Barbara Franchi
@barbarafranchi.bsky.social
Contemporary literature scholar, feminist, wannabe eco-criticist. Career Development Fellow in Postcolonial and World Literatures at Durham University. she/her
Fantastic result, well done everyone!
Waited until today to say this, to ensure we got in as many ballots as we could, but DUCU can confirm we passed the Tory anti-trade union 50% voting threshold for the current national ballot. Our team did a huge amount of amazing GTVO work, benefitting not just Durham but other branches. Respect.
November 27, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Fantastic result, well done everyone!
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
new favourite New York Times term for a British thing just dropped
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
new favourite New York Times term for a British thing just dropped
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
Please don’t scroll past this This is the voice of a mother in Gaza begging for help My daughter Alma is hungry and growing sicker each day Every night she asks for food I cannot give Please if your heart still feels compassion—help us survive
@letsgodenverd.bsky.social
@barbarafranchi.bsky.social
@letsgodenverd.bsky.social
@barbarafranchi.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Please don’t scroll past this This is the voice of a mother in Gaza begging for help My daughter Alma is hungry and growing sicker each day Every night she asks for food I cannot give Please if your heart still feels compassion—help us survive
@letsgodenverd.bsky.social
@barbarafranchi.bsky.social
@letsgodenverd.bsky.social
@barbarafranchi.bsky.social
Rereading A Whistling Woman, I realised that, in 2002, so obviously post-Thatcher, Byatt foresaw an uncanny Labour version of Liz Truss, or a female version of Starmer, as Britain’s first female PM. The novel is set in 1968.
November 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Rereading A Whistling Woman, I realised that, in 2002, so obviously post-Thatcher, Byatt foresaw an uncanny Labour version of Liz Truss, or a female version of Starmer, as Britain’s first female PM. The novel is set in 1968.
An excellent piece from back in June 2025 which is vital reading today. The cruel two-child benefit cap has been abolished at last!
With the government expected to scrap the two-child benefit cap in today's budget, here's a reminder of the disproportionate impact of the policy on Muslim families 👇
hyphenonline.com/2025/06/02/t...
hyphenonline.com/2025/06/02/t...
Two-child benefit cap: data reveals impact on Muslim children
Labour MPs and party’s Muslim network add to pressure on ministers to axe two-child benefit cap in light of Hyphen’s findings
hyphenonline.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
An excellent piece from back in June 2025 which is vital reading today. The cruel two-child benefit cap has been abolished at last!
This. I don’t want it, don’t care for it, don’t want my kids to be taught ‘how to use/train AI’, and can happily live my life without ever engaging with it. Which means, my students should please refrain from using it for essays: you’re much cleverer than that, and you know it!
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 26, 2025 at 10:56 AM
This. I don’t want it, don’t care for it, don’t want my kids to be taught ‘how to use/train AI’, and can happily live my life without ever engaging with it. Which means, my students should please refrain from using it for essays: you’re much cleverer than that, and you know it!
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
🚨 The UK has REFUSED to back a plan to save collapsing mackerel stocks 🐟
By ignoring scientific advice, the UK is fuelling overfishing.
This isn’t complicated. It’s a political choice.
📩 This #WorldFisheriesDay, tell the PM to stop overfishing: act.oceana.org/page/178303/...
By ignoring scientific advice, the UK is fuelling overfishing.
This isn’t complicated. It’s a political choice.
📩 This #WorldFisheriesDay, tell the PM to stop overfishing: act.oceana.org/page/178303/...
November 21, 2025 at 9:36 AM
🚨 The UK has REFUSED to back a plan to save collapsing mackerel stocks 🐟
By ignoring scientific advice, the UK is fuelling overfishing.
This isn’t complicated. It’s a political choice.
📩 This #WorldFisheriesDay, tell the PM to stop overfishing: act.oceana.org/page/178303/...
By ignoring scientific advice, the UK is fuelling overfishing.
This isn’t complicated. It’s a political choice.
📩 This #WorldFisheriesDay, tell the PM to stop overfishing: act.oceana.org/page/178303/...
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
So much of this could be said more broadly for play for children and young people - the safety, accessibility and inclusivity of our neighbourhood outdoor spaces in the context of the climate crisis is a growing challenge.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
November 20, 2025 at 11:20 AM
So much of this could be said more broadly for play for children and young people - the safety, accessibility and inclusivity of our neighbourhood outdoor spaces in the context of the climate crisis is a growing challenge.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Anyone fancies building a snowman today?
November 20, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Anyone fancies building a snowman today?
Autumn turning into winter in Gateshead ❄️
November 19, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Autumn turning into winter in Gateshead ❄️
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
mr president sir theres a story coming about how you intervened to help a sex criminal. no sir, not that sex criminal you helped….no not that one either…sir, please stop guessing sex criminals that you helped. ill give you a hint sir, hes a trafficker. no sir, not that trafficker a different one
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
mr president sir theres a story coming about how you intervened to help a sex criminal. no sir, not that sex criminal you helped….no not that one either…sir, please stop guessing sex criminals that you helped. ill give you a hint sir, hes a trafficker. no sir, not that trafficker a different one
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
It’s a teaching marathon day today, but a fairy tale themed one: starting off with tutorials on Andersen’s Snow Queen via Propp and Byatt, and finishing tonight with my Writing the Sea seminar on The Deep, ecological/posthuman merfolk solidarity, and memories of the Middle Passage.
November 14, 2025 at 10:24 AM
It’s a teaching marathon day today, but a fairy tale themed one: starting off with tutorials on Andersen’s Snow Queen via Propp and Byatt, and finishing tonight with my Writing the Sea seminar on The Deep, ecological/posthuman merfolk solidarity, and memories of the Middle Passage.
The rain in Durham today feels like a Julia Armfield novel… everything is soaking wet!
November 13, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The rain in Durham today feels like a Julia Armfield novel… everything is soaking wet!
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
Hit hard by aid cuts and sanctions, Afghanistan is struggling to absorb 4.5 million returnees since 2023.
Nine in 10 Afghan families skip meals, take on debt: UNDP
Hit hard by aid cuts and sanctions, Afghanistan is struggling to absorb 4.5 million returnees since 2023.
bit.ly
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Hit hard by aid cuts and sanctions, Afghanistan is struggling to absorb 4.5 million returnees since 2023.
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
... and Leicester... Languages, History...
It's so easy to destroy, so hard to create. So much talent. So many lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's so easy to destroy, so hard to create. So much talent. So many lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University of Leicester to consult on redundancies
University bosses are also planning to stop a number of courses.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
... and Leicester... Languages, History...
It's so easy to destroy, so hard to create. So much talent. So many lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's so easy to destroy, so hard to create. So much talent. So many lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Time to update your Bluesky profile, Mr Mamdani. Wonderful news in such dire times!
November 5, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Time to update your Bluesky profile, Mr Mamdani. Wonderful news in such dire times!
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
Italian government's immigration policy in tatters. After failure of Albanian detention centres, impounding of NGO vessels now in question.
Catanzaro Court of Appeal rules NGO ship illegally impounded for disobeying Libyan Coast Guard, which cannot be considered a legitimate rescue organization.
Catanzaro Court of Appeal rules NGO ship illegally impounded for disobeying Libyan Coast Guard, which cannot be considered a legitimate rescue organization.
La guardia costiera libica non è soggetto legittimo per i soccorsi in mare: vittoria definitiva per la Humanity I
La Humanity 1 ha agito in conformità con il diritto internazionale. I ministeri non fanno ricorso e la sentenza diventa definitiva. La ong ora chiede un risarcimento alle autorità italiane per il ferm...
www.editorialedomani.it
November 4, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Italian government's immigration policy in tatters. After failure of Albanian detention centres, impounding of NGO vessels now in question.
Catanzaro Court of Appeal rules NGO ship illegally impounded for disobeying Libyan Coast Guard, which cannot be considered a legitimate rescue organization.
Catanzaro Court of Appeal rules NGO ship illegally impounded for disobeying Libyan Coast Guard, which cannot be considered a legitimate rescue organization.
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
Been back to my childhood village in Essex for a funeral.
High Street is littered with tatty flags attached to every lamp post and telegraph pole, and by God, it looks awful.
Everyone I spoke to hates them. So intimidating. Apparently- "Epping Forest council is scared of offending the nasties."
High Street is littered with tatty flags attached to every lamp post and telegraph pole, and by God, it looks awful.
Everyone I spoke to hates them. So intimidating. Apparently- "Epping Forest council is scared of offending the nasties."
October 23, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Been back to my childhood village in Essex for a funeral.
High Street is littered with tatty flags attached to every lamp post and telegraph pole, and by God, it looks awful.
Everyone I spoke to hates them. So intimidating. Apparently- "Epping Forest council is scared of offending the nasties."
High Street is littered with tatty flags attached to every lamp post and telegraph pole, and by God, it looks awful.
Everyone I spoke to hates them. So intimidating. Apparently- "Epping Forest council is scared of offending the nasties."
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
Draft Tory legislation on removing indefinite leave to remain is insane.
Would chuck out those not earning over £38K - including many pensioners!
+ social protections seems to include child benefit, so load of people with (British!) kids!
They'd remove my sis & mum who've been here 50 years.
Would chuck out those not earning over £38K - including many pensioners!
+ social protections seems to include child benefit, so load of people with (British!) kids!
They'd remove my sis & mum who've been here 50 years.
October 22, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Draft Tory legislation on removing indefinite leave to remain is insane.
Would chuck out those not earning over £38K - including many pensioners!
+ social protections seems to include child benefit, so load of people with (British!) kids!
They'd remove my sis & mum who've been here 50 years.
Would chuck out those not earning over £38K - including many pensioners!
+ social protections seems to include child benefit, so load of people with (British!) kids!
They'd remove my sis & mum who've been here 50 years.
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
Farewell Zoë Wicomb, the vivid voyager who wrote SA into the world www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
Obituary: Farewell Zoë Wicomb, the vivid voyager who wrote SA into the world
South African Author Zoë Wicomb, born in 1948, died last week in Glasgow, Scotland, at the age of 76.
www.dailymaverick.co.za
October 21, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Farewell Zoë Wicomb, the vivid voyager who wrote SA into the world www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
Reposted by Barbara Franchi
Woke up to the absolutely shocking news that my colleague Francesa Orsini, renowned scholar of Hindi literature and a mild and diplomatic person, has been deported from Delhi even though she had a valid visa. No reason was given. Report and opinion in @thewire.in
thewire.in/rights/globa...
thewire.in/rights/globa...
Globally Renowned Scholar of Hindi Deported from Delhi Airport Despite Valid Visa
Francesca Orsini is perhaps the fourth foreign scholar with a valid visa to be denied entry in recent years.
thewire.in
October 21, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Woke up to the absolutely shocking news that my colleague Francesa Orsini, renowned scholar of Hindi literature and a mild and diplomatic person, has been deported from Delhi even though she had a valid visa. No reason was given. Report and opinion in @thewire.in
thewire.in/rights/globa...
thewire.in/rights/globa...