Racial displacements: learning (from) the city

By Dr Giovanni Picker, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Senior Researcher Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham Forced displaced populations, whether urban or global, are often racialised subjects viewed as less deserving  Understanding global inequalities is no easy task. While income, wealth and gender (i.e. sex at birth) are measurable data, race and ethnicity are … Continue reading “Racial displacements: learning (from) the city”

On not helping refugees

By Rachel Humphris, Lecturer Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham Refugee Week offers us the opportunity to reflect on the ways that we can better support refugees. For me, there are three critical points to consider when looking at how we can welcome and help those often badged as ‘others’: Why … Continue reading “On not helping refugees”

Why do people volunteer for international development organisations?

By David Hudson, Professorial Research Fellow in Politics and Development International Development Department, University of Birmingham Who are these people who give their time, and work with and for international development organisations? People become engaged with international development in lots of different ways and for many different reasons. Some people donate to a charity because … Continue reading “Why do people volunteer for international development organisations?”

Is there a plastic crisis and what can be done about it?

By Dr Johannes Lohse, Lecturer in Economics The Department of Economics, University of Birmingham As for all environmental problems, there is a problem of unknown unknowns, which could significantly increase the social costs of plastic pollution. Plastic has come a long way. From being predicted a ‘great future’ in the 1967 film The Graduate, to … Continue reading “Is there a plastic crisis and what can be done about it?”

How Europe can hear the voices of young Syrian refugees

By Michelle Pace, Professor in the Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University, and Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham In the last two years, European governments have increasingly emphasised the importance of new arrivals learning the local language and embracing values. In Denmark, where I am now an economic migrant, there has … Continue reading “How Europe can hear the voices of young Syrian refugees”