Welcome to the March 2017 edition of short reflections ‘From Our Fellows’. Some of us struggle with niceties of language. For others, the problem is that their language is disappearing around them. Neil Kenny and Janet Watson provide different linguistic perspectives. Our second pair of contributors, Jill Rubery and Christine Chinkin, argue the case for basic rights – rights to secure employment, and the rights of women to secure lives in times of armed conflict.

Professor Neil Kenny is Senior Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford. Here he tests our sensibilities to how people use the present tense.

Professor Janet Watson is Leadership Chair for Language at the University of Leeds. Here she reveals how environmental diversity and linguistic diversity are closely linked, and both under threat. [at 9:24]

Jill Rubery is Professor of Comparative Employment Systems at the University of Manchester. Here she argues that recent changes in the law are undermining basic employment and citizenship rights. [at 21:04]

Christine Chinkin is Professor of International Law at the London School of Economics. Here she explains her work in promoting global peace and security for women. [at 26:50]

The British Academy: From Our Fellows

From Our Fellows 05, March 2017

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. ​

From artificial intelligence to climate change, from building prosperity to improving well-being – today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, cultures and societies.​

We invest in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas, ​engage the public with fresh thinking and debates, and bring together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy for ​the benefit of everyone. ​