George McKay
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georgemckay.bsky.social
George McKay
@georgemckay.bsky.social

Prof Media Studies. Writes about popular music, festival, disability, jazz, peace, protest, gardening, + most recently Oxford Handbook of...Punk Rock. Charcot Marie Tooth. Plays music: double bass, bands (jazz, folk)

Art 63%
Computer science 11%

Yes. Magic. Norfolk magic.

Reposted by George McKay

We’re recruiting for a Project Coordinator to support the delivery of our three-year project ‘Cripping Culture: A Journey into Disability Arts Heritage’.

Closing - 08 Dec
Location - Hybrid (Remote + Brighton & Hove)
££ - £32K FTE

disabilityarts.online/opportunity-...
Hey authors! Check to see if Anthropic stole your book to train their slop generator on. You’re entitled to $1500 per stolen Work.

Look up your work, and if you’re in the database, file a claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
Submit a Claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

7-9 pm at the very fine York Tavern, Norwich. ‘Old jazz, new jazz, green jazz, blue jazz’. In the Golden Triangle!

Reposted by George McKay

Back in 1997, there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @RSPB and @NaturalEngland, there are now 283 booming males in 2024.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
Hidden wonders: my fascinating encounters with the Bittern
Elusive and majestic, the Bittern’s booming call echoes across Minsmere’s reeds – a symbol of hope and conservation success
eastangliabylines.co.uk

Looks like it yes, from when I worked @salforduni.bsky.social

WE don’t fkn want him!

Reposted by George McKay

It’s that time of year again. A darker take on The Good Life, perfect for Halloween or just another grim night in Blighty. Less pumpkin spice, more existential dread.

Watch it while you still can, it disappears at midnight on Sunday.

👀 youtube.com/watch?v=aaynJpIuaCY
Sleaford Mods Ft. Gwendoline Christie & Big Special - The Good Life (Dark Version)
YouTube video by Sleaford Mods
youtube.com

Reposted by George McKay

Attention Norfolk folk.

If the kids come round Trick or Treating tonight, and you don't want to open the door, just shout 'Prince Andrew Lives here now' through the letterbox to them and problem solved.
I wrote about the stupid white paper.

In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
Somewhere in the Department for Education, a phone is ringing
On October 20th at a bit after 5pm, the UK government introduced its Education and Skills white paper to Parliament, to absolutely no…
hitchcockian.medium.com
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:

- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%

Some of my brilliant colleagues @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social have organised the NQIFF 2025 film festival in Norwich. It's all free! Info and programme here: www.nqiff.com #queerfilm #filmfestival

New blog abt Winnie Atwell, on the occasion of the new blue plaque marking her achievements. georgemckay.org/winifred-atw...

RIP Tony Harrison, who blew my mind when I read his work as a student in Hull. I took my mum (working class) to see him read @norwichartscentre.bsky.social in 1984 we were both v moved. I took my copy for him to sign & made notes on what he read. I still say “Ay ay stutterer Demosthenes” sometimes

Always loved that Danny Thompson (RIP) played with free drummer John Stevens in a band too. One of those more surprising folk / jazz crossovers. Here’s a foto I found of Thompson from 1978, in Norwich! (That’s a cello not a bass tho)

Tonight

I'm sorry, worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive, transferable permission to my voice and likeness? For what now? In any manner for any purpose???

This is in academia/.edu's new ToS, which you're prompted to agree to on login. Anyway I'll be jumping ship. You can find my stuff at hcommons.org.

Great point and suggestion

Always a pleasure to see some music at the Bim when in Amsterdam with my Rhythm Changes conference pals

Love bass talk of all kinds

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MPs have launched a fan-led review of live music - with an online survey, which you will find via: committees.parliament.uk/committee/37...

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UK GRIM live on KEXP from The Triple Door. Recorded 19th April 2023. Still here, still GRIM.

Witness the fitness and check out the full performance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE0k...

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The reality of claiming PIP: a 🧵

1) To claim PIP you have to describe in excruciating detail all the ways you cannot function. This means that you are forced to think in very detailed terms exactly how disabled you are, which often has a devastating effect on the mental health of the applicant 1/?

Reposted by George McKay

Bradford Uni looking to cut Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences and Forensics (among others). Not as if we need those is it. Britain - the stupid country. 🇬🇧 www.ucu.org.uk/article/1406...
University of Bradford staff to down tools for 10 days over £16m cuts programme
Staff at the University of Bradford will begin ten days of strike action next week over plans to make £16m of cuts, slash hundreds of jobs and close multiple courses.
www.ucu.org.uk

Reposted by George McKay

From the deserts of Sudan
to the gardens of Japan.
From Milan to Yucatan,
or the wilds of Borneo
to the vineyards of Bordeaux.

Hit me with your library card. Hit me. Hit me.

Love the names

Reposted by George McKay

The Old Vic seeks an Education & Community Intern. Funded by John Lyon's Charity Inclusive Internship fund to support young people with learning disabilities into the creative workforce

Closing - 29 Jul
Location - London
££ - £8.6K

disabilityarts.online/opportunity-...