky.social . 1/2
Reposted by James Ryan
One year teaching fellow post at Warwick University in Modern Eastern European History. I will be on academic leave next year and the Histoty Department looks for someone to teach my two modules on Ukrainian History and on Stalinism. Look here warwick-careers.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...
Teaching Fellow in Modern Eastern European History (110628-0625) - University of Warwick
Title: Teaching Fellow in Modern Eastern European History (110628-0625). Application Deadline: 13/07/2025, 23:55. Position Type: Fixed Term
warwick-careers.tal.net
June 27, 2025 at 10:40 AM
One year teaching fellow post at Warwick University in Modern Eastern European History. I will be on academic leave next year and the Histoty Department looks for someone to teach my two modules on Ukrainian History and on Stalinism. Look here warwick-careers.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...
Reposted by James Ryan
How did activists, artists and intellectuals in late 19th to early 20th century Ireland re-imagine what society and sexuality could look like?
Maurice Casey (@mauricejcasey.com) explores in the latest issue of History Workshop Journal.
Read open access in HWJ 99: academic.oup.com/hwj/article/...
Maurice Casey (@mauricejcasey.com) explores in the latest issue of History Workshop Journal.
Read open access in HWJ 99: academic.oup.com/hwj/article/...
‘I want to be to Ireland what Walt Whitman was to America’: Esotericism and Queer Sexuality in an Irish Social Circle, 1890s–1920s
Abstract. This article traces a transnational current of thinking on sexuality that flowed through Ireland in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centu
academic.oup.com
June 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
How did activists, artists and intellectuals in late 19th to early 20th century Ireland re-imagine what society and sexuality could look like?
Maurice Casey (@mauricejcasey.com) explores in the latest issue of History Workshop Journal.
Read open access in HWJ 99: academic.oup.com/hwj/article/...
Maurice Casey (@mauricejcasey.com) explores in the latest issue of History Workshop Journal.
Read open access in HWJ 99: academic.oup.com/hwj/article/...
Reposted by James Ryan
Absolute gibbering nonsense. You can’t only do the best research. You don’t know which research is going to be the best until it’s done.
That’s literally what research is.
That’s literally what research is.
Two senior @ukri.org figures this week have suggested unis could reduce how much research they do
“Concentrating on unique and high contributions & concentrating on less research, has the potential to bring the amount of activity into balance with research funding,” Steven Hill told #ARMA25
(1/2)
“Concentrating on unique and high contributions & concentrating on less research, has the potential to bring the amount of activity into balance with research funding,” Steven Hill told #ARMA25
(1/2)
Research England official: universities could do ‘less’ R&D - Research Professional News
Arma 2025: Director of research asks whether system should provide “disincentives for lower-quality research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Absolute gibbering nonsense. You can’t only do the best research. You don’t know which research is going to be the best until it’s done.
That’s literally what research is.
That’s literally what research is.
Reposted by James Ryan
Honestly, can we please just stop feeding this sort of research cowardice? Time and again, it's been proven that allowing blue-sky thinking to develop produces outstanding results. We don't know what's going to be important tomorrow: just let us be creative and inquisitive.
June 20, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Honestly, can we please just stop feeding this sort of research cowardice? Time and again, it's been proven that allowing blue-sky thinking to develop produces outstanding results. We don't know what's going to be important tomorrow: just let us be creative and inquisitive.
Reposted by James Ryan
Are you a PhD student/ECR working on contemporary European history? If so, consider submitting to the @conteurohistory.bsky.social article prize. Deadline 12 September. I strongly encourage submissions from those working on Central/Eastern Europe & the USSR! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
The Contemporary European History Prize
A prize aimed at encouraging, recognizing and promoting high-quality research among postgraduate and early career historians.
www.cambridge.org
June 17, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Are you a PhD student/ECR working on contemporary European history? If so, consider submitting to the @conteurohistory.bsky.social article prize. Deadline 12 September. I strongly encourage submissions from those working on Central/Eastern Europe & the USSR! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by James Ryan
From the current issue: "AIDS and the End of the Soviet Union"
by @siobhanhearne.bsky.social (@uniofmanchester.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
by @siobhanhearne.bsky.social (@uniofmanchester.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
AIDS and the End of the Soviet Union*
Abstract. In the mid-1980s, HIV and AIDS were initially dismissed in the Soviet press as infections that could only be contracted by individuals engaged in
doi.org
June 16, 2025 at 7:10 AM
From the current issue: "AIDS and the End of the Soviet Union"
by @siobhanhearne.bsky.social (@uniofmanchester.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
by @siobhanhearne.bsky.social (@uniofmanchester.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...