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...

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

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

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

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:

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?

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

It's Christmas biscuits season, Swiss style🇨🇭. Happy advent, everyone!

This narrative matches my experience: I come out of two departments that totally reshaped themselves (in opposite ways) in the Theory Wars.

Another Open Access issue, 43.2 features brilliant reviews from @pascaleexeter.bsky.social, Lucy J S Clarke, Adib Faiz, Laurie Maguire, @cheflory.bsky.social, @rachel-l-spence.bsky.social, @frarke.bsky.social Zola P Feasel and @joestephenson.bsky.social, @terribourus.bsky.social, Bernard Krumm, 1/2

Thrilled to have TWO contributions to this issue: one a review with Letty Thomas, who played an amazing Lavinia in Max Webster's 2025 RSC Titus, and the other my review of that production. This Lavinia was noisy, angry, and very influenced by Gisele Pélicot. Strong story arc linking her to Titus.

Thrilled to have TWO contributions to this issue: one a review with Letty Thomas, who played an amazing Lavinia in Max Webster's 2025 RSC Titus, and the other my review of that production. This Lavinia was noisy, angry, and very influenced by Gisele Pélicot. Strong story arc linking her to Titus.

One of those amazing evenings last night, watching a mix of professional & amateur singers perform #Carmen and finding out that two former students of mine were involved. I knew that Lucy Corley is a director, but I had no idea that Anna Townhill (Micaela) has a gorgeous soprano voice! So talented 🔥

I'm probably really late to this party, but I hadn't twigged till today that Isabella Whitney, of "Last Will and Testament" fame, wrote her "Nosegay" of little moral poems a good decade before Geoffrey Whitney published his book of little moral emblems. I also hadn't realised that she's his sister.

Now only **FIVE DAYS** until the deadline for @fairbanc.bsky.social and @emjlynajsh.bsky.social's conference on EM practical texts that will take place in Sheffield next April! sites.google.com/sheffield.ac...

Mary Baldwin University is embarking on drastic cuts of its liberal arts programme and of humanities subjects more generally. A bad case of mishandled management, and colleagues and students will suffer as a result (including #AmericanShakespeareCenter!) Sign the petition here: c.org/VmXd75Pf7h

Lewis is absolutely right here

I've had a sneak preview of some of this - and it's terrific!! Great to see it out in the world. 🔥🔥🔥

Somewhat astonishingly, here it is, a book, a thing in the world... More, including acknowledgements, soon❤️

👇👇👇👇

BUMPER episode just recorded with @chrischirp.bsky.social on what lessons we can learn from the violent destruction of American democracy in order to protect our own - right now. Coming first thing tomorrow. Make time for this important conversation.

Thanks to everyone who supported my fundraiser for St Petrock's yesterday. It was quite the adventure! Exeter residents: if you'd like to fundraise for the charity, it's simple - see stpetrocks.org.uk/give-help/fu....

It's tomorrow! Weather looks okay-ish for this time of year - definitely worse if you're homeless than just cycling for the homeless. Almost final call: who will chip in for my fundraiser for Exeter's homeless charity?

It's tomorrow! Weather looks okay-ish for this time of year - definitely worse if you're homeless than just cycling for the homeless. Almost final call: who will chip in for my fundraiser for Exeter's homeless charity?

#Fundraiser: Only two days until I find out whether I am up to this... 55km, with 1000m uphill, from #Exeter to Ivybridge, for Exeter's homeless charity #StPetrock's. We've raised over £200 so far, but could it be more? Please chip in if you can! www.justgiving.com/page/pascale...

Let's give this another go: I'm fundraising for Exeter's Homelessness charity St Petrock's, with a 55km cycle ride along the southern edge of Dartmoor - 1,040m uphill, in three bursts of effort. Can you chip in? www.justgiving.com/page/pascale...

Every tenner counts. Come on, help me raise some funds for the #homeless in #Exeter this autumn -over £200 so far, which is great! The bike route is genuinely a killer (at least, for me it is - up 1040m, 55km long), and it'll help to think you're willing me on. www.justgiving.com/page/pascale...

Let's give this another go: I'm fundraising for Exeter's Homelessness charity St Petrock's, with a 55km cycle ride along the southern edge of Dartmoor - 1,040m uphill, in three bursts of effort. Can you chip in? www.justgiving.com/page/pascale...

Hello friends! I'm going to be 55 soon and to mark the occasion I'm planning to cycle a hilly 55km from Exeter to Ivybridge in support of Exeter's #homeless charity St Petrock's. Will you chip in? (the terrible selfie is from when I did 50km for my 50th...) www.justgiving.com/page/pascale...

Hello friends! I'm going to be 55 soon and to mark the occasion I'm planning to cycle a hilly 55km from Exeter to Ivybridge in support of Exeter's #homeless charity St Petrock's. Will you chip in? (the terrible selfie is from when I did 50km for my 50th...) www.justgiving.com/page/pascale...

Hello friends! I'm going to be 55 soon and to mark the occasion I'm planning to cycle a hilly 55km from Exeter to Ivybridge in support of Exeter's homeless charity St Petrock's. Will you chip in? (the terrible selfie is from when I did 50km for my 50th...) www.justgiving.com/page/pascale...

Hello friends! I'm going to be 55 soon and to mark the occasion I'm planning to cycle a hilly 55km from Exeter to Ivybridge in support of Exeter's homeless charity St Petrock's. Will you chip in? (the terrible selfie is from when I did 50km for my 50th...) www.justgiving.com/page/pascale...

The feeling when, at the start of the second week of term, a student asks for further reading, having already done all the relevant reading you recommended on a subject and gone beyond that to do some research. What a privilege to be teaching this bunch! Looks like a good term's ahead (and v busy)

A story that’s attracted surprisingly little attention in our media: Ex-Reform politician admits Russia-linked bribery charges www.bbc.com/news/article...