The British Academy
@britishacademy.bsky.social
We mobilise the humanities and social sciences to understand the world and shape a brighter future.
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We’re delighted to announce that The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years by Sunil Amrith has been awarded the 2025 British Academy Book Prize!
Fellows of the British Academy have been recognised in the King's New Year Honours for their outstanding contribution to the humanities and social sciences. Read more: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/2026-kings-new-years-honours/
Leading Humanities and Social Sciences scholars recognised in 2026 King’s New Year’s Honours
Two Fellows of the British Academy have been recognised in the King's New Year's Honours 2026.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
January 5, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Fellows of the British Academy have been recognised in the King's New Year Honours for their outstanding contribution to the humanities and social sciences. Read more: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/2026-kings-new-years-honours/
'We need to nurture those subjects which enable us to build a resource - "human ingenuity" - to interact with the technologies, politics and institutions that will shape the future'
Our President @sjs1869.bsky.social looks to the future for BBC R4 Today (from 45mins) https://bbc.in/49pus0h
Our President @sjs1869.bsky.social looks to the future for BBC R4 Today (from 45mins) https://bbc.in/49pus0h
Today - 24/12/2025 - BBC Sounds
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 10:36 AM
'We need to nurture those subjects which enable us to build a resource - "human ingenuity" - to interact with the technologies, politics and institutions that will shape the future'
Our President @sjs1869.bsky.social looks to the future for BBC R4 Today (from 45mins) https://bbc.in/49pus0h
Our President @sjs1869.bsky.social looks to the future for BBC R4 Today (from 45mins) https://bbc.in/49pus0h
The new Journal of the British Academy is out, with pieces on Giotto the mosaicist; Caribbean painter Francisco Oller y Cestero; an interview with Sir Anton Muscatelli on higher education and social justice; and reflections from Ukrainian Researchers at Risk in the UK. https://bit.ly/3L3BeQ6
December 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The new Journal of the British Academy is out, with pieces on Giotto the mosaicist; Caribbean painter Francisco Oller y Cestero; an interview with Sir Anton Muscatelli on higher education and social justice; and reflections from Ukrainian Researchers at Risk in the UK. https://bit.ly/3L3BeQ6
What can histories of Empire teach us about today’s environmental efforts? Professor Sadiah Qureshi explores how modern conservation has been shaped by empire and indigenous dispossession - and how we can build a more sustainable future without repeating mistakes of the past.
https://bit.ly/4oZ5glQ
https://bit.ly/4oZ5glQ
December 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
What can histories of Empire teach us about today’s environmental efforts? Professor Sadiah Qureshi explores how modern conservation has been shaped by empire and indigenous dispossession - and how we can build a more sustainable future without repeating mistakes of the past.
https://bit.ly/4oZ5glQ
https://bit.ly/4oZ5glQ
New in the Journal of the British Academy: a Thematic Collection exploring the experiences and insights of Ukrainian Researchers at Risk in the UK.
This collection offers vital perspectives on resilience and innovation in Ukraine and beyond.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4pFe7u9
This collection offers vital perspectives on resilience and innovation in Ukraine and beyond.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4pFe7u9
December 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
New in the Journal of the British Academy: a Thematic Collection exploring the experiences and insights of Ukrainian Researchers at Risk in the UK.
This collection offers vital perspectives on resilience and innovation in Ukraine and beyond.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4pFe7u9
This collection offers vital perspectives on resilience and innovation in Ukraine and beyond.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4pFe7u9
Annelies Kusters explores how International Sign emerges through flexible, negotiated communication among deaf signers, yet is increasingly shaped by teaching, interpreting, and institutional norms, producing six paradoxes at the heart of its global use.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4oY6GNq
Read more: https://bit.ly/4oY6GNq
December 18, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Annelies Kusters explores how International Sign emerges through flexible, negotiated communication among deaf signers, yet is increasingly shaped by teaching, interpreting, and institutional norms, producing six paradoxes at the heart of its global use.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4oY6GNq
Read more: https://bit.ly/4oY6GNq
There are only three weeks left to apply for the Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund 2026. The scheme helps postdoctoral researchers to conduct exploratory work on the antiquities, historical geography, early history or arts of parts of Asia. Apply now: https://bit.ly/488Axh7
December 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
There are only three weeks left to apply for the Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund 2026. The scheme helps postdoctoral researchers to conduct exploratory work on the antiquities, historical geography, early history or arts of parts of Asia. Apply now: https://bit.ly/488Axh7
There are only three weeks left to apply for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The object of this fund is to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest. Apply now: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
There are only three weeks left to apply for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The object of this fund is to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest. Apply now: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
We have responded to the OfS consultation on quality regulation. We welcome some proposals, including the expansion of TEF to all providers. Yet we are concerned about proposals to transform the TEF’s core aims and raise the stakes of TEF performance.
Here are our key takeaways:
Here are our key takeaways:
December 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
We have responded to the OfS consultation on quality regulation. We welcome some proposals, including the expansion of TEF to all providers. Yet we are concerned about proposals to transform the TEF’s core aims and raise the stakes of TEF performance.
Here are our key takeaways:
Here are our key takeaways:
Very welcome news today that the UK will join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. This will enable greater opportunities for study abroad and contributions in UK universities, and is something we called for in our most recent Manifesto.
December 17, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Very welcome news today that the UK will join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. This will enable greater opportunities for study abroad and contributions in UK universities, and is something we called for in our most recent Manifesto.
Prof Angela McRobbie FBA speaks with Sir Prof Anton Muscatelli about leading the University of Glasgow, challenges in higher education, the importance of access and social justice, and the university’s role in worldwide learning, research, collaboration, and impact.
https://bit.ly/4shqzlR
https://bit.ly/4shqzlR
December 16, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Prof Angela McRobbie FBA speaks with Sir Prof Anton Muscatelli about leading the University of Glasgow, challenges in higher education, the importance of access and social justice, and the university’s role in worldwide learning, research, collaboration, and impact.
https://bit.ly/4shqzlR
https://bit.ly/4shqzlR
A reminder that the Brian Barry Prize is open for submissions.
This prize recognises excellence in political science and is open to scholars at all career stages.
Find out how to apply here: https://bit.ly/3XUKdG1
This prize recognises excellence in political science and is open to scholars at all career stages.
Find out how to apply here: https://bit.ly/3XUKdG1
December 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM
A reminder that the Brian Barry Prize is open for submissions.
This prize recognises excellence in political science and is open to scholars at all career stages.
Find out how to apply here: https://bit.ly/3XUKdG1
This prize recognises excellence in political science and is open to scholars at all career stages.
Find out how to apply here: https://bit.ly/3XUKdG1
New in the Journal of the British Academy, Prof Liz James FBA explores why Giotto’s work in mosaic has been sidelined in art-historical literature, despite the significance of the much-celebrated 'Navicella'.
Read more: https://bit.ly/44nIn4h
Read more: https://bit.ly/44nIn4h
December 13, 2025 at 1:25 PM
New in the Journal of the British Academy, Prof Liz James FBA explores why Giotto’s work in mosaic has been sidelined in art-historical literature, despite the significance of the much-celebrated 'Navicella'.
Read more: https://bit.ly/44nIn4h
Read more: https://bit.ly/44nIn4h
We are still accepting applications to the Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund 2026, open to postdoctoral researchers or equivalent. Awards are tenable for a maximum of 24 months. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/488Axh7
December 12, 2025 at 5:15 PM
We are still accepting applications to the Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund 2026, open to postdoctoral researchers or equivalent. Awards are tenable for a maximum of 24 months. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/488Axh7
Prof. Maria Cristina Fumagalli FBA and Prof. Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert offer a timely reappraisal of Puerto Rican painter Francisco Oller y Cestero, showing the ways in which he sought to understand and define Puerto Rican identity through his work.
Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4oKCqFJ
Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4oKCqFJ
December 12, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Prof. Maria Cristina Fumagalli FBA and Prof. Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert offer a timely reappraisal of Puerto Rican painter Francisco Oller y Cestero, showing the ways in which he sought to understand and define Puerto Rican identity through his work.
Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4oKCqFJ
Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4oKCqFJ
How could the UK learn from public service media models around the world to better serve a complex range of public interests?
Professors Georgina Born OBE FBA and Justin Lewis FBA dived into the details on today's episode of the Beeb Watch podcast. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3KE8RrF
Professors Georgina Born OBE FBA and Justin Lewis FBA dived into the details on today's episode of the Beeb Watch podcast. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3KE8RrF
The British Academy BBC report: time for big changes | Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 9:27 AM
How could the UK learn from public service media models around the world to better serve a complex range of public interests?
Professors Georgina Born OBE FBA and Justin Lewis FBA dived into the details on today's episode of the Beeb Watch podcast. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3KE8RrF
Professors Georgina Born OBE FBA and Justin Lewis FBA dived into the details on today's episode of the Beeb Watch podcast. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3KE8RrF
We are still accepting applications to the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026, open to both early career and established scholars of any nationality. Awards are tenable for a maximum of 12 months. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
December 11, 2025 at 4:13 PM
We are still accepting applications to the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026, open to both early career and established scholars of any nationality. Awards are tenable for a maximum of 12 months. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
Today, the Academy publishes a report setting out findings from our Where We Live Next programme on place-led approaches to environmental sustainability. www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...
December 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Today, the Academy publishes a report setting out findings from our Where We Live Next programme on place-led approaches to environmental sustainability. www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...
Reposted by The British Academy
It’s Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary and @britishacademy.bsky.social postdoctoral fellow @hillaryburlock.bsky.social helps us understand what going to the ball was all about, including the months of preparation required
theconversation.com/inside-the-r...
theconversation.com/inside-the-r...
Inside the Regency ballroom: what you’d experience on a night out with Jane Austen
Ball-goers needed months to prepare for these events.
theconversation.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
It’s Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary and @britishacademy.bsky.social postdoctoral fellow @hillaryburlock.bsky.social helps us understand what going to the ball was all about, including the months of preparation required
theconversation.com/inside-the-r...
theconversation.com/inside-the-r...
In the 19th century, news travelled faster than ever before. In this 10-minute talk, Professor Pablo Mukherjee FBA unpacks how Victorian writers responded to misinformation at the time, and what it can teach us about the information revolution we are living through today.
https://bit.ly/449nhXf
https://bit.ly/449nhXf
Fake News and the Victorians: Literature in the First Information Age
The 19th century became the age of the first information revolution. Driven by colonial and imperial geopolitics, rapid technological innovation, and the rise of mass print culture, news began to travel faster and farther than ever before. And so did qu...
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
In the 19th century, news travelled faster than ever before. In this 10-minute talk, Professor Pablo Mukherjee FBA unpacks how Victorian writers responded to misinformation at the time, and what it can teach us about the information revolution we are living through today.
https://bit.ly/449nhXf
https://bit.ly/449nhXf
“The restarting of REF2029 brings welcome clarity and allows universities to resume preparations with purpose."
@eicathomefinn.bsky.social reflects on the government's announcement today on the restarting of REF2029 - see our full response here: https://bit.ly/4pre8Sl
@eicathomefinn.bsky.social reflects on the government's announcement today on the restarting of REF2029 - see our full response here: https://bit.ly/4pre8Sl
The British Academy responds to the resuming of REF2029
The British Academy has responded to the Department for Education's announcement regarding the resumption of REF2029
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 11:50 AM
“The restarting of REF2029 brings welcome clarity and allows universities to resume preparations with purpose."
@eicathomefinn.bsky.social reflects on the government's announcement today on the restarting of REF2029 - see our full response here: https://bit.ly/4pre8Sl
@eicathomefinn.bsky.social reflects on the government's announcement today on the restarting of REF2029 - see our full response here: https://bit.ly/4pre8Sl
DSIT is now accepting applications for its College of Experts, a network offering independent advice to shape UK tech and innovation policy.
Expertise from across the social sciences and humanities is essential to DSIT’s work – from AI to digital identity.
Apply by 16 Jan 2026: bit.ly/44JVc98
Expertise from across the social sciences and humanities is essential to DSIT’s work – from AI to digital identity.
Apply by 16 Jan 2026: bit.ly/44JVc98
Quick Check Needed
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
DSIT is now accepting applications for its College of Experts, a network offering independent advice to shape UK tech and innovation policy.
Expertise from across the social sciences and humanities is essential to DSIT’s work – from AI to digital identity.
Apply by 16 Jan 2026: bit.ly/44JVc98
Expertise from across the social sciences and humanities is essential to DSIT’s work – from AI to digital identity.
Apply by 16 Jan 2026: bit.ly/44JVc98
The next BBC Charter renewal in 2027 comes at a critical time.
We commissioned a collection of policy briefs to help inform decisions around the future funding and governance of the BBC.
Read it now: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...
We commissioned a collection of policy briefs to help inform decisions around the future funding and governance of the BBC.
Read it now: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...
Future of Public Service Media
The BBC’s Charter is up for renewal in 2027. To coincide with the start of the renewal process in late 2025, the British Academy commissioned this collection of 12 policy briefs to help inform decisio...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
December 9, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The next BBC Charter renewal in 2027 comes at a critical time.
We commissioned a collection of policy briefs to help inform decisions around the future funding and governance of the BBC.
Read it now: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...
We commissioned a collection of policy briefs to help inform decisions around the future funding and governance of the BBC.
Read it now: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...
Following her speech at the British Academy’s Festive Parliamentary Reception last week, Professor Dame Mary Beard FBA has written in the Times Literary Supplement reflecting on why humans need the humanities – and why they are essential to a democratic society.
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
Why humans need humanities
I went to give a very brief speech (just a five-minuter) at a British Academy festive-season celebration in the House of Commons earlier this week: a
www.the-tls.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Following her speech at the British Academy’s Festive Parliamentary Reception last week, Professor Dame Mary Beard FBA has written in the Times Literary Supplement reflecting on why humans need the humanities – and why they are essential to a democratic society.
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
Why do SHAPE disciplines matter for the future of AI and geopolitics?
The British Academy's CEO @hetanshah.bsky.social has set out practical solutions to the growing pressures on arts, humanities & social sciences for @resprofnews.bsky.social.
The British Academy's CEO @hetanshah.bsky.social has set out practical solutions to the growing pressures on arts, humanities & social sciences for @resprofnews.bsky.social.
I’ve written the @resprofnews.bsky.social Sunday Read this week. I’ve looked at the value and importance of the arts, humanities and social sciences and what policymakers might do to support them at a time we are seeing major cutbacks in universities www.researchprofessional.com/news-article...
December 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Why do SHAPE disciplines matter for the future of AI and geopolitics?
The British Academy's CEO @hetanshah.bsky.social has set out practical solutions to the growing pressures on arts, humanities & social sciences for @resprofnews.bsky.social.
The British Academy's CEO @hetanshah.bsky.social has set out practical solutions to the growing pressures on arts, humanities & social sciences for @resprofnews.bsky.social.