Rebekah Higgitt
@rhiggitt.bsky.social
Historian of science; Principal Curator of Science at National Museums Scotland & Hon Fellow, STIS, Uni of Edinburgh. VP British Society for the History of Science #histSTM. Views own.
Formerly known as @beckyfh
https://teleskopos.wordpress.com/profile
Formerly known as @beckyfh
https://teleskopos.wordpress.com/profile
You just died.
The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
November 27, 2025 at 2:07 PM
You just died.
The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
Ooh! (A sentiment shared only with other fans of scientific instruments and museum collections.) The Science Museum catalogue includes a set of heliotype photographs of objects from the famous (to us - see above) 1876 Loan Exhibition
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co64... #histSTM
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co64... #histSTM
November 27, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Ooh! (A sentiment shared only with other fans of scientific instruments and museum collections.) The Science Museum catalogue includes a set of heliotype photographs of objects from the famous (to us - see above) 1876 Loan Exhibition
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co64... #histSTM
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co64... #histSTM
Lots of great objects and archives to explore (one at random here, Leighton Dalrymple's sketch of John Blenkinsop's Steam Locomotive 'Salamanca', 1812), with themed virtual exhibitions #histSTM📜
November 27, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Lots of great objects and archives to explore (one at random here, Leighton Dalrymple's sketch of John Blenkinsop's Steam Locomotive 'Salamanca', 1812), with themed virtual exhibitions #histSTM📜
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
19th century wooden “walking” doll with a wheel of eight legs ~ when costumed, the doll’s long dress would cover most of the leg mechanism, allowing the doll to “walk” when moving, while appearing to have only two legs at any one time www.theriaults.com/events/listi...
November 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
19th century wooden “walking” doll with a wheel of eight legs ~ when costumed, the doll’s long dress would cover most of the leg mechanism, allowing the doll to “walk” when moving, while appearing to have only two legs at any one time www.theriaults.com/events/listi...
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
Darwin had earlier made detailed observations of the emotional displays of his “little animalcule of a son,” William Erasmus, which he used in Expression.
D’s wife Emma worried that if she were “out of temper,” he would just be “forming theories about me.”
🧪🌱🐋 #HistSTM #Evobio #Psychsky
D’s wife Emma worried that if she were “out of temper,” he would just be “forming theories about me.”
🧪🌱🐋 #HistSTM #Evobio #Psychsky
November 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Excitingly, this programme includes an IASH-National Museums Scotland Fellowship, inviting applications from people working on one of the following:
1) Cultures of Natural History
2) Collecting Video Game Heritage
More details: www.iash.ed.ac.uk/iash-nationa... #histSTM📜
1) Cultures of Natural History
2) Collecting Video Game Heritage
More details: www.iash.ed.ac.uk/iash-nationa... #histSTM📜
Webinar: IASH Fellowship applicants for 2026-27, on Monday 15 December at 13:00 GMT. Find out about our programmes, and ask any questions you may have.
Register free: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0fdfeb...
Please sign up even if you can't attend, as a recording will be circulated afterwards.
Register free: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0fdfeb...
Please sign up even if you can't attend, as a recording will be circulated afterwards.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Excitingly, this programme includes an IASH-National Museums Scotland Fellowship, inviting applications from people working on one of the following:
1) Cultures of Natural History
2) Collecting Video Game Heritage
More details: www.iash.ed.ac.uk/iash-nationa... #histSTM📜
1) Cultures of Natural History
2) Collecting Video Game Heritage
More details: www.iash.ed.ac.uk/iash-nationa... #histSTM📜
Amazing! As the post says, we may lose something when we don't take the time and space, with the associated cogitation it allows, to work our way through manuscript sources, but it's a rare luxury to have that time and space these days, and this RA is above and beyond helpful.
New issue of my newsletter: "The Writing Is on the Wall for Handwriting Recognition" — One of the hardest problems in digital humanities has finally been solved, and it's a good use of AI newsletter.dancohen.org/archive/the-...
The Writing Is on the Wall for Handwriting Recognition
One of the hardest problems in digital humanities has finally been solved
newsletter.dancohen.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Amazing! As the post says, we may lose something when we don't take the time and space, with the associated cogitation it allows, to work our way through manuscript sources, but it's a rare luxury to have that time and space these days, and this RA is above and beyond helpful.
Can't make it to Leeds? You can still watch the live stream of Jon Topham's Professorial Inaugural Lecture here: www.youtube.com/live/W1KQBZV...
We much look forward to seeing those us in person, and particularly all the attendees at the @bshsnews.bsky.social Postgraduate Conference! #histsci
We much look forward to seeing those us in person, and particularly all the attendees at the @bshsnews.bsky.social Postgraduate Conference! #histsci
Prof J. Topham - "Science and Religion from the Ground Up"
YouTube video by The British Society for the History of Science
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Nominations are open for the BSHS Pickstone Prize 2026, recognising the best scholarly English-language book in the history of science.
📆 Deadline: 31 Jan 2026.
Anyone may nominate (self-nominations welcome).
Submit via our online form on the BSHS website www.bshs.org.uk/the-bshs-pic...
📆 Deadline: 31 Jan 2026.
Anyone may nominate (self-nominations welcome).
Submit via our online form on the BSHS website www.bshs.org.uk/the-bshs-pic...
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
I’ve been quoted in @thespectator1828.bsky.social about the importance of taking a strategic approach nationally to language provision as universities are making individual decisions to slash provision which may collectively be very bad for the national interest
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
November 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I’ve been quoted in @thespectator1828.bsky.social about the importance of taking a strategic approach nationally to language provision as universities are making individual decisions to slash provision which may collectively be very bad for the national interest
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
Mills on the Water of Leith; including paper, snuff and grain. #Edinburgh
November 23, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Mills on the Water of Leith; including paper, snuff and grain. #Edinburgh
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
"It looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with," Rounds says about the plan.
I think we'll find out in the next 24hrs or so, but this might represent a schism — between the pro-Ukraine camp, which includes Rubio, Rounds, and others; and the anti-Ukraine types: Vance, Witkoff, etc.
I think we'll find out in the next 24hrs or so, but this might represent a schism — between the pro-Ukraine camp, which includes Rubio, Rounds, and others; and the anti-Ukraine types: Vance, Witkoff, etc.
November 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
"It looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with," Rounds says about the plan.
I think we'll find out in the next 24hrs or so, but this might represent a schism — between the pro-Ukraine camp, which includes Rubio, Rounds, and others; and the anti-Ukraine types: Vance, Witkoff, etc.
I think we'll find out in the next 24hrs or so, but this might represent a schism — between the pro-Ukraine camp, which includes Rubio, Rounds, and others; and the anti-Ukraine types: Vance, Witkoff, etc.
An eloquent plea for more Irish #histSTM souvenirs
[A recent exchange between @irmorus.bsky.social & @rhiggitt.bsky.social has moved me to retrieve my #IrishScienceSouvenirs thread from Twitter. Even though neither of them asked for it. I wrote it when I was in the middle of my first trip to #Ireland. 🇮🇪]
Let me tell you What Ireland Needs.
1/15
Let me tell you What Ireland Needs.
1/15
November 20, 2025 at 7:43 PM
An eloquent plea for more Irish #histSTM souvenirs
Fabulous PhD opportunity at Queen's University Belfast and Armagh Observatory:
Observing the Heavens from the 'Periphery': Astronomy in Ireland 1640-1830
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post... Deadline 13 Jan #histSTM #histastro
Observing the Heavens from the 'Periphery': Astronomy in Ireland 1640-1830
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post... Deadline 13 Jan #histSTM #histastro
November 20, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Fabulous PhD opportunity at Queen's University Belfast and Armagh Observatory:
Observing the Heavens from the 'Periphery': Astronomy in Ireland 1640-1830
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post... Deadline 13 Jan #histSTM #histastro
Observing the Heavens from the 'Periphery': Astronomy in Ireland 1640-1830
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post... Deadline 13 Jan #histSTM #histastro
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
In one of those “obvious once you think about how insane British politics is” moments…
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
London's giant AI artwork to be torn down
The bizarre story of why a much-talked-about creation is being torn down. Plus: Docklands Light Railway extension, giant laser stalks the night sky, and more tales of Android phone theft rejection.
www.londoncentric.media
November 20, 2025 at 7:24 AM
In one of those “obvious once you think about how insane British politics is” moments…
Very good work from Scottish Ballet here (from their Facebook account)
November 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Very good work from Scottish Ballet here (from their Facebook account)
Amazing to be debating which was the best of Scotland's goals! McTominay for the former dancer in me, Tierney for the Arsenal supporter in me & McLean's was all the sweeter as emphatic response to the ref playing into the 9th minute of 6 minutes extra time www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Was McTominay overhead kick Scotland's third best goal of night?
Scotland scored three stunning goals in their era-defining win over Denmark - but which was the best?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Amazing to be debating which was the best of Scotland's goals! McTominay for the former dancer in me, Tierney for the Arsenal supporter in me & McLean's was all the sweeter as emphatic response to the ref playing into the 9th minute of 6 minutes extra time www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
This looks to be an essential book
Thrilled to see Ruthless reviewed in the FT by Linda Colley, and to be placed among the FT's books of the week too! 😊
www.ft.com/content/67c1...
www.ft.com/content/67c1...
Ruthless by Edmond Smith — the brutal rise of Britain’s industrial power
The historian’s splendid account sets out the ideas, inventions and relentless exploitation that drove the nation’s growth from 1660-1800
www.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This looks to be an essential book
what a match - three, four amazing goals, some dreadful football, and Scotland are going to the World Cup!
Tierney!!
November 18, 2025 at 9:49 PM
what a match - three, four amazing goals, some dreadful football, and Scotland are going to the World Cup!
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
Remember, always, that the post-Brexit-vote Tory government, and specifically Home Secretary Sajid Javid, deliberately and with malice aforethought reduced to almost zero the timely processing of asylum claims in the UK. They literally created the "overwhelming backlog" that traps people in hotels.
November 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Remember, always, that the post-Brexit-vote Tory government, and specifically Home Secretary Sajid Javid, deliberately and with malice aforethought reduced to almost zero the timely processing of asylum claims in the UK. They literally created the "overwhelming backlog" that traps people in hotels.
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
'The science select committee should recognise that its remit covers all of research, and conduct an inquiry into the Library, with a view to helping it recover. It could quantify the funding that is needed to properly rebuild the Library’s digital infrastructure'.
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:55 AM
'The science select committee should recognise that its remit covers all of research, and conduct an inquiry into the Library, with a view to helping it recover. It could quantify the funding that is needed to properly rebuild the Library’s digital infrastructure'.
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
#Edinburgh! Join Alison Bashford tomorrow, Nov 18 at 7pm, at Blackwell's Edinburgh South Bridge as she and @hcaatedinburgh.bsky.social's Richard Oosterhoff discuss her new book, Decoding the Hand: A History of Science, Medicine, and Magic. #HistSTM #HSTM #HistSci #BookTour #Palmistry buff.ly/3WjBiMJ
November 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
#Edinburgh! Join Alison Bashford tomorrow, Nov 18 at 7pm, at Blackwell's Edinburgh South Bridge as she and @hcaatedinburgh.bsky.social's Richard Oosterhoff discuss her new book, Decoding the Hand: A History of Science, Medicine, and Magic. #HistSTM #HSTM #HistSci #BookTour #Palmistry buff.ly/3WjBiMJ
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
Amnesty International has slammed Labour’s “divisive and cruel” asylum crackdown, warning that it marks a dangerous drift toward treating fundamental human rights as optional depending on who you are.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/amn...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/amn...
Amnesty slam Labour's 'divisive and cruel' asylum crackdown
"This headline-chasing cruelty will not fix the immigration system. It will only fuel fear"
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Amnesty International has slammed Labour’s “divisive and cruel” asylum crackdown, warning that it marks a dangerous drift toward treating fundamental human rights as optional depending on who you are.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/amn...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/amn...
Reposted by Rebekah Higgitt
I fully endorse this. Political leaders are falling prey to AI hype, and seem to lack any kind of help from reputable sources who could counter the false claims of tech CEOs. Where are their science advisers???
In a short piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social, @abeba.bsky.social and I write #AIHype Is Steering EU Policy Off Course.
Stop peddling in unscientific discourse about “AGI” and “superintelligence.” Serve citizens. Don't cater to the whims of tech CEOs.
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
Stop peddling in unscientific discourse about “AGI” and “superintelligence.” Serve citizens. Don't cater to the whims of tech CEOs.
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
AI Hype Is Steering EU Policy Off Course | TechPolicy.Press
Kris Shrishak and Abeba Birhane say policymakers should stop peddling in unscientific discourse about "AGI" and "superintelligence."
www.techpolicy.press
November 17, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I fully endorse this. Political leaders are falling prey to AI hype, and seem to lack any kind of help from reputable sources who could counter the false claims of tech CEOs. Where are their science advisers???