Today is the end of week 4… I had planned to write a weekly update this term saying what I’d been up to, but as it’s already week 4, that’s clearly not happened. Anyway, I’ve been auditing one of the digital humanities MA course on digital texts, and this morning we were talking about writing academic blogs, and I decided it was time I posted an update.

So, as I said, I’m auditing the digital texts MA course alongside the students, which is nice – it’s lovely to be back on the other side of the table for a change, and I’m enjoying doing the practical tasks with the students. I’m not sure that I’ll get to completing the project at the end, but if possible I’ll try to do some of it, because it will help with my project on the overlap between ballads and pamphlets.

In terms of teaching, I’m still taking the MA core course, and the second year course on the Restoration, Making Modern Britain, and next term I’ll be taking the PGCert course in modern local history. So far on the Making Modern Britain module we’ve talked about toleration and dissent, political developments and the development of a public sphere – that was today’s lecture, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I’m also convening the first of our two second year core on methods and historical approaches. Although I am only giving a couple of lectures on this team taught course, I’ve been gong along to the Friday lectures – so here again I’m enjoying listening to my colleagues’ expertise.

There are other things on the go – an application for funding for a performance of John Balshaw’s Jigge, and a proposal for a new course.

All in all, I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. Even the commute has been a joy lately, as I’ve come across the hills several times in the last few weeks. But I must say, it does make a huge difference to be paid decently for the work I’m doing and to know that I have some level of security.