University of Lincoln Libraries and Learning Skills Blog
//The aim of the University Library blog is to connect the University of Lincoln community with information related to them locally within the institution and the Library, but also regionally and nationally. We would like to promote and communicate a variety of initiatives, resources, developments and interesting stories that are meaningful in both the local University and wider community.
//LGBT+ History month was founded by Schools Out with a new theme is outlined each year on their Schools Out website
This year the UK 2025 LGBT+ History Month theme is: Activism and Social Change.
Throughout history LGBT+ people have been activists and helped shape and create social change, advancing society for everyone using many different approaches to activism. In addition to simply living openly with their sexuality or gender identity, activism can be participation in protests and rallies, campaigning for rights, boycotts and direct action to creative protests such as art, music, literature, poetry, theatre, comedy, dance or creating zines to highlight the issues of the day. There are many ways throughout history that LGBT+ people have been actively lobbying for rights and for meaningful change.
Each year, five LGBT+ historical figures are chosen in line with the theme. This year, five LGBT+ people have been chosen, who have created social change from across the centuries in progressing change for women, the environment, housing, nuclear disarmament, preserving heritage, abolition of the slave trade, and immigration, among many other causes.
The 2025 LGBT+ Historical Figures are:
Octavia Hill
Ivor Cummings
Annie Kenney
Charlie Kiss
Olaudah Equiano
The University Library and Ross Library have produced displays and reading list to highlight the life and work of these amazing activists and change makers. In addition, the reading list also highlights the activists who have fought for LGBTQI+ rights over the years. In the current political climate it continues to be necessary for LGBTQI+ people and their allies to stand up against bigotry and discrimination.
University Library LGBTQI+ History Month 2025 Reading list
//A group from the Library team were treated to a trip to London to celebrate our award-winning Zine Collection. We visited the London College of Communications to explore their amazing collection of vintage zines, and then were allowed to choose an exhibition of our own to visit.
Jemima chose ‘Rebel – 30 Years of London Fashion‘ at the Design Museum, London. (REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion – Design Museum # RebelFashion)
This exhibition celebrates 30 years of the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme, which supports new design talent. Guest-curated by BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent Sarah Mower MBE and co-curated by Design Museum Senior Curator Rebecca Lewin, the exhibition showed many outfits which have garnered attention throughout the last three decades, such as Bjork’s swan dress from 2001 and Sam Smith’s inflatable latex suit from 2023’s BRIT awards. Items such as the sketchbooks, accessories, and the design process were shown alongside the clothes. Nearly 100 innovative fashion designs were included, from names such as JW Anderson, Wales Bonner, Erdem, Molly Goddard, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Russell Sage, and many more. There were also interactive experiences such as backstage virtual make-up mirrors to get an idea of the culture behind the scenes at a fashion show, and video of the original catwalk shows, complete with music to transport you back in time to the turn of the millennium.
Jocelyn chose ‘Fantasy: Realms Of The Imagination‘ at The British Library
The British Library exhibition explored the beautiful, uncanny and sometimes monstrous makings of fantasy. It celebrated some of the finest fantasy creators, revealing how their imagined lands, languages and creatures came into being. It explored the traditions of a genre that has created some of the most passionate and enduring fandoms. From fairy tales and folklore to the fantastical worlds of Studio Ghibli. I was able to travel through Middle-earth and into the depths of Pan’s Labyrinth. And discover how the oldest forms of literature continue to inspire fantasy authors, filmmakers and game producers today.
Oonagh chose ‘Women in Revolt: Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990‘ at Tate Britain.
The exhibition presents two decades of art as provocation, protest and progress. Taking the 1970 National Women’s Liberation Conference as it’s starting point, the exhibition explores the relationship between art and the women’s movement in the UK. It rings together women who made art about their lives and the inequalities that informed them, acknowledging that the personal is political.
There were over 100 artists represented and the exhibition follows the footsteps of the artists, historians and archivists who have safeguarded their history. Art historians Rozsika Parker and Griselda Pollock published ‘Framing Feminisim‘ in 1985 which introduces the reader to art and the women’s movement in the UK.
Overall, the trip was a fantastic opportunity to network with library professionals and to take advantage of the amazing experiences London has to offer.
//By Jamie Markham
My name is Jamie Markham, and I am a historian and academic who believes in the power of student-led initiatives to transform not just the academic environment but society at large. In this article I want to talk about something that goes beyond the textbook-how student-led efforts in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are vital to creating more equitable and supportive spaces for everyone. As someone who has spent years studying history and education, I have learned that real change does not only come from academic credentials, but It also comes from the students themselves, pushing for a more inclusive and equitable environment-one that goes beyond what can be taught in the classroom. This belief fuelled my work as Chair of the Student Equality, Diversity, and Inclusive Committee at the University of Lincoln (SEDIC).
Continue reading “Beyond the Textbook: The Importance of Student-Led EDI Initiatives”
//
One of my favourite sentences is ‘Have you read …?’, either because a good book can be recommended to a friend/colleague/family member or because following a positive response the result is an interesting discussion. I am referring to works of fiction but being a librarian this obviously spills over into work. As Special Collections Librarian I am seconded to Lincoln Cathedral Library two days a week, working in Exchequer Gate home of medieval manuscripts, early printed books, modern reference and archival material, available for staff and students.
Toni Watts was Lincoln Cathedral’s Artist in Residence 2015-2016, during which time she spent many hours looking through the illuminations in Lincoln Cathedral Library’s medieval manuscripts. Not wanting to lose her exquisite skill set the Cathedral has retained the connection with her position as Cathedral Illuminator. Find out more about Toni’s work – A Medieval Scribe in the Modern Day: the Illuminations of Toni Watts
Last month I came across a catalogue record in Lincoln Cathedral’s library catalogue for Mark Clarke’s Early English Text Society’s 2016 volume 347.
I emailed Toni with the ‘Have you read’ sentence and during her subsequent visit to Exchequer Gate, where the journal is located, Toni found a recipe for pink. A proper pink, not an orangey pink, which required brazilwood and an artist’s eye to transform from the page into paint. This pink will be used in Toni’s future classes, as she said “The benefit of access to a good book”.
The following week I collected a bumper crop of oak galls from oak trees in Silica Country Park, which Toni uses to make the iron gall ink and will be used to make her black ink.
Claire Arrand Special Collections Librarian https://guides.library.lincoln.ac.uk/specialcollections
//By Lexi Breen (Senior Lecturer, School of Health and Social Care, College of Health and Science)
In 2015 as an incidental finding at the age of 50 I found out I was intersex and had XXY Chromosomes, I was initially surprised and concerned, but the more I learned about it, the more it explained the way I looked, felt, some developmental and health issues I had experienced and why I’m now being monitored and treated for other medical conditions. Although I have had a generally healthy and happy life, it does make me wonder what difference it would have made if it had been diagnosed earlier and suspect it would affect some of my life choices.
XXY is a chromosome variation characterised by an additional X chromosome in those assigned male at birth (47, XXY) and one of 50+ intersex variations.
When Rishi Sunak said in a cheap jibe against trans people last year “a man is a man and a woman is a woman, it is just common sense” he couldn’t be more wrong and demonstrated his lack of knowledge and inbred bias.
When we talk about sex rather than gender its not as simple as a binary choice. Sex is a combination of; Chromosomal, Gonadal structures, Internal and external reproductive system, hormones, Pubertal Sex Changes, Brain Sex, Behavioural and “Cognitive” Sex.
Intersex people are born with sex characteristics (including genitals, gonads, hormone production and chromosome patterns) that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
Intersex people like the wider population can have any gender identity and sexual orientation. However, a number are drawn to the LGBTQI+ community as they too are a marginalised group, who are often stigmatised and subject to discrimination.
Although the majority of people with XXY will identify as men, there is a number who have gender incongruence and or dysphoria or in my case gender euphoria, a celebration of the person I was meant to be and had kept hidden for most of my life.
As an institution as part of our ongoing programme of decolonising the curriculum we need to look outside our borders to the wider world and how they respect intersex and transgender people. In many countries intersex or a third gender is legally recognised on passports and other legal documents. And in other countries subsets of the population who live in a gender that differs than that assigned at birth are accepted and sometimes hold a place of reverence in their culture, Examples of this include; Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Germany, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Indigenous people of North America, Ireland, Malta, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan and Samoa.
Now I do what I can to advocate for all intersex people regardless of their identities.
Bibliography
Davis, G (2015) Contesting intersex : The dubious diagnosis. [ebook]. New York: NYU Press (Biopolitics: Medicine, Technoscience, and Health in the 21st Century). Available from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=1020827&site=eds-live&scope=site [accessed 9 February 2024].
InterACT (2024) Intersex variations glossary. Sudbury, MA, US: InterACT. Available from https://interactadvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Intersex-Variations-Glossary.pdf [accessed 9 February 2024]
Klinefelter’s Syndrome Association (2024) Available from https://www.ksa-uk.net [accessed 9 February 2024]
McKenzie, K (2023) Sexual differentiation of the nervous system [Lecture]
Prevet, S. E (2003) Intersex and identity. The contested self. London: Rutgers University Press.
Taylor, O (2018) 10 societies that recognise more than two genders. Listverse. Available from https://listverse.com/2018/10/03/10-societies-that-recognize-more-than-two-genders/ [accessed 9 February 2024]
Turners Syndrome Support Society (2024) Available from https://tss.org.uk/ [accessed 9 February 2024]
United Nations Human Rights (2024) Intersex. United Nations Human Rights. Available from https://www.unfe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Intersex-English.pdf [accessed 9 February 2024]
Walker, M. (ed.) (2018) Interdisciplinary and global perspectives on intersex. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
//By Dr Michael Toze (Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Social Determinants of Health, Medical School, College of Health and Science)
Gender diverse people existed well before modern medicine. One relatively well documented example is Erauso, who escaped from a convent in Spain somewhere around the year 1600 and spend much of the next fifty or so years living as a man, eventually receiving permission from the Pope to go on wearing male clothes even after his birth sex became known. It is difficult, and arguable entirely anachronistic, to determine how Erauso would have lived and what he would have called himself had he lived now, and this raises questions about how we narrate his story. It is also important to note that Erauso’s story is inextricably located in a context of class, race and colonialism. Nonetheless, it seems clear that in his own time and place, Erauso sought to live his life as a man. Velasco (2001) explores how Erauso’s life story has been reshaped over the centuries in line with the fears and desires of others.
Attributed to Juan van der Hamen – https://historia.nationalgeographic.com.es/a/increible-historia-catalina-erauso-monja-alferez_13152
Catalina de Erauso (San Sebastián, España, 1592 – Cuitlaxtla, México, 1650), llamada “La Monja Alférez”, fue una monja y soldado española.
Continue reading “Trans identities and medicalisation: A complex relationship.”//Focus on the Lincoln School of Architecture and the Built Environment
Dr Zakkiya Khan (they/them)
EDI Lead: Lincoln School of Architecture and the Built Environment
This week, we unite to celebrate Transgender Awareness Week, fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and understanding. As the chair of the LSABE EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) committee, I would like to share resources that aim to enrich our collective knowledge and empower us to create a more inclusive environment within the field of architecture and the built environment.
1. Awareness:
📚 Why Transgender Awareness Matters
In recognising Transgender Week of Awareness, it is crucial to understand who are transgender individuals and what are some of the challenges faced by transgender individuals? Explore resources that shed light on the importance of awareness and education in creating a supportive community.
2. Design and Space Inclusion
🏠 Inclusive Design: Shaping Spaces for All Genders
Architects wield immense influence in shaping the world around us. Delve into the principles of inclusive design and the transformative impact it can have on creating spaces that celebrate gender diversity. Let’s explore how our designs can be a catalyst for positive change.
Take a look at this guidelines document on trans-inclusive design for museums, galleries, archives and heritage organisations:
3. Space and Gender
🌐 Rethinking Spaces: Exploring Gender-Inclusive Environments
Spaces and gender are intricately connected. Discover how the design of spaces can influence and impact our perceptions of gender. Let’s engage in a conversation about challenging environments to resonate with diverse gender identities.
4. Design that Makes a Difference:
✨ Architectural Activism: Designing for Social Change
Architecture has the power to be a force for social change and healing. Explore the works of designers who use their craft to address societal issues, including those related to gender diversity. Let’s be inspired to make a difference through our designs.
5. Gender Diverse Designers
👩🎨 Spotlight on Gender Diverse Designers
Celebrate the contributions of gender-diverse designers who have left a mark on the world of architecture and design. Their stories inspire us to embrace diversity and cultivate an environment where every voice is heard.
[Perspectives of Gender Diverse Designers]
[Interior designers addressing inequality]
This week, let’s embrace the opportunity to deepen our understanding, challenge assumptions, and cultivate a culture of empathy and acceptance. By integrating these resources into our collective knowledge, we can contribute to making the Lincoln School of Architecture and the Built Environment a place of inclusivity.
Together, let’s build a future where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
//Decolonising@Lincoln summer project 2023
Chiji Amaechi (Graduate – Bachelor of Architecture 2023)
Kuro Krukrubo (Graduate – Bachelor of Architecture 2023)
Leslie Mfonow Tochukwu (3rd Year Student – Bachelor of Architecture 2023)
(Mentor: Mark Olweny, Senior Lecturer in Architecture)
Architectural education embarks on a journey of exploration, utilising various architects and their projects to foster an understanding of the development of architectural ideas. Yet, a conspicuous absence becomes apparent – the lack of architects of colour and architectural projects designed by individuals of colour in formal lectures, tutorials, and architectural publications. This absence in the established canon poses a challenge, particularly for us as students of colour who may come to believe that architects of colour are non-existent.
Recognising the importance of providing students with access to diverse histories within architectural education, we initiated a project that culminated with this exhibition. A pivotal question arose: ‘Where are the hidden voices in architecture?’ As Craig Wilkins suggests in his book “Diversity Among Architects,” we must exercise caution not to equate invisibility with absence. Undoubtedly, architects from minority groups have existed in the past, and their lack of immediate visibility does not negate their existence. This realisation propelled us to delve into the archives to uncover some of these individuals and their individual stories. This was bolstered by the election of Muyiwa Oki as the first black president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2022.
Continue reading “Hidden Architectural Voices”//
The focus for this year’s Black History Month is the theme ‘Saluting Our Sisters and the #WEMATTER movement.
Black women have played an important role in British life for centuries, but we don’t know much about them. Their stories are not told in schools and rarely told in higher education. It’s time to celebrate their achievements and introduce as many people as possible to the many black women who have not be recognised for so long.
The Black Lives Matter movement has shone a light on black history in the UK and the Decolonising initiatives that have happened in the education sectors, including the University of Lincoln are beginning to uncover uncomfortable truths as well as campaigning for a change in the narrative more widely. This is crucial to dismantling systemic racism.
1948 saw the arrival of the Windrush generation but black women were already in the UK from as early as the 1700s. What do we know about these women? We should learn from them and be inspired by their courageous and resilient lives.
The University of Lincoln libraries provide many resources to research these amazing black women.
//Jamie Markham (History and Heritage student and The School of Humanities and Heritage’s SEDIC (Student EDI Committee)
Black History Month entails rich, cultural history in which’s paves a bright and diverse future for people of colour. It is vital to recognise the extent of racism and discrimination in which have targeted black people for centuries, alongside celebrating the significant contributes of black people to culture, science, politics, sports, and many other fields. However, the history of how Black History Month came to fruition is significantly undermined and underrepresented. Thus, we begin on this journey back in time and seek to build a relationship with Black History Month and it’s past.
Black History Month begins with one man and his determination to represent the resilience of black people and the discrimination in which they faced on a daily basis. Carter. G. Woodson established ‘Negro History Week’ in 1926, in a conscious effort to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the emancipation. Known as the ‘“Father of Black History” he founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) to support this mission. During the week, was a celebration of experiences and accomplishments of African-Americans. Woodson seeked to deepen understanding and knowledge of black peoples and their powerful influences on the rest of the world. Therefore, the second week of February became an opportunity to celebrate black liberation.
With this,Negro History Week gained a vast amount of interest and gradually gained popularity and expanded to become Black History Month in 1976. The reason behind it, to expand and allow for more extensive exploration of African American History throughout the entire month. It was conceded that the original purpose of this month was set to recognise and educate people about the efforts of black people despite their struggles in history. Alongside this, the event aimed to combat historical inaccuracies and misconceptions around black history and platform black individuals across a variety of fields. This has previously included individuals such as Martin Luther King and Maya Angelou.
Black History Month began in America but quickly spread to encompass global influence and now serves as a month of national dedication towards the black experience. Many countries gradually followed in a linear fashion, adopting similar approaches towards black representation and racial equality. In the UK for instance, Black history month was first celebrated 11 years later in 1987. After visiting America in the 1970s, Ghanaian-born, Akyaaba Addai Sebo, a special projects officer at the Greater London Council (GLC), founded the UK’s version of Black History Month in 1987. The event coincided with the 150th anniversary of Caribbean emancipation of slavery and the 25th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity. Thus, black history month became a staple in reversing the suppression continuously experienced by Black people and paying tribute towards their influence. Today, most importantly, it serves as a reminder of a sustainable journey towards social justice and racial equality. As human beings, it is our responsibility to protect this message.
References
BiM2023 (2023) Black history month 2023. BiM2023. Available from https://blackhistorymonth.org.uk/black-history-month-2023 [accessed 19 October 2023]
History.com (2023) Black history month. A&E Television Networks. Available from https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month [accessed 19 October 2023]
History.com (2023) The man behind black history month. A&E Television Networks. Available from https://www.history.com/news/the-man-behind-black-history-month [accessed 19 October 2023]
National Museum of African American History and Culture (2023) Celebrating black history month. Washington, US: Smithsonian. Available from https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/celebrating-black-history-month [accessed 19 October 2023]