Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · 13d

So busy at the Journeys Of Curiosity conference in Liverpool today that this was the only photo I took! But we had excellent talks covering Wales, the Himalayas, Egypt, Brazil discovering natural history, archaeology, and teacher training…you’ll have to take my word for it though! 🤦‍♀️

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Reposted by Stephanie Holt

Institute of Historical Research @ihr.bsky.social · 24d

📣Calling all new research students in history & historical subjects. Do you want to learn how the IHR can help you during your studies?

Join us on the 8 October to find out more.

@royalhistsoc.org @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social @historyandpolicy.bsky.social @chppc.bsky.social

bit.ly/41UPOyG

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Reposted by Stephanie Holt

Gilbert White's House & Gardens @gilbertwhites.bsky.social · 28d

We are looking for an Environmental Trustee to join our board. 🌱
For full details follow the link: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/opportunities/

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Sep 1

@andy4040.bsky.social

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Sep 1

Was a great day, glad we could coordinate it to go together!

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Reposted by Stephanie Holt

Jack Ashby @jackdashby.bsky.social · Aug 14

150 years ago today, the last known Rodrigues parakeet died.
It - and one other specimen - is now in @zoologymuseum.bsky.social: the only physical evidence the species ever existed.
I wrote about them & the importance of #museums in our knowledge of #extinction:
theconversation.com/the-rodrigue...

The Rodrigues parakeet’s last day: what one extinct bird tells us about the role of museums

Two specimens at a museum in Cambridge are the only physical evidence this bird ever existed.

theconversation.com

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Aug 3

Excellent day speaking in The New Dark Aesthetic: The Bats Project at Orleans House Gallery. Nestor Pestana has drawn together such an inspiring project combining art & science for bat conservation, it’s a joy to be a part of it!🦇🦇🦇
#ArtAndScience #ArtOfNature #ArtInConservation

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Jul 29

Myself, the amazing Nestor Pestana, and others are doing this event on Saturday at Orleans House Gallery combining the art, science, and mythology of bats! Come along and join in the conversation! #Bats #ArtAndScience
www.orleanshousegallery.org/events/19055...

The Bats Project: Conversation on Darkness, Bats, and Poetry – Orleans House Gallery

www.orleanshousegallery.org

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Jun 23

#CuriousTravellers #ThomasPennant #GilbertWhite #HistoryOfNaturalHistory #HistoryOfScience #HistoricalResearcher

Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Jun 23

And thank you also to National Library Wales, Linda Hall Library, Arader Galleries and Royal Museums Greenwich for the use of images throughout the exhibition and exhibition book!

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Jun 23

Massive thanks also to @gilbertwhites.bsky.social for hosting us, to @andy4040.bsky.social for loaning us some wonderful specimens from his collection, and to @edwinrose.bsky.social and Mary-Ann Constantine (and me 😂) for loaning books and documents.

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Jun 23

HUGE thanks to the CTP team from University of Wales, University of Glasgow and @nhm-london.bsky.social/ @nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social for the effort that everyone put in to making it a success!

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Jun 23

And just like that our exhibition Curious Minds: Thomas Pennant and Gilbert White is over 🥲.
I’ve loved the whole process of exhibition design, installation, and events, and I’m so proud of what we created for @curioustravellers.bsky.social

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Reposted by Stephanie Holt

Curious Travellers @curioustravellers.bsky.social · Jun 4

Panel 2 begins! Here is @stephholtnh.bsky.social, explaining the differences and similarities between the real letters between Thomas Pennant and Gilbert White, and the edited and polished versions that make up so much of White's classic 'Natural History of Selborne'

A woman with long hair in a white shirt speaks at a wooden lectern

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Jun 2

I’ve not pulled out the data on it yet, but the data with these specimens is often pretty poor unfortunately. I’m hoping to dig out more information on it soon.

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Reposted by Stephanie Holt

Curious Travellers @curioustravellers.bsky.social · May 30

"fossil fish, a collection of graptolites, trilobites, a bear jaw..."

In our new research blog, @stephholtnh.bsky.social gives us a rare hands-on look at Thomas Pennant's specimens in the British Museum

curioustravellers.ac.uk/enlightening...

A row of three connected wooden cabinets, with glass panels, the lids open in a wood floored library

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · Jun 2

It’s been a beautiful day here in Selborne, and we’re set up and ready to go for the Gilbert White and His Contexts conference!
gilbertwhite.org.uk
#GilbertWhiteConference #GilbertWhite #HistoryOfNaturalHistory #HistoricalResearch

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · May 25

On Thursday I got to view parts of the Du Bois herbarium at @ox.ac.uk. An incredible collection, and, although disbound and reordered in the 19th, fascinating examples of 17thC. herbaria and pre-Linnean nomenclature! #Herbarium #17thCentury #HistoryOfNaturalHistory #HistoricalResearch

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · May 20

@linneansociety.bsky.social @nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social @nhm-london.bsky.social

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · May 20

Places are booking up for our conference Gilbert White and His Contexts (3-5th June)!

gilbertwhite.org.uk
@bshsnews.bsky.social @sochistnathist.bsky.social @bsecs.bsky.social @gilbertwhites.bsky.social @gilbertwhite.bsky.social @curioustravellers.bsky.social

Gilbert White and his Contexts Conference 2025

Information about the Gilbert White and his Contexts Conference in Selborne, 3-5 June 2025, including proposal submission, registration, programme, travel, and accommodation.

gilbertwhite.org.uk

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · May 16

Thanks, it worked too!

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · May 14

Thank you Bernard, I’ll have to take a look for your article!

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · May 14

It’s my Transfer of Status interview today (essential part of my DPhil progression). Re-reading my emotional support copy of the Natural History of Selborne over a cuppa, wish me luck!

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Stephanie Holt @stephholtnh.bsky.social · May 9

Day 2 of #NatSCA2025 @natsca.bsky.social is up and running! I’m speaking later on behalf of @curioustravellers.bsky.social and the @nhm-london.bsky.social Thomas Pennant Collections #HistoryOfNaturalHistory #NaturalHistoryMuseums

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Reposted by Stephanie Holt

Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · Apr 22

Charles Darwin is best known for his work on evolution.

But he was a prolific scientist who studied much more. Now, over 20,000 of Darwin's letters, books and publications have been recognised as a UNESCO heritage.

Find out what this means 👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...

Darwin’s letters and books recognised as a UNESCO documentary heritage | Natural History Museum

The documents will join other important archives such as the illuminated manuscripts of Charlemagne’s court.

www.nhm.ac.uk

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