Alex Thomson
@byebyepride.bsky.social
Prof of Modern Literature & Critical Theory | Head of School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, University of Edinburgh | Deputy Chair, English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Thomson
How can the study of languages & global cultures help you to stand out in the job market? Thursday 13th November @ 4pm. Free Webinar. Booking required: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/talk-...
This talk will reflect on why employers value foreign language skills and inter-cultural awareness.
This talk will reflect on why employers value foreign language skills and inter-cultural awareness.
November 1, 2025 at 9:24 PM
How can the study of languages & global cultures help you to stand out in the job market? Thursday 13th November @ 4pm. Free Webinar. Booking required: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/talk-...
This talk will reflect on why employers value foreign language skills and inter-cultural awareness.
This talk will reflect on why employers value foreign language skills and inter-cultural awareness.
Reposted by Alex Thomson
An important piece written by @sarahmullin.bsky.social
valued member of our Secondary & Further Education Committee, on the seriously short-sighted decision to withdraw bursaries for ITE for English. We need MORE English teachers, not less.
valued member of our Secondary & Further Education Committee, on the seriously short-sighted decision to withdraw bursaries for ITE for English. We need MORE English teachers, not less.
‘English is not just a subject – it is the foundation on which all other subjects are built’: @sarahmullin.bsky.social warns of the wider impact of withdrawing bursaries for teacher training in English
The end of English ITT bursaries sends a worrying message
The withdrawal of teacher training bursaries for English risks undermining more than just the subject itself – and it comes at a critical time, warns Sarah Mullin
www.tes.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:54 PM
An important piece written by @sarahmullin.bsky.social
valued member of our Secondary & Further Education Committee, on the seriously short-sighted decision to withdraw bursaries for ITE for English. We need MORE English teachers, not less.
valued member of our Secondary & Further Education Committee, on the seriously short-sighted decision to withdraw bursaries for ITE for English. We need MORE English teachers, not less.
The shortage of English teachers has not been resolved - cuts in bursaries for trainees are a mistake, argues @sarahmullin.bsky.social @englishassociation.bsky.social
‘English is not just a subject – it is the foundation on which all other subjects are built’: @sarahmullin.bsky.social warns of the wider impact of withdrawing bursaries for teacher training in English
The end of English ITT bursaries sends a worrying message
The withdrawal of teacher training bursaries for English risks undermining more than just the subject itself – and it comes at a critical time, warns Sarah Mullin
www.tes.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
The shortage of English teachers has not been resolved - cuts in bursaries for trainees are a mistake, argues @sarahmullin.bsky.social @englishassociation.bsky.social
Lots to look out for in 2025-6: and a privilege to work with these wonderful humans. @englishassociation.bsky.social @jennyrichards.bsky.social @draperel.bsky.social Dr Becky Fisher
We enjoyed our brilliantly productive annual strategic planning day on Saturday! Stay tuned for all our exciting 2025-26 plans, including celebrations for our 125th anniversary 🤗💫
@jennyrichards.bsky.social @byebyepride.bsky.social @draperel.bsky.social and our CEO Dr Becky Fisher 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
@jennyrichards.bsky.social @byebyepride.bsky.social @draperel.bsky.social and our CEO Dr Becky Fisher 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
October 1, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Lots to look out for in 2025-6: and a privilege to work with these wonderful humans. @englishassociation.bsky.social @jennyrichards.bsky.social @draperel.bsky.social Dr Becky Fisher
Reposted by Alex Thomson
21 November ILCS event on thinking strategically about the challenges faced by language educators.
Don't miss it, sign up now!
university-council-for-languages.org/2025/09/24/t...
Don't miss it, sign up now!
university-council-for-languages.org/2025/09/24/t...
Thinking Strategically: Challenges Facing Language Educators – ILCS
An online event with the ILCS focussing on issues faced by language educators will take place on 21st November 2025, featuring Megan Bowler (Oxford), Emma Cayley (Leeds and UCFL), and Charles Forsd…
university-council-for-languages.org
September 25, 2025 at 2:59 PM
21 November ILCS event on thinking strategically about the challenges faced by language educators.
Don't miss it, sign up now!
university-council-for-languages.org/2025/09/24/t...
Don't miss it, sign up now!
university-council-for-languages.org/2025/09/24/t...
Reposted by Alex Thomson
The APPG Modern Languages has shared a Letter to The Times by Baroness Coussins, Co-chair of the APPG, in response to their recent leading article arguing falling languages uptake narrows young people's horizons (www.thetimes.com/comment/the-...)
August 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The APPG Modern Languages has shared a Letter to The Times by Baroness Coussins, Co-chair of the APPG, in response to their recent leading article arguing falling languages uptake narrows young people's horizons (www.thetimes.com/comment/the-...)
An authoritative and experienced educator’s views on the English GCSE resit challenge for @draperel.bsky.social
Please read response below to GCSE resit 2025 situation. Not only but also curriculum approach. The resit world is rich with consequences of society’s shortcomings, society should respect this, policy makers should take note, funding priorities & infrastructure should definitely reflect this.
August 23, 2025 at 8:11 AM
An authoritative and experienced educator’s views on the English GCSE resit challenge for @draperel.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Thomson
This year there were more than 1.5 million entries to English Lang or English Lit GCSEs: nearly 25% of all entries. We note Jill Duffy’s (CEO, OCR) reported comments on need for ‘fundamental reform to maths & English sec. education to support those who fall behind in these crucial subjects’. ⬇️
August 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
This year there were more than 1.5 million entries to English Lang or English Lit GCSEs: nearly 25% of all entries. We note Jill Duffy’s (CEO, OCR) reported comments on need for ‘fundamental reform to maths & English sec. education to support those who fall behind in these crucial subjects’. ⬇️
Reposted by Alex Thomson
The English Association congratulates every student who has received results for an A-level in English. 👏🏽
English remains a v. popular A-level choice, the 5th most popular A-level-
*not always well-known as entries split across the 3 qualifications – English Lit, English Lang, English Lang & Lit.*⬇️
English remains a v. popular A-level choice, the 5th most popular A-level-
*not always well-known as entries split across the 3 qualifications – English Lit, English Lang, English Lang & Lit.*⬇️
August 14, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The English Association congratulates every student who has received results for an A-level in English. 👏🏽
English remains a v. popular A-level choice, the 5th most popular A-level-
*not always well-known as entries split across the 3 qualifications – English Lit, English Lang, English Lang & Lit.*⬇️
English remains a v. popular A-level choice, the 5th most popular A-level-
*not always well-known as entries split across the 3 qualifications – English Lit, English Lang, English Lang & Lit.*⬇️
Reposted by Alex Thomson
Congratulations on all receiving A-level English Language, Lang & Lit, Literature results! 💫 And to all their teachers ! We commend the fantastic opportunities that study of these subjects offer 🥳. Find out what English studies brings ! englishassociation.ac.uk/case-studies/
Case studies | 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.
englishassociation.ac.uk
August 14, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Congratulations on all receiving A-level English Language, Lang & Lit, Literature results! 💫 And to all their teachers ! We commend the fantastic opportunities that study of these subjects offer 🥳. Find out what English studies brings ! englishassociation.ac.uk/case-studies/
Reposted by Alex Thomson
The British Academy's new School Indicators dashboard is now live. It shows long-term uptake trends in subject entries across the UK’s most commonly taken secondary and post-16 qualifications (GCSE, A Level, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher) for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 1/2
School Indicators
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
August 14, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The British Academy's new School Indicators dashboard is now live. It shows long-term uptake trends in subject entries across the UK’s most commonly taken secondary and post-16 qualifications (GCSE, A Level, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher) for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 1/2
Reposted by Alex Thomson
We are delighted to announce the longlist for our Michael Murphy Poetry Prize! englishassociation.ac.uk/michael-murp...
@carcanet.bsky.social @ninearchespress.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social @faberbooks.bsky.social
@carcanet.bsky.social @ninearchespress.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social @faberbooks.bsky.social
August 8, 2025 at 10:28 AM
We are delighted to announce the longlist for our Michael Murphy Poetry Prize! englishassociation.ac.uk/michael-murp...
@carcanet.bsky.social @ninearchespress.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social @faberbooks.bsky.social
@carcanet.bsky.social @ninearchespress.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social @faberbooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Thomson
Could you be the next editor of our journal, The Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory?
@oupacademic.bsky.social #criticaltheory #culturaltheory #literarytheory
Take a look and apply: englishassociation.ac.uk/opportunity-...
@oupacademic.bsky.social #criticaltheory #culturaltheory #literarytheory
Take a look and apply: englishassociation.ac.uk/opportunity-...
Opportunity to join the editorial team of The Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory | 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.
englishassociation.ac.uk
August 8, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Could you be the next editor of our journal, The Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory?
@oupacademic.bsky.social #criticaltheory #culturaltheory #literarytheory
Take a look and apply: englishassociation.ac.uk/opportunity-...
@oupacademic.bsky.social #criticaltheory #culturaltheory #literarytheory
Take a look and apply: englishassociation.ac.uk/opportunity-...
Reposted by Alex Thomson
We are signatories to this important letter organised by @voice21oracy.bsky.social
“calling on him to establish oracy as a core part of Labour’s revised national curriculum & make it the 4th ‘R’ in education, alongside reading,writing & arithmetic. “
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
“calling on him to establish oracy as a core part of Labour’s revised national curriculum & make it the 4th ‘R’ in education, alongside reading,writing & arithmetic. “
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Keir Starmer urged to honour pledge to embed speaking skills in England’s schools
Alastair Campbell and children’s author Michael Rosen among advocates calling for oracy to be in curriculum
www.theguardian.com
July 24, 2025 at 10:10 AM
We are signatories to this important letter organised by @voice21oracy.bsky.social
“calling on him to establish oracy as a core part of Labour’s revised national curriculum & make it the 4th ‘R’ in education, alongside reading,writing & arithmetic. “
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
“calling on him to establish oracy as a core part of Labour’s revised national curriculum & make it the 4th ‘R’ in education, alongside reading,writing & arithmetic. “
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Alex Thomson
LLC's former Head of School, Professor Jeremy Robbins, is among the British Academy's newly elected Fellows! 🎉
Jeremy's outstanding contributions within Hispanic Studies has been recognised with one of the Academy's highest honours, and we're all thrilled for him.
See the full list below 👇
Jeremy's outstanding contributions within Hispanic Studies has been recognised with one of the Academy's highest honours, and we're all thrilled for him.
See the full list below 👇
The British Academy has elected 92 new Fellows in 2025 – a higher number than in previous years due to new Fellowship places for candidates whose research spans more than one discipline www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/agm-wel...
The British Academy welcomes 92 new Fellows in 2025
92 distinguished scholars have today been elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
July 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
LLC's former Head of School, Professor Jeremy Robbins, is among the British Academy's newly elected Fellows! 🎉
Jeremy's outstanding contributions within Hispanic Studies has been recognised with one of the Academy's highest honours, and we're all thrilled for him.
See the full list below 👇
Jeremy's outstanding contributions within Hispanic Studies has been recognised with one of the Academy's highest honours, and we're all thrilled for him.
See the full list below 👇
Reposted by Alex Thomson
😊Meet our new Fellows ! 😊
Our Fellows, who are nominated by their peers, represent 🌟excellence in the teaching and learning of English🌟, and have an active role in the EA’s mission. Stay tuned to find out the distinguished scholars and teachers awarded Fellowships this year! Beginning with ⬇️
Our Fellows, who are nominated by their peers, represent 🌟excellence in the teaching and learning of English🌟, and have an active role in the EA’s mission. Stay tuned to find out the distinguished scholars and teachers awarded Fellowships this year! Beginning with ⬇️
June 23, 2025 at 6:53 AM
😊Meet our new Fellows ! 😊
Our Fellows, who are nominated by their peers, represent 🌟excellence in the teaching and learning of English🌟, and have an active role in the EA’s mission. Stay tuned to find out the distinguished scholars and teachers awarded Fellowships this year! Beginning with ⬇️
Our Fellows, who are nominated by their peers, represent 🌟excellence in the teaching and learning of English🌟, and have an active role in the EA’s mission. Stay tuned to find out the distinguished scholars and teachers awarded Fellowships this year! Beginning with ⬇️
Reposted by Alex Thomson
Meet our impressive, newly appointed, ambassador : distinguished 💫Professor Isobel Armstrong. Armstrong commands respect across the discipline, remains extremely active, as teacher, reviewer, fellow of the British Academy, & crucially, as a supporter of the EA. We are so grateful for her support.
June 24, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Meet our impressive, newly appointed, ambassador : distinguished 💫Professor Isobel Armstrong. Armstrong commands respect across the discipline, remains extremely active, as teacher, reviewer, fellow of the British Academy, & crucially, as a supporter of the EA. We are so grateful for her support.
Reposted by Alex Thomson
An exciting conference day🙌🏼 ! Opened by our fabulous CEO Dr Rebecca Fisher, first keynote introduced by chair of our EY & Primary committee, super duper Kirstie Hewitt - & brilliantly entertaining & hugely inspiring, action packed ! story rich keynote on poetry from @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social ❤️🎉💫👏🏽
June 14, 2025 at 10:46 AM
An exciting conference day🙌🏼 ! Opened by our fabulous CEO Dr Rebecca Fisher, first keynote introduced by chair of our EY & Primary committee, super duper Kirstie Hewitt - & brilliantly entertaining & hugely inspiring, action packed ! story rich keynote on poetry from @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social ❤️🎉💫👏🏽
Reposted by Alex Thomson
Here’s @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social 😊👏🏽 wonderful talking about the purpose of poetry in education - we cd have listened for hours ! And our brilliant chair @jennyrichards.bsky.social adding her thoughts to close the session, inspired by his ⭐️keynote ⭐️ #ConferenceDay 🎉💫🥳
June 14, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Here’s @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social 😊👏🏽 wonderful talking about the purpose of poetry in education - we cd have listened for hours ! And our brilliant chair @jennyrichards.bsky.social adding her thoughts to close the session, inspired by his ⭐️keynote ⭐️ #ConferenceDay 🎉💫🥳
Some very revealing data in this article, which also shows the strength of concerns about the English Lit GCSE and highlights some of the barriers to change. A high priority for @englishassociation.bsky.social and many of our partners and collaborators.
Great to see @bobeaglestone.bsky.social
-as our very own lead on educational policy - quoted in this article, on an issue close to the heart of a significant part of our work; text choice & change matters. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
-as our very own lead on educational policy - quoted in this article, on an issue close to the heart of a significant part of our work; text choice & change matters. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Revealed: The most and least popular GCSE English lit texts
Schools need support to break away from An Inspector Calls to cover texts by authors from more diverse backgrounds, say experts
www.tes.com
April 26, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Some very revealing data in this article, which also shows the strength of concerns about the English Lit GCSE and highlights some of the barriers to change. A high priority for @englishassociation.bsky.social and many of our partners and collaborators.
Reposted by Alex Thomson
How is the crisis in higher education impacting history and historians in the UK?
Lucy Noakes on the scale of cuts and closures, and how the Royal Historical Society (@royalhistsoc.org) can advocate for our discipline.
www.historyworkshop....
Lucy Noakes on the scale of cuts and closures, and how the Royal Historical Society (@royalhistsoc.org) can advocate for our discipline.
www.historyworkshop....
Making the Case for History: A View from the Royal Historical Society
Lucy Noakes on how the crisis in UK higher education is impacting history and historians, and how the Royal Historical Society can advocate for our discipline.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
April 15, 2025 at 6:45 AM
How is the crisis in higher education impacting history and historians in the UK?
Lucy Noakes on the scale of cuts and closures, and how the Royal Historical Society (@royalhistsoc.org) can advocate for our discipline.
www.historyworkshop....
Lucy Noakes on the scale of cuts and closures, and how the Royal Historical Society (@royalhistsoc.org) can advocate for our discipline.
www.historyworkshop....
Powerful restatement of purpose for Languages, Cultures and Societies disciplines from @ucflangs.bsky.social @ilcs.bsky.social @emmacayley.bsky.social highlighting “a radical rethinking of the field over the past decade” that resonates strongly with our work at @uoe-llc.bsky.social
‘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...
and St. Andrews School of Modern Languages. www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/mode...
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
www.timeshighereducation.com
March 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Powerful restatement of purpose for Languages, Cultures and Societies disciplines from @ucflangs.bsky.social @ilcs.bsky.social @emmacayley.bsky.social highlighting “a radical rethinking of the field over the past decade” that resonates strongly with our work at @uoe-llc.bsky.social
REF management urged to acknowledge realities of the sector’s current crisis and maintain portability of outputs to avoid further damage to humanities research careers @englishassociation.bsky.social @ies-sas.bsky.social @univeng.bsky.social
REF2029: concerns about the implications of decoupling | The English Association : Please read this important joint letter we have written (on behalf of us, our chair @jennyrichards.bsky.social ) along with @ies-sas.bsky.social & @univeng.bsky.social
englishassociation.ac.uk/ref2029-conc...
englishassociation.ac.uk/ref2029-conc...
REF2029: concerns about the implications of decoupling | 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.
englishassociation.ac.uk
March 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
REF management urged to acknowledge realities of the sector’s current crisis and maintain portability of outputs to avoid further damage to humanities research careers @englishassociation.bsky.social @ies-sas.bsky.social @univeng.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Thomson
What can you do with English Studies? Anything! I am sharing @englishassociation.bsky.social Skills for the Future link again, with student stories about the skills they are learning, plus some amazing case studies from the world of work. See 🧵 englishassociation.ac.uk/skills-for-t...
Skills for the Future of English | 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.
englishassociation.ac.uk
February 11, 2025 at 12:07 PM
What can you do with English Studies? Anything! I am sharing @englishassociation.bsky.social Skills for the Future link again, with student stories about the skills they are learning, plus some amazing case studies from the world of work. See 🧵 englishassociation.ac.uk/skills-for-t...
Enjoyed chairing this fascinating discussion about interdisciplinary collaboration - and bees!! 🐝🐝🐝
Listen in to find out how the SHAPE-STEM Bee-ing Human team is using a 17th-century book to create a research 'hive', and why multi-disciplinary projects benefit from a longer lead-in time to observe each other: englishassociation.ac.uk/thinking-for...
Thinking Forwards: Collaboration | Bee-ing Human | 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.
englishassociation.ac.uk
November 29, 2024 at 6:29 PM
Enjoyed chairing this fascinating discussion about interdisciplinary collaboration - and bees!! 🐝🐝🐝