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Keep up to date with all the latest news from the School of English.
Alphabet blocks arranged at random on white board

The power of language apps in a multilingual world

Dr González-Fernández, senior lecturer in Applied Linguistics and TESOL, explores the powerful role language apps can play in an increasingly multilingual world.
AI fingers touch

Beyond the algorithm: Shaping AI for people, not just progress

Explore the impact of artificial intelligence on society — from reimagining creativity to transforming law and challenging ethical frameworks, this campaign reveals both the promise and the peril of AI.
Watercolour Illustration of Sylvia Plath and a fig tree

Elisha Wise: Sylvia Plath’s ‘fig tree analogy’ from The Bell Jar is being misappropriated

Sylvia Plath’s iconic “fig tree” metaphor from The Bell Jar—often used as a feel‑good meme—masks Esther’s real anguish, argues School of English PhD student Elisha Wise.
Playwright Lucy Prebble gives a speech whilst receiving her Honorary Doctor of Letters at the University of Sheffield.

School of English Alumnia Lucy Prebble awarded honorary degree

School of English alumna Lucy Prebble has been awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her acclaimed work for stage and screen, including as a writer and executive producer on HBO’s Succession.
Looking for Kes
Looking for Kes

Greg Davies: Looking for Kes

Dr Dave Forrest in the School of English was involved in this documentary about Kes which is being aired on 19 November at 9pm on BBC Four.

Barry Hines archive

Rare collection of Barry Hines materials on display to public for first time

Research into the life and work of Barry Hines by Dr Dave Forrest from the School of English as well as the importance of working class writers with Professor Sue Vice have drawn widely on the archive.
Mahwish Chishty

Two globally renowned artists visit the School of English

As part of The Aesthetics of Drone Warfare project led by Dr Beryl Pong, there were two talks featuring Mahwish Chishty and Tomas van Houtryve this week.

Professor Cathy Shrank, School of English

Scuffles, Swagger and Shakespeare: The Hidden Story of English

Professor Cathy Shrank talks to BBC Four about the rise of English as a global linguistic superpower.

| BBC Four
Logo for academic blogging website The Conversation

Michael Gove’s grammar: former education minister is gonna rue the day he used Nonstandard English

Professor Emma Moore writes for the Conversation on why Michael Gove suddenly sounds like he's "speaking in someone else’s voice".

| The Conversation