Can the “Big Help Out” reverse the decline in volunteering?

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?”

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”

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”

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?”

The scramble for Covid-19 vaccines- Is there enough for everyone?

By Professor Aditya Goenka,  The Department of Economics, University of Birmingham. “Canada has orders for enough vaccines to inoculate its population six times over, UK four times over, and EU about twice. The constraints on how fast vaccines can be produced… and stockpiling by richer Western countries raises the possibility that LMICs will be left … Continue reading “The scramble for Covid-19 vaccines- Is there enough for everyone?”

Are we there yet? How the pandemic is affecting children and young people’s learning and how to support

By Dr Karl Kitching, Reader in Education Policy School of Education, University of Birmingham This article describes what we know about how the pandemic has affected children and young people’s learning, offers some support links to parents and schools, and invites parents to support their child’s participation in a new University of Birmingham survey. Are … Continue reading “Are we there yet? How the pandemic is affecting children and young people’s learning and how to support”

Time for a new era for teaching and teacher education

By Tom Perry, Lecturer School of Education, University of Birmingham “Now is the time to rally behind and support the already-brilliant teachers we have and ensure all have the resources and support they need to nurture, educate and inspire. No one benefits from burnt out, vilified, and poorly-supported teachers in the cross-fire of political and … Continue reading “Time for a new era for teaching and teacher education”

An examination system fit for purpose in the Covid-19 era? Time for real system leadership in education.

By Colin Diamond CBE, Professor of Education Leadership School of Education, University of Birmingham “There is no guarantee that those students about to enter the final year of A level and GCSE studies will have a smooth ride. Partial school closures appear likely and reliance on a 100% final examination is as fanciful as imagining … Continue reading “An examination system fit for purpose in the Covid-19 era? Time for real system leadership in education.”