Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Matt Hills

@matt-hills.bsky.social

560 followers 580 following 5 posts

Independent scholar, former Professor of Fandom Studies, life-long Doctor Who fan, lover of genre fiction (especially SF and crime), frequently astonished reader of contemporary political commentary

Videos

Communication & Media Studies 28%

Art 22%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Reposted by Matt Hills

Barnaby Edwards @barnabyedwards.bsky.social · Sep 5

You can view the whole exhibition here:

barnabyedwards.co.uk/brave-new-wo...

Barnaby Edwards | BRAVE NEW WORLDS

BRAVE NEW WORLDS A century of science fiction cinema

barnabyedwards.co.uk

1 1 3

Reposted by Matt Hills

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Aug 19

Please take your seats, the carnage is about to begin: what will Quentin Tarantino’s West End debut look like?

The director has announced he’s turning to theatre, and mounting a play in London soon. The matinee coach parties may need to brace themselves

www.theguardian.com

5 6 35

Reposted by Matt Hills

The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · Aug 19

The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain has created a free online guide for non-fiction authors working with factual material, covering themes such as copyright, defamation and ensuring good relationships with interviewees 👇 #BookSky

The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain creates free guide for authors working with factual material

ebx.sh

1 17 30

Reposted by Matt Hills

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Aug 14

Katabasis by RF Kuang review – a descent into the hellscape of academia

The bestselling author’s sixth novel is far from perfect, but this journey into the underworld is delivered with heretical glee

www.theguardian.com

1 6 27

Reposted by Jan W. Mueller, Tim Bale, Martin Paul Eve , and 6 more Jan W. Mueller, Tim Bale, Martin Paul Eve, Lesley A. Hall, Matt Hills, Tom Griffin, Catriona Seth, Melanie Williams, Catherine Spooner

Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · Jul 30

The House of Lords just released a major report on media literacy. Its core message is that the UK is falling behind, and it’s putting democracy at risk.
committees.parliament.uk/work/9030/me...

Media literacy - Committees - UK Parliament

This inquiry will seek to establish a clear vision for what good media literacy would look like in the UK, and examine the barriers to achieving this vision. The committee will consider the roles and ...

committees.parliament.uk

21 230 550

Reposted by Matt Hills

DisgustingFilm @disgustingfilm.bsky.social · Jun 27

Waterworld has finally recovered its $175 million budget due to Universal's stunt shows bearing the movie's name and branding running 15 times a day every day for the 30 years since the movie's theatrical release

(Source: tinyurl.com/mr3pjyvr)

9 31 130

Reposted by Matt Hills

BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · Jun 26

MPs are 'trapped on benefits', many claiming £50,000 a year or more in untaxed personal benefits.

Surely we need to get them off them for their own good?

23 150 510

Reposted by Matt Hills

Myles McNutt @memles.bsky.social · May 30

Taylor getting rich enough to buy back her albums from the venture capitalists because she doesn't want to re-record the rest of Reputation?

What a twist.

www.taylorswift.com

The Official Website of Taylor Swift

Discover the world of Taylor Swift – music, tours, news, content, and more. Stay updated on the latest releases, events, and official merchandise. Explore now!

www.taylorswift.com

3 2 22

Reposted by Matt Hills

Alex de Campi @alexdecampi.bsky.social · May 30

So, this Unbound/Boundless fiasco. I was going to be polite about it, but after this morning’s email: no

55 1K 2.8K

Reposted by Matt Hills

Justin Rawlins @justinrawlins.bsky.social · May 26

www.404media.co/the-cia-secr...

The CIA Secretly Ran a Star Wars Fan Site

The site, starwarsweb.net, was a covert CIA communications tool. It has pictures of Yoda and C-3PO on it.

www.404media.co

5 2

Reposted by Matt Hills

Participations: Journal of Audience and Reception Studies @participations.bsky.social · May 23

We're pleased to announce the publication of issue 21.1, spanning Frisian identity in Aotearoa/NZ, Canadianness & the Barenaked Ladies, Turkish quality drama, seagoing spectators, transnational identities, conspiracies & a special section on Girl Audiences in the 'Girlscape'! www.participations.org

Participations – Journal of Audience and Reception Studies

www.participations.org

9 9

Reposted by Matt Hills

Francesca Coppa @fcoppa.bsky.social · May 5

Hot off the presses - Theatre Fandom, edited by me, @matt-hills.bsky.social & @kirstysedgman.bsky.social and featuring a collection of terrific essays. U Iowa Press 2025! (The two sides of my career have finally connected! \o/ Life makes sense now! :D)

8 30

Reposted by Matt Hills

Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · Apr 11

Our first university with the job cuts today is Derby - one of our key industrial universities. It faces losing half of its senior academics. Stop this now, you stupid fools. 🇬🇧
www.bbc.com/news/article...

University of Derby considering a number of redundancies - BBC News

The University of Derby says the process "remains at the consultation stage".

www.bbc.com

2 16 50

Matt Hills @matt-hills.bsky.social · Apr 4

Black Mirror doing what it does best...

TCKR Systems - Reality is boring. Time for something better

tckrsystems.tech

Reposted by Matt Hills

Ten Acre Books @tenacrebooks.bsky.social · Mar 31

We're pleased to announce that @tobyhadoke.bsky.social's long-awaited history of the The Quatermass Experiment will be published in May in trade paperback, along with a limited edition hardback with special cover artwork by @roberthack.bsky.social. Order now from tenacrefilms.bigcartel.com

Cover for The Quatermass Experiment: The Making of TV's First Sci-Fi Classic trade paperback.

Cover for The Quatermass Experiment: The Making of TV's First Sci-Fi Classic limited edition hardback, illustrated by Robert Hack.

19 73 190

Matt Hills @matt-hills.bsky.social · Mar 27

"You haven't got God here, have you?" Tom's on characteristic and sparkling form as he questions the format of 'This Is Your Life'

This Is Your Life - Tom Baker

Michael Aspel reunites Tom Baker with friends, family and colleagues to tell the story of his life from his childhood in Liverpool to working as an actor on stage, film and in television.

www.bbc.co.uk

Matt Hills @matt-hills.bsky.social · Mar 24

Atmosphere, analysis, ambiguity. Re-reading 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' recently it felt like a startling hybrid, almost a kind of "mythic procedural."

Reposted by Matt Hills

Delia Derbyshire Day @deliaderbyshireday.bsky.social · Mar 18

Our @biggiveorg effort is go! donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
Please support & share. With ever decreasing funding for music education, we turn to you wonderful humans for support. We thank you for your support as we endeavour together!

DD Day 2025 electronic music education initiative – Big Give

Help us nurture future electronic music talent like Delia Derbyshire in our 10th year. We inspire and empower via the …

donate.biggive.org

1 6 5

Reposted by Matt Hills

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Mar 14

Matthew Macfadyen to play George Smiley in new John le Carré TV show

Succession star lined up to play the famous spymaster in Legacy of Spies, a new small-screen adaptation that will draw on several of le Carré’s bestselling books Matthew Macfadyen has been cast as George Smiley in a new TV series based on the novels of…

www.theguardian.com

17 34 270

Reposted by Matt Hills

Nicolle Lamerichs @nicolleness.bsky.social · Mar 11

Affect in fandom is out! 🥳 We LOVED working with authors on this volume on fandom, transmedia and games. This collection tackles creativity & content made by fans - their history AND their future (e.g. sustainable design). Download for free! 💜 #fanstudies
library.oapen.org/handle/20.50...

8 36 67

Reposted by Matt Hills

James Goss @gossjam.bsky.social · Feb 24

#DoctorWho #TargetBookClub will be taking place on 19th July at The Abbey Centre in Westminster. Tickets: bit.ly/escape2danger

A day of talks, readings and guests devoted to the greatest book range in the universe. COME!

TARGET BOOK CLUB - A celebration of Doctor Who books with a day of talks and guests. Saturday 19th July 10am - 5pm
The Abbey Centre, Westminster, SW1P 3BU
Ticket link -
Photo of a Dalek and some books

16 39 110

Reposted by Matt Hills

Brendan Jones @retrobrendo.bsky.social · Feb 21

12 hours left in the Blake’s 7 Series D Survey for @maximumpowerpodcast.com! 10 more responses to exceed our previous survey!

forms.gle/sEAhHi6WYPgk...

a person is typing on a keyboard in front of a screen that says ' proud spirit holding '

Alt: Tarrant operates controls on Scorpio, and instructs “All drives on! All maximum! Hit it!” Scorpio flies away from an explosion as Tarrant is rocked in his seat.

media.tenor.com

1 11 14

Reposted by Matt Hills

fesshole 🧻 @fesshole.bsky.social · Feb 21

A science fiction magazine has just given my my debut by publishing one of my short stories. I am very happy that the editor liked it enough to pay me. I must likewise acknowledge Button Moon, which inspired me and established my love of science fiction.

17 11 320

Reposted by Matt Hills

Mark Stewart (he/him) @mediamarknz.bsky.social · Jan 30

Kim Barbour (@kjbarbour.bsky.social) and I are proud to announce that our Special Edition of Persona Studies, entitled "Fan Personas", is now out! There are 6 excellent articles, plus our editorial, all looking at the intersection of Persona Studies and Fan Studies. ojs.deakin.edu.au/index.php/ps...

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2024): Fan Personas | Persona Studies

ojs.deakin.edu.au

1 9 18

Reposted by Matt Hills

The Crime Writers' Association @thecwa.bsky.social · Jan 23

The CWA congratulates Diamond Dagger winner Mick Herron! The award recognises authors whose crime writing careers have been marked by sustained excellence, and who have made a significant contribution to the genre.

1 7 21

Reposted by Matt Hills

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Jan 20

‘When Star Wars came out, one of our directors was close to tears’: how we made Blake’s 7

‘I thought I’d be rushing around doing stunts. But instead, it was all about my tight, sexy outfits. After three episodes, I was thinking, “I hate this big hair!”’ I got the impression Blake’s 7 was just going to be “space opera” and wanted to move on…

www.theguardian.com

4 17 91

Reposted by Matt Hills

Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · Jan 20

Remember: the existential university crisis we are now living through will trash everything that Britain is good at. Well done everybody. www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/outrage...

Outrage as Sheffield Uni plans to scrap Architecture and Landscape combined Masters

The university plans to close its RIBA Part 2-accredited Masters in Architecture and Landscape Archi...

www.architectsjournal.co.uk

1 24 52

Reposted by Matt Hills

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Jan 19

UK Ministry of Defence enlists sci-fi writers to prepare for dystopian futures

Imaginations of science fiction community used to help policymakers prepare for potential crises in Britain It’s a scenario that would make Tesla’s founder, Elon Musk, shudder: a future where self-driving cars are the norm but a catastrophic electronic…

www.theguardian.com

30 87 260

Reposted by Matt Hills

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Jan 16

Bloodletting recommended for Jersey residents after PFAS contamination

The island’s private drinking water supplies were polluted by use of firefighting foams containing ‘forever chemicals’ * Explained: What are PFAS, how toxic are they and how do you become exposed? Residents of Jersey have been recommended…

www.theguardian.com

14 39 88

Reposted by Matt Hills

Charlie Stross @cstross.bsky.social · Jan 13

The UK government's "pivot to AI" is going to be a disaster for the public finances. They'll spend billions on foreign-owned bullshit, give away all our personal data (Palantir is bidding for NHS England's records—biggest medical data trove in history), but that's not the worst bit.

/1

11 100 290