Jo McKenna-Aspell
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mckasp.bsky.social
Jo McKenna-Aspell
@mckasp.bsky.social
150 followers 160 following 140 posts
Postdoc researcher at the University of Sheffield: libraries, politics and the public. Views are my own. She/her 🏳️‍🌈
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mckasp.bsky.social
Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · Aug 8
The University of Sheffield & The Combined Regions are exploring how the current challenges faced by UK local authorities are impacting #PublicLibraries & their collections.

We're looking for participants (Heads of Library Service). For more info or a copy of the pamphlet, drop me a message!
These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers. These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers. These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers.
mckasp.bsky.social
The trick was to have another coffee.
#HiddenBooksGame @waterstones.bsky.social
Screen grab to prove I solved this year’s hidden books game
November 13, 2025 at 4:45 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
Going to dream of these two. #HiddenBooks2025
November 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
Well well well. That was cracking. #CelebrityTraitors And Neuroblastoma UK seems like a fabulous charity.
November 7, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Reposted by Jo McKenna-Aspell
thisone0verhere.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
I’m sorry for my face this morning. It’s because I started work early (on my 3rd coffee already) so I can clock off early. My brain knew this was a great idea; I just don’t think it communicated it to my body.

GIF is fair approximation of my current vibe and aesthetic.
#Monday #EarlyStart #Regrets
a gremlin is eating a piece of cheese in front of a refrigerator
Alt: a gremlin is eating a piece of cheese in front of a refrigerator - my face looks very similar
media.tenor.com
September 15, 2025 at 8:03 AM
mckasp.bsky.social
It’s my two year gym birthday. September 2023, I was so scared to use the gym. Found a great, friendly local one and haven’t looked back.
Some progress pics because I’m one of those annoying gym people now.

#Gym #StrengthTraining #FitInYourForties
Me September 2023 (left) vs me September 2025 (now). Me in August 2023 (left) vs me in August 2025 (right).
September 5, 2025 at 5:44 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
When you want a coffee. But you’re in your office in the garden (in slippers) and the coffee machine is in the house. (Volume up)
September 3, 2025 at 12:38 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
My wife: why were you at the gym for so long on Sunday?
Me: www.instagram.com/reel/DODyzGG...
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September 1, 2025 at 12:32 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
Leaning into the 1st September. Autumnal socks and apple crumble cake for breakfast (with protein yoghurt, for balance). #Autumn #PumpkinSeason
Cute autumnal socks with foxes and mushrooms. Wedge of apple crumble cake, spoon, and dollop of blueberry protein yoghurt.
September 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
mckasp.bsky.social
It’s not all about the numbers but the numbers are pretty cool. I’ve lost 53% of my body weight. Or 92.4% of my excess body weight. Currently working on muscle gain but that’ll get easier once my knee surgery happens: probable bucket-handle-meniscus-tear 🪣
#GettingFit #FortiesAndFit
Screen grab from my tracker app showing starting weight at 154kg and current weight at 72.3kg. Screen grab from my tracker app showing starting weight at 339.5lb and current weight at 159.5lb. Family time at the gym earlier this month. Me (left, in pink) and our son (right, in the cap) forcing Helen (middle, in blue) to take a cringey, jazz hands photo in the gym. She’s wearing wrist straps as she was midway through her bench.
August 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Reposted by Jo McKenna-Aspell
steve-everitt.bsky.social
New rule. A parent may only propose removing a book from the school library only after reading it in its entirety and delivering a book report to the librarian. Until then no discussion shall be entered into.
August 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
My little bookcase tracker is rapidly filling up. Either I need to slow down (unlikely) or I’m going to have to squeeze in some extra books before the year is out.
#RemarkablePro #YearOfReading
Handrawn bookcase of five shelves. The books were originally empty but four shelves’ worth of books are now coloured in. And the title and author of each book I’ve read this year is written on the spine of a book.
August 29, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Reposted by Jo McKenna-Aspell
westcotthousecam.bsky.social
Dr Emma Swai is up next in our intro series. An educator for over two decades, her research interests look at the portrayal of disability in New Testament writings, linguistic analysis of ecclesiastical texts and positionality & interpretation. More info about Emma’s research in bio: buff.ly/kNk2CXB
Photo of Dr Emma Swai, Associate Supervisor at Westcott House. Text: 'Disability, as embodied experience, is a lens not often factored into academic study. I believe that it should be and, therefore, I offer students the opportunity to consider research from a perspective that specifically aims to recognise potential embedded prejudice in the issues or area they are examining. I see my job as a supervisor as supporting my students to find confidence in their own voice. I will never tell students what to think, but I might challenge them: not necessarily because I disagree, but because I want them to strengthen their own position.'
August 8, 2025 at 1:01 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
Finally got around to getting this big beasty printed. 🤩 Still feels unreal.
If little Jo could see middle aged Jo, I think she’d be chuffed.

#PhDone #BigBook #PublicLibraries @sheffielduni.bsky.social
Holding my bound thesis, black hardback. My bespectacled eyes and forehead poking out from behind.
August 8, 2025 at 2:36 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
The University of Sheffield & The Combined Regions are exploring how the current challenges faced by UK local authorities are impacting #PublicLibraries & their collections.

We're looking for participants (Heads of Library Service). For more info or a copy of the pamphlet, drop me a message!
These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers. These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers. These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers.
August 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM
mckasp.bsky.social
First paper related to my PhD is published. Definitely feels like a milestone.

www.tandfonline.com/eprint/K66RA...

It argues that Q methodology is an ace way to investigate public opinions of public libraries.

#QMethodology #Research #PublicLibraries
www.tandfonline.com
August 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Jo McKenna-Aspell
gendercensus.bsky.social
The 12th annual international Gender Census 2025 is now open until at least 30th August 2025!

survey.gendercensus.com

It's for anyone whose gender (or lack thereof) isn't described by the M/F binary. It's short and easy, and results are useful in academia, business and self-advocacy.
Title: Gender Census 2025. Text: If you can't easily put yourself into just one of these two boxes, you are invited to take part. Illustration: Two boxes, each with photos of relevant dictionary pages.
July 30, 2025 at 4:02 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
Today’s my 2 year Bariatric birthday. I had a gastric sleeve (NHS). Turns out it was 100% the right tool for me.

Pic1: the numbers, a total loss of 178.75lb
Pic2: full body comparison
Pic3: belly comparison (still working on it)
Pic4: my wife & I, then vs now

#PersonalJourney #Health #Fitness
July 31, 2025 at 2:10 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
3.5 weeks and we get to go again with the #RedRoses 🏉
Just enough time for my heart to recover from the #Lionesses ⚽️

#WomenInSport #RugbyWorldCup2025 #Euro2025
a young girl in a white dress is standing in front of stairs and says the drama .
Alt: A young girl in a white dress is standing in front of stairs, holding the back of her hand to her forehead. The text says “the drama”
media.tenor.com
July 27, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Reposted by Jo McKenna-Aspell
womensgamemib.bsky.social
HISTORIC EURO SUMMER IN SWITZERLAND 👏

🎥: FOXSoccer
July 27, 2025 at 5:44 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
Absolutely wrecked but over the moon. Bring on Sunday. Although, I might watch with my eyes closed.

#Lionesses #Euro2025 #Finalists
A collage of the lionesses in various match poses taken from the tournament so far. Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang
July 22, 2025 at 10:16 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
Crikey. Nearly got a stress nosebleed in sympathy tonight. The #Lionesses worked their butts off for that. Turns out Hannah Hampton is a class act.
Photo taken of my TV - showing Hannah Hampton (in her green goalie shirt) and Chloe Kelly (number 18, white shirt) celebrating after the Lionesses’ win.
July 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
mckasp.bsky.social
I don’t wanna appear too smug but it’s 10 a.m. on a Friday and I have emptied my inbox.
#IsItTheWeekendYet?
Screen grab of my empty work gmail inbox with the image of three bricks in yellow, red and blue, topped with a flag, and the message “all done!”
July 11, 2025 at 9:08 AM
mckasp.bsky.social
STEM lego. It moves too but I couldn’t work out a good way to film that. A very enjoyable build. #Lego #STEM
The newest Lego set in my library - “The evolution of STEM”. It’s an open book with things popping out like NASA’s Voyager Probe, a bee, Marie Curie, George Washington Carver, Isaac Newton, a chalk board and so on. Perched on the end of one of my bookshelves.
July 10, 2025 at 11:54 AM
mckasp.bsky.social
Lunch hour in the gym. Forgot my trainers 🫣🫣🫣

#Crocs #IShouldBeSupervised #PerimenopauseMakesMeForgetful
My legs and feet on the gym green carpet. Wearing fake Crocs.
June 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM