Jonathan Westaway
@jonwestaway.bsky.social
Cultural and environmental historian/geographer. Mountain and polar regions. Cryohistories. Indigenous knowledge. Island Studies.
PL AHRC 'Other Everests' network.
uclan.academia.edu/JonathanWestaway
PL AHRC 'Other Everests' network.
uclan.academia.edu/JonathanWestaway
Mallory is melting...
Aiguille du Midi (3842 m)
1957 | 2025
Upper 'Mallory Glacier' (N aspect) and Aig. du Midi from the east!
Remember that we are here “on top” of Alpine glaciers!
Only 5 to 17 metres of ice left here.
In some places, up to 18 metres have melted since 2003 only!
Source/data: Xavier Cailhol 🙏
1957 | 2025
Upper 'Mallory Glacier' (N aspect) and Aig. du Midi from the east!
Remember that we are here “on top” of Alpine glaciers!
Only 5 to 17 metres of ice left here.
In some places, up to 18 metres have melted since 2003 only!
Source/data: Xavier Cailhol 🙏
December 11, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Mallory is melting...
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
Great short-format opportunity for busy early-career #EnvHist researchers!
Don't miss the chance to submit to Germinate!
The winter deadline for our peer reviewed section is December 31st. Submissions are welcome between 1,200 and 2,000 words that connect the environmental present to its past.
We're excited to read your work!
g-ehr.com/submit/
The winter deadline for our peer reviewed section is December 31st. Submissions are welcome between 1,200 and 2,000 words that connect the environmental present to its past.
We're excited to read your work!
g-ehr.com/submit/
December 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Great short-format opportunity for busy early-career #EnvHist researchers!
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
This week, Clemens Wischermann writes about emotions in research, proposing an empathic difference to avoid misidentification and excessive sympathy.
Read more here 👇
gtw.hypotheses.org/32681
#theoryofhistory
Read more here 👇
gtw.hypotheses.org/32681
#theoryofhistory
Emotionen in der Forschungserfahrung: Von der Empathie zur „empathischen Differenz“
Clemens Wischermann - Empathie als methodologisches Problem der Beobachter in Forschersituationen ist schon lange ein Thema der Sozialwissenschaften. Aber in den Geschichtswissenschaften findet sich E...
gtw.hypotheses.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:40 AM
This week, Clemens Wischermann writes about emotions in research, proposing an empathic difference to avoid misidentification and excessive sympathy.
Read more here 👇
gtw.hypotheses.org/32681
#theoryofhistory
Read more here 👇
gtw.hypotheses.org/32681
#theoryofhistory
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
"The Land Kept Teaching: Climate, Survivance, & Residential Schooling in Inuuvik, Northwest Territories" by Crystal Gail Fraser is the latest in our Land, Memory, and Schooling: Environmental Histories of Colonial Education, edited by Fraser & @jdunkin.bsky.social
niche-canada.org/2025/12/09/t...
niche-canada.org/2025/12/09/t...
The Land Kept Teaching: Climate, Survivance, and Residential Schooling in Inuuvik, Northwest Territories
Inuuvik’s residential schools severed children from Land, culture, and seasonal knowledge while cold, hunger, and isolation shaped experiences of harm and resilience.
niche-canada.org
December 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
"The Land Kept Teaching: Climate, Survivance, & Residential Schooling in Inuuvik, Northwest Territories" by Crystal Gail Fraser is the latest in our Land, Memory, and Schooling: Environmental Histories of Colonial Education, edited by Fraser & @jdunkin.bsky.social
niche-canada.org/2025/12/09/t...
niche-canada.org/2025/12/09/t...
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
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 Jonathan Westaway
American escapist films grew in prominence during the Depression Era 1930s and Frank Capra’s 1937 film, Lost Horizon, was an important Buddhist entry to this genre.
The early 20th century romantic imagery of Tibet helped raise interest in the film's Himalayan utopia of Shangri-la. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
The early 20th century romantic imagery of Tibet helped raise interest in the film's Himalayan utopia of Shangri-la. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
December 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM
American escapist films grew in prominence during the Depression Era 1930s and Frank Capra’s 1937 film, Lost Horizon, was an important Buddhist entry to this genre.
The early 20th century romantic imagery of Tibet helped raise interest in the film's Himalayan utopia of Shangri-la. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
The early 20th century romantic imagery of Tibet helped raise interest in the film's Himalayan utopia of Shangri-la. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
December 7, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
1/2 Historians of slavery & Empire have known all along that Lord Biggar’s & History Reclaimed’s interventions in these fields are wholly politically motivated, morally & logically inconsistent and founded on the cherry-picking rather than examination of evidence. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The British Empire in the Culture War: Nigel Biggar’s Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning
The British Empire has been politicised to an extent that many of us could never have predicted just a few years ago. The colonial past features especially prominently in the right wing-oriented pr...
www.tandfonline.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:21 AM
1/2 Historians of slavery & Empire have known all along that Lord Biggar’s & History Reclaimed’s interventions in these fields are wholly politically motivated, morally & logically inconsistent and founded on the cherry-picking rather than examination of evidence. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
Our NiCHE Conversation with @sabinelebel.bsky.social is now on YouTube!
LeBel joined @jessicamdewitt.bsky.social to chat about orca memes and interspecies solidarity.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Q8...
#envhist #envhum #orcas #animalstudies
LeBel joined @jessicamdewitt.bsky.social to chat about orca memes and interspecies solidarity.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Q8...
#envhist #envhum #orcas #animalstudies
NiCHE Conversations 6.5: Orca Memes & Anti-Capitalist Interspecies Solidarity with Sabine LeBel
YouTube video by Network in Canadian History & Environment - NiCHE
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Our NiCHE Conversation with @sabinelebel.bsky.social is now on YouTube!
LeBel joined @jessicamdewitt.bsky.social to chat about orca memes and interspecies solidarity.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Q8...
#envhist #envhum #orcas #animalstudies
LeBel joined @jessicamdewitt.bsky.social to chat about orca memes and interspecies solidarity.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Q8...
#envhist #envhum #orcas #animalstudies
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
This weekend is the next iteration of Terror Camp, a free online conference for polar exploration enthusiasts, which has the highest level of intellectual content and hilarity I have ever encountered: www.terror.camp @terrorcamp.bsky.social
Terror Camp | Polar Fan Conference
Terror Camp is an annual virtual gathering of hundreds of polar exploration enthusiasts. Inspired by AMC's The Terror and the history of the Franklin Expedition, this polar exploration conference feat...
www.terror.camp
December 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
This weekend is the next iteration of Terror Camp, a free online conference for polar exploration enthusiasts, which has the highest level of intellectual content and hilarity I have ever encountered: www.terror.camp @terrorcamp.bsky.social
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
Excited to see @jonwestaway.bsky.social and coeditors’ great collection in my local independent bookshop @grovebookshop.bsky.social Was going to offer to do signings of my chapter but thought again!
November 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Excited to see @jonwestaway.bsky.social and coeditors’ great collection in my local independent bookshop @grovebookshop.bsky.social Was going to offer to do signings of my chapter but thought again!
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
My latest for @canadiandimension.bsky.social
“All we are doing is conducting a scientific investigation...we are discovering new species for science, which could disappear if the Vizcachitas mining project were to go ahead," says Cádiz-Véliz, local biologist targeted for opposing the Canadian mine
“All we are doing is conducting a scientific investigation...we are discovering new species for science, which could disappear if the Vizcachitas mining project were to go ahead," says Cádiz-Véliz, local biologist targeted for opposing the Canadian mine
The mineral-intensive energy transition in Latin America is advancing in ways that undermine human rights and nature, pushing into fragile ecosystems, overriding community consent, and placing environmental defenders at growing risk.
NEW from Viviana Herrera of @miningwatch.bsky.social:
NEW from Viviana Herrera of @miningwatch.bsky.social:
Corporate pressure mounts on Chileans opposing Canadian copper mine
A Canadian mining company is escalating legal pressure against Chileans fighting to protect a fragile Andean ecosystem. As Vancouver-based Los Andes Copper pushes its Vizcachitas project, local offici...
canadiandimension.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
My latest for @canadiandimension.bsky.social
“All we are doing is conducting a scientific investigation...we are discovering new species for science, which could disappear if the Vizcachitas mining project were to go ahead," says Cádiz-Véliz, local biologist targeted for opposing the Canadian mine
“All we are doing is conducting a scientific investigation...we are discovering new species for science, which could disappear if the Vizcachitas mining project were to go ahead," says Cádiz-Véliz, local biologist targeted for opposing the Canadian mine
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
As a mounting number of Russia's shadow fleet ships sails across the Northern Sea Route to Chinese ports, a Beijing-led business delegation came to Arkhangelsk to discuss shipping
Beijing's men on the Northern Dvina
As a mounting number of Russia's shadow fleet ships sails across the Northern Sea Route to Chinese ports, a Beijing-led business delegation comes to Arkhangelsk to discuss shipping.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:34 PM
As a mounting number of Russia's shadow fleet ships sails across the Northern Sea Route to Chinese ports, a Beijing-led business delegation came to Arkhangelsk to discuss shipping
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
Call for Papers: TALKING STONES – OBJECT AND MATERIALITY IN EARLY MODERN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE International Conference – Prague, 17–18 April 2026.
See H-Sicily for the full Call for Papers: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
See H-Sicily for the full Call for Papers: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
November 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Call for Papers: TALKING STONES – OBJECT AND MATERIALITY IN EARLY MODERN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE International Conference – Prague, 17–18 April 2026.
See H-Sicily for the full Call for Papers: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
See H-Sicily for the full Call for Papers: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
New blog from IHR Director @[email protected] reflecting on how historians can advocate for history through our practice, and defend the important historical work that goes on within universities as well as beyond them. blog.history.ac.uk/2025/11/advo...
Advocating for History by Doing History - On History
This blog was written by Claire Langhamer, Director of the IHR Historians are very good at crafting arguments and in recent times very many people have advanced very many arguments about why history…
blog.history.ac.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:45 AM
New blog from IHR Director @[email protected] reflecting on how historians can advocate for history through our practice, and defend the important historical work that goes on within universities as well as beyond them. blog.history.ac.uk/2025/11/advo...
'These monks also illuminate a lesser-known dimension of Buddhism: its patriarchal structure. Across south and south-east Asia, particularly within the Theravada tradition, male monks enjoy privileges systemically denied to women.'
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
The dangerous rise of Buddhist extremism: ‘Attaining nirvana can wait’
The long read: Still largely viewed as a peaceful philosophy, across much of south-east Asia, the religion has been weaponised to serve nationalist goals
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:21 PM
'These monks also illuminate a lesser-known dimension of Buddhism: its patriarchal structure. Across south and south-east Asia, particularly within the Theravada tradition, male monks enjoy privileges systemically denied to women.'
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
Coming out in February, this must read: "Intoxicated Ways of Knowing. The Untold Story of Intoxicants and the Biological Subject in Nineteenth-Century Germany."
Intoxicated Ways of Knowing
Argues that intoxication was fundamental to German physiological, psychological, and psychiatric research during the nineteenth century. Intoxicating substances can be found lurking in every corner ...
press.uchicago.edu
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Coming out in February, this must read: "Intoxicated Ways of Knowing. The Untold Story of Intoxicants and the Biological Subject in Nineteenth-Century Germany."
'Greenlandic parents in Denmark are 5.6 times more likely to have children taken into care than Danish parents, according to the Danish Centre for Social Research, a government-funded research institute.'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#KalaallitNunaat #Greenland #IndigenousRights #Colonialism
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#KalaallitNunaat #Greenland #IndigenousRights #Colonialism
Greenlandic families fight to get children back after parenting tests banned
The Danish government has banned the use of parental competency tests on Greenlandic families after decades of criticism.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM
'Greenlandic parents in Denmark are 5.6 times more likely to have children taken into care than Danish parents, according to the Danish Centre for Social Research, a government-funded research institute.'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#KalaallitNunaat #Greenland #IndigenousRights #Colonialism
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#KalaallitNunaat #Greenland #IndigenousRights #Colonialism
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
Here's an excellent piece by Sverker Sörlin on his notion of integrative #humanities..
To solve some of the issues for #science raised in recent posts by @ersatzben.com @richardaljones.bsky.social @profserious.bsky.social we will need more of this thinking
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
To solve some of the issues for #science raised in recent posts by @ersatzben.com @richardaljones.bsky.social @profserious.bsky.social we will need more of this thinking
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
University of Chicago Press Journals: Cookie absent
www.journals.uchicago.edu
November 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Here's an excellent piece by Sverker Sörlin on his notion of integrative #humanities..
To solve some of the issues for #science raised in recent posts by @ersatzben.com @richardaljones.bsky.social @profserious.bsky.social we will need more of this thinking
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
To solve some of the issues for #science raised in recent posts by @ersatzben.com @richardaljones.bsky.social @profserious.bsky.social we will need more of this thinking
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
Profoundly beautiful account of the history of snow studies, the fragility of snow and the impact of the anthropocene by Sverker Sörlin.
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
November 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Profoundly beautiful account of the history of snow studies, the fragility of snow and the impact of the anthropocene by Sverker Sörlin.
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
Gordon and Tina Wasson, Slavic Studies in the Cold War, and the Hallucinogenic Mushroom
progressivegeographies.com/2025/11/23/g...
progressivegeographies.com/2025/11/23/g...
Gordon and Tina Wasson, Slavic Studies in the Cold War, and the Hallucinogenic Mushroom
R. Gordon Wasson was Vice President at the American investment bank J.P. Morgan & Co., a major supporter of Slavic Studies in the United States during the Cold War, and fascinated by hallucinog…
progressivegeographies.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Gordon and Tina Wasson, Slavic Studies in the Cold War, and the Hallucinogenic Mushroom
progressivegeographies.com/2025/11/23/g...
progressivegeographies.com/2025/11/23/g...
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
he Miners' Library, Wanlockhead. established 1756. Not quite as old as the one in neighbouring Leadhills, which opened in 1741, but still and important resource for working people.
#blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #Galloway
#blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #Galloway
November 22, 2025 at 9:10 AM
he Miners' Library, Wanlockhead. established 1756. Not quite as old as the one in neighbouring Leadhills, which opened in 1741, but still and important resource for working people.
#blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #Galloway
#blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #Galloway
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
Join the Society's Historical Geography Research Group for their upcoming conference: 'Practising Historical Geography: Porous Archives 2'.
📍 In person (Newcastle University) and online
📅 Friday 12 December
Find out more and register for free 👉 blogs.ncl.ac.uk/porousarchives
📍 In person (Newcastle University) and online
📅 Friday 12 December
Find out more and register for free 👉 blogs.ncl.ac.uk/porousarchives
November 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Join the Society's Historical Geography Research Group for their upcoming conference: 'Practising Historical Geography: Porous Archives 2'.
📍 In person (Newcastle University) and online
📅 Friday 12 December
Find out more and register for free 👉 blogs.ncl.ac.uk/porousarchives
📍 In person (Newcastle University) and online
📅 Friday 12 December
Find out more and register for free 👉 blogs.ncl.ac.uk/porousarchives
Reposted by Jonathan Westaway
This battle to get these recordings released is important just for admirers of Dick Gaughan’s music, but for music fans in general. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
‘I never wanted to sing into a vacuum’: Scottish folk pioneer Dick Gaughan’s fight for his lost music
A skilled interpreter and social justice champion, Gaughan is a hero to the likes of Richard Hawley and Billy Bragg. Yet much of his work has been stuck in limbo for decades – until a determined fan s...
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:42 PM
This battle to get these recordings released is important just for admirers of Dick Gaughan’s music, but for music fans in general. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...