Alex Calder
@dralexjcalder.bsky.social
ECR in Contemporary Writing | teaching at University of Cambridge | co-editing Ali Smith: Critical Essays (Routledge) | Membership Secretary @bacls.bsky.social | from Caithness, Highland | he/him
Reposted by Alex Calder
Thrilled to announce our new issue, Novel Media/Media Novel, edited by Dong Xia and Sandro Eich:
c21.openlibhums.org/issue/1286/i...
c21.openlibhums.org/issue/1286/i...
C21 Literature: Journal of 21st-Century Writings |
Issue: Issue: 2(12) Novel Media / Media Novel (Autumn 2025) (2025)
c21.openlibhums.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Thrilled to announce our new issue, Novel Media/Media Novel, edited by Dong Xia and Sandro Eich:
c21.openlibhums.org/issue/1286/i...
c21.openlibhums.org/issue/1286/i...
Very much the case for humanities ECRs today - eloquently summarised by these contributors, no. 2 especially
“Cataclysmically bad”
This new series of ECR blog posts on the French History Network makes for grim reading, perhaps grimmer even than some in UK #FrenchHistory might have realised.
1st post, anon ECRs in French History on what it’s like right now out there:
frenchhistorysociety.co.uk/6691/
🗃️
This new series of ECR blog posts on the French History Network makes for grim reading, perhaps grimmer even than some in UK #FrenchHistory might have realised.
1st post, anon ECRs in French History on what it’s like right now out there:
frenchhistorysociety.co.uk/6691/
🗃️
ECR in 2025: Part One- What is it like? – SSFH
frenchhistorysociety.co.uk
September 17, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Very much the case for humanities ECRs today - eloquently summarised by these contributors, no. 2 especially
Reposted by Alex Calder
pls RT, modernists - CFP now out for 'Weird Modernisms', the collaborative conference between @modernistudies.bsky.social and @moderniststudies.bsky.social !
July 2026, Loughborough University.
www.moderniststudies.org/conference/M...
July 2026, Loughborough University.
www.moderniststudies.org/conference/M...
August 18, 2025 at 12:32 PM
pls RT, modernists - CFP now out for 'Weird Modernisms', the collaborative conference between @modernistudies.bsky.social and @moderniststudies.bsky.social !
July 2026, Loughborough University.
www.moderniststudies.org/conference/M...
July 2026, Loughborough University.
www.moderniststudies.org/conference/M...
Reposted by Alex Calder
Huge thanks to Helen Smith wordsmith.bsky.social for an excellent English: Shared Futures conference. It was inspiring, exciting, and fun, and especially moving to hear so many friends and colleagues speaking about why and how English matters to them
Helen Smith (@wordsmith.bsky.social)
Professor, @UoYEnglish. Printer, @thinicepress.
Opinions mainly culled from the dustier corners of the sixenteenth century.
wordsmith.bsky.social
July 6, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Huge thanks to Helen Smith wordsmith.bsky.social for an excellent English: Shared Futures conference. It was inspiring, exciting, and fun, and especially moving to hear so many friends and colleagues speaking about why and how English matters to them
Reposted by Alex Calder
‘If higher education was as committed to “woke indoctrination” as the Tory peer Nat Wei claims, I imagine I would spend a lot less time on administrative emails.’
Ed Kiely on UK university finances: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Ed Kiely on UK university finances: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Ed Kiely · Short Cuts: University Finances
Universities’ reliance on international students is only the most recent attempt to solve a broader problem, one that...
www.lrb.co.uk
May 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
‘If higher education was as committed to “woke indoctrination” as the Tory peer Nat Wei claims, I imagine I would spend a lot less time on administrative emails.’
Ed Kiely on UK university finances: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Ed Kiely on UK university finances: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Higher education: Got No Jobs
May 27, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Higher education: Got No Jobs
Really excellent conference programme - I sadly cannot make it, but (if you're in Cambridge in mid June) you can!
Migrant Forms: Creative Futures (16 June 2025) | English Faculty NewsFaculty of English
www.english.cam.ac.uk
May 14, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Really excellent conference programme - I sadly cannot make it, but (if you're in Cambridge in mid June) you can!
Reposted by Alex Calder
This government is totally reckless and dangerously ignorant when it comes to universities.
If a regional uni folds, it will probably be the biggest employer in the area. Further, all industries that supply the uni will lose biz. Industries partnered with the uni will also leave. Unemployment hell.
If a regional uni folds, it will probably be the biggest employer in the area. Further, all industries that supply the uni will lose biz. Industries partnered with the uni will also leave. Unemployment hell.
Even if that is true this piece still suggests they are nowhere near grasping the threats to HE sustainability, and consequently to UK research.
May 11, 2025 at 7:11 AM
This government is totally reckless and dangerously ignorant when it comes to universities.
If a regional uni folds, it will probably be the biggest employer in the area. Further, all industries that supply the uni will lose biz. Industries partnered with the uni will also leave. Unemployment hell.
If a regional uni folds, it will probably be the biggest employer in the area. Further, all industries that supply the uni will lose biz. Industries partnered with the uni will also leave. Unemployment hell.
Ecocritical people/hive mind - I'm putting together a workshop introducing humanities thinking for environmental issues; after close reading a poem by Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, I want to incorporate an example of press coverage/public discourse to then critically read - any good/go to examples?
May 6, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Ecocritical people/hive mind - I'm putting together a workshop introducing humanities thinking for environmental issues; after close reading a poem by Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, I want to incorporate an example of press coverage/public discourse to then critically read - any good/go to examples?
Reposted by Alex Calder
Stop treating our lives as abstract questions and gotchas
April 16, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Stop treating our lives as abstract questions and gotchas
Reposted by Alex Calder
again and again and yet again the privileged’s fantasies of oppression take precedence over the marginalised’s real, daily, violent oppression
April 16, 2025 at 9:06 AM
again and again and yet again the privileged’s fantasies of oppression take precedence over the marginalised’s real, daily, violent oppression
Reposted by Alex Calder
We have a brilliant new issue for you! Vol. 12, No. 1 (Spring 2025) is now available: c21.openlibhums.org/issue/1419/i.... There are new articles on peripheral readings of poetry, the Scottish Network Novel, the new sub-genre of up-lit & reviews. Plus more articles coming soon! #OpenAccess #AcaSky
April 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM
We have a brilliant new issue for you! Vol. 12, No. 1 (Spring 2025) is now available: c21.openlibhums.org/issue/1419/i.... There are new articles on peripheral readings of poetry, the Scottish Network Novel, the new sub-genre of up-lit & reviews. Plus more articles coming soon! #OpenAccess #AcaSky
So not only did I give a lecture to an empty room, but the only attendee was, in fact, this post-it atop my webcam
March 16, 2025 at 8:13 PM
So not only did I give a lecture to an empty room, but the only attendee was, in fact, this post-it atop my webcam
Reposted by Alex Calder
📣 🚨 C21 Literature: Journal of 21st-Century Writings / @c21literature.bsky.social seeks a new editor! Join a leading journal in 21st-century #LiteraryStudies. Term starts May 2025.
📅 Deadline: 22 April 2025.
More info: c21.openlibhums.org/news/793/
#C21Literature @bacls.bsky.social
📅 Deadline: 22 April 2025.
More info: c21.openlibhums.org/news/793/
#C21Literature @bacls.bsky.social
Editorship of <em>C21 Literature</em>
C21 Literature: Journal of 21st-Century Writings is the journal of the British Association for Contemporary Literary Studies (BACLS). The journal is dedicated to examining the genres, forms of publica...
c21.openlibhums.org
March 13, 2025 at 11:08 AM
📣 🚨 C21 Literature: Journal of 21st-Century Writings / @c21literature.bsky.social seeks a new editor! Join a leading journal in 21st-century #LiteraryStudies. Term starts May 2025.
📅 Deadline: 22 April 2025.
More info: c21.openlibhums.org/news/793/
#C21Literature @bacls.bsky.social
📅 Deadline: 22 April 2025.
More info: c21.openlibhums.org/news/793/
#C21Literature @bacls.bsky.social
Found myself in a literal rabbit hole watching clips of Watership Down while doing teaching prep and marking
March 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Found myself in a literal rabbit hole watching clips of Watership Down while doing teaching prep and marking
Reposted by Alex Calder
Academia still expects the outputs appropriate to a 1980s-era tenure line researcher (time protected for thought, wage sufficient to support social reproduction at home) but its reward structure is more like picking up hours at Chipotle or delivering packages for Amazon, if you can even get that
I have a side hustle / pt job (teaching private music lessons) bc my regular job doesn’t pay that well but also because I’m constantly afraid of losing it. But my regular job constantly asks me to work weekends, which interferes with my pt job that is supposed to be my fail-safe. 🫠
February 11, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Academia still expects the outputs appropriate to a 1980s-era tenure line researcher (time protected for thought, wage sufficient to support social reproduction at home) but its reward structure is more like picking up hours at Chipotle or delivering packages for Amazon, if you can even get that
Reposted by Alex Calder
⏰📢EXTENDED DEADLINE: Mon, 17 February 25.
If you missed the original deadline, now is your chance to submit a proposal, and to come to beautiful Stirling to present your work on 10–12 June.
Information on registration and on PGR/ECR travel bursaries will follow shortly!
If you missed the original deadline, now is your chance to submit a proposal, and to come to beautiful Stirling to present your work on 10–12 June.
Information on registration and on PGR/ECR travel bursaries will follow shortly!
Call for Papers: British Association for Contemporary Literary Studies – What Happens Now Conference (BACLS-WHN)
10-12th June 2025, University of Stirling
Proposal Deadline: Friday, 7 February
docs.google.com/forms/d/1MQD...
10-12th June 2025, University of Stirling
Proposal Deadline: Friday, 7 February
docs.google.com/forms/d/1MQD...
Google Forms: Sign-in
Access Google Forms with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).
docs.google.com
February 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
⏰📢EXTENDED DEADLINE: Mon, 17 February 25.
If you missed the original deadline, now is your chance to submit a proposal, and to come to beautiful Stirling to present your work on 10–12 June.
Information on registration and on PGR/ECR travel bursaries will follow shortly!
If you missed the original deadline, now is your chance to submit a proposal, and to come to beautiful Stirling to present your work on 10–12 June.
Information on registration and on PGR/ECR travel bursaries will follow shortly!
Reposted by Alex Calder
Hiya BlueSky! We've got a cracking special issue on Ali Smith which features an interview with Ali Smith, published in December 2024: c21.openlibhums.org/issue/901/in.... Check it out, if you haven't already had a chance! #AcademicSky #BookSky #Literature #OpenAccess @bacls.bsky.social
February 6, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Hiya BlueSky! We've got a cracking special issue on Ali Smith which features an interview with Ali Smith, published in December 2024: c21.openlibhums.org/issue/901/in.... Check it out, if you haven't already had a chance! #AcademicSky #BookSky #Literature #OpenAccess @bacls.bsky.social
What the woke mob really want is for you to do the assigned reading (and less marking on the weekends)
February 8, 2025 at 12:55 PM
What the woke mob really want is for you to do the assigned reading (and less marking on the weekends)
Reposted by Alex Calder
Call for Papers: British Association for Contemporary Literary Studies – What Happens Now Conference (BACLS-WHN)
10-12th June 2025, University of Stirling
Proposal Deadline: Friday, 7 February
docs.google.com/forms/d/1MQD...
10-12th June 2025, University of Stirling
Proposal Deadline: Friday, 7 February
docs.google.com/forms/d/1MQD...
Google Forms: Sign-in
Access Google Forms with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).
docs.google.com
January 28, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Call for Papers: British Association for Contemporary Literary Studies – What Happens Now Conference (BACLS-WHN)
10-12th June 2025, University of Stirling
Proposal Deadline: Friday, 7 February
docs.google.com/forms/d/1MQD...
10-12th June 2025, University of Stirling
Proposal Deadline: Friday, 7 February
docs.google.com/forms/d/1MQD...
Despite current precarity and all of its stresses, it's just great to teach such lovely and engaged students and to see their ideas and thought develop over time - it reminds you why you're trying so hard juggling All The Things, bashing into academia like a moth against a window
January 29, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Despite current precarity and all of its stresses, it's just great to teach such lovely and engaged students and to see their ideas and thought develop over time - it reminds you why you're trying so hard juggling All The Things, bashing into academia like a moth against a window
Reposted by Alex Calder
Hivemind: Is there anyone here who might be able to lead a session to support PhD students who have caring responsibilities? Hybrid session in Manchester, 18th-19th February, and the person will, of course, be paid for their time.
January 6, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Hivemind: Is there anyone here who might be able to lead a session to support PhD students who have caring responsibilities? Hybrid session in Manchester, 18th-19th February, and the person will, of course, be paid for their time.
Reposted by Alex Calder
Just saw this CfP on the Other Site and thought I’d share here for anyone that missed it! The @bacls.bsky.social What Happens Now Conference will be held in Stirling on 10-12 June 2025 🤩 Proposals due 24 Jan.
forms.gle/Jmx4BBpdB7L3...
forms.gle/Jmx4BBpdB7L3...
December 5, 2024 at 7:59 PM
Just saw this CfP on the Other Site and thought I’d share here for anyone that missed it! The @bacls.bsky.social What Happens Now Conference will be held in Stirling on 10-12 June 2025 🤩 Proposals due 24 Jan.
forms.gle/Jmx4BBpdB7L3...
forms.gle/Jmx4BBpdB7L3...
Published today (!)
During my PhD, I was lucky enough to interview Ali Smith and have a wide ranging conversation with her about (then latest) novel Companion Piece and writing to the moment - now published here (open access) as part of a C21 Literature special issue on the Seasonal books:
During my PhD, I was lucky enough to interview Ali Smith and have a wide ranging conversation with her about (then latest) novel Companion Piece and writing to the moment - now published here (open access) as part of a C21 Literature special issue on the Seasonal books:
“The question of dimension at every level”: An Interview with Ali Smith on Companion Piece, Contemporaneity, and Crisis
An interview with Ali Smith about her latest novel Companion Piece (2022), its relationship to her Seasonal Quartet (2016 –2020), and responding to contemporary society through fiction. In particular,...
c21.openlibhums.org
November 11, 2024 at 1:17 PM
Published today (!)
During my PhD, I was lucky enough to interview Ali Smith and have a wide ranging conversation with her about (then latest) novel Companion Piece and writing to the moment - now published here (open access) as part of a C21 Literature special issue on the Seasonal books:
During my PhD, I was lucky enough to interview Ali Smith and have a wide ranging conversation with her about (then latest) novel Companion Piece and writing to the moment - now published here (open access) as part of a C21 Literature special issue on the Seasonal books:
When the US result started to become increasingly clear this morning, Mum asked if it meant that we're all doomed, so of course I said not straightforwardly. Complicatedly doomed then, she says. It's certainly felt like that for a while
November 6, 2024 at 10:09 AM
When the US result started to become increasingly clear this morning, Mum asked if it meant that we're all doomed, so of course I said not straightforwardly. Complicatedly doomed then, she says. It's certainly felt like that for a while