Nicholas Carter
@neacarter.bsky.social
Lecturer, researcher, University of Oxford ‘Living Stone’ out on Penguin Books in 2028 linktr.ee/neacarter
The STONE LANDS pbk is coming 4th June, so here are some events! I'm very excited about these. The best thing about having published a book about my niche interest is getting to meet people who share it, so really hope you can come ❤️🪨
There’s no wind like an Orkney wind…💨 Long-awaited visit to the Comet Stone this weekend, a nearly 2-metre high Neolithic monolith 140 metres southeast of the Ring of Brodgar, or Temple of the Sun, in Orkney, Scotland. The lichens glowing in the smirr. #StandingStoneSunday
Heading up to Orkney and Skara Brae with my lenses for a spot of book-related lichenology accompanied by this rather wonderful companion by @jeffreyjcohen.bsky.social. I’m all in on this creaturely mineral ride.
We are hiring! Postdoctoral Research Assistant in lithium behaviour in volcano-sedimentary systems The deadline for applications is 18th May 2026 Apply now: www.earth.ox.ac.uk/vacancies
Fresh from my talk at the British Lichen Society AGM in Carlisle; a short trip over to Keswick to see Castlerigg Stone Circle. A light shower meant the lichens got a glow up, with the Rhizocarpon Geographicum (Map Lichens) present truly luminous! #StandingStoneSunday #CastleriggStoneCircle #lichens
The British Lichen Society’s AGM 2026 is in full swing. After a day of productive meetings, we are now so lucky to have our keynote speaker, Dr. Nicholas Carter to share with us his work on the lichens of Blenheim Palace. Great turn out for this fascinating talk. #lichens @neacarter.bsky.social
Thank you so much @britishlichensociety.org.uk for the invitation - the honour was all mine #lichens
The British Lichen Society@britishlichensociety.org.uk · 6mo agoWhat an honour to have Dr Nicholas Carter from the University of Oxford talking about “Our Living Stone - Lichens at Blenheim Palace”, sharing research on lichens as a bioprotective layer on rock #lichens @neacarter.bsky.social
Birth of the Gurdy Stone, 29th April, 2023, near Lewes, East Sussex. Awestruck, I wondered what lichens would eventually find it? Would this two-tonne tower of Welsh slate attract ones otherwise absent, the Stone a new island, a hillside beacon of biodiversity? Time will tell. #StandingStoneSunday
A little charity shop find… a merry festive season to all and a joyful winter solstice to boot. Managed to capture the light and eventually lined it up between the stones 🪨🌞🪨 #StandingStoneSunday #Stonehenge
I was thrilled to attend the final day of the Ithell Colquhoun exhibition at Tate Britain in London recently. This stunning painting is called ‘Dance of the Nine Opals’ and is inspired by the Merry Maidens stone circle near Lamorna, Cornwall (1) #StandingStoneSunday
The Memory Stones on the Isle of Portland in Dorset have been positioned for the sun to cast shadows throughout the year, marking the equinoxes and the solstices. The nearby ‘One Island Many Visions’ exhibition celebrates them in sculpture and light. #StandingStoneSunday
National Year of Reading 2026: Oxford Geography We @oxfordgeography.bsky.social are ready to GO ALL IN (www.goallin.org.uk ) and will be publishing a list of essential Geography reads on our website in preparation for the National Year of Reading 2026… (1)
GO ALL IN | National Year of Reading 2026
The National Year of Reading 2026 invites the UK to rediscover the joy of reading. Whatever you’re into – music, films, food or anything – reading can take your passions further. Join the movement and...
goallin.org.uk
I'm thrilled that Upon A White Horse is going to be Radio 4's Book Of The Week. The first episode, which is on Stonehenge, will be on December 8 at 11.45am – and then there will be a reading from a different part of the book every day up to and including December 12. I hope you'll enjoy listening.
It’s said that two stone circles stood either side of Easton Lane on the Isle of Portland in Dorset until they were removed by workmen and built into the walls along the road. I took these photos whilst on a field trip with my students recently. #StandingStoneSunday
Had a lovely time chatting to Ellie, The Curious Geographer, about stone lichens and how they challenge our thinking about the natural world and our cultural heritage @britishlichensociety.org.uk @oxfordgeography.bsky.social youtu.be/9tO_5yBvQmw
Dr Nicholas Carter on the fascinating world of Lichens!
YouTube video by the curious geographer
youtu.be
New Nature Energy @nature.com study shows the UK can reach net zero faster, cheaper & with fewer risks by cutting energy demand. ECI’s Prof Christian Brand @profchristianbrand.bsky.social led the transport analysis in this unique gov–research collaboration. ➡️: www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/less-en...
👋 Welcome to the School of #Geography & the Environment @ox.ac.uk! We’re a world-leading department tackling global challenges through research and teaching. Follow us + @ecioxford.bsky.social @tsuoxford.bsky.social @oxfordsmithschool.bsky.social for updates from our SoGE community. 🌍
Key findings: 1 of 3: Nature exposure is consistently linked to better mental health and higher wellbeing, whereas certain urban characteristics are associated with poorer mental health and increased substance use.
Prof Alexandra Pitman@alexandrapitman.bsky.social · 11mo agoWith Ronja Christensen, Charlotte Constable Fernandez, Noémie Topalian, Laura Vaughan @kimonkrenz.bsky.social @alexandrapitman.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk @drannekathrinfett.bsky.social @citystgeorges.bsky.social n=33 studies using GEMA: real-time, location-aware data collection to capture place
‘If we are seeking to reassert women’s presence in our public spaces, where better to look than to the very legacies they themselves constructed’. My latest article for @uk.theconversation.com is inspired by a new statue of @ballioloxford.bsky.social’s co-founder, Dervorguilla of Galloway.
The Conversation UK@uk.theconversation.com · 9mo agoAs creators of educational, religious and charitable institutions, women of means found ways to circumvent the patriarchal power structures of medieval society.
It’s been a fantastic field trip on the Isle of Portland with the @oxfordgeography.bsky.social 1st Year geographers. Coast, quarry and sculpture exhibition all feeding keen senses of enquiry. Think one or two may have caught the lichen bug too.
It’s not every day you sign your first book deal. Delighted that ‘Living Stone’ has found a home at Penguin Books. Publishing Spring 2028. As time goes on, I’m going to post about the writing of it over on Instagram. But for now here’s Cormoran’s stony heart on my author guide 🐧❤️
Step inside the world of green careers: from hidden paths you’ve never considered, to hands-on roles shaping the future of our planet. Talk to the people already out there and hear how they got their start. Build practical skills that help you move forward and look great on your CV. buff.ly/jnpm93w
Great evening with @racheldelman.bsky.social and @stoneclub.bsky.social at @soanemuseum.bsky.social last night for Fragments and Ruins. An unfolding labyrinth of stony wonder introduced by the magical words of the late, great Brian Catling. Thank you to all!
Its here! The first ever Ancient Times, our new zine covering everything stone related and beyond. This issue contains French Megaliths, Daniel Gumb, Flint, Stonehenge, Druids and more! 40 pages of stone-mania. Copies will be shipped in October. stoneclub.bigcartel.com/product/anci...
It was a huge honour to be welcomed into the @linneansociety.bsky.social recently as a new Fellow. Such a beautiful building, packed full of nature’s stories.
The time is nigh! Something new is coming. It’s in the woods. It’s coming! Send us your submissions! Articles! Photo diaries! Reviews! Enthusiasms! Unexpected Tales! UFO Sightings! Favourite Stones! Whatever takes your fancy! Email us via our contact form on the website, or slide into our DMs 😉
Looking forward to talking about the lichens and the living stone of Blenheim Palace on this course for Oxford Lifelong Learning on October 7th. Places still available! lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/natu...
Nature in the Historic Built Environment: How to Make the Most of it
Managing nature around historic buildings can be a challenge. But it also presents exciting opportunities for engagement and conservation. This course will introduce new research, policy trends and ca...
lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk