Liesbeth Corens
@onslies.bsky.social
Historian: mobility & recordkeeping of #earlymodern Catholic minorities. Book: confessional mobility and English Catholics in Early Modern Europe. Also grumpy about the state of UK Higher Education so likely to talk about how it is being failed...(She/Her)
Pinned
Liesbeth Corens
@onslies.bsky.social
· Nov 10
About me: I'm really interested in how (Catholic) minorities persevere.
Confessional Mobility: oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093...
Archives & Information: britishacademy.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.5871...
Social History: academic.oup.com/past/issue/2...
Confessional Mobility: oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093...
Archives & Information: britishacademy.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.5871...
Social History: academic.oup.com/past/issue/2...
Come to QMUL History Department! Guaranteed No AI, because no AI could come up with the chaos that is Marc Blob.
February 18, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Come to QMUL History Department! Guaranteed No AI, because no AI could come up with the chaos that is Marc Blob.
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
Discworld QOTD, from Wyrd Sisters
February 11, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Wyrd Sisters
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
Does anyone remember which university this was? It was such a clear way of cutting through the 'our poor hands are tied' narrative that senior managers are spinning: they accepted the job in the full knowledge of slashing jobs/departments, and make good money off of it.
A couple of years ago someone got sight of senior managers' appraisal at renumeration committee which showed that they were being rewarded for their cutting, and how those cuts were part of the job expectations.
Was it Aberdeen?
Was it Aberdeen?
February 15, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Does anyone remember which university this was? It was such a clear way of cutting through the 'our poor hands are tied' narrative that senior managers are spinning: they accepted the job in the full knowledge of slashing jobs/departments, and make good money off of it.
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
oh! hayyyyy! Spa in the news!
May I offer some further academic writing on this topic? My 2022 @pastpresentsoc.bsky.social article: academic.oup.com/past/article... -- fascinating town which bracketed out the tensions of the rest of the world for the season to enable healthcare.
May I offer some further academic writing on this topic? My 2022 @pastpresentsoc.bsky.social article: academic.oup.com/past/article... -- fascinating town which bracketed out the tensions of the rest of the world for the season to enable healthcare.
The town that launched a global self-care industry
Long before wellness became a global industry, a small town in eastern Belgium shaped how Europeans thought about health, leisure and water.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 8:08 PM
oh! hayyyyy! Spa in the news!
May I offer some further academic writing on this topic? My 2022 @pastpresentsoc.bsky.social article: academic.oup.com/past/article... -- fascinating town which bracketed out the tensions of the rest of the world for the season to enable healthcare.
May I offer some further academic writing on this topic? My 2022 @pastpresentsoc.bsky.social article: academic.oup.com/past/article... -- fascinating town which bracketed out the tensions of the rest of the world for the season to enable healthcare.
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
I *did* break myself during the Lockdown, trying to keep students sane, learn entirely new skills, change courses to enable online learning, provide so much pastoral care, etc. etc.
This entitled consumer behaviour is deeply insulting to all the work staff were made to do, and those lawfirms are 🤬
This entitled consumer behaviour is deeply insulting to all the work staff were made to do, and those lawfirms are 🤬
I feel so miserable about this. Nearly broke myself working 16, 18 hour days during the pandemic. We did everything we possibly could, then doubled it, tripled it. HE is still struggling to get back off the floor, years later. Now another financial punch in the face.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Students begin Covid compensation claim against 36 more universities
It comes after University College London settled a claim from students there over lost learning in the pandemic.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 5:51 PM
I *did* break myself during the Lockdown, trying to keep students sane, learn entirely new skills, change courses to enable online learning, provide so much pastoral care, etc. etc.
This entitled consumer behaviour is deeply insulting to all the work staff were made to do, and those lawfirms are 🤬
This entitled consumer behaviour is deeply insulting to all the work staff were made to do, and those lawfirms are 🤬
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
I asked Jacqui Smith last year what other models she was looking at to avoid getting stuck in thinking the US and Australia are the only ways of running a higher education sector.
Her response?
That she didn't have time for that...
The deliberate ignorance is going to kill us all.
Her response?
That she didn't have time for that...
The deliberate ignorance is going to kill us all.
Something a little bizarre with a UK debate over a failing funding model with higher education whose primary benchmark of comparison is a high fees US model rather than much nearer EU member state models that manage to put university teaching together with low or no tuition fees.
February 17, 2026 at 4:59 PM
I asked Jacqui Smith last year what other models she was looking at to avoid getting stuck in thinking the US and Australia are the only ways of running a higher education sector.
Her response?
That she didn't have time for that...
The deliberate ignorance is going to kill us all.
Her response?
That she didn't have time for that...
The deliberate ignorance is going to kill us all.
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
And again: what *exactly* would they have wanted us to do?
No good learning could have taken place in classrooms with plexiglass and masks and the constant dropping away of students & staff because of illness or death. The eternal cancellations don't create the stability you need for learning.
No good learning could have taken place in classrooms with plexiglass and masks and the constant dropping away of students & staff because of illness or death. The eternal cancellations don't create the stability you need for learning.
February 18, 2026 at 5:44 PM
And again: what *exactly* would they have wanted us to do?
No good learning could have taken place in classrooms with plexiglass and masks and the constant dropping away of students & staff because of illness or death. The eternal cancellations don't create the stability you need for learning.
No good learning could have taken place in classrooms with plexiglass and masks and the constant dropping away of students & staff because of illness or death. The eternal cancellations don't create the stability you need for learning.
Yeah, quite key: it's not £21 million that is going directly to those 6500 students...
The only ones winning anything (other than maybe £2000 per student) are the firm raking in the £7 million and the people keen to crash universities.
Grim day for #UKHE.
The only ones winning anything (other than maybe £2000 per student) are the firm raking in the £7 million and the people keen to crash universities.
Grim day for #UKHE.
February 18, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Yeah, quite key: it's not £21 million that is going directly to those 6500 students...
The only ones winning anything (other than maybe £2000 per student) are the firm raking in the £7 million and the people keen to crash universities.
Grim day for #UKHE.
The only ones winning anything (other than maybe £2000 per student) are the firm raking in the £7 million and the people keen to crash universities.
Grim day for #UKHE.
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
And if you want to know more about the Orléans title used for spares, see my latest blog post dukesandprinces.org/2026/02/12/t...
February 13, 2026 at 3:45 PM
And if you want to know more about the Orléans title used for spares, see my latest blog post dukesandprinces.org/2026/02/12/t...
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
2026 basically
February 18, 2026 at 4:23 PM
2026 basically
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
Universities didn't create Covid, didn't choose lockdowns, and didn't set public health policy. By this logic every airline owes you damages for a hurricane.
This is a masterclass in punishing institutions for surviving a crisis. This will accelerate the collapse of UK higher education
#AcademicSky
This is a masterclass in punishing institutions for surviving a crisis. This will accelerate the collapse of UK higher education
#AcademicSky
Another nail in the parlous state of UK higher education in February 2026. More nails very sadly likely coming to an HEI near you....
UCL students win £21mn over Covid disruption in watershed settlement
Move involving 6,500 claimants is set to put pressure on other universities to compensate graduates
www.ft.com
February 18, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Universities didn't create Covid, didn't choose lockdowns, and didn't set public health policy. By this logic every airline owes you damages for a hurricane.
This is a masterclass in punishing institutions for surviving a crisis. This will accelerate the collapse of UK higher education
#AcademicSky
This is a masterclass in punishing institutions for surviving a crisis. This will accelerate the collapse of UK higher education
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
I can’t help but wonder about connections to all the other political groups trying to undermine HE right now.
financial reasons get used to justify things but I’m not convinced that’s the actual primary driver.
And this certainly contributes to destroying stuff
financial reasons get used to justify things but I’m not convinced that’s the actual primary driver.
And this certainly contributes to destroying stuff
February 18, 2026 at 5:46 PM
I can’t help but wonder about connections to all the other political groups trying to undermine HE right now.
financial reasons get used to justify things but I’m not convinced that’s the actual primary driver.
And this certainly contributes to destroying stuff
financial reasons get used to justify things but I’m not convinced that’s the actual primary driver.
And this certainly contributes to destroying stuff
Overheard on campus between two adults in uni branding: "The main thing is that the job is done. Whether it's good or bad is immaterial."
Metrics-obsession in a nutshell. And why absolutely nothing works.
Metrics-obsession in a nutshell. And why absolutely nothing works.
February 18, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Overheard on campus between two adults in uni branding: "The main thing is that the job is done. Whether it's good or bad is immaterial."
Metrics-obsession in a nutshell. And why absolutely nothing works.
Metrics-obsession in a nutshell. And why absolutely nothing works.
The acolytes of this firm came to leaflet at QMUL as well. They were fairly open about why they had chosen UCL as the first case: moneyed parents, many with law background. Implied dismissiveness of my students.
I feel genuinely sorry for students, but these firms are not in it for the greater good
I feel genuinely sorry for students, but these firms are not in it for the greater good
Another nail in the parlous state of UK higher education in February 2026. More nails very sadly likely coming to an HEI near you....
UCL students win £21mn over Covid disruption in watershed settlement
Move involving 6,500 claimants is set to put pressure on other universities to compensate graduates
www.ft.com
February 18, 2026 at 5:43 PM
The acolytes of this firm came to leaflet at QMUL as well. They were fairly open about why they had chosen UCL as the first case: moneyed parents, many with law background. Implied dismissiveness of my students.
I feel genuinely sorry for students, but these firms are not in it for the greater good
I feel genuinely sorry for students, but these firms are not in it for the greater good
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
3 weeks to decide, 9 months salary to choose to leave - almost certainly forever - the industry you've dedicated most of your adult life to.
'If they choose to take up the Voluntary Severance Scheme, open to all academic staff in the School of Humanities and the School of Modern Languages, staff essentially make themselves redundant in return for a good pay-out.'
9 months' pay; 3 weeks to decide. 1/3
9 months' pay; 3 weeks to decide. 1/3
University of Bristol asks Humanities and Languages academic staff to voluntarily quit
Certain departments are being run into a ‘managed decline’, says Bristol UCU's co-President, as a new Voluntary Severance Scheme is announced.
epigram.org.uk
February 18, 2026 at 8:31 AM
3 weeks to decide, 9 months salary to choose to leave - almost certainly forever - the industry you've dedicated most of your adult life to.
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
I'm not sure if ppl outside academia realise that if you quit a permanent post in this job market you will amost certainly never get another one, esp in arts & hums. All that post graduate training, the years of precarity, not being able to choose where you or your family live. Pffft. For nothing.
February 18, 2026 at 8:46 AM
I'm not sure if ppl outside academia realise that if you quit a permanent post in this job market you will amost certainly never get another one, esp in arts & hums. All that post graduate training, the years of precarity, not being able to choose where you or your family live. Pffft. For nothing.
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
Oh, by the way, our international listeners can now enjoy the hugely enjoyable You’re Dead To Me episode about Philippe Duc d’Orleans (Louis XIV’s extraordinary brother)
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
February 13, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Oh, by the way, our international listeners can now enjoy the hugely enjoyable You’re Dead To Me episode about Philippe Duc d’Orleans (Louis XIV’s extraordinary brother)
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
This is *such* a joy of an episode! (and not just saying that because of excitement to hear some cool #EarlyModern stuff covered): so much captured in this one figure & his connections.
(also, @jspan.bsky.social, you've got such a lovely radio voice!) #SkyStorians
here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
(also, @jspan.bsky.social, you've got such a lovely radio voice!) #SkyStorians
here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Oh, by the way, our international listeners can now enjoy the hugely enjoyable You’re Dead To Me episode about Philippe Duc d’Orleans (Louis XIV’s extraordinary brother)
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
February 18, 2026 at 4:47 PM
This is *such* a joy of an episode! (and not just saying that because of excitement to hear some cool #EarlyModern stuff covered): so much captured in this one figure & his connections.
(also, @jspan.bsky.social, you've got such a lovely radio voice!) #SkyStorians
here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
(also, @jspan.bsky.social, you've got such a lovely radio voice!) #SkyStorians
here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Keen to listen! And if this tastes of more: come and listen to a conversation about it @ihreurope1500.bsky.social & the French Seminar @ihr.bsky.social with Mélanie Lamotte, @juliehardwick.bsky.social, and @lrhodges.bsky.social. Bound to be fascinating!
18 May, 17:30 (UK Time), in person & online
18 May, 17:30 (UK Time), in person & online
It was such a pleasure to interview Mélanie Lamotte about her new book, "By Flesh & Toil". Historians of early modern empire, France, gender, sex, race and labour will find so much food for thought here – a truly game-changing book for our understanding of the early French empire! 🗃️
Mélanie Lamotte, "By Flesh and Toil: How Sex, Race, and Labor Shaped the Early French Empire" (Harvard UP, 2026)
open.spotify.com
February 18, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Keen to listen! And if this tastes of more: come and listen to a conversation about it @ihreurope1500.bsky.social & the French Seminar @ihr.bsky.social with Mélanie Lamotte, @juliehardwick.bsky.social, and @lrhodges.bsky.social. Bound to be fascinating!
18 May, 17:30 (UK Time), in person & online
18 May, 17:30 (UK Time), in person & online
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
CfP 📢 "Communication and Exchange in the Early Modern (c.1500 - 1850)", Aberystwyth University
📆11-12 June 2026 | 🌍 Aberystwyth (Galles)
⏰Deadline: 27 February 2026
All info👇
#EarlyModern #CfP
📆11-12 June 2026 | 🌍 Aberystwyth (Galles)
⏰Deadline: 27 February 2026
All info👇
#EarlyModern #CfP
February 18, 2026 at 1:55 PM
CfP 📢 "Communication and Exchange in the Early Modern (c.1500 - 1850)", Aberystwyth University
📆11-12 June 2026 | 🌍 Aberystwyth (Galles)
⏰Deadline: 27 February 2026
All info👇
#EarlyModern #CfP
📆11-12 June 2026 | 🌍 Aberystwyth (Galles)
⏰Deadline: 27 February 2026
All info👇
#EarlyModern #CfP
SO excited to see this out in the world! A topic dear to my heart (not just the cheese bit, though that helps) and I've so much enjoyed the conversations with @smidbob.bsky.social about it. Beautiful research telling hopeful stories. Keen to see how it will inspire others! #SkyStorians
My new book arrived in the post from @manchesterup.bsky.social! Pleased to see it for real!
Make cheese not war: Transnational resistance and the Larzac in Modern France
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526175878/
🗃 #skystorians
Make cheese not war: Transnational resistance and the Larzac in Modern France
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526175878/
🗃 #skystorians
February 18, 2026 at 4:25 PM
SO excited to see this out in the world! A topic dear to my heart (not just the cheese bit, though that helps) and I've so much enjoyed the conversations with @smidbob.bsky.social about it. Beautiful research telling hopeful stories. Keen to see how it will inspire others! #SkyStorians
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
I really enjoyed this conversation with @kawulf.bsky.social about history and its role in journalism. Here's the video: youtu.be/Y_X00e-bk1I?...
Just like I love Mondays in February I’m a big fan of Friday the 13th! So looking forward to this conversation w @jdickerson.bsky.social for our series on history & journalism - today at 4 - jcblibrary.org/events/journ...
February 17, 2026 at 9:11 PM
I really enjoyed this conversation with @kawulf.bsky.social about history and its role in journalism. Here's the video: youtu.be/Y_X00e-bk1I?...
Reposted by Liesbeth Corens
Okay. I'm interested in what a class action lawsuit from the faculty and staff could look like. I:
- rebuilt FOUR entire courses from scratch
- no training in digital pedagogy was provided
- webcams or tech to teach with not provided
- no pay for extra hours provided
- no other options provided
- rebuilt FOUR entire courses from scratch
- no training in digital pedagogy was provided
- webcams or tech to teach with not provided
- no pay for extra hours provided
- no other options provided
This is emblematic of the consumer culture that fees have engendered.
What the hell did the students expect? It was a ONCE IN A CENTURY PANDEMIC. There were LAWS against congregating in public. Staff worked themselves to the bone to get online delivery working.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What the hell did the students expect? It was a ONCE IN A CENTURY PANDEMIC. There were LAWS against congregating in public. Staff worked themselves to the bone to get online delivery working.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Students begin Covid compensation claim against 36 more universities
It comes after University College London settled a claim from students there over lost learning in the pandemic.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Okay. I'm interested in what a class action lawsuit from the faculty and staff could look like. I:
- rebuilt FOUR entire courses from scratch
- no training in digital pedagogy was provided
- webcams or tech to teach with not provided
- no pay for extra hours provided
- no other options provided
- rebuilt FOUR entire courses from scratch
- no training in digital pedagogy was provided
- webcams or tech to teach with not provided
- no pay for extra hours provided
- no other options provided