Dr Karen McAulay
@karenmca.bsky.social
Musicologist Historian, RCS Fellow, @iashedinburgh.bsky.social alumna. Social History of Amateur Music-Making & Scottish National Identity: Scotland's Printed Music 1880-1951 (Routledge).
https://karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/
Profiles are informative!
https://karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/
Profiles are informative!
Pinned
A Social History of Amateur Music-Making and Scottish National Identity: Scotland’s Printed Music, 1880–1951
Late Victorian Scotland had a flourishing music publishing trade, evidenced by the survival of a plethora of vocal scores and dance tune books; and whether informing us what people actually sang and p...
share.google
If you're interested in #Social History, amateur music-making & #Scotland, the remarkably affordable e-version of my book might be right up your street. Someone might even give you it for Christmas:- A Social History of Amateur Music-Making & Scottish National Identity share.google/oQPSOcWF2d7A...
My weekend reading was ... strange. karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/25/m... Welcome to a musicologist/social historian's blog!
@drsurekhadavies.bsky.social
@drsurekhadavies.bsky.social
Mystifying Timewarp Challenge
It’s not as though I’m unaccustomed to what I’ve been doing in odd moments for the past few days. Over the years, I’ve opened dozens, indeed hundreds of old song books…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
November 26, 2025 at 10:37 AM
My weekend reading was ... strange. karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/25/m... Welcome to a musicologist/social historian's blog!
@drsurekhadavies.bsky.social
@drsurekhadavies.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
I do not like your AI slop
I do not want this worthless glop
I do not read its overviews
I don't care what Grok says is true
I do not like it here nor there
I'm tired of it everywhere
I do not want this worthless glop
I do not read its overviews
I don't care what Grok says is true
I do not like it here nor there
I'm tired of it everywhere
November 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I do not like your AI slop
I do not want this worthless glop
I do not read its overviews
I don't care what Grok says is true
I do not like it here nor there
I'm tired of it everywhere
I do not want this worthless glop
I do not read its overviews
I don't care what Grok says is true
I do not like it here nor there
I'm tired of it everywhere
A layperson's guide to music leaves me mystified, on behalf of the layperson!
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/25/m...
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/25/m...
Mystifying Timewarp Challenge
It’s not as though I’m unfamiliar with what I’ve been doing in odd moments for the past few days. Over the years, I’ve opened dozens, indeed hundreds of old song books…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
November 26, 2025 at 8:59 AM
A layperson's guide to music leaves me mystified, on behalf of the layperson!
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/25/m...
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
A couple raise £70,000 funds in 2 days after appeal to descendants of Clan Jardine to save Applegarth church, near Lockerbie, Scotland which dates back to 1760.
BBC News - Clan descendants in US and Canada save historic church in two days
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Clan descendants in US and Canada save historic church in two days
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Historic church saved in two days after global clan Facebook plea
A couple from Applegarth near Lockerbie received worldwide donations from Clan Jardine to buy a historic church.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:40 PM
A couple raise £70,000 funds in 2 days after appeal to descendants of Clan Jardine to save Applegarth church, near Lockerbie, Scotland which dates back to 1760.
BBC News - Clan descendants in US and Canada save historic church in two days
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Clan descendants in US and Canada save historic church in two days
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Read this! It's fascinating, and I can so relate to it. As can anyone looking at primary sources with their own unique questions to answer.
LLM-based gen AI for writing, audio, art, and video are "digital vultures bloated on stolen books [and other human-made things] which they churn together and vomit out in imitations of words from actual thinking, feeling brains."
buttondown.com/surekhadavie...
buttondown.com/surekhadavie...
Basement adventures showed me why ChatGPT can only ever be garbage.
In The British Library. Photo by Surekha Davies. Hallo readers, First, a news flash: Join me for a virtual book launch for HUMANS: A MONSTROUS HISTORY...
buttondown.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Read this! It's fascinating, and I can so relate to it. As can anyone looking at primary sources with their own unique questions to answer.
What's music all about? Well, back in 1935 ... karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/25/m...
Mystifying Timewarp Challenge
It’s not as though I’m unfamiliar with what I’ve been doing in odd moments for the past few days. Over the years, I’ve opened dozens, indeed hundreds of old song books…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
November 25, 2025 at 7:47 PM
What's music all about? Well, back in 1935 ... karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/25/m...
Disturbing. I see a new book advertised in a #BlackFriday deal, and I still immediately think of the drama library.
But I haven't been a librarian for nearly 1.5 years. Better not suggest this purchase. Not going to interfere!
But I haven't been a librarian for nearly 1.5 years. Better not suggest this purchase. Not going to interfere!
a yellow sign that says " keep out " on it
ALT: a yellow sign that says " keep out " on it
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Disturbing. I see a new book advertised in a #BlackFriday deal, and I still immediately think of the drama library.
But I haven't been a librarian for nearly 1.5 years. Better not suggest this purchase. Not going to interfere!
But I haven't been a librarian for nearly 1.5 years. Better not suggest this purchase. Not going to interfere!
Don't you just love train travellers who conduct their calls on speaker-phone?
#GonnaeNoDaeThat?
#GonnaeNoDaeThat?
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Don't you just love train travellers who conduct their calls on speaker-phone?
#GonnaeNoDaeThat?
#GonnaeNoDaeThat?
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
Just a quick reminder! Only 5 days left to get your proposal in for #ICRMC 2026!
If you’re working with creative or unconventional research methods, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more here: creativeresearchmethods.com
#ICRMC2026 #CreativeMethods #CRMethods
If you’re working with creative or unconventional research methods, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more here: creativeresearchmethods.com
#ICRMC2026 #CreativeMethods #CRMethods
November 25, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Just a quick reminder! Only 5 days left to get your proposal in for #ICRMC 2026!
If you’re working with creative or unconventional research methods, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more here: creativeresearchmethods.com
#ICRMC2026 #CreativeMethods #CRMethods
If you’re working with creative or unconventional research methods, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more here: creativeresearchmethods.com
#ICRMC2026 #CreativeMethods #CRMethods
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
On this day in 1835 Andrew Carnegie was born.
He rose from being the son of a poor weaver from Dunfermline to become one of the richest men in the world.
He was a massive philanthropist and famously finance 2509 public libraries across the world. Five of those libraries were built in Wakefield!
He rose from being the son of a poor weaver from Dunfermline to become one of the richest men in the world.
He was a massive philanthropist and famously finance 2509 public libraries across the world. Five of those libraries were built in Wakefield!
November 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
On this day in 1835 Andrew Carnegie was born.
He rose from being the son of a poor weaver from Dunfermline to become one of the richest men in the world.
He was a massive philanthropist and famously finance 2509 public libraries across the world. Five of those libraries were built in Wakefield!
He rose from being the son of a poor weaver from Dunfermline to become one of the richest men in the world.
He was a massive philanthropist and famously finance 2509 public libraries across the world. Five of those libraries were built in Wakefield!
Toddler looking like a trainee clergyman in a scaled-down pulpit!!
Cute Baby Pix of the Past: sitting in his highchair, wearing his bumper, contemplating next move in his campaign to annoy lace-making mum. Painted in 1656 by Nicolaes Maes, whose day is today.
November 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Toddler looking like a trainee clergyman in a scaled-down pulpit!!
You cannot judge a book by its cover. Mum found it uninspiring, but I think it's rather bonny. And the title does exactly capture the contents. Intrigued? Tak a look! #SocialHistory #PublishingHistory
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/23/b...
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/23/b...
Bag a Bargain! Routledge has a Black Friday Sale
It would be remiss of me not to point out that Routledge’s Black Friday sale makes the e-book version of my book very affordable! (Maybe someone might even buy you it for Christmas?). Those p…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
November 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
You cannot judge a book by its cover. Mum found it uninspiring, but I think it's rather bonny. And the title does exactly capture the contents. Intrigued? Tak a look! #SocialHistory #PublishingHistory
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/23/b...
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/23/b...
I had to eat the butter that the hotel provided for my toast. It would have been rude not to.
#CholesterolGuilt
#ForgiveMeForIHaveSinned
#CholesterolGuilt
#ForgiveMeForIHaveSinned
November 24, 2025 at 9:06 AM
I had to eat the butter that the hotel provided for my toast. It would have been rude not to.
#CholesterolGuilt
#ForgiveMeForIHaveSinned
#CholesterolGuilt
#ForgiveMeForIHaveSinned
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
Interested in one of the treasures of University of Glasgow's Special Collections? Apply to a Visiting Research Fellowship, closing date 5th January 2026.
www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
#BookHistory
www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
#BookHistory
University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - Library - Research Fellows
www.gla.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Interested in one of the treasures of University of Glasgow's Special Collections? Apply to a Visiting Research Fellowship, closing date 5th January 2026.
www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
#BookHistory
www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
#BookHistory
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
✒️ #GeorgeEliot, English author, was #BOTD 22 November 1819. #Literature
✒️ #GeorgeEliot, English author, was #BOTD 22 November 1819. #Literature
November 22, 2025 at 1:41 AM
"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
✒️ #GeorgeEliot, English author, was #BOTD 22 November 1819. #Literature
✒️ #GeorgeEliot, English author, was #BOTD 22 November 1819. #Literature
The lore behind my career path? Started PhD. Didn't finish. Trained as librarian. Eventually missed research. Finished a different PhD. Became hybrid librarian-scholar. Retired from librarianship. Still salaried scholar.
Was looking for a new admin job but there was a glitch in the job website which kept showing me library jobs. I thought it wasn't a bad idea.
What’s the lore behind choosing your career path ?
November 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
The lore behind my career path? Started PhD. Didn't finish. Trained as librarian. Eventually missed research. Finished a different PhD. Became hybrid librarian-scholar. Retired from librarianship. Still salaried scholar.
If you're interested in #Social History, amateur music-making & #Scotland, the remarkably affordable e-version of my book might be right up your street. Someone might even give you it for Christmas:- A Social History of Amateur Music-Making & Scottish National Identity share.google/oQPSOcWF2d7A...
A Social History of Amateur Music-Making and Scottish National Identity: Scotland’s Printed Music, 1880–1951
Late Victorian Scotland had a flourishing music publishing trade, evidenced by the survival of a plethora of vocal scores and dance tune books; and whether informing us what people actually sang and p...
share.google
November 23, 2025 at 10:06 PM
If you're interested in #Social History, amateur music-making & #Scotland, the remarkably affordable e-version of my book might be right up your street. Someone might even give you it for Christmas:- A Social History of Amateur Music-Making & Scottish National Identity share.google/oQPSOcWF2d7A...
Beaten by a bowl of hotel porridge. I may never move again! Probably wholesome, but incredibly solid ...
November 23, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Beaten by a bowl of hotel porridge. I may never move again! Probably wholesome, but incredibly solid ...
Tip for hotel-goers.
Check that the shower head wasn't left pointing horizontally at your hair, before turning the lever.
You're welcome!
Check that the shower head wasn't left pointing horizontally at your hair, before turning the lever.
You're welcome!
a close up of a cat 's face with water coming out of its eyes .
ALT: a close up of a cat 's face with water coming out of its eyes .
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Tip for hotel-goers.
Check that the shower head wasn't left pointing horizontally at your hair, before turning the lever.
You're welcome!
Check that the shower head wasn't left pointing horizontally at your hair, before turning the lever.
You're welcome!
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
“My NHS colleagues and I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Johnson no longer mentions them at all.”
Hard hitting and necessary on the government’s covid complacency from @drrachelclarke.com
observer.co.uk/news/...
Hard hitting and necessary on the government’s covid complacency from @drrachelclarke.com
observer.co.uk/news/...
November 23, 2025 at 9:40 AM
“My NHS colleagues and I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Johnson no longer mentions them at all.”
Hard hitting and necessary on the government’s covid complacency from @drrachelclarke.com
observer.co.uk/news/...
Hard hitting and necessary on the government’s covid complacency from @drrachelclarke.com
observer.co.uk/news/...
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
"An experiential research method allows us to envision more things that we want to know about the past." - @sethrockman.bsky.social in @publicbooks.bsky.social
🗃
www.publicbooks.org/cloth-and-co...
🗃
www.publicbooks.org/cloth-and-co...
Cloth and Complicity: Seth Rockman on Plantations, Textiles, and the Art of Weaving - Public Books
“But I had found a set of instructions in the archives of one of New England's leading manufacturers of low-end woollen cloth for enslaved wearers.”
www.publicbooks.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
"An experiential research method allows us to envision more things that we want to know about the past." - @sethrockman.bsky.social in @publicbooks.bsky.social
🗃
www.publicbooks.org/cloth-and-co...
🗃
www.publicbooks.org/cloth-and-co...
It appears that 'quieter coach' is just words on a wee sign. No-one gives a tuppeny damn.
But I believed it when I booked 😞 @lner.co.uk
But I believed it when I booked 😞 @lner.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM
It appears that 'quieter coach' is just words on a wee sign. No-one gives a tuppeny damn.
But I believed it when I booked 😞 @lner.co.uk
But I believed it when I booked 😞 @lner.co.uk
@lner.co.uk 'quieter coach' doesn't stop people phoning friends, alas! (Glares at individual who disturbed my quiet.) Hopefully the rest of their friends aren't awake yet ...
November 22, 2025 at 9:49 AM
@lner.co.uk 'quieter coach' doesn't stop people phoning friends, alas! (Glares at individual who disturbed my quiet.) Hopefully the rest of their friends aren't awake yet ...
Even without the lost correspondence, I can still read the book that the letters would have concerned! #TrainTravel all day! karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/21/a...
Archival Truths: the Reality of Archival Research
I can say this very succinctly! That which you seek may not be there. Indeed, That which you seek may not exist. You can look as hard as you like, for as long as you like, with as much concentratio…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
November 22, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Even without the lost correspondence, I can still read the book that the letters would have concerned! #TrainTravel all day! karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/11/21/a...
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
On this day 22nd November 1859 Cecil Sharp, founder of the English folk-song revival was born. (Here he’s pictured overhearing a gardener singing)
Artist: Martin Aitchison
Artist: Martin Aitchison
November 22, 2025 at 8:05 AM
On this day 22nd November 1859 Cecil Sharp, founder of the English folk-song revival was born. (Here he’s pictured overhearing a gardener singing)
Artist: Martin Aitchison
Artist: Martin Aitchison