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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · 2d

Impt to understand that this slow (but quickening) collapse of UK unis is by design, not accident.

~15 years of government policymaking & some key policies (tuition fees + removal of caps on course sizes) actively sought this outcome, & VCs eagerly took the bait then swanned off to other posts.

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 2d

As we prepare to ballot, chaos on campus grows, overcrowded classes, overworked staff and a degraded student experience.

“Many universities have over-recruited domestically, leading to stuffed lecture halls and overworked staff.” @drjogrady.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

Grade deflation, overcrowding and ‘chaos’ as colleges scr...

Russell group hoovers up international students to stave off budget deficit fears

observer.co.uk

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · 15d

Out on my walking tour of Brighton's LGBTQ+ spaces, with members of u3a (Third Age Trust for lifelong learning) 🌈

The guided walk covers Brighton's infamous cottaging sites, half-straight half-gay bars, lesbian activist spaces, HIV memorials, & bars dealing w a changed social & economic landscape.

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Reposted by Dr Nick McGlynn

Joe Jukes @joejukes.bsky.social · Sep 5

Last week saw the Royal Geographical Society's inaugural Asexual Geographies panel!

@rachelbayer.bsky.social & I were delighted to present alongside Wenmei and Zofia, following our previous article's invitation for scholars to #joinus in this new field of inquiry. Thanks to the 20+ attendees too!

Four conference delegates stand in a row facing the camera. They are smiling and wearing blue lanyards. The background is a white-painted wall and the carpet is a grey-blue. The delegate on the left wears a green dress whilst the other three wear shirts, jumpers and trousers.

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 5

I'll be back to the archive again in January and April for more detailed recording of key boxes and folders - then Les and I will figure out how to analyse all this stuff! 😴

Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 5

Finally we got some time with Bear artwork that creatively explores queer male masculinities and bodies.

Much of this was from the Bear Icons exhibit of the early 2000s - original artwork apparently lost somewhere in Palm Springs but thankfully we've got photos.

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 5

This period also saw an explosion of media & glossy magazines targeting Bears and Bear-y guys. Plus growth of Bear as a consumerist lifestyle, w products branded and marketed towards those in Bear communities - even mainstream publishers took note of this new & lucrative market.

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 5

Final day of my first scoping visit investigating the US history of gay/bi/queer Bears.

Today was mostly mid-to-late 2000s, w Bear becoming a huge phenomenon in the USA - multi-day Bear events now v large & complex undertakings (mostly volunteer-run). Note the welcome from then-mayor Gavin Newsom!

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 4

And artwork from the 'Bear Icons' art exhibit (some very NSFW).

Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 4

VHS tapes of recorded Mr Bear contests, some personal recordings and others sold after the events.

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 4

Plenty of Bear merchandise like mugs, hankies, pins and badges - even sex parties were handing them out.

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 4

Photos from Golden Age of Bears day 3!

Today we got a more digital and material culture.

First up some early Bear social media (websites & mailing lists).

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 3

And adverts, flyers and posters for Bear events in the US and beyond - our first find of a Bear event in Turkey in 2003!

More pics coming tomorrow after day 3 is done.

Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 3

Incredible photos from Bear and Pride events of the 80s and 90s, including the Stonewall 25th anniversary march.

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 3

We found one of the entries in the original contest to decide upon the Bear flag - we're hoping to see the other entries tomorrow.

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 3

Mainstream gay media writes more and more articles about Bears, contextualising us within the wider scene and helping the phenomenon spread (while also misrepresenting - not maliciously - the everyday realities of Beardom).

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 3

Day 2 in the Bear History Project archive at Cornell, here are a few snapshots from today!

First, some merch from various Bear media, events and regional groups.

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 2

(NSFW alert) and ofc tons of Bear porn and erotica, chubs and fat guys often centered esp as we move into the 90s.

That's it for day 1, will post more updates tomorrow! 🐻

Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 2

Posters & flyers for Bear sex parties and protest marches - one has what strikes me as v early reference to 'trans' rather than 'transsexual' or 'transgender' Bears (1993).

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 2

So many club materials and newsletters from Bear groups across the US (tons of city-, region- & state-specific ones).

Plus international groups (Canada, Japan, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, UK & more) exploding from the mid/late 90s.

As a geographer I'm 🥵 for this stuff

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 2

Some of Les' writing on Bears published in various gay magazines, periodicals and books, plus his records of Bear groups and media. Noted how much slimmer representations of Bears were in the 80s and early 80s.

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 2

Day 1 of research in the Bear History Project archive at Cornell now complete! Exhausted but kinda floored by the incredible materials Les has captured over the decades. Will post some daily highlights before too 👇

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Sep 1

Final day in Ithaca before work starts. Checked out more of the town (person w the Kamala 2024 poster in the window - give it up mate). Then since it's Labor Day went to a picnic hosted by the local workers' association. Nice people, learned just how much tax you can avoid as a property magnate uni.

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Reposted by Dr Nick McGlynn

Ben Miller @benwritesthings.bsky.social · Sep 1

One look at his approval ratings should tell you everything you need to know about the strategy and yet centre left elites continue to insist it be followed

The National @scotnational.bsky.social · Sep 1

NEW: Keir Starmer has said he hangs the English flag in his home and 'always sits front of a Union Jack'

He told the BBC: 'I'm very encouraging of flags. I think they're patriotic and a great symbol of our nation.'

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Aug 31

After a long sleep I've been out exploring Ithaca today, a few for my physical geography colleagues here with some beautiful post-glacial gorges and shale formations!

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Dr Nick McGlynn @nick-mcglynn.bsky.social · Aug 31

It's been so long since I was on the apps that I didn't realise Scruff has a 'Bear mode' now?! An entire research project, send me yr PhD proposals 👨‍🎓

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