Kate Astbury
@100days1815.bsky.social
Professor of French Studies, working on the culture of French Revolution and Napoleonic period. Committed to supporting the learning of languages in schools & universities and to public engagement.
Reposted by Kate Astbury
'people who are multilingual are half as likely to show signs of accelerated biological ageing than are those who speak just one language.'
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Want a younger brain? Learn another language
A vast study suggests that being multilingual can slow down cognitive ageing.
www.nature.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
'people who are multilingual are half as likely to show signs of accelerated biological ageing than are those who speak just one language.'
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Reposted by Kate Astbury
I have made clear this sends a terrible signal about what they consider the 'future of the UK research system' to be and I'd not attend such an event.
Expecting them to scramble for a token female speaker by the time of the event next week now that I've raised this with them
Expecting them to scramble for a token female speaker by the time of the event next week now that I've raised this with them
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I have made clear this sends a terrible signal about what they consider the 'future of the UK research system' to be and I'd not attend such an event.
Expecting them to scramble for a token female speaker by the time of the event next week now that I've raised this with them
Expecting them to scramble for a token female speaker by the time of the event next week now that I've raised this with them
Reposted by Kate Astbury
My theory is that tech bros hate humanities because they've all tried once to impress a girl studding English Lit by talking about a book and they were all laughed at for their complete misreading of the text.
*maximum alpha at 1.25x speed* continuously lives on in my head, unfortunately.
November 11, 2025 at 2:13 AM
My theory is that tech bros hate humanities because they've all tried once to impress a girl studding English Lit by talking about a book and they were all laughed at for their complete misreading of the text.
Reposted by Kate Astbury
Hi there! We’re the Archive Sector Leadership team at The National Archives UK.
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
November 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Hi there! We’re the Archive Sector Leadership team at The National Archives UK.
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
Reposted by Kate Astbury
‘If multilingualism builds resilience against ageing, then encouraging additional language learning in schools, protecting migrant and minoritised languages… could be as important as campaigns that promote physical activity, or smoking cessation,"
www.thetimes.com/article/9b5b...
www.thetimes.com/article/9b5b...
Speaking more than one language could keep old age at bay
The more languages you speak, the less likely you are to experience ‘accelerated ageing’, according to the largest study of its kind
www.thetimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
‘If multilingualism builds resilience against ageing, then encouraging additional language learning in schools, protecting migrant and minoritised languages… could be as important as campaigns that promote physical activity, or smoking cessation,"
www.thetimes.com/article/9b5b...
www.thetimes.com/article/9b5b...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
'British Asian families are being urged to record the experiences of relatives who fought for Britain for “future generations” as data reveals half the British public don’t know that Indian members of the armed forces served in the second world war.' 1/2
British Asian families urged to share stories of ‘greatest generation’ who fought for Britain
Half of UK public unaware of contribution made by 2.5m British Asian members of armed forces who served in second world war
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:43 AM
'British Asian families are being urged to record the experiences of relatives who fought for Britain for “future generations” as data reveals half the British public don’t know that Indian members of the armed forces served in the second world war.' 1/2
Reposted by Kate Astbury
The University of Nottingham has announced the suspension of all Modern Languages and Cultures (MLC) programmes from September 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 7, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The University of Nottingham has announced the suspension of all Modern Languages and Cultures (MLC) programmes from September 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
My new series - Empire With David Olusoga - starts 9pm on BBC Two. Whole series on @bbciplayer.bsky.social from tonight.
November 7, 2025 at 8:56 AM
My new series - Empire With David Olusoga - starts 9pm on BBC Two. Whole series on @bbciplayer.bsky.social from tonight.
Reposted by Kate Astbury
Maritime colleagues: was it common to omit names of women travelers - specifically wives - when mentioning passengers onboard? Asking in context of ships coming from England to colonies in early c17th. Can't prove this man's wife went with him, but his young son did (who are both mentioned by name).
November 7, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Maritime colleagues: was it common to omit names of women travelers - specifically wives - when mentioning passengers onboard? Asking in context of ships coming from England to colonies in early c17th. Can't prove this man's wife went with him, but his young son did (who are both mentioned by name).
Appalling news from Nottingham which has a great reputation for both languages and music. My thoughts with all colleagues affected by this.
'Music and modern foreign languages degrees are among courses being suspended at the University of Nottingham, with the institution saying it “cannot rely on additional income” from the coming tuition fee rises.' 1/3
Nottingham suspends music, language and nursing courses
University says financial uncertainties continue as government’s proposed student levy will ‘wipe out any benefits’ from rising tuition fees
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Appalling news from Nottingham which has a great reputation for both languages and music. My thoughts with all colleagues affected by this.
Reposted by Kate Astbury
Awful news - co-supervised at Nottingham for my PhD & it was such a fantastic and vibrant department.
BBC News - Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Awful news - co-supervised at Nottingham for my PhD & it was such a fantastic and vibrant department.
BBC News - Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
Coverage in The Times of our concerns about how languages will fare under the proposed changes to the national curriculum
www.thetimes.com/article/9b0f... @britishacademy.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/article/9b0f... @britishacademy.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Coverage in The Times of our concerns about how languages will fare under the proposed changes to the national curriculum
www.thetimes.com/article/9b0f... @britishacademy.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/article/9b0f... @britishacademy.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Astbury
‘The recommendation to abandon the English Baccalaureate at GCSE would eliminate one of the few remaining safeguards for language provision in England’s schools and risk narrowing education for the next generation.’
Our response to the curriculum review
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/the-uks...
Our response to the curriculum review
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/the-uks...
The UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences, The British Academy responds to the final report of the curriculum and assessment review
The final report of the Curriculum and Assessment review, released today, raises important questions about how we maintain a balanced and effective education system that works for all. The UK’s nation...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
‘The recommendation to abandon the English Baccalaureate at GCSE would eliminate one of the few remaining safeguards for language provision in England’s schools and risk narrowing education for the next generation.’
Our response to the curriculum review
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/the-uks...
Our response to the curriculum review
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/the-uks...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
'Study in SHAPE disciplines – social sciences, humanities and the arts – develops the skills that underpin a modern workforce: critical thinking, communication and creativity. These are not peripheral to the industrial strategy but essential to it.' 1/3
Do we need humanities graduates to deliver the industrial strategy?
Policymakers should take a broad view of the value of degree courses when building our future workforce, says Charlotte Hallahan
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
'Study in SHAPE disciplines – social sciences, humanities and the arts – develops the skills that underpin a modern workforce: critical thinking, communication and creativity. These are not peripheral to the industrial strategy but essential to it.' 1/3
Having retired on full salary pensions and pulled up the ladder behind them…
How many of those "British adults" are state pension claimants, enjoying free prescriptions and free public transport?
For the first time in a decade the majority of British adults believe the generosity of the welfare system stops people from supporting themselves, according to the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). on.ft.com/3X6VYbZ
November 4, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Having retired on full salary pensions and pulled up the ladder behind them…
Reposted by Kate Astbury
Surprisingly, people who blame everything on immigrants tend to find things are more complex once they get elected.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reform councils to raise tax for 2m households despite pledging cuts
Six local authorities run by Nigel Farage’s party have revealed plans to increase council tax bills by a total of £127m
www.thetimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Surprisingly, people who blame everything on immigrants tend to find things are more complex once they get elected.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
Evidence that academics have been complaining about service roles for about 3000 years...
November 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Evidence that academics have been complaining about service roles for about 3000 years...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
Great investigation of the Nazis, racists and criminals mobilising the flag-on-lamp-posts movement. This is the kind of journalism that the national media could and should have conducted:
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
November 2, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Great investigation of the Nazis, racists and criminals mobilising the flag-on-lamp-posts movement. This is the kind of journalism that the national media could and should have conducted:
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
If you have questions about the Seven Years War, or eighteenth-century military history generally, stop by the stream.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdV...
Seven Years War Q&A
YouTube video by Kabinettskriege Blog
www.youtube.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:02 PM
If you have questions about the Seven Years War, or eighteenth-century military history generally, stop by the stream.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdV...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
The most French story ever. Vive la France! 🇫🇷
A French cyclist survived for three days after a horrendous 130-foot fall into a ravine, kept alive by the bottles of red wine he had in his shopping bag, police said.
Cyclist falls down 130-foot ravine in France, survives 3 days by drinking wine he had in shopping bag
A helicopter airlifted him to hospital, with a rescue doctor calling his survival "a miracle."
cbsn.ws
October 31, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The most French story ever. Vive la France! 🇫🇷
Reposted by Kate Astbury
What effect do school policies have on uptake and achievement in languages at Key Stage 4?
If you are interested to learn more, read @karenforbes.bsky.social article as well as Zhu Hua, Elin Arfon and Ann-Marie Hunter’s article
www.tandfonline.com/journals/rll...
If you are interested to learn more, read @karenforbes.bsky.social article as well as Zhu Hua, Elin Arfon and Ann-Marie Hunter’s article
www.tandfonline.com/journals/rll...
Language Education in the Curriculum
Explore the article collection: Language Education in the Curriculum. Published in The Language Learning Journal.
www.tandfonline.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:35 PM
What effect do school policies have on uptake and achievement in languages at Key Stage 4?
If you are interested to learn more, read @karenforbes.bsky.social article as well as Zhu Hua, Elin Arfon and Ann-Marie Hunter’s article
www.tandfonline.com/journals/rll...
If you are interested to learn more, read @karenforbes.bsky.social article as well as Zhu Hua, Elin Arfon and Ann-Marie Hunter’s article
www.tandfonline.com/journals/rll...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
Self-identification as LGBTQ in the USA has risen from 3.5% of the population to 9.3% in only a little more than a decade.
In the UK, over 10% of under-25s do, tripling in the same period.
Bigots see that as a crisis.
It's the duty of every decent person to understand it as a liberation.
In the UK, over 10% of under-25s do, tripling in the same period.
Bigots see that as a crisis.
It's the duty of every decent person to understand it as a liberation.
Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ, Gallup survey finds
The percentage of U.S. adults who identify as LGBTQ or something other than heterosexual increased to 9.3%, from 7.6% in 2023.
www.nbcnews.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Self-identification as LGBTQ in the USA has risen from 3.5% of the population to 9.3% in only a little more than a decade.
In the UK, over 10% of under-25s do, tripling in the same period.
Bigots see that as a crisis.
It's the duty of every decent person to understand it as a liberation.
In the UK, over 10% of under-25s do, tripling in the same period.
Bigots see that as a crisis.
It's the duty of every decent person to understand it as a liberation.
Reposted by Kate Astbury
This month's Walk Midlands Newsletter has been sent to subscribers
Check it out for new walking routes in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and four feature articles, and to subscribe👇
walkmidlandsnewsletter.substack.com/p/walk-midla...
Check it out for new walking routes in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and four feature articles, and to subscribe👇
walkmidlandsnewsletter.substack.com/p/walk-midla...
Walk Midlands Newsletter October 2025
Features new walks in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and much, much more
walkmidlandsnewsletter.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:59 AM
This month's Walk Midlands Newsletter has been sent to subscribers
Check it out for new walking routes in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and four feature articles, and to subscribe👇
walkmidlandsnewsletter.substack.com/p/walk-midla...
Check it out for new walking routes in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and four feature articles, and to subscribe👇
walkmidlandsnewsletter.substack.com/p/walk-midla...
Reposted by Kate Astbury
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The value of public R&D
www.gov.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...