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Jennifer Aston

@drjenniferaston.bsky.social

Legal Historian @Northumbria Law School. PI @divorcehistory.bsky.social All things business, gender, divorce & bankruptcy in the (very) long 19thC. York and Newcastle.

268 Posts3081 Follower 1158 Folgt

London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 4w ago

Sara M. Butler 🇨🇦@sarabutler.bsky.social · last wk.

My new post is up! When Marriage goes Wrong: Breach of Promise in Fifteenth-Century England legalhistorymiscellany.com/2026/08/06/w...

When Marriage goes Wrong: Breach of Promise in Fifteenth-Century England

Posted by Sara M. Butler, 6 August 2026. Cundradus Schlapperitzi, miniature showing marriage (1445). New York Public Library. Courtesy of Picryl. Public Domain. Historians of marriage …

legalhistorymiscellany.com

Ewan Gibbs @ewangibbs.bsky.social · 2w ago

New journal article on working-class women telling stories of economic and social change. Gillian Murray, Janet Greenlees and I recorded interviews with women in deindustrialising Lanarkshire who had diverging narratives of survival 'getting by' and social mobility - 'getting on'.

Getting by or getting on: gender, intergenerational earning and caring in deindustrialising localities in Lanarkshire, Scotland

Reader environment loaded

tandfonline.com

Sadiah Qureshi 🦈@sadiahqureshi.bsky.social · last mo.

Reposting this full-time permanent post in Modern British History at the University of Manchester. The deadline has been extended to 13 July (as below). The date has yet to update on jobs.ac.uk so please do share and spread the word. www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

Lecturer in Modern British History (post-1800):Oxford Road

jobs.manchester.ac.uk

Hart Publishing @hartpublishing.bsky.social · 2mo ago

🎙️ We're delighted to sponsor Not for Want of Trying, a podcast exploring the landmark cases, campaigns and legislation that have shaped women's rights in the UK and Ireland. Series 2 is out now, with three episodes already available to listen to: https://bit.ly/3SoRFKd

Not for Want of Trying | Women’s Legal Landmarks

<span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">A podcast exploring the landmark cases, campaigns and legislation that have shaped women's rights in the UK and Ireland.</span></...

womenslegallandmarks.podbean.com

Katie Barclay @katieebarclay.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Two more week to submit your proposal for a special issue on gender, crisis and childhood! #childhood #gender #history

Childhood, Gender and Crises: Living at the End of the World Gender & History: Special Issue
Edited by Katie Barclay and Emily Ward Call for Papers

If you are interested in contributing an article to this special issue, please send a proposed title and short abstract (max. 250 words) along with your name, affiliation details, and email contact to katie.barclay@mg.edu.au. The closing date for receiving abstracts is 31 May 2026.

Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies at York @cecs-york.bsky.social · 3mo ago

We’re very pleased to share news of this research fellowship position, working with our wonderful CECS / English Literature colleague Prof Mary Fairclough @maryfairclough.bsky.social on the collected works of Mary Wollstonecraft: 🔗 www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRL782/r...

Research Fellowship: The Collected Works of Mary Wollstonecraft at University of York

Explore an exciting academic career as a Research Fellowship: The Collected Works of Mary Wollstonecraft. Don't miss out on other academic jobs. Click to apply and explore more opportunities.

jobs.ac.uk

Dr Hannah J. Elizabeth @sexhistorian.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Do you know someone fantastic who'd like to do a health history PhD? Get them to apply to come and work with me and @tortietabby.bsky.social at Strathclyde! #HistMed www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/...

Unorthodox health activism in Britain after 1948 | University of Strathclyde

strath.ac.uk

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 3mo ago

I know I talk about this to anyone who will listen but it really is *such* an amazing scheme. Would 10/10 recommend. 📚 📖 🖊

Royal Historical Society@royalhistsoc.org · 3mo ago

Applications are now invited for the Society's 2026 Funded Book Workshops - for historians currently writing a 2nd or 3rd monograph bit.ly/4uwep8C. Grants enable authors to hold a day workshop with upto 6 specialist readers to discuss a MS in detail before submission to a publisher #Skystorians

Michael Brown @medhistoryman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

📢 JOB ALERT📢 Please spread the word that there are 2x1-year, F/T (Teaching & Research) posts going in History @ Lancaster: Lecturer in Modern British History (1800-2000), with a focus on the social & cultural histories of the economy, advertising, or consumerism. hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx...

Job Opportunity at Lancaster University: Lecturer in Modern British History

Lecturer in Modern British History, c1800-2000 The School of Global Affairs at Lancaster University is seeking to appoint a Lecturer in Modern British History, c.1800-2000 (Teaching and Scholarship). ...

hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 4mo ago

🗣️ A quick reminder that the online conversation between me and the wonderful Prof. @afroide.bsky.social hosted by @thenacbs.bsky.social starts in 30 mins! Link below 👇

TheNACBS@thenacbs.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Happening today! Join us at noon to hear more about Deserted Wives and Economic Divorce in 19th-Century England and Wales!

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The paperback of 'Deserted Wives & Economic Divorce' is out, and I am delighted to celebrate with an online book event. I'll be in conversation with the fabulous @afroide.bsky.social about the book and how it was written, in an event hosted by @thenacbs.bsky.social. 📅 April 30 ⏰ 12 noon ET / 5pm BST

TheNACBS@thenacbs.bsky.social · 4mo ago

📢Online book event! Join us next week to hear more about Deserted Wives and Economic Divorce in 19th Century England and Wales. @drjenniferaston.bsky.social in conversation with @afroide.bsky.social 📅April 30 ⏰12pm noon ET Free and open to the public Info and RSVP: www.nacbs.org/event-detail...

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Yesterday's Broken Bonds conference was everything I hoped it would be. From parliamentary #divorce to the mid-20thC family courts, domestic #abuse & legacies of #coverture, the scholarship was outstanding. Lady Hale's keynote was unforgettable. Watch this space for news of an edited collection...

A hand-drawn visual summary of the Broken Bonds conference on a green background. The title "Broken Bonds: New Perspectives on Marital Breakdown in the English Common Law World 1801-1969" appears at the top in bold decorative lettering. The image contains twelve illustrated circular vignettes, each representing a conference paper, with key themes and keywords highlighted in banners and speech bubbles. Topics include parliamentary divorce, the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes 1857, domestic violence, bigamy, Scottish divorce law, homosexuality in the mid-twentieth century divorce court, and coverture. Silhouetted figures of Victorian men and women appear throughout. Logos for Northumbria University, the ESRC, Welsh Women's Aid, and The National Archives appear at the bottom, alongside the credit "By Julia Bakay."

Northumbria History @northumbriahistory.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Our colleague @drjenniferaston.bsky.social (now in Law, but always a historian ✊️) appeared on a recent episode of @shedunnitshow.bsky.social to provide some historical context on divorce in classic detective fiction. Listen below. www.shedunnitshow.com/thedecreeabs...

The Decree Absolute

The fascinating history of divorce in detective fiction.

shedunnitshow.com

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Gender and Women's History has been launched, including my chapter 'Women and Divorce Law in England and Wales, 1537–2022'. I had great fun writing it and I'm proud to be published alongside so many amazing authors writing on such importantly and timely topics.

Women and Divorce Law in England and Wales, 1537–2022

Summary. The popular history of divorce in England and Wales centers on famous couples—predominantly royalty—whose marital discord played out through inter

academic.oup.com

Surprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · 5mo ago

It's Map Commission Thread time! Do you need a map? Or want one? I can help! I make my living drawing custom maps on commission. And I am taking commissions *right now*! There's more info at my website: surprisedeelmaps.com Most of my maps are for history books. Here are some examples! (1/5)

Grayscale map of the Atlantic showing most of the Americas, Europe, and Africa. There are arrows showing the direction of trade, and each arrow has at least one number attached to it. The numbers match a key on the side that lists the products being traded and their place of origin. There are 15 different sets of commodities listed:
1:Midlands & Birmingham: Guns, Gunpowder, Metalware, Silks
2: Liverpool & Lancashire: Cotton-linens
3: Lancashire: Linens, Cottons, Cotton-linens
4: India: Cottons Cowries
5: Midlands & London: Metalware, Silks, Ceramics, Glassware, Guns
6: London & Glasgow: Credit, Shipping Insurance
7: New England: Beef & Pork, Fish, Rum, Wood, Whale products
8: Mid-Atlantic: Grain
9: Chesapeake Colonies: Tobacco
10: Carolinas, Rice, Indigo
11: Caribbean: Sugar, Molasses
12: Brazil: Coffee
13: Brazil: Gold
14: Mexico / Peru: Silver
15: Britain: Grain, Manufactures

The map has a set of grey arrows going from West Africa to the Americas showing the number of enslaved workers transported. The arrows are sized relative to the numbers. The largest arrow shows 6 million enslaved workers going to the Caribbean. 3.5 million went to Africa, 650,000 to the Spanish colonies in Central and South America, and 400,000 to North America.

A key in the bottom right lists a set of African kingdoms that participated in the selling of enslaved workers, including Benin, the Oyo Empire, Dahomey, the Ashanti Confederacy, the Kingdom of Allada, the Kingdom of Whydah, and the Nupe people. These kingdoms are outlined on the map.

A map of eurasia, done to look something like a pirate map with torn and aged edges. The label reads "Trade, Treasures & Shipwrecks in the Medieval World." There five medallions with drawings in them, and arrows leading from them to points on the map. From left to right:
1. A two-masted ship, with the label "Sirçe Limani, 1025." The arrow points to the mediterranean, just off of southwestern Anatolia.
2. A drawing of a jade buddha statue, with the label "Helgo Treasure, 6th C."
3. A drawing of a large oriental-style ship with 3 masts, with the label reading "Shinan Wreck, 14th C.: The arrow points to southwestern Korea
4. A two-masted oriental ship, with a label reading "Quanzhou Wreck, 13th C." The arrow points to the western coast of China.
5. A two-masted ship with the label "Beiltung Wreck, 830." The arrow points to the sea just east of Sumatra.

In addition, the map shows lists a number of important medieval trade cities, and red lines showing major trade routes. The Red Sea is colored a dark, rusty red as a tip of the hat to medieval mapmakers.

A B&W map of Italy in the 6th century, with a number of cities noted. It is a Surprised Eel map, so there is an eel in the compass rose.

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Only 5 weeks until the *free* Broken Bonds: The History of Divorce and Marital Breakdown conference at Northumbria University! Thanks to the ESRC, travel bursaries are available. Details in replies 👇 #LegalHistory #DivorceHistory #FamilyLaw #SocioLegalStudies #WomensHistory #ESRC #ECRHistory

Conference programme for Broken Bonds: New Perspectives on Marital Breakdown in the English Common Law World 1801–1969. One-day hybrid academic conference, in person and online, at Northumbria University, Monday 20 April 2026. Registration link provided. The programme runs from 8.45am to 5.45pm and includes: an opening overview by Dr Jennifer Aston (Northumbria University); Session One with papers by Prof. Danaya Wright (University of Florida) and Chloe Challender (Warwick University); Session Two with papers by Penelope Russell (University of Sheffield), Dr Stephanie Brown (University of Hull), and Dr Sophie Michell (Open University); a keynote address by Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE on the role of conduct in matrimonial law; Session Three with papers by Dr Rosemary Elliot (University of Glasgow) and Prof. Rebecca Probert (University of Exeter); and Session Four with papers by Dr Naomi Cousins (Leeds Beckett University), Dr Ellen Durban (Independent Scholar), and Ruth Tweedale (University of Westminster). A drinks reception follows closing remarks. Logos for the ESRC, New Histories of Divorce, and Northumbria University Newcastle appear at the foot of the page.

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Delighted to have been a keynote speaker at the BMO/LRI Exec Roundtable on Women's Leadership & the Human Infrastructure of AI last week. Feminist business history is essential infrastructure for thinking about equitable innovation #WomensLeadership #FeministBusinessHistory #AI #FinancialInclusion

Women's Leadership Roundtable in London with Dr. Judy Stephenson | Mona Malone posted on the topic | LinkedIn

It was a privilege to co-chair a recent Women’s Executive Leadership Roundtable in London alongside Dr. Judy Stephenson. The discussion brought together senior leaders and scholars to examine women’...

linkedin.com

🇨🇦 Katherine D. Watson 🇬🇧@drkdwatson.bsky.social · 5mo ago

British Crime Historians Symposium 2026 - Call for Abstracts legalhistorymiscellany.com/british-crim...

British Crime Historians Symposium 2026 – Call for Abstracts

The British Crime Historians Symposium meets every 2-3 years to discuss and debate original historical research on all aspects of crime, policing, punishment, law, criminal justice and social regul…

legalhistorymiscellany.com

Divorce_History @divorcehistory.bsky.social · 5mo ago

🎉 The Broken Bonds: New Perspectives on Marital Breakdown in the English Common Law World 1801-1969 programme is live! 📅 20 April '26 | Northumbria Uni 🎤 Keynote: Lady Hale DBE 🗣️ 11 amazing speakers | ESRC-funded 💰 Free registration | Travel bursaries available #LegalHistory #WomensHistory #Divorce

Broken Bonds - New Perspectives on Marital Breakdown in the English Common Law World 1801-1969

This conference invites paper proposals from scholars in history, legal studies, human geography, anthropology, English, film studies, sociology, politics, and related disciplines. We welcome research...

northumbria.ac.uk

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 5mo ago

I am so excited about this upcoming 1-day hybrid conference. I can't wait to share findings from the project & hear the amazing papers we have lined up. Most importantly, it's free! In person attendees get cakes, lunch & a drinks reception. Travel bursaries are available for PhDs/ECRs. Join us!

Divorce_History@divorcehistory.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 6mo ago

What do Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and the 19th-century Divorce Court have in common? Murder, of course. I chatted with @cacrampton.bsky.social on the Shedunnit podcast about how divorce law shaped golden age detective fiction 🔍 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... #LegalHistory #DivorceHistory

Shedunnit - The Decree Absolute - BBC Sounds

The fascinating history of divorce in detective fiction.

bbc.co.uk

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 6mo ago

I've checked into the airport hotel ready for my early flight back to the UK. Thank you to Cath Bishop, Melanie Methot, @kris-inwood.bsky.social, Claire Wright, Alecia Simmonds and everyone at the @asia-pacific-echr.bsky.social for such a brilliant trip (and to the 🐨who kindly posed for a photo!)

A patchwork of 11 images. Clockwise from top left corner:
1. A close up of piece of indigenous artwork in the dot style by artist Lee Rehardt
2. The cover slide from my conference presentation 'Counting the Cost of Divorce: the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes and the british empire
3. a koala bear sitting in a tree
4. An advertising banner from an exhibition at Sydney Art Gallery titled "Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890-1940"
5. Sydney Harbour bridge, taken from a ferry
6. A view of sunrise in Adelaide taken from a terracotta tiled balcony. The sun is rising over the hills in the distance.
7. Large hand painted paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling in a thai restaurant in Sydney's china town.
8. The Faery Bower Pool at Manly Beach
9. Grape vines in McClaren vale
10. a sun bathing water dragon
11. Sydney opera house

Hart Publishing @hartpublishing.bsky.social · 6mo ago

It’s fantastic to see several Hart titles shortlisted across the 2026 SLSA Prizes! Congratulations to @drjenniferaston.bsky.social, Ngaire Naffine & @lewisgrahamlaw.bsky.social on this recognition for their outstanding socio-legal scholarship. Read the full shortlists: https://bit.ly/4c3516P

Cover image for 'Deserted Wives and Economic Divorce in 19th-Century England and Wales'

Cover image for 'Judicial Individuality on the UK Supreme Court'

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 6mo ago

I am delighted that my most recent book 'Deserted Wives and Economic Divorce in 19th-Century England and Wales' (Hart, 2024) has been nominated for the Hart-SLSA Book Prize AND the Socio-Legal Theory and History Prize 2026... (more below!) slsa.ac.uk/so/45PmDxXBD...

SLSA PRIZES 2026: SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED!

From an extremely strong field and a large number of nominations in some categories, the SLSA Board is delighted to announce this year's shortlists for the Association's prestigious prizes. They are a...

slsa.ac.uk

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 7mo ago

🎓Less than a week to go to submit your abstract for 'Marital Breakdown in the English Common Law World 1801-1969'. We've had some cracking submissions & (along with a keynote from the inimitable Lady Hale) it is shaping up to be a brilliant event! 💰speaker bursaries available Details below 👇

Divorce_History@divorcehistory.bsky.social · 7mo ago

📢 #CfP @divorcehistory.bsky.social conference: Marital breakdown in the English common law world 1801-1969 📅 20 April 2026 🎓Northumbria University 🎤 Keynote: Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE 💰 Speaker bursaries available! #legalhistory #socialhistory #genderhistory #law #humanities

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Divorce_History@divorcehistory.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Broken Bonds - New Perspectives on Marital Breakdown in the English Common Law World 1801-1969

northumbria.ac.uk

Jennifer Aston @drjenniferaston.bsky.social · 7mo ago

It's the last day to register for the free & online @divorcehistory.bsky.social one-day workshop 'Archives to Action' where we will be examining the relevance of #humanities and #sociolegal research to contemporary policy issues. All welcome! Sign up here: www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/new...

Archives to Action: Historical Evidence for Policy Reform

This one-day workshop showcases the results of a groundbreaking two-year interdisciplinary project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council: 'A New Methodological Approach to the History of ...

northumbria.ac.uk

Divorce_History@divorcehistory.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Our FREE ‘Archives to Action’ workshop on 20th January 2026 will now be a fully virtual event. Come and join us and our fantastic speakers, all welcome. #Archives #History #MaritalBreakdown #Divorce #DomesticAbuse #ChildWelfare #ChildCustody #PolicyReform #Policy #England #Wales

Divorce_History @divorcehistory.bsky.social · 7mo ago

How can locating women, children and diversity in the #archives be used in the present? Incl. @jessamycarlson.bsky.social from The National Archives and @lizzybarchivist.bsky.social from @northeastmuseums.bsky.social #Genealogy #genealogists #familyhistory #archivists #museums #divorce #marriage