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WOMEN’S HISTORY SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER
(February 2014)
Please send items for inclusion in the next newsletter to Elizabeth Ewan at eewan@uoguelph.ca
NB could members please send details of International Women's Day events in their areas for
inclusion in the March newsletter?
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News from WHS
Seminar Series
Calls for Papers
News from Archives, Libraries
Websites, Blogs
Publications
Studentships
Other News
And Finally
1.NEWS FROM WHS
Women of Scotland project.
The Women of Scotland website ( http://womenofscotland.org.uk/ ) recorded its 400th memorial in
December. Memorials come in many shapes and forms; statues, stained glass windows, buildings, place
names and plaques, to name but a few. WHS members are reminded to keep their eyes peeled for
memorials to women which could be added to the site, and increase our knowledge of a whole range of
Scottish women.
Aberdeen Women's Trail. Glasgow Women's Library ran a Women of Scotland training session in
Aberdeen in Feb 2013. This has resulted in the formation of a group which has met regularly, and which
has created Aberdeen's first Women's Trail. The Trail will be launched on 8 March, with a civic reception
and a Conversation Cafe. Participants in the Cafe will include Professors Clare Midgeley and Sarah
Pedersen, Drs Alison Cameron, Alison McCall and Fiona Musk, and Morag Smith of Glasgow Women's
Library.
WHS Blog
A new blog is being set up by WHS. WHS members will be posting blogs once a month. All members are
encouraged to contribute. Please contact Laura Paterson at l.paterson@dundee.ac.uk
WHS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The annual conference will be held at the University of Abertay in either 26-7 September or 3-4 October.
Charlotte Macdonald (Victoria University, New Zealand) will be the speaker for the Sue Innes Memorial
Lecture. Further details to come,
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Exploring Masculinities in Scottish History
Workshop organised by Lynn Abrams and Elizabeth Ewan
Venue: St John’s House, South Street, St Andrews 14 March 2014, 9:30-4:45
This workshop will investigate sources for the history of masculinities in Scotland from the medieval to
modern period. Themes to be examined include Forming and Controlling Men; Stereotypes an
Representations of Men and Manhood; The Fighting Man; and Domestic and Sexual Man. Presenters
include several members of WHS. More details about talks and speakers are available from Elizabeth
Ewan at eewan@uoguelph.ca Attendance is free but please contact Elizabeth Ewan by 20 February as
space is limited.
2. SEMINAR SERIES
Gender History Network (University of Edinburgh)
Wed 12 Feb 2014, 5-6.30pm, Rosemary Seton (University of London), ‘Transnational female networks as
revealed in the papers of Eva Dykes Spicer, missionary educator at Ginling College, China, 1923 – 1950’
Venue: seminar room G.13, William Robertson Wing, Medical School, Doorway 4, Teviot Place.
Thurs 6 March 2014, 6-7.30pm: in conjunction with the Scottish History seminar, Esther Breitenbach
(University of Edinburgh) ‘Cherchez la femme’: seeking women's voices in the long nineteenth century.
Venue: seminar room G.13, William Robertson Wing, Medical School, Doorway 4, Teviot Place.
Wed 26 March 2014, 5-6.30pm: in conjunction with Modern Irish History seminar:
Elaine Farrell (Queen's University Belfast)'Another Generation of Jail-Birds': Nineteenth-Century Irish
Female Convicts
Venue: seminar room G.13, William Robertson Wing, Medical School, Doorway 4, Teviot Place.
For campus maps and directions see: http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps
Glasgow Centre for Gender History
Tues 11 Feb, 5.15 pm: Gilbert Scott Conference Suite 355
Selina Todd (St Hilda’s College, Oxford): ‘The People: writing a history of working-class life in modern
Britain’ (co-hosted by the Centre for the Study of Socialist Theory and Movements)
Thurs 13 Feb, 4.00 pm: Room 209, 2 University Gardens
Karen Harvey (University of Sheffield): ‘Beyond cultural and medical history: Mary Toft’s “monstrous”
births in 1726’
Tues 4 Mar, 5.15 pm: Gilbert Scott Conference Suite 355
Sara R. Farris (Goldsmiths, University of London): ‘The political-economic foundations of
femonationalism’ (co-hosted by the Centre for the Study of Socialist Theory and Movements)
Wed 5 Mar, 12.30 pm: Seminar Room 134, Main Building (access via the Thompson (Anatomy)
Building’s carpark)
Annmarie Hughes and Jeff Meek (University of Glasgow): ‘World War I, family breakdown and social
regulation in Scotland’
Wed 12 Mar, 1.00 pm: Room 317, Hetherington Building
Penny Morris (University of Glasgow): ‘Defining “La mamma”: Notions of Motherhood in 1950s and 1960s
Italian Print Media' (Part of the SMLC Research Seminar Series)
Tues 18 Mar, 5.30 pm: Boyd Orr Lecture Theatre
Lynn Abrams (University of Glasgow): ‘How British is Scotland? A gendered perspective’
(Part of the Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies series: ‘How British is Scotland?)
Thurs 8 May, 5.30 pm: Humanity Lecture Theatre
Lynn Abrams (University of Glasgow): ‘Speaking the self: women narrating liberation in post-war Britain’
Fri 16 May, 4.00pm: 5, The Square
Gender & History Public Lecture:
Lynda Coon (University of Arkansas): ‘Gendering Dark Age Jesus’
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Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies, University of Glasgow; Ionad Eòlas na h-Alba is na Ceiltis,
Oilthigh Ghlaschu.
How British is Scotland? a series of public lectures by members of the Centre addressing a key issue for
the Independence Referendum from different disciplinary perspectives. Western Infirmary Lecture
Theatre (Boyd Orr Lecture Theatre 1 from 29 April) on Tuesdays at 5.30pm
4 February - Alan Riach, Professor of Scottish Literature, ‘How British is Scotland? Anglification and the
Arts of Resistance’
25 February - Dauvit Broun, Professor of Scottish History, ‘How British is Scotland? Britain and Scottish
Independence in the Middle Ages’
18 March - Lynn Abrams, Professor of Gender History, ‘How British is Scotland? A Gendered
Perspective’
Glasgow History of Medicine Group.
The Institute of Health and Wellbeing and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow are
collaborating in a new series of seminars on medical history, medical humanities and related topics.
From the IHW side, these are organized through the Centre for the History of Medicine (contact:
Professor Malcolm Nicolson) and, from the Royal College side, through the College Library (contact: Mrs
Carol Parry).
5 February - Professor Lawrence Weaver (Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Centre for the History of
Medicine and Child Health, MVLS, University of Glasgow)
‘La Vie et La Mort - Experimental Paediatrics in the Paris Maternity Hospital in the Eighteen-Sixties'
12 March - Dr John Turney (Retired Consultant Renal Physician, Leeds General Infirmary; Visiting
Scientist, Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine, Manchester University
"The high mortality of acute kidney injury: A long view"
The seminars will take place in the Main Reading Room, Library, Royal College of Physicians and
Surgeons of Glasgow at 5.30. Coffee and Biscuits at 5.00.
Scottish Oral History Centre
3 February 3 at 5:30pm at the Centre (Curran building, maps available here:
http://www.strath.ac.uk/maps/).
Dr Amy Tooth Murphy of the University of East London, who will present: '"The Continuous Thread of
Revelation": Chrononormativity and the Challenge of Queer Oral History'.
3. CALLS FOR PAPERS
The University of Glasgow, College of Arts Postgraduate Conference 2014
Venue: Glasgow 28-29 May 2014
Abstract Deadline: 24 Feb 2014 (250 words)
The College of Arts Postgraduate Conference is now accepting submissions on the theme of
'Protest'. The conference is due to be held in Glasgow on the 28th-29th May 2014 and will feature
keynote addresses from Dr. Priyamvada Gopal (University of Cambridge), poet and writer Tom Leonard
and Prof. Dennis Tenen (University of Columbia). Reflecting on examples and methods of protest both
contemporary and historical, the committee invites papers that interrogate the changing face of political
activity. What are the true implications of the Internet for political action? How is the idea of privacy
changing? How have material factors shaped protest across the ages? Abstracts of a maximum of 250
words, accompanied by a brief biographical note, should be submitted to arts-‐
pgconference2014@glasgow.ac.uk
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Gender and Transgression in the Middle Ages
Venue: 5 - 7 June 2014, University of St Andrews Institute of Medieval Studies
Abstract Deadline 10 Feb 2014 (250 words)
This conference welcomes participation from postgraduate, postdoctoral and early career researchers
interested in one or both of our focal themes of gender studies or more general ideas of transgression in
the medieval period. We invite proposals for papers of approximately 20 minutes that engage with the
themes of gender and/or transgression from various disciplinary standpoints, such as historical, linguist,
literary, archaeological, art historical, or others. There will be three set strands of Medieval Law and
Literature, Transgression in Byzantium and Masculinity in the Middle Ages. These wishing to participate
should submit an abstract to genderandtransgression@st-andrews.ac.uk
4. NEWS FROM LIBRARIES
Glasgow Women’s Library
To mark our 21st anniversary, Glasgow Women's Library commissioned 21 world-renowned women
artists and 21 of Scotland's leading women writers to create new works inspired by books and archive
materials from the Library's collections. Following exhibitions at the CCA and the RSA, and a series of
reading events at GWL, the new works are being collected in a beautiful, unique publication which will be
launched on International Women's Day, 8th March 2014.
Although 70% of the cost of the publication is being funded by Creative Scotland, we need your help to
raise the remaining funds to ensure the 21 Revolutions book is published. We've launched a Kickstarter
campaign to raise £5000 for the production and distribution of 21 Revolutions, and are asking our
supporters to pledge their support.
You can pledge from as little as £1, and we've got some wonderful rewards starting from just £5 (with
some really great goody bags for £10, £15 & £20). Pledge £35 to guarantee yourself a copy of the book Remember that there is a limited print run of just 1,500 so it will be a collectors' item in no time! Our
rewards get better and better - pledging £45 will get you a copy of the book with a special bookmark
signed by one of our writers or artists. £150 will get you a VIP pass to the book launch (as well as the
book and a signed bookmark). Pledge £500, and you'll get a copy of the book signed by all 42 artists and
writers! Other pledges, from £5 to £500, will get you rewards including gorgeous tote bags, afternoon tea
at GWL with an artist or writer, exclusive 21 Revolutions artworks, or personalised messages from the
writer or artist of your choice.
I really hope that you will make a pledge and share this remarkable project around your networks to help
us make this beautiful publication a reality.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/21revolutions/21-revolutions
thanks,
Helen, ITC & Systems Administrator, Glasgow Women's Library
23 Landressy Street, Glasgow G40 1BP
Tel: 0141 550 2267 Web: http://womenslibrary.org.uk/
Women’s Library, London
The Friends have now got a website! Here: http://friendsofthewomenslibrary.org.uk/
This has information about the Friends of the Women's Library, as well as useful links, and news of
forthcoming events. You can also use it to join the Friends! While we obviously have very friendly
relations with the Library and its new custodian, LSE, we are an independent body, with our own point of
view. We try to keep members up to date with developments at the mailto:Women'sLibrary@LSE and
support it in any way we can. As for where things stand at present: work on the new Reading Room is
proceeding according to schedule so far, which means that it should be open to readers soon after the
Official Opening on March 12. Currently researchers can still use the catalogue (here: http://twlcalm.library.lse.ac.uk/calmview/) to call up material that can be viewed in the LSE Library's Archive
Room.
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5.WEBSITES, BLOGS
Notches: (re)marks on the history of sexuality
notchesblog.com<http://notchesblog.com>
I am pleased to announce the launch of a new History of Sexuality blog with the widest interest across
themes, regions and periods. Notches was established in order to get people inside and outside the
academy thinking about sex and sexualities in the past and in the present. It has a number of regular
contributors, who consider the history of sexuality in its broadest sense: the way it is connected to the
history of gender, society, politics, economies, and cultures, and the way it informs current issues. We are
connected with the Raphael Samuel History Centre<http://www.raphael-samuel.org.uk/>, which is
devoted to encouraging the widest possible participation in historical research and debate, and our goal is
to create a blog that is accessible, inclusive, relevant, entertaining, and intellectually engaged. For any
questions, or if you'd like to contribute to Notches please feel free to contact Amy Tooth Murphy at
a.t.murphy@uel.ac.uk
Dr Amy Tooth Murphy
School of Arts & Digital Industries, University of East London, Docklands Campus
4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD
LGBT Scottish History
The 3rd part of Bob Cant's series of articles on LGBT Scottish history is now live:
www.celebrate-scotland.co.uk/News-and-Features/1265-6/History/LGBT_history_in_Scotland_part_3/
6. PUBLICATIONS
Rosalind Carr, Gender and Enlightenment Culture in Eighteenth-Century Scotland has just been
published by Edinburgh University Press. Combines intellectual and cultural history to explore how men
and women experienced the Scottish Enlightenment. It examines Scotland in a European context,
investigating ideologies of gender and cultural practices among the urban elites of Scotland in the
eighteenth century, from the violent ritual of duel, to the absence of Scottish bluestockings.
The latest edition (Volume 18) of Scottish Archives, the Journal of the Scottish Records Association, is
now available. Articles: Heather Parker, Family, Finance and Free Will: Marriage Contracts in Scotland
c1380-1500; Gayle Davis, Sexual Snapshots: Departmental Committees and their Value to the Historian
of Sexuality;
7. STUDENTSHIPS
AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award: Diversity, Difference and Generational Change in the British
Diplomatic Service since 1945
Application deadline: 24 Feb 2014
Applications are invited for an AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award (CDA) studentship commencing in
autumn 2014 entitled 'Diversity, Difference and Generational Change in the British Diplomatic Service,' to
be supervised by Dr Helen McCarthy (School of History, QMUL), Dr James Ellison (School of History,
QMUL), and Professor Patrick Salmon (Chief Historian, Foreign and Commonwealth Office). This award
is the second of two CDA studentships on the theme of Social and Cultural Change in the British
Diplomatic Service since 1945 to be offered in partnership between the School of History at QMUL and
the FCO Historians.
The project aims to explore the impact of social and cultural change in the decades since 1945 on the
personnel and institutional practices of the British Diplomatic Service at home and abroad. It takes for its
focus the shifting make-up of the diplomatic workforce in terms of social class, ethnicity and sexual
orientation, together with the development of institutional policies towards equality and diversity. The
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research will assess how far diplomatic elites became more representative of British society during this
period, and ask how effectively the Foreign and Commonwealth Office recruited and integrated into its
culture members of previously under-represented social groups.
See http://www.history.qmul.ac.uk/news-and-events for more information, or contact Helen McCarthy at
h.mccarthy@qmul.ac.uk.
8. OTHER NEWS
Those who participated in the 2009 Centenary March through Edinburgh might be interested in this new
AHRC-funded project. The Redress of the Past: Historical Pageants in Britain 1905-2016.
http://www.historicalpageants.ac.uk/?utm_content=buffer9e98d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
.com&utm_campaign=buffer
9.AND FINALLY
In an interesting twist on our Women of Scotland Memorials Project, there is news of a potential new
statue being raised to Scotia, depending on the outcome of the referendum this year.
http://m.scotsman.com/news/odd/al-fayed-s-statue-of-liberty-for-independence-1-3273578
WOMEN’S HISTORY SCOTLAND
Promoting study and research in women's and gender history in
Scotland
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
http://womenshistoryscotland.org/