In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I’m talking about my decision to return to school and how saying no has played a part in this decision.By Krista McCracken

In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I'm veering away from historical content and chatting about my experiences advocating for trans and gender diverse inclusion, with a focus on gender identity trainingBy Krista McCracken

In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I'm chatting about my recent experience using Omeka to develop online exhibitions to be used as educational outreach tools.By Krista McCracken

In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I'm chatting about the transcription of archival videos and archival handwritten documents. I touch on some process for transcription and challenges associated with transcription.By Krista McCracken

In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I'm talking about generative and caring online spaces. I reflect on some of my favourite parts of online communities and share space facilitation techniques I like. Mentioned in this episode: -Thinking Rock Community ArtsBy Krista McCracken

I'm back! It's a short one, but I have more podcast episodes planned for 2022. In today's episode I'm reflecting on my administrative secondment and lessons learned.By Krista McCracken

In today's episode I'm talking about archival pandemic backlogs and pressure points that COVID-19 have created in archival settings. Mentioned in this episode: -Samantha Thompson, "Why don't archivists digitize everything?"By Krista McCracken

In today's episode I'm talking about unfinished objects and that pile of unfinished writing projects so many of us have on our computers. Mentioned in this episode: -Thinking Rock Community ArtsBy Krista McCracken

In today’s episode I talk about the practice of having no meeting days and how that has helped with managing my workload. I also share some of my meeting pet peeves.By Krista McCracken

In today’s episode I talk about technology blips, technology fails, and recovering from these unexpected challenges. I draw on a couple of epic fail experiences recently and talk about getting through them.By Krista McCracken

In today’s episode I’m talking about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work, also known as EDI work, and protecting yourself from burning out while engaged in this work. This episode is based on my experience engaged in EDI work connected to gender and sexuality inclusion. Mentioned in this episode: -The Nap Ministry -EP 72: Passion Project Space…

In today's episode I'm talking about managing chronic pain, archival labour, and working from home. This episode is based on my experiences working from home since March 2020 and rooted in my pain realities, so your mileage with it may vary. Also, part way through the episode one of my cats decided to chow down near where I was recording. If you he…

In today's episode I'm talking all about book proposals. I reflect on the two book proposals I had accepted in 2020 and share some general tips I learned from that process. Mentioned in this episode: -Katie Linder, YGT Podcast "Writing and Pitching Book Proposals" -Trans and Gender Diverse Voices in LIS…

In today's episode I'm talking about making it through the dark days of winter, practicing kindness in my professional life, and that ever illusive work/life balance. Mentioned in this episode: -Feminist Ethics of CareBy Krista McCracken

In today's episode I'm discussing my experiences attending three different virtual conference in October. I talk about online conference formats, recording and giving presentations, and interaction in online conference spaces. Mentioned in this episode: -Canadian Research Knowledge Network 2020 Conference -TESS Online 2020: Humanizing Learning -Ont…

In today's episode I'm talking about peer review feedback and article revisions. I chat about some of the recent articles I have revised, handling negative feedback, and my process for doing revisions. Mentioned in this episode: -Jo VanEvery, Revision following peer review is a normal part of the scholarly writing process - Melissa Dalgleish, Learn…

How do you find time for the projects that you are invested in but aren't part of your job? In today's episode I'm talking about passion projects and the work that I do off the side of my desk that brings me a lot of joy. Mentioned in this episode: -Trans and Gender Diverse Voices in LIS book project - Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Inclusion in L…

In today's episode I'm chatting about boundaries between work and home life and the struggle to maintain those boundaries during the pandemic. I talk about my home office, strategies for disconnecting and challenges of the work at home life. Mentioned in this episode: - Wladislaw Rivkin, Working from home? Why detachment is crucial for mental healt…

Hi All! I'm back with a new podcast episode, it's a short one but in today's episode I'm discussing grant evaluation and sitting on the other side of the funding table. I talk about grant adjudication, collaboration, and grant writing.By Krista McCracken

It's been awhile, but I'm back with new podcast content. In today's episode I'm discussing problematic language in archival descriptions, approaches to handling racist depictions in records, and efforts to update archival practices. Mentioned in this episode: -University of Waterloo, Language in Archival Collections -Archives for Black Lives in Phi…

Who needs a distraction? I do. I've been spending a lot of time reading recently. These days, reading is one of the few things that can help push my anxiety to the side and keep my mind busy. In today's episode I share what I've been reading recently and recommend some mind occupying reads. Mentioned in this episode: -Claire Hunter, Threads of Life…

In today's episode I reflect on the work that goes into organizing blog theme weeks or thematic digital series. I talk about my experiences pulling together theme weeks and provide a roadmap for those interested in organizing one. Mentioned in this episode: -Active History Material Culture Theme Week -Edited with Andrea Eidinger, Beyond the Lecture…

By Krista McCracken

By Krista McCracken

By Krista McCracken

By Krista McCracken

By Krista McCracken

For the last episode of 2019 I'm doing some reflecting, celebrating, and dreaming. I'm talking about some inspirational reads and folks who gave me strength in 2019. I also think a bit about what the upcoming year holds. Mentioned in this episode: -OE Fellows Program -Amazing people: Andrea Eidinger, Skylee-Storm Hogan -Inspiring Authors and Activi…

In today's episode I'm focusing on resilience. Resilience can be beautiful. It can be empowering. But it can also be co-opted and used as a systemic tool. Today I'm reflecting on how resilience is often used as a way to encourage productivity and shame those who don't overcome barriers. Can resilience be a bad thing? Mentioned in this episode: -Kat…

In today's episode I'm talking about the practice of radical vulnerability in professional spaces. I discuss the basics of radical vulnerability, provide examples of what this looks like, and reflect on spaces for safe vulnerability. Mentioned in this episode: -Karina Haglen on Twitter, also check out their awesome zines. -Alaina Leary, "Here's Why…

In today's episode I'm talking about the work that goes into writing conference presentation proposals and journal article proposals. I dive into my experiences writing proposals and talk about best practices. Mentioned in this episode: -Jo Van Every, Why Writing an abstract is so hard -Catherine Baker, How To Write A Conference Abstract: A Five Pa…

In today's episode I'm talking about Ignite presentations, lightening talks, and Pecha Kucha presentations. How do you prep for these fast paced presentations? I also chat about where these short presentation formats fit within the conference landscape. Mentioned in this episode: -The Secret Underground World of Lego Ignite Talk -Fighting Dirty in …

In honour of Orange Shirt Day today's episode is dedicated to Residential School Survivors all across the land and to those who didn't return home from their time at Residential School. In today's episode I discuss the TRC's Calls to Action and their relationship to archival practice.By Krista McCracken

In this episode I discuss the recent conclusion of the "Healing and Education Through Digital Access" project undertaken by the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre. I talk about community engagement, how not all information wants to be free, and online access. I would love to hear about your experiences working with community to undertake a digiti…

Recently I've had the opportunity to virtually participate in a couple of roundtables and to provide virtual lectures. In this episode I reflect on the how virtual lectures work, tech challenges, and distance engagement. I also discuss the real costs and privilege of academic travel. I would love to hear about your experience giving or listening to…

In this episode I reflect on the first few months of my eCampus Ontario Open Education Fellows appointment. I talk about the open community, Canadian history and open, and the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and open educational resources. I would love to hear about your experiences with open education and open practice. Leave a comment or sen…

In this episode I talk about recovering from conferences. How do you process all that information you learned? How do you get back into the swing of work? And how do you find time to rest? I would love to hear about what your conference follow-up looks like and how you give yourself space to recover from a conference. Leave a comment or send me a m…

In this episode I talk about the politics of citation and developing a more pro-active and critical approach to thinking about citations. I would love to hear about your citation practices and how you approach citation in the classroom and in your scholarship. Leave a comment or send me a message on Twitter. Mentioned in this episode: -Hannah McGre…

In this episode I’m talking my recent experience creating the Beyond the Lecture Open Educational Resource (OER) alongside my fantastic collaborator Andrea Eidinger. I discuss the work that went into this edited ebook, decisions about open access, and broader OER work happening in Canada history. I would love to hear about your experiences using or…

In this episode I'm talking about conference and event codes of conduct, what they should include, what a good code looks like and why they are important. I would love to hear about your experiences writing, using, or enforcing a code of conduct. Leave a comment or send me a message on Twitter. Mentioned in this episode: -NCPH Events Code of Conduc…

In this episode I discuss reimbursement culture, the unacknowledged costs of academic travel, and the burden of out of pocket travel. I would love to hear about your experiences and suggestions for tackling reimbursement culture. Leave a comment or send me a message on Twitter. Mentioned in this episode: -Pamela L. Gay, "The unacknowledged costs of…

I'm currently sitting on the Boards of Directors of two organizations I care about - the National Council on Public History and the Sault Ste. Marie City Museum. I am still relatively new to both boards and I'm continuing to learn about board governance structures and procedures. In this episode I discuss the financial and in-kind costs associated …

Conference season is quickly approaching for many Canadian academics and with all of this travel comes conversations about professional development. In this episode, I discuss the differences between professional development and professional learning. I also tackle questions of ongoing career development, active learning, and the funding of profess…

Who else hates writing bios for things? In this episode, I talk about best practices for crafting effective bio statements and the challenges associated with describing your professional life succinctly. I would love to hear your tricks for creating compelling bios. Leave a comment or send me a message on Twitter. Mentioned in this episode: -Deidra…

Welcome back to season two of the Historical Reminiscents podcast. In this episode, I talk about safe spaces, braver spaces, and building welcoming physical and digital spaces for dialogue. I also introduce the new Rapid Reads segment to the podcast. I would love to hear your thoughts on the terms brave space and safe space. Leave a comment or send…

The Historical Reminiscents podcast is celebrating its one year anniversary! Given the occasion I thought it would be a great idea to talk about celebrating milestones in your work. In this episode, I talk about honouring milestones of all sizes and making space for celebration. I also talk about what I've learned during the first year of creating …

Your team has completed a fantastic project and you're considering submitting it for an award but are unsure of how to do so. In this episode I talk about award nominations, building a project portfolio to support a nomination, and how to build compelling award narratives. I would love to hear your suggestions for writing successful award nominatio…

Meetings and committees are part of professional life, more so if you happen to be spending your time inside academia. Despite the role meetings play in professional settings very few public history programs or history graduate training contains information on how to run an effective meeting, building agendas, and facilitating interdepartmental dis…

Last week I spent time with undergraduate students from Huron University College's history program. As part of the "Documenting early residential schools" a SSHRC Partnership Engage project between Huron University College, the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, and the Woodland Cultural Centre students were able to visit the Shingwauk site to l…

This week, month, year has been hella hard for a lot of folks, with the news cycle making it extremely difficult to function 'normally.' What do you do when you are facing creative blocks, an inability to write, or feelings that whatever you are creating doesn't matter? In this episode I talk about finding positive work spaces, sources of inspirati…