US Election 2024: Can we trust the polls?

By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The reliability of 2024 U.S. election polls is a critical question given recent polling inaccuracies in key election years. Historically, polls have struggled to capture precise snapshots of voter preferences, especially when predicting voter turnout, demographic preferences, and unexpected political shifts. Polling accuracy depends on … Continue reading “US Election 2024: Can we trust the polls?”

Paris 2024: Hijab Ban Undermines Gender Equality Milestone

By Dr Ibtihal Ramadan, Research Fellow EEI, School of Education A key point to note from the 33rd Olympic games in Paris, France that concluded just ten days ago, is the hijab ban for French women athletes. (Un)Surprisingly, the ban occurs amidst an important landmark of Paris Olympics: it has been celebrated to be the … Continue reading “Paris 2024: Hijab Ban Undermines Gender Equality Milestone”

Can Humans Learn “Straight from the Horse’s Mouth”?

By Dr Harriet Clarke Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Social science researchers often consider whose voices could advocate for social change. So – and do bear with me – do social scientists have any business asking, ‘Can ‘listening’ to non-human animals support our role in building better lives for all living beings’?   Colleagues and I … Continue reading “Can Humans Learn “Straight from the Horse’s Mouth”?”

The two-child cap: who benefits?

By Dr Emily Ball Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology The controversial continuation of the two-child cap by the Labour administration means low-income families will not receive welfare support under Universal Credit, nor will they be able to claim child tax credits, for their third or any subsequent children. This impacts 1 in 9 families … Continue reading “The two-child cap: who benefits?”

Following the King’s Speech: The role Social Science can now play

“My Government’s legislative programme will be mission led and based upon the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all.” – His Majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament. The scrutiny now begins. Wednesday 17th July marked a new parliamentary session, and the hotly anticipated King’s Speech announced 36 full bills and four … Continue reading “Following the King’s Speech: The role Social Science can now play”

From cancel culture to the digital guillotine: Why the risks for social media celebrities just got higher

By Dr Ahmed Shaalan – Department of Marketing, Birmingham Business School, Marwa Tourky – Cranfield University and Khaled Ibrahim – Unitec-Institute of Technology, New Zealand The notoriously choppy waters of social media are becoming even more complex for celebrities and brands to navigate safely as an extreme form of cancel culture takes hold. The digitine movement … Continue reading “From cancel culture to the digital guillotine: Why the risks for social media celebrities just got higher”

What’s the problem with asking teachers to clean kids’ teeth? 

By Dr Kathryn Spicksley British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Education and Social Justice, University of Birmingham The polls tell us that it looks increasingly likely that a Labour government will be elected in July. For primary school teachers, this change might bring about an additional responsibility; Keir Starmer has proposed to introduce teacher-led toothbrushing … Continue reading “What’s the problem with asking teachers to clean kids’ teeth? “

Look What You Made Me D̶o̶ Buy: Shopping Swiftonomics

By Professor Sarah Montano, Department of Marketing, Birmingham Business School The excitement is building for Taylor’s Swift’s Eras tour which is arriving in the UK on 7th June. For a Lucky One who has a ticket and for Swifties, Barclays research has shown that the Eras tour will boost the UK economy by nearly a … Continue reading “Look What You Made Me D̶o̶ Buy: Shopping Swiftonomics”

Society is finally paying attention to sibling sexual abuse and behaviour, but what is next?

By Amy Adams, PhD doctoral researcher, Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology In 2020 I typed the words ‘sibling sexual abuse’ into Google, besides academic articles there was little in the way of information about this issue, which surprised me. Determined to understand more I scrolled down the returned results, and about six searches … Continue reading “Society is finally paying attention to sibling sexual abuse and behaviour, but what is next?”

“Breathing life into Britain’s high streets”: What hope have we got?

By Hannes Read, Policy and Data Analyst at City-REDI The Labour party are firmly on the election hunt. Quickly off the back of the announcement of Labour’s “five missions” for a future election manifesto, have come pledges to renationalise rail, launch a publicly-owned Great British Energy company and a five-point plan to “breathe life” into … Continue reading ““Breathing life into Britain’s high streets”: What hope have we got?”