Dr Alison Daniell
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alispencer.bsky.social
Dr Alison Daniell
@alispencer.bsky.social
1.1K followers 820 following 260 posts
Author, former family lawyer and all-round plate spinner currently working in learning development. Independent scholar: 18th century women, law, literature (esp Jane Austen) plus a bit of witchcraft 🐈‍⬛
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
patrickwyman.bsky.social
So I tried this as an experiment with a an LLM: I had dozens of PDFs of papers and open-source academic books related to a specific field of history, uploaded them all to create a context window, and then used it as a starting point. Made sure I knew the scholarship first so I could evaluate.
disabilitystor1.bsky.social Aparna Nair @disabilitystor1.bsky.social · 1d
This is one of the reasons I remain horrified by seeing @historians.org suggest "ways to use gAI" that included this:
December 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
murielzagha.bsky.social
Barely containable stage anarchy in the UK as we open our Advent calendar window onto PANTO! Suzanne Raine explains all (no, she doesn’t!) and I listen in astonishment as she sprinkles me with Christmas fairy dust. Tune in!
December 21, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
sahavoice.bsky.social
The Centre for Robert Burns Studies at the University of Glasgow has launched 'The Burns Supper at 225 Years: Scottish Tradition, Global Reinvention', a new campaign to crowdsource stories, poems, songs, photos, recipes and more from Burns Suppers worldwide.

saha.scot/university-o...
University of Glasgow: Your Burns Supper matters: help shape the future of a global and living tradition | SAHA: The Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance
A joint initiative of Scottish Higher Education institutions, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities.
saha.scot
December 19, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
lusignanmermaid.bsky.social
News! The submission deadline for www.uarcticcongress.fo/programme/ca... has been extended to 15th Jan! It would be amazing to see you there and hear about the brilliant watery research that you're doing. My sessions are 134, 162, and 174 - please join me!
Uarctic Congress 2026
www.uarcticcongress.fo
December 17, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
jenniebatchelor.bsky.social
Also for the Austen 250th, @chloewigstonsmith.bsky.social and I are thrilled our article about Austen and Turner: A Country House Encounter is published today in a very special issue of Persuasions On-Line. Working on this exhibition was the highlight of my year. jasna.org/publications...
A watercolour of a woman with a black and grey gown (seated) facing away from the viewer. A man in a dark coat stands over her. JMW Turner, Two Figures (1827).
December 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
sophiecoulombeau.bsky.social
Outlandishly, I'll be discussing this research (& other things) on Front Row this evening with Samira Ahmed, Tessa Hadley, Kamila Shamsie, Harriet Walter, & John Mullan. Unless I end up on the cutting room floor, which given the company would be entirely understandable. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
December 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
sophiecoulombeau.bsky.social
Oh heeeey. I've just seen that my two research articles on Mary Hamilton in this volume are now available via open access (pre-print versions) on @uoyopenres.bsky.social research repository! At time of initial skeeting, they were still embargoed. Go get 'em! (or, as ever, message me for PDFs). (1/3)
sophiecoulombeau.bsky.social Sophie Coulombeau @sophiecoulombeau.bsky.social · Nov 21
It's here! Our special issue of JECS (journal of @bsecs.bsky.social), a bumper vol of cutting-edge interdisciplinary research on 18c networks, gender, sociability & manuscript, deriving from @maryhamiltonpapers.bsky.social project. I'll be skeeting today about the contributions in turn...stay tuned!
maryhamiltonpapers.bsky.social Unlocking The Mary Hamilton Papers @maryhamiltonpapers.bsky.social · Nov 21
At last our special issue, JECS 48.4, is out, all 200+ pages of it! We're very proud of it. Thanks are due to many colleagues, but especially Nuria Yáñez-Bouza for proof-correcting heroics, and the general editor, Emrys Jones, for brilliant support throughout. #18thC #langsky
December 15, 2025 at 12:09 PM
alispencer.bsky.social
S-Express swooping in to save the evening! #totp
a woman with dreadlocks is holding a gun in her hand and says `` i 've got the hots for you '' .
Alt: a woman with dreadlocks is singing into a microphone in her hand and says `` i 've got the hots for you ''
media.tenor.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
annelouiseavery.bsky.social
#OldFoxAdventCalendar
The Twelfth Window. The Vole of Baden-Baden was having a little holiday, staying in a mountain inn at the foot of the Feldberg in the heart of the Black Forest. The air was cold and pure and the food was hearty and plentiful. She ate bowls and bowls of Flädlesuppe, a nostalgic soup with ribboned pancakes, and Maultaschen, rich dumplings made to the inn's particular recipe with sheep's cheese and spinach and breadcrumbs and nutmeg, fried in butter and topped with a swirl of caramelised onions. After these delicious meals, served in the busy, convivial dining room by a roaring fire, she walked in the spruce woods, and one afternoon, she borrowed a very small pair of pale blue skating boots and went down to the Feldsee, a glacial lake like an ancient round mirror, surrounded by steep mountainsides. It was frozen hard, and the Vole had it entirely to herself. She laced the skates, then gingerly put one paw then the next onto the ice, then slowly leaned into a glide, further and further into the very centre, where she stopped for a moment – the deep, deep forest rising above her, the sound of distant birds, the smell of pine and earth and snow. Oh, what it was to be alive! I am, I am, I am! she called to the world, and then like a little wild bird, she swooped forwards and began to spin and spin and spin.
December 12, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
annelouiseavery.bsky.social
#OldFoxAdventCalendar
The Tenth Window. The Elderly Squirrel let himself into his cottage, lit a very necessary fire, made a pot of coffee, and then collapsed into an armchair. He had been at St Thomas's Church Hall all morning and it had been very exciting and not a little tiring. Miss Stevenson and the Vicar had organised a few mornings of talks and activities for the older members of the parish. In the first week in December, there had been a slightly confusing lecture on the "Pagan Symbols of Christmas" by a green-silk swathed theosophist friend of Miss Stevenson's, followed by mince pies and an introduction on folding napkins for the festive table. Today, everyone had enjoyed a dramatic recitation of sections of "A Christmas Carol" by the Vicar's cousin, who was an enthusiastic amateur player in Dorchester. Afterwards, there was plum crumble with custard and a class in making simple brass decorations for one's tree. The Elderly Squirrel managed to sit next to Madame Mouse, his port in every storm, and together they made a respectable number of embossed birds, hearts, stars, angels and cockle shells. At the end, their instructor, a friendly otter from Langton Herring suggested that their final cut-out be a likeness of their neighbour in their group, and he was delighted with his effort, which conveyed a little of Madame Mouse's elegance, but even more so with Madame Mouse's portrait, which made him look very bushy-tailed and dashing. Back home, he gathered together his little pile of creations, and hung them one by one on the tree Old Fox had cut for him the previous day, reserving Madame Mouse's portrait for the front. When he lit the dozen candles nestling in the branches, the shadowy sitting room was suddenly filled with blazes of light, which in turn were reflected by the brass. My word, said the Elderly Squirrel, sudden tears coming into his eyes, my word, what a display! And after some final adjustments, he turned on the wireless, poured some cream into his coffee, and sat… A brass bird. The Elderly Squirrel
December 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
The British History in the Long 18th Century Seminar resumes on 14 January 2026, in person at the Institute of Historical Research and online via Zoom. (Kate Gibson, speaking on Fostering in 18th-century Britain).

Access next term's programme here. All welcome: free and open to the public.
British History in the Long 18th Century
Supported by Mark Storey and Carey Karmel, in memory of Arthur Burns
www.history.ac.uk
December 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
alispencer.bsky.social
Cher with the only remotely decent song in the entire episode #totp
a woman with her mouth open and the words do you believe in life after love
Alt: Cher singing and the words do you believe in life after love
media.tenor.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
number10cat.bsky.social
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. Ate it.
December 1, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
reformexposed.bsky.social
Nearly 80k, sign and share!

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 6:47 AM
alispencer.bsky.social
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
hazelmpinner.bsky.social
For those wanting to address the topic of Jesus as a refugee in a gentle, accessible way, especially with younger children, may I signpost Refuge by Anne Booth and Sam Usher. There's a new 10th anniversary edition now out too!
Book cover with red binding and the title Refuge in large gold letters across the top. The illustration is of a dark starry night with Bethlehem in the background and Mary cradling a young Jesus as they sit on a donkey.
November 26, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
aldinhe.bsky.social
Discover ways to be involved in your Association for Learning Development in Higher Education, disseminate research & keep up-to-date with LD news https://aldinhe.ac.uk/join-aldinhe-community/ways-to-get-involved-in-aldinhe #LoveLD
Screenshot of the ALDinHE website showing ways to get involved in ALDinHE.
November 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
rutgerbregman.com
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.

They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
davidosland.bsky.social
Newmarket MP Matt Hancock gave a £37bn Covid testing contract to Jockey Club director Dido Harding, who subcontracted it to Grand National sponsor Randox, employer of Tory MP Owen Paterson, whose late wife chaired Aintree racecourse. That's how the Tories handled the pandemic.
November 22, 2025 at 12:42 PM
alispencer.bsky.social
Annie Lennox is just ace. Thank you for coming to my TED talk. #totp
a man wearing a white jacket and black turtleneck is standing on a stage with his arms outstretched .
Alt: Annie Lennox wearing a white jacket and black turtleneck is standing on a stage with her arms outstretched .
media.tenor.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
fierengraw.bsky.social
Does anyone have any good recommendations for scholarship summarising popular perceptions of the British East India Company & nabobs in Britain in the 1780s/90s?
It’s not my specialism but I’m stuck on a paragraph in my research project until I can find a balanced & reliable appraisal
November 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
bars.bsky.social
🎉 Upcoming BARS Digital Event: Romantic Creativity Roundtable

8th Dec, 1-2:30pm GMT

6 speakers reflect on the relationship between Romanticism & creativity as it permeates writing, teaching and research. Chaired by @adamneikirk.bsky.social

More details & free tickets: www.bars.ac.uk/blog/?p=6228
BARS Digital Event: “Romantic Creativity” Roundtable – BARS Blog
www.bars.ac.uk
November 19, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
bars.bsky.social
BARS Independent Researcher Bursary Call for Applications
Independent researchers with an interest in any aspect of Romantic Studies (including literature, architecture, art, politics, culture, history etc) are invited to apply for the Independent Researcher Bursary.
www.bars.ac.uk/blog/?p=6189
November 18, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
lottelydia.bsky.social
“Around six months after the cyber incident I talked to the then chair of the science select committee, who was not aware of this incident” w o w
hetanshah.bsky.social Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Nov 18
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-...
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 1:13 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Daniell
alistaircoleman.bsky.social
Happy Fenton Day to all who celebrate. Jesus Christ, fourteen years.

youtu.be/3GRSbr0EYYU
JESUS CHRIST IN RICHMOND PARK: ORIGINAL UPLOAD
YouTube video by JAGGL113
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 8:43 AM