What can histories of Empire teach us about today’s environmental efforts? Professor Sadiah Qureshi explores how modern conservation has been shaped by empire and indigenous dispossession - and how we can build a more sustainable future without repeating mistakes of the past. https://bit.ly/4oZ5glQ

New in the Journal of the British Academy: a Thematic Collection exploring the experiences and insights of Ukrainian Researchers at Risk in the UK. This collection offers vital perspectives on resilience and innovation in Ukraine and beyond. Read more: https://bit.ly/4pFe7u9

Annelies Kusters explores how International Sign emerges through flexible, negotiated communication among deaf signers, yet is increasingly shaped by teaching, interpreting, and institutional norms, producing six paradoxes at the heart of its global use. Read more: https://bit.ly/4oY6GNq

There are only three weeks left to apply for the Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund 2026. The scheme helps postdoctoral researchers to conduct exploratory work on the antiquities, historical geography, early history or arts of parts of Asia. Apply now: https://bit.ly/488Axh7

There are only three weeks left to apply for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The object of this fund is to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest. Apply now: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1

We have responded to the OfS consultation on quality regulation. We welcome some proposals, including the expansion of TEF to all providers. Yet we are concerned about proposals to transform the TEF’s core aims and raise the stakes of TEF performance. Here are our key takeaways:

Very welcome news today that the UK will join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. This will enable greater opportunities for study abroad and contributions in UK universities, and is something we called for in our most recent Manifesto.

Prof Angela McRobbie FBA speaks with Sir Prof Anton Muscatelli about leading the University of Glasgow, challenges in higher education, the importance of access and social justice, and the university’s role in worldwide learning, research, collaboration, and impact. https://bit.ly/4shqzlR

A reminder that the Brian Barry Prize is open for submissions. This prize recognises excellence in political science and is open to scholars at all career stages. Find out how to apply here: https://bit.ly/3XUKdG1

New in the Journal of the British Academy, Prof Liz James FBA explores why Giotto’s work in mosaic has been sidelined in art-historical literature, despite the significance of the much-celebrated 'Navicella'. Read more: https://bit.ly/44nIn4h

We are still accepting applications to the Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund 2026, open to postdoctoral researchers or equivalent. Awards are tenable for a maximum of 24 months. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/488Axh7

Prof. Maria Cristina Fumagalli FBA and Prof. Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert offer a timely reappraisal of Puerto Rican painter Francisco Oller y Cestero, showing the ways in which he sought to understand and define Puerto Rican identity through his work. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4oKCqFJ

How could the UK learn from public service media models around the world to better serve a complex range of public interests? Professors Georgina Born OBE FBA and Justin Lewis FBA dived into the details on today's episode of the Beeb Watch podcast. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3KE8RrF

We are still accepting applications to the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026, open to both early career and established scholars of any nationality. Awards are tenable for a maximum of 12 months. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1

Today, the Academy publishes a report setting out findings from our Where We Live Next programme on place-led approaches to environmental sustainability. www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...

It’s Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary and @britishacademy.bsky.social postdoctoral fellow @hillaryburlock.bsky.social helps us understand what going to the ball was all about, including the months of preparation required theconversation.com/inside-the-r...

In the 19th century, news travelled faster than ever before. In this 10-minute talk, Professor Pablo Mukherjee FBA unpacks how Victorian writers responded to misinformation at the time, and what it can teach us about the information revolution we are living through today. https://bit.ly/449nhXf

“The restarting of REF2029 brings welcome clarity and allows universities to resume preparations with purpose." @eicathomefinn.bsky.social reflects on the government's announcement today on the restarting of REF2029 - see our full response here: https://bit.ly/4pre8Sl

DSIT is now accepting applications for its College of Experts, a network offering independent advice to shape UK tech and innovation policy. Expertise from across the social sciences and humanities is essential to DSIT’s work – from AI to digital identity. Apply by 16 Jan 2026: bit.ly/44JVc98

The next BBC Charter renewal in 2027 comes at a critical time. We commissioned a collection of policy briefs to help inform decisions around the future funding and governance of the BBC. Read it now: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...

Following her speech at the British Academy’s Festive Parliamentary Reception last week, Professor Dame Mary Beard FBA has written in the Times Literary Supplement reflecting on why humans need the humanities – and why they are essential to a democratic society. www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...

Why do SHAPE disciplines matter for the future of AI and geopolitics? The British Academy's CEO @hetanshah.bsky.social has set out practical solutions to the growing pressures on arts, humanities & social sciences for @resprofnews.bsky.social.

The 19th century was the age of the first information revolution. In this talk, Professor Pablo Mukherjee FBA unpacks how historical insights into misinformation, media trust, and the speed of communication can help us understand and navigate today’s digital information age. https://bit.ly/449nhXf

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us last night at the British Academy Festive Parliamentary Reception. @wmarybeard.bsky.social spoke powerfully about why, now more than ever, the humanities and social sciences need to be recognised and celebrated.

Entries are now open for the 2026 Brian Barry Prize ✍️ The prize is awarded annually for excellence in political science. The winner receives £1,500 and will be published in @bjpols.bsky.social. Follow the link for more information and to find out how to apply: https://bit.ly/3XUKdG1

‘I write fiction because it's a way of making statements I can disown’ RIP Tom Stoppard who amongst many other things was an Honorary Fellow of @britishacademy.bsky.social www.thetimes.com/article/89b0...

How do indigenous populations find their way at sea without using maps or GPS? Dr Pablo Fernandez Velasco, Postdoctoral Fellow at the British Academy, set sail on an interdisciplinary expedition with Marshallese navigators to try find out. Read about it in the New York Times: https://nyti.ms/43Y1p0W

There are only two weeks left to apply for the Postdoctoral Fellowships for Overseas Researchers 2026. The scheme helps early career and postdoctoral researchers to cooperate on research projects with leading research groups in Japan. Apply now: https://bit.ly/3WQ14Jw

In this 10-Minute Talk, Professor Isabel Torres examines the challenging presence of lyric in Miguel de Cervantes’ ‘Don Quixote’ and considers how the root of ancient poetry, ‘poiesis’, reshapes reality from within the prose. Watch the full video here: https://bit.ly/4rphBSQ

The UK has become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. In this set of discussion papers, funded researchers discuss examples and approaches to deepen our understanding of place-sensitive nature recovery, exploring the links between people and nature.

@hetanshah.bsky.social will be speaking at De Montfort University later today about how the humanities and social sciences can provide essential insights on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to economic strategy. There’s still time to register for your free ticket ⬇️ bit.ly/3Km7n4Z

Are you an early career researcher interested in pursuing projects in Asia? The Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund 2026 provides opportunities to British or Hungarian residents to explore sphere of the ancient civilizations of India, China, and Iran, including Central Asia: https://bit.ly/488Axh7

"Today’s Budget was an opportunity for the government to offer further detail and clarity on the state and finances of the higher education sector, building on the recent White Paper." Read our response to the Autumn Budget in full: https://bit.ly/4rs7bCc

Are you an early career or established researcher engaged on original research intended to produce monographs, editions or studies of documents, texts or illustrations? Apply for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1

'Cervantes’ ‘Don Quixote’ continues to shape how we think about idealism and the blurred line between illusion and reality. In this talk, Isabel Torres FBA explores how ‘poiesis' in this novel helps us to understand lyric as a provocative presence in early modern Spain. https://youtu.be/VPBkaO5zYe4

How do young people across the UK experience the spaces, services & relationships that shape their social and cultural lives? We wanted to find out. 🧵 As part of our policy programme on social and cultural infrastructure, we commissioned London Development Trust to explore this question.

Join @hetanshah.bsky.social at De Montfort University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture Series on Thursday, 27 November, as he explores how the humanities and social sciences can support policymaking. Register for your free ticket below ⬇️ www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/ev...

The British Academy invite applications for the Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund 2026. The scheme encourages research on the antiquities, historical geography, early history or arts in parts of Asia: https://bit.ly/488Axh7

Achieving technological and economic growth sustainably is seen by many as key if we are to meet the needs of a growing global population. Professor Shadreck Chirikure explores whether the cosmologies of past advanced civilisations can help us address present challenges. https://bit.ly/43rMb40

We’ll be at LSCL Fest 2025 at Excel London, 18–19 November 2025, sharing what it’s like to work at the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences. Come and find out about the wide range of work we do! 👉Register for free: https://lsclfest.co.uk/registration/

The British Academy invite applications for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The scheme aims to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1

What does the history of the potato tell us about nationhood and identity? Professor Rebecca Earle FBA explores what the story of this humble crop reveals about nationhood and identity . Watch the full video here: https://bit.ly/43nRkKm

We are still accepting applications to the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Overseas Researchers 2026. Awards are for a period of between 12 months minimum to 24 months maximum. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/3WQ14Jw

How can the cosmologies of successful past civilisations help us address the challenge of sustainability?  In this 10-Minute Talk, Professor Shadreck Chirikure explores how the worldviews of historic societies shaped economic development without compromising their environment. https://bit.ly/4onudYR

Are you an early career or postdoctoral researcher interested in pursuing projects in Japan? The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Overseas Researchers 2026 provides opportunities to cooperate with leading Japanese research groups. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3WQ14Jw

The Curriculum and Assessment review final report was published today by the government. Professor Charles Forsdick, Lead Fellow for Languages at The British Academy, reflects on the review’s implications for UK language education: https://bit.ly/4okpkjf

Applications for the ERC Consolidator Grant will close on 13 January. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, join our webinar on 24 November. Find out more and register your interest: https://bit.ly/46RDnVV

What happens when competing and complementary ‘ways of knowing’ meet in religion, spirituality, and health? A new open access volume from the Proceedings of the British Academy explores marginalised epistemes - from Korean shamanism to Siddha medicine. Discover more: https://bit.ly/47qt9xi

Indigenous peoples make up just 5% of the world’s population - but protect over 80% of its biodiversity. British Academy-supported research from the NUWAO project explores how Indigenous-led, nature-based solutions can shape fairer climate action across Oceania. Read more: https://bit.ly/4nyr9Yv

Discover how the cult of saints shaped medieval faith and culture in a new open-access Proceedings of the British Academy volume: Liturgy, Literature and History: Oswald of Northumbria and the Cult of Saints in the Middle Ages. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3JoTuCH