© Pint of Science, 2025. All rights reserved.
Join us for an enlightening evening when we explore the changing landscape of language and identity, highlighting the significance of pronouns in modern society, as well as delving into the unique strengths and abilities associated with ADHD, offering insights on how to leverage these traits for personal and professional success. You'll also be in with the chance to win some Pint of Science goodies!
From Thou to You: The Evolution of Pronouns
Dr Lena Mattheis
(Lecturer in Contemporary Literature)
Did you know that singular you is a more recent addition to the English language than singular they? We can trace back singular they to the 1300s but singular you only replaced thou, thee and thy in the 17th century. This is only one of many surprising facts that literary history can teach us about gender-inclusive pronouns. Where current debates about language policies might have us believe that pronouns that challenge the gender binary are strictly a 21st-century issue, celebrated authors from Margaret Cavendish to Aphra Behn to Virginia Woolf show us that gender non-conformity pronouns have not just been in use for centuries, but are also beautiful enough to have made it into some of the most celebrated novels and poems in English

Entrepreneurial Thinking: Harnessing the ADHD Superpower
Dr Lena Mattheis
(Lecturer in Contemporary Literature)
Dr Will Lanham-New
(Senior Lecturer, Surrey Business School)
Harnessing the ADHD Superpower: join William as he explores the unique strengths often found in individuals with ADHD. The talk focuses on how traits such as hyper focus, creativity, and high energy can be channelled into productive outlets. Based on his own experiences, he will explore this fascinating and enlightening topic. The ultimate message is one of empowerment, showing that with the right mindset, ADHD can be transformed from a hurdle into a powerful asset.

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