Centre for Place Writing
@centreplacewriting.bsky.social
Creative-critical research centre, Manchester Metropolitan University. Exploring the relationship between writing & place to examine major contemporary issues.
Co-directed by Dr David Cooper & Dr Rachel Lichtenstein
https://linktr.ee/centreforplacewriting
Co-directed by Dr David Cooper & Dr Rachel Lichtenstein
https://linktr.ee/centreforplacewriting
Pinned
Some of our highlights from 2024 include:
Helen Mort's new book Ethel was pub & her appearance on Countryfile & Kendal Mtn Lit Fest.
David Cooper's co-ed Handbook of Literary Geographies was pub.
Kate Pahl led a brilliant new project working with young people, learning through trees.
#PlaceWriting
Helen Mort's new book Ethel was pub & her appearance on Countryfile & Kendal Mtn Lit Fest.
David Cooper's co-ed Handbook of Literary Geographies was pub.
Kate Pahl led a brilliant new project working with young people, learning through trees.
#PlaceWriting
Tonight at 9pm.
Ian McMillan brings The Adverb to the stunning surroundings of Redhills, the newly-restored Durham Miners' Hall, for the city's Brass Festival.
Seams of coal infuse the poems of Ian's guests, Helen Mort, Katharine Goda & the poet laureate, Simon Armitage
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Ian McMillan brings The Adverb to the stunning surroundings of Redhills, the newly-restored Durham Miners' Hall, for the city's Brass Festival.
Seams of coal infuse the poems of Ian's guests, Helen Mort, Katharine Goda & the poet laureate, Simon Armitage
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - The Verb, 26/12/2025
Ian McMillan hosts Simon Armitage, Helen Mort and Katharine Goda, with music from LYR.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Tonight at 9pm.
Ian McMillan brings The Adverb to the stunning surroundings of Redhills, the newly-restored Durham Miners' Hall, for the city's Brass Festival.
Seams of coal infuse the poems of Ian's guests, Helen Mort, Katharine Goda & the poet laureate, Simon Armitage
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Ian McMillan brings The Adverb to the stunning surroundings of Redhills, the newly-restored Durham Miners' Hall, for the city's Brass Festival.
Seams of coal infuse the poems of Ian's guests, Helen Mort, Katharine Goda & the poet laureate, Simon Armitage
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
A Winter Walk - by one of my favourite artists and printmakers, Hester Cox @hestercoxprint.bsky.social
More of Hester's stunning artwork, here: www.hestercox.com
#art #printmaking #fox #winter
More of Hester's stunning artwork, here: www.hestercox.com
#art #printmaking #fox #winter
December 24, 2025 at 7:41 AM
A Winter Walk - by one of my favourite artists and printmakers, Hester Cox @hestercoxprint.bsky.social
More of Hester's stunning artwork, here: www.hestercox.com
#art #printmaking #fox #winter
More of Hester's stunning artwork, here: www.hestercox.com
#art #printmaking #fox #winter
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.
W. B. Yeats
W. B. Yeats
December 24, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.
W. B. Yeats
W. B. Yeats
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Inequality is damaging the cohesion needed to fight climate change.
The politics of the hyper-polluting private transport used by the world’s super-rich is hotting up
Inequality is damaging the cohesion needed to fight climate change.
tcnv.link
December 24, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Inequality is damaging the cohesion needed to fight climate change.
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
This Christmas Day join us for #JoinIn on Bluesky. Just use or look for the #JoinIn hashtag. Lovely people coming together for chat and cheer - especially for those who may be alone or troubled at Christmas, or just looking for a bit of fellowship. See you there!
Please share
Please share
December 24, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Catching up with more of @helenmort.bsky.social 's wonderful work - new poem, Matches, is now published online with Poetry London.
#Poetry #PoetrySky
poetrylondon.co.uk/matches/
#Poetry #PoetrySky
poetrylondon.co.uk/matches/
Matches – Discover – Poetry London
poetrylondon.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Catching up with more of @helenmort.bsky.social 's wonderful work - new poem, Matches, is now published online with Poetry London.
#Poetry #PoetrySky
poetrylondon.co.uk/matches/
#Poetry #PoetrySky
poetrylondon.co.uk/matches/
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
The latest paper from Voices of the Future, led by @katepahl.bsky.social is now published in People and Nature:
December 19, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The latest paper from Voices of the Future, led by @katepahl.bsky.social is now published in People and Nature:
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Few things more full of life than a dead tree. Here's (I think) some crimped gill fungus on a bed of moss fruiting from a fallen oak. Sounds almost yummy, doesn't it?
December 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Few things more full of life than a dead tree. Here's (I think) some crimped gill fungus on a bed of moss fruiting from a fallen oak. Sounds almost yummy, doesn't it?
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
A final post for the year - Books of 2025 - from contributors of Moving Mountains: Writing Nature Through Illness & Disability, along with friends & allies.
#DisabilitySky #NatureWriting #BookSky
open.substack.com/pub/louiseke...
#DisabilitySky #NatureWriting #BookSky
open.substack.com/pub/louiseke...
Books of 2025
From Moving Mountains contributors & friends.
open.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A final post for the year - Books of 2025 - from contributors of Moving Mountains: Writing Nature Through Illness & Disability, along with friends & allies.
#DisabilitySky #NatureWriting #BookSky
open.substack.com/pub/louiseke...
#DisabilitySky #NatureWriting #BookSky
open.substack.com/pub/louiseke...
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Here are some more photos. We really want to share this book with readers.
December 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Here are some more photos. We really want to share this book with readers.
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Christmas has come early for me, thanks to my friend, the brilliant @zaraslattery.bsky.social. One of the v few self-printed copies of volume one of our graphic novel, SWEENEY'S PROGRESS. A labour of love for both of us.
One day a publisher may agree and publish it *prays to the comics gods*
One day a publisher may agree and publish it *prays to the comics gods*
December 19, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Christmas has come early for me, thanks to my friend, the brilliant @zaraslattery.bsky.social. One of the v few self-printed copies of volume one of our graphic novel, SWEENEY'S PROGRESS. A labour of love for both of us.
One day a publisher may agree and publish it *prays to the comics gods*
One day a publisher may agree and publish it *prays to the comics gods*
The latest paper from Voices of the Future, led by @katepahl.bsky.social is now published in People and Nature:
December 19, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The latest paper from Voices of the Future, led by @katepahl.bsky.social is now published in People and Nature:
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Now available to listen back on iplayer.
TODAY!
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
Next week, following the launch of Night Vision, Jean Sprackland will be appearing on BBC Radio 4's Start the Week, when she'll be discussing the dark with Jasper Goodall, Christine Riding, and Tom Sutcliffe.
Tune in on Monday:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Tune in on Monday:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
December 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Now available to listen back on iplayer.
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Recent timely article from @cathfletcher.bsky.social
Following the tragic shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University this weekend, I wrote about the long history of debates on gun control for @historyandpolicy.bsky.social
The long history of debates about gun control - History & Policy
The tragic shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University have put questions of gun control back in the spotlight. These debates are almost as old as guns themselves and they point to the extent to whi...
historyandpolicy.org
December 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Recent timely article from @cathfletcher.bsky.social
Now available to listen back on iplayer.
TODAY!
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
Next week, following the launch of Night Vision, Jean Sprackland will be appearing on BBC Radio 4's Start the Week, when she'll be discussing the dark with Jasper Goodall, Christine Riding, and Tom Sutcliffe.
Tune in on Monday:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Tune in on Monday:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
December 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Now available to listen back on iplayer.
Recent timely article from @cathfletcher.bsky.social
Following the tragic shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University this weekend, I wrote about the long history of debates on gun control for @historyandpolicy.bsky.social
The long history of debates about gun control - History & Policy
The tragic shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University have put questions of gun control back in the spotlight. These debates are almost as old as guns themselves and they point to the extent to whi...
historyandpolicy.org
December 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Recent timely article from @cathfletcher.bsky.social
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
From our friends at The Portico Library, Manchester.
Vacancy for a Chair of Trustees:
Lead the Trust Board and support the Library team.
Guide the organisation through significant change.
Act as an ambassador for the Library.
Ensure strong governance.
#LibrarySky
www.theportico.org.uk/vacancies
Vacancy for a Chair of Trustees:
Lead the Trust Board and support the Library team.
Guide the organisation through significant change.
Act as an ambassador for the Library.
Ensure strong governance.
#LibrarySky
www.theportico.org.uk/vacancies
Vacancies — The Portico Library
www.theportico.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
From our friends at The Portico Library, Manchester.
Vacancy for a Chair of Trustees:
Lead the Trust Board and support the Library team.
Guide the organisation through significant change.
Act as an ambassador for the Library.
Ensure strong governance.
#LibrarySky
www.theportico.org.uk/vacancies
Vacancy for a Chair of Trustees:
Lead the Trust Board and support the Library team.
Guide the organisation through significant change.
Act as an ambassador for the Library.
Ensure strong governance.
#LibrarySky
www.theportico.org.uk/vacancies
From our friends at The Portico Library, Manchester.
Vacancy for a Chair of Trustees:
Lead the Trust Board and support the Library team.
Guide the organisation through significant change.
Act as an ambassador for the Library.
Ensure strong governance.
#LibrarySky
www.theportico.org.uk/vacancies
Vacancy for a Chair of Trustees:
Lead the Trust Board and support the Library team.
Guide the organisation through significant change.
Act as an ambassador for the Library.
Ensure strong governance.
#LibrarySky
www.theportico.org.uk/vacancies
Vacancies — The Portico Library
www.theportico.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
From our friends at The Portico Library, Manchester.
Vacancy for a Chair of Trustees:
Lead the Trust Board and support the Library team.
Guide the organisation through significant change.
Act as an ambassador for the Library.
Ensure strong governance.
#LibrarySky
www.theportico.org.uk/vacancies
Vacancy for a Chair of Trustees:
Lead the Trust Board and support the Library team.
Guide the organisation through significant change.
Act as an ambassador for the Library.
Ensure strong governance.
#LibrarySky
www.theportico.org.uk/vacancies
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Following the tragic shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University this weekend, I wrote about the long history of debates on gun control for @historyandpolicy.bsky.social
The long history of debates about gun control - History & Policy
The tragic shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University have put questions of gun control back in the spotlight. These debates are almost as old as guns themselves and they point to the extent to whi...
historyandpolicy.org
December 16, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Following the tragic shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University this weekend, I wrote about the long history of debates on gun control for @historyandpolicy.bsky.social
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
TODAY!
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
Next week, following the launch of Night Vision, Jean Sprackland will be appearing on BBC Radio 4's Start the Week, when she'll be discussing the dark with Jasper Goodall, Christine Riding, and Tom Sutcliffe.
Tune in on Monday:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Tune in on Monday:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, The Dark
Shadows in art, photography, poetry and our fears: Tom Sutcliffe's guests discuss darkness
www.bbc.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
TODAY!
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Sad to see that John Carey has died. One of the best critic-academics of the past century. His work on Milton and Dickens is exceptional, and his biography of William Golding deserved all its accolades.
John Carey obituary
Literary critic, essayist and academic known for his erudite and pugnacious judgments on writers and his fellow dons
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Sad to see that John Carey has died. One of the best critic-academics of the past century. His work on Milton and Dickens is exceptional, and his biography of William Golding deserved all its accolades.
TODAY!
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
Next week, following the launch of Night Vision, Jean Sprackland will be appearing on BBC Radio 4's Start the Week, when she'll be discussing the dark with Jasper Goodall, Christine Riding, and Tom Sutcliffe.
Tune in on Monday:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Tune in on Monday:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, The Dark
Shadows in art, photography, poetry and our fears: Tom Sutcliffe's guests discuss darkness
www.bbc.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
TODAY!
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
9am and 9pm on Radio 4 - Jean Sprackland on Start the Week discussing the dark.
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
If you are working in humanities education and thinking how to respond to the tragic events of this weekend, I'd like to draw your attention to a new project launching next month at the AHA. I would rather it wasn't so topical, but here we are.
139th Annual Meeting (January 8-11, 2026): Transforming Humanities Education in a Time of Gun Violence
aha.confex.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:20 AM
If you are working in humanities education and thinking how to respond to the tragic events of this weekend, I'd like to draw your attention to a new project launching next month at the AHA. I would rather it wasn't so topical, but here we are.
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
My Christmas jumper is ON. My silly festive writing prompt is free for all to access on Substack! open.substack.com/pub/helenmor...
December 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
My Christmas jumper is ON. My silly festive writing prompt is free for all to access on Substack! open.substack.com/pub/helenmor...