*Critical Realism and Digital Technologies: Platforms, AI and Human Agency *January 19th, 1pm GMT, Online What does it mean to be human in an age of generative AI and ubiquitous platforms? This joint book launch brings together two new works that draw on critical realism to interrogate digital technologies and their implications for education, selfhood and society. Jérémie Bouchard presents Humanising Language Education in the Generative Artificial Intelligence <https://www.routledge.com/Humanising-Language-Education-in-the-Generative-Artificial-Intelligence-Age-A-Critical-Realist-Approach/Bouchard/p/book/9781041135678> Age, examining GenAI's presence in language education through a social realist lens. Mark Carrigan presents Platform and Agency: Becoming Who We Are <https://www.routledge.com/Platform-and-Agency-Becoming-Who-We-Are/Carrigan/p/book/9781032895970>, exploring how platforms shape personal and collective reflexivity across biographical timescales. Following the authors' presentations, responses from Helen Beetham, Dave Elder-Vass, Clive Lawson and Angela Dy will open up a broader conversation about critical realism's contribution to understanding digital life. Register here: https://forms.gle/hGohMitRAqXTJA2L8 Dr Mark Carrigan FRSA Senior Lecturer in Education Manchester Institute of Education University of Manchester www.markcarrigan.net *I occasionally send e-mail outside of normal hours as my preferred way of balancing multiple commitments. Please don't feel obligated to respond to this e-mail until your own working hours have resumed. * *Latest book: *Platform & Agency - Becoming Who We Are <https://www.routledge.com/Platform-and-Agency-Becoming-Who-We-Are/Carrigan/p/book/9781032895970> *Latest paper*: Teacher agency and generative artificial intelligence <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439884.2025.2575993> *Latest chapter: *Generative AI and the next phase of the platform university <https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003442264-9/generative-ai-next-phase-platform-university-mark-carrigan-sylvia?context=ubx&refId=84a3cb31-7633-429e-9bf3-f8e07ab03c39> *Latest guest blog: *A new academic year has begun, but UK universities are still struggling to respond to AI <https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2025/09/26/a-new-academic-year-has-begun-but-uk-universities-are-still-struggling-to-respond-to-ai/>