@nataliethomlinson.bsky.social
Historian of gender and feminism in modern Britain; Associate Prof at the University of Reading
brilliant special issue of CBH here on writing labour histories in Brexit Britain, featuring great people like @emilyrobinson.bsky.social, @diarmaidkelliher.bsky.social and @ewangibbs.bsky.social
Contemporary British History
Ordinary Working-Class People? Labour History and 'Brexit Britain'. Volume 40, Issue 3 of Contemporary British History
tandfonline.com
I am not given to hyperbole when it comes to university industrial relations, but this feels like an existential event. The heart of the university is being torn out, with long-lasting consequences. These strikes are a last-ditch attempt to stop that. Will anyone listen?
University and College Union (UCU)@ucu.org.uk · last wk.Our members at Edinburgh University commence a 5 week strike today over crippling job cuts. Please show them solidarity as they head onto picket lines this morning.
***URGENT PLEASE SHARE*** University of Brighton management have announced today that they ‘give notice of termination of all collective agreements’. This is a fundamental erasure of workers' rights. Management have announced the termination of all contractual documents, which includes:
University and College Union (UCU)@ucu.org.uk · 3w agoUCU members at Brighton University face the threat of derecognition. We have called an emergency rally tomorrow at 1:15pm. It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance. 58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
A real test now of the media's appetite for Cambridge professors and their ethics.
Unreservedly brilliant news...turns out there is still power in a union. hoping this leads to lots of new members.
Exeter UCU@exeterucu.bsky.social · last mo.The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.
The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.
Despite letters like this one, C*fnas will ultimately prove expendable. The very well-funded network of far right intellectuals of which he was a protégé are creating spaces at Cambridge and elsewhere where this kind of work will continue to flourish and be celebrated. That’s the bigger game.
My article — “Black is Beautiful”: Gender, Pigmentation, and Political Blackness in Modern Britain — is now available to read! It reinserts the politics of complexion into our narratives of the Black Power and Black Women’s movements. #BlackBritishHistory academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
‘Black is beautiful’: gender, pigmentation and political blackness in modern Britain*
Abstract. By examining political literature, ephemera and oral histories, this article investigates the politics of pigmentation within the Black Power and
academic.oup.com
Chuffed to see my article on feminist responses to the unemployment crisis of the 1980s out in JBS:
“Women, Where Are Your Jobs Going?”: Feminism and the Problem of Unemployment in Thatcher’s Britain | Journal of British Studies | Cambridge Core
“Women, Where Are Your Jobs Going?”: Feminism and the Problem of Unemployment in Thatcher’s Britain - Volume 65
cambridge.org
BREAKING | Kevin Keegan, former England manager, has died at the age of 75 Read more: trib.al/wE3bbSz
someone should tell Keir Starmer that repeatedly saying through gritted teeth that you're 'going with good grace' gives the exact opposite impression
excited to see whether sam smiths pubs become drinkable in once again, i've been on a one-woman boycott of them for some years now
Oxford Clarion@oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 3mo agoOxford drinkers may finally be able to swear in the Three Goats’ Heads after the death of Humphrey Smith, the irascible owner of Sam Smiths Brewery, at the age of 81. The pub chain enforced strict bans on swearing and mobile phone use. Smith was described in a Facebook pubs group as “an absolute tit
do not know why not all of them could do this, it's not hard to not shake the hand of somewhat being tried on 7 counts of rape
Emily✨@emilyoram.bsky.social · 4mo agoTerrible quality but this is the clearest video I can find of Djed Spence refusing to shake Partey’s hand 🫡
These are the 30 women killed since 2020 in Northern Ireland, all by white men 21 killed in their homes by men they knew. The youngest 20, the oldest 82 21 were mothers, 4 were killed with their children in the home. Two were pregnant Nobody rioted over their murders www.bbc.com/news/article...
A picture of violence: The 30 women killed in more than four years
In at least 21 of the 30 deaths, the killers - or the suspects in their killings - were well-known to the women.
bbc.com
Shedding 608 academic posts but creating 75 new managerial posts. No clear answers as to what those posts are, who they will go to, and why we need them.
Margot Finn@eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 4mo ago2,700 letters sent last month warning staff that they are at risk of redundancy, with Nottingham senior management's goal to shed 608 academic posts, following the 350 professional services staff lost last year. 1/3
just to say that in my research on unemployment in the 70s and 80s, I had the surreal moment of seeing government officials blaming unemployment for school leavers in *1978* on the particular fecklessness of modern youth. absolutely zero sense of wider structural changes to the economy at all.
Jonn Elledge@jonnelledge.bsky.social · 4mo agoI do sometimes worry that all the worried headscratching about youth unemployment might be missing the point. Everyone is always talking about how it relates to the education or welfare systems, no one wants to say "well the economy just produces far fewer entry level jobs than it once did"
What's so telling is that this government will never have this kind of energy for excluding a cis man from anything
University and College Union (UCU)@ucu.org.uk · 5mo agoToday @drjogrady.bsky.social wrote to the University of Reading. Trans staff and students are being forced into formal grievances just to find out why policies that affect their daily lives exist. That is not legal compliance. It is institutional opacity. We’re calling on Reading to act.
Yesterday Kier Starmer announced Labour will nationalise British Steel, and save 2700 jobs. Today, the Uni of Nottingham put 2700 staff at risk of redundancy. This is just one university. Across the UK 15,000 higher education jobs need saving. Where is the rescue package for our universities?
Today is Cost of Rent Day. The point in the year when England’s renters have basically earned only for their landlord. In 2026, that’s until 11 May, over 4 months of wages or benefits gone on rent. High rents are driving people into poverty. Watch to find out more:
Really looking forward to talking with @lauratisdall.bsky.social this Wednesday about her fab new book at Gower St Waterstones - book below if you fancy coming!
Laura Tisdall@lauratisdall.bsky.social · 6mo agoNew link for my London book launch for WE HAVE COME TO BE DESTROYED: GROWING UP IN COLD WAR BRITAIN at Waterstones Gower St on Weds 13th May at 6.30pm - because I'm now in conversation with the fantastic @nataliethomlinson.bsky.social www.waterstones.com/events/we-ha... #skystorians #histchild
not sure how i feel about david attenborough looking more sprightly of a friday night at 100 than i do at 39
University of Hertfordshire closes a swathe of Humanities courses, accelerating the sweeping tide against Human-centred disciples in the UK. Because understanding humans is so yesterday today. With such happy consequences, as we see when we look around us.
Owen Davies@odavies9.bsky.social · 5mo agoAye. Heard today that my university is closing UG History, Philosophy, English Lit, Linguistics, and Creative Writing in one go.
Looking forward to this tomorrow! More info below.
IHR Britain @ Home and Abroad seminar @ihrbritainseminar.bsky.social · 6mo agoNext Thursday, 30 April, 5.30-7pm... Join us (online or in person) with Bobby Phe Amis offering wonderful new perspective on postimperial Britain, welfare and the managed return of colonial service officers! www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Here's my take on that (other answers are also available...) www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
To save UK higher education, start talking about knowledge - Research Professional News
Until debate on universities foregrounds their core purposes, their woes will deepen, says Margot Finn
researchprofessionalnews.com
I am so looking forward to chatting with the brilliant @lauratisdall.bsky.social about her ace new book at the Gower St Waterstones on 13 May - book below if you fancy coming!
Laura Tisdall@lauratisdall.bsky.social · 6mo agoNew link for my London book launch for WE HAVE COME TO BE DESTROYED: GROWING UP IN COLD WAR BRITAIN at Waterstones Gower St on Weds 13th May at 6.30pm - because I'm now in conversation with the fantastic @nataliethomlinson.bsky.social www.waterstones.com/events/we-ha... #skystorians #histchild
