Hematopolitics

@claireturner.bsky.social @jinikim.bsky.social @thackraymuseum.bsky.social @jackgann.bsky.social @lcsleeds.bsky.social @lahri.bsky.social

We're happy to share: Amazing Blood Ties! written by Jieun Kim (PI of Hematopolitics) and illustrated by Leigh Bowser. This children’s book introduces kids aged 5–8 to the stories behind blood donation and how we’re all connected. Freely available at: hematopolitics.org/amazing-bloo...

@jinikim.bsky.social @claireturner.bsky.social @thackraymuseum.bsky.social @jackgann.bsky.social @lcsleeds.bsky.social @lahri.bsky.social

Updated my bio to reflect some upcoming changes - this week marks my last week working with @srsrensoc.bsky.social and @hematopolitics.bsky.social. Next week, I'll be starting at @durhamimh.bsky.social, where I'll be continuing my research on the sensecapes of cancer.

At the heart of the event is a one-hour live storytelling performance by Matthew Bellwood. Please spread the words to anyone who may be interested! festivalofsocialscience.com/events/amazi...

Our sessions will run twice in person: first at the Thackray Museum of Medicine on 28 October 2025 (10:30–15:30), and again at Moor Allerton Library on 1 November 2025 (10:30–15:30). Children can enjoy hands-on activities throughout the day, including crafting, colouring, quizzes, and games.

An embroidered image of three mice, each holding a strand of red thread. The mice are smiling and looking towards the viewer. They are emerging from a red blood drop. At the top in red font reads 'Amazing Blood Ties!'.

Hematopolitics are taking part in the ESRC Festival of Social Science! This event runs from 18th October to 8th November 2025. We will be introducing 'Amazing Blood Ties!', a children's book on blood donation that she co-created with textile artist Leigh Bowser.

🌍 September is Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month and together we are working to #ConquerSCD!
📚 Identifying pediatric patients with sickle cell disease at high risk of experiencing chronic pain after HSCT
📖 Read the full article here. buff.ly/AgBdW37

I'm delighted to share that I've been awarded a Visiting Early Career Research Fellowship at the John Rylands Research Institute in Manchester! I'll be working on my new project on 'The Sensescapes of Cancer, c.1700-1950'.

Harehills children's questions inspire Leeds exhibition about poo An exhibition at Leeds' Thackray Museum of Medicine flushes out the science behind bodily functions.

Me talking to the BBC about how children should be comfortable asking silly questions and whether the king smells of poo.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

As our 'Blood: Ties and Tensions' exhibition at Thackray draws to a close, we're excited to see what they have in store for their next exhibition!

BSHM will be visiting Thackray Museum as part of our Congress in Leeds, 10-13 Sept. We can tell you then. There's still time (just) to get the early bird registration discount. bshm.org.uk/congress-2025/

A group photo standing in front of an artwork made up of a web of red threads. I am standing amongst a group of Korean visitors representing the Korea Leukemia Patients Organization, alongside staff from Thackray Museum and Leeds University, and the artist Leigh Bowser. The artwork behind us incorporates fabric blood bags made by the KLPO group as part of Leigh Bowser's Blood Bag Project.

In Korean slang the phrase "Leeds days" (리즈 시절) refers to your era of peak performance, when you were young and beautiful, a reference to former LUFC forward Alan Smith.

Is this exhibition, closing today and featuring contributions from the Korea Leukemia Patients Organization, our Leeds days?🩸

A photo of some small badges worn by blood donors, displayed on a clear perspex block. They include the familiar intertwined hearts of NHS Blood and Transplant, awarded to frequent UK blood donors, alongside a pre-war badge from Bradford Royal Infirmary showing a flask of red liquid pouring into a heart, and a modern Japanese badge with the slogan 'Love in Action' inside a stylised heart.

It's the final weekend of our Blood exhibition.

Blood is a resource that people give freely without asking for reward or remuneration. But they do sometimes receive a token of gratitude. These badges show how people - from Scotland to Japan - have expressed their thanks or pride at giving blood.

📢 Another opportunity to join our amazing team!

We are looking for a talented and highly motivated Communications and Engagement Officer to support a wide range of communication and marketing activity.

📍 Based at the University of Leeds
📅 Deadline: 13 July 2025
🔗 jobs.leeds.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx...

Have you visited our exhibition, 'Blood: Ties and Tensions', at Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Drop us a message or reply to this post letting us know your thoughts. Did you learn anything new about blood donation and transfusion?

📣Join the Blood Portfolio Editors June 12-14 at #EHA2025!
Schedule your meet and greets at Booth #M01!👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️🩸
Tag us in your photos! #hemesky

Just over 2 weeks left to visit ‘Blood: Ties and Tensions’ at Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds.

It was a pleasure to present some of my research on blood and identity at the @hematopolitics.bsky.social symposium last week. I reflected on my time working with people who have experienced blood cancer and the effect it has had on their sense of self. So many other great papers too!

Happy #NationalBloodWeek! Blood isn't only a valued medical product, but a symbol of connection, identity, and even difference. I am currently curating a digital exhibition on blood as part of my work with @hematopolitics.bsky.social. Please share widely!

hematopolitics.org/digital-exhi...

Sangeeta Chattoo stood at a podium presenting her work, which is displayed on the screen.

It’s time for a brilliant paper by Sangeeta Chattoo on Liquid Life: Transfusions, A Poisoned Challis, and the Politics of Hope.

A screen showing a PowerPoint presentation with four anatomical images of the skin with vessels on display.

After a brilliant keynote from Jenny Bangham, we’re now hearing from Samin Rashidbeigi on cadaveric blood transfusions in Iran during the Cold War.

Have you been listening to the Global Health Histories Podcast? This series, led by Professors Shane Doyle and Sanjoy Bhattacharya, provides the historical context behind today's health challenges. If you've yet to listen, you can catch up on the first three episodes.
ahc.leeds.ac.uk/research-pro...

A photo of a child pointing at an art installation made up of a web of red threads with fabric blood bags attached.

A photo of a web of blood red threads casting shadows against a deep brown wall. On the threads there are fabric blood bags which also cast black shadows. The network of threads is part of a larger work named Vessel by Gemma Wood. The bags were sewn by community participants in the Korea Leukemia Patients Organization in Seoul and Bukkyo University in Kyoto as part of artist Leigh Bowser's Blood Bag Project.

A photo of a fabric blood bag depicting a red heart surrounded by hands reaching from all around to touch it. The hands are all different colours, from natural skin tones to a Hello Kitty image. It was made by a recovered leukaemia patient from South Korea.

Our Blood exhibition celebrates the connection and community that comes through shared blood and the act of giving blood. Blood donation and transfusion brings people together, both strangers who will never meet and families already bonded by blood.

#MuseumWeek #TogethernessMW

A sign at Thackray Museum of Medicine advertising the University of Leeds’ Hematopolitics Symposium 2.

Today’s the day! We’re delighted to welcome everyone to our second Hematopolitics Symposium at Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds.

Tickets for this event have now SOLD OUT. Thank you so much to everyone who has registered - we can't wait to see you!

Hematopolitics Symposium 2 The Politics of Blood Donation and Transfusion: Histories, Controversies and Futures

REGISTRATION OPEN!

Registration is now open for our second symposium, 'The Politics of Blood Donation and Transfusion'.

Join us for a fantastic day of enriching talks, networking, plus a tour of our new exhibition 'Blood: Ties and Tensions'.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hematopoli...

Really looking forward to presenting at our symposium next week! I'll be reflecting on my experience of curating a digital exhibition, which you can access here: hematopolitics.org/digital-exhi...

Hematopolitics Symposium 2 The Politics of Blood Donation and Transfusion: Histories, Controversies and Futures

REGISTRATION OPEN!

Registration is now open for our second symposium, 'The Politics of Blood Donation and Transfusion'.

Join us for a fantastic day of enriching talks, networking, plus a tour of our new exhibition 'Blood: Ties and Tensions'.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hematopoli...

We've got some exciting news to share with you all very soon... Keep an eye on our feed!