Happy news today. I owe so much to the amazing fellowships organized by Gillian Dow over 10 years from 2007-17 and it'll be wonderful to have visiting scholars back with us at Chawton working on our amazing collections in August.

Me and mum made a dragon cake for my uncle’s birthday, and I’m very proud

A statement from Jane Austen’s House.

Congratulations to friends & colleagues ChawtonHouse ! Several English at Soton staff & students contributed to the Lockdown Literary festival. So pleased to see digital events by Dr Kim Simpson & colleagues recognised in this way. Full playlist of talks youtube.com/playlist?list=…

Been jabbed!!

Took a bit of a trip down memory lane while sorting through a box of my old undergraduate notes and essays from English at Soton - really makes me appreciate quite how far my scholarship has come, and how many UoS staff members helped me along my journey ❤️ so very grateful

Been making cakes for various birthdays and special events recently - very much getting into decorating

This morning feels like the most Monday-est of Monday mornings

Am a cis woman and I really don’t understand why any space for women would exclude trans women. #CisWithTheT

My degree certificate arrived today, which feels like a lovely early birthday present. Thanks English at Soton for ten really really wonderful years ❤️

Very proud of my birthday cake, made by myself, mum and Joe

I see we are again discussing Harry Potter and the many cliched representations in the text (most of which are extended/intensified in the movies). It’s a good moment to think about how and why these were built into the text. It’s a great leaning opportunity for writers +readers

Also a reminder that criticising a text is not ‘cancelling’ or ‘censorship.’ That is what literature scholars do (I am one). Examining the relationship between text and culture is what cultural studies scholars do (again I am one). Critique is healthy, valuable, necessary!

My partner Em is absolutely leaping and bounding along her journey into prehistoric ornamentation. Not surprised, but hugely proud she is already reaching the standard of top ancient crafts people!