Philippa Smith
philippajs.bsky.social
Philippa Smith
@philippajs.bsky.social
Retired archivist, loves books, gardening and nature
Reposted by Philippa Smith
Something I mention in today’s piece is the wider pressure and undervaluing of libraries and archives. Even less well known than the issues facing the British Library are the worrying proposals for the BBC Written Archives Centre. More here observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
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 6:27 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
Important reminder of the national obliviousness to the crises at the British Library and why it should concern policymakers. 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 1:27 PM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
Hi there! We’re the Archive Sector Leadership team at The National Archives UK.

We support archives of all types and sizes across England.

Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
November 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
I'm finally planning to start a podcast on monster stuff (prob. called "Dr. Monster" because why not have fun).

I'm still sort of working out what that would look like/what people might be interested in terms of topics.

If you have any thoughts or requests, I'd love to hear them!

Some topics ⬇️
November 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
The British Academy invite applications for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The scheme aims to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
November 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
'Applications are invited from both early career and established scholars of any nationality, engaged on original research intended to produce monographs, editions or studies of documents, texts or illustrations, that include the analysis of the material features of original manuscripts'. up to £2k.
The British Academy invite applications for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The scheme aims to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
heads up #histSTM people - nominations are open for the @bshsnews.bsky.social Pickstone Prize - best scholarly book (in English) published in the last 2 years. Don't assume your publisher will nominate you, be proactive about your book or books you love!
🗃️
The BSHS Pickstone Prize
The BSHS Pickstone Prize is awarded every two years to the best scholarly book in the history of science (broadly construed) in English. The Prize aims to recognize pioneering works that advance the s...
www.bshs.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
We're hiring! Come and work with me at the National Lottery Heritage Fund on all things heritage policy. This is a great opportunity to have a real impact in the heritage sector by supporting our grant-making and contributing to our policy direction.

heritagefund.ciphr-irecruit.com/Applicants/v...
Policy Project Manager | The National Heritage Memorial Fund iRecruit PortalName
As the largest funder for the UK’s heritage, our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.
heritagefund.ciphr-irecruit.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
Applications for the Caird Fellowships at Royal Museums Greenwich are now open - www.rmg.co.uk/collections/... It looks like a great opportunity to work on a fantastic collection and collaborate with some brilliant staff.
Fellowships at Royal Museums Greenwich
Apply for funding to support research at Royal Museums Greenwich through our Caird Research Fellowships
www.rmg.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
EHRI-UK (@ehri-uk.bsky.social) are seeking to map the network of archives in the UK which have collections that relate to the Holocaust in their holdings.

Please contact [email protected] by Friday 21 November letting them know your archive name and a rough estimate of the collections you hold (2/3)
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
Do you hold collections that relate to the Holocaust, whether that be its prehistory, its aftermath, or the role of antisemitism before, during and after WWII?

The European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI) are keen to hear from you... (1/3)
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
From ancient rituals to modern medicine, historian Lucy Inglis explores how childbirth has shaped societies across time - hidden, celebrated, & endlessly redefined.
Join our Virtual Branch event, 24 Nov 19.30
@lucyinglis.bsky.social
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
📣 There's one day left to apply!

We are looking for a permanent full-time archivist to join our friendly team!

Closing date: 11 November 2025

For full details and to apply ➡️ jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...

#ArchiveJobs #LibraryJobs #Heritage #ExeterJobs #Exeter #Archives #RareBooks
November 10, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
🚨 Archive Job Alert 🚨

📜 Fancy working with our fantastic archive collections?

We're looking for a *new* MRC Manager to lead our service!

Could this be YOU?

Find out more about the role at warwick-careers.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...

More about the MRC at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
The Libraries Connected Awards celebrate the achievements of people working in public #Libraries.

They offer the opportunity to uncover new #Library champions and encourage leaders of the future.

Our 2026 Awards are open for nominations.

www.librariesconnected.org.uk/libraries-co...
November 10, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
📢 Invitation to tender: we are inviting tenders for a consultancy to advise on the replacement of our current collections management system for archives and manuscripts.

Deadline for applications:

Closing date: 23:00, Thursday 27th November 2025

www.lambethpalacelibrary.info/about-lambet...
November 10, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
Very happy to take questions about the prize. Do enter if you are eligible!
November 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
The Curriers' Prize is now open! Submit your best unpublished essay on any aspect of London's history, and you could get a £1,000 award!

Full details: 👇 w ww.history.ac.uk/funding/awards-bursaries-prizes/curriers-prize
The Curriers’ Prize
The Worshipful Company of Curriers, has established an essay prize on the history of London, in association with The London Journal Trust and the IHR.
www.history.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
I have two - TWO - of these gorgeous original A4 meadow hare linoprints by my mum, Jo, to give away to a couple of lucky people here on Bluesky today.

Rules are simple: to be in with a chance to win, you just have to repost this piece I wrote about Jo and her art: www.tom-cox.com/the-magic-ro...
November 5, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
📣 Job alert!

We are looking for a permanent full-time archivist to join our friendly team!

Closing date: 11 December 2025

For full details and to apply see: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...

#ArchiveJobs #LibraryJobs #Heritage #ExeterJobs #Exeter #Archives #RareBooks
October 29, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Archives hive mind! Any ideas for remote online transcribing projects which would appeal to a retired archivist who loves palaeography and is coming to an end of their present project? Could be anything C16th-C20th, but I lean towards the earlier material unless it’s a topic I’m interested in.
October 31, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
📢Considering a PhD in History?📢

Find out more about what funding is available, and what to include in a PhD research proposal 👇

🗃️ #PhDChat
Are you considering a PhD? 🤔 Join our 'Masterclass - PhD proposal and funding 101'

📅Wednesday 3 December
🕰️ 10am or 4pm
📍ZOOM

All welcome!

🎫 Book your *free* ticket:

• 10am: fixr.co/event/master...
• 4pm: fixr.co/event/master...
October 23, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
Come and work with us! We have a two-year, half-time postdoctoral research associate position working on the @storymachine-ht.bsky.social project www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai.... If you’re interested in #DigitalHumanities and/or folklore, we’d love to hear from you. Closing date 27 October.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Project StoryMachine:London Senate House - Hybrid
The School of Advanced Study (SAS) comprises eight internationally renowned research institutes as well as centres in Digital Humanities and Public Engagement. It has four nationally and internationally recognised specialist research libraries. An important component of the humanities national infrastructure and part of the University of London, this is a really exciting time to join the School of Advanced Study as we are at the start of a new strategic plan.
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
October 13, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Reposted by Philippa Smith
‪ANN SAUNDERS ESSAY PRIZE FOR 2026

A prize of £1,000 is offered annually for an original and unpublished 8000-word research essay on the topography, development or buildings of London in any period.

Submissions by 1 April 2026.

Details can be found at: londontopsoc.org/about-us/ann...
October 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM