Institute of English Studies

There are still spaces available on courses across palaeography and manuscript studies at the London International Palaeography School this summer!

📅 8th - 12th June 2026
📍 Senate House and other venues across London
🎟️ Book your space now - tinyurl.com/ymkxz43c

Bookings close 22nd May 2026

Congratulations Sara! Absolutely wonderful news!

Had fun looking at manuscripts this morning @senatehouselib.bsky.social with students from the MA in the History of the Book @ies-sas.bsky.social 🎓📚 #Skystorians #MedievalSky

#EnglishCreates: Futures

To round off our series on 'Critical Reading', Prof Ben Davies (University of Southern Denmark) takes a fascinating look at some of the books that have shaped his research into reading and readers:

universityenglish.ac.uk/a-reading-li...

#EnglishStudies

📣 The Library Transformation survey is now open!

Help shape the future of Senate House Library – from digital resources to library spaces. It takes just 5 minutes to complete.

🗓 Closes 31 March

👉 forms.office.com/e/H9kiyBWchn

#LibraryTransformation #AcademicLibraries

Curator or Associate Curator of Maps & Geography - Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library

Job opportunity! 🚨

Curator or Associate Curator of Maps and Geography @bplmaps.bsky.social

#maps #jobadvert #geography

The 49th Latin and Palaeography Summer School, 27-31 July 2026 The School, formerly the Keele Latin and Palaeography Summer School, returns for its 49th year. In 2025 The Ranulf Higden Society took over the organisation of the Latin and Palaeography Summer Sch…

Calling #Skystorians #MedievalSky the 49th Latin and Palaeography Summer School (formerly the Keele summer school) is open for bookings. 27-31 July in Birmingham. 👇

palaeography.uk/study/short-...

The 49th Latin and Palaeography Summer School, 27-31 July 2026 The School, formerly the Keele Latin and Palaeography Summer School, returns for its 49th year. In 2025 The Ranulf Higden Society took over the organisation of the Latin and Palaeography Summer Sch…

Many medievalists and early modernists have fond memories of the Keele Palaeography Summer School - it lives on! Now in the convenient location of central Birmingham, organised with help from @ies-sas.bsky.social and @ihr.bsky.social Booking open now!

palaeography.uk/study/short-...

The next @ies-sas.bsky.social #HistoryofLibraries seminar is tomorrow, Tuesday 3rd March:

The National Lending Library for Science and Technology and its collection of Russian scientific literature in Cold War Britain

Free to attend; book now at sas.sym-online.com/registration...

Textual Editing: philosophical and theological texts throughout the Middle Ages This course introduces students to textual editing, especially of Latin writings belonging to the earlier and later medieval philosophical and theological tradition. First, students will learn abou…

For students who need to edit medieval texts, this summer school course in London, 8-12 June, provides an intensive introduction. Let your graduate students know. #medievalsky 👇🎓📖 ☀️

palaeography.uk/study/short-...

Palaeography is one of my absolute favourite academic skills. Still remember, as a primary school kid on half term, sitting in the back of palaeography classes my mum taught @aberuni.bsky.social.

And then taking classes in it myself at uni was the best thing EVER. 🥰 #medievalsky

Unlocking the Islamic Literary Heritage: An Intensive Practical Introduction to Arabic Manuscripts Some three million Islamic manuscripts are thought to survive in collections around the world. Most of them are unedited and unpublished. This course offers an in-depth, hands-on introduction to th…

For Arabic readers, London’s palaeography school has a course on Islamic literary heritage. In person, 8-12 June. Places are limited, so book now 👇 📚☀️
palaeography.uk/study/short-...

Introduction to Handwriting in England c. 700-1700 This course will provide an introduction to manuscript-production in Britain and Ireland over the course of a millennium. It will explore questions of palaeography, diplomatic, and processes of tra…

Do you want to improve your knowledge of medieval manuscripts from England? Book now for this summer school course, in person, in London, 8-12 June. 👇☀️📚 #medievalsky please repost!

palaeography.uk/study/short-...

Introduction to Making Medieval Manuscripts (Practice Based) This course introduces students to the complicated and messy processes of production through which pre-modern manuscripts were created. It offers a mixture of talks and practical sessions that give…

The “messy” course returns to London’s palaeography summer school, 8-12 June. A chance to make your own medieval manuscript. Places are limited so book now (tell your friends)! #medievalsky taught by the amazing @saracharles.bsky.social @stevelawesarts.bsky.social 👇🎨🫟
palaeography.uk/study/short-...

Might be one for @ies-sas.bsky.social students?

Introduction to Palaeography and Manuscript Studies This course introduces students to key skills for the study of medieval European manuscripts, from the making of parchment to reading text and imagery. The course is designed for beginners, with no…

For those wanting to learn some new skills, handle medieval books, and gain confidence in working with medieval sources, London’s palaeography summer school in palaeography and manuscript studies is a great place to start. 8-12 June. A friendly and fun introduction.👇📖
palaeography.uk/study/short-...

Interested in brushing up your knowledge on rare books? Check out our week-long courses at the London Rare Books Summer School.

Scan the QR code or visit our website: buff.ly/7cpbeU1.

#RareBooks #SummerSchool

Crime and the London Rare Book Trade 1890-1930 Join an evening talk by Dr Laura Cleaver - exploring London life, book trade workings, and views on rare books through crime stories.

I’m giving a talk @thelondonarchives.bsky.social on April 29th! 👇

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crime-and-...

Now open!

Senate House Library hosts major new exhibition to mark 550th anniversary of Caxton printing press A major exhibition to mark the 550th anniversary of William Caxton’s first printing press opens at Senate House Library today (26 Feb - 1 July)

Read more about it here. Running until July, it’s completely free to enter, so we know what you’ll be doing this weekend!

www.london.ac.uk/senate-house...

New exhibition @senatehouselib.bsky.social!

Our new exhibition The English Print Revolution: Caxton and Beyond is now open!

Co-curated by Karen Attar (SHL) and @michaelwdurrant.bsky.social (IES, SAS) the display celebrates the 550th anniversary of William Caxton’s first printing press!

Last night’s UCL/IES Stevenson Lecture, ‘Richard Oswald’s Library: Slavery, Collecting, and the Invention of Rare Books’, was fantastic. Thanks to all who attended, and of course thank you to @oldfortunatus.bsky.social for putting on such a great talk!

Looking forward to hearing @oldfortunatus.bsky.social give the Stevenson Lecture @ies-sas.bsky.social tonight!

fantastic as always @oldfortunatus.bsky.social, talking at @ihr.bsky.social on slavery and the ’invention of rare books’, who I paraphrase here: “We think that people who care about books are fundamentally good people, separate from other forms of accumulation… but I want to suggest otherwise”

Part of the #UCL200 programme of activities and events celebrating UCL’s Bicentenary, the lecture tonight examines the economic and racialised foundations of bibliophile taste, and the consequences for rare book libraries 📚

What is a Digital Humanities PhD?

What is a Digital Humanities PhD?

Monday 9th March 2026, 16:30–18:00 GMT. Online only. Discussion with Jonathan Blaney & Ryan Heuser (Cambridge), Lucia Michielin (Edinburgh), Luca Scholtz (Manchester) & myself (@dh-researchhub.bsky.social).

www.sas.ac.uk/digital-huma...

'A Night with Hamlet'. In Celebration of Shakespeare's Birthday

In celebration of Shakespeare's birthday, join us for an evening featuring leading Shakespeare scholars and recitals by acclaimed actors.

The event is open to all and free to attend. Advance online registration is essential.

⏰ 4pm, 23 April 2026
📍 Senate House, London

BOOK NOW 👇

Photo of interior of the National Lending Library for Science and Technology

Join online or in person on Tues 3 March 5.30pm @warburginstitute.bsky.social. Emmeline Ledgerwood's topic is The National Lending Library for Science & Technology & its collection of Russian scientific literature in Cold War Britain: bit.ly/NationalLend.... Image: British Library Corporate Archive

Firsts London and Senate House Library | Firsts: London's Rare Book Fair We are thrilled to announce Senate House Library as the official Charity Partner for Firsts London 2026.

News:
@senatehouselib.bsky.social is the official Charity Partner for #FirstsLondon 2026! An announcement and further details can be found through @abararebooks.bsky.social here👇

#rarebooks #manuscripts #archives #bookhistory #libraries