David Turner
@railwayhistorian.bsky.social
A transport historian and lecturer at Aston University and Honorary Fellow at the University of York, School for Business and Society. Views my own. He/Him [email protected]
Reposted by David Turner
If you’ve appreciated @davidolusoga.bsky.social’s marvellous BBC Empire series, you might be interested in our conversation about the writing of its history:
The podcast of David Olusoga and I discussing Empire & the rewriting of history:
howtoacademy.com/podcasts/dav...
howtoacademy.com/podcasts/dav...
HOW TO PODCAST | David Olusoga & Alan Lester - The Truth About the British Empire
David Olusoga and Alan Lester reveal the dark realities of the British Empire, and reflect on the importance of historians amid the resurgence of nationalism and misinformation.
howtoacademy.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:05 PM
If you’ve appreciated @davidolusoga.bsky.social’s marvellous BBC Empire series, you might be interested in our conversation about the writing of its history:
Reposted by David Turner
Congratulations to Pablo Pryluka, 2025 winner of the @businesshistoryc.bsky.social Krooss Prize for best dissertation in business history. Pablo's dissertation summary now published Open Access in @entandsoc.bsky.social. Check it out for the best in new business history research
The next of this year's Krooss Prize summaries is now available for your perusal & pleasure. Indeed, Pablo Pryluka was the 2025 winner for his dissertation "Developing Consumers: A History of Wants and Needs in Postwar South America." Congratulations Pablo! OA here:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Developing Consumers: A History of Wants and Needs in Postwar South America | Enterprise & Society | Cambridge Core
Developing Consumers: A History of Wants and Needs in Postwar South America
www.cambridge.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Congratulations to Pablo Pryluka, 2025 winner of the @businesshistoryc.bsky.social Krooss Prize for best dissertation in business history. Pablo's dissertation summary now published Open Access in @entandsoc.bsky.social. Check it out for the best in new business history research
Reposted by David Turner
Our paper in the MOH SI on Microhistory about FIFA Secretary General Helmut Käser’s 1967 business trip to Northern Ireland and London for the IFAB annual conference is now available open access (apparently).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Explicating archival ethnography: Helmut Käser’s business trip
Archival ethnography using microhistorical approaches has considerable untapped potential as a research approach in management and business history. We use a scrapbook compiled by the mid-twentieth...
www.tandfonline.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Our paper in the MOH SI on Microhistory about FIFA Secretary General Helmut Käser’s 1967 business trip to Northern Ireland and London for the IFAB annual conference is now available open access (apparently).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
My greatest achievement...
November 16, 2025 at 7:07 AM
My greatest achievement...
Reposted by David Turner
Earlier this week I spoke to London Centric about the Ringways Map and all things unbuilt London - they’ve dedicated the whole of their latest edition to the story! substack.com/home/post/p-...
Would your home have been under a motorway?
"The most astonishing and destructive thing never to happen to London," says the man who has spent twenty years researching the first true map of the unbuilt Ringways.
substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Earlier this week I spoke to London Centric about the Ringways Map and all things unbuilt London - they’ve dedicated the whole of their latest edition to the story! substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by David Turner
Recently met someone who was very surprised to hear I didn’t use ChatGPT or any LLM.
I said my job depended on doing distinctive work. That was my selling point. If I started to sound like ChatGPT and turn out what it did, then how on earth could I justify doing it? What would that make me?
I said my job depended on doing distinctive work. That was my selling point. If I started to sound like ChatGPT and turn out what it did, then how on earth could I justify doing it? What would that make me?
November 7, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Recently met someone who was very surprised to hear I didn’t use ChatGPT or any LLM.
I said my job depended on doing distinctive work. That was my selling point. If I started to sound like ChatGPT and turn out what it did, then how on earth could I justify doing it? What would that make me?
I said my job depended on doing distinctive work. That was my selling point. If I started to sound like ChatGPT and turn out what it did, then how on earth could I justify doing it? What would that make me?
Just back from Madrid and they don't mess around when trying to encourage considerate behaviours on the Metro de Madrid; ¿Tu haves Metro?" (You take the metro?)
These are prominently on every metro train.
#metrodemadrid🇪🇸 #metrodemadrid #metro #londonunderground #transport #transit
These are prominently on every metro train.
#metrodemadrid🇪🇸 #metrodemadrid #metro #londonunderground #transport #transit
November 8, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Just back from Madrid and they don't mess around when trying to encourage considerate behaviours on the Metro de Madrid; ¿Tu haves Metro?" (You take the metro?)
These are prominently on every metro train.
#metrodemadrid🇪🇸 #metrodemadrid #metro #londonunderground #transport #transit
These are prominently on every metro train.
#metrodemadrid🇪🇸 #metrodemadrid #metro #londonunderground #transport #transit
Reposted by David Turner
#ICYMI
The next in the @ihr.bsky.social Transport & Mobility History seminar series - Thursday 20 November, 5.30pm.
Free to attend (online or in person) - follow the link below to register!
#Railway200 #TransportHistory #RailwayHistory
The next in the @ihr.bsky.social Transport & Mobility History seminar series - Thursday 20 November, 5.30pm.
Free to attend (online or in person) - follow the link below to register!
#Railway200 #TransportHistory #RailwayHistory
OldRailwayAccidents (@rwldproject.bsky.social)
NEW SEMINAR! 'The Station Master’s Railway: Self-Representation & the Moral Life of Infrastructure' Nirali Joshi (Åbo Akademi University) 20 November 2025, 17.30 UK; hybrid Part of the…
bsky.app
November 8, 2025 at 12:45 PM
#ICYMI
The next in the @ihr.bsky.social Transport & Mobility History seminar series - Thursday 20 November, 5.30pm.
Free to attend (online or in person) - follow the link below to register!
#Railway200 #TransportHistory #RailwayHistory
The next in the @ihr.bsky.social Transport & Mobility History seminar series - Thursday 20 November, 5.30pm.
Free to attend (online or in person) - follow the link below to register!
#Railway200 #TransportHistory #RailwayHistory
Reposted by David Turner
Human Geography at Leicester is facing closure. Staff contracts are to end in June 2026; students are to be relocated to other universities, or taught out by a maximum of two (!) teaching-only staff. Other departments and subjects are facing closure, too. Please join the demo!
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Human Geography at Leicester is facing closure. Staff contracts are to end in June 2026; students are to be relocated to other universities, or taught out by a maximum of two (!) teaching-only staff. Other departments and subjects are facing closure, too. Please join the demo!
Reposted by David Turner
Compulsory team teaching on every module is perhaps the biggest ever threat to the quality of teaching in UK universities.
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
November 6, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Compulsory team teaching on every module is perhaps the biggest ever threat to the quality of teaching in UK universities.
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
Reposted by David Turner
Don’t forget to watch this much needed and long overdue series on the British Empire. Remarkably, it’s not based on the opinions of a travelling ‘personality’, but on what historians who’ve actually researched it say!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Two - Empire with David Olusoga, Series 1, Episode 1
David Olusoga tells the story of the beginnings of the British Empire under Elizabeth I.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Don’t forget to watch this much needed and long overdue series on the British Empire. Remarkably, it’s not based on the opinions of a travelling ‘personality’, but on what historians who’ve actually researched it say!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by David Turner
Horrific, stupid news from @uniofnottingham.bsky.social — they are closing their music department. Apparently they all found out suddently in a meeting yesterday.
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Horrific, stupid news from @uniofnottingham.bsky.social — they are closing their music department. Apparently they all found out suddently in a meeting yesterday.
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is one of the best music departments in the country — solidarity with my colleagues and their students
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David Turner
NEW SEMINAR!
'The Station Master’s Railway: Self-Representation & the Moral Life of Infrastructure'
Nirali Joshi (Åbo Akademi University)
20 November 2025, 17.30 UK; hybrid
Part of the @ihr.bsky.social Transport & Mobility History seminar series
Free; book here:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
'The Station Master’s Railway: Self-Representation & the Moral Life of Infrastructure'
Nirali Joshi (Åbo Akademi University)
20 November 2025, 17.30 UK; hybrid
Part of the @ihr.bsky.social Transport & Mobility History seminar series
Free; book here:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
November 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
NEW SEMINAR!
'The Station Master’s Railway: Self-Representation & the Moral Life of Infrastructure'
Nirali Joshi (Åbo Akademi University)
20 November 2025, 17.30 UK; hybrid
Part of the @ihr.bsky.social Transport & Mobility History seminar series
Free; book here:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
'The Station Master’s Railway: Self-Representation & the Moral Life of Infrastructure'
Nirali Joshi (Åbo Akademi University)
20 November 2025, 17.30 UK; hybrid
Part of the @ihr.bsky.social Transport & Mobility History seminar series
Free; book here:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by David Turner
"changes would “encourage students to study a greater breadth of GCSE subjects inc the arts, humanities and languages alongside English, maths and science”
Okay, govt spokesperson, but can we get the same commitment to such subject diversity for universities?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Okay, govt spokesperson, but can we get the same commitment to such subject diversity for universities?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
England curriculum should focus less on exams and more on life skills, finds review
Experts say pupils should spend less time in exam halls and more time on activities like life skills, sport and work experience
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:30 AM
"changes would “encourage students to study a greater breadth of GCSE subjects inc the arts, humanities and languages alongside English, maths and science”
Okay, govt spokesperson, but can we get the same commitment to such subject diversity for universities?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Okay, govt spokesperson, but can we get the same commitment to such subject diversity for universities?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by David Turner
Analysis from @friends-earth.bsky.social provides new insight on environmental injustice in the UK:
“… people of colour, those on low incomes and non-drivers are now disproportionately overrepresented in the 5% of neighbourhoods still exposed to the most extreme air pollution.”
“… people of colour, those on low incomes and non-drivers are now disproportionately overrepresented in the 5% of neighbourhoods still exposed to the most extreme air pollution.”
Low-income areas in England and Wales face worst air pollution, analysis finds
Exclusive: Experts say impact on people of colour and those who do not drive is ‘grave environmental injustice’
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Analysis from @friends-earth.bsky.social provides new insight on environmental injustice in the UK:
“… people of colour, those on low incomes and non-drivers are now disproportionately overrepresented in the 5% of neighbourhoods still exposed to the most extreme air pollution.”
“… people of colour, those on low incomes and non-drivers are now disproportionately overrepresented in the 5% of neighbourhoods still exposed to the most extreme air pollution.”
Reposted by David Turner
So, what we have here is:
1. Cautious academic recommendations to de-Gove the curriculum;
2. Govt signalling it might do half of it;
3. While announcing MORE tests & benchmarks, and NO more funding...
And nobody answers the question, what are GCSEs even for, when education to 18 is compulsory?
1. Cautious academic recommendations to de-Gove the curriculum;
2. Govt signalling it might do half of it;
3. While announcing MORE tests & benchmarks, and NO more funding...
And nobody answers the question, what are GCSEs even for, when education to 18 is compulsory?
England curriculum should focus less on exams and more on life skills, finds review
Experts say pupils should spend less time in exam halls and more time on activities like life skills, sport and work experience
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:42 AM
So, what we have here is:
1. Cautious academic recommendations to de-Gove the curriculum;
2. Govt signalling it might do half of it;
3. While announcing MORE tests & benchmarks, and NO more funding...
And nobody answers the question, what are GCSEs even for, when education to 18 is compulsory?
1. Cautious academic recommendations to de-Gove the curriculum;
2. Govt signalling it might do half of it;
3. While announcing MORE tests & benchmarks, and NO more funding...
And nobody answers the question, what are GCSEs even for, when education to 18 is compulsory?
"changes would “encourage students to study a greater breadth of GCSE subjects inc the arts, humanities and languages alongside English, maths and science”
Okay, govt spokesperson, but can we get the same commitment to such subject diversity for universities?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Okay, govt spokesperson, but can we get the same commitment to such subject diversity for universities?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
England curriculum should focus less on exams and more on life skills, finds review
Experts say pupils should spend less time in exam halls and more time on activities like life skills, sport and work experience
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:30 AM
"changes would “encourage students to study a greater breadth of GCSE subjects inc the arts, humanities and languages alongside English, maths and science”
Okay, govt spokesperson, but can we get the same commitment to such subject diversity for universities?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Okay, govt spokesperson, but can we get the same commitment to such subject diversity for universities?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by David Turner
Let's just take a moment to reflect on the self-sacrifice and hope this person embodies - not the evil, hateful monsters thirsting for violence.
November 2, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Let's just take a moment to reflect on the self-sacrifice and hope this person embodies - not the evil, hateful monsters thirsting for violence.
Teenagers near us letting off fireworks: in a children's playground, near houses, lighting them up and then running away, not caring how they are aimed.
It's your annual reminder that: FIREWORKS SHOULD NOT BE SOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
It's your annual reminder that: FIREWORKS SHOULD NOT BE SOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
November 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Teenagers near us letting off fireworks: in a children's playground, near houses, lighting them up and then running away, not caring how they are aimed.
It's your annual reminder that: FIREWORKS SHOULD NOT BE SOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
It's your annual reminder that: FIREWORKS SHOULD NOT BE SOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
When I had my last filling, the difference between a mercury and white fillings was £175.
This suggests why the govt won't ban mercury - they would have to subsidise the sector more.
I paid the higher price btw -the dentist told me about the risk.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
This suggests why the govt won't ban mercury - they would have to subsidise the sector more.
I paid the higher price btw -the dentist told me about the risk.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Toxin levels in fish lead to calls for UK-wide ban on mercury dental fillings
Exclusive: More than 98% of fish and mussels tested in English waters contain mercury above EU safety limits
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
When I had my last filling, the difference between a mercury and white fillings was £175.
This suggests why the govt won't ban mercury - they would have to subsidise the sector more.
I paid the higher price btw -the dentist told me about the risk.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
This suggests why the govt won't ban mercury - they would have to subsidise the sector more.
I paid the higher price btw -the dentist told me about the risk.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by David Turner
Money is short and unlikely to start flowing soon. Academic professionals are exhausted and demoralised. The public is not that interested.
@gsoh31.bsky.social, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Oxford Brookes, explores the decline in HE.
@gsoh31.bsky.social, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Oxford Brookes, explores the decline in HE.
Where now for Britain’s Universities?
UK higher education now faces a very bleak future, retreating in the face of little public sympathy and limited political interest.
politicalquarterly.org.uk
October 28, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Money is short and unlikely to start flowing soon. Academic professionals are exhausted and demoralised. The public is not that interested.
@gsoh31.bsky.social, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Oxford Brookes, explores the decline in HE.
@gsoh31.bsky.social, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Oxford Brookes, explores the decline in HE.
Reposted by David Turner
The government seems intent to take research away from most universities, unless it's applied research that can be spun to lead to economic growth, preferably before the next election, so that the government will appear to have delivered on their promises.
October 29, 2025 at 11:10 AM
The government seems intent to take research away from most universities, unless it's applied research that can be spun to lead to economic growth, preferably before the next election, so that the government will appear to have delivered on their promises.
Reposted by David Turner
ICYMI last week, my reaction to the govt's Skills White Paper is that it's bitterly disappointing for universities. It will make a very bad situation worse. This is a Last Word really, because IMHO large parts of the sector have crossed a red line and can't be pulled back in their present form. 👇
So I've been reading the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. There's some good things in there. But when it comes to universities there's very little to cheer. The situation is very tough and will get worse. The last chance to preserve what we've got has passed. Let me explain why. (1/?)
October 29, 2025 at 11:01 AM
ICYMI last week, my reaction to the govt's Skills White Paper is that it's bitterly disappointing for universities. It will make a very bad situation worse. This is a Last Word really, because IMHO large parts of the sector have crossed a red line and can't be pulled back in their present form. 👇
Reposted by David Turner
Watch my talk for the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire on mass trespass in the 1890s, taken from chapter 2 of my new book
youtu.be/nmy-bVWAGzw?...
#Commons #MassTrespass
youtu.be/nmy-bVWAGzw?...
#Commons #MassTrespass
Mass trespass in the 1890s, by Professor Katrina Navickas
YouTube video by Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Watch my talk for the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire on mass trespass in the 1890s, taken from chapter 2 of my new book
youtu.be/nmy-bVWAGzw?...
#Commons #MassTrespass
youtu.be/nmy-bVWAGzw?...
#Commons #MassTrespass
Reposted by David Turner
"We’ve made it about individuals, because the academic research system is very focused on the individual level, and that’s something we really need to break,” she said.
Yes, break the focus on individuals. After all, the system is doing its best to break individuals altogether at this time. 1/3
Yes, break the focus on individuals. After all, the system is doing its best to break individuals altogether at this time. 1/3
REF must ditch focus on individuals, says Ottoline Leyser.
Former UKRI head also echoes previous calls for universities to do less research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Former UKRI head also echoes previous calls for universities to do less research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF must ditch focus on individuals, says Ottoline Leyser - Research Professional News
Former UKRI head also echoes previous calls for universities to do less research
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:49 PM
"We’ve made it about individuals, because the academic research system is very focused on the individual level, and that’s something we really need to break,” she said.
Yes, break the focus on individuals. After all, the system is doing its best to break individuals altogether at this time. 1/3
Yes, break the focus on individuals. After all, the system is doing its best to break individuals altogether at this time. 1/3