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Joanna Gavins

@joannagavins.bsky.social
522 followers 308 following 146 posts

🪴 gardener • professor 📚 Researching and teaching cognitive linguistics and ecolinguistics @sheffielduni.bsky.social. Mainly posting about language and ecology. Occasional music and plants. Writing a book about Ian Hamilton Finlay.

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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
🌱 My new article ‘Every little “help”: understanding the FAMILY frame in the discourse of plastic packaging’ has been published in the journal English Studies today! Open access (of course!). 📚 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Every little “help”: understanding the family frame in the discourse of plastic packaging
The multidisciplinary Many Happy Returns project aimed to enable reusable packaging systems and reduce single-use plastic. The Language team built a corpus of over 4.5 million words of discourse ab...
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Another fascinating piece by @bnerlich.bsky.social on the language of the AI debate. Just about bus journey length or for over your morning coffee.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Thrilled that my work on the Biobased and Biodegradable Regulatory Netowrk (BB-REG-NET) has been shortlisted for a @timeshighered.bsky.social award for Research Project of the Year (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences). It’s fantastic working with this great team. the-awards.co.uk/2026/en/page...
the-awards.co.uk
THE Awards 2026
The THE Awards are the biggest celebration of UK and Irish higher education, recognising excellence across academia, professional services, leadership and management.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Even though publication day is still some way away, it’s always a lovely moment to receive cover proofs. 7 years of my life finally coming to fruition… Out March 2027 with Edinburgh University Press. I’ll be donating all of my royalties from this book to The Little Sparta Trust. #ianhamiltonfinlay
Cover image for Experiencing the Language of Ian Hamilton Finlay’s Poetry by Joanna Gavins, including an image of the poet by Norman McBeath.
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Dr Bill Hughes (William the Bloody) @billbloodyhughes.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Microsoft wants to build three massive AI data centres in Leeds. It’ll drain thousands of litres of water from the River Aire and become the city's biggest carbon emitter. We can still stop the council's final sign-off, but we need more voices. Add your name: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/pr...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Stop the Microsoft AI megasite in Leeds!
Microsoft want to build three huge AI data centres at Skelton Grange. It would drain the River Aire and become the city's biggest carbon emitter. We can still stop it - add your name to the petition.
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Het Oerbos Rewilding @hetoerbos.substack.com · 19/07/2026
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Academic job opportunity for a Senior Research Associate working with @ukrepro.bsky.social 👇 www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
bristol.ac.uk
Details | Working at Bristol | University of Bristol
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
📚 Academic job opportunity! Fixed term, PT Teaching Associate position here in the School of English @sheffielduni.bsky.social: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSA198/t...
jobs.ac.uk
Teaching Associate at University of Sheffield
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Teaching Associate on jobs.ac.uk!
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
I once wrote an article with Paul Simpson on the language of the Terry/Ferdinand incident. It seems ludicrous to me now that we went to the bother of seeking legal advice in case he sued us for calling him the racist that he is. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Captain. Leader. Far-right sympathiser. Terry joins ranks of football’s radicalised | Jonathan Liew
John Terry’s journey into the internet pipeline is by no means an isolated case – what makes footballers so susceptible?
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
🌱 A long(ish) read for your weekend. Here’s me discussing why the UN SDGs might be doing more harm than good to people and the planet and why we need to reframe progress if we want to avoid ecological collapse…
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
The University of Sheffield has 2 ‘Ragdoll’ Scholarships available to support students studying an MA in 2026/27. These are funded by The Ragdoll Foundation, created by honorary graduate Dr Anne Wood, creator of iconic children's TV programmes such as Teletubbies. sheffield.ac.uk/funding/scho...
sheffield.ac.uk
'Ragdoll' School of English postgraduate scholarships
We're offering two scholarships worth £10,000 each for home fee-paying students starting a taught postgraduate course in the School of English in 2026.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
This is very sad news indeed.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
My report - Effective Communication for the Modern Industrial Bioeconomy - is now available open-access here: bb-reg-net.org.uk/resource-hub/ The report is the result of 2 years’ work with the amazing Biobased and Biodegradable Regulatory Network. @granthamcsf.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social
bb-reg-net.org.uk
Resource Hub - BB-REG-NET
[...]Read More... from Resource Hub
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Had a fantastic day at the House of Commons today, launching the white paper for our BB-REG-NET project. Really proud of everything we’ve achieved and honoured to be part of such a brilliant team. @granthamcsf.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social bb-reg-net.org.uk/wp-content/u...
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Ian Cushing @iancushing.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
lectureship in applied linguistics in my department. lovely city, lovely department, lovely colleagues 🌸 manmetjobs.mmu.ac.uk/jobs/vacancy...
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
100 years today since the birth of Ian Hamilton Finlay. Happy birthday IHF.
A picture of Ian Hamilton Finlay flying paper planes at his home, Stonypath.
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Open Research, University of Sheffield @openresshef.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
📣 Reminder: Sheffield Library is recruiting for an Open Research Manager/ local UKRN ORCA! Applications close next Wednesday, 22 October 👇
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
I’m seeking volunteers to take part in some online focus groups about biobased and biodegradable materials. Please complete this form if you can spare an hour of your time for the BB-REG-NET project. tinyurl.com/vmdxru4a
tinyurl.com
Biobased and Biodegradable Regulatory Network (BB-REG-NET) Focus Groups
The Biobased and Biodegradable Regulatory Network (BB-REG-NET) is a one-year project, funded by Innovate UK. The network unites experts from academia, industry, policy, regulatory bodies, and NGOs. To...
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Very sad to learn of the death of Tony Harrison. One of my favourite poets and a good Leeds lad. I was lucky enough to meet him a couple of times and he was utterly charming. The literary world and the world in general is a poorer place without him. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
theguardian.com
Tony Harrison, poet and dramatist, dies aged 88
Known for his outspoken politics, the author was acclaimed for work in theatre, opera, film and TV but wanted to be thought of as a poet above all
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
Another great post from @bnerlich.bsky.social on the metaphors of geoengineering. #linguistics #ecolinguistics @granthamcsf.bsky.social
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Gavin Lamb @gavinlamb.org · 06/09/2025
"Since 1800, there’s been a sharp decline in nature-related words in English language books. It closely matches a simulation of nature–human interactions." A new piece in @grist.org by Kate Yoder, with some #ecolinguistics input from @repoole.bsky.social grist.org/language/nat...
grist.org
The words we use to talk about nature are disappearing. Here’s why that matters.
We’ll need to do more than ‘touch grass’ to revive them.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
This October, I’m curating a strand of the Off the Shelf festival called Human/Nature. I’m very excited to be talking to @tonyjuniper.bsky.social on 18th about his book ‘Just Earth: How a Fairer World will Save the Planet’. Details👇 offtheshelf.org.uk/events/just-... @sheffielduni.bsky.social
offtheshelf.org.uk
Tony Juniper CBE is Chair of the British Government’s official conservation agency Natural England and a Fellow with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. His books include the award-winning What Has Nature Ever Done For Us?
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
Pleased to share I’ve been appointed to the Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group of the new government body, PackUK. Along with two other advisory groups, we’ll be helping to shape the UK’s packaging waste reforms. Great to be in such excellent company here. www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Industry experts selected to join key pEPR advisory groups
PackUK is pleased to announce the members appointed to 3 of its key advisory groups.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 08/08/2025
Want to keep up with environment stories from the Guardian? We now have a dedicated Guardian Environment Bluesky account. Follow us at @environment.theguardian.com bsky.app/profile/envi...
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
This is a great read. It’s just vibes.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Had a wonderful day yesterday, giving a talk on the language of Ian Hamilton Finlay’s poetry in his garden at Little Sparta. Also managed to catch the exhibition of his work at Biggar museum afterwards. A beautiful selection of his work, expertly curated by Head Gardener, George Gilliland. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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richsulley.bsky.social @richsulley.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Last book review for a while (probably), this time @doctorvive.bsky.social's The Language of Climate Politics www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
linkedin.com
Last one of these for a while as I’m going on holiday and going to give myself (and you dear reader) a break from books about the end of the world/ecological breakdown/neoliberal capitalism… | Richard...
Last one of these for a while as I’m going on holiday and going to give myself (and you dear reader) a break from books about the end of the world/ecological breakdown/neoliberal capitalism destroying...
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Lucía Jiménez @luciajimenezuco.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
🚨 CfP open! ❓Are you a young researcher in Cognitive Linguistics? ➡️Present your work at the "4th International Conference for Young Researchers in Cognitive Linguistics", hosted by @uco.es online. 📝Deadline: Sept 1, 2025 🎤Four plenary speakers 🗓️Dec 10-12, 2025 eventos.uco.es/132298/detai...
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Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures @granthamcsf.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
📢 We're very excited to launch the Grantham Amplification Fund! We're pledging £500,000 to kickstart impactful #sustainability research projects! It's open to all @sheffielduni.bsky.social academics, researchers & professional service staff. Read more ⬇️ tinyurl.com/26ut4mpf #ResearchFunding
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Open Research, University of Sheffield @openresshef.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
🔊Registration is NOW OPEN for OpenFest 2025, the annual open research event led by Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam unis. 2nd-5th September - all welcome. This year's theme is Open Research & Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - in all the meanings of those terms. More details and registration:⬇️
sheffield.ac.uk
OpenFest 2025
OpenFest 2025 will take place between 2nd-5th September 2025. View the programme and book your place:
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
2pm this Sunday 27th July at Little Sparta - come and enjoy the garden and hear me talk about my obsessions! #IanHamiltonFinlay
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
Repost with you in nature. 🌊
Picture of a woman walking away from the camera on a beach in on the island of Iona, Scotland.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Very happy to have been invited to give a talk at Little Sparta on 27th July as part of their ‘Month of Sundays’ series, marking the centenary of Ian Hamilton Finlay. More details here: www.littlesparta.org.uk/month-of-sun...
littlesparta.org.uk
A Month of Sundays - Little Sparta
a month of Sundays                                    events at Little Sparta on Sundays in August 2025
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billylinguist.bsky.social @billylinguist.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
I'm looking forward to our Institute of Humanities research seminar research tomorrow! @joannagavins.bsky.social on the discourse of plastic packaging northumbriaenglish.org/2025/06/03/t...
northumbriaenglish.org
The Discourse of Plastic Packaging
The next speaker in our Institute of Humanities research seminar series is Professor Joanna Gavins from the University of Sheffield. The talk’s title is Every little ‘help’: understandin…
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Nice to get this from the postie this morning. 😊 #stylistics #linguistics
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Proud and happy that our book in honour of the late Professor Peter Verdonk, Style as Motivated Choice, has been published today. There are some great chapters in here, each of them a fitting tribute to our wonderful colleague and dear friend, Peter. benjamins.com/catalog/lal....
benjamins.com
Style as Motivated Choice
Each author in this volume has chosen as their starting point one of Peter Verdonk’s seminal ideas on literary and linguistic style. The resulting chapters are erudite and inspirational, and will moti...
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
New open-access report from our BB-REG-NET project, debunking the myth that biodegradable plastics encourage littering. ⬇️ Great work from our Circular Economy Working Group. 👏🏻 bb-reg-net.org.uk/wp-content/u...
bb-reg-net.org.uk
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Prof Michaela Mahlberg @michamahlberg.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
📣 Here is a fantastic opportunity to join our team @dhssfau.bsky.social @fau.de @fauphil.bsky.social 2 full professorships in #digitalhumanities Please do share widely!
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Really pleased to be taking on a new role @sheffielduni.bsky.social as Research Practice Lead. I’ll be leading our open research strategy, ensuring our research is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable. More on our commitment to these principles here: www.sheffield.ac.uk/openresearch...
sheffield.ac.uk
University statement on Open Research
The University of Sheffield recognises that Open Research is a vital part of our commitment to enabling and promoting research excellence across our community.
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Robert Poole @repoole.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
A transdisciplinary conference on ecopoetics and environmental artivism labrc.co.uk/2025/02/23/e...
labrc.co.uk
Eco-Poetics and Environmental Artivism
Eco-Poetics and Environmental Artivism A Transdisciplinary ConferenceJuly 4-5, 2025 July 4: In person participation at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park (and online)July 5: Fully online Registrati…
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
There should be a special rehabilitation programme for people who have to go back to work after time spent on the Isle of Mull.
An image of Ardanalish Bay on the Isle of Mull.A sunset on the Isle of Mull.Dusk on the Isle of Mull.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Never coming home. Ever.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Meeting MPs at Westminster today for our BB-REG-NET project and pleased to see Portcullis House has a well signposted closed system for the disposal of compostables! Also that the incineration end-point of general waste is foregrounded too. 10/10 👏🏻 @granthamcsf.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
This is so depressing and inaccurate. It’s just a list of more and more unnecessary stuff to buy. If you really want to help the environment and cut down plastic, stop buying so much crap and reuse what you already have! @granthamcsf.bsky.social @sarahcgreenwood.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social
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Pete Harvey @peterharveydigital.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Do you have ten minutes to help my research? I'm looking for volunteers to complete a survey about reading. You don't have to be a bookworm - and I explain more about my research questions at the end. If you can take part or share it would be much appreciated. nquire.org.uk/mission/reme...
nquire.org.uk
nQuire – Remembering literary descriptions
Do different readers remember literary texts in different ways?
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Elena Semino @elenasemino.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Funded PhD opportunity at Lancaster: 'The sharing of personal lived experience by peer support workers working in mental health services in NHS, social care and third sector organisations.' Open to applicants with a background in Linguistics as well as Psychology www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
findaphd.com
The sharing of personal lived experience by peer support workers working in mental health services in NHS, social care and third sector organisations. at Lancaster University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - The sharing of personal lived experience by peer support workers working in mental health services in NHS, social care and third sector organisations. at Lancaster University, listed on ...
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
#Ecolinguistics and #cognitivelinguistics followers: does anyone know of any Greek-speaking researchers working on or interested in (non-literary) language, cognition and the environment? I’d be grateful if you could point them in my direction for a potential funding/project opportunity.
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Joanna Gavins @joannagavins.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
What people need to understand about Trump is that, for him, only the framing matters. He doesn’t care if he backtracks. He doesn’t care if he fails. Because the rhetoric leading up to the failed action has already done its work. How he talks about what he does/will do/did is how his cult grows.
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