Dr Ros Ballaster

I am now on bluesky. Find me there @ballasterros.bsky.social

Advance copies are here! Barnes and Noble have 25% off pre-order for dollar buyers3-5 September barnesandnoble.com/w/jane-austens…

Flyer from PGWells bookstore, Winchester pgwells.co.uk who supplied a magnificent book stall at Global Jane Austen Conference #c18th #Austen250 #janeausten250

Music at Mansfield concert – Shakespeare in Song mansfield.ox.ac.uk/news-events/ev…

Out 11 September 2025. Has been a joy to work on.

📢 JOB OPENINGS! 📢Come work with me at Oxford! As part of my ERC project UNSEEN, I am recruiting a full-time 5-year project admin, two 3-year post-docs and one fully-funded PhD. The first position is already advertised, the others will follow shortly my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecruit…

Our virtual Open Day for state school pupils and teachers is this Saturday, 8 March from 10.30am - 2.30pm. Join us for taster lectures, admissions info, plus a Q&A with our undergraduates. Pls share! #teamenglish #EnglishLit Register for your free place: eventbrite.co.uk/e/oxford-engli…

Tomorrow!

You can find me on bluesky in future. @ballasterros.bsky.social.

A return to Chawton House for this 1793 book, formerly part of the Knight family library. As well as the Montagu Knight bookplate, it contains an enormous fold-out map of the West Indies. Many thanks to @LostSheepGPL, especially Peter Sabor & Gillian Dow for bringing it back!

The story of exploitation of enslaved people behind the Rylands’ enormous wealth that funded the People’s Library of Manchester is also sadly familiar.

John Rylands Library at Manchester feels familiar. No surprise then that it was commissioned from Basil Champneys because Enriqueta Rylands admired his work @Mansfield College, Oxford.

We're looking to appoint to the News UK Professorship of Language & Communication. The Professor will promote the study of English language & communication in Oxford at all levels & stimulate interest in the subject in the wider academic community & beyond english.web.ox.ac.uk/job-vacancies