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Grant Macaskill

@grantmacaskill

Kirby Laing Chair of New Testament, University of Aberdeen, Centre for Autism and Theology

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12.11.2024
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Latest posts by Grant Macaskill @grantmacaskill

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Scotland becomes first UK country to allow water cremations The process - called alkaline hydrolysis - will offer families a third option instead of burial or traditional cremation.

My colleague Douglas Davies, director of the Centre for Death and Life Studies @durhamtheology.bsky.social @durham.ac.uk was involved in this process, sitting on the advisory panel. The topic has also been the subject of doctoral research here. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

04.03.2026 11:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The capacity for this event has been increased (again!), so do register to join tomorrow if you are able. The Neurodivergent Humanities network includes strong representation from @durham.ac.uk, particularly through @louisecreechan.bsky.social

03.03.2026 13:26 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Adam is one of our colleagues in @durhamtheology.bsky.social and @durhamimh.bsky.social

02.03.2026 13:05 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The Routledge Handbook of Spirituality, Religion, & The Medical Humanities Join the Institute for Medical Humanities for this hybrid book launch, featuring a panel interview, followed by an opportunity to network.

One of the many things that drew me to work at @durham.ac.uk was the quality of genuine interdisciplinarity that marks the institutional culture, particularly in the area of Medical Humanities. Join us for the launch of this book, edited by Adam Powell.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-routle...

02.03.2026 13:03 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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COVID-19 Uniquely Rewires the Brain Compared to the Flu - Neuroscience News Researchers discover that COVID-19 uniquely causes brain inflammation and disrupts serotonin/dopamine pathways, explaining "brain fog" in Long COVID.

For those able to access the article, this is a good piece on the neurological effects of covid. It would be nice if some of those who have published books that argue for a predominantly psychogenic cause would read the research cited. neurosciencenews.com/covid-flu-br...

27.02.2026 20:47 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Here is our department website, which provides lots of information on our research (and international standing; 6th in QS World Ranking by Subject). In addition, we have growing involvement with Medical Humanities and Transformational Humanities, and close ties to Classics and Ancient History 3/3

27.02.2026 11:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The deadline for the preliminary applications to work with us in @durhamtheology.bsky.social will be 12th March and candidates need to have a member of staff who is prepared to act as mentor. This stage will precede the full application. Contact me for more details. 2/3

27.02.2026 11:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
addison-wheeler-fellowship - Durham University

Some more info about the Addison Wheeler postdoctoral fellowship scheme @durham.ac.uk. There will be up to 6 positions across all subjects, and each department can only nominate 3 candidates, so we will need to run a preliminary stage to make our selection. 1/3 www.durham.ac.uk/research/ins...

27.02.2026 11:38 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks, Kayko. I actually wonder if the sharpness is part of the problem for me (is the text unnaturally sharp in a way that creates a mismatch with other details); I feel like it would help if I could make the text softer.

19.01.2026 11:10 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I wonder if anyone else has found that the display on a Macbook is making their eyes swim since upgrading to Tahoe. I’ve done everything to minimise liquid glass, but still find it hard to use for more than a few minutes at a time.

19.01.2026 09:34 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

That’s not particularly intuitive and it buries the important information that used to be *immediately* visible (and that was important for decisions about undertaking activities that might be safe or dangerous, dependent on what the wind is doing).

15.01.2026 19:31 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Honestly, I find the new version harder to use. I struggle to find the information that was clear on the old version and find the new aesthetics unpleasant. I’ll still use it, for the data (which I appreciate), but I don’t like it as much as the previous version.

15.01.2026 19:27 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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How a TV interior designer is helping revive a remote Scottish island On Ulva, in the Inner Hebrides, Banjo Beale and his husband are transforming a rundown mansion into their dream hotel, while another adventurous couple have created a charming bothy for hardier folk

Respectfully, @theguardian.com : the island is only β€œremote” to those who assume that the capital city is the basis for all perspective. To islanders, London is the remote place.

10.01.2026 15:36 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks to @durhamclassics.bsky.social for putting together an exceptionally strong conference.

16.12.2025 21:21 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Here is @lblestes.bsky.social (Pepperdine University), β€œRedrawing the Map: Mimicry and Polemics of Sameness in East Syrian Literature of the Early Islamic Period”.

16.12.2025 21:18 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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16-dec - Durham University

Day 1 of β€œThe β€˜Other’ and β€˜Empire’ in Christianity: Postcolonial Readings of Late Antique Literature,” a small conference/workshop organised by Classics and Ancient History at Durham University (www.durham.ac.uk/departments/...). This has been a superb meeting so far.

16.12.2025 21:12 πŸ‘ 16 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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Durham joins UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities - Durham University

Good to see our Head of Department, Simon Oliver, here, representing @durhamtheology.bsky.social and @durhamcathedral.bsky.social as Durham joins UNESCO’s Network of Learning Cities www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/...

11.12.2025 22:02 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Vacancies | Lund University

Two fully paid PhD positions at Lund University! One in Hebrew Bible and the other in Jewish studies, focus late antiquity. Gorgeous location and gorgeous colleagues. Don't sleep on this! (Set filter to HT to access these two in particular.)

lunduniversity.lu.se/vacancies

02.12.2025 10:25 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 19 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Are you an established or senior researcher in the humanities and social sciences? Our British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships allow successful award-holders to concentrate on bringing a major piece of research to completion. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3VMeTZ9

16.10.2025 16:10 πŸ‘ 28 πŸ” 30 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Long Covid Is Real -- And It's Changing an Entire Generation Long Covid is affecting hundreds of thousands of kids in America, and many doctors and schools refuse to recognize their illness.

www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...

17.10.2025 06:49 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Here’s my brief introduction to the Race & Class in UK Religious Studies and Theology project I’m co-convening with Dulcie McKenzie and Caroline Starkey. Do join us for the project launch on Wed 1st October to hear more.

26.09.2025 10:26 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

@durham-university.bsky.social has been highly ranked in all as an institution, and has been awarded University of the Year by the Sunday Times Good University Guide.

19.09.2025 09:12 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Best UK universities for theology & religious studies – league table The study of religious belief systems, including Christian theology, Islam and Buddhism

www.theguardian.com/education/ng...

19.09.2025 09:12 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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www.thetimes.com/uk-universit... (the subject rankings need to be selected under β€œexplore the table”), but here is also a screenshot.

19.09.2025 09:12 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Theology & Religious Studies Subject League Table 2026 Theology & Religious Studies focus on the world's major religions from a non-biased, academic perspective

The last week has seen the release of three U.K. university league tables and @durhamtheology.bsky.social has been ranked 1st in all of them. www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-table...

19.09.2025 09:12 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Now available: my new book co-authored with computer scientist Dr. Ankur Gupta. The title is REAL INTELLIGENCE: Teaching in the Era of Generative AI.

The book is open access (i.e. free), published by PALNI Open Press.

17.09.2025 15:05 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Best UK universities for theology & religious studies – league table The study of religious belief systems, including Christian theology, Islam and Buddhism

Thanks, Gerard. I hadn’t realised the full subject listing had been released with this. Great to see. @durhamtheology.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/education/ng...

13.09.2025 22:25 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Ranked first for T&RS.

13.09.2025 17:52 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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The Guardian University Guide 2026 – the rankings Find a course at one of the top universities in the country

Good see @durham-university.bsky.social ranked at #5, up a place from last year. www.theguardian.com/education/ng...

13.09.2025 16:04 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Durham professor honoured for pioneering contributions to death studies - Durham University

It is wonderful to see Douglas Davies from @durhamtheology.bsky.social @durham-university.bsky.social honoured for his incredible work. www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/...

08.09.2025 18:37 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0