Jonathan Ervine
@jonathanervine.bsky.social
Senior lecturer in French at Bangor University. Author of 'Humour in Contemporary France' and publications about comedy, cinema and sport in France. From Scotland and powered by porridge. https://linktr.ee/jonathan_ervine
Pinned
Just received copies of my new book 'French Sports Films: Visions of Masculinity'. It's available to order from @routledgebooks.bsky.social.
Today I had the pleasure of recording an interview with @emile-chabal.bsky.social for the Modern & Contemporary France podcast. Emile shared his thoughts on what's in store for French politics in 2026, talking about Macron's presidency, the far right, and the 2027 Presidential Elections.
February 11, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Today I had the pleasure of recording an interview with @emile-chabal.bsky.social for the Modern & Contemporary France podcast. Emile shared his thoughts on what's in store for French politics in 2026, talking about Macron's presidency, the far right, and the 2027 Presidential Elections.
"Relooted, a new video game from African-based studio Nyamakop, tasks players with stealing African artifacts from museums and private mansions to return them to their rightful historical owners." www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
Video game Relooted tasks you with reclaiming African artifacts in museums | CBC News
Relooted, a new video game from African-based studio Nyamakop, tasks players with stealing real-life African artifacts from museums and private mansions to return them to their rightful historical own...
www.cbc.ca
February 10, 2026 at 9:52 AM
"Relooted, a new video game from African-based studio Nyamakop, tasks players with stealing African artifacts from museums and private mansions to return them to their rightful historical owners." www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
I see it's pancake day a week tomorrow. Well that's crêped up on me again this year.
a crepe with whipped cream and caramel sauce on top
ALT: a crepe with whipped cream and caramel sauce on top
media.tenor.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:50 PM
I see it's pancake day a week tomorrow. Well that's crêped up on me again this year.
Good to hear the Minions have allowed Spanish ice skater to use their music and compete in the Winter Olympics dressed like them. They recently also agreed I can dress up as an overgrown Minion when I go running in winter with my yellow high-viz coat and head torch.
February 6, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Good to hear the Minions have allowed Spanish ice skater to use their music and compete in the Winter Olympics dressed like them. They recently also agreed I can dress up as an overgrown Minion when I go running in winter with my yellow high-viz coat and head torch.
Enjoyed reading this article about Michael Sheen seeking to revitalise theatre in Wales. Shocked to learn that "Wales spends less on culture than almost every other European nation".
www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
‘I can’t waste this’: Michael Sheen on his riskiest role yet – saving Wales’s national theatre
When funding cuts closed National Theatre Wales, the actor saw it as an emergency, and set about building a replacement. As its first show comes to the stage, he explains his plan to bring big product...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Enjoyed reading this article about Michael Sheen seeking to revitalise theatre in Wales. Shocked to learn that "Wales spends less on culture than almost every other European nation".
www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
I'm colourblind but I've just managed to create a colour-coded spreadsheet. I'm not sure what all the colours actually are but it looks nice and it's done the job.
February 3, 2026 at 2:45 PM
I'm colourblind but I've just managed to create a colour-coded spreadsheet. I'm not sure what all the colours actually are but it looks nice and it's done the job.
Commentator on Ligue 1 match between Strasbourg and PSG just said "Moreira looking for Godo". Couldn't help thinking he might well end up doing quite a bit of waiting.
February 1, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Commentator on Ligue 1 match between Strasbourg and PSG just said "Moreira looking for Godo". Couldn't help thinking he might well end up doing quite a bit of waiting.
Having spent quite a few years doing research on humour in France, I loved reading this article about language leaning and comedy
www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
My cultural awakening: an Eddie Izzard routine inspired me to learn French – and get a job with the EU
Being able to understand the comedian talking in French in his Dress to Kill show led to me learning several languages and working on the continent
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Having spent quite a few years doing research on humour in France, I loved reading this article about language leaning and comedy
www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
Recently visited RIBA North West in Liverpool to see fascinating exhibition 'Future Grounds: Stadium design in a changing world'. Attended event chaired by writer and football stadium expert Simon Inglis featuring panelists involved in building and renovating major stadiums.
January 27, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Recently visited RIBA North West in Liverpool to see fascinating exhibition 'Future Grounds: Stadium design in a changing world'. Attended event chaired by writer and football stadium expert Simon Inglis featuring panelists involved in building and renovating major stadiums.
Think I offended quite a few students today. There were audible gasps in class when I said that bourbon biscuits were - along with hobnobs and chocolate digestives - among the most overrated biscuits in the entire world.
January 26, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Think I offended quite a few students today. There were audible gasps in class when I said that bourbon biscuits were - along with hobnobs and chocolate digestives - among the most overrated biscuits in the entire world.
Had a productive week. Got quite a bit done at work, ran 50km, and created an Instagram account for our cat.
January 16, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Had a productive week. Got quite a bit done at work, ran 50km, and created an Instagram account for our cat.
Ten years ago this month, I saw Monaco draw 2-2 at home to Gazélec Ajaccio. A promising teenager called Kylian Mbappé was featured in the match programme but wasn't in the Monaco squad for the game.
January 15, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Ten years ago this month, I saw Monaco draw 2-2 at home to Gazélec Ajaccio. A promising teenager called Kylian Mbappé was featured in the match programme but wasn't in the Monaco squad for the game.
Been teaching our cat some IT skills. She's a bit disappointed the laptop doesn't come with a mouse.
January 15, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Been teaching our cat some IT skills. She's a bit disappointed the laptop doesn't come with a mouse.
Working from home in the same room as our new cat hasn't been as challenging as I thought it might be. Don't always get first choice of chairs though.
January 13, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Working from home in the same room as our new cat hasn't been as challenging as I thought it might be. Don't always get first choice of chairs though.
New member of the family has decided they now own *my* chair. But we've bonded over a shared love of football.
January 10, 2026 at 8:42 PM
New member of the family has decided they now own *my* chair. But we've bonded over a shared love of football.
A colleague once asked me if French people eat baguettes and camembert at the cinema instead of popcorn. They don't. But lecturers in French occasionally have coffee and a croissant while watching films at home.
January 7, 2026 at 6:26 PM
A colleague once asked me if French people eat baguettes and camembert at the cinema instead of popcorn. They don't. But lecturers in French occasionally have coffee and a croissant while watching films at home.
Can't believe it's now over a decade since I participated in the Welsh Crucible. It was a thought-provoking and rewarding experience, learned lots about research collaborations and working with the media. Well worth applying if you're eligible!
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Welsh crucible programme! Head to our website to find the application form, and for details of our upcoming online roadshows: welshcrucible.org.uk/why-apply/
#crucible26 #crwsiblcymru #AberUni #BangorUni #CardiffUni #CardiffMet #SwanseaUni #USW
#crucible26 #crwsiblcymru #AberUni #BangorUni #CardiffUni #CardiffMet #SwanseaUni #USW
Apply – Welsh Crucible
welshcrucible.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Can't believe it's now over a decade since I participated in the Welsh Crucible. It was a thought-provoking and rewarding experience, learned lots about research collaborations and working with the media. Well worth applying if you're eligible!
I'm looking forward to attending this conference about 'Men and Masculinities in Contemporary French Culture' at @frenchatbristol.bsky.social on 4-5 June 2026. Deadline for submitting abstracts now extended to 26 January 2026. masculinityinthemetropole.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/conference-2...
Conference 2026 | Conférence 2026 – Manhood in the Métropole: Representing Masculinities in Contemporary French Culture
masculinityinthemetropole.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
January 6, 2026 at 5:46 PM
I'm looking forward to attending this conference about 'Men and Masculinities in Contemporary French Culture' at @frenchatbristol.bsky.social on 4-5 June 2026. Deadline for submitting abstracts now extended to 26 January 2026. masculinityinthemetropole.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/conference-2...
Been chilling with some four-legged friends
January 4, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Been chilling with some four-legged friends
Loved going for a run in the snow this morning.
January 4, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Loved going for a run in the snow this morning.
Watching a match taking place at a venue where I did some research for my recent French Sports Films book. Despite what some think, going to a match doesn't usually count as research. France's National Museum of Sport is located within Nice's stadium.
January 3, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Watching a match taking place at a venue where I did some research for my recent French Sports Films book. Despite what some think, going to a match doesn't usually count as research. France's National Museum of Sport is located within Nice's stadium.
Quite pleased with how this pavlova turned out
January 1, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Quite pleased with how this pavlova turned out
Really enjoying this book by Raphael Honigstein about football and Englishness.
December 29, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Really enjoying this book by Raphael Honigstein about football and Englishness.
Most festive television wasn't looking great today so decided to watch a Francophone Swiss programme in which people dance with farmyard animals.
www.tv5mondeplus.com/fr/Divertiss...
www.tv5mondeplus.com/fr/Divertiss...
www.tv5mondeplus.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Most festive television wasn't looking great today so decided to watch a Francophone Swiss programme in which people dance with farmyard animals.
www.tv5mondeplus.com/fr/Divertiss...
www.tv5mondeplus.com/fr/Divertiss...
I enjoyed reading this article about Christmas cracker jokes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What do Christmas cracker jokes do to our brains?
Experts say cracker jokes are more about the sharing of a moment than the quality of the gag.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I enjoyed reading this article about Christmas cracker jokes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...