Ben Davies

‘Generational shift’ in reading for pleasure sparks inquiry MPs will investigate why fewer children are reading at home and highlight good in practice in schools that is getting pupils into books

MPs have launched an inquiry into why fewer children are reading for pleasure – and what schools are doing to get pupils into books

Plans lodged for crack down on 'obscene' pay of university principals Propsals have been lodged to crack down on the 'obscene' pay inequality across Scotland's universities and colleges

'The Scottish Greens have lodged an amendment to the Scottish Government's Tertiary Education and Training Bill – set to be debated this week – which they believe will help to "boost the wages of ordinary workers".' 1/2

London Rare Books School The London Rare Books School (LRBS) at the Institute of English Studies, University of London runs a series of intensive courses on a variety of book-related subjects

✨ Booking is now open for the 2026 London Rare Books School! ✨

EARLY BIRD OFFER
21 November - 23 January: Use code LRBS10 to receive 10% off the booking fee at the checkout

@sas-news.bsky.social

ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...

I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking. "Students are not just undermining their ability to learn, but to someday lead."

To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”

www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...

Medieval Philosophical and Scientific Manuscripts – an online short course taught by Anna Somfai This course will run online from 14:00-17:00: Monday 26 January – Thursday 29 January 2026. The course explores medieval Western philosophical and scientific manuscripts produced over the spa…

How have books shaped the way we think? In January Anna Somfai will teach an online short course on books about science and philosophy in the Middle Ages. Book now 👇 #MedievalSky @ies-sas.bsky.social @warburginstitute.bsky.social @sas-news.bsky.social palaeography.uk/study/short-...

For scientists, the right questions are often the hardest The most difficult problems can nurture the most talented researchers

'The initiative raises profound questions about the future of science education in the age of AI, including whether there should be a greater role for the humanities and social sciences.'

An important read. With a sharing link for 3 non-subscribers. on.ft.com/4rd7II4

'Fewer than half are even fully aware that universities conduct research.'

Real indictment of universities' strategies and comms this. An own goal that could and should be rectified. Engaging broad publics with research is not rocket science. And if it were, universities have rocket scientists. 3/3

This campaign needs you now SAVE AMERICAN STUDIES TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM

Please support and share this petition to help save American Studies teaching at The University of Nottingham. Staff are facing redundancy. The expertise that would be lost would be monumental. Please sign.
c.org/26qjPmffNy

Call for C21/BACLS Panel Proposals BACLS members are warmly invited to submit proposals for panels for the upcoming British Association for American Studies (BAAS) and British Association of Modernist Studies (BAMS) conferences in coll...

In conjunction with @bacls.bsky.social, we are looking for some proposals for panels at BAAS and MSA! Read more here:

@c21literature.bsky.social

Very happy to have received a physical copy of @heyitsdenisew.bsky.social fantastic new book. @edinburghup.bsky.social @bacls.bsky.social

We've refreshed out author guidelines for submissions to our journal, including new guidance for anyone looking to submit an interview. We'd love to hear from you!
c21.openlibhums.org/site/authorg...

‘Opposing the inevitability of AI at universities is possible and necessary’ | Radboud University Since the widespread release of ChatGPT in December of 2022, AI has taken over much of the world by storm – including academia. Most of this happened with very little pushback, despite a myriad of iss...

‘Study after study shows that students want to develop these critical thinking skills, are not lazy, and large numbers of them would be in favor of banning ChatGPT and similar tools in universities’, says @olivia.science www.ru.nl/en/research/...

A spooky listen, full of higher ed ghosts ‘n’ ghouls.. but also rich with fresh ideas & possibility for the humanities. Thanks to @mattseybold.bsky.social for having me on & @cnewf.bsky.social for his vision!

Deadline reminder for @univeng.bsky.social funding scheme: 5pm on 10th November 2025.

Public Humanities Fellowship Our Public Humanities Fellowship stimulates new ideas and conversations around public humanities.

Apply now for the SAS Public Humanities Fellowship!

Applications are invited from those working at the forefront of shaping the future of Public Humanities, deepening its reach, and expanding its impact.

Apply by 21 November: www.sas.ac.uk/research-eng...

Experimental evidence of the effects of large language models versus web search on depth of learning Abstract. The effects of using large language models (LLMs) versus traditional web search on depth of learning are explored. A theory is proposed that when

When people learn with ChatGPT instead of following their own searches, they end up knowing less, caring less, and producing worse advice, even when the facts are the same.

Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.

academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...

Editorial: AI-proof the Core Curriculum The Core Curriculum is an essential part of a Catholic education that must be saved from AI.

go, student newspaper of Notre Dame and Saint Mary

"employ in-class essays, oral exams+ rigorous discussions — that are far more difficult to use AI tools to complete. a close reading of the text should constitute the bulk in any introductory humanities class."
www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2025...

The History of English Studies in Britain: a Symposium

We are delighted to host a major international symposium occasioned by the publication of 'Literature and Learning: A History of English Studies in Britain' by Stefan Collini

⏰Thurs 30 Oct 2025, 2-7pm

📍Senate House, London

The event is free to attend

BOOK NOW ⤵️
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...

The National Humanities Lecture 2026

Award-winning novelist Elif Shafak will deliver the National Humanities Lecture 2026!

Book now for this prestigious lecture, which celebrates the vital role of the humanities in public life.

3 February 2026 | 6-8pm | Senate House & Online. Register here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...

Pupils fear AI is eroding their ability to study, research finds One in four students say AI ‘makes it too easy’ for them to find answers

'Despite AI’s widespread use, 62% of the students said it has had a negative impact on their skills and development at school, while one in four of the students agreed that AI “makes it too easy for me to find the answers without doing the work myself”.' 1/2

Counterpoint | Minnesota humanities graduates thrive in meaningful careers "The stereotype of the underemployed history major is simply not true," professor Andrea Kaston Tange writes.

My latest: "Numerous studies show that majors in the humanities—typically, in departments of English, history, philosophy, religious studies, classics and languages—lead students to employment and life satisfaction outcomes as positive as those for majors traditionally championed as 'practical.'”

We can't wait to celebrate the #NationalYearofReading!

🫵Tell us how you're going to celebrate - we'd love to share your story in our magazine English 4-11, published with our friends and partners @uklitassociation.bsky.social and @natefeed.bsky.social: bit.ly/4-11YearOfRe...

No reason for reposting this today, either...

No reason for reposting today...

I didn't realise all those songs must be about 'things that actually happened'.

Some welcome news from @univeng.bsky.social 👇

@ies-sas.bsky.social @bobeaglestone.bsky.social @englishassociation.bsky.social @jennyrichards.bsky.social @gailmarshall.bsky.social @clarelees.bsky.social