Arts and Humanities Alliance

A few edge-of-the-seat moments in a lively discussion, with top tips from @samiraahmeduk.bsky.social on how to tell gripping tales about findings that matter…

Thanks - an energising, soul-searching, eye-opening lesson to on how to win (or not) hearts and minds…

Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, was welcomed by our President Susan J. Smith. His keynote began with strong support the Academy's role in research. #SHAPEConference26

We’re getting into the weeds of how we tell a better story about the value of HE and research in society with our brilliant plenary panel @samiraahmeduk.bsky.social, British Academy President Susan J Smith and Professor Malcolm Press from Universities UK #SHAPEConference26

Hetan Shah, Christopher Smith, Susan J. Smith, Vivenne Stern, Adam Tickell, Evelyn Welch, Andy Westwood.

The keynote speaker for today is Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear. Other speakers and participants include: Samira Ahmed,
Philip Augar, Isabella Mascarenhas,
Shirley Pearce, Malcolm Press…

We look forward to a day of reflection and discussion examining the significant reshaping of the HE sector and research environment over the past year together. Thank you to all our member associations for their continued support and contribution. #SHAPE #Mythbusting

SHAPE Conference 2026 The British Academy's annual SHAPE conference will be held in London on 4 March 2026.

The Arts and Humanities Alliance is proud to sponsor the 2026 @britishacademy.bsky.social SHAPE conference. Our session is Myth busting for the public with @ritagardner.bsky.social @jennyrichards.bsky.social & @sebgordon1.bsky.social
Chair @emmacayley.bsky.social www.eventbrite.com/e/shape-conf...

Important discussion in Hall One with Sir Chris Bryant & Baronness Shriti Vadera discussing the value and risks in the creative industries 💡💸

Find out more about today's speakers 🔗 summit.wearecreative.uk/speakers

#BigSummit26 #CreativeIndustries

Universität Basel: Professor in English linguistics (open-rank) A position as Professor in English linguistics with a focus on English as a lingua franca in the digital age is to be filled at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Basel...

Job opening : Professor in English linguistics (open-rank) @unibas.ch – come and join us !
jobs.unibas.ch/offene-stell...

We have to stop calling some jobs ‘low skilled’ Freeing ourselves of these labels might help young people to think more creatively about the future

Given no one really knows what subjects to study to be resilient in the future perhaps this might free young people up to study things they enjoy says @sarahoconnorft.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/0409...

Tutorial Fellow and Professor (or Associate Professor) of Literature in English at University of Oxford Discover Tutorial Fellow and Professor (or Associate Professor) of Literature in English jobs and more in higher education on jobs.ac.uk. Apply for further details on the top job board.

Tutorial Fellow and Professor (or Associate Professor) of Literature in English
University of Oxford - Balliol College

Literature of the long 19th century

Permanent

www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQM832/t...

Students begin further Covid legal action after UCL case settled Pre-action letters sent to 36 more universities over lost teaching during pandemic as long-running ‘test case’ resolved

Group representing students affected by Covid disruption to teaching plans legal action against 36 more universities after settling case with UCL www.timeshighereducation.com/news/student... via @helenpacker.bsky.social

NEW on Wonkhe: Universities are at the forefront of global campaigns for influence and power. James Coe unpacks limitations of new guidance when it comes to spies, spying, and state interference. buff.ly/LlSXnvk

NEW on Wonkhe: The traditional commercialisation paradigm isn’t the only way to approach knowledge exchange. Kim Stuart and Audrey Cumberford introduce a new initiative in Scotland spanning modern and smaller universities and the college sector buff.ly/x86jg5x

Reading and writing can lower dementia risk by almost 40%, study finds Cognitive health in later life is ‘strongly influenced’ by lifelong exposure to intellectually stimulating environments, say researchers

'Reading, writing and learning a language or two can lower your risk of dementia by almost 40%, according to a study that suggests millions of people could prevent or delay the condition.' 1/2

New Post: New HEPI +City St George’s Report: ”We believe this is the way to do it’: Exploring the City St George’s merger www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/02/12/n...

Ireland’s basic income for the arts scheme becomes permanent When piloted, initiative that provided €325 a week to eligible artists recouped more than its net cost, study shows

The initiative will provide €325 (£283) a week to 2,000 eligible artists based in the Republic of Ireland. This follows a pilot (for which 2,000 artists were randomly selected from 8,000 applicants).

‘The scheme recouped more than its net cost of €72m’
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

What changes were made to REF2029 as part of last December's 'unpausing'; and what are the likely implications - positive and negative - for History and the wider humanities?

New on the RHS blog: bit.ly/3ZIfe0P

#Skystorians @artsandhums.bsky.social

Pay-off spend up by two-thirds as universities shed 13,000 jobs Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet

Ninety UK universities to have posted accounts so far cut 13,300 jobs last year, spending £303 million on severance pay - sector-wide total clearly going to be well in excess of predicted 10,000. Great reporting by @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...

Regulator raises alarm over rise in top grades at English universities Office for Students says almost two-thirds more first-class degrees were awarded than can be explained

Need to contextualise this (and to question the basis of the modelling). Introduction of late summer resits, vast improvements in student support, great variety in classification schemes and renewed attention to teaching quality all need a look. And compare UK stats to the typical GPA at Harvard...

THREE DAYS LEFT TO APPLY:
AAH bursaries for doctoral and early career researchers to attend our 2026 Annual Conference are open for application.

These competitive bursaries, which are assessed by our DECR committee, are available to speakers, session panel organisers and ⬇️

Events | The English Association We support the teaching, learning, and enjoyment of English at all levels of education, from early years to further and higher education and beyond.

Events! Take a look through our upcoming events,book your places on them! Visit our archive of recordings for supply of inspiring expertise across sectors, Early Years through to Higher Education via Primary, Secondary & Further Education #Teaching #Curriculum etc. ⬇️
englishassociation.ac.uk/events/

Apply for Associate Fellowship - RHS Closing dates for next applications: Mondays 9 March and 11 May 2026   Associate Fellowship recognises the contribution made by a wide range of historical researchers and advocates for History with es...

JOIN US: our Associate Fellowship category is for those at an earlier stage their research careers - for example, completion of a #History PhD, or history professionals (teachers, curators, archivists etc) who make research possible.

Applications welcome at any time bit.ly/44r8NTg #Skystorians 1/2

On the day we learned that 13,000 jobs were lost in UK universities last year, I guess it’s nice to know that the Office for Students is worrying about - well - something. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 1/3

Universities are having to make “a trade-off” between awarding pay rises and protecting jobs, according to the new chair of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association. Juliette Rowsell reports #academicsky #edusky
https://ow.ly/oOi350XXgHP

Excited for our @ucflangs.bsky.social Winter Plenary today, beaming live from Senate House in London! Please register at the link below to join us online at 1pm today to get the low down on REF2029 from UoA sub panel chair and deputy chair, Jane Stuart-Smith and Susan Harrow, and other panels.

Please help spread the word on this, especially to those who may be feeling cold winds towards their research.

We’ve opened the call for our International Fellowships, enabling early career researchers to work for two years at a UK research institution
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...

University of Nottingham considers axing language and music degrees Total of 48 degrees could disappear from Russell Group institution, with falling revenues and rising costs blamed

'Nottingham will be the only Russell Group university not to teach modern foreign languages degrees if it approves plans to close a swath of courses including Spanish and French as well as music and dozens of others.' 1/3

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.