Polly McMichael

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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.

Sign the Petition SAVE AMERICAN STUDIES TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM

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...

University of Nottingham students fight 'insane' cull of courses Traitors composer Sam Watts is among those against plans to cut University of Nottingham courses.

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.

Me too! It’s such a good text too. Absolutely horrifying that this is happening - thanks for your support, Liudmila ❤️

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 line outside university to protest cuts to courses and compulsory redundancies

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)

University of Nottingham students fight 'insane' cull of courses Traitors composer Sam Watts is among those against plans to cut University of Nottingham courses.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A screen shot for the change.org petition with the title "Stop the suspension of Uni of Nottingham Mental Health & Child Nursing + Health Promotion"

A screen shot for the change.org petition with the title "Save Agriculture at the University of Nottingham"

A screen shot for the change.org petition with the title "Stop the removal of Modern Language courses at the University of Nottingham!"

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

Max Hegarty, who is studying aerospace engineering, said the proposals also affect students on other courses. He has taken modules in German, and said this enabled him to do an internship in Germany. "So much of our European engineering is based in Germany," he said. "While a lot of people are willing to learn English, not returning that effort to them is not great for that collaboration, for that international co-operation that we need. "Cutting funding for modern languages courses serves only to paralyse our growth as a country."

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...

On the suspension of Music courses at University of Nottingham I’m not in the habit of lengthy posts to LinkedIn, but this week’s events at the University of Nottingham (my former workplace) demand some words. The acute financial crisis facing the HE sector is re...

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...

It’s such a shortsighted and crass decision. We’ll try to follow Cardiff’s lead in fighting back.

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.

Sign the Petition Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!

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

Petition: Increase funding for people with Parkinson’s and implement the "Parky Charter" We want the government to take the decisive five steps set out in the Movers and Shakers' "Parky Charter" and to fulfil the Health Secretary’s promises.

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...

Modern languages departments are neither colonial nor obsolete Advanced linguistic and cultural skills remain essential for deep insight into how people see themselves in the world, say five modern languages academics

‘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 👇

Image shows graffiti on a wall. In green it is written: 'So hot rite now'. Yellow writing is used to change the non-standard spelling from 'rite' to 'right'.

Yourwrong.co.uk

'My university course made me who I am - now it's being cut' Universities are cutting jobs to make financial savings, with students and staff bearing the brunt.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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.

Soul Music - Diamonds and Rust - BBC Sounds Stories of love and loss surrounding the song Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez.

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/...

Sign the Petition Save Britain's Cooling Towers

'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...