www.change.org/p/stop-the-r... www.change.org/p/save-moder...

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 ✊

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.

‘given 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 intakes’ www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...

'The threat to languages is particularly ironic given Nottingham’s strategy, which promises a vision of a “university without borders” and Leicester’s “Citizens of Change” agenda, aiming to promote global citizenship and inclusivity'. Global but monoglot: how's that supposed to work?

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...

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

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.

When is this going to stop? Save Modern Languages at the University of Leicester 👇

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...

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 · Change.org Leicester · Change.org #edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social

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.

Losing teaching and expertise in American Studies at the University of Nottingham is a catastrophic prospect. It’s a brilliant department. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/save-ameri...

Our students get it. Why doesn't the administration? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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.

Horrified by the proposed closure of Modern Languages @uniofnottingham.bsky.social This would end language higher education in the East Midlands & decimate the uni’s research profile. Shortsighted and reckless. #University_of_Little_England #SaveNottinghamLanguages #WeAreUoN

Picket demonstrating feeling about announcements of cuts to courses at University of Nottingham @uonucu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk

It’s a few days after learning that the University of Nottingham will be suspending student intake for 48 courses – including all of Modern Languages where I’m partly based for my PhD work – and will likely close down these courses entirely, and I’m still just so angry and sad and in disbelief (1/7)

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

Such a key point about cutting back on language provision - it’s not good for science and it’s not good for growth www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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...

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...

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.

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...

This is incredible

Bob Dylan video message to Martin Carthy at a tribute this evening (Sep 27) 🎥 with many many thanks to plansfail for recording

Bob Dylan concert poster in the Vasileostrovsky district of Leningrad in May 1989.📷Andrey Usov

I’d be grateful if you could sign this petition calling for better provisions for people with Parkinson’s disease. Since I was diagnosed two years ago I’ve seen how awful the service is. And worldwide it’s the fastest growing neurological condition. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...

‘Language is not an ancillary service. It is crucial for expanding understanding of key issues of our age beyond anglophone perspectives and assumptions.’ A response by @ilcs.bsky.social @ucflangs.bsky.social and St. Andrews School of Modern Languages. www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/mode...

'Ending Modern Languages at Cardiff would be a colossally short-sighted & counter-productive move. Wales has a proud record of commitment to linguistic pluralism, & the excellent work of Modern Languages at Cardiff is a critically important contribution to that. Please rethink urgently.' Sign here 👇

Please help us to save Modern Languages at Cardiff University: chng.it/Hmtvvdtptg

I created a thing! It is definitely missing people - if you are a person who should be on it, pls let me know! go.bsky.app/8HazBeR

The London Ukrainian Review looks brilliant, my reading for the day and likely half the week is sorted. Congratulations to @dovzhyk.bsky.social - this is a great achievement.

Joan Baez, "Queen of Folk",is halfway through writing a song when she gets a call from Bob Dylan. It’s 1974; almost 10 years after their relationship ended. The song became the iconic ‘Diamonds+Rust’, an outpouring of memories from their time together in the early 60s. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

'Not only genius feats of engineering but genuinely beautiful architectural forms' - playwright James 'Sherwood' Graham on power station cooling towers. He who wants to preserve a set as a monument. Agree? We at the C20 Society have started a petition: www.change.org/p/save-brita...

I can’t imagine the landscape without these. Hoping for some to be preserved chng.it/7SVfLwLRDZ

Meanwhile in Russia: Bhagavad Gita AUTHOR DECLARED FOREIGN AGENT translation by Boris Grebenshchikov

Looking for a new series to watch? I’ve been using the map of the most popular tv shows in Europe to get some ideas, and it’s been a lot of fun so far

September je… youtu.be/Y-yXd0-w3Ws?...

Risking criminal prosecution under what I’m sure are multiple speech felonies under Russian law, Navalny’s mourners chant, “Putin is a murderer!” t.me/teamnavalny/23361

My write up of Navalny - various people wanted interviews and this is how I organize thoughts. postsocialism.org/2024/02/16/r...

The first flower tributes for Alexei Navalny emerged at the memorials dedicated to the victims of political repression in Belgorod, Ulyanovsk and Kazan. In Novosibirsk, a woman is out with a poster saying “Who’s next?” All 📷 from local media

Russian state polling on musicians in wartime shows largely expected results (respondents express disgust about Pugacheva & others who emigrated, respect for "patriotic" Shaman, etc), but resolutely antiwar Yuri Shevchuk scores 3rd place among the musicians Russians are proud of.