Alison Foster
@alisonfoster.bsky.social
Zooarchaeologist based in Worcestershire. Malvern Buzzards Running Club. Cats (well, just the one cat). Power metal
Reposted by Alison Foster
Now, here's a really interesting job.
We are looking for a research project manager for the upcoming FORAGER ERC Synergy Project. Based at the University of York, this is an exciting opportunity to work in a team of 37 researchers from the UK, the US, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Japan. Join us!
jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/rese...
jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/rese...
Jobs - The University of York
jobs.york.ac.uk
February 2, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Now, here's a really interesting job.
Reposted by Alison Foster
Another shout out to find people to take a short survey on stratigraphy if they have worked in UK archaeology. I am working on a research paper and would really love input! No identifying information is taken and it only takes 15 minutes to do
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Stratigraphic Literacy in UK Archaeology -
This survey, along with a previous one circulated in September 2025 will form the basis for a study of stratigraphic literacy in UK Archaeology, to hopefully be published in an academic journal such a...
docs.google.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Another shout out to find people to take a short survey on stratigraphy if they have worked in UK archaeology. I am working on a research paper and would really love input! No identifying information is taken and it only takes 15 minutes to do
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Alison Foster
A peacock opening its tail in slow motion.
January 31, 2026 at 11:22 PM
A peacock opening its tail in slow motion.
I've just taken a baked goats cheese out of the oven so Sophie is practising her most appealing expression #Caturday #tuxedocats
January 31, 2026 at 10:18 PM
I've just taken a baked goats cheese out of the oven so Sophie is practising her most appealing expression #Caturday #tuxedocats
Excellent night out last night: half of the Roving Crows playing Irish Folk at The Retired Soldier in Malvern. Go and see them if they're playing in your area, they're really good!
January 31, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Excellent night out last night: half of the Roving Crows playing Irish Folk at The Retired Soldier in Malvern. Go and see them if they're playing in your area, they're really good!
This reminded me of the time my dad found a pied wagtail nest, with eggs, in his tractor engine. He only had one tractor and really needed it. We carefully took the nest out and relocated it somewhere safe in the barn. The parent birds didn't desert, and the youngsters fledged successfully.
In a remarkable story from Slovenia, a breeding pair of White Wagtails travelled all over the country in a lorry last summer, successfully raising young:
Nesting on the go: incubating White Wagtail travels 2,000 km
A breeding pair of White Wagtails travelled all over Slovenia in a lorry in June 2025.
bit.ly
January 31, 2026 at 10:36 AM
This reminded me of the time my dad found a pied wagtail nest, with eggs, in his tractor engine. He only had one tractor and really needed it. We carefully took the nest out and relocated it somewhere safe in the barn. The parent birds didn't desert, and the youngsters fledged successfully.
Reposted by Alison Foster
I love everything about this story, not least the care and interest shown by the lorry driver.
In a remarkable story from Slovenia, a breeding pair of White Wagtails travelled all over the country in a lorry last summer, successfully raising young:
Nesting on the go: incubating White Wagtail travels 2,000 km
A breeding pair of White Wagtails travelled all over Slovenia in a lorry in June 2025.
bit.ly
January 31, 2026 at 10:01 AM
I love everything about this story, not least the care and interest shown by the lorry driver.
@godfreyyouth.bsky.social
Just found out that a band I'd heard a little of is actually AI generated. Seem to be designed to attract people who are into vikings, folk metal and national flags. Don't suppose this is a one-off. Trollvarg.
Just found out that a band I'd heard a little of is actually AI generated. Seem to be designed to attract people who are into vikings, folk metal and national flags. Don't suppose this is a one-off. Trollvarg.
January 30, 2026 at 2:51 PM
@godfreyyouth.bsky.social
Just found out that a band I'd heard a little of is actually AI generated. Seem to be designed to attract people who are into vikings, folk metal and national flags. Don't suppose this is a one-off. Trollvarg.
Just found out that a band I'd heard a little of is actually AI generated. Seem to be designed to attract people who are into vikings, folk metal and national flags. Don't suppose this is a one-off. Trollvarg.
This is a great song. It's making me wonder what it must feel like for ICE, as Americans, to be on the receiving end of such bitter criticism from The Boss. Must be a bit like being excommunicated.
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 12:32 PM
This is a great song. It's making me wonder what it must feel like for ICE, as Americans, to be on the receiving end of such bitter criticism from The Boss. Must be a bit like being excommunicated.
Reposted by Alison Foster
@naomisykes.bsky.social is a friend of the Palace and might well be sharing some amazing new insights into what was going on with our animals 2000 years ago.
Either way - this talk is guaranteed to be a banger. Plus, it looks like it might be FREE!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animal-ans...
Either way - this talk is guaranteed to be a banger. Plus, it looks like it might be FREE!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animal-ans...
Animal Answers to Archaeological and Cultural Issues, a talk by Naomi Sykes
Naomi will show how biocultural heritage can not only answer questions about past societies but also modern issues.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:22 AM
@naomisykes.bsky.social is a friend of the Palace and might well be sharing some amazing new insights into what was going on with our animals 2000 years ago.
Either way - this talk is guaranteed to be a banger. Plus, it looks like it might be FREE!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animal-ans...
Either way - this talk is guaranteed to be a banger. Plus, it looks like it might be FREE!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animal-ans...
Reposted by Alison Foster
You can’t just say AI tutors are going to teach disadvantaged kids. You might as well say inflatable dentists will solve the NHS backlog.
The casual anthropomorphising of AI has got to stop. They’re not ‘tutors’, it’s software. It’s not ‘one-to-one’, it’s a kid on a screen on their own.
The casual anthropomorphising of AI has got to stop. They’re not ‘tutors’, it’s software. It’s not ‘one-to-one’, it’s a kid on a screen on their own.
January 28, 2026 at 8:27 PM
You can’t just say AI tutors are going to teach disadvantaged kids. You might as well say inflatable dentists will solve the NHS backlog.
The casual anthropomorphising of AI has got to stop. They’re not ‘tutors’, it’s software. It’s not ‘one-to-one’, it’s a kid on a screen on their own.
The casual anthropomorphising of AI has got to stop. They’re not ‘tutors’, it’s software. It’s not ‘one-to-one’, it’s a kid on a screen on their own.
Reposted by Alison Foster
Reposted by Alison Foster
Reform Ltd flags appearing on Shrewsbury lamp posts now.
Surely the council should be taking these down, and charging Reform Ltd for the costs.
Surely the council should be taking these down, and charging Reform Ltd for the costs.
January 24, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Reform Ltd flags appearing on Shrewsbury lamp posts now.
Surely the council should be taking these down, and charging Reform Ltd for the costs.
Surely the council should be taking these down, and charging Reform Ltd for the costs.
Five concerts you've seen with women lead singers -
Seven Spires
Nightwish
Within Temptation
Mercury Rain
Battle Beast
Seven Spires
Nightwish
Within Temptation
Mercury Rain
Battle Beast
Five concerts you’ve seen with women lead singers -
Aimee Mann
10 000 Maniacs
Wendy & Lisa
Eurythmics
Siouxsie & The Banshees
Aimee Mann
10 000 Maniacs
Wendy & Lisa
Eurythmics
Siouxsie & The Banshees
Five concerts you’ve seen with women lead singers
Hole
Gin Wigmore
The Fan Club
Halestorm
Paramore
Hole
Gin Wigmore
The Fan Club
Halestorm
Paramore
January 24, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Five concerts you've seen with women lead singers -
Seven Spires
Nightwish
Within Temptation
Mercury Rain
Battle Beast
Seven Spires
Nightwish
Within Temptation
Mercury Rain
Battle Beast
Reposted by Alison Foster
We’re excited to share that we’ll be heading to Shrewsbury Folk Festival this August 🇬🇧
This is only one of the stops on our UK tour, with plenty more dates to be announced soon. Keep an eye on our Bandsintown for new shows ➡️ lnk.to/PGMsocialsBS...
See you then!
#shrewsburyfolkfestival #UKtour
This is only one of the stops on our UK tour, with plenty more dates to be announced soon. Keep an eye on our Bandsintown for new shows ➡️ lnk.to/PGMsocialsBS...
See you then!
#shrewsburyfolkfestival #UKtour
January 22, 2026 at 6:34 PM
We’re excited to share that we’ll be heading to Shrewsbury Folk Festival this August 🇬🇧
This is only one of the stops on our UK tour, with plenty more dates to be announced soon. Keep an eye on our Bandsintown for new shows ➡️ lnk.to/PGMsocialsBS...
See you then!
#shrewsburyfolkfestival #UKtour
This is only one of the stops on our UK tour, with plenty more dates to be announced soon. Keep an eye on our Bandsintown for new shows ➡️ lnk.to/PGMsocialsBS...
See you then!
#shrewsburyfolkfestival #UKtour
Reposted by Alison Foster
Just announced!
We're delighted to be bringing the wonder that is Bhangra Ceilidh to Shrewsbury Folk Festival this August (27-31).
Snap up your tickets: bit.ly/3ZvPiFv
#folkfestival #ceilidh #bhangra #folkmusic #folkdance
We're delighted to be bringing the wonder that is Bhangra Ceilidh to Shrewsbury Folk Festival this August (27-31).
Snap up your tickets: bit.ly/3ZvPiFv
#folkfestival #ceilidh #bhangra #folkmusic #folkdance
January 22, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Just announced!
We're delighted to be bringing the wonder that is Bhangra Ceilidh to Shrewsbury Folk Festival this August (27-31).
Snap up your tickets: bit.ly/3ZvPiFv
#folkfestival #ceilidh #bhangra #folkmusic #folkdance
We're delighted to be bringing the wonder that is Bhangra Ceilidh to Shrewsbury Folk Festival this August (27-31).
Snap up your tickets: bit.ly/3ZvPiFv
#folkfestival #ceilidh #bhangra #folkmusic #folkdance
Reposted by Alison Foster
147 Hen Harriers confirmed 'missing' or illegally killed in UK since 2018 - most of them on or close to grouse moors.
Data extracted from reports by Natural England, RSPB, HSE, various Police forces, National Wildlife Crime Unit.
#RaptorResearch 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/21/1...
Data extracted from reports by Natural England, RSPB, HSE, various Police forces, National Wildlife Crime Unit.
#RaptorResearch 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/21/1...
147 Hen Harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed in UK since 2018, most of them on or close to grouse moors
For anyone who still wants to pretend that the grouse shooting industry isn’t responsible for the systematic extermination of Hen Harriers on grouse moors across the UK, here’s the latest catalogue…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
January 21, 2026 at 11:51 AM
147 Hen Harriers confirmed 'missing' or illegally killed in UK since 2018 - most of them on or close to grouse moors.
Data extracted from reports by Natural England, RSPB, HSE, various Police forces, National Wildlife Crime Unit.
#RaptorResearch 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/21/1...
Data extracted from reports by Natural England, RSPB, HSE, various Police forces, National Wildlife Crime Unit.
#RaptorResearch 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/21/1...
Reposted by Alison Foster
Back to hands-on work after our move and reunited with a long-time freezer resident: Mr Badger 🦡
Once alive, now honoured for the contribution he’ll make to science. After a well-earned hot bath, Mr Badger will soon join our Zooarchaeology Research Collection.
CW: images show a deceased animal
Once alive, now honoured for the contribution he’ll make to science. After a well-earned hot bath, Mr Badger will soon join our Zooarchaeology Research Collection.
CW: images show a deceased animal
January 22, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Back to hands-on work after our move and reunited with a long-time freezer resident: Mr Badger 🦡
Once alive, now honoured for the contribution he’ll make to science. After a well-earned hot bath, Mr Badger will soon join our Zooarchaeology Research Collection.
CW: images show a deceased animal
Once alive, now honoured for the contribution he’ll make to science. After a well-earned hot bath, Mr Badger will soon join our Zooarchaeology Research Collection.
CW: images show a deceased animal
"Meow-like". These vocalisations sound a bit like the quacking noises my domestic cat sometimes makes. Anyway, revision probably needed on which cats can make what noises depending on anatomy.
www.iflscience.com/are-these-th...
www.iflscience.com/are-these-th...
Are These The First Recorded Jaguar Meows? Fascinating New Footage Captures Big Cats Making "Meow-Like" Vocalizations
Jaguars had been known to roar and growl, but it was not thought to be possible for them to meow.
www.iflscience.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:46 PM
"Meow-like". These vocalisations sound a bit like the quacking noises my domestic cat sometimes makes. Anyway, revision probably needed on which cats can make what noises depending on anatomy.
www.iflscience.com/are-these-th...
www.iflscience.com/are-these-th...
Reposted by Alison Foster
Don't forget the 46th #AEA conference will be hosted by Lancashire University on 7th - 9th May 2026
Details can be found here: envarch.net/conferences
The abstract deadline is: 22nd February
#environmentalarchaeology #zooarchaeology #archaeobotany #palynology #landscapearchaeology
Details can be found here: envarch.net/conferences
The abstract deadline is: 22nd February
#environmentalarchaeology #zooarchaeology #archaeobotany #palynology #landscapearchaeology
Association for Environmental Archaeology
envarch.net
January 21, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Don't forget the 46th #AEA conference will be hosted by Lancashire University on 7th - 9th May 2026
Details can be found here: envarch.net/conferences
The abstract deadline is: 22nd February
#environmentalarchaeology #zooarchaeology #archaeobotany #palynology #landscapearchaeology
Details can be found here: envarch.net/conferences
The abstract deadline is: 22nd February
#environmentalarchaeology #zooarchaeology #archaeobotany #palynology #landscapearchaeology
Reposted by Alison Foster
Time for corrections (hopefully not many). It’s going to be an absolute chonker of a thesis…
January 21, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Time for corrections (hopefully not many). It’s going to be an absolute chonker of a thesis…
Reposted by Alison Foster
To all folks in the north of England, check out these April dates for. @threeacresacow.bsky.social. Brilliant show!
January 19, 2026 at 6:12 PM
To all folks in the north of England, check out these April dates for. @threeacresacow.bsky.social. Brilliant show!