Pop Classics

I think food history is fascinating, and I love trying out historical recipes when I can. I usually get them from modern compilations of historical recipes that have either been preserved in some way, or developed by people who know much more about cooking than me from descriptions of historical foods. I’m not going to reproduce these recipes exactly here unless they’re out of print, as that…

Hi! I realise it’s been 2 years since I updated this blog. That wasn’t intentional, I just have no time for anything at the moment, between lecturing, writing, and running my YouTube channel Classical JG (I cover myth, legend, folklore, ghost stories, witchcraft, and weird and wonderful history in general – come take a look and say hi!) But Inside No 9 finished a couple of weeks ago and there…

Historical women’s clothing styles and the physical impact of pregnancy

Content warning: references to sexual abuse, pregnancy loss, baby loss, body shape and size I’m currently re-drafting my Ancient Gender and Sexuality classes, making sure I am keeping up with current approaches to the topic, and I’ve also been thinking a fair bit about some of these issues since coming back from maternity leave. I wanted to put some of these thoughts out there now as I continue…

Tackling climate change on different budgets: Cosmetics

In this series of posts, I’m offering up some suggestions for how we can try to start tackling the huge problem of climate change on different budgets, from High-End Budget (money is no object) through Mid-Range Budget (how to help without breaking the bank) to Low-End Budget (what can be done on very low incomes).

I’m not a scientist (I’m a Dr – but of Classics!) or an expert – this is all…

Recipes from history: Roman-style bread

Normally when I do historical recipes I try to get hold of primary sources, or at least get some sense of what the primary sources are and where the recipe has come from. When it comes to Roman food, though, I’m often a bit less picky!

Ancient Rome is my specialism, so I’m far more familiar with Roman primary sources than anything else. But we have no recipe books from ancient Rome. As far as…

Tackling climate change on different budgets: Food

I’ve been doing a lot of reading on how to tackle the huge, cataclysmic problem of climate change that we’re all facing, but I’ve noticed a problem. Nearly all the advice completely ignores the fact that different people are on very different budgets. Not everyone can take time off work to protest or eat nothing but organic meat. So in this series of posts, I’m going to offer up some suggestions…

Recipes from history: Wartime carrot cookies

The great thing about wartime recipes is that they use very small amounts of ingredients, including very little sugar, so they’re both healthy and economical!

Food was rationed in the United Kingdom between 1940 and 1954 – for the duration of the Second World War and nine years afterwards, while the country re-built. Some rationing was harder after the war, but now we tend to think of it as a…

Recipes from history: Medieval English pasta lozenges

I think food history is fascinating, and I love trying out historical recipes when I can. I usually get them from modern compilations of historical recipes that have either been preserved in some way, or developed by people who know much more about cooking than me from descriptions of historical foods. I’m not going to reproduce these recipes exactly here unless they’re out of print, as that…

In solidarity with the UCU strike

Members of my union, UCU, are on strike today, and for another 13 days of consecutive action after today. My institution did not meet the requirements for a strike, but I fully support my colleagues – here’s why.

Precarious employment, mostly (but not entirely) for early career academics in the years following the PhD

Lots has been written about this by people more eloquent than me who are still…

Newman Humanities Research Seminar, Spring 2020

Here is the schedule for the Newman Humanities Research Seminar for the spring 2020 semester – all welcome!

Seminars take place at Newman University in room DW111 (opposite Starbucks off the main atrium), 5pm-6pm on Thursdays.

6th February: Ana Rutter (Birmingham City University School of Art), ‘M. Foucault, Madness and Civilisation: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason’

27th February:Dilwy…

Newman Humanities Research Seminar, Autumn 2019

We’re delighted to announce the autumn schedule for the Newman Humanities Research Seminar.

All seminars take place on Thursdays at 5pm in DW111, at Newman University.

3rd October: Kate Katafiasz (Newman University, Drama)

‘Theatre of Dionysus or brutal Colosseum? New perspectives on the relationship between drama and democracy’

17th October: James Brennan (Newman University, History)

‘The…

CfP: The Sound of the Past

Over at the Journal of Historical Fictions, we’re organising a special themed issue on ‘The Sound of the Past’ – details below!

Call for Papers: The Sound of the Past

What is the role of sound in historical fictions? How can we try to replicate what the world sounded like in the past? What is the role of music in period dramas? Why are contemporary musicals with historical settings so popular?…

Newman Humanities Research Seminar Spring schedule

All seminars take place on Thursdays, 5pm – 6pm in DW111 at Newman University

7th February Bill Roper (Independent scholar)

‘‘Psy’ Words and Ideas in Ancient Greece and Now: Constituting the Human and ‘Taking Care’’

28th February Sue Docherty (Newman University) – Launch of the celebration of International Women’s Month at Newman

‘Rewriting the Life of Abraham’

14th March Elena Theodorakopoulos(…

Research seminar: Michael Thomas on Coriolanus

Details of the latest in our research seminar series:

Coriolanus: An Unsentimental Education

Michael W. Thomas

If Claudio, in Much Ado About Nothing, is often viewed as Shakespeare’s least amiable lover, Coriolanus is as often defined as his least appealing hero. Some would not use that word, much less ‘tragic hero’. Many who do would choose any number of defining adjectives ahead of ‘tragic’:…