Job: The University of Birmingham is seeking to appoint someone to a 21-month post associated with a research project called "French-Language Print Publications in England to 1685" www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQN896/r...
I suppose it might be a sign of how much the climate has changed since then that the snowdrops and crocuses have been out for weeks. Feels like the poem should be called 1 February.
You can ban phones and laptops from your seminar room, asking one student to take seminar notes on the single permitted device. Rotate weekly. Works wonders for student engagement, as does physically moving closer to them if you can, breaking the fourth wall of teaching.
Yep. I have a couple of student Informants, different unis, who confirmed this to be true.
Aerial image of the Avonmouth estuary, with cars in the foreground, cranes in the background, and the view of the sea in the distance.
We drove up the M5 and I was struck by the majesty of the industrial landscape at Avonmouth. Something awe-inspiring - beauty in ugliness.
This is the official Bluesky account of the World Shakespeare Congress, taking place in Verona from 20 to 26 July 2026 #wsc2026 #verona #shakespeare
Terrible photo, I know, but it's the best I could manage to capture tonight's moon halo (peer at the outer edges of the photo and spot the ring).
Something to do with reflection of light on ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, I'm told.
In short: magic.
Went to my local library this morning to do a bit of research for my current book project and my goodness such a life-affirming space! There was an adult being taught to read on the next table, children enjoying story time, countless people taking out books. So grateful for our libraries ❤️
six minute writing montage, all ink and inspiration, scribbling and crossing out and then a flash of triumph crosses his face:
'your mum'
For Europeans this is getting pretty existential. US nuclear umbrella and NATO article 5 underpinned the last half century of peace. Hard to see how NATO would survive US little green men turning up in Greenland.
Extraordinary colours in Exeter tonight.
The FIFA Peace Prize used to mean something
A play in performance - people wearing black tutus; most of them are standing around a piano but one is dancing at the front of the stage, which is covered in shiny white
The world is mad but theatre is good & Headlong's Midsummer Night's Dream at the Wanamaker is ice-cool & interesting & clever (esp about the darkness of ballet, oh the shiver of white tights) & while I may not entirely endorse the last 5 minutes (if you know you know) it's well worth seeing 1/2
Screenshot of a British government website, with GOV.UK logo at the top. Beneath it, four blocks/rows of text, reading: ALPHA: this is a new service — your feedback will help us improve it. THERE IS A PROBLEM If you're in the UK Sorry
Found elsenet: seems to sum up the zeitgeist nicely!
ICYMI over the holidays
🔥 Loud fireworks and bonfires pollute the air, trigger asthma, strain emergency services and release wildlife-killing toxins. Composting, recycling centres and silent fireworks are better for everyone. Let's choose safer traditions, writes 11-year-old Amaya Edwards.
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Hmmmm. Carpets. Wallpaper. Tiles. What can I say???
Australia’s environmental laws are set for their biggest improvement in decades. The deal establishes Environment Protection Australia as the country’s first independent environmental regulator and introduces legally enforceable national environmental standards. buff.ly/75WffxG
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Ongoing decimation of British universities part 252:
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
For avoidance of confusion, that’s just about all academic staff, excluding Heads of Dept and- of course - Senior Management Team.
How come the media isn't reporting what is going on in universities? The implications of this (and this is just 1 of many universities doing the same) are terrifying. For the local populations, for the towns affected, for the next generation, for research & development, for the future! #academicsky
Extensive and detailed investigation about russian drone intrusion into Germany and Netherlands. The full scope might supprise you, including civilian lead counter drone operation
www.digitaldigging.org/p/they-drone...
Just recirculating this in case you need to see this:
I can try... There really is a mountain to climb first, though! But that little thing felt massive and worth celebrating. 😁
Important bit of self care today: although there's still a mountain of work to be done before I can down tools, I carved out time to turn down the radiator, tidy my desk and wash up mugs so that when I return to my office in three weeks, it'll be a pleasant experience.
Small wins matter. Recommend!
To all Interrail fans: the 25% sale is on until 17 December! Pounce, my friends, pounce. Tickets valid for a year from the date of purchase.
@tracelarkhall.bsky.social
www.interrail.eu/en
Sometimes, student feedback is just happiness inducing:
"both seminars and lectures consistently invite me to question, engage with and challenge source materials and perspectives.
I’ve gained invaluable skills and a deeply rooted passion for the Early modern!"
That's why we do this job, right?
Share it with everyone - we need to get people used to getting off the plane and onto the train, when it's affordable to do so. Happy travels!
I'm bulk-buying, as usual, given determination not to fly wherever possible. WSC in Verona will definitely be an Interrail expedition, with a family stopover on the way. Others might choose to extend their Italian adventures with a 'swing' past Florence, Venice, Rome, Naples or a gorgeous lake...