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Keep up to date with all the latest news from the School of English.
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.
Firth Court with Arts Tower in the background

University of Sheffield ranked within top 100 universities in QS World University Rankings

The University of Sheffield has been ranked within the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026, reaffirming its place as a leading global university for teaching and research excellence.
A Photo of people inside the Barbican

Free Thinking - The Barbican, art and writing in 50s Britain

Dr Beryl Pong recently featured on BBC Radio 3's Free Thinking, discussing the Blitz during WWII, as well as the architecture that was created and inspired by the tragedy in the decade that followed.

| BBC Radio 3
An image of a whale underwater with its mouth open

Free Thinking - Whale Watching

Dr Rachel Murray recently featured on BBC Radio 3's Free Thinking, discussing her research into the presence of marine life in modern and contemporary literature.

| BBC Radio 3
Centre for Poetry and Poetics (Spring, 2022-Series’ Opening event, Arts Tower, LT01 plus online. A Reading with Ansgar Allen, Andrea Brady and Richard Parker

Centre for Poetry and Poetics Spring, 2022-Series Opening event

Centre for Poetry and Poetics (Spring, 2022-Series’ Opening event, Arts Tower, LT01 plus online. A Reading with Ansgar Allen, Andrea Brady and Richard Parker
Laptop

LingLunch' research seminars

A series of online research talks open to staff and students, featuring Dr Lisa Donlan and Prof Joan Beal.

| Google Site
Latin

Voices from The Past

"Voices from the past" Symposium, Oxford, co-organised by Ranjan Sen in collaboration with the Institute for Digital Archaeology.

| Digital Archaeology