Heather Milligan
@hrmilligan.bsky.social
Vice-Chancellor Independent Research Fellow at Loughborough University // contemporary literature and ecocriticism // writing a book about ecogothic // she/her
Pinned
How Fiction Makes Sense of the Crisis | Heather Milligan
How does literature reflect the crisis we're collectively experiencing—and why do some of the novels published today fail to grasp both the intensity and complexity of our world?
www.planetcritical.com
big thanks to the brilliant @racheldonald.bsky.social for the opportunity to chat on Planet: Critical
we kicked off the new year by asking: what's up with climate fiction?
www.planetcritical.com/heather-mill...
we kicked off the new year by asking: what's up with climate fiction?
www.planetcritical.com/heather-mill...
📣 Funded PhD studentships at Loughborough!
English has particular strengths in 19th & 20th centuries, contemporary culture, editing & textual scholarship, and health humanities, but do take a look at all the brilliant work being done by colleagues
English has particular strengths in 19th & 20th centuries, contemporary culture, editing & textual scholarship, and health humanities, but do take a look at all the brilliant work being done by colleagues
📣 Funded PhD studentships at Loughborough Uni English Department
1) UK and International applicants: lnkd.in/esnYZrBD
2) Ring-fenced studentship for UK BAME applicants: lnkd.in/epnaHwmV
You can find out about staff expertise here: lnkd.in/eFSK6UWH
#PhD #Funding #Humanities
1) UK and International applicants: lnkd.in/esnYZrBD
2) Ring-fenced studentship for UK BAME applicants: lnkd.in/epnaHwmV
You can find out about staff expertise here: lnkd.in/eFSK6UWH
#PhD #Funding #Humanities
February 6, 2026 at 5:45 PM
📣 Funded PhD studentships at Loughborough!
English has particular strengths in 19th & 20th centuries, contemporary culture, editing & textual scholarship, and health humanities, but do take a look at all the brilliant work being done by colleagues
English has particular strengths in 19th & 20th centuries, contemporary culture, editing & textual scholarship, and health humanities, but do take a look at all the brilliant work being done by colleagues
Reposted by Heather Milligan
The UK government is proposing radical and punitive changes to settlement rules. This is settlement, not citizenship. The consultation is open until 12 February; please respond to it and oppose these evil proposals. Amnesty have a good guide: www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/gu...
Guidance for responding to 'A Fairer Pathway to Settlement' consultation
We are Amnesty International UK. We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights.
www.amnesty.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 10:22 AM
The UK government is proposing radical and punitive changes to settlement rules. This is settlement, not citizenship. The consultation is open until 12 February; please respond to it and oppose these evil proposals. Amnesty have a good guide: www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/gu...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
This year's Climate Fiction Prize longlist looks great. Read all of last year's list, haven't read any of these yet. Time to get stuck in.
Explore the longlist - The Climate Fiction Prize
Explore the inaugural longlist for the Climate Fiction Prize
climatefictionprize.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 12:59 PM
This year's Climate Fiction Prize longlist looks great. Read all of last year's list, haven't read any of these yet. Time to get stuck in.
Reposted by Heather Milligan
Take the time to do this folks. The proposed changes to ILR are shocking and cruel, which is made abundantly clear in the text of the public consultation linked below. Please lend your voice to try to mitigate the cruelty.
PS. Not too late to tell the government what you think about their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain - the public consultation is open until 12th Feb.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
February 5, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Take the time to do this folks. The proposed changes to ILR are shocking and cruel, which is made abundantly clear in the text of the public consultation linked below. Please lend your voice to try to mitigate the cruelty.
Reposted by Heather Milligan
Washington Post is shuttering its book section, part of the ongoing war against literacy & knowledge.
We at Current Affairs want to pick up the slack by expanding book reviews. Writers: pitch us anytime! And if you subscribe/donate we'll use the funding to commission book coverage.
We at Current Affairs want to pick up the slack by expanding book reviews. Writers: pitch us anytime! And if you subscribe/donate we'll use the funding to commission book coverage.
February 4, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Washington Post is shuttering its book section, part of the ongoing war against literacy & knowledge.
We at Current Affairs want to pick up the slack by expanding book reviews. Writers: pitch us anytime! And if you subscribe/donate we'll use the funding to commission book coverage.
We at Current Affairs want to pick up the slack by expanding book reviews. Writers: pitch us anytime! And if you subscribe/donate we'll use the funding to commission book coverage.
Reposted by Heather Milligan
DREAM job: two-years of full-time research on Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Loneliness and its various histories www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQI985/r...
Research Associate: 100 Years of The Well of Loneliness at University of York
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Research Associate: 100 Years of The Well of Loneliness on jobs.ac.uk!
www.jobs.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 8:41 AM
DREAM job: two-years of full-time research on Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Loneliness and its various histories www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQI985/r...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
I'd planned to listen to the first 10 mins of this (I had a few other things to do), but ended up listening to the full 58 mins. It's a brilliant discussion of the power of fictional narratives to engage readers with climate change. Really interesting thoughts on cli-fi and eco-gothic.
big thanks to the brilliant @racheldonald.bsky.social for the opportunity to chat on Planet: Critical
we kicked off the new year by asking: what's up with climate fiction?
www.planetcritical.com/heather-mill...
we kicked off the new year by asking: what's up with climate fiction?
www.planetcritical.com/heather-mill...
How Fiction Makes Sense of the Crisis | Heather Milligan
How does literature reflect the crisis we're collectively experiencing—and why do some of the novels published today fail to grasp both the intensity and complexity of our world?
www.planetcritical.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:18 PM
I'd planned to listen to the first 10 mins of this (I had a few other things to do), but ended up listening to the full 58 mins. It's a brilliant discussion of the power of fictional narratives to engage readers with climate change. Really interesting thoughts on cli-fi and eco-gothic.
Reposted by Heather Milligan
*Gothic Studies: Call for Expressions of Interest in Editing a Special Issue*
Gothic Studies is seeking expressions of interest in guest edited special issues for publication in volume 30, issues 2 and 3 (2028).
www.facebook.com/gothicstudie...
Gothic Studies is seeking expressions of interest in guest edited special issues for publication in volume 30, issues 2 and 3 (2028).
www.facebook.com/gothicstudie...
Gothic Studies
*Gothic Studies: Call for Expressions of Interest in Editing a Special Issue*
Gothic Studies is seeking expressions of interest in guest edited special issues for publication in volume 30, issues 2.....
www.facebook.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:19 PM
*Gothic Studies: Call for Expressions of Interest in Editing a Special Issue*
Gothic Studies is seeking expressions of interest in guest edited special issues for publication in volume 30, issues 2 and 3 (2028).
www.facebook.com/gothicstudie...
Gothic Studies is seeking expressions of interest in guest edited special issues for publication in volume 30, issues 2 and 3 (2028).
www.facebook.com/gothicstudie...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
Our Head of Department @sadiseshiah.bsky.social has published a new book chapter - 'Staging Utopian Subjects: Contemporary British Theatre Beyond the Barriers' - in The Cambridge Companion to British Utopian Literature and Culture Since 1945.
The Cambridge Companion to British Utopian Literature and Culture since 1945
Cambridge Core - English Literature after 1945 - The Cambridge Companion to British Utopian Literature and Culture since 1945
www.cambridge.org
January 30, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Our Head of Department @sadiseshiah.bsky.social has published a new book chapter - 'Staging Utopian Subjects: Contemporary British Theatre Beyond the Barriers' - in The Cambridge Companion to British Utopian Literature and Culture Since 1945.
Reposted by Heather Milligan
In June 1937 Nancy Cunard, on behalf of various left-wing thinkers, asked 'writers and poets' to state where they stood on the Spanish Civil War. Although the focus was on Spain, the question was framed in terms of anti-fascist internationalism and commitment: 'ironic detachment will no longer do'.
January 30, 2026 at 4:20 PM
In June 1937 Nancy Cunard, on behalf of various left-wing thinkers, asked 'writers and poets' to state where they stood on the Spanish Civil War. Although the focus was on Spain, the question was framed in terms of anti-fascist internationalism and commitment: 'ironic detachment will no longer do'.
looking forward to attending the @officialbaas.bsky.social conference at University of Glasgow 9–11 April
I'll be presenting new research on rewilding narratives in contemporary novels, focusing on the cultural significance of wolves as symbols of national and sexual autonomy
I'll be presenting new research on rewilding narratives in contemporary novels, focusing on the cultural significance of wolves as symbols of national and sexual autonomy
January 30, 2026 at 1:15 PM
looking forward to attending the @officialbaas.bsky.social conference at University of Glasgow 9–11 April
I'll be presenting new research on rewilding narratives in contemporary novels, focusing on the cultural significance of wolves as symbols of national and sexual autonomy
I'll be presenting new research on rewilding narratives in contemporary novels, focusing on the cultural significance of wolves as symbols of national and sexual autonomy
Reposted by Heather Milligan
Call for Papers 📢
ASLE-UKI Postgraduate Conference 2026
3-4 September
University of Chichester
'No Future? Hopeful Worldings in Haunted Times'
Further information: asle.org.uk/asle-uki-pos...
Submit your proposals here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
ASLE-UKI Postgraduate Conference 2026
3-4 September
University of Chichester
'No Future? Hopeful Worldings in Haunted Times'
Further information: asle.org.uk/asle-uki-pos...
Submit your proposals here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
January 30, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Call for Papers 📢
ASLE-UKI Postgraduate Conference 2026
3-4 September
University of Chichester
'No Future? Hopeful Worldings in Haunted Times'
Further information: asle.org.uk/asle-uki-pos...
Submit your proposals here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
ASLE-UKI Postgraduate Conference 2026
3-4 September
University of Chichester
'No Future? Hopeful Worldings in Haunted Times'
Further information: asle.org.uk/asle-uki-pos...
Submit your proposals here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
Delighted to have my essay, 'AI is a Performance of Progress, Not the Real Thing', republished at the excellent @popnbalance.bsky.social ! www.populationbalance.org/essays/ai-is...
AI is a Performance of Progress, Not the Real Thing — Population Balance
It would be reasonable to see the AI rollout as history’s most diversified form of mass theft. The initial “training” of generative AI programs involved stealing copyright-protected intellectual prope...
www.populationbalance.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Delighted to have my essay, 'AI is a Performance of Progress, Not the Real Thing', republished at the excellent @popnbalance.bsky.social ! www.populationbalance.org/essays/ai-is...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
'As the ESRC, the UK’s leading social science funder, moves to deprioritise research on economic models beyond growth, Imogen Hamilton-Jones and Catarina Heeckt defend the academic legitimacy and societal relevance of post-growth thinking.' 1/2
Beyond economic growth – the case for researching alternatives | British Politics and Policy at LSE
As the ESRC moves to deprioritise research on economic models beyond growth, we need to defend the legitimacy and societal relevance of degrowth thinking.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 15, 2025 at 9:12 AM
'As the ESRC, the UK’s leading social science funder, moves to deprioritise research on economic models beyond growth, Imogen Hamilton-Jones and Catarina Heeckt defend the academic legitimacy and societal relevance of post-growth thinking.' 1/2
Reposted by Heather Milligan
Back in the Autumn, No.10 blocked the publication of a report into the risks the UK could face if climate change causes ecosystems around the world to collapse. On Tuesday, after an FOI request, it published the report. But it turns out, that wasn't the full version. www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Suppressed climate report warned of mass migration and nuclear war
Unabridged document said disappearing forests and rivers drying up could drive people to Europe and lead to conflict in Asia
www.thetimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Back in the Autumn, No.10 blocked the publication of a report into the risks the UK could face if climate change causes ecosystems around the world to collapse. On Tuesday, after an FOI request, it published the report. But it turns out, that wasn't the full version. www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
This week the government quietly published a 'Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security assessment': www.gov.uk/government/p...
Meant to be out last year, but rumoured to be blocked by Number 10: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The judgements are stomach-churning
Meant to be out last year, but rumoured to be blocked by Number 10: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The judgements are stomach-churning
January 21, 2026 at 9:55 PM
This week the government quietly published a 'Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security assessment': www.gov.uk/government/p...
Meant to be out last year, but rumoured to be blocked by Number 10: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The judgements are stomach-churning
Meant to be out last year, but rumoured to be blocked by Number 10: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The judgements are stomach-churning
Reposted by Heather Milligan
An across-government technical assessment published today recognises that "nature is the foundation of national security" and that "every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse". A rational response to this would be to get very serious about nature recovery.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security
This strategic assessment explores how global biodiversity loss and the collapse of critical ecosystems could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity.
www.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 6:15 PM
An across-government technical assessment published today recognises that "nature is the foundation of national security" and that "every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse". A rational response to this would be to get very serious about nature recovery.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
They're planning on powering the city by attaching a turbine to Alasdair Gray spinning in his grave.
NEW: Glasgow City Council has just approved a massive AI-generated mural to be painted in the city centre.
The illustration of Scottish elements inexplicably contains a bald eagle.
The planner says those upset about it are "keyboard warriors" who should "calm down"
The illustration of Scottish elements inexplicably contains a bald eagle.
The planner says those upset about it are "keyboard warriors" who should "calm down"
January 20, 2026 at 4:16 PM
They're planning on powering the city by attaching a turbine to Alasdair Gray spinning in his grave.
Reposted by Heather Milligan
What are the origins of today's hegemonic progress narratives? What is a more humane definition of progress? Why bother writing about the idea of progress at all? This personal, wide-ranging chat about my book addresses these and other questions. Please have a listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw44...
TwiceTold with Samuel Miller-McDonald: Progress
YouTube video by SwapBook!
www.youtube.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:11 PM
What are the origins of today's hegemonic progress narratives? What is a more humane definition of progress? Why bother writing about the idea of progress at all? This personal, wide-ranging chat about my book addresses these and other questions. Please have a listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw44...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
'Few feelings are more thrilling for a literature scholar than unearthing an archival gem ...'
Our own Jade French writes for @theconversation.com about three newly discovered Virginia Woolf stories:
Our own Jade French writes for @theconversation.com about three newly discovered Virginia Woolf stories:
The Life of Violet: three unearthed early stories where Virginia Woolf’s genius first sparks to life
These three whimsical short stories tell the story of Woolf’s dear friend Violet Dickinson.
theconversation.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:31 PM
'Few feelings are more thrilling for a literature scholar than unearthing an archival gem ...'
Our own Jade French writes for @theconversation.com about three newly discovered Virginia Woolf stories:
Our own Jade French writes for @theconversation.com about three newly discovered Virginia Woolf stories:
big thanks to the brilliant @racheldonald.bsky.social for the opportunity to chat on Planet: Critical
we kicked off the new year by asking: what's up with climate fiction?
www.planetcritical.com/heather-mill...
we kicked off the new year by asking: what's up with climate fiction?
www.planetcritical.com/heather-mill...
How Fiction Makes Sense of the Crisis | Heather Milligan
How does literature reflect the crisis we're collectively experiencing—and why do some of the novels published today fail to grasp both the intensity and complexity of our world?
www.planetcritical.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:15 PM
big thanks to the brilliant @racheldonald.bsky.social for the opportunity to chat on Planet: Critical
we kicked off the new year by asking: what's up with climate fiction?
www.planetcritical.com/heather-mill...
we kicked off the new year by asking: what's up with climate fiction?
www.planetcritical.com/heather-mill...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
Here are 8 successful *proposals* for academic books/monographs. I am hoping that these help someone who is starting out trying to write one and wants to see what worked for me. They are provided as examples, rather than exemplars. A lot of it was just finding my own way eve.gd/2026/01/16/s...
Some example academic book proposal forms in case they help
A pivotal moment in my academic career, or at least one I remember clearly, was when a very senior professor in the US sent me his book proposal for an acade...
eve.gd
January 16, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Here are 8 successful *proposals* for academic books/monographs. I am hoping that these help someone who is starting out trying to write one and wants to see what worked for me. They are provided as examples, rather than exemplars. A lot of it was just finding my own way eve.gd/2026/01/16/s...
Reposted by Heather Milligan
New polemic about loving and hating the USA.
January 8, 2026 at 12:51 PM
New polemic about loving and hating the USA.
Reposted by Heather Milligan
⚡2026 is a turning point. UK #climate & environmental activists face both crisis & opportunity.
Fascism rises, the #climate agenda is under attack, & political representation is urgent.
🧵A longish thread on why we must unite behind @zackpolanski.bsky.social & the @greenparty.org.uk 💚
Fascism rises, the #climate agenda is under attack, & political representation is urgent.
🧵A longish thread on why we must unite behind @zackpolanski.bsky.social & the @greenparty.org.uk 💚
January 8, 2026 at 9:46 AM
⚡2026 is a turning point. UK #climate & environmental activists face both crisis & opportunity.
Fascism rises, the #climate agenda is under attack, & political representation is urgent.
🧵A longish thread on why we must unite behind @zackpolanski.bsky.social & the @greenparty.org.uk 💚
Fascism rises, the #climate agenda is under attack, & political representation is urgent.
🧵A longish thread on why we must unite behind @zackpolanski.bsky.social & the @greenparty.org.uk 💚
Reposted by Heather Milligan
If the Palestine Action hunger strikers die - which they could do at any moment, as they are now very close to the end - it will be the government that killed them. Today’s column explains why. Please share, and write urgently to your MP.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Let’s be clear: if the Palestine Action hunger strikers die, the government will bear moral responsibility | George Monbiot
The three remaining hunger strikers have been convicted of nothing. Yet with astonishing cruelty, ministers refuse to listen to their reasonable demands, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:07 AM
If the Palestine Action hunger strikers die - which they could do at any moment, as they are now very close to the end - it will be the government that killed them. Today’s column explains why. Please share, and write urgently to your MP.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...