By Dr Adam Matthews, School of Education, University of Birmingham 2024 has been described as make or break for democracy worldwide with 1.5 billion citizens going to the polls in more than 50 countries. With many claiming AI will be as disruptive as steam, electricity, printing press, TV and radio, and the internet, AI technologies … Continue reading “AI and Democracy: A threat or an opportunity?”
Category: Politics
Cracks in the Blue Wall: Do Conservative Electoral Losses Signal a Shift in Southern Strongholds?
By Dr Jacob Salder, Department of Management, Birmingham Business School I’m sure the past week has been difficult for Rishi Sunak. Losing almost half the incumbent Councillors standing for re-election will have stung, and the outcome of the mayoral elections more so. The Tees Valley offering a sole scion of hope here, in other cities … Continue reading “Cracks in the Blue Wall: Do Conservative Electoral Losses Signal a Shift in Southern Strongholds?”
Apathy, allegiance, and anger, the mayoral elections against a backdrop of voter turmoil
By Rebecca Riley, Associate Professor Enterprise, Engagement, and Impact, City-REDI For the political wonks, in England, the bank holiday weekend was a nail biting and fascinating affair, especially when it comes to devolution. Combined Authority Mayors were high on the wonk agenda, but sadly still low on the voter agenda, as turnout again remains low. As … Continue reading “Apathy, allegiance, and anger, the mayoral elections against a backdrop of voter turmoil”
Birmingham City Council and Public Service Cutbacks: The Role of Community in Shaping Birmingham’s Future
By Professor John Bryson Professor of Enterprise and Economic Geography, The Department of Strategy and International Business, Birmingham Business School Birmingham City Council (BCC) has found itself in a financial mess. Partly this comes from operational decisions that were made in the past and often by officers rather than elected councillors. One outcome of these … Continue reading “Birmingham City Council and Public Service Cutbacks: The Role of Community in Shaping Birmingham’s Future “
HS2 Funds Reallocation: A Lifeline or Liability for Local Authorities?
Dr Alice Moore, Assistant Professor in Public Management and Public Policy – School of Government The government has reallocated £4.7 billion that it would have spent on the cancelled legs of HS2 to a Local Transport Fund. From 2025, 27 areas in the North of England and Midlands will get an allocation to spend on … Continue reading “HS2 Funds Reallocation: A Lifeline or Liability for Local Authorities?”
Sibling Sexual Behaviour: how can services respond to the most common yet under-reported form of sexual abuse within the family?
By Dr Sophie King-Hill, Associate Professor, University of Birmingham & Professor Kieran McCartan, UWE Sexual abuse is one of the most common and under reported forms of interpersonal violence. Although individuals, communities and society recognise the reality of sexual abuse and its ongoing implications for victims, the people who have committed the abuse, and their … Continue reading “Sibling Sexual Behaviour: how can services respond to the most common yet under-reported form of sexual abuse within the family?”
The Autumn Statement or a New Political Game in Spotting the Politics of Tokenism
By Professor John Bryson Professor of Enterprise and Economic Geography, Birmingham Business School In 1777, Samuel Johnson proclaimed to James Boswell, his friend and biographer, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”. I must admit to being tired of Autumn Statements and of a British political system that is not … Continue reading “The Autumn Statement or a New Political Game in Spotting the Politics of Tokenism”
Reflections on the King’s Speech
King Charles has opened parliament for the first time as monarch in the first King’s Speech in more than 70 years. Academics from across the College of Social Science reflect on the government’s key priorities set out by the king. Crime & Justice Proposals for tougher sentences raise concerns about exacerbating the strain on an … Continue reading “Reflections on the King’s Speech”
Who gets a say in the future direction of AI?
By Dr Adam Matthews Senior Research Fellow, School of Education, University of Birmingham This week’s AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park hosted politicians, big tech and academics to come together to forge a shared understanding of AI to create national and international frameworks which ensure frontier AI safety through collaboration in research, evaluation and governance, … Continue reading “Who gets a say in the future direction of AI?”
Leading for fairness in Black History Month
By Steve Gulati Associate Professor, Director of Healthcare Leadership, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham October is Black History Month. It’s also the month assertions have been made at the Conservative Party Conference that the UK is the ‘best country in the world in which to be black’. This provided a sharp contrast to … Continue reading “Leading for fairness in Black History Month”