Dr Sarah Hudspith
@sarahhudspith.bsky.social
Assoc Prof in Russian, University of Leeds. Not the views of my employer.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Petition started by students in Modern Languages at the University of Leicester. The department has been told it will close despite its stellar NSS record and brilliant teaching and research - the same devastating short-term thinking as elsewhere. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester
www.change.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Petition started by students in Modern Languages at the University of Leicester. The department has been told it will close despite its stellar NSS record and brilliant teaching and research - the same devastating short-term thinking as elsewhere. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
In response to some of the comments:
If you agree with *all* the reporting of a news organisation that is both independent *and* non-partisan, then it's very unlikely to be independent and non-partisan.
This is true regardless of your politics.
Agreeing with all its reporting is the wrong test
If you agree with *all* the reporting of a news organisation that is both independent *and* non-partisan, then it's very unlikely to be independent and non-partisan.
This is true regardless of your politics.
Agreeing with all its reporting is the wrong test
Information underpins democracy and the BBC is a key part of that.
We need to protect our institutions
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
We need to protect our institutions
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
Information underpins Democracy – why the BBC must be defended
Recent events at the BBC have wide-reaching implications for our democracy - and the sooner we realise it, the better
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 AM
In response to some of the comments:
If you agree with *all* the reporting of a news organisation that is both independent *and* non-partisan, then it's very unlikely to be independent and non-partisan.
This is true regardless of your politics.
Agreeing with all its reporting is the wrong test
If you agree with *all* the reporting of a news organisation that is both independent *and* non-partisan, then it's very unlikely to be independent and non-partisan.
This is true regardless of your politics.
Agreeing with all its reporting is the wrong test
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
I agree that the BBC should apologise to Trump for being misleading.
Right after Trump apologises for the 30,573 false or misleading claims he made during his first presidency, or for each of his current daily average of 21 new lies per.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_o...
Right after Trump apologises for the 30,573 false or misleading claims he made during his first presidency, or for each of his current daily average of 21 new lies per.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_o...
November 11, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I agree that the BBC should apologise to Trump for being misleading.
Right after Trump apologises for the 30,573 false or misleading claims he made during his first presidency, or for each of his current daily average of 21 new lies per.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_o...
Right after Trump apologises for the 30,573 false or misleading claims he made during his first presidency, or for each of his current daily average of 21 new lies per.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_o...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
The first day is now over but…more tomorrow!! What’s on your list for Tuesday? 🤔 #languages #leedscityoflanguages @lcsleeds.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The first day is now over but…more tomorrow!! What’s on your list for Tuesday? 🤔 #languages #leedscityoflanguages @lcsleeds.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Picket demonstrating feeling about announcements of cuts to courses at University of Nottingham @uonucu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Picket demonstrating feeling about announcements of cuts to courses at University of Nottingham @uonucu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
The University of Nottingham has announced the suspension of all Modern Languages and Cultures (MLC) programmes from September 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 7, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The University of Nottingham has announced the suspension of all Modern Languages and Cultures (MLC) programmes from September 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Dear GOD if you want to save money in the asylum system
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
November 7, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Dear GOD if you want to save money in the asylum system
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
💯
I am honestly sick of being told — at a university FFS — that we need to ‘embrace’ this profoundly unethical and irresponsible technology.
He started using ChatGPT for help with homework and eventually it ended up helping him to commit suicide...
"thank you for letting me ride with you to the end"
"may your next save file be somewhere warm"
"see you on the other side"
#NihilismAndTechnology
"thank you for letting me ride with you to the end"
"may your next save file be somewhere warm"
"see you on the other side"
#NihilismAndTechnology
November 7, 2025 at 8:14 AM
💯
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Truly awful news. Ruthless, short-sighted and ill-informed. I remember working at @uniofnottingham.bsky.social about a decade ago and the University taking great pride in being one of the biggest languages departments in the country… Where’s that pride gone?! www.bbc.com/news/article...?
November 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Truly awful news. Ruthless, short-sighted and ill-informed. I remember working at @uniofnottingham.bsky.social about a decade ago and the University taking great pride in being one of the biggest languages departments in the country… Where’s that pride gone?! www.bbc.com/news/article...?
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
This is horrifying! I have a degree in German and Russian from Nottingham. And I went there because it was in many respects a leading light in modern languages. This is incredibly short-sighted and idiotic.
I am hearing that @uniofnottingham.bsky.social is suspending (i.e shutting down) *all modern language courses* in 2026-27. One of the largest departments in the UK. A shocking short sighted move that damages regional and national prospects @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This is horrifying! I have a degree in German and Russian from Nottingham. And I went there because it was in many respects a leading light in modern languages. This is incredibly short-sighted and idiotic.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Well this is awful news: tinyurl.com/yr65mjkx
'All modern language and music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham.'
Nottingham friends: please be assured that we will join you in protesting against this decision in the strongest possible terms. Solidarity.
'All modern language and music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham.'
Nottingham friends: please be assured that we will join you in protesting against this decision in the strongest possible terms. Solidarity.
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Well this is awful news: tinyurl.com/yr65mjkx
'All modern language and music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham.'
Nottingham friends: please be assured that we will join you in protesting against this decision in the strongest possible terms. Solidarity.
'All modern language and music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham.'
Nottingham friends: please be assured that we will join you in protesting against this decision in the strongest possible terms. Solidarity.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Compulsory team teaching on every module is perhaps the biggest ever threat to the quality of teaching in UK universities.
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
November 6, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Compulsory team teaching on every module is perhaps the biggest ever threat to the quality of teaching in UK universities.
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
It causes chaos on the ground for timetabling, ruins course coherence and turns lecturers into permanent supply teachers. It is pedagogically incoherent… 1/
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Reminder: we're still looking for paper and panel proposals for our section "Feminist Theory: Between Hope and Disappointment". Interdisciplinary approaches and a wide range of contexts welcome! #cfp @mmrovlje.bsky.social @deryaozkaya.bsky.social
✨ How does 3 days of academic & social exchange in the beautiful city of Newcastle sound? #ecpg26
The European Conference on Politics and Gender @ecprgender.bsky.social is seeking Paper & Panel proposals to kickstart the event!
📆 15–17 Jun 2026
📍 @nclpolitics.bsky.social
⏳ 7 Nov buff.ly/1JuXxxz
The European Conference on Politics and Gender @ecprgender.bsky.social is seeking Paper & Panel proposals to kickstart the event!
📆 15–17 Jun 2026
📍 @nclpolitics.bsky.social
⏳ 7 Nov buff.ly/1JuXxxz
Calling for Panels and Papers
European Consortium for Political Research
buff.ly
November 3, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Reminder: we're still looking for paper and panel proposals for our section "Feminist Theory: Between Hope and Disappointment". Interdisciplinary approaches and a wide range of contexts welcome! #cfp @mmrovlje.bsky.social @deryaozkaya.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Much solidarity with professor Laura Murphy.
Can we now have an overhaul of the funding system so we don’t expose our research infrastructure to interference by foreign powers please? Thanks.
Can we now have an overhaul of the funding system so we don’t expose our research infrastructure to interference by foreign powers please? Thanks.
Pretty extraordinary story here
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show - BBC News
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org
November 3, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Much solidarity with professor Laura Murphy.
Can we now have an overhaul of the funding system so we don’t expose our research infrastructure to interference by foreign powers please? Thanks.
Can we now have an overhaul of the funding system so we don’t expose our research infrastructure to interference by foreign powers please? Thanks.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
What he said: 💯 🎯
November 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
What he said: 💯 🎯
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Does #German really sound aggressive? Why do some people find the sound of #French romantic and sexy? And how about the friendly-sounding Geordies?
Join us for a public lecture by Prof Sascha Stollhans.
👉 Find out more: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/talk-...
@saschastollhans.bsky.social
Join us for a public lecture by Prof Sascha Stollhans.
👉 Find out more: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/talk-...
@saschastollhans.bsky.social
October 26, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Does #German really sound aggressive? Why do some people find the sound of #French romantic and sexy? And how about the friendly-sounding Geordies?
Join us for a public lecture by Prof Sascha Stollhans.
👉 Find out more: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/talk-...
@saschastollhans.bsky.social
Join us for a public lecture by Prof Sascha Stollhans.
👉 Find out more: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/talk-...
@saschastollhans.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Dr Pete Watson discusses the various meanings, symbolisms and power of football in Colombia over the last decade, from the 2014 Men’s World Cup to the 2023 Women’s World Cup and asks: “What power does football really have?” More info on: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/talk-... #languages
October 26, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Dr Pete Watson discusses the various meanings, symbolisms and power of football in Colombia over the last decade, from the 2014 Men’s World Cup to the 2023 Women’s World Cup and asks: “What power does football really have?” More info on: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/talk-... #languages
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Interested in Spanish? Look at the upcoming events that our partner, Instituto Cervantes, is offering!
🖥️ Online Taster Classes
🏫 Face-to-Face Taster Classes
📝 Spanish Level Tests
And a wonderful concert with Luma Trio!
Book your tickets 👇: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/conce...
#Spanish
🖥️ Online Taster Classes
🏫 Face-to-Face Taster Classes
📝 Spanish Level Tests
And a wonderful concert with Luma Trio!
Book your tickets 👇: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/conce...
#Spanish
October 27, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Interested in Spanish? Look at the upcoming events that our partner, Instituto Cervantes, is offering!
🖥️ Online Taster Classes
🏫 Face-to-Face Taster Classes
📝 Spanish Level Tests
And a wonderful concert with Luma Trio!
Book your tickets 👇: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/conce...
#Spanish
🖥️ Online Taster Classes
🏫 Face-to-Face Taster Classes
📝 Spanish Level Tests
And a wonderful concert with Luma Trio!
Book your tickets 👇: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/conce...
#Spanish
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Webinar: Oracy is for everyone, by Prof Stephen Coleman. For teachers & youth workers. Oracy is about enabling every young person to leave school with the confidence to speak for themselves so they can flourish as human beings.
Booking required: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/webin...
Booking required: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/webin...
October 26, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Webinar: Oracy is for everyone, by Prof Stephen Coleman. For teachers & youth workers. Oracy is about enabling every young person to leave school with the confidence to speak for themselves so they can flourish as human beings.
Booking required: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/webin...
Booking required: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/webin...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
The UK Linguistics Olympiad is a national language-analysis competition for students in KS2-KS5. Free to enter, the UKLO contains language puzzles that provides an opportunity to apply formal reasoning from STEM subjects.
This online session for teachers will outline how the UKLO works. #languages
This online session for teachers will outline how the UKLO works. #languages
October 26, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The UK Linguistics Olympiad is a national language-analysis competition for students in KS2-KS5. Free to enter, the UKLO contains language puzzles that provides an opportunity to apply formal reasoning from STEM subjects.
This online session for teachers will outline how the UKLO works. #languages
This online session for teachers will outline how the UKLO works. #languages
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Fancy a taste of #Portuguese language? Join our free online Portuguese taster session. Booking required: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/disco...
Session organised by the Camões Centre for Portuguese Language at the University of Leeds and delivered by Carmem Mackle (Lecturer in Portuguese).
Session organised by the Camões Centre for Portuguese Language at the University of Leeds and delivered by Carmem Mackle (Lecturer in Portuguese).
October 26, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Fancy a taste of #Portuguese language? Join our free online Portuguese taster session. Booking required: leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk/events/disco...
Session organised by the Camões Centre for Portuguese Language at the University of Leeds and delivered by Carmem Mackle (Lecturer in Portuguese).
Session organised by the Camões Centre for Portuguese Language at the University of Leeds and delivered by Carmem Mackle (Lecturer in Portuguese).
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Have you heard of a 'Somali village' in Bradford? Come and explore a disturbing yet surprising form of cultural encounter.
Talk: Racial hierarchy in Edwardian Yorkshire: Bradford's Somali Village of 1904, by Prof Fozia Bora
#Somalia #Bradford #Culture #History #LeedsCityofLanguages
Talk: Racial hierarchy in Edwardian Yorkshire: Bradford's Somali Village of 1904, by Prof Fozia Bora
#Somalia #Bradford #Culture #History #LeedsCityofLanguages
October 23, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Have you heard of a 'Somali village' in Bradford? Come and explore a disturbing yet surprising form of cultural encounter.
Talk: Racial hierarchy in Edwardian Yorkshire: Bradford's Somali Village of 1904, by Prof Fozia Bora
#Somalia #Bradford #Culture #History #LeedsCityofLanguages
Talk: Racial hierarchy in Edwardian Yorkshire: Bradford's Somali Village of 1904, by Prof Fozia Bora
#Somalia #Bradford #Culture #History #LeedsCityofLanguages
Reposted by Dr Sarah Hudspith
Today, @sarahhudspith.bsky.social reflects on Dostoevsky Now and the preservation of its content on Bloggers Karamazov: “The full joining of Dostoevsky Now to its big brother Bloggers Karamazov feels to me like the most natural, organic solution.”
bloggerskaramazov.com/2025/10/27/a...
bloggerskaramazov.com/2025/10/27/a...
A Retrospective on the Website Dostoevsky Now
The North American Dostoevsky Society stands with all the people of Ukraine, Russia, and the rest of the world who condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. See our statement here. by Sarah Hud…
bloggerskaramazov.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Today, @sarahhudspith.bsky.social reflects on Dostoevsky Now and the preservation of its content on Bloggers Karamazov: “The full joining of Dostoevsky Now to its big brother Bloggers Karamazov feels to me like the most natural, organic solution.”
bloggerskaramazov.com/2025/10/27/a...
bloggerskaramazov.com/2025/10/27/a...