Christina Riggs
@christinajriggs.bsky.social
Writer and historian: photograpy, art, archives, museums, colonialism (Egypt, Sudan). Tango dancer, Italophile, Chair in History of Visual Culture @durhamhistory.bsky.social. Author of Treasured: How Tutankhamun Shaped a Century. https://christinariggs.com
Reposted by Christina Riggs
Vivid memories remain of our National Trust report, an audit of existing research on country houses' colonial histories. Here is a recent open access article about The National Trust and future possibilities for exploring colonial history by Jessica Moody.
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
Culture Wars, the National Trust, and ‘Green Heritage’ in Britain
The National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation charity, found themselves in the midst of a bitterly unfolding ‘culture war’ over public histories of slavery, empire and colonialism in Britain follo...
www.degruyterbrill.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Vivid memories remain of our National Trust report, an audit of existing research on country houses' colonial histories. Here is a recent open access article about The National Trust and future possibilities for exploring colonial history by Jessica Moody.
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
Excellent and crucial read, as the varoius crises in higher education give managers (and others) a quiet excuse to scale back, undo, or continue to ignore the work needed.
'Rollock’s subsequent work has sought to explain why, despite periodic bouts of collective will to action on racism, it persists – and to lay bare the structures and behaviours that allow it to persist even as the white majority claims to be committed to eradicating it.' 1/2
Nicola Rollock: Progress on racial justice and equity in higher education is "artificial"
Debbie McVitty talks to racial justice expert Nicola Rollock about the continued battle for anti-racist practice in UK higher education
wonkhe.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Excellent and crucial read, as the varoius crises in higher education give managers (and others) a quiet excuse to scale back, undo, or continue to ignore the work needed.
Reposted by Christina Riggs
🌍 Help shape a new Migration Museum for Britain!
We’re looking for 30 community-minded people to join our People’s Panel in London. Paid Feb 2026–Dec 2027.
📸 Photo: Sopo Ramischwili
We’re looking for 30 community-minded people to join our People’s Panel in London. Paid Feb 2026–Dec 2027.
📸 Photo: Sopo Ramischwili
December 8, 2025 at 4:54 PM
🌍 Help shape a new Migration Museum for Britain!
We’re looking for 30 community-minded people to join our People’s Panel in London. Paid Feb 2026–Dec 2027.
📸 Photo: Sopo Ramischwili
We’re looking for 30 community-minded people to join our People’s Panel in London. Paid Feb 2026–Dec 2027.
📸 Photo: Sopo Ramischwili
Reposted by Christina Riggs
If you teach histories of British slavery, don't miss this Thursday's book launch and talk: Teaching Slavery: New Approaches to Britain's Colonial Past, IHR, London 11 December & on Zoom. 5:30pm. Registration details are below and a link to the open access book in post 2/2. This post is 1/2.
Book talk: Teaching Slavery: New Approaches to Britain’s Colonial Past
www.history.ac.uk
December 9, 2025 at 10:27 AM
If you teach histories of British slavery, don't miss this Thursday's book launch and talk: Teaching Slavery: New Approaches to Britain's Colonial Past, IHR, London 11 December & on Zoom. 5:30pm. Registration details are below and a link to the open access book in post 2/2. This post is 1/2.
Reposted by Christina Riggs
I’d just like one political party to speak up for universities, please
December 9, 2025 at 11:06 AM
I’d just like one political party to speak up for universities, please
Starting a rain-swept Tuesday by refreshing my hazy American memory of the en and em dashes for a forthcoming book chapter. At least we can let hyphens be hyphens.
How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
Be dashing—and do it well
www.merriam-webster.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Starting a rain-swept Tuesday by refreshing my hazy American memory of the en and em dashes for a forthcoming book chapter. At least we can let hyphens be hyphens.
🗃️📷📸
Join us this Thursday at 5:30pm (GMT/UTC) for the PHRC’s online Research Seminars in Photographic Cultures & Heritage. We’re delighted to welcome Ana Catarina Pinho who will explore images & counter-images of the Portuguese dictatorship. Open to all but registration required - shorturl.at/DQz1f
Autumn 2025 #3
Research Seminars in Photographic Cultures and Heritage Ana Catarina Pinho IHA, NOVA University Lisbon / University of Coimbra, Portugal The Empire of Fiction: Images and Counter-Images of the Port…
shorturl.at
December 9, 2025 at 9:25 AM
🗃️📷📸
Reposted by Christina Riggs
Reposted by Christina Riggs
History Workshop Journal’s 100th Issue: a celebration
31 Jan 2026, 2.00pm, Bloomsbury, London
Speakers include former and newer editors, and friends of the journal.
To join us, book here HWJ100.eventbrite.co.uk
@bbkhistorical.bsky.social
@qmul.bsky.social
31 Jan 2026, 2.00pm, Bloomsbury, London
Speakers include former and newer editors, and friends of the journal.
To join us, book here HWJ100.eventbrite.co.uk
@bbkhistorical.bsky.social
@qmul.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
History Workshop Journal’s 100th Issue: a celebration
31 Jan 2026, 2.00pm, Bloomsbury, London
Speakers include former and newer editors, and friends of the journal.
To join us, book here HWJ100.eventbrite.co.uk
@bbkhistorical.bsky.social
@qmul.bsky.social
31 Jan 2026, 2.00pm, Bloomsbury, London
Speakers include former and newer editors, and friends of the journal.
To join us, book here HWJ100.eventbrite.co.uk
@bbkhistorical.bsky.social
@qmul.bsky.social
Reposted by Christina Riggs
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 6, 2025 at 10:55 AM
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
Reposted by Christina Riggs
If British or Hungarian, @britishacademy.bsky.social has grants for 'research on the antiquities/historical geography/early history/arts of those parts of Asia within the sphere of the ancient civilisations of India, China, Iran, including Central Asia’
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund
The Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund was established according to the terms of the will of Sir Aurel Stein FBA, to commemorate his friendship with Sir Thomas Arnold FBA, for 'the encouragement of researc...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
December 7, 2025 at 10:55 AM
If British or Hungarian, @britishacademy.bsky.social has grants for 'research on the antiquities/historical geography/early history/arts of those parts of Asia within the sphere of the ancient civilisations of India, China, Iran, including Central Asia’
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
Reposted by Christina Riggs
I'm standing #TogetherWithRefugees. Are you?
December 6, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I'm standing #TogetherWithRefugees. Are you?
Reposted by Christina Riggs
Join me for an evidence-based guide to talking about the British Empire for teachers, heritage professionals & anyone else: www.linkedin.com/posts/sussex...
🏛️ 🗽 Join us for a CPD workshop, led by a leading specialist on British colonialism and its afterlives Alan Lester from University of Sussex School of Global Studies, and learn how to talk about… | Su...
🏛️ 🗽 Join us for a CPD workshop, led by a leading specialist on British colonialism and its afterlives Alan Lester from University of Sussex School of Global Studies, and learn how to talk about Brita...
www.linkedin.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Join me for an evidence-based guide to talking about the British Empire for teachers, heritage professionals & anyone else: www.linkedin.com/posts/sussex...
Reposted by Christina Riggs
Framing GenAI as a battle between teachers and students is a red herring. Students and educators are on the same side. The real opposition are the data extraction firms and brokerages and their allies among the managerial class.
December 4, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Framing GenAI as a battle between teachers and students is a red herring. Students and educators are on the same side. The real opposition are the data extraction firms and brokerages and their allies among the managerial class.
Reposted by Christina Riggs
New Indian Express has chosen Vanished as a book of the year, and described it as a ‘breathtaking account of extinction as both an evolutionary process and a human act’.
Truly astonished that my roar has reached the land of tigers. 🐅 🐅 🐅
www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/bo...
Truly astonished that my roar has reached the land of tigers. 🐅 🐅 🐅
www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/bo...
From 'Vanished' to the 'Explorer’s Gene': Take a look at six best books on science, nature, released in 2025
'Vanished: An Unnatural History of Extinction' by Sadiah QureshiThe book is a breathtaking account of extinction as both an evolutionary process and a human act
www.newindianexpress.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:47 PM
New Indian Express has chosen Vanished as a book of the year, and described it as a ‘breathtaking account of extinction as both an evolutionary process and a human act’.
Truly astonished that my roar has reached the land of tigers. 🐅 🐅 🐅
www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/bo...
Truly astonished that my roar has reached the land of tigers. 🐅 🐅 🐅
www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/bo...
📷📸📜
2026 photo research fellowships now open. Come to Toronto to work with the amazing collections at TMU’s Image Centre!
theimagecentre.ca/fellowship/
theimagecentre.ca/fellowship/
Fellowship | The Image Centre
theimagecentre.ca
December 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
📷📸📜
📷📸📜🗃️
Final reminder that this incredible online seminar is on Monday! Join us to discuss all things related to consent and ethics in medical photography with Dr Chimwemwe Phiri, Dr Arya Thampuran and Dr Duncan Wilson @duncanwilson78.bsky.social empnetwork.our.dmu.ac.uk/2025/11/07/o...
Online Seminar: ETHICS AND CONSENT IN MEDICAL PHOTOGRAPHY – The Ethics of Medical Photography Network
empnetwork.our.dmu.ac.uk
December 5, 2025 at 1:43 PM
📷📸📜🗃️
Reposted by Christina Riggs
At a time when visual literary couldn’t be more important, art history is in danger of becoming extinct in British schools. @helenbarrett.bsky.social makes the case for a subject that is too often seen as the preserve of the privileged.
Art history is too important to be the preserve of the privileged
The subject is endangered at A level just as it couldn’t be more essential or universal. Helen Barrett makes the case for its survival in British schools
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
At a time when visual literary couldn’t be more important, art history is in danger of becoming extinct in British schools. @helenbarrett.bsky.social makes the case for a subject that is too often seen as the preserve of the privileged.
Reposted by Christina Riggs
A beautiful hairpin that belonged to Prince Alemayehu's mother - Empress Tiruwork - is going back to Ethiopia c. 160 years after it was taken by the British military doctor who treated her last illness. Congrats to all involved @alulapankhurst.bsky.social royalethiopiantrust.org/the-return-o...
December 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
A beautiful hairpin that belonged to Prince Alemayehu's mother - Empress Tiruwork - is going back to Ethiopia c. 160 years after it was taken by the British military doctor who treated her last illness. Congrats to all involved @alulapankhurst.bsky.social royalethiopiantrust.org/the-return-o...
Unexpected feminist historian in this podcast episode: Alison Light, perfectly placed to speak about women and domestic service, from the viewpoint of employer and employee alike. 🗃️
The Servant Problem
Podcast Episode · Shedunnit · 15/10/2025 · 38m
podcasts.apple.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Unexpected feminist historian in this podcast episode: Alison Light, perfectly placed to speak about women and domestic service, from the viewpoint of employer and employee alike. 🗃️
Reposted by Christina Riggs
For anyone in Manchester next week, I'm speaking at the Department of History's research seminar about my research on racism in prisons in England during the 1970s to mid-1980s.
Speaking at the University of Manchester's History Department in early December about my work on prisons and racism if you're in town and interested.
Dr Liam Liburd (Durham University), An Accidental History of Prisons and Race in Late Twentieth Century Britain | Events at The University of Manchester
Department of History Guest Seminar
events.manchester.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 11:11 AM
For anyone in Manchester next week, I'm speaking at the Department of History's research seminar about my research on racism in prisons in England during the 1970s to mid-1980s.
Reposted by Christina Riggs
A quick thread about empire based on a long conversation in a hospital waiting room today. Like so many Brits, my family includes people from multiple heritages, including white elders raised in industrialised regions of North England and Wales which were not racially diverse when they were young.
4. You see, the problem is this: History Reclaimed don’t know much about British colonialism. They’re not actually interested in it. They are a private company funded to prevent any truthful examination of the past that might challenge a right wing, white-centred version of the national story.
December 3, 2025 at 1:17 PM
A quick thread about empire based on a long conversation in a hospital waiting room today. Like so many Brits, my family includes people from multiple heritages, including white elders raised in industrialised regions of North England and Wales which were not racially diverse when they were young.
Reposted by Christina Riggs
PhD studentships available in: Creative and Cultural Industries, Media, and Arts Practice (EDI in Practice); Identity, Representation, and Social Justice (EDI in Theory and Experience); Humanities, Philosophy, and Literature (EDI in Knowledge and Method). More details in link below.
Oxford Brookes University has a huge raft of AHRC-funded PhD studentships in the Arts, Humanities and allied subjects! Both fees and a stipend covered. Take a look at the ad below - the closing date is 30th January 2026. Anyone interested at all, get in touch!
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPM937/p...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPM937/p...
PhD Studentship : AHRC Landscape Award PhD Studentship in the Arts and Humanities at Oxford Brookes University
Start your UK & international job search for academic jobs, research jobs, science jobs and managerial jobs in leading universities and top...
www.jobs.ac.uk
December 2, 2025 at 10:28 AM
PhD studentships available in: Creative and Cultural Industries, Media, and Arts Practice (EDI in Practice); Identity, Representation, and Social Justice (EDI in Theory and Experience); Humanities, Philosophy, and Literature (EDI in Knowledge and Method). More details in link below.
This was fantastic - moving, angering, and inspiring in turns. So proud of colleagues David and Julie-Marie, and the wonderful people at The Story, home of Durham archives - including archivist Victoria Oxberry (R), who is helping to build a community archive on HIV/AIDS in the county. 📜🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🗃️
Yesterday Prof. Julie-Marie Strange organised an event to mark World AIDS Day with Dr Rupert Whitaker OBE, co-founder of Terrence Higgins Trust, here with Dr David Minto and colleagues from Durham County Council and The Story
December 2, 2025 at 6:41 PM
This was fantastic - moving, angering, and inspiring in turns. So proud of colleagues David and Julie-Marie, and the wonderful people at The Story, home of Durham archives - including archivist Victoria Oxberry (R), who is helping to build a community archive on HIV/AIDS in the county. 📜🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🗃️