By Michelle McLean, Post Graduate Researcher School of Social Policy and Society , University of Birmingham Netflix’s four-part drama Adolescence made TV ratings history last month by becoming the first programme on a streaming platform to top the UK’s weekly audience charts. The show, about a thirteen-year-old boy accused of murdering a schoolgirl, has attracted a … Continue reading “Pinning the Blame When Children Offend: Does Adolescence Show We’re All Guilty by Association?”
Category: Society
Breaking the Stigma: Debt Awareness and Support
By Professor Adele Atkinson, Professor of Practice in Financial Literacy and Wellbeing (CHASM) Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham Each year, Debt Awareness Week promoted by the national debt charity StepChange, aims to increase awareness of debt and the advice and solutions available to help. This year, the focus is on … Continue reading “Breaking the Stigma: Debt Awareness and Support “
Has Anyone Asked Young People? The Risks of Sensationalising Adolescence in Schools
By Dr Sophie King-Hill, Associate Professor in the Health Services Management Centre ‘Adolescence’, a recent Netflix drama about a boy who stabs and murders a girl from school has been highlighted via many media channels for its powerful storytelling and also by the Prime Minister, who has backed a campaign to show the drama in … Continue reading “Has Anyone Asked Young People? The Risks of Sensationalising Adolescence in Schools”
The DEI Trilemma: Progress, Pushback, or Quiet Compliance?
By Dr Achilleas Boukis, Associate Professor in Marketing Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham Several prominent global organisations, including technology giants such as Meta, Amazon, and Zoom, retailers like Walmart, and automotive companies such as Ford and Harley-Davidson, are scaling back their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These decisions appear to be largely driven by … Continue reading “The DEI Trilemma: Progress, Pushback, or Quiet Compliance?”
The UK’s AI superpower ambition: A bold leap or a complex challenge?
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The Prime Minister’s recent revelation of the government’s goal to transform the UK into an AI powerhouse sparked global attention. The programme aims to apply artificial intelligence to boost economic development and public service delivery, notably in education and small company operations. The plan has … Continue reading “The UK’s AI superpower ambition: A bold leap or a complex challenge?”
From Trailblazer to Troll: Elon Musk’s Distortion of UK Politics, Media, and Society
By Dr Hannah Absalom Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV), University of Birmingham Elon Musk is one of the most recognisable figures of the 21st century. As the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, his influence extends far beyond technology, shaping public discourse, politics, and culture. Yet, like many of the super-rich, Musk is … Continue reading “From Trailblazer to Troll: Elon Musk’s Distortion of UK Politics, Media, and Society”
The sociology of ‘Friendsmas’ and the value of traditions
By David Bomark, Research Fellow Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham One of my favourite Christmases was not spent with my family, as I would normally do, but was instead spent with friends. This was the first time I did not go home as I would usually do, but as my … Continue reading “The sociology of ‘Friendsmas’ and the value of traditions”
“Fierce as F**k, with Long Memories”: How Gregg Wallace Underestimated Women of a Certain Age
By Dr Julie Whiteman, Department of Marketing, Birmingham Business School As a middle-class woman of a certain age, it will be no surprise that I have plenty to say about the recent news of Greg Wallace’s alleged sexual misconduct. Co-host of the long-running TV reality shows Masterchef and Celebrity Masterchef, Wallace has been accused of … Continue reading ““Fierce as F**k, with Long Memories”: How Gregg Wallace Underestimated Women of a Certain Age”
Early release from prison – a simple solution to a complex problem?
By Dr Anna Kotova, Associate Professor in Criminology School of Social Policy and Society, University of Birmingham In September 2024, it was announced that a number of prisoners were set for earlier release, at the 40% point of their sentence as opposed to the 50% point, in order to relieve some of the overcrowding pressures … Continue reading “Early release from prison – a simple solution to a complex problem?”
Why money isn’t enough to solve the problem of the Post Office Horizon replacement
West Street, Fareham (56) by Barry Shimmon, CC BY-SA 2.0 By Dr Alice Moore, Assistant Professor in Public Management and Public Policy School of Government, University of Birmingham One of the headline announcements from last week’s Budget was £1.8 billion for compensation to victims of the Post Office scandal. Yet the money Rachel Reeves allocated to … Continue reading “Why money isn’t enough to solve the problem of the Post Office Horizon replacement”