Nik Gunn
@nikgunn.bsky.social
Writer, translator and medievalist. Cultural & creative industries/education policy by day. Views mine.
https://nikolasgunn.co.uk/
https://nikolasgunn.co.uk/
Pinned
Nik Gunn
@nikgunn.bsky.social
· Aug 12
Welcome to Set Yet Speaking (plus a translation of Beowulf lines 1687-98a)
Hello everyone. Welcome back to Set Yet Speaking. It’s been a while. The last time I properly updated this website, I was still lecturing. Things have changed a bit since then. I realised an …
nikolasgunn.wordpress.com
I'm relaunching my website, Set Yet Speaking, which will host my translations of medieval literature.
In this first post, I discuss why I'm giving this another go, why translation matters, and how a short extract from Beowulf inspired the name of the site.
nikolasgunn.wordpress.com/2025/08/12/w...
In this first post, I discuss why I'm giving this another go, why translation matters, and how a short extract from Beowulf inspired the name of the site.
nikolasgunn.wordpress.com/2025/08/12/w...
Reposted by Nik Gunn
In the same week, both the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester announced closing their Modern Languages departments. Disastrous for the sector as a whole and for the ML landscape in the Midlands: c.org/4X7VMy9MPD
Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester
c.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:42 AM
In the same week, both the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester announced closing their Modern Languages departments. Disastrous for the sector as a whole and for the ML landscape in the Midlands: c.org/4X7VMy9MPD
Reposted by Nik Gunn
The British Academy invite applications for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The scheme aims to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
November 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The British Academy invite applications for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The scheme aims to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
Reposted by Nik Gunn
'people who are multilingual are half as likely to show signs of accelerated biological ageing than are those who speak just one language.'
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Want a younger brain? Learn another language
A vast study suggests that being multilingual can slow down cognitive ageing.
www.nature.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
'people who are multilingual are half as likely to show signs of accelerated biological ageing than are those who speak just one language.'
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Good thing that schools, universities and governments are so actively promoting modern languages then, isn't it? 1/2
Reposted by Nik Gunn
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
This week's Substack: an excerpt from Francesca Brooks' article 'A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts', published in our recent PN Review 285, September - October 2025.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts by Francesa Brooks
PN Review 285, September - October 2025
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:42 PM
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
Reposted by Nik Gunn
My cozy fantasy novel inspired by my love (and fear…) of Scotland’s mountains, misadventures in academia, and time spent adventuring in Dungeons and Dragons, will be out next July!!
Del Rey has acquired The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance, an "uplifting and heart-warming" fantasy adventure by Scottish debut author and academic Chiara Bullen. The book will publish globally in July 2026 👇 #BookSky
Del Rey snaps up Chiara Bullen's 'uplifting and heart-warming' fantasy adventure
ebx.sh
November 8, 2025 at 6:07 PM
My cozy fantasy novel inspired by my love (and fear…) of Scotland’s mountains, misadventures in academia, and time spent adventuring in Dungeons and Dragons, will be out next July!!
Reposted by Nik Gunn
... and Leicester... Languages, History...
It's so easy to destroy, so hard to create. So much talent. So many lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's so easy to destroy, so hard to create. So much talent. So many lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University of Leicester to consult on redundancies
University bosses are also planning to stop a number of courses.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
... and Leicester... Languages, History...
It's so easy to destroy, so hard to create. So much talent. So many lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's so easy to destroy, so hard to create. So much talent. So many lives.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Nik Gunn
'Music and modern foreign languages degrees are among courses being suspended at the University of Nottingham, with the institution saying it “cannot rely on additional income” from the coming tuition fee rises.' 1/3
Nottingham suspends music, language and nursing courses
University says financial uncertainties continue as government’s proposed student levy will ‘wipe out any benefits’ from rising tuition fees
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'Music and modern foreign languages degrees are among courses being suspended at the University of Nottingham, with the institution saying it “cannot rely on additional income” from the coming tuition fee rises.' 1/3
Reposted by Nik Gunn
A new interview blogpost from me! This time talking to @alexharvv.bsky.social about his book "Forgotten Vikings". We also touch on the importance of promoting academic history outside academia.
Forgotten Vikings: An Interview with Alex Harvey
This interview is part of an ongoing series in which I talk to fellow researchers about topics more or less related to the themes of this blog and my own research. If you’re a postgraduate, early career, or independent researcher with a recent publication to discuss and you’d like to feature here, please get in touch. Today I’m talking to Alex Harvey about his thorough but accessible study of the Viking Age, …
longhairedkingsblog.wordpress.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM
A new interview blogpost from me! This time talking to @alexharvv.bsky.social about his book "Forgotten Vikings". We also touch on the importance of promoting academic history outside academia.
Reposted by Nik Gunn
The paperback of Medieval Twitter has landed omfg
Not quite a stocking stuffer price, but much much more affordable than before, thankfully
www.arc-humanities.org/978180270265...
#MedievalSky 🗃️ @archumanities.bsky.social
Not quite a stocking stuffer price, but much much more affordable than before, thankfully
www.arc-humanities.org/978180270265...
#MedievalSky 🗃️ @archumanities.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 11:51 AM
The paperback of Medieval Twitter has landed omfg
Not quite a stocking stuffer price, but much much more affordable than before, thankfully
www.arc-humanities.org/978180270265...
#MedievalSky 🗃️ @archumanities.bsky.social
Not quite a stocking stuffer price, but much much more affordable than before, thankfully
www.arc-humanities.org/978180270265...
#MedievalSky 🗃️ @archumanities.bsky.social
Reposted by Nik Gunn
I haven't touched Old Norse materials in a while, but I *love* Hallfreðr saga.
New post up: a translation of Hallfreðr "troublesome poet" Óttarson's conversion verses.
If genuine, they provide an amazing insight into a Viking Age pagan grappling with a change in religion.
nikolasgunn.co.uk/2025/11/03/p...
If genuine, they provide an amazing insight into a Viking Age pagan grappling with a change in religion.
nikolasgunn.co.uk/2025/11/03/p...
November 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I haven't touched Old Norse materials in a while, but I *love* Hallfreðr saga.
Reposted by Nik Gunn
Attention @guildmedmak.bsky.social! Look forward to reading this, Nik!
New post up: a translation of Hallfreðr "troublesome poet" Óttarson's conversion verses.
If genuine, they provide an amazing insight into a Viking Age pagan grappling with a change in religion.
nikolasgunn.co.uk/2025/11/03/p...
If genuine, they provide an amazing insight into a Viking Age pagan grappling with a change in religion.
nikolasgunn.co.uk/2025/11/03/p...
November 4, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Attention @guildmedmak.bsky.social! Look forward to reading this, Nik!
New post up: a translation of Hallfreðr "troublesome poet" Óttarson's conversion verses.
If genuine, they provide an amazing insight into a Viking Age pagan grappling with a change in religion.
nikolasgunn.co.uk/2025/11/03/p...
If genuine, they provide an amazing insight into a Viking Age pagan grappling with a change in religion.
nikolasgunn.co.uk/2025/11/03/p...
November 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
New post up: a translation of Hallfreðr "troublesome poet" Óttarson's conversion verses.
If genuine, they provide an amazing insight into a Viking Age pagan grappling with a change in religion.
nikolasgunn.co.uk/2025/11/03/p...
If genuine, they provide an amazing insight into a Viking Age pagan grappling with a change in religion.
nikolasgunn.co.uk/2025/11/03/p...
Reposted by Nik Gunn
A Thomas Hardy poem for Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 4:47 PM
A Thomas Hardy poem for Halloween
Reposted by Nik Gunn
so the news is that i have done the unthinkable and... started a podcast.
"American Medieval" - because if we've never been fully modern, maybe it's because we've always been a little bit medieval.
the trailer has now dropped! please have a listen -->
patreon.com/americanmedieval
"American Medieval" - because if we've never been fully modern, maybe it's because we've always been a little bit medieval.
the trailer has now dropped! please have a listen -->
patreon.com/americanmedieval
October 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
so the news is that i have done the unthinkable and... started a podcast.
"American Medieval" - because if we've never been fully modern, maybe it's because we've always been a little bit medieval.
the trailer has now dropped! please have a listen -->
patreon.com/americanmedieval
"American Medieval" - because if we've never been fully modern, maybe it's because we've always been a little bit medieval.
the trailer has now dropped! please have a listen -->
patreon.com/americanmedieval
“Structuralism is back baby, it’s good again!”
This interview with Leif Weatherby on LLMs is one of the best theoretically-informed discussions I’ve heard on the topic. Well worth your time if you’re a literary theorist or linguist.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
This interview with Leif Weatherby on LLMs is one of the best theoretically-informed discussions I’ve heard on the topic. Well worth your time if you’re a literary theorist or linguist.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
38. Natural Language (w/ Leif Weatherby)
Podcast Episode · Disintegrator · 24/09/2025 · 1h 6m
podcasts.apple.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:13 PM
“Structuralism is back baby, it’s good again!”
This interview with Leif Weatherby on LLMs is one of the best theoretically-informed discussions I’ve heard on the topic. Well worth your time if you’re a literary theorist or linguist.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
This interview with Leif Weatherby on LLMs is one of the best theoretically-informed discussions I’ve heard on the topic. Well worth your time if you’re a literary theorist or linguist.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
Reposted by Nik Gunn
It was great to write this blog post for the @guildmedmak.bsky.social and to give readers a little glimpse into my creative-critical practice, as my 'ecocreative' translations turn from storms 🌧 and ice ❄ to heat and fire 🔥 via the OE poem on The Phoenix #medievalsky.
As the weather gets colder, warm the cockles of your creative-critical heart by reading our new Meet a Medievalist Maker blog post by @jamespaz.bsky.social, which is filled with fiery reflections on his 'ecocreative' process🔥
Read more by following the link below👇
Read more by following the link below👇
Meet a Medievalist Maker: James Paz — The Guild of Medievalist Makers
www.guildmedmak.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM
It was great to write this blog post for the @guildmedmak.bsky.social and to give readers a little glimpse into my creative-critical practice, as my 'ecocreative' translations turn from storms 🌧 and ice ❄ to heat and fire 🔥 via the OE poem on The Phoenix #medievalsky.
My partner has just launched her new work “Diaphanous” at Wingates Gallery in Market Harborough.
I think they’re really fun and beautiful but unfortunately my suggestion of naming the range “blobs” didn’t win out.
www.instagram.com/p/DQV5KMigST...
I think they’re really fun and beautiful but unfortunately my suggestion of naming the range “blobs” didn’t win out.
www.instagram.com/p/DQV5KMigST...
October 29, 2025 at 8:58 AM
My partner has just launched her new work “Diaphanous” at Wingates Gallery in Market Harborough.
I think they’re really fun and beautiful but unfortunately my suggestion of naming the range “blobs” didn’t win out.
www.instagram.com/p/DQV5KMigST...
I think they’re really fun and beautiful but unfortunately my suggestion of naming the range “blobs” didn’t win out.
www.instagram.com/p/DQV5KMigST...
Reposted by Nik Gunn
The Society of Authors (SoA) has launched a campaign to "make a stand for a better recognition of the contribution and role of ghostwriters in celebrity-authored children’s fiction."
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
SoA calls for transparency around 'unsung' ghostwriters behind celebrity-authored children’s books
The Society of Authors has launched a campaign to 'make a stand for a better recognition of the contribution and role of ghostwriters in celebrity-authored children’s fiction'.
ebx.sh
October 24, 2025 at 10:02 AM
The Society of Authors (SoA) has launched a campaign to "make a stand for a better recognition of the contribution and role of ghostwriters in celebrity-authored children’s fiction."
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
Reposted by Nik Gunn
A tiny starter pack of #runology: go.bsky.app/2GTwP8M
October 23, 2025 at 7:42 PM
A tiny starter pack of #runology: go.bsky.app/2GTwP8M
Reposted by Nik Gunn
Down the Deep Time rabbit hole pursuing Tethys after seeing this. Shudders. Earth as last place God made.
In an obscure corner of Kazakhstan, the remains of an ocean millions of years old have created probably the most surreal landscape on earth -- as captured by photographer Daniel Kordan
mymodernmet.com/daniel-korda...
mymodernmet.com/daniel-korda...
October 23, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Down the Deep Time rabbit hole pursuing Tethys after seeing this. Shudders. Earth as last place God made.
Reposted by Nik Gunn
i really hope i live to see a time where it again feels like education for its own sake is seen as a social good
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
i really hope i live to see a time where it again feels like education for its own sake is seen as a social good
Reposted by Nik Gunn
ELMET (the play!) will be opening in Bradford tomorrow. Catherine Love has written about the process of bringing it to the stage.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/o...
‘Epic with a capital E’: inside Elmet, a tale of violence and greed on haunted Yorkshire heath
Elmet, a novel that was shortlisted for the Booker, is a lyrical, richly written tale of a woodland family on a collision course with an avaricious landowner. Can it work on stage in Bradford?
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
ELMET (the play!) will be opening in Bradford tomorrow. Catherine Love has written about the process of bringing it to the stage.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/o...