Ulla Rajala
@ullamr.bsky.social
An archaeologist who loves Eurovision and popular tv. Sharing content on heritage, politics and entertainment.
She/her
My opinions are my own.
She/her
My opinions are my own.
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
Useful new report from @rgs.org on the state of geography in HE based on a snapshot survey. Most striking for me are textual responses which suggest larger/Russell Group institutions expect to face similar pressures in the coming year already felt by smaller institutions
www.rgs.org/about-us/our...
www.rgs.org/about-us/our...
New report on The State of Geography in UK Higher Education
UK universities are facing a financial crisis, with over 40% of institutions experiencing deficits. Others will likely face similar challenges.
www.rgs.org
February 18, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Useful new report from @rgs.org on the state of geography in HE based on a snapshot survey. Most striking for me are textual responses which suggest larger/Russell Group institutions expect to face similar pressures in the coming year already felt by smaller institutions
www.rgs.org/about-us/our...
www.rgs.org/about-us/our...
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
No light quite like that produced against gathering clouds after a day of sunshine. The pinky-hues drenching the road paving and walls of Pompeii are magical.
February 17, 2026 at 10:34 PM
No light quite like that produced against gathering clouds after a day of sunshine. The pinky-hues drenching the road paving and walls of Pompeii are magical.
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
Professor Dan Hicks has a useful thread on the what the BM is doing, or not, regarding using the word Palestine in its displays and databases, including a link to the original article from UK Lawyers for Israel which appears to have sparked off this row.
this update/correction from @willdalrymple.bsky.social on the question of removing the term Palestine from British Museum gallery texts definitely raises more questions than it answers
February 17, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Professor Dan Hicks has a useful thread on the what the BM is doing, or not, regarding using the word Palestine in its displays and databases, including a link to the original article from UK Lawyers for Israel which appears to have sparked off this row.
It is Finland vs. Greece in the #Eurovision odds!
February 18, 2026 at 7:46 AM
It is Finland vs. Greece in the #Eurovision odds!
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
12. Sommerkurs Paläographie. Lateinische Schrift in Heidelberg.
Der Kurs vermittelt die Grundlagen aus zwei Jahrtausenden Schriftgeschichte (Datierung, Lokalisierung & Lesekompetenz). Wir freuen uns auf die Bewerbungen (bis 31.05.2026) 📖
#medievalsky
Der Kurs vermittelt die Grundlagen aus zwei Jahrtausenden Schriftgeschichte (Datierung, Lokalisierung & Lesekompetenz). Wir freuen uns auf die Bewerbungen (bis 31.05.2026) 📖
#medievalsky
February 17, 2026 at 3:17 PM
12. Sommerkurs Paläographie. Lateinische Schrift in Heidelberg.
Der Kurs vermittelt die Grundlagen aus zwei Jahrtausenden Schriftgeschichte (Datierung, Lokalisierung & Lesekompetenz). Wir freuen uns auf die Bewerbungen (bis 31.05.2026) 📖
#medievalsky
Der Kurs vermittelt die Grundlagen aus zwei Jahrtausenden Schriftgeschichte (Datierung, Lokalisierung & Lesekompetenz). Wir freuen uns auf die Bewerbungen (bis 31.05.2026) 📖
#medievalsky
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
*Academic sells history off to the highest bidder*
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Professor finds Iron Age coin hoard near Bury St Edmunds
Tom Licence says he feels a personal connection to the coins, which are to be auctioned.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 8:43 AM
*Academic sells history off to the highest bidder*
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
#TombTuesday rare Neolithic tomb art from a Welsh passage grave: multiple spiral motifs inside the Boyne Valley-style cruciform chambers of Barclodiad y Gawres in Ynys Môn/Anglesey
📷 My own, winter 2023
📷 My own, winter 2023
February 17, 2026 at 6:50 AM
#TombTuesday rare Neolithic tomb art from a Welsh passage grave: multiple spiral motifs inside the Boyne Valley-style cruciform chambers of Barclodiad y Gawres in Ynys Môn/Anglesey
📷 My own, winter 2023
📷 My own, winter 2023
A timeline cleanser 😁
February 18, 2026 at 7:37 AM
A timeline cleanser 😁
The hillforts at Ire on Gotland were probably sites of defense and observation along the coast. There is a cliff towards the sea and a wall towards the land. There are c. 30 hillforts on Gotland on cliffs out of c. 100. There was also a Viking Age harbour at Ire. #HillfortsWednesday
February 18, 2026 at 4:50 AM
The hillforts at Ire on Gotland were probably sites of defense and observation along the coast. There is a cliff towards the sea and a wall towards the land. There are c. 30 hillforts on Gotland on cliffs out of c. 100. There was also a Viking Age harbour at Ire. #HillfortsWednesday
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
We're delighted that Dr Anwen Cooper, who heads the @rewildarch.bsky.social project, will be delivering this year's de Cardi lecture for the @archaeologyuk.bsky.social AGM!
📍 The Milner York
📅 21st February | 12:20
🎟️ FREE
Read more about the AGM and how to book tickets here: tr.ee/CBA-AGM
📍 The Milner York
📅 21st February | 12:20
🎟️ FREE
Read more about the AGM and how to book tickets here: tr.ee/CBA-AGM
February 17, 2026 at 4:36 PM
We're delighted that Dr Anwen Cooper, who heads the @rewildarch.bsky.social project, will be delivering this year's de Cardi lecture for the @archaeologyuk.bsky.social AGM!
📍 The Milner York
📅 21st February | 12:20
🎟️ FREE
Read more about the AGM and how to book tickets here: tr.ee/CBA-AGM
📍 The Milner York
📅 21st February | 12:20
🎟️ FREE
Read more about the AGM and how to book tickets here: tr.ee/CBA-AGM
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
Reminder: this is happening on Friday! My talk title is:
"Lost in the Moment: A Case for a Contemporary Archaeology of Video Game Play"
I'm moving to Denmark soon so this is probably your last chance to see me give a talk in London for a while.
"Lost in the Moment: A Case for a Contemporary Archaeology of Video Game Play"
I'm moving to Denmark soon so this is probably your last chance to see me give a talk in London for a while.
I'll be speaking alongside Milly Gunn, Maddalena Grattarola and @kurainisei.bsky.social at the Goldsmiths Game Library Night on February 20th, 6-8pm! The topic is games preservation, tickets are free, get them here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/losing-gam...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/losing-gam...
February 17, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Reminder: this is happening on Friday! My talk title is:
"Lost in the Moment: A Case for a Contemporary Archaeology of Video Game Play"
I'm moving to Denmark soon so this is probably your last chance to see me give a talk in London for a while.
"Lost in the Moment: A Case for a Contemporary Archaeology of Video Game Play"
I'm moving to Denmark soon so this is probably your last chance to see me give a talk in London for a while.
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
Is it time for a tourism tax if even our biggest arts institutions are struggling this much?
And this is after blockbuster exhibitions (Van Gogh) & successful philanthropy, so think how much tougher it must be for more local-regional galleries and museums
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
And this is after blockbuster exhibitions (Van Gogh) & successful philanthropy, so think how much tougher it must be for more local-regional galleries and museums
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
National Gallery to make major cuts in effort to stem ballooning deficit
Move could mean fewer free exhibitions and paid-for shows and more expensive tickets
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Is it time for a tourism tax if even our biggest arts institutions are struggling this much?
And this is after blockbuster exhibitions (Van Gogh) & successful philanthropy, so think how much tougher it must be for more local-regional galleries and museums
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
And this is after blockbuster exhibitions (Van Gogh) & successful philanthropy, so think how much tougher it must be for more local-regional galleries and museums
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
this update/correction from @willdalrymple.bsky.social on the question of removing the term Palestine from British Museum gallery texts definitely raises more questions than it answers
February 17, 2026 at 7:05 PM
this update/correction from @willdalrymple.bsky.social on the question of removing the term Palestine from British Museum gallery texts definitely raises more questions than it answers
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
for one thing, who exactly was the British Museum spokesperson quoted in the original UKLFI article? web.archive.org/web/20260216...
British Museum Reviewing Palestine Terminology in Galleries after Audience Testing
The British Museum has confirmed that it is reviewing and updating some gallery panels and labels after “Audience testing has shown that the historic use of the term Palestine … is in some circumstanc...
web.archive.org
February 17, 2026 at 7:07 PM
for one thing, who exactly was the British Museum spokesperson quoted in the original UKLFI article? web.archive.org/web/20260216...
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
for another, on such a crucial issue for our most significant national museum, why is this an informal comment reported second hand on social media?
February 17, 2026 at 7:09 PM
for another, on such a crucial issue for our most significant national museum, why is this an informal comment reported second hand on social media?
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
and in any case, what does "we are not removing mention from Palestine from our labels" [sic] actually mean?
February 17, 2026 at 7:09 PM
and in any case, what does "we are not removing mention from Palestine from our labels" [sic] actually mean?
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
fourth — and this is the main issue here for me, seeing as Palestine was formally recognised as a state by the UK in 2025 — why does the "place" field in the British Museum collections database only have the phrase "Palestine (historic)"??
www.britishmuseum.org/collection/
www.britishmuseum.org/collection/
February 17, 2026 at 7:26 PM
fourth — and this is the main issue here for me, seeing as Palestine was formally recognised as a state by the UK in 2025 — why does the "place" field in the British Museum collections database only have the phrase "Palestine (historic)"??
www.britishmuseum.org/collection/
www.britishmuseum.org/collection/
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
👀hvis man er nysgerrig i et flot visuelt overblik over mineindustrien. Hvor der er miner og hvad det bliver udvundet hvor.
My dear colleague @victormaus.bsky.social has launched the website for MINE-THE-GAP, his ERC Consolidator Grant project: minethegap.eu Excited to see how AI and satellite Earth observation will add to our understanding of the mining sector’s global environmental footprint.
MINE-THE-GAP
Where, when, what, and how much is mined. Research by Victor Maus.
minethegap.eu
February 17, 2026 at 2:06 PM
👀hvis man er nysgerrig i et flot visuelt overblik over mineindustrien. Hvor der er miner og hvad det bliver udvundet hvor.
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
Due November. Border Land: Frontiers of Early England by Ryan Lavelle. #medievalsky
February 17, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Due November. Border Land: Frontiers of Early England by Ryan Lavelle. #medievalsky
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
I'm told that one or two spaces have just become available on the ICS Summer School in 3D Imaging and Modelling for Cultural Heritage: ics.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
If you're interested in learning photogrammetry, RTI, 3D design, 3D printing, paradata and heritage ethics, join us!
If you're interested in learning photogrammetry, RTI, 3D design, 3D printing, paradata and heritage ethics, join us!
3D Imaging and Modelling for Cultural Heritage
ics.sas.ac.uk
February 17, 2026 at 12:24 PM
I'm told that one or two spaces have just become available on the ICS Summer School in 3D Imaging and Modelling for Cultural Heritage: ics.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
If you're interested in learning photogrammetry, RTI, 3D design, 3D printing, paradata and heritage ethics, join us!
If you're interested in learning photogrammetry, RTI, 3D design, 3D printing, paradata and heritage ethics, join us!
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
I purposefully don't centre the student experience here. Not because I don't care. I do*.
But because in all these reports, whilst there are testimonies from students, the universities are presented as faceless institutions. Not once have I seen the staff experience centred or even considered.
But because in all these reports, whilst there are testimonies from students, the universities are presented as faceless institutions. Not once have I seen the staff experience centred or even considered.
The news about students seeking compensation from universities for COVID teaching has made me quite sad.
I can't say what happened at those universities, or what those student's experience was. My present university did not appear to be in the list.
But what I can say is...
I can't say what happened at those universities, or what those student's experience was. My present university did not appear to be in the list.
But what I can say is...
February 17, 2026 at 10:37 AM
I purposefully don't centre the student experience here. Not because I don't care. I do*.
But because in all these reports, whilst there are testimonies from students, the universities are presented as faceless institutions. Not once have I seen the staff experience centred or even considered.
But because in all these reports, whilst there are testimonies from students, the universities are presented as faceless institutions. Not once have I seen the staff experience centred or even considered.
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
Excellent column.
“Your teachers don’t know what skills will be most valuable in the future. Your parents don’t know. Even the OECD’s head of skills analysis doesn’t know”.
www.ft.com/content/0409...
“Your teachers don’t know what skills will be most valuable in the future. Your parents don’t know. Even the OECD’s head of skills analysis doesn’t know”.
www.ft.com/content/0409...
We have to stop calling some jobs ‘low skilled’
Freeing ourselves of these labels might help young people to think more creatively about the future
www.ft.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:09 AM
Excellent column.
“Your teachers don’t know what skills will be most valuable in the future. Your parents don’t know. Even the OECD’s head of skills analysis doesn’t know”.
www.ft.com/content/0409...
“Your teachers don’t know what skills will be most valuable in the future. Your parents don’t know. Even the OECD’s head of skills analysis doesn’t know”.
www.ft.com/content/0409...
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
Before the threat to research and writing from AI there was the problem of making digital data sustainable in the long term, especially if it is created on proprietary software...an important project to conserve 3D data from the ADS with Wikimedia UK, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
UK Heritage 3D Data at Risk Project – Archaeology Data Service
archaeologydataservice.ac.uk
February 17, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Before the threat to research and writing from AI there was the problem of making digital data sustainable in the long term, especially if it is created on proprietary software...an important project to conserve 3D data from the ADS with Wikimedia UK, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
Always pleased too see tree-ring dates published in @varchgroup.bsky.social journal. This year I'm amused to learn that Ye Olde Mitre Inne at Barnet is actually older (1538, 1546-78) than usually claimed (1633). That never happens with pubs! Its still not ye oldest in the country though!
February 17, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Always pleased too see tree-ring dates published in @varchgroup.bsky.social journal. This year I'm amused to learn that Ye Olde Mitre Inne at Barnet is actually older (1538, 1546-78) than usually claimed (1633). That never happens with pubs! Its still not ye oldest in the country though!
Reposted by Ulla Rajala
Publishing today!🏙️
In a world of environmental degradation, inequality and social strife, a vision for what comes next is vital.
@olimould.bsky.social takes readers from strikes in Santiago to urban commoning and Solarpunk, revealing how communities are making a new kind of city possible.
In a world of environmental degradation, inequality and social strife, a vision for what comes next is vital.
@olimould.bsky.social takes readers from strikes in Santiago to urban commoning and Solarpunk, revealing how communities are making a new kind of city possible.
February 17, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Publishing today!🏙️
In a world of environmental degradation, inequality and social strife, a vision for what comes next is vital.
@olimould.bsky.social takes readers from strikes in Santiago to urban commoning and Solarpunk, revealing how communities are making a new kind of city possible.
In a world of environmental degradation, inequality and social strife, a vision for what comes next is vital.
@olimould.bsky.social takes readers from strikes in Santiago to urban commoning and Solarpunk, revealing how communities are making a new kind of city possible.