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Onto another story that I cannot remember at all, despite reading through the full Sherlock canon at least three or four times before now.
( spoilers )
( spoilers )
"High heid yin"
Oct. 25th, 2025 03:09 pmAdvance reading something, and passed the words "high heid yin". One of my all time favourite Scots expressions, especially when used in the plural, that I still say regularly, including just a week ago when talking to Martin about something in our kitchen. I've also deployed it when asking an audience question 20+ years ago at a history research seminar at Dundee University, though I then felt the need to translate it for the visiting Welsh prof! For non-Scots friends it means someone in authority, a leader.
Checking back here I have mentioned this expression in a friends-locked post before, but it's well worth repeating!
Checking back here I have mentioned this expression in a friends-locked post before, but it's well worth repeating!
Productivity in between sleeps
Oct. 20th, 2025 01:29 pmPleased to manage stuff between neuro illness sleeps. Prodded usefully at academic journal paper final rewrites, making notes in the Word file of how to rework paras. And just now finally framed a LOTR art poster (Jimmy Cauty) in a huge poster frame with a newly arrived mount to make it look spiffy.
And now for more sleep ...
And now for more sleep ...
Book review: Katabasis by RF Kuang
Oct. 12th, 2025 04:07 pmJust finished this, which I was reading on my Kindle, but had also nabbed a signed copy from my local bookshop. I've previously read the author's books Babel (adored) and Yellowface (enjoyed), and was very much looking forward to this dark academia journey into the Underworld.
Katabasis follows two PhD students at Cambridge University who join forces to journey to Hell to bring back their supervisor. As such it draws on many past writings about journeys to the Underworld, and is chock full of nods to these, while still being accessible to the general reader.
The portrayal of the British PhD process, even for a fictional subject like Analytic Magick, felt somewhat off for me, which jarred. Kuang herself is pursuing a PhD at Yale University in America, and it felt often as though she was muddling the longer and different American PhD process with the shorter British one, as well as having a lack of detailed understanding of the British approach. She did study taught postgraduate degrees at Oxford and Cambridge, but that's not the same as undertaking a PhD there. I did, however, buy into the idea of a graduate degree as a potential hellscape! Even if my own two PhD experiences (Computer Science, St Andrews, full-time, had to drop out after my neurological disease struck; and History, Dundee, part-time, completed) were hardly anything like that. PhDs are also extremely dependent on how you luck out with your supervisor(s), and it's fair to say, without being too spoilery, that Alice and Peter didn't have the best luck in this area.
I think what impressed me the most about the book is how well it works given how tiny the core cast is. The focus is primarily on PhD students Alice and Peter, as they travel through Hell, and for it to sustain my interest with that remit is pretty impressive writing. There are some other especially interesting characters encountered along the way, but it's very much Alice and Peter's story. It did sag for me about half way to two thirds through, but picked up nearer the end. Much of the story is told through back stories which are gradually revealed, and it's very twisty and turny, as new information the reader learns upends previous perceptions.
As well as the journey through Hell itself, and the idea of academia and PhD study as a hellscape, there is literal horror in this book. Extremely gruesome in places. I found one section particularly disturbing, but there was a narrative reason for it. Ultimately I was satisfied with where the book ended up.
I haven't read all of Kuang's books, but I really like how varied those I have read have been. Admittedly there are a lot of personal autobiographical elements in them. For example in this one Alice felt reminiscent of Kuang, and Peter (not least a back story that's uncovered for him) of Kuang's own husband Bennett. But each story is very different in tone, genre and setting, and I really appreciate that flexibility in approach.
I'm very glad that I read this book, and look forward to her next novel.
Katabasis follows two PhD students at Cambridge University who join forces to journey to Hell to bring back their supervisor. As such it draws on many past writings about journeys to the Underworld, and is chock full of nods to these, while still being accessible to the general reader.
The portrayal of the British PhD process, even for a fictional subject like Analytic Magick, felt somewhat off for me, which jarred. Kuang herself is pursuing a PhD at Yale University in America, and it felt often as though she was muddling the longer and different American PhD process with the shorter British one, as well as having a lack of detailed understanding of the British approach. She did study taught postgraduate degrees at Oxford and Cambridge, but that's not the same as undertaking a PhD there. I did, however, buy into the idea of a graduate degree as a potential hellscape! Even if my own two PhD experiences (Computer Science, St Andrews, full-time, had to drop out after my neurological disease struck; and History, Dundee, part-time, completed) were hardly anything like that. PhDs are also extremely dependent on how you luck out with your supervisor(s), and it's fair to say, without being too spoilery, that Alice and Peter didn't have the best luck in this area.
I think what impressed me the most about the book is how well it works given how tiny the core cast is. The focus is primarily on PhD students Alice and Peter, as they travel through Hell, and for it to sustain my interest with that remit is pretty impressive writing. There are some other especially interesting characters encountered along the way, but it's very much Alice and Peter's story. It did sag for me about half way to two thirds through, but picked up nearer the end. Much of the story is told through back stories which are gradually revealed, and it's very twisty and turny, as new information the reader learns upends previous perceptions.
As well as the journey through Hell itself, and the idea of academia and PhD study as a hellscape, there is literal horror in this book. Extremely gruesome in places. I found one section particularly disturbing, but there was a narrative reason for it. Ultimately I was satisfied with where the book ended up.
I haven't read all of Kuang's books, but I really like how varied those I have read have been. Admittedly there are a lot of personal autobiographical elements in them. For example in this one Alice felt reminiscent of Kuang, and Peter (not least a back story that's uncovered for him) of Kuang's own husband Bennett. But each story is very different in tone, genre and setting, and I really appreciate that flexibility in approach.
I'm very glad that I read this book, and look forward to her next novel.
Textbooks and algorithmic pricing
Oct. 10th, 2025 12:52 pmBuying another academic textbook secondhand, and got a copy for £5 free postage. The identical copy (exact same physical book) was listed by the same seller on two other platforms for £25 and £50 (seems to have recently soared there from £5). Worth shopping around! Bookfinder.com + ISBN made price comparisons really easy. Book on way to me now.
"SO WHAT?"
Sep. 29th, 2025 05:29 pmReviewing my planned structure for another academic journal paper, and laughing at the "SO WHAT?" I've typed prominently near the proposed conclusions. My late history PhD supervisor Charles McKean always asked that question often repeatedly. I'll have to make sure it's addressed earlier too!
And as I start to properly write this new academic journal paper about a German accordion player + tuner/repairer travelling extensively around mid/late 19th century Scotland (even to Orkney!), I wish I had a TARDIS and could go back in time and see one of his well-appreciated local performances!
And as I start to properly write this new academic journal paper about a German accordion player + tuner/repairer travelling extensively around mid/late 19th century Scotland (even to Orkney!), I wish I had a TARDIS and could go back in time and see one of his well-appreciated local performances!
... using a local trade directory to understand the Scottish print trade, venues for reading and the urban hierarchy in the 1820s.
https://vivsacademicblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/24/a-look-at-my-new-urban-history-academic-journal-paper-using-a-local-trade-directory-to-understand-the-scottish-print-trade-and-urban-hierarchy-in-the-1820s/
https://vivsacademicblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/24/a-look-at-my-new-urban-history-academic-journal-paper-using-a-local-trade-directory-to-understand-the-scottish-print-trade-and-urban-hierarchy-in-the-1820s/
Imposter syndrome etc.
Sep. 15th, 2025 09:30 pmReturning to an academic journal paper in development (getting nearer submission, honest!) and untangling some of the ordering muddle caused by a previous round of restructuring. Generally happy with it though. Just have to finish off a few bits. And send it in to the journal for peer review.
It's frustrating how long it can take me to finish and submit academic journal papers. Due in a very large part due to my severely disabling progressive neurological disease. But it's also reassuring how I've had several very long in gestation papers accepted and published. So I get there!
Though with a progressive neurological disease there does feel like there's a limit to how long I can keep doing things like this. But still managing 31 years after the disease first struck. Hoping for more productive time yet! It can give a very personal version of imposter syndrome though.
It's frustrating how long it can take me to finish and submit academic journal papers. Due in a very large part due to my severely disabling progressive neurological disease. But it's also reassuring how I've had several very long in gestation papers accepted and published. So I get there!
Though with a progressive neurological disease there does feel like there's a limit to how long I can keep doing things like this. But still managing 31 years after the disease first struck. Hoping for more productive time yet! It can give a very personal version of imposter syndrome though.
More books to go
Aug. 23rd, 2025 10:43 pmClearing more books - many academic - that I no longer have need for, and can't read properly now due to my neuro illness. Helped by them lurking in a bookcase unseen for decades! Some survived the cut eg histories of Dundee and Cupar and John Kay's caricatures. But most are off to charity.
We have many more books still to clear out. There are still too many piles of things to dismantle in the study. But it's progress. And it is refreshing how easily I'm finding it to pass these on. It helps that I know that our local Oxfam's will sell them well. And they will also find homes for the Scottish history journal issues.
We have many more books still to clear out. There are still too many piles of things to dismantle in the study. But it's progress. And it is refreshing how easily I'm finding it to pass these on. It helps that I know that our local Oxfam's will sell them well. And they will also find homes for the Scottish history journal issues.
Getting beyond exasperated with the number of people on forums and groups I'm on, who reply to questions, needing specialist and reliable knowledge to answer, and post a response from ChatGPT. Usually & consistently wrong. Those folk may learn it's not a good source but others later will use it too.
I'm also beyond exasperated by the misuse of generative AI in creative fields, including art, interactive fiction and writing. I'm also an academic whose own academic writings have been used without my permission to train AI, including for Meta. And then there are the environmental costs. Just stop!
My 88-year-old Mum who's never used a computer or smartphone in her life, and never will, also rants about AI. I'm quite impressed that she knows about it and has enough knowledge to have opinions :)
Incidentally I've been using and involved with some forms of AI since the 1980s. But I really really dislike the modern version and where things are going with it.
I'm also beyond exasperated by the misuse of generative AI in creative fields, including art, interactive fiction and writing. I'm also an academic whose own academic writings have been used without my permission to train AI, including for Meta. And then there are the environmental costs. Just stop!
My 88-year-old Mum who's never used a computer or smartphone in her life, and never will, also rants about AI. I'm quite impressed that she knows about it and has enough knowledge to have opinions :)
Incidentally I've been using and involved with some forms of AI since the 1980s. But I really really dislike the modern version and where things are going with it.
Graduation musings
Jul. 1st, 2025 10:08 pmSome musings from me, prompted by last week's graduation ceremonies at Dundee University, plus this week's graduation ceremonies at St Andrews University.
Publication proofs
Jun. 17th, 2025 06:55 pmLovely is waking to proofs of the next "Miscellany" volume from the Scottish History Society, including my own piece - full annotated transcript plus accompanying essay - about a historical poem about events at the Melrose court in 1682. Very much looking forward to seeing the finished volume in print.
I studied the Melrose local court records for the dissertation portion of my taught MPhil history degree at Dundee, 2001-3. I only discovered this poem lurking hidden in the depths of the Edinburgh national archives afterwards. And was rather stunned, because it correlates closely with the history as recorded conventionally, while providing a totally fresh take on it. All including a vitriolic character assassination of the newly appointed judge! It took me ages to transcribe the 17th century handwriting - definitely at my limits. But got there, and then ended up sending in a proposal for an edited transcript + essay for the Scottish History Society. Which was accepted. That was 6+ years ago. It's taken a long time to get to print. But nearly there now!
I studied the Melrose local court records for the dissertation portion of my taught MPhil history degree at Dundee, 2001-3. I only discovered this poem lurking hidden in the depths of the Edinburgh national archives afterwards. And was rather stunned, because it correlates closely with the history as recorded conventionally, while providing a totally fresh take on it. All including a vitriolic character assassination of the newly appointed judge! It took me ages to transcribe the 17th century handwriting - definitely at my limits. But got there, and then ended up sending in a proposal for an edited transcript + essay for the Scottish History Society. Which was accepted. That was 6+ years ago. It's taken a long time to get to print. But nearly there now!
The paper dance
Jun. 5th, 2025 06:39 pmContinuing revising (pre peer review) an academic journal paper. And today** has felt like 3 steps forward, 2 steps back, another step forward. So overall progress! Though much yet to do. But happy with progress. Even if it at times feels like an old style dance, with the forward/back moves!
** Well after 3pm when I'd finally woken up properly!
** Well after 3pm when I'd finally woken up properly!
RIP my external examiner
May. 16th, 2025 09:29 pmOnly belatedly learned that the external examiner for my Dundee University history PhD, Prof Stana Nenadic of Edinburgh University, died last autumn. She was a delight as an examiner: meticulous in her approach, with probing questions while still encouraging and a joy to chat to at my viva. RIP.
Here is a nice writeup of her life and work. A memorial conference was held in Edinburgh in the last two days.
Here is a nice writeup of her life and work. A memorial conference was held in Edinburgh in the last two days.
Professor of Hebrew
May. 2nd, 2025 11:57 pmExploring another branch of my maternal Scottish family tree, and finding a nephew of my 5xg-granny from Melrose who was a Professor of Hebrew, dying at North Leith in 1901. His dad, husband of my g..aunt, had been a schoolmaster at Galashiels in the early 1800s.
New recovery plan for Dundee University
Apr. 29th, 2025 02:50 pmThis has been announced today, aiming for a much lower cut in jobs - 300 full-time equivalent, rather than the 632 proposed last month. And managed via voluntary severance, rather than a mix of that plus compulsory redundancies. Savings will need to be made elsewhere too, and there is presumably going to be a hefty further financial injection from the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council. But it's better.
Dundee University was potentially going to crash into bankruptcy as soon as June. And the originally proposed recovery plan was taking a sledgehammer approach to the university, losing 1/5 of all academic jobs, as well as cutting courses and institutions, and gutting the staff needed to deliver a high quality education. This is better. It's a shame it's been so catastrophically managed though, both to get us into this mess (the previous Principal has an awful lot to answer for, as do other executive members, including current ones), and also after the financial disaster became clear in November. It has been a phenomenally stressful time for staff and students. The Scottish Government was also hands off for too long. But we are getting there. Fingers crossed.
I'm writing this as long-term honorary research staff at the university (for 15 years now), a double alumna, and married to a salaried staff member of 24 years standing.
Dundee University was potentially going to crash into bankruptcy as soon as June. And the originally proposed recovery plan was taking a sledgehammer approach to the university, losing 1/5 of all academic jobs, as well as cutting courses and institutions, and gutting the staff needed to deliver a high quality education. This is better. It's a shame it's been so catastrophically managed though, both to get us into this mess (the previous Principal has an awful lot to answer for, as do other executive members, including current ones), and also after the financial disaster became clear in November. It has been a phenomenally stressful time for staff and students. The Scottish Government was also hands off for too long. But we are getting there. Fingers crossed.
I'm writing this as long-term honorary research staff at the university (for 15 years now), a double alumna, and married to a salaried staff member of 24 years standing.
Imposter syndrome
Apr. 11th, 2025 06:38 pmI often deal with imposter syndrome in my academic work. Not least as my progressive neurological illness affects me more and more. But going into the weekend feeling confident about things I'm working on. And excited for the next stages. A very encouraging state of affairs considering everything!
Taking stock
Apr. 6th, 2025 08:32 pmAfter submitting another academic journal paper (wish me luck!) briefly pausing to take stock of others in progress. 4 more in development; all Scottish history; 16th, 17th, 18th & 19th centuries; genealogy & court history, legal history, black history, music history & popular culture. Lots to do!
Researching, writing and submitting these - including dealing with all the *fun* of peer review - as a sole author is *interesting*. But something I enjoy, and will keep doing for as long as I can.
Researching, writing and submitting these - including dealing with all the *fun* of peer review - as a sole author is *interesting*. But something I enjoy, and will keep doing for as long as I can.
