Christian Cooijmans
@ccooijmans.bsky.social
Viking Historian | Research Fellow @uio.no | Assoc. Researcher @livunihss.bsky.social | vikings in continental Europe | medieval(ism) | histor(iograph)y
https://hcommons.org/members/ccooijmans
https://hcommons.org/members/ccooijmans
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
For All Hallows' Eve, here's some spooky scary skeletons making the rounds among society's most hard-done-by 🩻
From Hans Holbein the Younger's formidable 'Dance of Death' series, c. 1524-26.
From Hans Holbein the Younger's formidable 'Dance of Death' series, c. 1524-26.
October 31, 2026 at 1:46 PM
For All Hallows' Eve, here's some spooky scary skeletons making the rounds among society's most hard-done-by 🩻
From Hans Holbein the Younger's formidable 'Dance of Death' series, c. 1524-26.
From Hans Holbein the Younger's formidable 'Dance of Death' series, c. 1524-26.
For All Hallows' Eve, here's some spooky scary skeletons making the rounds among society's most hard-done-by 🩻
From Hans Holbein the Younger's formidable 'Dance of Death' series, c. 1524-26.
From Hans Holbein the Younger's formidable 'Dance of Death' series, c. 1524-26.
October 31, 2026 at 1:46 PM
For All Hallows' Eve, here's some spooky scary skeletons making the rounds among society's most hard-done-by 🩻
From Hans Holbein the Younger's formidable 'Dance of Death' series, c. 1524-26.
From Hans Holbein the Younger's formidable 'Dance of Death' series, c. 1524-26.
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DTM079/p... postdoc alert! Come join a fantastic department in @livunihss.bsky.social on another (!) great monasticisms critical edition project #medievalsky
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Grade 7 at University of Liverpool
An opportunity for an academic position as a Postdoctoral Research Associate - Grade 7 is available, as advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other academic job openings.
www.jobs.ac.uk
October 30, 2026 at 7:03 PM
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DTM079/p... postdoc alert! Come join a fantastic department in @livunihss.bsky.social on another (!) great monasticisms critical edition project #medievalsky
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
Sorry to see the British Library (@britishlibrary.bsky.social) going further down the enshittification curve, setting a very poor example and poorer precedent for public research libraries everywhere. This while many of its core services have still not been restored after the 2023 cyberattack.
British Library to turn reading rooms into paid-for workspaces
Areas dedicated to science and social science in national institution to be ‘repurposed’, sparking the ire of scholars
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 25, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Sorry to see the British Library (@britishlibrary.bsky.social) going further down the enshittification curve, setting a very poor example and poorer precedent for public research libraries everywhere. This while many of its core services have still not been restored after the 2023 cyberattack.
Sorry to see the British Library (@britishlibrary.bsky.social) going further down the enshittification curve, setting a very poor example and poorer precedent for public research libraries everywhere. This while many of its core services have still not been restored after the 2023 cyberattack.
British Library to turn reading rooms into paid-for workspaces
Areas dedicated to science and social science in national institution to be ‘repurposed’, sparking the ire of scholars
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 25, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Sorry to see the British Library (@britishlibrary.bsky.social) going further down the enshittification curve, setting a very poor example and poorer precedent for public research libraries everywhere. This while many of its core services have still not been restored after the 2023 cyberattack.
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
As Northern Studies 56 reached members some weeks ago, no. 55 is now available in Open Access from our website! 🔓
With articles by @downham.bsky.social, @aonghas-macc.bsky.social, and others, as well as Terry Gunnell's Pálsson Lecture and Iain Cameron's Magnusson Essay. Plenty of book reviews too!
With articles by @downham.bsky.social, @aonghas-macc.bsky.social, and others, as well as Terry Gunnell's Pálsson Lecture and Iain Cameron's Magnusson Essay. Plenty of book reviews too!
Northern Studies 55 (2024) - Scottish Society for Northern Studies
Northern Studies 55 (2024)
www.ssns.org.uk
October 24, 2026 at 3:23 PM
As Northern Studies 56 reached members some weeks ago, no. 55 is now available in Open Access from our website! 🔓
With articles by @downham.bsky.social, @aonghas-macc.bsky.social, and others, as well as Terry Gunnell's Pálsson Lecture and Iain Cameron's Magnusson Essay. Plenty of book reviews too!
With articles by @downham.bsky.social, @aonghas-macc.bsky.social, and others, as well as Terry Gunnell's Pálsson Lecture and Iain Cameron's Magnusson Essay. Plenty of book reviews too!
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
Before the broomstick, there was the oven fork 🧹🍴
This woodcut is the earliest known printed image of witches in flight, and it offers a glimpse into a dark chapter of Scottish history.
This woodcut is the earliest known printed image of witches in flight, and it offers a glimpse into a dark chapter of Scottish history.
October 21, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Before the broomstick, there was the oven fork 🧹🍴
This woodcut is the earliest known printed image of witches in flight, and it offers a glimpse into a dark chapter of Scottish history.
This woodcut is the earliest known printed image of witches in flight, and it offers a glimpse into a dark chapter of Scottish history.
Can't say my medievalist heart didn't jump a little when John Darnielle started playing 'Grendel's Mother' - which I first stumbled across for an English lit assignment many years ago
@themountaingoats.bsky.social
@themountaingoats.bsky.social
October 20, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Can't say my medievalist heart didn't jump a little when John Darnielle started playing 'Grendel's Mother' - which I first stumbled across for an English lit assignment many years ago
@themountaingoats.bsky.social
@themountaingoats.bsky.social
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
SSNS is very happy to announce this year's day conference, on Sat 28 Nov in the Scottish Borders (Darnick, next to Melrose).
Speakers include David Griffiths, Brigid Ehrmantraut, Jackson Armstrong, and Neil McGuigan. With (optional) discounted access and tour of Melrose Abbey
Details below:
Speakers include David Griffiths, Brigid Ehrmantraut, Jackson Armstrong, and Neil McGuigan. With (optional) discounted access and tour of Melrose Abbey
Details below:
SSNS 2026 Day Conference - Scottish Society for Northern Studies
SSNS's next Annual Conference will take place in Darnick on 28 Nov. 2026.
www.ssns.org.uk
October 14, 2026 at 9:38 AM
SSNS is very happy to announce this year's day conference, on Sat 28 Nov in the Scottish Borders (Darnick, next to Melrose).
Speakers include David Griffiths, Brigid Ehrmantraut, Jackson Armstrong, and Neil McGuigan. With (optional) discounted access and tour of Melrose Abbey
Details below:
Speakers include David Griffiths, Brigid Ehrmantraut, Jackson Armstrong, and Neil McGuigan. With (optional) discounted access and tour of Melrose Abbey
Details below:
'[This is an academic] system in which institutions [...] have shifted ever greater pedagogical and administrative responsibilities onto increasingly shorthanded and overburdened workforces, even as salaries have seen significant cuts in real value.'
Please amplify and circulate if you can!
Please amplify and circulate if you can!
The Humanities at Risk: A Statement from the Scottish Society for Northern Studies
The Society expresses deep concerns about ongoing university cuts to research, teaching, and engagement in Hums and Social Sciences - sounding the alarm about long-term consequences and losses to Scottish and UK HE
The Society expresses deep concerns about ongoing university cuts to research, teaching, and engagement in Hums and Social Sciences - sounding the alarm about long-term consequences and losses to Scottish and UK HE
The Humanities at Risk: A Statement from the Scottish Society for Northern Studies - Scottish Society for Northern Studies
A statement from the Scottish Society for Northern Studies on the current crisis faced by Humanities and Social Sciences in UK Higher Education.
www.ssns.org.uk
October 12, 2026 at 8:42 AM
'[This is an academic] system in which institutions [...] have shifted ever greater pedagogical and administrative responsibilities onto increasingly shorthanded and overburdened workforces, even as salaries have seen significant cuts in real value.'
Please amplify and circulate if you can!
Please amplify and circulate if you can!
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
The Humanities at Risk: A Statement from the Scottish Society for Northern Studies
The Society expresses deep concerns about ongoing university cuts to research, teaching, and engagement in Hums and Social Sciences - sounding the alarm about long-term consequences and losses to Scottish and UK HE
The Society expresses deep concerns about ongoing university cuts to research, teaching, and engagement in Hums and Social Sciences - sounding the alarm about long-term consequences and losses to Scottish and UK HE
The Humanities at Risk: A Statement from the Scottish Society for Northern Studies - Scottish Society for Northern Studies
A statement from the Scottish Society for Northern Studies on the current crisis faced by Humanities and Social Sciences in UK Higher Education.
www.ssns.org.uk
October 12, 2026 at 8:23 AM
The Humanities at Risk: A Statement from the Scottish Society for Northern Studies
The Society expresses deep concerns about ongoing university cuts to research, teaching, and engagement in Hums and Social Sciences - sounding the alarm about long-term consequences and losses to Scottish and UK HE
The Society expresses deep concerns about ongoing university cuts to research, teaching, and engagement in Hums and Social Sciences - sounding the alarm about long-term consequences and losses to Scottish and UK HE
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
Ran into an unexpected runic inscription (of sorts) this week in the Society of Antiquaries of London. In the lobby hangs a portrait of Humfrey Wanley, librarian of the Harleian library, surrounded by various antiquities. The work was painted by Thomas Hill in c. 1711.
October 9, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Ran into an unexpected runic inscription (of sorts) this week in the Society of Antiquaries of London. In the lobby hangs a portrait of Humfrey Wanley, librarian of the Harleian library, surrounded by various antiquities. The work was painted by Thomas Hill in c. 1711.
Ran into an unexpected runic inscription (of sorts) this week in the Society of Antiquaries of London. In the lobby hangs a portrait of Humfrey Wanley, librarian of the Harleian library, surrounded by various antiquities. The work was painted by Thomas Hill in c. 1711.
October 9, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Ran into an unexpected runic inscription (of sorts) this week in the Society of Antiquaries of London. In the lobby hangs a portrait of Humfrey Wanley, librarian of the Harleian library, surrounded by various antiquities. The work was painted by Thomas Hill in c. 1711.
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
How did they know the title of our forthcoming paper?
October 8, 2026 at 8:57 PM
How did they know the title of our forthcoming paper?
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
It's easy - and correct! - to focus on just how ghoulish and profane this view of human creativity is. But even if you're the most cynical capitalist on earth, the evidence that people would enjoy entirely dehumanised content, at anything like a scale that would justify this hype, is extremely thin!
September 30, 2026 at 12:43 PM
It's easy - and correct! - to focus on just how ghoulish and profane this view of human creativity is. But even if you're the most cynical capitalist on earth, the evidence that people would enjoy entirely dehumanised content, at anything like a scale that would justify this hype, is extremely thin!
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
Very concerning that they don't mention which models were used in the process, and whether/how applications were protected vis-à-vis data ethics, GDPR, AI training, etc.
It not only risks that no human will read what you have spent months working on, but that your work is hoovered up along the way.
It not only risks that no human will read what you have spent months working on, but that your work is hoovered up along the way.
September 25, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Very concerning that they don't mention which models were used in the process, and whether/how applications were protected vis-à-vis data ethics, GDPR, AI training, etc.
It not only risks that no human will read what you have spent months working on, but that your work is hoovered up along the way.
It not only risks that no human will read what you have spent months working on, but that your work is hoovered up along the way.
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
Crikey, hadn't realised this was already happening.
Had a UKRI funded grant proposal rejected at the "AI triage stage". "This AI-based triage was used only to identify approximately 50% of the strongest proposals to take forward to full human review." 🧪 #academicsky
September 24, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Crikey, hadn't realised this was already happening.
The one where Peppa Pig joins the hydrarchy
Today's vikingism: 'Viking Day', a 2020 Peppa Pig episode, featuring horned helmets, dragon heads, boat hijackings, viking shanties, and a raided food stall ⚔️🥪
Full(ish) episode here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dFF...
Full(ish) episode here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dFF...
September 18, 2026 at 4:47 PM
The one where Peppa Pig joins the hydrarchy
'Vikings in the Mediterranean' (ed. Price et al.) has been out for a few years now, but happy to see my review on it in the new issue of Northern Studies, which landed on my doormat this week. DM me if you'd like a PDF.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
'Vikings in the Mediterranean' (ed. Price et al.) has been out for a few years now, but happy to see my review on it in the new issue of Northern Studies, which landed on my doormat this week. DM me if you'd like a PDF.
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
Same (but three-time alumnus and several-times past employee). So sad for former colleagues and today's students that an institution we're all desperate to be proud of is behaving so abysmally.
As a two-time alumnus of Edinburgh Uni, it's hard not to despair at the short-sighted plans by management to decimate degree programmes across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Solidarity to all affected by this act of utter vandalism.
The extent of the programmes being cut at the University of Edinburgh (where I took part in an event with Raja Shehadeh a fortnight ago) is extraordinary (archive.is/tACqv) - Celtic & Scottish Lit (UG), Scottish Literature (UG) & BD Divinity (UG) among the 90, not to mention Arabic & Persian.
September 18, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Same (but three-time alumnus and several-times past employee). So sad for former colleagues and today's students that an institution we're all desperate to be proud of is behaving so abysmally.
As a two-time alumnus of Edinburgh Uni, it's hard not to despair at the short-sighted plans by management to decimate degree programmes across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Solidarity to all affected by this act of utter vandalism.
The extent of the programmes being cut at the University of Edinburgh (where I took part in an event with Raja Shehadeh a fortnight ago) is extraordinary (archive.is/tACqv) - Celtic & Scottish Lit (UG), Scottish Literature (UG) & BD Divinity (UG) among the 90, not to mention Arabic & Persian.
'The University and College Union (UCU)’s Edinburgh branch said staff had been called into “informal meetings at less than 24 hours' notice” and told not to bring union representatives.'
September 18, 2026 at 6:48 AM
As a two-time alumnus of Edinburgh Uni, it's hard not to despair at the short-sighted plans by management to decimate degree programmes across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Solidarity to all affected by this act of utter vandalism.
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
No to Leeds Data Centre and thanks you to Judith Kerr.
September 13, 2026 at 11:41 AM
No to Leeds Data Centre and thanks you to Judith Kerr.
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
Friends, if you've ever worked in the Dutch National Archives, consider signing this petition. Its administrators want to completely shut down its public educational programs and turn it into a repository of exclusively government records. #skystorians 🗃️
Belangrijke petitie. Ik heb meteen getekend! Jij ook?
HET NATIONAAL ARCHIEF MAG NIET STOPPEN MET PUBLIEKE TAKEN!
Het Nationaal Archief is er niet alleen om documenten te bewaren. Het is ook een plek waar mensen terechtkunnen met vragen over hun familiegeschiedenis, hun afkomst of gebeurtenissen uit het verleden....
actie.degoedezaak.org
September 15, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Friends, if you've ever worked in the Dutch National Archives, consider signing this petition. Its administrators want to completely shut down its public educational programs and turn it into a repository of exclusively government records. #skystorians 🗃️
Reposted by Christian Cooijmans
I think the emphasis on bigger grants is counterproductive in the humanities, where you can do a huge amount just by providing a salary and reasonable overhead. Forcing people to apply for vast sums they don’t actually need for their core project adds to the pressure and reduces resources elsewhere.
For the record, "fewer larger grants" is the opposite of how to fund good research. Give a bunch of researchers financial stability and basic funding, without wasting their time on increasingly competitive applications and widening the have/have-not gap, and look how far we'll go.
September 15, 2026 at 9:43 AM
I think the emphasis on bigger grants is counterproductive in the humanities, where you can do a huge amount just by providing a salary and reasonable overhead. Forcing people to apply for vast sums they don’t actually need for their core project adds to the pressure and reduces resources elsewhere.