Christopher Smith
@christophersmith.bsky.social
University of St Andrews; Executive Chair, Arts & Humanities Research Council; International Champion and Creative Industries Sector Champion UK Research and Innovation
All views my own, but none of the poetry.
All views my own, but none of the poetry.
Reposted by Christopher Smith
I wrote an essay for @bostonreview.bsky.social about what I learned about close reading when I taught at West Virginia University
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
The Claims of Close Reading - Boston Review
Literary studies have been starved by austerity, but their core methodology remains radical.
www.bostonreview.net
November 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I wrote an essay for @bostonreview.bsky.social about what I learned about close reading when I taught at West Virginia University
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
Reposted by Christopher Smith
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
One of the great satisfactions of #reading is "an ability to join together isolated fragments of knowledge into a meaningful whole"
Robert Douglas-Fairhurst @thetimes.com
#libraries
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
Robert Douglas-Fairhurst @thetimes.com
#libraries
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
How to get more out of reading — tips from an Oxford don
In Look Closer, the academic Robert Douglas-Fairhurst rattles through literature from Charles Dickens to Sally Rooney
www.thetimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:01 AM
One of the great satisfactions of #reading is "an ability to join together isolated fragments of knowledge into a meaningful whole"
Robert Douglas-Fairhurst @thetimes.com
#libraries
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
Robert Douglas-Fairhurst @thetimes.com
#libraries
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
Profoundly beautiful account of the history of snow studies, the fragility of snow and the impact of the anthropocene by Sverker Sörlin.
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
November 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Profoundly beautiful account of the history of snow studies, the fragility of snow and the impact of the anthropocene by Sverker Sörlin.
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
Reposted by Christopher Smith
'What We Need To Do Now' ... an agenda for universities in the new post-16 system ... set out by @profserious.bsky.social profserious.substack.com/p/what-we-ne...
What We Need To Do Now
an agenda for universities in the new post-16 system
profserious.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:06 AM
'What We Need To Do Now' ... an agenda for universities in the new post-16 system ... set out by @profserious.bsky.social profserious.substack.com/p/what-we-ne...
Reposted by Christopher Smith
The St Andrews Chronicles, one of the most important manuscript histories of Scotland, is going on public display for the first time in its 500-year history. The book will be on display at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social from 21 November to 7 December
#BookHistory
news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/500-...
#BookHistory
news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/500-...
November 18, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The St Andrews Chronicles, one of the most important manuscript histories of Scotland, is going on public display for the first time in its 500-year history. The book will be on display at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social from 21 November to 7 December
#BookHistory
news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/500-...
#BookHistory
news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/500-...
Reposted by Christopher Smith
⭐Discount Spotlight: Citizen Poet by Eavan Boland, edited by Jody Allen Randolph📘
Carcanet's monthly discount has launched! This month, enjoy 20% off a selection of books from our Lives and Letters collection by using the code LETTERS20 at our website checkout:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017170...
Carcanet's monthly discount has launched! This month, enjoy 20% off a selection of books from our Lives and Letters collection by using the code LETTERS20 at our website checkout:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017170...
November 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM
⭐Discount Spotlight: Citizen Poet by Eavan Boland, edited by Jody Allen Randolph📘
Carcanet's monthly discount has launched! This month, enjoy 20% off a selection of books from our Lives and Letters collection by using the code LETTERS20 at our website checkout:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017170...
Carcanet's monthly discount has launched! This month, enjoy 20% off a selection of books from our Lives and Letters collection by using the code LETTERS20 at our website checkout:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017170...
Reposted by Christopher Smith
Here is @richardaljones.bsky.social basically telling us how it is. I’ve been thinking about this since listening to him say this stuff out loud at the @royalsociety.org
on Thursday.
softmachines.org?p=3192
on Thursday.
softmachines.org?p=3192
UK Science in a post-liberal world – Soft Machines, by Richard Jones
softmachines.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Here is @richardaljones.bsky.social basically telling us how it is. I’ve been thinking about this since listening to him say this stuff out loud at the @royalsociety.org
on Thursday.
softmachines.org?p=3192
on Thursday.
softmachines.org?p=3192
Reposted by Christopher Smith
If you don't own any Longbarrow books you are definitely missing out. Please take a look at their website shop. Some outstanding books.
Update: we have sold a total of twelve books this month. "The end of the work is the possibility of connection, that the book, if it has been made well, might become 'a site of exchange', that it might have use and value to others, whether the others are many or few."
It may well be the case that small, independent presses are the lifeblood of literature, and a vital feature of our cultural landscape, providing an essential service in a complex ecosystem, like wrasses or shrimps. What is undeniably the case is that we have sold a total of five books this month.
November 22, 2025 at 1:52 PM
If you don't own any Longbarrow books you are definitely missing out. Please take a look at their website shop. Some outstanding books.
Reposted by Christopher Smith
I’m very happy to announce that my fourth collection of poems is out in the autumn. Details here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017513...
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017513...
June 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I’m very happy to announce that my fourth collection of poems is out in the autumn. Details here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017513...
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017513...
Reposted by Christopher Smith
In which a New Zealander writes about a fire likely still burning. From Collected Poems of Bill Manhire, Carcanet Press, 2001. @carcanet.bsky.social @pacificraft.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
In which a New Zealander writes about a fire likely still burning. From Collected Poems of Bill Manhire, Carcanet Press, 2001. @carcanet.bsky.social @pacificraft.bsky.social
Reposted by Christopher Smith
NEW REPORT – The Impact of Generative AI and the Novel 📚
Today we've published new research by @clemicollett.bsky.social examining how industry practitioners, from novelists to publishers, are experiencing AI’s significant impacts.
Read now: www.mctd.ac.uk/impact-of-ge...
Today we've published new research by @clemicollett.bsky.social examining how industry practitioners, from novelists to publishers, are experiencing AI’s significant impacts.
Read now: www.mctd.ac.uk/impact-of-ge...
November 20, 2025 at 8:22 AM
NEW REPORT – The Impact of Generative AI and the Novel 📚
Today we've published new research by @clemicollett.bsky.social examining how industry practitioners, from novelists to publishers, are experiencing AI’s significant impacts.
Read now: www.mctd.ac.uk/impact-of-ge...
Today we've published new research by @clemicollett.bsky.social examining how industry practitioners, from novelists to publishers, are experiencing AI’s significant impacts.
Read now: www.mctd.ac.uk/impact-of-ge...
Reposted by Christopher Smith
ICYMI: Early career research fellowships scheme coordination and cohort support (invite only) #ahrc #academicsky
Early career research fellowships scheme coordination and cohort support (invite only)
Apply for funding through an invitation only funding opportunity to lead cohort coordination and development for AHRC’s early career fellowships in cultural and heritage institutions.
You must be based at UK Independent Research Organisation (IRO) eligible for AHRC funding.
www.ukri.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:53 AM
ICYMI: Early career research fellowships scheme coordination and cohort support (invite only) #ahrc #academicsky
Reposted by Christopher Smith
👋 Hi Bluesky!
The School of Advanced Study, University of London champions the arts and humanities. Working through our renowned specialist institutes and centres of excellence, we offer a rich interdisciplinary environment for researchers to collaborate.
Let's connect: 🔗 sas.ac.uk/
The School of Advanced Study, University of London champions the arts and humanities. Working through our renowned specialist institutes and centres of excellence, we offer a rich interdisciplinary environment for researchers to collaborate.
Let's connect: 🔗 sas.ac.uk/
School of Advanced Study
Uniting research institutes and centres at the University of London to form the UK's national centre for the support and promotion of academic research in the humanities.
sas.ac.uk
November 16, 2025 at 3:59 PM
👋 Hi Bluesky!
The School of Advanced Study, University of London champions the arts and humanities. Working through our renowned specialist institutes and centres of excellence, we offer a rich interdisciplinary environment for researchers to collaborate.
Let's connect: 🔗 sas.ac.uk/
The School of Advanced Study, University of London champions the arts and humanities. Working through our renowned specialist institutes and centres of excellence, we offer a rich interdisciplinary environment for researchers to collaborate.
Let's connect: 🔗 sas.ac.uk/
Reposted by Christopher Smith
The government has talked about organising R&D into three 'buckets' - discovery research, research aligned to government priorities, and business support. This is a good idea that could fail in the implementation. Here are my 10 tests for success:
www.ersatzben.com/p/the-three-...
www.ersatzben.com/p/the-three-...
The three-bucket problem
Ten tests for the UK’s new R&D funding framework
www.ersatzben.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The government has talked about organising R&D into three 'buckets' - discovery research, research aligned to government priorities, and business support. This is a good idea that could fail in the implementation. Here are my 10 tests for success:
www.ersatzben.com/p/the-three-...
www.ersatzben.com/p/the-three-...
Reposted by Christopher Smith
Margaret Heffernan is hosting our Festival of Economics event today on artists and AI. Here’s my recent interview with her on her new book on artists and how they can help us navigate uncertainty. Follow @margaretheffernan.bsky.social for more.
Festival of Ideas 1: Margaret Heffernan on Artists and Navigating Uncertainty
An interview with Andrew Kelly
festivalofideas.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Margaret Heffernan is hosting our Festival of Economics event today on artists and AI. Here’s my recent interview with her on her new book on artists and how they can help us navigate uncertainty. Follow @margaretheffernan.bsky.social for more.
Completely agree with @richove.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social; we have woefully underinvested in the #digital #research infrastructure for Arts Humanities & Social Sciences.
AHRC continues to work with #libraries & #archives but the funding model has to give greater weight to Digital Humanities
AHRC continues to work with #libraries & #archives but the funding model has to give greater weight to Digital Humanities
Good to see the problems facing our colleagues @britishlibrary.bsky.social being raised here by @hetanshah.bsky.social (of @britishacademy.bsky.social). If this had happened in France it would be considered a national problem to be urgently addressed! 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 8:58 AM
Completely agree with @richove.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social; we have woefully underinvested in the #digital #research infrastructure for Arts Humanities & Social Sciences.
AHRC continues to work with #libraries & #archives but the funding model has to give greater weight to Digital Humanities
AHRC continues to work with #libraries & #archives but the funding model has to give greater weight to Digital Humanities
Reposted by Christopher Smith
Achieving technological and economic growth sustainably is seen by many as key if we are to meet the needs of a growing global population.
Professor Shadreck Chirikure explores whether the cosmologies of past advanced civilisations can help us address present challenges. https://bit.ly/43rMb40
Professor Shadreck Chirikure explores whether the cosmologies of past advanced civilisations can help us address present challenges. https://bit.ly/43rMb40
November 13, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Achieving technological and economic growth sustainably is seen by many as key if we are to meet the needs of a growing global population.
Professor Shadreck Chirikure explores whether the cosmologies of past advanced civilisations can help us address present challenges. https://bit.ly/43rMb40
Professor Shadreck Chirikure explores whether the cosmologies of past advanced civilisations can help us address present challenges. https://bit.ly/43rMb40
Reposted by Christopher Smith
Delighted to have been given the chance to review ‘Don’t burn anyone at the stake today’ the new and thought-provoking book from @naomialderman.bsky.social (published by Penguin/FigTree) in today’s @theobserveruk.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Delighted to have been given the chance to review ‘Don’t burn anyone at the stake today’ the new and thought-provoking book from @naomialderman.bsky.social (published by Penguin/FigTree) in today’s @theobserveruk.bsky.social
Reposted by Christopher Smith
Looking for an November read? Why not check out our monthly discount? Use code LETTERS20 at checkout for 20% of selected titles in our Lives and Letters collection:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/
www.carcanet.co.uk/
Carcanet Press
One of the outstanding literary publishers of our time, Carcanet Press has a special emphasis on poetry from around the world.
www.carcanet.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Looking for an November read? Why not check out our monthly discount? Use code LETTERS20 at checkout for 20% of selected titles in our Lives and Letters collection:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/
www.carcanet.co.uk/
Important reflections from Jo Ritzen and Job Zomerplaag on next steps for Europe's universities
www.universityworldnews.com/post-mobile....
www.universityworldnews.com/post-mobile....
Dutch vote gave universities a reprieve. Will they use it?
The outcome of the recent elections in the Netherlands offers universities breathing space from threatened cuts but reveals a challenge facing many un...
www.universityworldnews.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Important reflections from Jo Ritzen and Job Zomerplaag on next steps for Europe's universities
www.universityworldnews.com/post-mobile....
www.universityworldnews.com/post-mobile....
Reposted by Christopher Smith
I tried to do something that was (for me) quite a challenge: describe precisely how the word "that", in the right place, can make "all the difference" to a poem someflowerssoon.substack.com/p/that-vase
That Vase
Thinking about what "that" can do in a poem
someflowerssoon.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I tried to do something that was (for me) quite a challenge: describe precisely how the word "that", in the right place, can make "all the difference" to a poem someflowerssoon.substack.com/p/that-vase
Delighted to see Corinna Riva's outstandingly innovative essay on the 1st millennium BCE now published
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Multi-scalar Lenses on the Mediterranean in the First Millennium BC - Journal of Archaeological Research
In the current era of global approaches in archaeology and, more broadly, in the social and historical sciences, questions on the benefits, modes, and challenges of addressing multiple analytical scal...
link.springer.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Delighted to see Corinna Riva's outstandingly innovative essay on the 1st millennium BCE now published
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Another week, another new thing at Orkney Library & Archive! 🛠️
Libraries are not just about books and this week we're launching our loanable TOOL collection! 🔧
We have 3 different toolkits available and we'll be adding more items very soon. 🪛
#GreenLibraries #LoveLibraries
Libraries are not just about books and this week we're launching our loanable TOOL collection! 🔧
We have 3 different toolkits available and we'll be adding more items very soon. 🪛
#GreenLibraries #LoveLibraries
November 6, 2025 at 7:56 PM