By Professor John Mohan, Director of the Third Sector Research Centre, University of Birmingham On the back of the coronation of King Charles, a number of the UK’s most prominent volunteer-involving charities have launched a national volunteering initiative, the Big Help Out. Simultaneously a celebration of volunteering and an attempt to inspire people to engage … Continue reading “Can the “Big Help Out” reverse the decline in volunteering?”
Author: Guest blogger
The EU’s Response to the Ukraine Crisis – Five Foreign Policy Takeaways and Challenges for 2023
By Dr Graham Timmins, Reader in International Politics Reader in International Politics, University of Birmingham The European Council met in Brussels yesterday for the biannual summit of EU leaders. The period since the last summit in June has witnessed Europe reeling from the shock of the new political reality following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. What then … Continue reading “The EU’s Response to the Ukraine Crisis – Five Foreign Policy Takeaways and Challenges for 2023”
5 ways the UK government and local communities can support Afghan refugees
By Natasha Nicholls, Research Assistant.Institute for Research into Superdiversity, University of Birmingham. Following the Taliban seizing control of Afghanistan, the country is facing a growing humanitarian crisis. Thousands are trying to flee the regime and have crowded outside Hamid Karzai International airport, currently the only operational route out of the country. Harrowing footage has shown … Continue reading “5 ways the UK government and local communities can support Afghan refugees”
Why offices must adapt to encourage people to return
By Hannes Read, Policy and Data Analyst City-REDI, University of Birmingham “People who tend to have more outgoing and extroverted personalities may be more likely to feel encouraged by more opportunities to network. Yet those who are less outgoing could feel that their wellbeing is best placed by working predominantly from home.” A new study … Continue reading “Why offices must adapt to encourage people to return”
What are the first steps in addressing rape culture in schools?
By Dr. Sophie King-Hill, Senior Fellow, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham. “Speaking and listening to children and young people about sex and relationships is key in supporting them to make informed decisions about their choices, contributing to the reduction of harmful sexual behaviour.” As noted recently in the press, harmful sexual behaviour in … Continue reading “What are the first steps in addressing rape culture in schools?”
Departing Stores: The demise of a 200-year-old retail format
By Dr Inci Toral, Department of Marketing Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. “…a global pandemic situation is not the only factor to blame. It is, in fact a multifaceted phenomenon that the Covid-19 only accelerated the demise of the 200-year-old retail formats.” As we are entering the new phase of returning to normal and … Continue reading “Departing Stores: The demise of a 200-year-old retail format”
It was feminicide: naming Sarah Everard’s murder
By Dr Melany Cruz , Teaching Fellow, Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham. “The importance of naming violence not only permits us to make a distinction in the law but invites us to reflect on the foundation of individualised experiences of violence.” Sarah Everard’s disappearance and murder by a Metropolitan Police … Continue reading “It was feminicide: naming Sarah Everard’s murder”
Captain Sir Tom Moore – a moral exemplar whose impact lives on
By Joe McDowell and Sarah Ritzenthaler, Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham. “At a time when many of us felt we were only able to support those closest to and immediately around us, the attitude shown by Captain Tom of simply wanting to do something to help others was inspiring to many.” … Continue reading “Captain Sir Tom Moore – a moral exemplar whose impact lives on”
Inclusion for students of determination in Dubai during Covid-19
By Dr Sarah Benson, Programme Director, Inclusion and Special Educational Needs, Dubai Campus, University of Birmingham. “In the Emirate of Dubai, 75% of schools are private and run with a wide variety of international curriculums. This makes each individual school very heterogeneous in terms of teaching, but more homogenous when considering socio-economic capacity, which in … Continue reading “Inclusion for students of determination in Dubai during Covid-19”
Education for disabled children in the Global South during COVID-19: An afterthought?
By Ms Vera Kubenz, Research Fellow, Department of Education and Social Justice, University of Birmingham. “As schools reopen across the globe, there is concern that many disabled children will stay out of school permanently. Parents may continue to keep at-risk children at home out of fear of contracting COVID-19.” Disabled children in the Global South … Continue reading “Education for disabled children in the Global South during COVID-19: An afterthought?”