The #18thcentury rumours are true. Please join us in person or online at today’s CECS seminar, with Dr Harrie Neal:

NEW BOOK ALERT! Wednesday 13 May 2026 sees the launch of 'Gender, Science, and Sociability in the diary of Jane Ewbank of York (1778-1824) with a stellar list of speakers - in person and online
www.york.ac.uk/eighteenth-c...
@cecs-york.bsky.social #skystorians #18thC

A group photo picturing the workshop attendees

It was a pleasure to co-convene a two day workshop on historical approaches to unwanted non-human life. It brought together researches from a range of periods and disciplines and fostered conversations on the challenges and opportunities of with working in this field. Many thanks to all involved!

📢 Our next seminar is scheduled for Tuesday 21 April with our own Harrie Neal presenting a paper on: "The Edgeworths, Ireland’s Bogs, and Improvement"
🗓️ Tuesday 21 April, 5pm
📍 H/G09, Heslington Hall & Zoom
🔗 www.york.ac.uk/eighteenth-c...

We're seeking interdisciplinary perspectives on radicalism, protest, and the political power of print, from satirical caricatures and regional newspapers to the "hidden agency" of those working within the trade. Full submission details are included in the poster 5/5

Feeling inspired to join the conversation? The Call for Papers deadline has been officially extended to April 24th. Full details on the CECS website (4/5) www.york.ac.uk/eighteenth-c...

Dr Helen Williams is Associate Professor at Northumbria University and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow. She is a leading voice in book history and literary heritage, specifically focusing on the vital contributions of women to historical book production. 3/5

Dr Esther Chadwick is Senior Lecturer in History of Art at The Courtauld and author of the award-winning The Radical Print: Art and Politics in Late Eighteenth-Century Britain. Her work offers fascinating insights into the political agency of 18th-century image-making. 2/5

We're thrilled to announce the keynote speakers for our July symposium, 'Radical Print Culture in the Long Eighteenth Century'. Dr Esther Chadwick (@thecourtauld) & Dr Helen Williams (@helenwilliams18 @northumbriauni) will join us in York to share their expertise on the power & politics of print 1/5

Dr. Helen Williams is Associate Professor at Northumbria University and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow. She is a leading voice in book history and literary heritage, specifically focusing on the vital contributions of women to historical book production 3/5

Dr Esther Chadwick is Senior Lecturer in History of Art at The Courtauld and author of the award-winning The Radical Print: Art and Politics in Late Eighteenth-Century Britain. Her work offers fascinating insights into the political agency of 18th-century image-making. 2/5

CECS is at the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies in Philadelphia this week. CECS friends & alumni, please say hello to CECS director Prof Chloe Wigston Smith @chloewigstonsmith.bsky.social to catch up, and learn about our upcoming events and future plans.

Gender, Science and Sociability in the Diary of Jane Ewbank of York (1778-1824) is published today with Boydell and Brewer! 35% off if you use the code BB135. Book link in comments ws.bsky.social @historyscience.bsky.social @womenshistnet.bsky.social @cecs-york.bsky.social @bshsnews.bsky.social

Sunny days at the University of York’s Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies.

Society launches new funding programme for International Fellows and Associate Fellows - RHS The Royal Historical Society is pleased to launch a new programme, from today, to support the work of International Fellows and Associate Fellows. Recipients will be members of the Society, resident o...

We are pleased to launch today a new funding programme for Fellows & Associate Fellows of the Society resident outside the UK & Ireland bit.ly/3PtDQZu

Grants support research in UK / Irish archives for our international historians. Deadline 8 May to enable research from summer 2026 #Skystorians 1/2

DEADLINE EXTENDED to the 31 March 2026!
Join our PGRs and ECRs in Montpellier this autumn to discuss the theme of 'Improvement, Degeneration, Stagnation'
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️ #PGR #ECR #CFP

Find out more about what it’s like to study at Heslington Hall here: www.york.ac.uk/about/depart...

MA Eighteenth Century Studies Explore the 18th century in a dynamic and stimulating interdisciplinary environment

Find out more about our CECS MA here: www.york.ac.uk/study/postgr...

Historic Heslington Hall, home to the Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies, in bright sunshine.

The wing of Heslington Hall, with a small white magnolia tree just starting to bloom

Current student Anna shares: ‘I love how the course has exposed me to so many new perspectives, approaches and ideas, and given me the freedom and support to explore these as I wished. Trying to narrow down exciting ideas to pursue is the hardest part!’

Such a gorgeous day for our Masters Taster Day @york.ac.uk! We’re looking forward to talking about our renowned interdisciplinary MA in Eighteenth Century Studies, first established in 1994. Looking forward to welcoming our new students to Heslington Hall in autumn 2026!

TODAY: all welcome at our research seminar with Ruth Larsen 👇

🎥 We're hosting a special screening of a new documentary on the 18th century poet Phillis Wheatley Peters.
📍 9 March at 5pm in V/N/045, Vanbrugh College
🎟️ This is a free event, but booking is essential at the link on our events page: www.york.ac.uk/eighteenth-c...

📢 Our next seminar is scheduled for Tuesday 10 March with Ruth Larsen presenting a paper on "Well bred? Enlightenment Thought and the Formation of an Aristocratic Ideal in Britain"
🗓️ Tuesday 10 March, 5pm
📍 H/G09, Heslington Hall & Zoom
🔗 www.york.ac.uk/eighteenth-c...

We have seen the teaser for Pride and Prejudice, a new adaptation about hands. What other novels from the long 18th c should be adapted? We’ll start: Frances Burney’s Evelina #18thCentury

Snowdrops encircling a tree with Heslington Hall and its 18th century topiary in the background

Daffodils in a long stone planter sitting on paving in front of the 18th c topiary garden behind Heslington Hall.

Cheerful signs of spring at Heslington Hall at the Univ of York, home to the Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies #18thCentury #snowdrops #daffodils #topiary

TODAY: Jane Austen, Empire & Scotland 👇 #18thCentury

AS CECS MA student Nusrat continues, "What makes the course so distinctive is its genuinely interdisciplinary approach. I’ve been able to engage with perspectives from archaeology, history, literature, and art history, all of which open up new ways of understanding the global eighteenth century."

Current students will be part of the Taster Day. Current MA student Nusrat shares that the CECS MA: "has given me the opportunity to explore this fascinating and transformative period in real depth, supported by an exceptionally broad and welcoming academic community at Heslington Hall."

📢 CECS will be at York's Masters Taster Day on 18 March. Meet CECS director Chloe Wigston Smith at Heslington Hall to learn about our interdisciplinary MA in Eighteenth Century Studies, our student bursaries for 2026-27 and our funding for PG research.
Book your place: www.york.ac.uk/study/postgr...

Congratulations to CECS staff member Sophie Coulombeau on this well-deserved recognition for her excellent book! 🏆📚 Reading with the Burneys 📚🏆