Polly McMichael
@pollymcmichael.bsky.social
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Russianist
reposted by
Polly McMichael
Leicester UCU
2 days ago
All members are invited to our General Meeting next Wednesday, followed by a protest outside Senate at 1pm; on Wednesday, Senior Management will ask Senate to recommend the closure of Modern Languages and Film Studies.
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Polly McMichael
Dr Andrew McInnes
12 days ago
I urge you to fill in this consultation if you can - with this very helpful support from Amnesty International - although AND because ! it is heart-breaking that this country has sunk so low that Amnesty suggest in a number of cases to provide no answer as the terms of the question are so evil
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Polly McMichael
UCFL - University Council For Languages
16 days ago
YOU SIGNATURE MATTERS! Help us save Modern Languages at Leicester. Sign the petition:
www.change.org/p/save-moder...
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Polly McMichael
Dr Sarah J Young
18 days ago
This is a permanent research snd teaching post. Please share widely and forward to suitable candidates.
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This was wonderful
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
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Archive on 4 - Paris with Marianne - BBC Sounds
Jude Rogers revisits her afternoon in Paris with Marianne Faithfull.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002ppvr?partner=uk.co.bbc
about 1 month ago
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Polly McMichael
Margot Finn
about 1 month ago
'In a House of Lords debate on 8 January, Smith said she recognised āconcernā¦about the reduction in the number of students going into higher education to study modern foreign languages and the threats to some of those modern foreign language coursesā.' 1/2
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Polly McMichael
Margot Finn
2 months ago
'The institution currently has between 15 and 16 students for every staff member but wants to increase this to between 18 and 22 students, according to a ācase for changeā document recently shared with employees.' 5 faculties mooted to become 3 colleges.' 1/3
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Staff fear ācatastrophicā impact of Nottingham āconsolidationā
Increases to staff-student ratios could send university into a ādeath spiralā, says union leader as vice-chancellor insists institution must act now
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/staff-fear-catastrophic-impact-nottingham-consolidation
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Polly McMichael
Helen Barrett
2 months ago
thecritic.co.uk/issues/decem...
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Coalhenge: Britainās colossal wonders | Jonathan Glancey | The Critic Magazine
Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, closed in September 2024 and was the last of its English coal-powered kind
https://thecritic.co.uk/issues/december-january-2026/coalhenge-britains-colossal-wonders/
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Polly McMichael
2 months ago
Ongoing decimation of British universities part 252: Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ārisk of redundancyā letters via email. Please share
@ucuessex.bsky.social
@ucu.org.uk
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Embassy concerned by under-threat language courses
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Embassy concerned by under-threat language courses in Nottingham
The University of Nottingham has announced proposals to suspend its modern languages courses.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e9d73lwkro
3 months ago
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āIf things carry on as they are, there will be very few opportunities for young people to study Music at university, and therefore hardly anybody training as music teachers, and the whole system will then be stuck in a vicious cycle of decline.ā
thecritic.co.uk/a-discipline...
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A discipline in danger | Alexandra Wilson | The Critic Magazine
I have written previously for The Critic about the closure of Music departments in British universities and it gives me no pleasure to be revisiting the issue. Unfortunately, the domino effect thatā¦
https://thecritic.co.uk/a-discipline-in-danger/
3 months ago
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Polly McMichael
Liz Morrish
3 months ago
I cringe at this kind of disingenuous justification from Nottingham U. "Students are telling us that the way they want to learn languages is changing... we currently have almost 2,000 students studying languages as part of their degree through our Language Centre"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Protest over future of University of Nottingham language courses
The University of Nottingham has suspended entry for new students on modern language courses.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y2gwezgkqo?app-referrer=webview
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Polly McMichael
Musicians' Union (MU)
3 months ago
Suspending music courses will have a devastating impact on musical life at the University, as well as future courses, job, and career opportunities across Nottingham and the wider East Midlands š Read our open letter to the University
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MU Sends Open Letter to University of Nottingham on Music Course Cuts
Music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham while the universityās council decides whether to terminate the courses permanently. Read our open letter to the Univ...
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/mu-open-letter-university-of-nottingham
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Polly McMichael
The Association of Hispanists of Great Britain and Ireland
3 months ago
ā Second statement in one week
#saveleicesterml
#saveleicesterlanguages
Following last weekās formal letter to the University of Nottingham, AHGBI has now issued a second statementāthis time to the University of Leicesterāregarding the proposed closure of its Department of Modern Languages.
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Protest over future of university language courses
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Protest over future of University of Nottingham language courses
The University of Nottingham has suspended entry for new students on modern language courses.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y2gwezgkqo
3 months ago
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āthe progressive closure of foreign language degree programmes is especially worrying because of the desperate need for language skills in governmentā
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3 months ago
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Polly McMichael
Johnny Borgan
3 months ago
"Sing in me, oh Muse, and through me tell the story" - Bob Dylan in Killarney, 24th of November 2025
johnnyborgan.blog/2025/11/25/s...
via @johnnyborgan
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āSing in me, oh Muse, and through me tell the storyā ā Bob Dylan in Killarney, 24th of November 2025
Passing a point of no return. Thatās what itās about ā to be crossing the Rubicon. When the singer asks rhetorical in āMy Own Version of Youā: What would Julius Caesarā¦
https://johnnyborgan.blog/2025/11/25/sing-in-me-oh-muse-and-through-me-tell-the-story-bob-dylan-in-killarney-24th-of-november-2025/
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Polly McMichael
Hetan Shah
3 months ago
Iāve been quoted in
@thespectator1828.bsky.social
about the importance of taking a strategic approach nationally to language provision as universities are making individual decisions to slash provision which may collectively be very bad for the national interest
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
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Polly McMichael
Nadia Whittome MP
3 months ago
Nottinghamshire MPs have written to
@uniofnottingham.bsky.social
, urging the university to reconsider proposed course suspensions and potential closures, which would significantly impact staff, students, and our wider city and county.
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Polly McMichael
Margot Finn
3 months ago
'It is notable that in the last Research Excellence Framework exercise the Department of American Studies at Nottingham was ranked third in the Area Studies unit of assessment and was one of the top-performing units across the whole of the University of Nottingham.' 1/2
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University of Nottingham Council meets on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 to decide on the proposal to close modern languages degrees
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk/home#how-you...
3 months ago
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Polly McMichael
The Association of Hispanists of Great Britain and Ireland
3 months ago
AHGBI, led by Professor Sarah Wright, opposes the University of Nottinghamās move to suspendāand effectively closeāall Modern Languages degrees. SRUK/CERU, led by Dr Carlos Soler Montes, has also raised concerns. AHGBI urges immediate reconsideration.
#SaveNottinghamLanguages
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Polly McMichael
University of Nottingham UCU branch
3 months ago
Colleagues and UCU members from UoN's Department of Modern Languages have put together this wonderful guide on supporting their programmes. A lot of what they suggest is also helpful in challenging the 48 courses at risk across the university
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
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savenottinghamlanguages
The University of Nottingham has suspended applications to all languages degree programmes, with a view to permanent closure of all of its undergraduate languages degrees. Under the proposals, itā¦
https://www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk/
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Polly McMichael
Gillian Roberts
3 months ago
Help save Modern Languages at UoN!
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Save Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
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savenottinghamlanguages
https://www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk/
3 months ago
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www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
www.change.org/p/save-moder...
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3 months ago
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Polly McMichael
Dr Rachel Haworth
3 months ago
Happening everywhere - not just Nottingham but also Leicester now. On the horizon: more cold spots in languages provision and (crucially) access to HE language teaching for those who need to study close to home. We should be widening access, not narrowing it. Solidarity to colleagues affected ā
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Polly McMichael
Arts and Humanities Alliance
3 months ago
Times Higher article out today explains the folly of yet more proposed closures in languages (also music, film, philosophy, and others). This time at the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham. Oversight of the changing UK HE landscape for our disciplines has never been more needed or vital.
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āgiven that the UK needs more graduates with languages qualifications, the task of universities is not to accelerate the decline of language learning but to find ways to bolster their student intakesā
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
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The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/latest-threat-uk-modern-languages-yet-another-faux-pas
3 months ago
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Polly McMichael
Katharine Hodgson
3 months ago
'The threat to languages is particularly ironic given Nottinghamās strategy, which promises a vision of a āuniversity without bordersā and Leicesterās āCitizens of Changeā agenda, aiming to promote global citizenship and inclusivity'. Global but monoglot: how's that supposed to work?
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Polly McMichael
Emma Cayley č°·ę¦
3 months ago
Every university should renovate the disciplinary framework of its courses and ask whether it is responding to its global responsibilities. But no university should recognise any merit in withdrawing from the study of other languages, cultures & societies
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
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The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/latest-threat-uk-modern-languages-yet-another-faux-pas
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Polly McMichael
Sarah Arens
3 months ago
In the same week, both the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester announced closing their Modern Languages departments. Disastrous for the sector as a whole and for the ML landscape in the Midlands:
c.org/4X7VMy9MPD
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Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester
https://c.org/4X7VMy9MPD
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Polly McMichael
Emma Humphries (she/her)
3 months ago
The decision to cut all language programs at the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester will be the final nail in the coffin for many potential applicants' languages education, leaving no languages degrees in the East Midlands.
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Polly McMichael
Nicki Hitchcott
3 months ago
When is this going to stop? Save Modern Languages at the University of Leicester š
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Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester
https://c.org/rk2JkR8cjy
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Petition started by students in Modern Languages at the University of Leicester. The department has been told it will close despite its stellar NSS record and brilliant teaching and research - the same devastating short-term thinking as elsewhere. Please sign and share
www.change.org/p/save-moder...
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Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester
https://www.change.org/p/save-modern-languages-courses-at-the-university-of-leicester
3 months ago
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Polly McMichael
Jonathan Kasstan
3 months ago
Staggering harm is being done to
#language
learning in Higher Ed. No oversight or strategic thinking, with cold spots now present. Petitions alone this week in response to closures: Nottingham Ā·
Change.org
Leicester Ā·
Change.org
#edusky
#langsky
@britishacademy.bsky.social
@hetanshah.bsky.social
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Change starts here
Join over 500,000,000 people creating real change in their communities.
https://Change.org
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Polly McMichael
Emma Humphries (she/her)
3 months ago
The effects of the proposed cull of languages provision at the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester will be massive: for the wonderful staff, for current students, and for future budding linguists. Esp those who, like me, come from working-class backgrounds in the East Midlands.
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Losing teaching and expertise in American Studies at the University of Nottingham is a catastrophic prospect. Itās a brilliant department. Please sign and share
www.change.org/p/save-ameri...
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Sign the Petition
SAVE AMERICAN STUDIES TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
https://www.change.org/p/save-american-studies-teaching-at-the-university-of-nottingham
3 months ago
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reposted by
Polly McMichael
University of Nottingham UCU branch
3 months ago
Our students get it. Why doesn't the administration?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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University of Nottingham students fight 'insane' cull of courses
Traitors composer Sam Watts is among those against plans to cut University of Nottingham courses.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6zqe1l7g5o
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Polly McMichael
Lillian Badger
3 months ago
BBC Orchestra have found my pub. Very vocal on University of Nottingham attempting to self-sabotage its cultural impact. No moure UoN School of Music, end of decades-long collaboration with BBC.
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Polly McMichael
Nick Mayhew
3 months ago
Horrified by the proposed closure of Modern Languages
@uniofnottingham.bsky.social
This would end language higher education in the East Midlands & decimate the uniās research profile. Shortsighted and reckless.
#University_of_Little_England
#SaveNottinghamLanguages
#WeAreUoN
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Polly McMichael
Neil Chadborn
3 months ago
Picket demonstrating feeling about announcements of cuts to courses at University of Nottingham
@uonucu.bsky.social
@ucu.org.uk
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Polly McMichael
Max Reuvers
3 months ago
Itās a few days after learning that the University of Nottingham will be suspending student intake for 48 courses ā including all of Modern Languages where Iām partly based for my PhD work ā and will likely close down these courses entirely, and Iām still just so angry and sad and in disbelief (1/7)
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Polly McMichael
Thea Pitman
3 months ago
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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University of Nottingham students fight 'insane' cull of courses
Traitors composer Sam Watts is among those against plans to cut University of Nottingham courses.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6zqe1l7g5o
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Polly McMichael
University of Nottingham UCU branch
4 months ago
Even more petitions popping up. Doesn't make for a great endorsement, does it? Please sign, spread the word, and help us push back against the constant undermining of our university:
c.org/MwqdpHLCnZ
c.org/Q6pTJXz87F
c.org/sGNYk5yGpM
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Polly McMichael
Hetan Shah
4 months ago
Such a key point about cutting back on language provision - itās not good for science and itās not good for growth
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Polly McMichael
Sarah Whalley
4 months ago
A great piece on a concerning development at my alma mater | On the suspension of Music courses at University of Nottingham
www.linkedin.com/pulse/suspen...
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On the suspension of Music courses at University of Nottingham
Iām not in the habit of lengthy posts to LinkedIn, but this weekās events at the University of Nottingham (my former workplace) demand some words. The acute financial crisis facing the HE sector is re...
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/suspension-music-courses-university-nottingham-robert-adlington-jgzxe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&utm_campaign=share_via
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Polly McMichael
UCFL - University Council For Languages
4 months ago
The University of Nottingham has announced the suspension of all Modern Languages and Cultures (MLC) programmes from September 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Polly McMichael
Emma Humphries (she/her)
4 months ago
The University of Nottingham is suspending all Modern Languages degrees. A short-sighted and terrifying decision from a 'global' university. Please sign the petition started by its wonderful students.
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Modern Languages students at the University of Nottingham have started a petition to save languages degrees. Please sign and share
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
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Sign the Petition
Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-removal-of-modern-languages-courses-at-the-university-of-nottingham
4 months ago
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