Ben Davies
@bendavies.bsky.social
Contemporary Literature, Novels, Theory, Time, Readers, Reading, Sociology of Literature. New book - Reading Novels During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Currently working on reading practices, times, and spaces.
Reposted by Ben Davies
In conjunction with @bacls.bsky.social, we are looking for some proposals for panels at BAAS and MSA! Read more here:
Call for C21/BACLS Panel Proposals
BACLS members are warmly invited to submit proposals for panels for the upcoming British Association for American Studies (BAAS) and British Association of Modernist Studies (BAMS) conferences in coll...
c21.openlibhums.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:55 AM
In conjunction with @bacls.bsky.social, we are looking for some proposals for panels at BAAS and MSA! Read more here:
Very happy to have received a physical copy of @heyitsdenisew.bsky.social fantastic new book. @edinburghup.bsky.social @bacls.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Very happy to have received a physical copy of @heyitsdenisew.bsky.social fantastic new book. @edinburghup.bsky.social @bacls.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Davies
We've refreshed out author guidelines for submissions to our journal, including new guidance for anyone looking to submit an interview. We'd love to hear from you!
c21.openlibhums.org/site/authorg...
c21.openlibhums.org/site/authorg...
Author Guidelines
c21.openlibhums.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:31 PM
We've refreshed out author guidelines for submissions to our journal, including new guidance for anyone looking to submit an interview. We'd love to hear from you!
c21.openlibhums.org/site/authorg...
c21.openlibhums.org/site/authorg...
Reposted by Ben Davies
‘Study after study shows that students want to develop these critical thinking skills, are not lazy, and large numbers of them would be in favor of banning ChatGPT and similar tools in universities’, says @olivia.science www.ru.nl/en/research/...
‘Opposing the inevitability of AI at universities is possible and necessary’ | Radboud University
Since the widespread release of ChatGPT in December of 2022, AI has taken over much of the world by storm – including academia. Most of this happened with very little pushback, despite a myriad of iss...
www.ru.nl
November 1, 2025 at 10:26 PM
‘Study after study shows that students want to develop these critical thinking skills, are not lazy, and large numbers of them would be in favor of banning ChatGPT and similar tools in universities’, says @olivia.science www.ru.nl/en/research/...
Reposted by Ben Davies
A spooky listen, full of higher ed ghosts ‘n’ ghouls.. but also rich with fresh ideas & possibility for the humanities. Thanks to @mattseybold.bsky.social for having me on & @cnewf.bsky.social for his vision!
The 100th episode of American Vandal. Launching the 12th season. Live at UPenn English Faculty Lounge with @cnewf.bsky.social, @whitneytrettien.bsky.social, & an incredible assembly of faculty, students, visiting scholars, & friends of the pod.
Criticism & The Chatbot Bubble (Vandal Live at UPenn English)
with Christopher Newfield & Whitney Trettien
theamericanvandal.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:29 PM
A spooky listen, full of higher ed ghosts ‘n’ ghouls.. but also rich with fresh ideas & possibility for the humanities. Thanks to @mattseybold.bsky.social for having me on & @cnewf.bsky.social for his vision!
Deadline reminder for @univeng.bsky.social funding scheme: 5pm on 10th November 2025.
Pleased to announce @univeng.bsky.social small funding scheme now open to members. UE will fund up to 20 projects up to £250 each to support research/pedagogy/continuing professional development activities in Lit, Lang, Creative Writing. See details here: universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
University English Funding
universityenglish.ac.uk
October 31, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Deadline reminder for @univeng.bsky.social funding scheme: 5pm on 10th November 2025.
Reposted by Ben Davies
Apply now for the SAS Public Humanities Fellowship!
Applications are invited from those working at the forefront of shaping the future of Public Humanities, deepening its reach, and expanding its impact.
Apply by 21 November: www.sas.ac.uk/research-eng...
Applications are invited from those working at the forefront of shaping the future of Public Humanities, deepening its reach, and expanding its impact.
Apply by 21 November: www.sas.ac.uk/research-eng...
Public Humanities Fellowship
Our Public Humanities Fellowship stimulates new ideas and conversations around public humanities.
www.sas.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Apply now for the SAS Public Humanities Fellowship!
Applications are invited from those working at the forefront of shaping the future of Public Humanities, deepening its reach, and expanding its impact.
Apply by 21 November: www.sas.ac.uk/research-eng...
Applications are invited from those working at the forefront of shaping the future of Public Humanities, deepening its reach, and expanding its impact.
Apply by 21 November: www.sas.ac.uk/research-eng...
Reposted by Ben Davies
When people learn with ChatGPT instead of following their own searches, they end up knowing less, caring less, and producing worse advice, even when the facts are the same.
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Experimental evidence of the effects of large language models versus web search on depth of learning
Abstract. The effects of using large language models (LLMs) versus traditional web search on depth of learning are explored. A theory is proposed that when
academic.oup.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:14 PM
When people learn with ChatGPT instead of following their own searches, they end up knowing less, caring less, and producing worse advice, even when the facts are the same.
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Reposted by Ben Davies
go, student newspaper of Notre Dame and Saint Mary
"employ in-class essays, oral exams+ rigorous discussions — that are far more difficult to use AI tools to complete. a close reading of the text should constitute the bulk in any introductory humanities class."
www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2025...
"employ in-class essays, oral exams+ rigorous discussions — that are far more difficult to use AI tools to complete. a close reading of the text should constitute the bulk in any introductory humanities class."
www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2025...
Editorial: AI-proof the Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum is an essential part of a Catholic education that must be saved from AI.
www.ndsmcobserver.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:55 PM
go, student newspaper of Notre Dame and Saint Mary
"employ in-class essays, oral exams+ rigorous discussions — that are far more difficult to use AI tools to complete. a close reading of the text should constitute the bulk in any introductory humanities class."
www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2025...
"employ in-class essays, oral exams+ rigorous discussions — that are far more difficult to use AI tools to complete. a close reading of the text should constitute the bulk in any introductory humanities class."
www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Ben Davies
We are delighted to host a major international symposium occasioned by the publication of 'Literature and Learning: A History of English Studies in Britain' by Stefan Collini
⏰Thurs 30 Oct 2025, 2-7pm
📍Senate House, London
The event is free to attend
BOOK NOW ⤵️
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
⏰Thurs 30 Oct 2025, 2-7pm
📍Senate House, London
The event is free to attend
BOOK NOW ⤵️
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
The History of English Studies in Britain: a Symposium
ies.sas.ac.uk
October 15, 2025 at 1:38 PM
We are delighted to host a major international symposium occasioned by the publication of 'Literature and Learning: A History of English Studies in Britain' by Stefan Collini
⏰Thurs 30 Oct 2025, 2-7pm
📍Senate House, London
The event is free to attend
BOOK NOW ⤵️
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
⏰Thurs 30 Oct 2025, 2-7pm
📍Senate House, London
The event is free to attend
BOOK NOW ⤵️
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Ben Davies
Award-winning novelist Elif Shafak will deliver the National Humanities Lecture 2026!
Book now for this prestigious lecture, which celebrates the vital role of the humanities in public life.
3 February 2026 | 6-8pm | Senate House & Online. Register here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Book now for this prestigious lecture, which celebrates the vital role of the humanities in public life.
3 February 2026 | 6-8pm | Senate House & Online. Register here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
The National Humanities Lecture 2026
www.sas.ac.uk
October 15, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Award-winning novelist Elif Shafak will deliver the National Humanities Lecture 2026!
Book now for this prestigious lecture, which celebrates the vital role of the humanities in public life.
3 February 2026 | 6-8pm | Senate House & Online. Register here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Book now for this prestigious lecture, which celebrates the vital role of the humanities in public life.
3 February 2026 | 6-8pm | Senate House & Online. Register here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Ben Davies
'Despite AI’s widespread use, 62% of the students said it has had a negative impact on their skills and development at school, while one in four of the students agreed that AI “makes it too easy for me to find the answers without doing the work myself”.' 1/2
Pupils fear AI is eroding their ability to study, research finds
One in four students say AI ‘makes it too easy’ for them to find answers
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:20 AM
'Despite AI’s widespread use, 62% of the students said it has had a negative impact on their skills and development at school, while one in four of the students agreed that AI “makes it too easy for me to find the answers without doing the work myself”.' 1/2
Reposted by Ben Davies
My latest: "Numerous studies show that majors in the humanities—typically, in departments of English, history, philosophy, religious studies, classics and languages—lead students to employment and life satisfaction outcomes as positive as those for majors traditionally championed as 'practical.'”
Counterpoint | Minnesota humanities graduates thrive in meaningful careers
"The stereotype of the underemployed history major is simply not true," professor Andrea Kaston Tange writes.
www.startribune.com
October 12, 2025 at 11:14 PM
My latest: "Numerous studies show that majors in the humanities—typically, in departments of English, history, philosophy, religious studies, classics and languages—lead students to employment and life satisfaction outcomes as positive as those for majors traditionally championed as 'practical.'”
Reposted by Ben Davies
We can't wait to celebrate the #NationalYearofReading!
🫵Tell us how you're going to celebrate - we'd love to share your story in our magazine English 4-11, published with our friends and partners @uklitassociation.bsky.social and @natefeed.bsky.social: bit.ly/4-11YearOfRe...
🫵Tell us how you're going to celebrate - we'd love to share your story in our magazine English 4-11, published with our friends and partners @uklitassociation.bsky.social and @natefeed.bsky.social: bit.ly/4-11YearOfRe...
Microsoft Forms
bit.ly
October 10, 2025 at 10:34 AM
We can't wait to celebrate the #NationalYearofReading!
🫵Tell us how you're going to celebrate - we'd love to share your story in our magazine English 4-11, published with our friends and partners @uklitassociation.bsky.social and @natefeed.bsky.social: bit.ly/4-11YearOfRe...
🫵Tell us how you're going to celebrate - we'd love to share your story in our magazine English 4-11, published with our friends and partners @uklitassociation.bsky.social and @natefeed.bsky.social: bit.ly/4-11YearOfRe...
And how research in English both changes our historical awareness and improves contemporary practices
October 8, 2025 at 10:48 AM
#EnglishCreates How researchers at Aston (www.aston.ac.uk/bss/social-s...) help with criminal investigations:
October 8, 2025 at 10:47 AM
No reason for reposting this today, either...
#EnglishCreates impact across the UK every day.
Learn how this Aberystwyth's project on Expressions of Care helped to benefit communities
See more examples of English impact at universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
Learn how this Aberystwyth's project on Expressions of Care helped to benefit communities
See more examples of English impact at universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
October 8, 2025 at 10:46 AM
No reason for reposting this today, either...
No reason for reposting today...
October 8, 2025 at 10:45 AM
No reason for reposting today...
Reposted by Ben Davies
We are now also on LinkedIn! Join us over there for updates and news 🗞️ www.linkedin.com/company/arts...
Arts and Humanities Alliance | LinkedIn
Arts and Humanities Alliance | 72 followers on LinkedIn. An association of learned societies working together to promote the arts and humanities in UK higher education | The Arts and Humanities Allian...
www.linkedin.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
We are now also on LinkedIn! Join us over there for updates and news 🗞️ www.linkedin.com/company/arts...
Pleased to announce @univeng.bsky.social small funding scheme now open to members. UE will fund up to 20 projects up to £250 each to support research/pedagogy/continuing professional development activities in Lit, Lang, Creative Writing. See details here: universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
University English Funding
universityenglish.ac.uk
September 30, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Pleased to announce @univeng.bsky.social small funding scheme now open to members. UE will fund up to 20 projects up to £250 each to support research/pedagogy/continuing professional development activities in Lit, Lang, Creative Writing. See details here: universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
Reposted by Ben Davies
My latest column for the Chronicle of Higher Ed is now live. It's an argument for including AI-critical voices in campus conversations and policymaking workgroups, and I'm proud to get this dissenting piece into the mainstream genAI/higher ed discourse. Please read and share if you're so inclined 🙂
Advice | Sometimes We Resist AI for Good Reasons
Why higher ed needs to listen to the contrarians in setting policies on using tools like ChatGPT in faculty work.
www.chronicle.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
My latest column for the Chronicle of Higher Ed is now live. It's an argument for including AI-critical voices in campus conversations and policymaking workgroups, and I'm proud to get this dissenting piece into the mainstream genAI/higher ed discourse. Please read and share if you're so inclined 🙂
Reposted by Ben Davies
Still time to register for this fantastic free event!
📅4 October 🕑10.30-16.30 🏢Senate House
Chaucer our Contemporary: Teaching, Reading and Rewriting Medieval Literature Today
@englishassociation.bsky.social @qmul.bsky.social @llc-rhul.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
📅4 October 🕑10.30-16.30 🏢Senate House
Chaucer our Contemporary: Teaching, Reading and Rewriting Medieval Literature Today
@englishassociation.bsky.social @qmul.bsky.social @llc-rhul.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Chaucer our Contemporary: Teaching, Reading and Rewriting Medieval Literature Today
ies.sas.ac.uk
September 25, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Still time to register for this fantastic free event!
📅4 October 🕑10.30-16.30 🏢Senate House
Chaucer our Contemporary: Teaching, Reading and Rewriting Medieval Literature Today
@englishassociation.bsky.social @qmul.bsky.social @llc-rhul.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
📅4 October 🕑10.30-16.30 🏢Senate House
Chaucer our Contemporary: Teaching, Reading and Rewriting Medieval Literature Today
@englishassociation.bsky.social @qmul.bsky.social @llc-rhul.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Ben Davies
Helpful summary in @timeshighered.bsky.social about why portability matters to humanities and social science scholars at every stage of career with a quotation from me at the end about exceptions expected for "long form and/or longer-process outputs”. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/use-ref...
Use REF pause to review non-portability of outputs, urge scholars
Breaking the link between researchers and their outputs harms academic mobility and disciplinary excellence, argue professors
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Helpful summary in @timeshighered.bsky.social about why portability matters to humanities and social science scholars at every stage of career with a quotation from me at the end about exceptions expected for "long form and/or longer-process outputs”. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/use-ref...
Reposted by Ben Davies
My university’s Office of Teaching and Learning is offering a workshop on how to “leverage” Generative AI to develop lecture content. The thought of it makes me ill and I am tired of being quiet on social media about how this insidious, environmentally-destructive cult is being so blindly embraced.
September 16, 2025 at 12:06 AM
My university’s Office of Teaching and Learning is offering a workshop on how to “leverage” Generative AI to develop lecture content. The thought of it makes me ill and I am tired of being quiet on social media about how this insidious, environmentally-destructive cult is being so blindly embraced.