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Jo McKenna-Aspell

@mckasp

Postdoc researcher at the University of Sheffield: libraries, politics and the public. Views are my own. She/her πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ

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14.08.2024
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Latest posts by Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp

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Early Valentine’s as I’ll be prone (in post knee-op recovery) by then. Escape room (Pier Pressure, Brighton is 🀌). Pancakes. Books. New trainers.

Lovely day out.

31.01.2026 19:44 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Four women in a line holding their canvases up to the camera.

Four women in a line holding their canvases up to the camera.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with our canvases. The paintings show a night time lake scene with islands in the distance and a full moon

Standing shoulder to shoulder with our canvases. The paintings show a night time lake scene with islands in the distance and a full moon

Enjoyed a night of creativity yesterday. The Paint Club. They provide everything, including step by step instructions.

A bit of escapism.

#art #painting

16.01.2026 09:04 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Screen grab to prove I solved this year’s hidden books game

Screen grab to prove I solved this year’s hidden books game

The trick was to have another coffee.
#HiddenBooksGame @waterstones.bsky.social

13.11.2025 16:45 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

See. Broken my brain so I can’t even hashtag effectively. #HiddenBooksGame2025

13.11.2025 16:14 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Going to dream of these two. #HiddenBooks2025

13.11.2025 16:13 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

The groan I just groaned…

13.11.2025 16:11 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

One of the four that’s stumping me, too

13.11.2025 15:55 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Calendar is driving me to despair

13.11.2025 15:52 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Well well well. That was cracking. #CelebrityTraitors And Neuroblastoma UK seems like a fabulous charity.

07.11.2025 00:32 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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22.09.2025 18:02 πŸ‘ 410 πŸ” 68 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 2

100% accurate.

15.09.2025 08:04 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
a gremlin is eating a piece of cheese in front of a refrigerator Alt: a gremlin is eating a piece of cheese in front of a refrigerator - my face looks very similar

I’m sorry for my face this morning. It’s because I started work early (on my 3rd coffee already) so I can clock off early. My brain knew this was a great idea; I just don’t think it communicated it to my body.

GIF is fair approximation of my current vibe and aesthetic.
#Monday #EarlyStart #Regrets

15.09.2025 08:03 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Me September 2023 (left) vs me September 2025 (now).

Me September 2023 (left) vs me September 2025 (now).

Me in August 2023 (left) vs me in August 2025 (right).

Me in August 2023 (left) vs me in August 2025 (right).

It’s my two year gym birthday. September 2023, I was so scared to use the gym. Found a great, friendly local one and haven’t looked back.
Some progress pics because I’m one of those annoying gym people now.

#Gym #StrengthTraining #FitInYourForties

05.09.2025 17:44 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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When you want a coffee. But you’re in your office in the garden (in slippers) and the coffee machine is in the house. (Volume up)

03.09.2025 12:38 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Login β€’ Instagram Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

My wife: why were you at the gym for so long on Sunday?
Me: www.instagram.com/reel/DODyzGG...

01.09.2025 12:32 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Cute autumnal socks with foxes and mushrooms.

Cute autumnal socks with foxes and mushrooms.

Wedge of apple crumble cake, spoon, and dollop of blueberry protein yoghurt.

Wedge of apple crumble cake, spoon, and dollop of blueberry protein yoghurt.

Leaning into the 1st September. Autumnal socks and apple crumble cake for breakfast (with protein yoghurt, for balance). #Autumn #PumpkinSeason

01.09.2025 09:01 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Screen grab from my tracker app showing starting weight at 154kg and current weight at 72.3kg.

Screen grab from my tracker app showing starting weight at 154kg and current weight at 72.3kg.

Screen grab from my tracker app showing starting weight at 339.5lb and current weight at 159.5lb.

Screen grab from my tracker app showing starting weight at 339.5lb and current weight at 159.5lb.

Family time at the gym earlier this month. Me (left, in pink) and our son (right, in the cap) forcing Helen (middle, in blue) to take a cringey, jazz hands photo in the gym. She’s wearing wrist straps as she was midway through her bench.

Family time at the gym earlier this month. Me (left, in pink) and our son (right, in the cap) forcing Helen (middle, in blue) to take a cringey, jazz hands photo in the gym. She’s wearing wrist straps as she was midway through her bench.

It’s not all about the numbers but the numbers are pretty cool. I’ve lost 53% of my body weight. Or 92.4% of my excess body weight. Currently working on muscle gain but that’ll get easier once my knee surgery happens: probable bucket-handle-meniscus-tear πŸͺ£
#GettingFit #FortiesAndFit

30.08.2025 18:57 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

New rule. A parent may only propose removing a book from the school library only after reading it in its entirety and delivering a book report to the librarian. Until then no discussion shall be entered into.

28.08.2025 17:32 πŸ‘ 17391 πŸ” 2837 πŸ’¬ 434 πŸ“Œ 213
Handrawn bookcase of five shelves. The books were originally empty but four shelves’ worth of books are now coloured in. And the title and author of each book I’ve read this year is written on the spine of a book.

Handrawn bookcase of five shelves. The books were originally empty but four shelves’ worth of books are now coloured in. And the title and author of each book I’ve read this year is written on the spine of a book.

My little bookcase tracker is rapidly filling up. Either I need to slow down (unlikely) or I’m going to have to squeeze in some extra books before the year is out.
#RemarkablePro #YearOfReading

29.08.2025 10:58 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Photo of Dr Emma Swai, Associate Supervisor at Westcott House. 
Text: 'Disability, as embodied experience, is a lens not often factored into academic study. I believe that it should be and, therefore, I offer students the opportunity to consider research from a perspective that specifically aims to recognise potential embedded prejudice in the issues or area they are examining. I see my job as a supervisor as supporting my students to find confidence in their own voice. I will never tell students what to think, but I might challenge them: not necessarily because I disagree, but because I want them to strengthen their own position.'

Photo of Dr Emma Swai, Associate Supervisor at Westcott House. Text: 'Disability, as embodied experience, is a lens not often factored into academic study. I believe that it should be and, therefore, I offer students the opportunity to consider research from a perspective that specifically aims to recognise potential embedded prejudice in the issues or area they are examining. I see my job as a supervisor as supporting my students to find confidence in their own voice. I will never tell students what to think, but I might challenge them: not necessarily because I disagree, but because I want them to strengthen their own position.'

Dr Emma Swai is up next in our intro series. An educator for over two decades, her research interests look at the portrayal of disability in New Testament writings, linguistic analysis of ecclesiastical texts and positionality & interpretation. More info about Emma’s research in bio: buff.ly/kNk2CXB

08.08.2025 13:01 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Thanks, Nazlin. Hope you’re keeping well 🩷

08.08.2025 14:49 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Holding my bound thesis, black hardback. My bespectacled eyes and forehead poking out from behind.

Holding my bound thesis, black hardback. My bespectacled eyes and forehead poking out from behind.

Finally got around to getting this big beasty printed. 🀩 Still feels unreal.
If little Jo could see middle aged Jo, I think she’d be chuffed.

#PhDone #BigBook #PublicLibraries @sheffielduni.bsky.social

08.08.2025 14:36 πŸ‘ 16 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers.

These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers.

These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers.

These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers.

These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers.

These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers.

The University of Sheffield & The Combined Regions are exploring how the current challenges faced by UK local authorities are impacting #PublicLibraries & their collections.

We're looking for participants (Heads of Library Service). For more info or a copy of the pamphlet, drop me a message!

08.08.2025 10:15 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

First paper related to my PhD is published. Definitely feels like a milestone.

www.tandfonline.com/eprint/K66RA...

It argues that Q methodology is an ace way to investigate public opinions of public libraries.

#QMethodology #Research #PublicLibraries

05.08.2025 14:58 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Title: Gender Census 2025.

Text: If you can't easily put yourself into just one of these two boxes, you are invited to take part.

Illustration: Two boxes, each with photos of relevant dictionary pages.

Title: Gender Census 2025. Text: If you can't easily put yourself into just one of these two boxes, you are invited to take part. Illustration: Two boxes, each with photos of relevant dictionary pages.

The 12th annual international Gender Census 2025 is now open until at least 30th August 2025!

survey.gendercensus.com

It's for anyone whose gender (or lack thereof) isn't described by the M/F binary. It's short and easy, and results are useful in academia, business and self-advocacy.

30.07.2025 16:02 πŸ‘ 1673 πŸ” 1955 πŸ’¬ 15 πŸ“Œ 106
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Today’s my 2 year Bariatric birthday. I had a gastric sleeve (NHS). Turns out it was 100% the right tool for me.

Pic1: the numbers, a total loss of 178.75lb
Pic2: full body comparison
Pic3: belly comparison (still working on it)
Pic4: my wife & I, then vs now

#PersonalJourney #Health #Fitness

31.07.2025 14:10 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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a young girl in a white dress is standing in front of stairs and says the drama . Alt: A young girl in a white dress is standing in front of stairs, holding the back of her hand to her forehead. The text says β€œthe drama”

3.5 weeks and we get to go again with the #RedRoses πŸ‰
Just enough time for my heart to recover from the #Lionesses ⚽️

#WomenInSport #RugbyWorldCup2025 #Euro2025

27.07.2025 21:38 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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HISTORIC EURO SUMMER IN SWITZERLAND πŸ‘

πŸŽ₯: FOXSoccer

27.07.2025 17:44 πŸ‘ 211 πŸ” 23 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 3

You. Stay. Put.

With respect.

27.07.2025 18:16 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I thought I’d written this. #Same

27.07.2025 16:14 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0