Conor Heffernan
@physcstudy.bsky.social
1.2K followers 730 following 48 posts
Lecturer At Ulster University. Historian of health, fitness and physical culture. Co-host of Boys We've Seen podcast. I also run history of fitness website, physicalculturestudy.com
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physcstudy.bsky.social
🚨Published in the American Historical Review!🚨

My article argues that historians can treat the body as an archive. Using my own training alongside J.C. Hise’s 1930s squat experiments, I explore how fitness culture reshapes bodies, identities & anxieties.

👉 bit.ly/46xlcVw
Mistakes I Carried: Building Strength in a Time of Crisis
Abstract. My critical mistake as a historian was ignoring the physical body as a site of knowledge production. For years, I analyzed fitness history in arc
bit.ly
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
rachellouisemoran.bsky.social
Great read
physcstudy.bsky.social
🚨Published in the American Historical Review!🚨

My article argues that historians can treat the body as an archive. Using my own training alongside J.C. Hise’s 1930s squat experiments, I explore how fitness culture reshapes bodies, identities & anxieties.

👉 bit.ly/46xlcVw
Mistakes I Carried: Building Strength in a Time of Crisis
Abstract. My critical mistake as a historian was ignoring the physical body as a site of knowledge production. For years, I analyzed fitness history in arc
bit.ly
physcstudy.bsky.social
Thanks so much Nicholas. The editors were very... very.. patient with me!
physcstudy.bsky.social
Rachel that means so much thank you! Governing Bodies was an absolute godsend when I used to teach PC history in the US so I am thrilled to hear that, as it remains one of the works I continue to refer grad students to when citing good fitness studies
physcstudy.bsky.social
🚨Published in the American Historical Review!🚨

My article argues that historians can treat the body as an archive. Using my own training alongside J.C. Hise’s 1930s squat experiments, I explore how fitness culture reshapes bodies, identities & anxieties.

👉 bit.ly/46xlcVw
Mistakes I Carried: Building Strength in a Time of Crisis
Abstract. My critical mistake as a historian was ignoring the physical body as a site of knowledge production. For years, I analyzed fitness history in arc
bit.ly
physcstudy.bsky.social
The Tailteann Games return this Saturday at Kells Priory.

I wrote for RTÉ Brainstorm about why this revival matters for Irish identity, heritage and mythology in 2025.

👉 www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
physcstudy.bsky.social
Haha well, my chipper was equalling challenging for my heart!
physcstudy.bsky.social
Not crying Bingo!

Was great having you here Raf. And I have now recovered thanks to a diet of fish & chips and sleep
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
rafnicholson.bsky.social
Thank you so much to @physcstudy.bsky.social for hosting us in Belfast. #BSSH2025 has, as always, been a brilliant few days - stimulating and fun.

See you all next year, BSSH-ers ❤️
a cartoon dog with a sad look on his face is standing in the dark
ALT: a cartoon dog with a sad look on his face is standing in the dark
media.tenor.com
physcstudy.bsky.social
A thank you sir. I have just about recovered so I can now clearly say it was a great time!
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
bssh.bsky.social
The shortlist for this year's Lord Aberdare Prize has just been announced and features authors such as Conor Murray, Matt McDowell, Conor Heffernan, as well as Matthew Llewellyn & Toby Rider, best of luck guys...
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
sportinhistorypod.bsky.social
The @bssh.bsky.social conference is underway with the PhD/ECR workshop taking place today!

Up first at #BSSH25 is @rafnicholson.bsky.social, Katie Holmes & Hayley Kilgallon discussing publishing for both academic & public audiences with their recently published or soon-to-be publications
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
sportinhistorypod.bsky.social
We’re underway here at @ulsteruni.bsky.social for the 2025 @bssh.bsky.social conference with Matthew Brown of Bristol University discussing South American Sports History and his book as part of the #BSSH25 Lord Aberdare lecture.
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
researchdogsbody.bsky.social
Enjoyed chairing this session, great papers from all three presenters

Mat - Reframing Local Heritage through the Drehberg Games
Jim - Rufus Harris’s Failed Attempt at Reform during World War II
Sam - ‘Don’t worry!’: The rise of netball & international governance 1926-63

#BSSH25
@bssh.bsky.social
playingpasts.bsky.social
Pleasure to chair the panel

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦, 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 at #BSSH25

with Mateusz Rozmiarek, Jim Watkins and Sam Oldfield

@bssh.bsky.social
#SportHistory
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
playingpasts.bsky.social
Pleasure to chair the panel

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦, 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 at #BSSH25

with Mateusz Rozmiarek, Jim Watkins and Sam Oldfield

@bssh.bsky.social
#SportHistory
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
rafnicholson.bsky.social
I’ve just chaired a fab session on Irish sport, with papers on the history of ladies Gaelic football (Hayley Kilgallon), mountaineering (Kevin Higgins), and Lady Florence Dixie (Stuart Gibbs).

Interesting theme of the tensions between “recreation” and professionalism present in all 3. #BSSH2025
The speakers - Stuart, Hayley and Kevin.
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
bssh.bsky.social
Panel 1 on Irish Sporting Legacies opened with Hayley Kilgallon on Women's Gaelic Football
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
bssh.bsky.social
The Lord Aberdare lecture by Matthew Brown on sports in South America...
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
rafnicholson.bsky.social
This paper from Conor Meyler at #BSSH2025 was right up my alley!

Conor showed how mergers between male & female sporting organisations ALWAYS seem to lead to underrepesentation of women in governance.

A very live issue because the 3 Gaelic games associations in Ireland are considering a merger...
Conor next to a slide showing key merger concepts: leadership, financial context, external drivers and gender equality. “One Association for all Gaelic Games and built on the principle of Equality” - Mary McAleese, 27 October 2022.
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
bssh.bsky.social
Conor's going away pres and prize winner at BSSH dinner ending a successful first day at conference
Reposted by Conor Heffernan
rafnicholson.bsky.social
Getting started @bssh.bsky.social #BSSH2025 - welcomed by @physcstudy.bsky.social 👋

It’s so wonderful to be back amongst this community of scholars again!
Conor Heffernan stood at the front of a lecture theatre in front of a slide which says “Welcome British Society of Sport History”. BSSH banner sign with registration desk in the background.