iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Ah congrats, Ervin, *great* cover! Looking forward to reading it, good luck with the final push.

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 29/09/2026

Colleagues at Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow Caledonian are all on strike today over job cuts. Please show your solidarity as they take to the picket lines to defend jobs and education.

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Woohooo! Huge congrats, what an brilliant achievement. Ick freu mir uffs Lesen!

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Sarah Arens @saraharens.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Over the moon that the special issue of Social History of Medicine @sshmedicine.bsky.social I co-edited with Sam Goodman on "Ailing Empires: Medicine, Science and Imperialism" is finally out in the world. Endless gratitude to @fcondrau.bsky.social. All article links below: academic.oup.com/shm/issue

academic.oup.com

Issues | Social History of Medicine | Oxford Academic

The official journal of the Society for the Social History of Medicine. Publishes research concerned with all aspects of health, illness, and medical treatment in the past. Articles treat the social h...

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German Embassy London @uk.diplo.de · 13/08/2026

Congratulations to everyone getting their A-level results today & herzlichen Glückwunsch to those who chose German 🥳 If you realised that German is an absolute blast and want to continue past GCSE, you're in luck: @goethe-institut-uk.bsky.social is launching the National German A-Level Class.

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Also I love the phrasing "not including ice lollies and the like"

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Well I guess it's too late to save Britain, then.

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Bad Gays @badgayspod.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

GLADT offers counseling for queer people who also experience racism, inquire at info@gladt.de. All Berliners affected can call a support hotline at 0800 – 0009546.

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

If anyone on my TL isn't already following the very sound voices on Germany on this issue, here is Fatma Aydemir in the Guardian for your algorithm: Germany's leaders say the Berlin Pride attack targeted 'all of us'. What utter hypocrisy | Fatma Aydemir www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

Germany's leaders say the Berlin Pride attack targeted 'all of us'. What utter hypocrisy | Fatma Aydemir

The queer community has lost resources and protection due to decisions made by the people now mouthing solidarity in public, says Guardian Europe columnist Fatma Aydemir

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Horrified by what's happened in Berlin. Sending my love to all my loved ones. 😞🏳️‍🌈

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Yeah obviously it's a matter of what folks are used to, but we routinely set a shortish book a week at Honours (admittedly with reading list im advance). Because it's in German we can't go too wild and I use extracts instead if it's a long text. But they get on well mostly!

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I'm sure they'll be really into it - it'll be something different!

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Lol they should try a literature degree if this feels like a lot haha!

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Uri Horesh @urihoresh.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter c.org/VPG8ysBcFn

c.org

Sign the Petition

Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter

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Laleh Khalili @lalehkhalili.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

How higher education is vandalised in the UK. Here is our last published annual report (www.exeter.ac.uk/v8media/univ...) containing info about "a year of continued financial stability with operating cash generation of £48m and an increase in cash of £11m to end the year with balance of £211m."

Performance
We are pleased to report a year of continued financial stability with operating cash generation
(EBITDA) of £48m and an increase in cash of £11m to end the year with balances of £211m. This surplus of income over expenditure, despite the challenging environment, is the result of significant hard work across the University following another challenging international recruitment round and continued economic pressures. Total income increased by 2% to £681m through growth in research grants and contracts income (+£8m, 6%), capital grants (+£3m) and donations (+£4m) bolstered by strong commercial income performance.
Tuition fee income maintained the historic high of £350m achieved in the prior year. The University saw continued strong interest from Home Undergraduate (UG Home) and Postgraduate students, but this was offset by contractions in Undergraduate and Postgraduate International.
These contractions were compounded by increased levels of scholarships, resulting in international fee income seeing a 2% year on year reduction to £135m, representing 38% of teaching income and 20% of total University income.

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Alice Christensen @alicerc.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Please sign - Exeter colleagues need our support: c.org/pvDPwTNwts

c.org

Sign the Petition

Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter

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Reposted by Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈

Dr. T. Flo (Trying to get back on two feet in 2026) @tnflorvil.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

It is 2026, and people still think Saidiya Hartman and Natalie Zemon Davis invented historical information in their works. I am by no means an expert on critical fabulation, but it is not a practice about making up historical information.

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Stephan Ehrig @herrehrig.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Please to announce that our little German Streaming TV volume is now available in paperback! @chewschaper.bsky.social @elizabethward.bsky.social @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social @espinoza.bsky.social @bennickl.bsky.social

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

The reporting is atrocious and needs to get this straight. These far right actors have been waiting for another excuse for violence since 2024 and have been laying the groundwork online since then, supported by Reform and Conservatives. Nothing is spontaneous about what was happening last night.

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Let's be clear. What's happening in So'ton is being driven and funded by the global far right online. Brits talking about "DEI", an American term - there's a common UK equivalent but they don't know it. Shows they've no clue about the real situation and are being fed by far right media abroad.

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

I fell in love with the German phrase "in der S-Bahn geboren sein" for this, ever since I heard it shouted in a sauna.

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Dat kannste laut sagen. I couldn't figure out *who* on the ballot would have had the answer to that problem to be fair, tho, call me a pessimist 😞

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Yeah wow! Labour in second, bottom fell out of AR's vote in a way I hadn't expected. Not my constituency anymore and I'm no nationalist but I feel mixed about it - he's a real champion for languages among other things!

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Modern Languages at St Andrews @sta-modlangs.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Our final AUSTRO PASS screening, Far From Being Lipizzans (2025), explores questions of identity, belonging, & the social boundaries behind a sense of “we”. Drawing on director Olga Kosanović’s personal experience, the film offers a thoughtful reflection on citizenship and inclusion. Don’t miss it!

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Stephan Ehrig @herrehrig.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

And here we go again - please consider signing! c.org/7ntNZsBZ8N

c.org

Sign the Petition

Open Letter to University of Aberdeen Court

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German Screen Studies Network @g-s-s-n.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

The University of St. Andrews' OeAD-Lektorin, Verena Latschbacher, is organising a wonderful showcase of Austrian cinema! A particular highlight of the showcase will be the Scottish premiere of Ruth Beckermann’s Favoriten! All screenings are generously supported by the Austrian Cultural Forum.

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Dr Anna Hájková @ankahajkova.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Today is workshop on Queer Central Europe organized by European History Research Centre/yours truly. Opened by @schuneke.bsky.social keynote on queer women in Nazi Germany

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UCFL - University Council For Languages @ucflangs.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

And another petition, sadly 😪 You might be aware that the Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies (LINCS) at Heriot-Watt University is under threat. More information and to sign the petition: heriotwatt.web.ucu.org.uk/2026/02/05/s...

heriotwatt.web.ucu.org.uk

Save LINCS petition

To Principal Richard Williams, the University Executive and Court The Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies (LINCS) at Heriot-Watt University is under threat to lose a third of its staff, f...

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Book sale klaxon 🚨 Including my own book, but lots of other great titles in their film paperbacks @berghahnbooks.bsky.social

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

This is very very well written and meticulously researched. Well worth reading (and available open access).

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

No wonder the kids didn't fall for that one - everyone knows the plural is bananata... 🙄

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Jürgen Zimmerer @juergenzimmerer.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

It's out!🍾 I am delighted to announce the publication of our "Germany's History Wars. Contesting Memory and Identity Today" It is Open Access! 👇 You can download it here for free. www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Interesting reporting on the damage the Republicans are wreaking in my own home turf in Trump country. The piece for the most part surprisingly humane (if you get past sneering descriptions by East Coast journalist who obviously didn't see the beauty of the place..) www.politico.com/news/2025/11...

politico.com

Electricity prices jump after Trump rejects disaster aid for Michigan utilities

The president denied the state’s request for federal aid to rebuild power lines after a fierce ice storm last March, a move that could force thousands of rural electricity customers to pay the entire ...

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NSU-Watch @nsuwatch.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Wir gedenken heute Bahide Arslan, Yeliz Arslan und Ayşe Yılmaz. Sie wurden vor 33 Jahren, in der Nacht vom 22. auf den 23. November 1992, bei den rassistischen Brandanschlägen von #Mölln ermordet. Weitere Mitglieder der Familie wurden zum Teil schwer verletzt. #KeinVergessen

Sharepic: Schwarzer Hintergrund, ein schwarz-weißes Bild vom Gedenken an die rassistischen Brandanschläge von Mölln 1992. Text: Wir gedenken Bahide Arslan, Yeliz Arslan und Ayşe Yılmaz.

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Tom Smith 🏳️‍🌈 @tomsmithgerman.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Germany never even made it as far as "bad apples" theories, so dunno why I bother, but this is wild: "Diese Erklärung hinterfragt allerdings nicht, inwieweit Strukturen und der Corpsgeist in Polizei, Bundeswehr und anderen staatlichen Behörden rechte Einstellungen begünstigen" 👀

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Association of German Studies in Great Britain and Ireland @ags-gbi.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

In response to recent news of the University of Nottingham's devastating plan to cut modern languages degrees, the AGS President (@pdavies.bsky.social) has sent a joint letter of protest to the UoN VC and the Chair of University Council on behalf of the AGS, W+IGS and the GLA. Link to the letter 👇

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Dr Corinne Painter @corinnepainter.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

"Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball" Languages graduates are in high demand and have a lot to offer the economy and society www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...

timeshighereducation.com

The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas

Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists

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Polly McMichael @pollymcmichael.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Modern Languages students at the University of Nottingham have started a petition to save languages degrees. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...

change.org

Sign the Petition

Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!

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UCU Scotland @ucuscotland.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Busy @ducuuo.bsky.social picket lines on day two of their week long strike to save jobs and oppose compulsory redundancies #SaveHE #SaveDundeeUni #NoCompulsoryRedundancies

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Modern Languages at St Andrews @sta-modlangs.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Read about the traditional ‘Altar de muertos’ in the foyer of Buchanan Building, commemorating the Day of the Dead, largely celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries, especially in Mexico, 2 Nov. The Altar will be displayed from until 5 Nov: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/modern-langu...

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History Workshop @historyworkshop.org.uk · 23/10/2025

May Ayim was key to the Black German civil rights movement. But what about her creative, feminist anti-racist work across Europe? How did this exemplify 'cosmopolitanism from below'? Prof. Tiffany N. Florvil on Ayim's life and vision: 🧵5/5 www.historyworkshop.org.uk/feminism/may...

historyworkshop.org.uk

May Ayim’s Cosmopolitanism from Below in Europe

May Ayim was key to the Black German civil rights movement in the 1980s and 1990s. But how did her work across borders exemplify cosmopolitanism from below? Tiffany N. Florvil explores the life and ne...

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Ms. Otoo @sharondoduaotoo.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

"Für Jüdinnen und Juden kann es aus der Geschichte nur eine Lehre geben: Die Einteilung in jene, die aus dem #Stadtbild entfernt gehören, und in jene, die in das Stadtbild passen und deshalb verschont bleiben, ist nicht hinnehmbar" ~ Sasha Marianna Salzmann @taz.de

taz.de

Autor*in zur Stadtbild-Debatte: Der böse Traum vom gereinigten Deutschland

Woran will Bundeskanzler Merz eigentlich das irregulär Migrantische erkennen? Seine Äußerungen zum deutschen Stadtbild sind menschenverachtend.

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Katie Sutton @katielmsutton.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

@brangwenstone.bsky.social and I are giving a talk next week in the Aus German Studies seminar online at 3.30pm AEDT - "Bad Feelings to Utopian Promises: Non-Binary Dissociative Poetics in Strubel’s Blaue Frau and Salzmann’s Außer sich" - trans studies/German lit, DM for a zoom link

Image of author Antje Rávik Strubel and the abstract pink cover their 2021 novel "Blaue Frau" (Blue Woman)

Image of author Sascha Salzmann and their 2017 novel "Ausser sich" (Outside/Beside oneself)

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