Dr Robyne Calvert
Cultural Historian: art, design, architecture, fashion. Author: The Mack @YaleBooks; Academic & Learning Developer (SLD) @UofGlasgow. Feminist & aspire to be a good Ally. Sewist 🪡🧵 Kdrama Addict🫰and GenX Nerd 🧙🏻♀️👻☕️ she/her
robynecalvert.com
- Immortal Memory: Burns, The Rights of Woman, and Renee Good Like so many, my heart is heavy, and angry, with what is happening in Minneapolis and across America. Meanwhile, today is the birthday of Robert Burns, and I've been re-thinking my favourite poem of his. Traditionally we celebrate Burns…
- Fragments of Order and Chaos: the Parthenon Frieze I've been ruminating a bit on all the essays I've written that are gathering dust in old hard drives. One of the best was also perhaps the most intellectually challenging: a grad school paper for a seminar on the Parthenon Frieze, now over 20…
- From the archives: robynecalvert.com/2018/01/05/s...
- I realised the other day that I never once wrote a blog post about my book, so a year and half later, here it is with added bonus of Tutti Frutti context and me being critical of the new planned ABC developments. Happy New Year? robynecalvert.com/2025/12/30/r...
- Sound + Vision Part 1 There is a complex and enticing variety of popping, clicking, and orchestration in my ears as I compose this post. I am listening to this year's bespoke 'mix tape', a gift from an incredibly talented musical artist in my orbit. This is the 6th such mix I've been lucky enough…
- I completely forgot to start the End of the Year Drama ‘challenge’, which I enjoyed recapping last year. So here’s the first 7 days 🧵 catch-up, with a few recommendations. Will post the list at the end for the 4-5 other followers that are Kdrama junkies, or maybe there are more and you are hiding!
- 1. Which country’s dramas have you watched the most in 2025? South Korea of course. [pic: When the Phone Rings, one of the first watches of the year] 2. Fave actress discovered: Lee Sun Bin - she was just so delightful and natural in The Potato Lab, which is a favourite from this year.
- 3. Fave actor discovered: Gong Woo - and I know I am ridiculously late to this party. I also can’t say I didn’t know him before this year, but this is the year I started really paying attention after seeing how great he was in The Trunk, and began seeking out his back catalog. Yes I watched Goblin!
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View full threadAnd it's been so long since I posted here I forgot to hashtag like the old kids. #EYDC2025
- DakJuk: Korean Comfort & Love From the very first KDrama I watched (Boys Over Flowers), whenever anyone wasn't feeling well (physically, mentally, emotionally), the solution was porridge - most often delivered by a loved one. Not the hearty oatmeal we enjoy in Scotland (which is a different kind…
- The contented (& slightly tired) face of a newly minted Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, who also managed to score a cancellation with her wonderful hair stylist. This recognition is a lovely reminder that excellence in scholarship & research do not always happen in ‘research active’ posts…
- That said, the struggle is real when ‘research time’ is not an expected part of one’s role, nor is funding available. I feel fortunate to have a supportive team, who like me are also research-active non-researchers. REF Environment? In any case, I do feel honoured to be recognised! #researchculture
- Another wonderful @19cdandtreframed.bsky.social At Home this Sunday - and it's an Ulster Special! 2pm GMT. Register FREE here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/at-home-wi...
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertIt's about time we brought back tableaux vivants of Pre-Raphaelite art. And thigh tattoos. Probably not lemurs... fannycornforth.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-th... #tableauxvivants #preraphaelite #brightyoungthing #1920s
- From the archives for May Day. Happy Beltane! robynecalvert.com/2020/05/01/t...
- It’s a year since I first held my book, & serendipitously I got a lovely letter from @yalebooks congratulating me for my @thesahgb award. I’d like to thank them back, because Yale was a dream to work with. I feel very fortunate and couldn’t be happier that it’s lived up to expectations.
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertTransatlantic Threads: Scottish Linen and Society c1707-1780, is available for preorder now from @edinburghup.bsky.social edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-transat...
- This will be brilliant, get it ordered!
- Transatlantic Threads is now available for preorder! edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-transat... Use code NEW30 for 30% discount. @edinburghup.bsky.social Image: David Allan (1744-1796) thought to be one of earliest known portraits of a black woman by a Scottish artist. Nationalgalleries.org
- I was browsing some movie trailers this morning and there was one for The Chosen: The Last Supper I. Like a train wreck I had to look, and it was even more dreadful looking than I imagined, with Jesus flipping tables to the tune of Johnny Cash.
- Upon googling to see who was responsible for this monstrosity, it turns out to be a television series that started in 2017, from the son of the dude that wrote the Left Behind series, so globally popular that now it gets released in the cinema first I guess.
- So today I shall celebrate all my life choices that enabled me to not know of the existence of this show for almost a decade.
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertI hung up my DOGE termination letter near where I’m writing my book, as a reminder that the Humanities matters to a free and open society. Far worse than the end of my NEH grant is the wholesale gutting of the NEH itself, an incalculable loss that we must fight to prevent.
- Reposted by Dr Robyne Calvert@uofgcareers.bsky.social is advertising 41 paid, summer internships on the Student Opportunities Hub! Find out how you could help charities and third sector organisations make a positive impact in the community! Learn more and apply at bit.ly/findasolution2025. ⌛Apply by Monday, 14 April.
- My last 3 follows are making me think that initial academic surge is waning a bit…
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertBREAKING: We're suing the National Institutes of Health over their politically-motivated purge of research grants. This is an unlawful attack on scientific progress that puts lives at risk.
- Who else is doing the Substack thing? My bandwidth feels so limited and yet it does seem like the best place for actual writing and connection and such. substack.com/@robynecalve...
- Also Lori’s books are very worth checking out if you are a Steampunk sort! She’s a brilliant writer and editor!
- Right now, Amazon has "The Mack" by my friend @robyneerica.bsky.social on a really good sale. It's normally $60 (which is why I hadn't yet bought a copy) but it's marked down 54% on a "Big Spring Deal" to $27.80. amzn.to/3FEt5yG (more in comments) #GlasgowSchoolofArt #TheMack #BookSkye #Art
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertRight now, Amazon has "The Mack" by my friend @robyneerica.bsky.social on a really good sale. It's normally $60 (which is why I hadn't yet bought a copy) but it's marked down 54% on a "Big Spring Deal" to $27.80. amzn.to/3FEt5yG (more in comments) #GlasgowSchoolofArt #TheMack #BookSkye #Art
- Glasgow city type people, I have a question. Why was it decided to make Kelvinway pedestrian only? A street that already had beautiful, wide pavements?
- Really looking forward to seeing Willow and UofG friends and colleagues at this on Friday! And especially the chance to finally meet Perilla Kinchin after so many years of admiring her work. Might have to bring my book(s) for her to sign…
- Glasgow's National Trust for Scotland's Mackintosh at the Willow will host a series of talks on the history of the cuppa. The Scottish Food Heritage Symposium led by @uofgartshums.bsky.social Dr Lindsay Middleton and @tenementkitchen.bsky.social will diving into tea's cultural impact. 🫖
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertAlexander Thomson died #otd 150 years ago on 22nd March 1875. As a fledgling history of art and architecture student, I worked at Holmwood in Glasgow, and it will always have a special place in my heart. Have a read of my blog post about Thomson and his magnificent villa here wp.me/pbSHKt-dN
- Fantastic day at #LTAX listening to our brilliant @uofglasgow.bsky.social undergrads present research all kinds of research, from sustainable fashion to solar flares; viruses, Russian manuscripts, Dark Patterns, Cystic Fibrosis and more! Can’t way for day 2 tomorrow. www.talkaboutx.net/2025-talks
- Let’s Talk About X is our multidisciplinary undergraduate conference, and these students are so impressive! Learn more www.talkaboutx.net/2025-talks
- I can see my house from here.
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertTo my own pleasant surprise, this from V&A director Tristram Hunt is good on the problems–and a solution–for UK national museums prevented from deaccessioning under certain terms of the 1983 National Heritage Act. Includes examples of practice in other European countries ('Even Switzerland...'). 📜🗃️
- I’ve almost missed #worldbookday - here I am at almost 11pm thinking, oh yeah, I put a book into the world almost a year ago! Thanks to all who’ve supported it.
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertLeaving Canada now… but a long black espresso coffee will forever be a Canadiano!
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertNext to tirelessly defending his nation against an occupying force, I think the most impressive thing #Zelensky has ever done is managing not to kick those two cunts in the teeth. The absolute state of it. #PutinShills
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertUrban Studies and Social Policy March Seminar Drawing on 167 interviews and focus groups with women of colour activists in six European cities, Akwugo Emejulu explores why and how solidarity fails in white-dominated centre and radical left activist spaces in Europe. www.gla.ac.uk/events/listi...
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- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertMy dear friend, I have to say that it is your naivety which has led you to take what they come out with as the truth. Return to your senses. Let me tell you that those who speak ill of women do more harm to themselves than they do to the women they actually slander. - Christine de Pizan, b. 1365
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertAfter playing a fictional member of the Resistance a long time ago, I never could have imagined it ever happening in real life, but here we are.
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertEdward Gorey cover for Nineteenth Century German Tales
- One of my former Profs was director of the NEH, and he must be spinning in his grave at this. Cannot comprehend. Imagine if the AHRC made such a proclamation?! The people working at the NEH must feel positively sick to be forced to comply with this fascism.
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertWYOMING: “Thank you, Madam chairman.” “I prefer ‘Mister’ chairman.” “Well you all voted preferred pronouns cannot be compelled speech.”
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertI am hugely grateful to these well-informed fantasy fans for taking the time to write these letters rebuking The Guardian for that asinine 'romantasy' opinion piece. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/f...
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertDo sign up and come along if you're in Edinburgh on 26 Feb. Copies of the book will be available at a healthy discount!
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertThe entire archive of CDC datasets can be found here. HUGE shoutout to data archivists- this work is important 👏🙌🏻 archive.org/details/2025...
- Miami-ish in Glasgow.
- Happy LUNAR New Year - not just for China @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertHappy Year of the Snake! 🐍🎉 We hope all who celebrate have a wonderful time with friends and family across the world. 🧧🧑🤝🧑🌏 #YearoftheSnake #SpringFestival2025 #TeamUofG
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertORCID is pleased to announce the release of 13 new work types that support a wider range of arts and humanities contributions! 🎼 🎞️ 🖼️ 🎨 🗺️ Read more about it on the blog: shorturl.at/fiUbQ
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertThis is a sewing pattern. It is also a page from a late 14th century manuscript that is one of two primary sources for an important Icelandic saga (Sturlunga saga), but that was probably not important to the 17th century person who really needed a sewing pattern. #upcycling
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertThe extended podcast episode of ‘Vase-mania’ is now live- available wherever you get your podcasts @edincollegeofart.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/10qd...
- Hey @murphyniallgla.bsky.social any intel?
- Where is Beethoven? #Glasgow
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertAnother #Mackintosh building sadly vacant, partly demolished and suffering from buddleia. Former QM College Anatomical Dept, 1895. Adjoining former BBC now Scotsman Group HQ. Lovely stone details in the sun. #GlasgowHeritage
- Reposted by Dr Robyne Calvert#TheVictorianBookoftheDead Death is Skating, Hugo Simberg, 1899
- Reposted by Dr Robyne Calvert@serenadyer.bsky.social & I are pleased to announce a #cfp for our new edited online collection of Reflective Recreations with @bloomsburyfashion.bsky.social We seek short pieces of 1k words around recreative practice in dress & fashion history, museum studies & more! See the call & deadline below:
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertOne of the gifts of being a small business is that we can openly say we don’t support fascism, and then whenever someone gets huffy about it we can tell them to go sit on a tack.
- Reposted by Dr Robyne Calvert#BlueMonday is a myth, so we like the sound of the @samaritans.bsky.social #BrewMonday instead! ☕️ A good reminder for #TeamUofG to take a break from studies & work when needed, get some fresh air around campus, reach out to people & be kind to ourselves. UofG support: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/co...
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertUnsolicited writing advice, no. #55234567: You don’t have to write for a living to be a writer. You don’t have to be a great writer to be a writer. You don’t have to write full time to be a writer. All you have to do is write.
- First day of term - home time for me but the Reading Room was still buzzing into the evening. @uofglasgow.bsky.social
- I need to make an effort to pop down to Giffnock and explore its wee cafes.
- Hey @lostglasgow.bsky.social - our local boy all ready for next year’s Yuletide watch.
- Welcome to the public domain, BIG BUSINESS (1929)! 🎞️ Laurel & Hardy bring their slapstick A-game as bungling Christmas tree salesmen in this comedy masterpiece. Learn more ➡️ blog.archive.org/2025/01/01/welcome-… #PublicDomain #PublicDomainDay #InternetArchive
- Reposted by Dr Robyne Calvert
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertHaving reported on this since it was first proposed a decade ago, it is an extraordinary thing to see it finally happening next Monday... ‘All eyes are on Glasgow’: UK’s first legal drug consumption room ready to open www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertMy letter in today's Guardian. Just asking, like. But I think we know the answer.
- Reposted by Dr Robyne CalvertToday's short thread - wicked historical women, because not everybody's granny was a saint, right? 1st up, the Duchess of Sutherland, who ordered vicious evictions on her estates during the Clearances. There's a memorial to her in a pub in Partick, where she is named on a urinal. 😂 /1
- Following on from this, I thought the ending of Mr Sunshine was rubbish. And I’m not someone who need to always have a happy ending, but how this one went down was totally avoidable and I’m annoyed. Obvs this post for any #kdrama fans, happy to have commiserations.
