Author: Guest editor

Dr Anandadeep Mandal, Scotcoin Distinguished Chair of Digital Finance and Programme Director MSc Financial Technology Department of Finance, University of Birmingham Cryptocurrencies have become increasingly popular in the recent years due to their decentralised nature and potential for excessive returns. However, the crypto market also has a dark side. Over the years we have witnessed … Continue reading “Cryptocurrencies: a get-rich-quick scheme or high-risk gambling?”

By Dr Sarah Montano Department of Marketing Today marks the Coronation of King Charles III, and for many in the UK, this will be the first coronation that they have seen or can remember. Many of us will recall being shown mugs and tea towels by our grandparents that depict the Coronation of the late … Continue reading “Mega May and memorabilia mugs: how are you celebrating?”

By Professor Andy Mullineux Emeritus Professor of Financial Economics Over the weekend of 11 March, the US regulatory authorities took control of Silicon Valley Bank (SV), a Californian ‘regional’ bank, and the separately capitalised SVB UK was bought by HSBC for £1. In both cases uninsured, as well as insured, depositors were protected while bondholders … Continue reading “What lessons can we learn from the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) failure?”

By Professor John Bryson Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham Today, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt set out the UK government’s fiscal strategy to encourage economic growth. UK budgets seem to come around rather rapidly and perhaps too rapidly. In an ideal world, a Budget should involve a statement regarding the current state of … Continue reading “Hunting for Snarks or Boojums? Economic Growth and the March 2023 UK Budget”

By Professor Joanne Murphy Department of Management Twenty-five years ago, I and others watched in dismay as Jeffrey Donaldson and his colleagues walked out of the multi-party talks that were to result in the Good Friday Agreement (GFA). That historic compromise represented a reframing of Northern Ireland’s conflicted past and potential future. It resolved the … Continue reading “The Good Friday Agreement: does it still hold up post-Brexit?”

By Dr Nur Gundogdu, Research Fellow Centre for Responsible Business Gender equality is a multi-layered and multifaceted issue prevelant in all sectors across the globe, despite national and international regulations and interventions. It is also one of the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed to be achieved by 2030. However, despite prolonged global … Continue reading “Embracing gender equality in academia”

By Helen Brain Department of Accounting, University of Birmingham Local government finance is in the headlines again, with the County Council Network reporting three quarters of councils will increase council tax by the maximum in April. Here we look at what councils do and why council tax is rising. The focus is on England; arrangements … Continue reading “Council tax: what is it and why is it another bill that’s rising?”

By Johannes Read City Region Economic and Development Institute, University of Birmingham Although initially rooted in addressing persistent economic inequality, the phrase ‘levelling up’ and given opportunity to new conversations, such as capital projects and a focus on cycle paths to accommodate more sustainable travel. Whilst creating opportunities is important, the continued patchwork approach to … Continue reading “The devil and the detail: the issues behind the UK Levelling Up Fund”

By Professor John Bryson Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham Nicola Sturgeon has dominated Scottish Politics and the Scottish National Party (SNP) since she became First Minister of Scotland on 20 November 2014. Her role in shaping the SNP’s political agenda dates back to 2004 when she became deputy leader of the … Continue reading “Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation: Scotland’s long road towards independence”