Heather Williams
@heatherhmw.bsky.social
Literature in French and Welsh/Cymraeg, travel writing, translation studies, comparative literature, minority studies, nineteenth century, Brittany/Breizh, Society of Dix-neuviémistes
Reposted by Heather Williams
We would be particularly delighted to see Postgraduate and Early Career colleagues submitting abstracts for this conference - from training sessions to a specific reception and just good company, there is plenty for you at SDN!
We are delighted to announce that our call for papers for the next annual SDN conference, on the theme of 'Health and happiness/La santé et le bonheur', to take place in Cardiff 8-10 April, is now online, and our new abstract submission form is open for business!
November 28, 2025 at 1:33 PM
We would be particularly delighted to see Postgraduate and Early Career colleagues submitting abstracts for this conference - from training sessions to a specific reception and just good company, there is plenty for you at SDN!
Reposted by Heather Williams
Only a few days till the deadline! Still time to get your proposal in...
We are delighted to announce that our call for papers for the next annual SDN conference, on the theme of 'Health and happiness/La santé et le bonheur', to take place in Cardiff 8-10 April, is now online, and our new abstract submission form is open for business!
November 26, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Only a few days till the deadline! Still time to get your proposal in...
Reposted by Heather Williams
The SDN has written to Senior Management at the University of Leicester to urge them to reconsider their threatened closure of Modern Languages. #SaveLeicesterML.
Please consider signing this petition shared by a member of our nineteenth
C19 French studies community: www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Please consider signing this petition shared by a member of our nineteenth
C19 French studies community: www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester!
www.change.org
November 27, 2025 at 11:51 AM
The SDN has written to Senior Management at the University of Leicester to urge them to reconsider their threatened closure of Modern Languages. #SaveLeicesterML.
Please consider signing this petition shared by a member of our nineteenth
C19 French studies community: www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Please consider signing this petition shared by a member of our nineteenth
C19 French studies community: www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Reposted by Heather Williams
What makes historic collections difficult? And how do researchers work with “difficult” collections?
New CFP from Paper Trails here:
blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...
Deadline for proposals 31/1/2026
🗃️
New CFP from Paper Trails here:
blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...
Deadline for proposals 31/1/2026
🗃️
Call for Papers: Difficult Collections | UCL UCL Special Collections
UCL Homepage
blogs.ucl.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 6:21 PM
What makes historic collections difficult? And how do researchers work with “difficult” collections?
New CFP from Paper Trails here:
blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...
Deadline for proposals 31/1/2026
🗃️
New CFP from Paper Trails here:
blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...
Deadline for proposals 31/1/2026
🗃️
The procession of university language closures will trip up UK diplomacy www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/proc...
The procession of university language closures will trip up UK diplomacy
The government needs to signal its demand for elite foreign language skills before more universities leave provision to inferior alternatives, says Ian Proud
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:53 AM
The procession of university language closures will trip up UK diplomacy www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/proc...
Reposted by Heather Williams
The SDN has written to Senior Management at the University of Nottingham to urge them to reconsider their threatened suspension of Modern Languages. #SaveNottinghamLanguages #WeAreUoN @uniofnottingham.bsky.social Please sign, comment on, and share, the linked petition: x.com/uk_sdn/statu...
SDN on X: "https://t.co/ns3doOek9I" / X
https://t.co/ns3doOek9I
x.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:17 PM
The SDN has written to Senior Management at the University of Nottingham to urge them to reconsider their threatened suspension of Modern Languages. #SaveNottinghamLanguages #WeAreUoN @uniofnottingham.bsky.social Please sign, comment on, and share, the linked petition: x.com/uk_sdn/statu...
Reposted by Heather Williams
🚨 One week until the deadline! 🚨
We are delighted to announce that our call for papers for the next annual SDN conference, on the theme of 'Health and happiness/La santé et le bonheur', to take place in Cardiff 8-10 April, is now online, and our new abstract submission form is open for business!
November 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
🚨 One week until the deadline! 🚨
Reposted by Heather Williams
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
Reposted by Heather Williams
'Nottingham will be the only Russell Group university not to teach modern foreign languages degrees if it approves plans to close a swath of courses including Spanish and French as well as music and dozens of others.' 1/3
University of Nottingham considers axing language and music degrees
Total of 48 degrees could disappear from Russell Group institution, with falling revenues and rising costs blamed
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
'Nottingham will be the only Russell Group university not to teach modern foreign languages degrees if it approves plans to close a swath of courses including Spanish and French as well as music and dozens of others.' 1/3
Reposted by Heather Williams
I am beyond thrilled to announce that my first solo article has just come out in French History!
The article can be accessed in open access using the link below: doi.org/10.1093/fh/c...
The article can be accessed in open access using the link below: doi.org/10.1093/fh/c...
La liberté de récolter: seaweed, conflict and citizenship in coastal communities in Brittany during the Third Republic
Abstract. In Brittany, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, seaweed was more than just a fundamental element of coastal ecologies. It sust
doi.org
November 17, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I am beyond thrilled to announce that my first solo article has just come out in French History!
The article can be accessed in open access using the link below: doi.org/10.1093/fh/c...
The article can be accessed in open access using the link below: doi.org/10.1093/fh/c...
Reposted by Heather Williams
Submissions for this year's R. Gapper Postgraduate Essay Prize – awarded to an essay of outstanding academic merit at postgraduate level – will open tomorrow, 1 November 2025.
For more information about eligibility and how to submit an entry, see the link below:
www.sfs.ac.uk/prizes/r-gap...
For more information about eligibility and how to submit an entry, see the link below:
www.sfs.ac.uk/prizes/r-gap...
R. Gapper Postgraduate Essay Prize
The Society for French Studies is the UK's premier scholarly organisation for encouraging and supporting intellectual enquiry in French studies at all levels.
www.sfs.ac.uk
October 31, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Submissions for this year's R. Gapper Postgraduate Essay Prize – awarded to an essay of outstanding academic merit at postgraduate level – will open tomorrow, 1 November 2025.
For more information about eligibility and how to submit an entry, see the link below:
www.sfs.ac.uk/prizes/r-gap...
For more information about eligibility and how to submit an entry, see the link below:
www.sfs.ac.uk/prizes/r-gap...
Reposted by Heather Williams
Times Higher article out today explains the folly of yet more proposed closures in languages (also music, film, philosophy, and others). This time at the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham. Oversight of the changing UK HE landscape for our disciplines has never been more needed or vital.
Every university should renovate the disciplinary framework of its courses and ask whether it is responding to its global responsibilities. But no university should recognise any merit in withdrawing from the study of other languages, cultures & societies
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Times Higher article out today explains the folly of yet more proposed closures in languages (also music, film, philosophy, and others). This time at the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham. Oversight of the changing UK HE landscape for our disciplines has never been more needed or vital.
Reposted by Heather Williams
🚨 Postponed 🚨
Unfortunately we have to postponed this afternoon’s ECR training session. A new date will be circulated in due course.
Unfortunately we have to postponed this afternoon’s ECR training session. A new date will be circulated in due course.
Sign up for our ECR training session on impact: www.eventbrite.com/e/edn2025-im....
This session will consider how to engage non-academic audiences by designing and implementing effective impact, and escaping the ivory tower.
This session will consider how to engage non-academic audiences by designing and implementing effective impact, and escaping the ivory tower.
November 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
🚨 Postponed 🚨
Unfortunately we have to postponed this afternoon’s ECR training session. A new date will be circulated in due course.
Unfortunately we have to postponed this afternoon’s ECR training session. A new date will be circulated in due course.
Reposted by Heather Williams
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
Reposted by Heather Williams
Every university should renovate the disciplinary framework of its courses and ask whether it is responding to its global responsibilities. But no university should recognise any merit in withdrawing from the study of other languages, cultures & societies
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Every university should renovate the disciplinary framework of its courses and ask whether it is responding to its global responsibilities. But no university should recognise any merit in withdrawing from the study of other languages, cultures & societies
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
Reposted by Heather Williams
The call for nominations for the Malcom Bowie Prize, for the best article published in 2024 by an ECR in the broader discipline of French Studies, is now open and will close on 27 February 2025. 🖇️📚
For more information see the link below:
www.sfs.ac.uk/prizes/malco...
For more information see the link below:
www.sfs.ac.uk/prizes/malco...
Malcolm Bowie Prize
The Society for French Studies is the UK's premier scholarly organisation for encouraging and supporting intellectual enquiry in French studies at all levels.
www.sfs.ac.uk
November 13, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The call for nominations for the Malcom Bowie Prize, for the best article published in 2024 by an ECR in the broader discipline of French Studies, is now open and will close on 27 February 2025. 🖇️📚
For more information see the link below:
www.sfs.ac.uk/prizes/malco...
For more information see the link below:
www.sfs.ac.uk/prizes/malco...
Reposted by Heather Williams
Just a reminder that Friday’s session on impact is open to all of our members.
If you are not a member, but would like to become one, you can sign up here: uksdn.co.uk/membership/
If you are not a member, but would like to become one, you can sign up here: uksdn.co.uk/membership/
November 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Just a reminder that Friday’s session on impact is open to all of our members.
If you are not a member, but would like to become one, you can sign up here: uksdn.co.uk/membership/
If you are not a member, but would like to become one, you can sign up here: uksdn.co.uk/membership/
Reposted by Heather Williams
Looking forward to taking part in this session on impact and engagement this Friday with @drhelenmckelvey.bsky.social and Helen Abbott ⬇️
Just a reminder that Friday’s session on impact is open to all of our members.
If you are not a member, but would like to become one, you can sign up here: uksdn.co.uk/membership/
If you are not a member, but would like to become one, you can sign up here: uksdn.co.uk/membership/
November 12, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Looking forward to taking part in this session on impact and engagement this Friday with @drhelenmckelvey.bsky.social and Helen Abbott ⬇️
Reposted by Heather Williams
Staggering harm is being done to #language learning in Higher Ed. No oversight or strategic thinking, with cold spots now present. Petitions alone this week in response to closures:
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Change starts here
Join over 500,000,000 people creating real change in their communities.
Change.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Staggering harm is being done to #language learning in Higher Ed. No oversight or strategic thinking, with cold spots now present. Petitions alone this week in response to closures:
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather Williams
You might have heard that the University of Nottingham plans to suspend all languages courses. This is very disappointing and heartbreaking.
Here you can find their petition aimed at protecting Modern Languages at Nottingham. You can show your support by signing it.
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
Here you can find their petition aimed at protecting Modern Languages at Nottingham. You can show your support by signing it.
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
Sign the Petition
Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!
www.change.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:26 PM
You might have heard that the University of Nottingham plans to suspend all languages courses. This is very disappointing and heartbreaking.
Here you can find their petition aimed at protecting Modern Languages at Nottingham. You can show your support by signing it.
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
Here you can find their petition aimed at protecting Modern Languages at Nottingham. You can show your support by signing it.
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
Reposted by Heather Williams
Please consider signing against this nonsensical absurdity! c.org/vGgNqmXhNx
Sign the Petition
Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!
c.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Please consider signing against this nonsensical absurdity! c.org/vGgNqmXhNx
Reposted by Heather Williams
Excellent article here. Our students are our greatest advocates. Counter proposals will be put forward, and we are supporting colleagues in Music, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies at Nottingham with their campaigns www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University of Nottingham students fight 'insane' cull of courses
Traitors composer Sam Watts is among those against plans to cut University of Nottingham courses.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Excellent article here. Our students are our greatest advocates. Counter proposals will be put forward, and we are supporting colleagues in Music, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies at Nottingham with their campaigns www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Heather Williams
The French department at Nottingham invited me to give a talk early on in my postdoc days and I still have fond memories of that event. Horrible to see those colleagues now suffer from terrible mismanagement.
Oh God. My first lecturing post was in French at Nottingham in 1998. It had one of the best departments in the UK. Just awful.
tinyurl.com/yr65mjkx
tinyurl.com/yr65mjkx
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The French department at Nottingham invited me to give a talk early on in my postdoc days and I still have fond memories of that event. Horrible to see those colleagues now suffer from terrible mismanagement.
Reposted by Heather Williams
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.
Oh God. My first lecturing post was in French at Nottingham in 1998. It had one of the best departments in the UK. Just awful.
tinyurl.com/yr65mjkx
tinyurl.com/yr65mjkx
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Oh God. My first lecturing post was in French at Nottingham in 1998. It had one of the best departments in the UK. Just awful.
tinyurl.com/yr65mjkx
tinyurl.com/yr65mjkx