Andrew Frayn
@afrayn.bsky.social
Academic. Work on First World War literature (Assoc Ed., FWW Studies); modernist studies (former BAMS Chair); non-canonical literature; rural modernity; late style. Grumbles my own.
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
On almost everything – fraud, polarisation, radicalisation, misinformation – evidence suggests that over 60s are in much more urgent need of online protection and education than teenagers.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
This was a minor story on London news this morning - but suspect is a real cautionary (and alarming) tale of an older man getting radicalised online.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sidcup man convicted aover explosive attack on Ulez camera
Kevin Rees's homemade bomb caused damage to vehicles and property including a child's bedroom.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:43 AM
On almost everything – fraud, polarisation, radicalisation, misinformation – evidence suggests that over 60s are in much more urgent need of online protection and education than teenagers.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
There is money for "education" if and only if that money is being directly funneled to corporations. Anything involving actual learning, however, well there's no magic money tree
BREAKING: Free AI training will be offered to every adult in the UK, with short courses to teach people how to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
January 28, 2026 at 9:40 AM
There is money for "education" if and only if that money is being directly funneled to corporations. Anything involving actual learning, however, well there's no magic money tree
Not the most important thing about this article, but an unusual choice of illustrative image @tennispodcast.bsky.social
I summarized the biggest weather disasters of 2025 using last week's summaries from Gallagher Re and Aon. The costliest: $65 billion in damage from the L.A. wildfires. The deadliest: 24,000+ killed in the summer heatwave in Europe.
yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/01/eart...
yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/01/eart...
Earth was hit by 55 billion-dollar weather disasters in 2025 » Yale Climate Connections
The world endured its costliest wildfire on record in 2025, its sixth-deadliest heat wave, and four floods or storms that caused at least 1,000 deaths.
yaleclimateconnections.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Not the most important thing about this article, but an unusual choice of illustrative image @tennispodcast.bsky.social
I just feel like this is not the ideal thing for the Max Spielmann photo booths helpdesk to show up as in one's email inbox
January 26, 2026 at 5:29 PM
I just feel like this is not the ideal thing for the Max Spielmann photo booths helpdesk to show up as in one's email inbox
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
I turn 50 this year. My father wasn’t born yet in 1946.
As someone who spent the last 15 years working with aging brains & dementia, I can't stop thinking about this. It is gerontocracy: leaders who are substantially older than most of the adult population. When did we accept this? The new generations can't show up because the old generations never left.
January 22, 2026 at 1:47 PM
I turn 50 this year. My father wasn’t born yet in 1946.
Classic beginning of term/state of things dream last night: I was at a (?semi-) derelict version of my secondary school with a group of people. We were playing a game, which was to hide a box full of copies of what we were teaching among the ruined, deserted buildings. (1/2)
January 22, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Classic beginning of term/state of things dream last night: I was at a (?semi-) derelict version of my secondary school with a group of people. We were playing a game, which was to hide a box full of copies of what we were teaching among the ruined, deserted buildings. (1/2)
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
So many of HE’s problems are the product of these efforts to generate market structures that just simply don’t work because the conditions that markets need to work really aren’t there, and all they do is create uncertainty (and financial problems) for students, staff, and institutions.
The single biggest thing (in cost terms) I’ve changed my mind about is UK tuition fees. Dreadful system, need to scrap it.
This is clearly depressing and radicalising in a way a tax wouldn't have been.
January 15, 2026 at 10:29 PM
So many of HE’s problems are the product of these efforts to generate market structures that just simply don’t work because the conditions that markets need to work really aren’t there, and all they do is create uncertainty (and financial problems) for students, staff, and institutions.
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
Three short paragraphs, and you've got the whole mind-bending mess that is #UKHE finance & governance neatly laid out.
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
January 10, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Three short paragraphs, and you've got the whole mind-bending mess that is #UKHE finance & governance neatly laid out.
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
Look no further than an English or other Arts and Humanities degree
#EnglishCreates excellent careers
#EnglishCreates excellent careers
‘Contra the narrow focus of policymakers on Stem subjects or coding, now more than ever our economy rewards broad skillsets: team players, problem solvers, good communicators and creative thinkers.’ @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/5e25...
www.ft.com/content/5e25...
How to AI-proof your job
The data suggests soft skills more than quantitative competency equal success in a rapidly changing labour market
www.ft.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Look no further than an English or other Arts and Humanities degree
#EnglishCreates excellent careers
#EnglishCreates excellent careers
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
Scottish universities PhD students in English and associated subjects, please come along to this a week on Friday! Signup at link in quoted tweet.
I'm organising this hybrid training event on PhD thesis to book for @sgsah.bsky.social Literature+ Catalyst on Fri 16 January. Great speakers inc. Sarah Bernstein, @drjamesbailey.bsky.social, @hannahkateboast.bsky.social, @emilyalder.bsky.social. Please sign up!
www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/dp/disci...
www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/dp/disci...
University of Glasgow - Events and Training - Discipline+ Catalysts - Discipline + Catalyst Events
www.sgsah.ac.uk
January 6, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Scottish universities PhD students in English and associated subjects, please come along to this a week on Friday! Signup at link in quoted tweet.
Scottish universities PhD students in English and associated subjects, please come along to this a week on Friday! Signup at link in quoted tweet.
I'm organising this hybrid training event on PhD thesis to book for @sgsah.bsky.social Literature+ Catalyst on Fri 16 January. Great speakers inc. Sarah Bernstein, @drjamesbailey.bsky.social, @hannahkateboast.bsky.social, @emilyalder.bsky.social. Please sign up!
www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/dp/disci...
www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/dp/disci...
University of Glasgow - Events and Training - Discipline+ Catalysts - Discipline + Catalyst Events
www.sgsah.ac.uk
January 6, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Scottish universities PhD students in English and associated subjects, please come along to this a week on Friday! Signup at link in quoted tweet.
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
How likely is ‘likely’? Does ‘likely’ have a higher probability than ‘probable’? I put together a quick quiz so you can see how you interpret probability phrases, then see how you compare with others: probability.kucharski.io
January 3, 2026 at 4:15 PM
How likely is ‘likely’? Does ‘likely’ have a higher probability than ‘probable’? I put together a quick quiz so you can see how you interpret probability phrases, then see how you compare with others: probability.kucharski.io
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
Right. My students working two part time jobs and/or having an hour and a half commute to uni because they have to live at home due to the cost of student accommodation lack drive and vigour. Sure thing, Peter. The UK Govt still haven't a clue about the realities of universities today.
September 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Right. My students working two part time jobs and/or having an hour and a half commute to uni because they have to live at home due to the cost of student accommodation lack drive and vigour. Sure thing, Peter. The UK Govt still haven't a clue about the realities of universities today.
Some very important messages via graffiti seen on Cramond Island this afternoon.
December 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Some very important messages via graffiti seen on Cramond Island this afternoon.
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
Since 2019, one of the proudest services I do for the profession is collaborate w. @rcolesworthy.bsky.social & Erin Bartram @contingent-mag.bsky.social to compile a (limited) list of pubs by contingent lit studies scholars.
Here is our 2025 compilation.
contingentmagazine.org/2025/12/16/2...
Here is our 2025 compilation.
contingentmagazine.org/2025/12/16/2...
2025 Literary Studies Book and Journal Article List
A companion list for lit studies scholars.
contingentmagazine.org
December 21, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Since 2019, one of the proudest services I do for the profession is collaborate w. @rcolesworthy.bsky.social & Erin Bartram @contingent-mag.bsky.social to compile a (limited) list of pubs by contingent lit studies scholars.
Here is our 2025 compilation.
contingentmagazine.org/2025/12/16/2...
Here is our 2025 compilation.
contingentmagazine.org/2025/12/16/2...
My suspicion is that we're already beyond this, as the time costs of applying for funding are resolutely uncounted by university administrations.
"How can funders avoid crossing the Szilard point?"
The Szilard point is "the threshold at which the total cost of competing for a grant equals (or surpasses) the value of the available funding."
The Szilard point is "the threshold at which the total cost of competing for a grant equals (or surpasses) the value of the available funding."
Point of no returns: researchers are crossing a threshold in the fight for funding
With so little money to go round, the costs of competing for grants can exceed what the grants are worth. When that happens, nobody wins.
www.nature.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:41 AM
My suspicion is that we're already beyond this, as the time costs of applying for funding are resolutely uncounted by university administrations.
I'm organising this hybrid training event on PhD thesis to book for @sgsah.bsky.social Literature+ Catalyst on Fri 16 January. Great speakers inc. Sarah Bernstein, @drjamesbailey.bsky.social, @hannahkateboast.bsky.social, @emilyalder.bsky.social. Please sign up!
www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/dp/disci...
www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/dp/disci...
University of Glasgow - Events and Training - Discipline+ Catalysts - Discipline + Catalyst Events
www.sgsah.ac.uk
December 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I'm organising this hybrid training event on PhD thesis to book for @sgsah.bsky.social Literature+ Catalyst on Fri 16 January. Great speakers inc. Sarah Bernstein, @drjamesbailey.bsky.social, @hannahkateboast.bsky.social, @emilyalder.bsky.social. Please sign up!
www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/dp/disci...
www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/dp/disci...
December 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
Imagine running a higher education system/country so badly that you actually can't afford, or refuse to fund, research that is *literally defined as* "internationally excellent".
Stupid, stupid, stupid country.
Stupid, stupid, stupid country.
;Eliminating funding for 3* research in the next Research Excellence Framework (REF) would benefit Russell Group institutions by about £50 million a year, suggests modelling into how potential changes to funding formulas may play out.' 1/3
‘Beware trade-offs’ of removing REF funding for 3* outputs
Review of formula used to allocate £2 billion QR funding could downgrade or withdraw money for ‘internationally excellent’ research, some fear
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Imagine running a higher education system/country so badly that you actually can't afford, or refuse to fund, research that is *literally defined as* "internationally excellent".
Stupid, stupid, stupid country.
Stupid, stupid, stupid country.
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
Check out these amazing keynotes for Weird Modernisms - and there's still time to propose a paper or panel: www.moderniststudies.org/conference/M... @moderniststudies.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Check out these amazing keynotes for Weird Modernisms - and there's still time to propose a paper or panel: www.moderniststudies.org/conference/M... @moderniststudies.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
PhD Studentship in War and Climate Change: University of Reading, UK. This looks like a great opportunity for someone wishing to study the military's contribution to the climate crisis: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPU288/p...
PhD Studentship in War and Climate Change at University of Reading
jobs.ac.uk are now advertising a PhD Studentship in War and Climate Change. Discover exciting PhD opportunities on jobs.ac.uk.
www.jobs.ac.uk
December 17, 2025 at 8:05 AM
PhD Studentship in War and Climate Change: University of Reading, UK. This looks like a great opportunity for someone wishing to study the military's contribution to the climate crisis: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPU288/p...
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
Well—this looks *superb*.
This volume, a long time in the works, now lives on the Bloomsbury website. Thanks to my co-editor Katie, associate editors Lauren Faro and Petar Penda, and to @bendoyle.bsky.social and the Bloomsbury team. Look out for the excellent cover, coming very soon...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beyond-mo...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beyond-mo...
Beyond Modernism
Underlining (and undermining) the notion of literary merit, this book focuses on noncanonical works and asks: what happens when we look away from modernism? See…
www.bloomsbury.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Well—this looks *superb*.
This volume, a long time in the works, now lives on the Bloomsbury website. Thanks to my co-editor Katie, associate editors Lauren Faro and Petar Penda, and to @bendoyle.bsky.social and the Bloomsbury team. Look out for the excellent cover, coming very soon...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beyond-mo...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beyond-mo...
Beyond Modernism
Underlining (and undermining) the notion of literary merit, this book focuses on noncanonical works and asks: what happens when we look away from modernism? See…
www.bloomsbury.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM
This volume, a long time in the works, now lives on the Bloomsbury website. Thanks to my co-editor Katie, associate editors Lauren Faro and Petar Penda, and to @bendoyle.bsky.social and the Bloomsbury team. Look out for the excellent cover, coming very soon...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beyond-mo...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beyond-mo...
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
It is incredibly sad that the BBC is a place for Robbie Gibb, Fiona Bruce and Laura Kuenssberg, and not Robin Ince.
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
December 13, 2025 at 9:27 AM
It is incredibly sad that the BBC is a place for Robbie Gibb, Fiona Bruce and Laura Kuenssberg, and not Robin Ince.
This, every goddamn time
December 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
This, every goddamn time