Catherine Lai
@catlai.bsky.social
Lecturer in speech and language technology, CSTR, University of Edinburgh.
https://homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/clai/
https://homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/clai/
Reposted by Catherine Lai
Back on the @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social picket line, standing with colleagues against senseless cu ts.
Cover in The National by Lucy Garcia with quotation from @drjogrady.bsky.social pictured, and in The Herald, www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562598...
#UCU #StopTheCuts
Cover in The National by Lucy Garcia with quotation from @drjogrady.bsky.social pictured, and in The Herald, www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562598...
#UCU #StopTheCuts
November 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Back on the @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social picket line, standing with colleagues against senseless cu ts.
Cover in The National by Lucy Garcia with quotation from @drjogrady.bsky.social pictured, and in The Herald, www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562598...
#UCU #StopTheCuts
Cover in The National by Lucy Garcia with quotation from @drjogrady.bsky.social pictured, and in The Herald, www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562598...
#UCU #StopTheCuts
Reposted by Catherine Lai
Just to say, I am a supervisor here:
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Responsible and Trustworthy in-the-world Natural Language Processing
www.responsiblenlp.org/2026-student...
If you are reading things like this and planning PhD project, do reach out:
www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Responsible and Trustworthy in-the-world Natural Language Processing
www.responsiblenlp.org/2026-student...
If you are reading things like this and planning PhD project, do reach out:
www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
2026 Studentships
www.responsiblenlp.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Just to say, I am a supervisor here:
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Responsible and Trustworthy in-the-world Natural Language Processing
www.responsiblenlp.org/2026-student...
If you are reading things like this and planning PhD project, do reach out:
www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Responsible and Trustworthy in-the-world Natural Language Processing
www.responsiblenlp.org/2026-student...
If you are reading things like this and planning PhD project, do reach out:
www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
Reposted by Catherine Lai
🔔new paper alert🔔
I argue that language technologies are usefully understood as a type of language management (i.e., ways of changing how people use and think about language) -- especially in the workplace -- connecting critical work on AI with language policy
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
I argue that language technologies are usefully understood as a type of language management (i.e., ways of changing how people use and think about language) -- especially in the workplace -- connecting critical work on AI with language policy
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Defining language and managing its use: Language technology as language management
Language technologies such as voice user interfaces, large language models and machine translation tools are embedded in an ever-growing range of digi…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:36 PM
🔔new paper alert🔔
I argue that language technologies are usefully understood as a type of language management (i.e., ways of changing how people use and think about language) -- especially in the workplace -- connecting critical work on AI with language policy
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
I argue that language technologies are usefully understood as a type of language management (i.e., ways of changing how people use and think about language) -- especially in the workplace -- connecting critical work on AI with language policy
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Catherine Lai
"it is striking how many of the key players we have looked into — the people who have gone out of their way to put up hundreds of flags — seem anything but ordinary."
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
manchestermill.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 8:18 AM
"it is striking how many of the key players we have looked into — the people who have gone out of their way to put up hundreds of flags — seem anything but ordinary."
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
Reposted by Catherine Lai
University of Edinburgh cutting its Institute for Academic Development which offers crucuial training and support for students, lecturers and researchers. I woked at the UNSW learning centre and know what a huge difference these services make. #AcademicSky
thetab.com/2025/10/31/e...
thetab.com/2025/10/31/e...
Excl: Edinburgh University begins compulsory layoffs with department set to be axed
Seven staff in the Instute for Academic Development are set to lose their jobs when the department closes
thetab.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:12 AM
University of Edinburgh cutting its Institute for Academic Development which offers crucuial training and support for students, lecturers and researchers. I woked at the UNSW learning centre and know what a huge difference these services make. #AcademicSky
thetab.com/2025/10/31/e...
thetab.com/2025/10/31/e...
Reposted by Catherine Lai
I'm unreasonably upset at this flattening of Garak into Fashion Lizard,he was the Enigmatic Fashion Lizard and this cannot be erased
October 25, 2025 at 3:58 AM
I'm unreasonably upset at this flattening of Garak into Fashion Lizard,he was the Enigmatic Fashion Lizard and this cannot be erased
Reposted by Catherine Lai
You can't cut thousands of jobs through a chaotic and miserable process without affecting students. They see what is happening very clearly (and have already experienced course closures...)
thetab.com/2025/10/24/u...
thetab.com/2025/10/24/u...
UCU slams Edinburgh University claims that cuts won't impact student experience
A university email sent to students claimed the cuts will not diminish the student experience
thetab.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:19 AM
You can't cut thousands of jobs through a chaotic and miserable process without affecting students. They see what is happening very clearly (and have already experienced course closures...)
thetab.com/2025/10/24/u...
thetab.com/2025/10/24/u...
Reposted by Catherine Lai
The is particularly true of current ukgov funded research on AI that starts from the premise “Yay! AI is Brilliant! Amazing! Woohooo!!!”
Research should inform policy but that’s tricky if it is almost entirely driven by policy. The independence of research is key to change because if you fund only research that responds to policy (even good policy) you’re less innovative, creative & responsive to the open options of the future.
October 24, 2025 at 7:31 AM
The is particularly true of current ukgov funded research on AI that starts from the premise “Yay! AI is Brilliant! Amazing! Woohooo!!!”
Reposted by Catherine Lai
seems pretty obvious that only having ‘policy-driven’ research is a bad idea (looking at both UKRI and Horizon)
Research should inform policy but that’s tricky if it is almost entirely driven by policy. The independence of research is key to change because if you fund only research that responds to policy (even good policy) you’re less innovative, creative & responsive to the open options of the future.
October 24, 2025 at 8:22 AM
seems pretty obvious that only having ‘policy-driven’ research is a bad idea (looking at both UKRI and Horizon)
Reposted by Catherine Lai
so many things happen in a single teaching day. trying to teach new perspectives & critical thinking while also juggling intense one on one interactions, managing entire classrooms with all kinds of personalities, people opening up about things, some students excelling, others silently struggling
October 24, 2025 at 4:44 AM
so many things happen in a single teaching day. trying to teach new perspectives & critical thinking while also juggling intense one on one interactions, managing entire classrooms with all kinds of personalities, people opening up about things, some students excelling, others silently struggling
Reposted by Catherine Lai
ONLY migrants though, no one else is to study English because it's a rip off and a waste of time, am I getting this right.
October 14, 2025 at 2:16 PM
ONLY migrants though, no one else is to study English because it's a rip off and a waste of time, am I getting this right.
Reposted by Catherine Lai
LAVLANG! IN! EDINBURGH! 2026! 💜🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🪻🦩💬✨
HI. It's me.
WE'RE READY TO LAUNCH. 2-4 Sept 2026. LavLang23.
Keynote Speakers
• Dr. Nikki Lane (Duke University)
• Dr. Kevin Guyan (UoE, School of Business)
• Prof. Erez Levon (Universität Bern)
• Dr. Stamatina Katsiveli (American College of Greece)
• Eddie Ungless (UoE, School of Informatics)
WE'RE READY TO LAUNCH. 2-4 Sept 2026. LavLang23.
Keynote Speakers
• Dr. Nikki Lane (Duke University)
• Dr. Kevin Guyan (UoE, School of Business)
• Prof. Erez Levon (Universität Bern)
• Dr. Stamatina Katsiveli (American College of Greece)
• Eddie Ungless (UoE, School of Informatics)
October 8, 2025 at 3:42 PM
LAVLANG! IN! EDINBURGH! 2026! 💜🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🪻🦩💬✨
Reposted by Catherine Lai
So many Australian colleagues put through a year of worries and uncertainty. All because Nous Consultancy only thrives on a scarcity narrative?
Bit if a reminder that those cuts can never be justified in pedagogical or academic term, whatever the spin.
Bit if a reminder that those cuts can never be justified in pedagogical or academic term, whatever the spin.
New analysis by The Australia Institute finds the Australian National University has a $90 million surplus, not a $142 million deficit!
The ANU’s hidden $90m budget surplus
New analysis by The Australia Institute reveals there is no financial crisis at the Australian National University.
australiainstitute.org.au
October 7, 2025 at 7:36 AM
So many Australian colleagues put through a year of worries and uncertainty. All because Nous Consultancy only thrives on a scarcity narrative?
Bit if a reminder that those cuts can never be justified in pedagogical or academic term, whatever the spin.
Bit if a reminder that those cuts can never be justified in pedagogical or academic term, whatever the spin.
Reposted by Catherine Lai
@zackpolanski.bsky.social nails it: "Britain is not broken because of migration. Britain is broken because of inequality. Because of an economy that allows billionaires to hoard wealth while millions struggle to get by. Because of a political class that has lost its nerve and forgotten its purpose."
"I'm here to talk about what others won’t. To tell the truth about what makes our country great and what makes it not so great. While others thrive on creating scapegoats, I am here to tell you a different story."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Migration is Britain’s superpower. Our future depends on embracing that truth, not denying it | Zack Polanski
Labour has lost its nerve. At our party conference this weekend, we’re gathering to set things right, says Green party leader Zack Polanski
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 9:02 AM
@zackpolanski.bsky.social nails it: "Britain is not broken because of migration. Britain is broken because of inequality. Because of an economy that allows billionaires to hoard wealth while millions struggle to get by. Because of a political class that has lost its nerve and forgotten its purpose."
Reposted by Catherine Lai
We have 20 years of UK evidence that says Rachel Reeves is correct about this.
Deeply depressing that some in government (let alone other parties) seem incapable of grasping it.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br....
Deeply depressing that some in government (let alone other parties) seem incapable of grasping it.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br....
September 26, 2025 at 8:11 PM
We have 20 years of UK evidence that says Rachel Reeves is correct about this.
Deeply depressing that some in government (let alone other parties) seem incapable of grasping it.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br....
Deeply depressing that some in government (let alone other parties) seem incapable of grasping it.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br....
Reposted by Catherine Lai
I have a little stall at the @edfuturesinstitute.bsky.social Doors Open Day today! I’m sharing some early research around children’s views of AI at school. Come say hi if you’re around!!
September 27, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I have a little stall at the @edfuturesinstitute.bsky.social Doors Open Day today! I’m sharing some early research around children’s views of AI at school. Come say hi if you’re around!!
Reposted by Catherine Lai
Digital IDs are a terrible, dangerous idea for numerous reasons.
But, even on their own terms, what's the gap they're supposed to fill?
It seems many people don't realise that we already have eVisas. All migrants get this "digital record" of their status and permission anyway.
But, even on their own terms, what's the gap they're supposed to fill?
It seems many people don't realise that we already have eVisas. All migrants get this "digital record" of their status and permission anyway.
September 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Digital IDs are a terrible, dangerous idea for numerous reasons.
But, even on their own terms, what's the gap they're supposed to fill?
It seems many people don't realise that we already have eVisas. All migrants get this "digital record" of their status and permission anyway.
But, even on their own terms, what's the gap they're supposed to fill?
It seems many people don't realise that we already have eVisas. All migrants get this "digital record" of their status and permission anyway.
Reposted by Catherine Lai
I am genuinely baffled and distressed as to why the UK government is intent on destroying UK's genuinely world-leading universities, who bring £265 billion into the economy and support more than 250,000 jobs.
This tax will kill us.
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
This tax will kill us.
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Student visas crackdown and new levies to cause ‘£1.8bn loss’ to UK economy
The Government has proposed a 6 per cent tax on international student tuition fees and a reduction in graduate visas
www.standard.co.uk
September 27, 2025 at 9:38 AM
I am genuinely baffled and distressed as to why the UK government is intent on destroying UK's genuinely world-leading universities, who bring £265 billion into the economy and support more than 250,000 jobs.
This tax will kill us.
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
This tax will kill us.
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Catherine Lai
i made a helpful reference
September 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
i made a helpful reference
Reposted by Catherine Lai
“You have knowledge, and I have skill, and between us we have...”
“We have the Ring of Erreth-Akbe.”
“Yes, that. But I thought also of another thing between us. Call it trust...”
“We have the Ring of Erreth-Akbe.”
“Yes, that. But I thought also of another thing between us. Call it trust...”
September 27, 2025 at 5:29 AM
“You have knowledge, and I have skill, and between us we have...”
“We have the Ring of Erreth-Akbe.”
“Yes, that. But I thought also of another thing between us. Call it trust...”
“We have the Ring of Erreth-Akbe.”
“Yes, that. But I thought also of another thing between us. Call it trust...”
Reposted by Catherine Lai
i know this is hardly an original point, but it is astonishing that a government this focused on growth or whatever is just… doing anything it can to kill the two really big industries (higher education and creative industries) this country still has?
September 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
i know this is hardly an original point, but it is astonishing that a government this focused on growth or whatever is just… doing anything it can to kill the two really big industries (higher education and creative industries) this country still has?
Reposted by Catherine Lai
I wish Peters Kyle and Mandelson had someone as smart and experienced as Tim Wu on their side when they were negotiating the "Tech Prosperity Deal" on.ft.com/47WmGLi
When it comes to tech, Britain must avoid becoming Nebraska
Silicon Valley’s investment may be welcome but the UK should not allow itself to be a data-centre farm
on.ft.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:35 AM
I wish Peters Kyle and Mandelson had someone as smart and experienced as Tim Wu on their side when they were negotiating the "Tech Prosperity Deal" on.ft.com/47WmGLi
Reposted by Catherine Lai
fun new paper out, led by the amazing @mxeddie.bsky.social (who you should hire!!) — we looked at why TikTok users use ‘linguistic obfuscation’ and turns out* people love to play with language and they also love to express who they are in addition to avoiding content moderation
🔔 My paper w/ @ninamarkl.bsky.social and @bjoernross.bsky.social is out: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
We surveyed TikTok users on motivations for using phrases like "le$bean". Primarily associated w/ topics that are moderated on SM, but also desire to express community + be playful.
We surveyed TikTok users on motivations for using phrases like "le$bean". Primarily associated w/ topics that are moderated on SM, but also desire to express community + be playful.
September 22, 2025 at 3:02 PM
fun new paper out, led by the amazing @mxeddie.bsky.social (who you should hire!!) — we looked at why TikTok users use ‘linguistic obfuscation’ and turns out* people love to play with language and they also love to express who they are in addition to avoiding content moderation
Reposted by Catherine Lai
Hey a thing I really don’t want to get lost here is that while Tylenol doesn’t cause autism, IT’S FINE TO BE AUTISTIC. Let’s not grant them the premise that autism should be eradicated in our way to correct the science, okay? Okay.
September 22, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Hey a thing I really don’t want to get lost here is that while Tylenol doesn’t cause autism, IT’S FINE TO BE AUTISTIC. Let’s not grant them the premise that autism should be eradicated in our way to correct the science, okay? Okay.