DeclanKavanagh.bsky.social

That’s really kind, Emily! Thank you and hope you’re doing well.

Queer British History – 1714 to 1785 YouTube video by HistoricalAssocUK

Really pleased that my video lecture on queer British history, 1714-1785 is now on YouTube: youtu.be/nTrxX28_dKw?... #HistoricalAssociation #LGBTHistoryMonth #QueerHistory #18thcentury

Star Trek figures on a widow sill

It’s all happening here during essay marking. Worf (from the future) has just phasered Captain Picard. We don’t know why. Also a Cardassian ship and a cat because why not. Tune in for an update (soon).

A man with long red hair standing with a woman with dark hair

An open book signed To Declan Jeanette Winterson Because We Try To Change Things

What a pleasure to hear the legendary Jeanette Winterson read tonight at the Faversham Literary Festival. She spoke afterwards (without notes) on the topic of literature & reading in our times. She really knows how to hold an audience in the palm of her hand. Razor sharp & beloved #JeanetteWinterson

Two swans on a river

Close up of two swans

Swans passing under bridge

Caught a beautiful moment today on the river Stour #Canterbury

Great news about #HannahSpencer in Gorton & Denton @greenparty.org.uk have a 5th MP #hopenothate 💚

Maybe Hannah Betts could be a guest? I could listen to her all day. So eloquent!

The headline hints at a possibly homophobic line but it’s not. She talks about ‘wrong holes’ metaphorically.

‘Regrets? Number one: smoking. Number two: taking it up the wrong hole’: Tracey Emin on reputation, radical honesty – and Reform She scandalised the art world in the 1990s with her unmade bed, partied hard in the 2000s – then a brush with death turned the artist’s life upside down. Now she’s as frank as ever

Tracy Emin is a truly gifted person and a gift to Margate: www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

6. It is strangely boring & compelling at the same time.
7. Robbie & Elordi seem trapped in an elaborate perfume advert. In fact, their recent Chanel advert has the same resonance as the film.
8. At one point, Catherine feigns reading a book and this exposes something truthful about this film.

4. The aesthetic is anti-historical. The plot happens outside of time but with markers to show its of the past. It tries, badly, to reproduce the futuristic-Victoriana of Lantimos’s ‘Poor Things’ (2023) but fails.
5. The film wants emotional depth but only ever gets as deep as bubblegum pop.

*Spoilers* I saw ‘Wuthering Heights’ (2026) & I have some thoughts:

1. Why is there a nun in the opening scene?
2. The sex is neither sexy nor interesting. If anything, it’s about repression and the film struggles to say anything new about that.
3. Can’t fault the actors.

Women, Gender and Sexuality in Premodern Literature and Culture Welcome to Cambridge Core

Delighted to be series editor for Cambridge Elements in Women, Gender and Sexuality in Premodern Literature and Culture. If you have something cool and interesting you’d like to work with us on please get in touch (micrograph 20-30k)

www.cambridge.org/core/publica...

1964: A Curious Case of Black Magic in Norfolk | Tonight | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive YouTube video by BBC Archive

Folk horror Friday. m.youtube.com/watch?v=QWTw...

Somehow missed that my article "Marxism, Cultural Studies, and the Rise of Indigenous Studies" is the PMLA paper of the month, available for free access until February 24th!
cup.org/465OPxz

Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate US-made thermal weapons burning at 3,500C caused 2,842 people to "evaporate" in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation finds.

“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”

There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.

It can be great for Star Trek stuff.

It’s pretty cool … a solid Vinted find.

A TNG era shuttlecraft on my windowsill

New study ornament. You won’t believe me but Troi and Geordi are both inside #StarTrek

Universities of Greenwich and Kent confirm new multi-university group to go ahead

In a sector in free fall, it’s good to see two institutions work together to find lasting solutions. It’s clear that help is not coming from gov & waiting to see what might happen isn’t a plan. Let’s hope this merger leads to exciting opportunities for both partners: www.kent.ac.uk/news/uncateg...

Looking forward to it! Congratulations 🎉

A book cover, showing the title 'Belfastmen: An Intimate History of Life before Gay Liberation' by Tom Hulme. It is lavender coloured with yellow text, and shows two men sat on a bench, c. 1935.

*drum roll*

Here is the cover for my book, which will be published by @cornellupress.bsky.social on 15 April 2026!

I thought it would be nice to share a bit of info on who these men were and how their lives and interests inspired the design...

Sticker of the late Catherine O’Hara in role as Moira Rose: reads ‘why must you be so constantly irksome’

Office door tat hits different

I shall! Thank you

Thanks; have lived here for over a decade.

Desk view with window / cathedral in frame / grey sort of day

I am teaching a seminar today on Samuel Richardson + responding to all the emails I let slip whilst moving. There’s also a @bsecs exec meeting, which will be a good opportunity to pour over feedback on the January conference. What are you up to? #Acwri

New home

Tabby cat sitting on a green chair with bird of paradise behind.

Belinda feels at home already

Thanks