It was very rewarding and inspiring to carry out the interview and I learned so much from the process. My thanks to you, Patrick, for sharing your experiences and enthusiasm so freely!

Love this! 😅

Thanks Beth!

Thanks Andy. Yes - Bob was, I think, aiming to do something when I graduate in the summer. But I'd be happy to meet up sooner. I definitely owe you guys a drink!!

Thanks so much, Jim.

It's official! I've been 'doctored'. So many folks to thank - for now, fab supervisors @digivictorian.bsky.social, @bethgaskell.bsky.social, @drbeard79.bsky.social, @miaout.bsky.social, great examiners @jimmussell.bsky.social, @sarahfoxhistory.bsky.social and many friends/colleagues @rs4vp.org.

volume i and volume ii knobs on a device ALT: volume i and volume ii knobs on a device

A somewhat overdue blog post, musing on 'ancient and modern' media forms. My first blog since submitting my PhD thesis back in October - since then, I've been focused on viva prep and then sorting out thesis amendments, which are nearly complete. 😃 www.matthewstephens.org.uk?p=249

Introducing A New Interview Series – RSVP We're launching a new series of interviews of senior RSVP members, who will discuss their advice for researching 19th-century periodicals.

Happy Holidays from RSVP! Our gift 🎁 to you is the debut of a new interview series, starting with @patrickleary.bsky.social, who sat down with @c19thnewshound.bsky.social this past year to discuss "Getting Started with Periodicals Research." Stay tuned for more in 2026! rs4vp.org/introducing-...

You're definitely not alone! (I tend to avoid any TV programme with 'celebrity' in the title...)

Ooh - you're brave to tackle that. We once had a plasterer working at our place who had been in the game a long time. Apparently, when he was apprenticed, his boss said to him, 'son, plastering's not a trade. It's a disease!' Anyway, good luck with it - hope it goes well for you.

Fantastic news - congratulations Lucie!

Thanks so much, Priti.

Thanks Mia!

Thanks Mary!

Thanks Jim. I'm looking forward to the viva...

It has been a momentous week for me. Four years on from starting my PhD, my thesis has been submitted for examination. What a journey it has been! To mark the occasion I chose this newspaper, printed 200 yrs prior to my submission date, from Newcastle where academic life began for me some time ago.

Those volumes are lovely and incredibly well preserved.

bernie sanders is wearing a jacket and glasses and is asking for help . Alt: bernie sanders is wearing a jacket and glasses and is asking for help .

I am once again asking for leads on part-time research, editing, and administration jobs - I have some freelance and hourly paid projects on the go and am not able to take on full-time work in order to accommodate them (and my pro-bono talks/research for charity/vol. orgs). DMs/emails welcomed!

a typewriter has a red sign that says visit on it ALT: a typewriter has a red sign that says visit on it

You can read my latest blog post about my experience in the Windy city - at the Research Society for Victorian Periodicals conference - here, www.matthewstephens.org.uk?p=225.

Ah yes, the focusing power of avoidance! Hope you get it (all) done.😂

Looks good! 😋

Sure you'll find a superstar. It would be a great place to work.

Wonderful stuff. The last paragraph of 'The Dead' is some of the most beautiful prose ever written, for me.

Back at my desk today after a couple of days based here - the wonderful Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge - where I learned about museum-community collaboration. Fascinating perspectives, provoking much debate. Great to catch up with fellow CDP students too.

A rare visit to the Edge Hill Uni campus today, where I presented a paper at my dept's postgrad conference @edgehist.bsky.social. Bittersweet as probably the last time I'll do that as a postgrad. Campus is always beautiful in spring - here's a shot of one of its more unusual outdoor sculptures.

That's brilliant news, Emma. How exciting!

This looks amazing. What a moment to treasure!!

This looks fantastic! Sadly too far away from me, but I'm sure it'll be a success on a galactic scale.

A March to the Scaffold moment today! I had the thrilling (but slightly terrifying) experience of giving my first public lecture, to the Friends of @ironbridgegmt.bsky.social. Great audience, knowledgeable & engaged. A surprise was seeing scaffolding at the Coalbrookdale site, for roof refit work.

Photo of front cover of Victorian Periodicals Review, Vol 57 Number 1 &2, Spring/Summer 2024, print edition

Photo of rear cover of Victorian Periodicals Review, Vol 57 Number 1 &2, Spring/Summer 2024, print edition, with summary of contents.

This was a genuine - and thrilling - surprise in today's post, all the way from Maryland. How lovely that @vpreditors.bsky.social retains the custom of sending a print copy of the journal to its contributors. My first published piece and it's all the more special to have it in physical print. 😀