Toby Blackman
@tobyblackman.bsky.social
Art and Architecture: Site, Writing, Photography | Senior Lecturer, Newcastle University (he/him)
Pinned
Toby Blackman
@tobyblackman.bsky.social
· Jun 22
Marseille: Architectures of Transit in Novel, Film and Place (1936-1945 and 2001-2021)
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
Reposted by Toby Blackman
Some professional news: I'm now hiring two postdocs to be part of the research project I'm leading on global republicanism and the making of democratic cultures in the early 19th century. If you know someone for whom this may be relevant, don't hesitate to let them know.
www.au.dk/om/stillinge...
www.au.dk/om/stillinge...
2 Postdoctoral positions in Intellectual History at the Department of History - Ledig stilling på Aarhus Universitet
Ledig stilling ved Institut for Kultur og Samfund - Historie, fag, Aarhus Universitet
www.au.dk
January 13, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Some professional news: I'm now hiring two postdocs to be part of the research project I'm leading on global republicanism and the making of democratic cultures in the early 19th century. If you know someone for whom this may be relevant, don't hesitate to let them know.
www.au.dk/om/stillinge...
www.au.dk/om/stillinge...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
Tomorrow marks 10 years since the greatest piece of art of our generation
December 30, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Tomorrow marks 10 years since the greatest piece of art of our generation
Reposted by Toby Blackman
If you donate $100+ before the end of the year, you can receive your very own set of mail-ready Places postcards! ✉️📬
placesjournal.org/donate/
placesjournal.org/donate/
December 30, 2025 at 7:08 PM
If you donate $100+ before the end of the year, you can receive your very own set of mail-ready Places postcards! ✉️📬
placesjournal.org/donate/
placesjournal.org/donate/
Reposted by Toby Blackman
NEW: last night, the US govt launched an assault on the ‘global censorship industrial complex’, aka European tech researchers/campaigners.
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
A message to America: we are not your enemy
Last night, the US launched an all-out assault on the "global censorship industrial complex", I respond with some deep breaths, solidarity and a vibey video (it's all I have)
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:52 AM
NEW: last night, the US govt launched an assault on the ‘global censorship industrial complex’, aka European tech researchers/campaigners.
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
The AR’s paywall is down until 5 January, so you can register for free and access an unlimited number of articles on our website. Happy holidays and happy reading! architectural-review.com/altregister
December 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
The AR’s paywall is down until 5 January, so you can register for free and access an unlimited number of articles on our website. Happy holidays and happy reading! architectural-review.com/altregister
Reposted by Toby Blackman
Places is a community of dedicated scholars, editors, photographers, academics & practitioners. But just as important, Places is a community of readers & supporters.
Your donation will help us sustain and grow the journal — we can't do it without you!
A message from our board this Giving Tuesday:
Your donation will help us sustain and grow the journal — we can't do it without you!
A message from our board this Giving Tuesday:
Support Places Journal this Giving Tuesday
A message from the chair and vice-chair of our Board of Directors.
mailchi.mp
December 2, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Places is a community of dedicated scholars, editors, photographers, academics & practitioners. But just as important, Places is a community of readers & supporters.
Your donation will help us sustain and grow the journal — we can't do it without you!
A message from our board this Giving Tuesday:
Your donation will help us sustain and grow the journal — we can't do it without you!
A message from our board this Giving Tuesday:
Reposted by Toby Blackman
The European Union commits to a bioeconomy strategy - putting biobased materials, and their supply chains at the heart of the economy - thereby recognising the value that nature can provide. This is good news - and the UK must follow suit or risk falling further behind. ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission presents new Bioeconomy Strategy to drive green growth, competitiveness and resilience across Europe
Today, the Commission adopted a new Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, charting a way forward to build a clean, competitive and resilient European economy.
ec.europa.eu
December 1, 2025 at 10:31 PM
The European Union commits to a bioeconomy strategy - putting biobased materials, and their supply chains at the heart of the economy - thereby recognising the value that nature can provide. This is good news - and the UK must follow suit or risk falling further behind. ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
"We still don’t know 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺 where Prince Andrew’s reported £12M payment to Virginia Giuffre came from."
@lewisgoodall.com explains why the taxpayer may have helped foot the bill.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
@lewisgoodall.com explains why the taxpayer may have helped foot the bill.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
"We still don’t know 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺 where Prince Andrew’s reported £12M payment to Virginia Giuffre came from."
@lewisgoodall.com explains why the taxpayer may have helped foot the bill.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
@lewisgoodall.com explains why the taxpayer may have helped foot the bill.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
Reposted by Toby Blackman
For the inaugural issue of Draught Journal @draughtjournal.bsky.social:
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins—a reflection on the bookmark as a fragile site of memory, desire, and incompletion, accompanied by images of my own bookmarks.
draughtjournal.com/article/on-b...
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins—a reflection on the bookmark as a fragile site of memory, desire, and incompletion, accompanied by images of my own bookmarks.
draughtjournal.com/article/on-b...
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins
<p>There is something indescribably intimate about the act of interrupting one’s reading, the act of marking one’s place in a book, a subtle gesture t
draughtjournal.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:21 AM
For the inaugural issue of Draught Journal @draughtjournal.bsky.social:
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins—a reflection on the bookmark as a fragile site of memory, desire, and incompletion, accompanied by images of my own bookmarks.
draughtjournal.com/article/on-b...
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins—a reflection on the bookmark as a fragile site of memory, desire, and incompletion, accompanied by images of my own bookmarks.
draughtjournal.com/article/on-b...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
They thought it would take 193 years to clean the air in London, but they did it in 9
“Dr Gary Fuller, associate professor in air quality at Imperial College, described Ulez as a "game changer" for reducing toxins & he "could not recall a policy that matches its impact" www.bbc.com/news/article...
“Dr Gary Fuller, associate professor in air quality at Imperial College, described Ulez as a "game changer" for reducing toxins & he "could not recall a policy that matches its impact" www.bbc.com/news/article...
London Ulez reduced nitrogen dioxide to legal limit, mayor says
The mayor of London says the fall in airborne toxins is due to the Ultra low emission zone expansion.
www.bbc.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
They thought it would take 193 years to clean the air in London, but they did it in 9
“Dr Gary Fuller, associate professor in air quality at Imperial College, described Ulez as a "game changer" for reducing toxins & he "could not recall a policy that matches its impact" www.bbc.com/news/article...
“Dr Gary Fuller, associate professor in air quality at Imperial College, described Ulez as a "game changer" for reducing toxins & he "could not recall a policy that matches its impact" www.bbc.com/news/article...
THANK YOU to the editors at Visual Studies @visualsociology.bsky.social for inviting my review of The Use of Photography by Annie Ernaux and Marc Marie, translated by Alison L. Strayer–another exquisite literary publication from @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1080/1472...
doi.org/10.1080/1472...
The use of photography
Published in Visual Studies (Ahead of Print, 2025)
doi.org
September 18, 2025 at 12:32 PM
THANK YOU to the editors at Visual Studies @visualsociology.bsky.social for inviting my review of The Use of Photography by Annie Ernaux and Marc Marie, translated by Alison L. Strayer–another exquisite literary publication from @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1080/1472...
doi.org/10.1080/1472...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/
John Boyne says LGBTQ+ fiction prize backlash brought him ‘close to the edge’
John Boyne says LGBTQ+ fiction prize backlash brought him ‘close to the edge’
Gender critical novelist urges writers to reenter prize they boycotted and may ask judges not to shortlist his novella
The gender critical Irish novelist John Boyne has said he has been brought “very close to the edge” by the backlash to his inclusion on the longlist for a literary prize for LGBTQ+ authors.
Ten authors and two judges withdrew from the Polari prize and more than 800 writers and publishing industry workers signed a petition calling on Polari to remove Boyne’s novella Earth from its longlist. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/
Reposted by Toby Blackman
The Trust seeks to appoint an Assistant Director, a newly-created position in our centenary year. This broad-ranging grants leadership position will cover three major activities: grant-making, representing the Trust and leading on key areas of policy development. www.leverhulme.ac.uk/news/current...
August 15, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The Trust seeks to appoint an Assistant Director, a newly-created position in our centenary year. This broad-ranging grants leadership position will cover three major activities: grant-making, representing the Trust and leading on key areas of policy development. www.leverhulme.ac.uk/news/current...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
The UK government should be “going out of its way” to ensure Palestinian students can take up places to study in the country’s universities instead of “obstructing” them, the University and College Union has said. @julietterowsell.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Visa rules ‘obstructing’ Gazan students from UK universities
UCU’s Jo Grady urges Home Office to ‘do everything it can’ to ensure students with offers to study in the UK are able to do so
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The UK government should be “going out of its way” to ensure Palestinian students can take up places to study in the country’s universities instead of “obstructing” them, the University and College Union has said. @julietterowsell.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
January to June, 2025
Some days, I read ten pages.
Others, I (need to) re-read the same paragraph ten times.
And occasionally, I read a book in a single sitting.
Reading sustains me, and brings me joy.
Some days, I read ten pages.
Others, I (need to) re-read the same paragraph ten times.
And occasionally, I read a book in a single sitting.
Reading sustains me, and brings me joy.
July 1, 2025 at 1:52 PM
January to June, 2025
Some days, I read ten pages.
Others, I (need to) re-read the same paragraph ten times.
And occasionally, I read a book in a single sitting.
Reading sustains me, and brings me joy.
Some days, I read ten pages.
Others, I (need to) re-read the same paragraph ten times.
And occasionally, I read a book in a single sitting.
Reading sustains me, and brings me joy.
The old, existing dining room radiator FELL OFF THE WALL.
July 1, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The old, existing dining room radiator FELL OFF THE WALL.
Just finished Grace by Paul Lynch.
And I am not ok.
And I am not ok.
June 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Just finished Grace by Paul Lynch.
And I am not ok.
And I am not ok.
Entirely reasonable.
all i want is to one day own a modest sized home in a walkable neighborhood and raise money for shelter animals. wear an outfit i like, walk to the grocery store, buy some nectarines, feed cats, and live in peace. just don't understand why achieving this is so hard
June 22, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Entirely reasonable.
Marseille: Architectures of Transit in Novel, Film and Place (1936-1945 and 2001-2021)
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
June 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Marseille: Architectures of Transit in Novel, Film and Place (1936-1945 and 2001-2021)
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
Reposted by Toby Blackman
LONDON NW5 FRIENDS:
a very poorly cat is being discharged from hospital tomorrow. This is fab, but the timing is tricky - the wonderful owner is receiving in-patient medical care until Monday.
Can you help cover the care gap? Or know someone who can?
Pls share 🙏🏽
a very poorly cat is being discharged from hospital tomorrow. This is fab, but the timing is tricky - the wonderful owner is receiving in-patient medical care until Monday.
Can you help cover the care gap? Or know someone who can?
Pls share 🙏🏽
June 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
LONDON NW5 FRIENDS:
a very poorly cat is being discharged from hospital tomorrow. This is fab, but the timing is tricky - the wonderful owner is receiving in-patient medical care until Monday.
Can you help cover the care gap? Or know someone who can?
Pls share 🙏🏽
a very poorly cat is being discharged from hospital tomorrow. This is fab, but the timing is tricky - the wonderful owner is receiving in-patient medical care until Monday.
Can you help cover the care gap? Or know someone who can?
Pls share 🙏🏽
Reposted by Toby Blackman
I just fully got the shakes seeing that clip of the little girl escaping from the burning building
May 26, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I just fully got the shakes seeing that clip of the little girl escaping from the burning building
Reposted by Toby Blackman
Inside the NY apartment where Christo & Jeanne Claude cast their spells.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/r...
May 20, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Inside the NY apartment where Christo & Jeanne Claude cast their spells.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/r...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
The unbelievable condescension we’re already seeing today towards working class people- suggesting they don’t travel to Europe or their kids might not want to go to university and study in Europe- is quite something to behold.
May 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
The unbelievable condescension we’re already seeing today towards working class people- suggesting they don’t travel to Europe or their kids might not want to go to university and study in Europe- is quite something to behold.