By Dr Anna Kotova, Associate Professor in Criminology School of Social Policy and Society, University of Birmingham In September 2024, it was announced that a number of prisoners were set for earlier release, at the 40% point of their sentence as opposed to the 50% point, in order to relieve some of the overcrowding pressures … Continue reading “Early release from prison – a simple solution to a complex problem?”
Why money isn’t enough to solve the problem of the Post Office Horizon replacement
West Street, Fareham (56) by Barry Shimmon, CC BY-SA 2.0 By Dr Alice Moore, Assistant Professor in Public Management and Public Policy School of Government, University of Birmingham One of the headline announcements from last week’s Budget was £1.8 billion for compensation to victims of the Post Office scandal. Yet the money Rachel Reeves allocated to … Continue reading “Why money isn’t enough to solve the problem of the Post Office Horizon replacement”
Immersive worlds: Well-being in the (sometimes) blurred boundaries and realities of gaming
By Dr Daniel Wheatley, University of Birmingham; Dr Emma J Breeze, University of Birmingham; Helen Greetham, University of Birmingham; and Mikayla Sinead, Bridge Network Group The singer Raye recently said in an interview that gaming is her secret to escaping life. It appears she’s not the only one. Gaming is a massive worldwide industry employing … Continue reading “Immersive worlds: Well-being in the (sometimes) blurred boundaries and realities of gaming”
Saoirse Ronan has a point – but independent travel is worse for girls and young women living in areas of high deprivation
By Dr Sarah Brooks-Wilson Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology American-Irish actor Saoirse Ronan has a greater platform than most and her short remarks on the Graham Norton show recently have sparked widespread discussions about personal safety strategies that women regularly use. Although research evidence and crime data support the view that personal safety … Continue reading “Saoirse Ronan has a point – but independent travel is worse for girls and young women living in areas of high deprivation”
Young People and Online Porn: A New Phenomenon?
By Dr Sophie King-Hill, University of Birmingham Prof. Kieran McCartan, University of the West of England David Russell, Development Lead & Service Manager: Thriving Survivors Lucy Harvey, Sexpression: Birmingham With easier access to the internet comes easier access to adult material. One thing is for certain – pornography is not going away. Safe and open … Continue reading “Young People and Online Porn: A New Phenomenon?”
How could the US election results impact the UK?
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The U.S. presidential election results have a substantial ripple effect on the U.K., influencing areas like economic stability, security cooperation, trade agreements, and global environmental goals. As the U.K.’s closest ally, U.S. leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping U.K.’s policies, especially regarding trade, military … Continue reading “How could the US election results impact the UK?”
Why hold an academic event about Taylor Swift?
By Professor Sarah Montano Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham We were delighted to host The Taylor Swift Phenomenon as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, a standout event that received BBC press coverage for its engaging exploration of cultural influence. Taylor Swift’s ascent to iconic status compels us to examine how society … Continue reading “Why hold an academic event about Taylor Swift?”
US Election 2024: Can we trust the polls?
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The reliability of 2024 U.S. election polls is a critical question given recent polling inaccuracies in key election years. Historically, polls have struggled to capture precise snapshots of voter preferences, especially when predicting voter turnout, demographic preferences, and unexpected political shifts. Polling accuracy depends on … Continue reading “US Election 2024: Can we trust the polls?”
The Fallacy of Borrowing to Invest
By Professor John Bryson Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham There are many way of describing the Labour budget. To some in Labour, the budget process has been described as “a mess” whilst others use words like “chaos” and “carnage”. These descriptions apply to discussions regarding departmental budgets. All this is very Yes Minister. In … Continue reading “The Fallacy of Borrowing to Invest”
What’s the impact of the US election on crypto?
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The relationship between the US elections and the cryptocurrency market has grown increasingly intertwined as digital assets become more mainstream and significant in the global financial system. As one of the largest and most developed economies, the US plays a critical role in shaping the … Continue reading “What’s the impact of the US election on crypto?”