Andrew Frayn
LightNews LightNews
banner
afrayn.bsky.social
Andrew Frayn
@afrayn.bsky.social
2.2K followers 850 following 530 posts
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.
Posts Replies Media Videos
afrayn.bsky.social
Some very important messages via graffiti seen on Cramond Island this afternoon.
A graffito in yellow, on grey concrete, as an acrostic: All Cats Are Beautiful A chaotically graffitied wall, on which the most prominent are a lilac stencilled "scum like us like acid", and a scrawled "turn all golf courses into public sex forests". Someone has written "YES!" in large block capitals under the latter. A graffito in blue on grey concrete reading down: a heart, then the text "fuck off reality". Real and ity are on separate lines. "Free Palestine!" is graffitied in white across what looks like a red and yellow roundel with a turquoise centre.
December 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
hartmann-villalta.bsky.social
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...
2025 Literary Studies Book and Journal Article List
A companion list for lit studies scholars.
contingentmagazine.org
December 21, 2025 at 7:51 PM
afrayn.bsky.social
My suspicion is that we're already beyond this, as the time costs of applying for funding are resolutely uncounted by university administrations.
markrubin.bsky.social Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · 14d
"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."
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
afrayn.bsky.social
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...
University of Glasgow - Events and Training - Discipline+ Catalysts - Discipline + Catalyst Events
www.sgsah.ac.uk
December 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
afrayn.bsky.social
Webpage now with cover art!

www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beyond-mo...
December 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
hpsvanessa.bsky.social
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.
eicathomefinn.bsky.social Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 15d
;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
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
profsarahparker.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
militaryemissions.org
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
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
drnjwaddell.bsky.social
Well—this looks *superb*.
afrayn.bsky.social Andrew Frayn @afrayn.bsky.social · 16d
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...
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
afrayn.bsky.social
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...
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
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
fergus.oolong.co.uk
It is incredibly sad that the BBC is a place for Robbie Gibb, Fiona Bruce and Laura Kuenssberg, and not Robin Ince.
robinince.bsky.social Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 20d
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.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
December 13, 2025 at 9:27 AM
afrayn.bsky.social
This, every goddamn time
December 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
afrayn.bsky.social
I'm not even going to repost That Article, but if you're still reading the THE hoping that it's going to have something for workers in UKHE, I have some very attractively-priced magic beans to sell you.
December 11, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
lesleymcdowell.bsky.social
I've only seen The Herald report it accurately: www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2568...
'Dr Beth Upton is the real winner in the Sandie Peggie tribunal ruling'
NHS Fife’s handling of the dispute between Peggie and Dr Upton was an absolute dumpster fire but Dr Beth Upton should have cause to celebrate.
www.heraldscotland.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:50 AM
afrayn.bsky.social
Couldn't believe this when I saw it in the pub. But it also makes perfect sense, as FIFA has massive form for cosying up to authoritarian regimes for World Cup hosting - to only name the most obvious, Italy 1934, Argentina 1978, Qatar 2022
www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Donald Trump: US president named inaugural Fifa Peace Prize winner
US President Donald Trump receives the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize before the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
www.bbc.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
afrayn.bsky.social
Even if you don't know Steve Cropper, you've heard his playing scores of times, those sharp, choppy changes and licks that characterise Memphis soul guitar. Vale.
December 3, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
scottlyall.bsky.social
Nominations are open for the newly-founded Scottish Literary Studies Book Prize, administered by the Universities Committee for Scottish Literature and awarded biennially to an outstanding work of scholarship in the field of Scottish literary studies. £300 prize.

ucsl-scotland.com/scottish-lit...
Scottish Literary Studies Book Prize
The Scottish Literary Studies Book Prize is awarded biennially to an outstanding work of scholarship in the field of Scottish literary studies. Founded in 2025, the prize is open to book-length wor…
ucsl-scotland.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
afrayn.bsky.social
What a way to precipitate a crisis of demand in manufacturing 😅
willpooley.bsky.social will pooley @willpooley.bsky.social · Dec 2
all academic applications should have consolation prizes.

doesn’t have to be much, like a mug that says “i applied for leverhulme 2020”
or a t-shirt “UKRI reject 2023”
December 2, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
modernistudies.bsky.social
🔊 CfP: New Work in Modernist Studies 15
🗓️ Friday 9 January, online
⏰ Apply by 5pm (GMT) Friday 12 December
bams.ac.uk/new-work-in-...

A great opportunity for postgraduates & early career researchers to share work on modernist cultures in a supportive environment. See link above for full details.
November 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
afrayn.bsky.social
Supermarket herbs, offering superfluous advice to academics
A circular label, with black text and border on gold background. It reads "Do not chill". It is on a supermarket basil plant.
November 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
afrayn.bsky.social
Supermarket herbs, offering superfluous advice to academics
A circular label, with black text and border on gold background. It reads "Do not chill". It is on a supermarket basil plant.
November 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
elliemackinroberts.net
So I am running the London Lea Valley 50km in March and trying to raise some money for Step Forward - a youth centre in Tower Hamlets, Kiddo attends their LGBTQIA+ group and it's been such a brilliant and supportive space for them, which feels so important when trans youth are under constant attack.
Ellie's fundraiser for Step Forward (Tower Hamlets)
Help Ellie Mackin Roberts raise money to support Step Forward (Tower Hamlets)
www.justgiving.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
afrayn.bsky.social
Good, of course, though the SFC isn't, as far as I know, doing anything for other Scottish universities who also are making redundancies but haven't needed to be bailed out.
eicathomefinn.bsky.social Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Nov 27
'The University of Dundee has been told it cannot make any compulsory redundancies until it has a three-year recovery strategy in place as part of conditions placed on its bailout from the Scottish government.' 1/3
Bailout conditions restrict compulsory redundancies at Dundee
University told to come up with a plan for financial recovery before it enforces more job losses
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Reposted by Andrew Frayn
vandawilcox.bsky.social
Are you working on literature and culture in the First World War? have you considered submitting to First World War Studies? meet our Associate Editor @afrayn.bsky.social who is keen to receive more submissions in these fields!
fwwsjournal.bsky.social First World War Studies @fwwsjournal.bsky.social · Nov 25
👥 Associate Editors introductions: Andrew Frayn

Continuing our introductions of the FWWS associate editors, this week we’re pleased to highlight Dr. Andrew Frayn, Associate Editor of First World War Studies and a scholar working at the intersection of literature and history.
November 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
afrayn.bsky.social
Sure Labour's commitment to funding universities so that people can go to them is coming soon, and that when my MP @melanieward.bsky.social replied to my third email about the HE crisis with what could be not unfairly paraphrased as a shrug, it was just a misunderstanding.
bphillipsonmp.bsky.social Bridget Phillipson MP @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social · Nov 25
Always the way, isn't it? Graduate from top uni says other people shouldn't aspire to go to university.

The Prime Minister's target – two thirds of young people getting a degree or an apprenticeship – is the right one. Only Labour backs our young people.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reform UK bigwig who went to top university says fewer others should do the same
Reform UK's former chairman calls for "fewer people going to university" after benefiting from a degree from one of the country's most prestigious ones himself
www.mirror.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM