Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
@travisclau.bsky.social
(he/him/his) Assistant Professor, Poet: c18/c19 British Literature/History of Medicine (immunity and vaccination)/Health Humanities/Disability Studies
travisclau.com
travisclau.com
Pinned
What's Left is Tender by Travis Chi Wing Lau — Small Harbor Publishing
www.smallharborpublishing.com
It's officially release day for WHAT'S LEFT IS TENDER, a book that I truly didn't think I had it in me to write: www.smallharborpublishing.com/books/whats-...
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
chop from the top www.independent.com/2025/11/24/u...
UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Gets New $7.8 Million Home
University of California regents purchase a multimillion-dollar Hope Ranch manor to replace the old campus facilities as the chancellor residence.
www.independent.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:17 AM
chop from the top www.independent.com/2025/11/24/u...
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
If you missed this week's Romancing the Gothic talk, you can catch it here.
It was an absolutely fantastic exploration. Highly recommended.
youtu.be/bgmV4Sz1AC8
It was an absolutely fantastic exploration. Highly recommended.
youtu.be/bgmV4Sz1AC8
‘Thakumar Jhuli’ – The Ghost Stories of Bengali Folklore with Arya Ray
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
If you missed this week's Romancing the Gothic talk, you can catch it here.
It was an absolutely fantastic exploration. Highly recommended.
youtu.be/bgmV4Sz1AC8
It was an absolutely fantastic exploration. Highly recommended.
youtu.be/bgmV4Sz1AC8
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
If you'd like help in the anti-AI whack-a-mole, some digital tools for blocking genAI online and getting it out of your computer are collected on Links That Burn:
linksthatburn.com/en/goalblockai
linksthatburn.com/en/goalblockai
November 24, 2025 at 11:28 PM
If you'd like help in the anti-AI whack-a-mole, some digital tools for blocking genAI online and getting it out of your computer are collected on Links That Burn:
linksthatburn.com/en/goalblockai
linksthatburn.com/en/goalblockai
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
WOW! Autism Society of America, The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, the Autism Science Foundation, the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and Autism Speaks put out a statement denouncing the CDC changing its website on vaccines
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
Leading Autism and Disability Organizations Statement on CDC's Vaccines and Autism Page
As national organizations dedicated to advancing the well-being of autistic individuals and partners across the disability and public health sectors, we are deeply disappointed by the latest update to...
autisticadvocacy.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:18 PM
WOW! Autism Society of America, The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, the Autism Science Foundation, the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and Autism Speaks put out a statement denouncing the CDC changing its website on vaccines
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
"We are throwing half of our money in a well that legend has it will reward our tributes by making our wishes come true. We simply do not have any choice but to now throw the other half of our money in there too."
One explanation for economic populism in the US is the recurring cycle of bubbles and bailouts that happens without any democratic input
November 25, 2025 at 12:17 AM
"We are throwing half of our money in a well that legend has it will reward our tributes by making our wishes come true. We simply do not have any choice but to now throw the other half of our money in there too."
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
This is not the way, and @cnygren.bsky.social and I lay out in detail why it isn’t in this essay here. static1.squarespace.com/static/55577...
November 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This is not the way, and @cnygren.bsky.social and I lay out in detail why it isn’t in this essay here. static1.squarespace.com/static/55577...
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
If you are inclined to read about funny novels in the 18th century, periods, labor and birth, hysteria etc you can pre-order the book! www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/delaware/bod...
May 31, 2025 at 1:00 AM
If you are inclined to read about funny novels in the 18th century, periods, labor and birth, hysteria etc you can pre-order the book! www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/delaware/bod...
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
And engaging in this kind of pedagogy is simply the entry-level version of when scholars do this, which I wrote about here. www.artforum.com/features/gen...
November 24, 2025 at 1:32 PM
And engaging in this kind of pedagogy is simply the entry-level version of when scholars do this, which I wrote about here. www.artforum.com/features/gen...
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!
A reminder that the median book deal for a debut author in the UK is £7000, paid over 12-18 months. (from 2022 Society of Authors report). Some of your favourite writers are struggling. societyofauthors.org/2022/12/06/a....
A profession struggling to sustain itself - The Society of Authors
ALCS report on author incomes shows 60% drop in median incomes since 2006
societyofauthors.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
A judge has permanently blocked Trump's destruction of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Really good news for libraries (and those like me, who love them! www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
Court permanently blocks Trump’s executive order to dismantle federal agency for America’s libraries
Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island struck down the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
www.ala.org
November 24, 2025 at 10:51 PM
A judge has permanently blocked Trump's destruction of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Really good news for libraries (and those like me, who love them! www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Apply - Interfolio
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apply.interfolio.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
#CADHE Concerns over Title VI Training: Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression
#CUNY #MADC @aaup.org @standhighered.bsky.social @veenadubal.bsky.social @sunyufspresident.bsky.social
#CUNY #MADC @aaup.org @standhighered.bsky.social @veenadubal.bsky.social @sunyufspresident.bsky.social
Concerns over Title VI Training: Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression – The CUNY Alliance to Defend Higher Education
cadhe.commons.gc.cuny.edu
November 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
#CADHE Concerns over Title VI Training: Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression
#CUNY #MADC @aaup.org @standhighered.bsky.social @veenadubal.bsky.social @sunyufspresident.bsky.social
#CUNY #MADC @aaup.org @standhighered.bsky.social @veenadubal.bsky.social @sunyufspresident.bsky.social
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
If you're buying gifts for the holidays, maybe consider supporting artists, writers, creators. Gift someone a Patreon, commission an art piece, buy a book, purchase handmade jewelry, etc. Your support means everything.
November 22, 2025 at 8:39 PM
If you're buying gifts for the holidays, maybe consider supporting artists, writers, creators. Gift someone a Patreon, commission an art piece, buy a book, purchase handmade jewelry, etc. Your support means everything.
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
Major measles outbreaks have repeatedly cropped up in the Southwest this year. Yet at IHS hospitals in the region, agency officials deemed “measles” and “immunizations” a "medium risk" in internal agency emails.
Staffers, including doctors, now need to get approval to use them in public messaging
Staffers, including doctors, now need to get approval to use them in public messaging
NEW: Officials at the Indian Health Service have deemed terms like “immunizations” and “vaccines” risky “buzzwords” that require approval to be used in social media posts, pamphlets and presentations for patients.
The Indian Health Service Is Flagging Vaccine-Related Speech. Doctors Say They’re Being Censored.
Officials have deemed terms like “immunizations” and “vaccines” risky “buzzwords” that require approval to be used in social media posts, pamphlets and presentations.
www.propublica.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Major measles outbreaks have repeatedly cropped up in the Southwest this year. Yet at IHS hospitals in the region, agency officials deemed “measles” and “immunizations” a "medium risk" in internal agency emails.
Staffers, including doctors, now need to get approval to use them in public messaging
Staffers, including doctors, now need to get approval to use them in public messaging
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
ICYMI Dept of Education will no longer considers these professional degrees:
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
November 21, 2025 at 11:14 PM
ICYMI Dept of Education will no longer considers these professional degrees:
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
It also implies that “Writer” is a medical condition, which would explain a lot.
Almost a year now since I received this absolutely classic burn from the Canadian government.
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
It also implies that “Writer” is a medical condition, which would explain a lot.
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
Okay, so the way this scam normally works is that PACs and other political fundraising groups order pallets of the books in question - thousands of copies. This catapults it into bestseller lists and coincidentally sells enough to cover the publisher advance (weird how that works out).
"The Barnes and Noble in York—where Fetterman was born and raised—had sold zero copies. The Barnes and Noble in Philadelphia had sold two copies. An independent store in Pittsburgh and an independent store in Philadelphia each told me they weren’t stocking Unfettered" defector.com/john-fetterm...
John Fetterman's Memoir Is As Low-Effort As His Senate Tenure | Defector
John Fetterman’s just-released memoir, Unfettered, argues that he’s turned a corner and has everything under control. Fetterman was a “stubborn asshole” (his words), he was clinically depressed, he wa...
defector.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Okay, so the way this scam normally works is that PACs and other political fundraising groups order pallets of the books in question - thousands of copies. This catapults it into bestseller lists and coincidentally sells enough to cover the publisher advance (weird how that works out).
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
A lovely tribute to Alice Wong by @thrasherxy.bsky.social. "She did not gatekeep knowledge; she shared it with the generosity and glee of a neighbor passing out full-sized candy bars on Halloween." I laughed at the part where she told him to “EAT THE FUCKING COOKIES!!!!” So very Alice.
Remembering Alice Wong: Writer, Advocate, Friend
Though we were in frequent conversation for a decade, I only got to meet my friend Alice Wong in person just once. And when I did, I was a bundle of nerves—and that was before she cussed me out wi…
lithub.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
A lovely tribute to Alice Wong by @thrasherxy.bsky.social. "She did not gatekeep knowledge; she shared it with the generosity and glee of a neighbor passing out full-sized candy bars on Halloween." I laughed at the part where she told him to “EAT THE FUCKING COOKIES!!!!” So very Alice.
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
As an easy rule of thumb - if this is how you have to start your class with a group of young people, you probably shouldn’t be anywhere near said young people; never mind a position of power.
Larry Summers discusses his “statement of regret” for his disturbing messages to Jeffrey Epstein with Harvard students
November 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
As an easy rule of thumb - if this is how you have to start your class with a group of young people, you probably shouldn’t be anywhere near said young people; never mind a position of power.
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
It’s that time of year friends! Thanks to @erinbartram.bsky.social and our friends at @contingent-mag.bsky.social, Laura and I are putting together a list of 2025 articles & books by contingent & indie lit critters. DM, reply, email me @ suny press. And spread the word!!
We are at it again! Myself & the wonderful @rcolesworthy.bsky.social😍
Seeking pubs -- articles, book chapters, monographs -- by contingent lit scholars for the 2025 list 👇👇 please spread the word!!!
contingentmagazine.org/2024/12/08/2...
Seeking pubs -- articles, book chapters, monographs -- by contingent lit scholars for the 2025 list 👇👇 please spread the word!!!
contingentmagazine.org/2024/12/08/2...
2024 Literary Studies Book and Journal Article List
A companion list for lit studies scholars.
contingentmagazine.org
November 9, 2025 at 5:07 PM
It’s that time of year friends! Thanks to @erinbartram.bsky.social and our friends at @contingent-mag.bsky.social, Laura and I are putting together a list of 2025 articles & books by contingent & indie lit critters. DM, reply, email me @ suny press. And spread the word!!
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
We are at it again! Myself & the wonderful @rcolesworthy.bsky.social😍
Seeking pubs -- articles, book chapters, monographs -- by contingent lit scholars for the 2025 list 👇👇 please spread the word!!!
contingentmagazine.org/2024/12/08/2...
Seeking pubs -- articles, book chapters, monographs -- by contingent lit scholars for the 2025 list 👇👇 please spread the word!!!
contingentmagazine.org/2024/12/08/2...
2024 Literary Studies Book and Journal Article List
A companion list for lit studies scholars.
contingentmagazine.org
November 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
We are at it again! Myself & the wonderful @rcolesworthy.bsky.social😍
Seeking pubs -- articles, book chapters, monographs -- by contingent lit scholars for the 2025 list 👇👇 please spread the word!!!
contingentmagazine.org/2024/12/08/2...
Seeking pubs -- articles, book chapters, monographs -- by contingent lit scholars for the 2025 list 👇👇 please spread the word!!!
contingentmagazine.org/2024/12/08/2...
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
I made the mistake of having a look at the rest of the paper. It was never going to go well with the opening line of "The unpalatable truth must be faced that all postmenopausal women are castrates". But somehow it just keeps on getting worse....
Science is objective, you said? Screenshot from R.A. Wilson & T.A. Wilson, ‘The Fate of the Nontreated Postmenopausal Woman: A Plea for the Maintenance of Adequate Estrogen from Puberty to the Grave’, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 11, no. 4 (1963): 347–62, doi.org/10.1111/j.15....
November 19, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I made the mistake of having a look at the rest of the paper. It was never going to go well with the opening line of "The unpalatable truth must be faced that all postmenopausal women are castrates". But somehow it just keeps on getting worse....
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
This is the most frustrating and exhausting thing about academia. When I mentioned it to a headhunter who was asking about things that could change, they said, “you are the first person to bring this up” — but two other women in the room backed me up.
November 16, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This is the most frustrating and exhausting thing about academia. When I mentioned it to a headhunter who was asking about things that could change, they said, “you are the first person to bring this up” — but two other women in the room backed me up.
Reposted by Travis Chi Wing Lau (劉志頴)
I, however,
Have such meagre power,
Clutching at a
Moment,
While you control
An hour.
But your hour is
A stone.
My moment is
A flower.
-Langston Hughes, "Poet to Bigot"
#everynightapoem As ever.
Have such meagre power,
Clutching at a
Moment,
While you control
An hour.
But your hour is
A stone.
My moment is
A flower.
-Langston Hughes, "Poet to Bigot"
#everynightapoem As ever.
October 8, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I, however,
Have such meagre power,
Clutching at a
Moment,
While you control
An hour.
But your hour is
A stone.
My moment is
A flower.
-Langston Hughes, "Poet to Bigot"
#everynightapoem As ever.
Have such meagre power,
Clutching at a
Moment,
While you control
An hour.
But your hour is
A stone.
My moment is
A flower.
-Langston Hughes, "Poet to Bigot"
#everynightapoem As ever.