Dr Lesley Jane Black
@lesleyjaneblack.bsky.social
Director of Student Support and Success. Owned by a boy child. Occasional poetry writer. All views my own.
It's graduation week 2025! Another wonderful celebration of the hard work and tenacity of our students. It's always a delight to share in graduation and watch the graduands move through the ceremony. And, as is now tradition, here's my annual photo with the SU president, Alex Wilson.
October 23, 2025 at 5:26 PM
It's graduation week 2025! Another wonderful celebration of the hard work and tenacity of our students. It's always a delight to share in graduation and watch the graduands move through the ceremony. And, as is now tradition, here's my annual photo with the SU president, Alex Wilson.
On international women's day, this image continues to hold the power it did when it was first created (2017?). We can't all be Leias, or Fishers, but as women we can support and inspire each other. Together we can make a difference & sometimes that difference requires us to be the resistance.
March 8, 2025 at 9:55 PM
On international women's day, this image continues to hold the power it did when it was first created (2017?). We can't all be Leias, or Fishers, but as women we can support and inspire each other. Together we can make a difference & sometimes that difference requires us to be the resistance.
Inspired by Emma (@silverpebble2.bsky.social) my boy and I started doing what we call placings a few years ago. Creating them has created really special moments between us and I love looking at them. This was our very first one. Still one of my favourites.
February 23, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Inspired by Emma (@silverpebble2.bsky.social) my boy and I started doing what we call placings a few years ago. Creating them has created really special moments between us and I love looking at them. This was our very first one. Still one of my favourites.
If you fancy a trip to Portsmouth to watch a little bit of make believe come and see my boy in @Rare Productions' Tinkerbell, Hook and the Golden Treasure on 8th March.
Ticketbooth
newtheatreroyal.ticketsolve.com
February 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
If you fancy a trip to Portsmouth to watch a little bit of make believe come and see my boy in @Rare Productions' Tinkerbell, Hook and the Golden Treasure on 8th March.
Afternoon tea pause today with our lovely new Cream Cornwall teapot. I'm not one for new year resolutions, but I am trying hard to keep more balance this year than I have for quite some time. Biscoff & peanut butter biscuits and some madeira cake may also have assisted.
January 18, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Afternoon tea pause today with our lovely new Cream Cornwall teapot. I'm not one for new year resolutions, but I am trying hard to keep more balance this year than I have for quite some time. Biscoff & peanut butter biscuits and some madeira cake may also have assisted.
Reposted by Dr Lesley Jane Black
“Stretched at Both Ends: Pressure on Student Services and the Impact on Academic Staff at UK Universities” #AcademicSky www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15...
Stretched at Both Ends: Pressure on Student Services and the Impact on Academic Staff at UK Universities
The role and responsibility of universities in supporting student mental health has been the subject of high-profile legal debate. Drawing on a thematic analysis of twelve semi-structured focus groups...
www.mdpi.com
January 10, 2025 at 5:12 PM
“Stretched at Both Ends: Pressure on Student Services and the Impact on Academic Staff at UK Universities” #AcademicSky www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15...
A new year is upon us, and our backs have turned on the old. I took this picture of the boy child (looking increasingly less like a child) as the day grew to a close. It seems to sum up how this new year feels: crisp and full of hope, despite the challenges that will lie ahead.
January 2, 2025 at 7:06 PM
A new year is upon us, and our backs have turned on the old. I took this picture of the boy child (looking increasingly less like a child) as the day grew to a close. It seems to sum up how this new year feels: crisp and full of hope, despite the challenges that will lie ahead.
William Labov's work piqued my interest in sociolinguistics and shaped the course of my academic future as I found myself deep in cassette recordings from my PhD field work. I was sad to read of his passing. His obituary is worth a read. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/u...
William Labov, Who Studied How Society Shapes Language, Dies at 97 (Gift Article)
He laid the foundation for sociolinguistics, and he showed that structures like class and race shaped speech as much as where someone lives.
www.nytimes.com
December 27, 2024 at 1:55 PM
William Labov's work piqued my interest in sociolinguistics and shaped the course of my academic future as I found myself deep in cassette recordings from my PhD field work. I was sad to read of his passing. His obituary is worth a read. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/u...
Happy Christmas! A blissful start to the afternoon with good music and a good book each for me and the boy child. We have had a lovely couple of days as, unusually, I stopped before Christmas Eve. 2 films & several meals out. After a very long semester spending time together was very much needed.
December 25, 2024 at 1:26 PM
Happy Christmas! A blissful start to the afternoon with good music and a good book each for me and the boy child. We have had a lovely couple of days as, unusually, I stopped before Christmas Eve. 2 films & several meals out. After a very long semester spending time together was very much needed.
Okay, Christmas is underway. Nikolaus has been, The Box of Delights is go (time and tide and buttered eggs wait for no man) and I made a wreath. The tree is decorated and had some of its candles lit. All I need now is the end of term!
December 8, 2024 at 7:22 PM
Okay, Christmas is underway. Nikolaus has been, The Box of Delights is go (time and tide and buttered eggs wait for no man) and I made a wreath. The tree is decorated and had some of its candles lit. All I need now is the end of term!
Frohe Nikolaustag! Despite the grubby boots Nikolaus still delivered. One happy boy child. Circumstances have meant we haven't begun the Christmas season in our household yet, but thankfully Nikolaus made it!
December 6, 2024 at 7:55 AM
Frohe Nikolaustag! Despite the grubby boots Nikolaus still delivered. One happy boy child. Circumstances have meant we haven't begun the Christmas season in our household yet, but thankfully Nikolaus made it!
Wonderful evening at Turner Sims tonight . Erland Cooper and his quartet were fantastic. Such skill in creating landscapes from sound and what beautiful sounds they were. My soul ached for the landscape of my homeland.
November 28, 2024 at 11:22 PM
Wonderful evening at Turner Sims tonight . Erland Cooper and his quartet were fantastic. Such skill in creating landscapes from sound and what beautiful sounds they were. My soul ached for the landscape of my homeland.
Reposted by Dr Lesley Jane Black
With the extent of the university funding crisis now clear, it's important that we understand the concomitant threat to social mobility and economic growth
taso.org.uk/news-item/wh...
taso.org.uk/news-item/wh...
Why the university funding crisis is also a crisis for social mobility and economic growth - TASO
Reports of universities facing financial difficulties have recently intensified, with many institutions making cost-cutting measures and some even facing potential mergers. Sector concerns over univer...
taso.org.uk
November 15, 2024 at 8:17 AM
With the extent of the university funding crisis now clear, it's important that we understand the concomitant threat to social mobility and economic growth
taso.org.uk/news-item/wh...
taso.org.uk/news-item/wh...
So some weeks ago this happened. This grew out of the launch of Breaking Barriers & I'm so excited to explore with our students (& colleagues) the impact of positive thinking & creativity of their wellbeing. November is always a tough month in HE so it feels the right time to share this good news.
November 14, 2024 at 8:27 AM
So some weeks ago this happened. This grew out of the launch of Breaking Barriers & I'm so excited to explore with our students (& colleagues) the impact of positive thinking & creativity of their wellbeing. November is always a tough month in HE so it feels the right time to share this good news.
Family gig outing to see @tmbg.bsky.social last night. What a blast! The whole Flood album & more. The boy child was sad not to get a drumstick at the end, but being in the balcony was a bit of a hindrance 🤣 Horns section were fab. Still tickets for Belfast left if you need a night of joyful music.
November 2, 2024 at 9:56 AM
Family gig outing to see @tmbg.bsky.social last night. What a blast! The whole Flood album & more. The boy child was sad not to get a drumstick at the end, but being in the balcony was a bit of a hindrance 🤣 Horns section were fab. Still tickets for Belfast left if you need a night of joyful music.
It's Grad week! Annual photo with our SU President. Always so brilliant seeing our students reach the end of this stage in the journeys, and a pleasure to give the citation for an honorary doctorate as well this year.
October 22, 2024 at 7:51 PM
It's Grad week! Annual photo with our SU President. Always so brilliant seeing our students reach the end of this stage in the journeys, and a pleasure to give the citation for an honorary doctorate as well this year.
I was idly polishing this silver fork teapot stand that I got a very long time ago in the Kunstmarkt in Berlin, wondering who KR was & how fancy they were to have their initials on cutlery & then I realised that we have our initials on our napkin rings...we are not fancy 😂
May 29, 2024 at 4:51 PM
I was idly polishing this silver fork teapot stand that I got a very long time ago in the Kunstmarkt in Berlin, wondering who KR was & how fancy they were to have their initials on cutlery & then I realised that we have our initials on our napkin rings...we are not fancy 😂
I had a lovely conversation with Max Webber from @GoodCourse_ a few months ago about all things belonging, mattering and inclusion- you can see the outcome here: www.goodcourse.co/the-intervie...
Lesley Black | GoodCourse - The Interview
Leaders and change-makers share their stories with GoodCourse. From student engagement to belonging and inclusion at work, learn from the best here.
www.goodcourse.co
May 1, 2024 at 12:16 PM
I had a lovely conversation with Max Webber from @GoodCourse_ a few months ago about all things belonging, mattering and inclusion- you can see the outcome here: www.goodcourse.co/the-intervie...
Out of the darkness into the light.
April 1, 2024 at 7:17 PM
Out of the darkness into the light.
Today I've reviewed two modules, done four loads of washing, made date & banana loaf, Seville marmalade and sourdough rolls. I've another two modules to go. The marmalade is not going to win prizes but it was a therapeutic stir. My family keep reminding me this is meant to be a rest day. 😬😂
March 29, 2024 at 6:51 PM
Today I've reviewed two modules, done four loads of washing, made date & banana loaf, Seville marmalade and sourdough rolls. I've another two modules to go. The marmalade is not going to win prizes but it was a therapeutic stir. My family keep reminding me this is meant to be a rest day. 😬😂
We did it! Glenn Fosbraey & @KatiePether1 created a fabulous book & last night was a fitting launch. Despite the seriousness of the topic there was a lot of laughter as well & I was so inspired by everyone who shared some of their truths. #breakingbarriers amzn.eu/d/8U5G0hE
March 8, 2024 at 8:46 AM
We did it! Glenn Fosbraey & @KatiePether1 created a fabulous book & last night was a fitting launch. Despite the seriousness of the topic there was a lot of laughter as well & I was so inspired by everyone who shared some of their truths. #breakingbarriers amzn.eu/d/8U5G0hE
One day to go! Tomorrow this little anthology will be out in the wild! I can't encourage you enough to part with your pennies for it. £1 from every sale is going to support a local charity that supports young people's mental health.
March 6, 2024 at 1:44 PM
One day to go! Tomorrow this little anthology will be out in the wild! I can't encourage you enough to part with your pennies for it. £1 from every sale is going to support a local charity that supports young people's mental health.
I'm so happy to have played a part in the existence of this and I'm especially proud of everyone who shared their stories, whether they were selected or not. It's such an important topic. Shameless plug for this wonderful anthology, out on Thursday. www.valleypressuk.com/shop/p/break...
March 3, 2024 at 12:39 PM
I'm so happy to have played a part in the existence of this and I'm especially proud of everyone who shared their stories, whether they were selected or not. It's such an important topic. Shameless plug for this wonderful anthology, out on Thursday. www.valleypressuk.com/shop/p/break...
Happy Christmas! We took the boy child on a surprise trip. Now I can barely move 😂 but it was great fun!
December 24, 2023 at 9:51 AM
Happy Christmas! We took the boy child on a surprise trip. Now I can barely move 😂 but it was great fun!
@lalynne.bsky.social
Early Christmas gift to you
Early Christmas gift to you
December 19, 2023 at 8:47 PM
@lalynne.bsky.social
Early Christmas gift to you
Early Christmas gift to you