By Victoria Saunders, Lecturer in Primary Teacher Education School of Education, University of Birmingham “They have the freedom to make a mess, use their imagination and escape from the stress and anxiety of what is going on around them.” It is 6.10am and the first words I hear from my two daughters (aged 2 and … Continue reading “The importance of the ‘great outdoors’”
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The beguiling simplicity of common sense
By Steve Gulati, Director of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham “So, one person’s common sense could just as easily be another’s reckless risk. ” UK citizens have been told to use “good, solid British common sense” in the face of the revised COVID-19 lockdown rules. This sounds simple enough … Continue reading “The beguiling simplicity of common sense”
Mental Health Awareness Week: Why Kindness?
By Maureen Smojkis, Lecturer in Mental Health Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of Birmingham “We as individuals are worth being kind to.” Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May 2020) is co-ordinated by the Mental Health Foundation and focuses this year on kindness, chosen in light of the challenging situation we find ourselves in, … Continue reading “Mental Health Awareness Week: Why Kindness?”
Birmingham Strikes Back
By Professor Paul Jackson and Professor Scott Lucas, School of Government Dr Amaury Triaud, School of Physics and Astronomy Dr Luisa Orsini, School of Biosciences Last November, at the University of Birmingham we held a Star Wars themed event as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. Our academics brought to light areas of … Continue reading “Birmingham Strikes Back”
How can parents help autistic children to reduce anxiety during isolation?
By Professor Karen Guldberg, Director of the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) School of Education, University of Birmingham “In this new reality, it is crucial to find ways to support autistic children to reduce their anxiety. Without making this a priority, learning will be seriously compromised and mental health will suffer.” Originally posted … Continue reading “How can parents help autistic children to reduce anxiety during isolation?”
The Queen’s Speech and Our Character
By Jason Metcalfe, Research Associate Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, School of Education, University of Birmingham In all that we presently do, we must desire to, and act with, deliberation and reflection, to maximise the greatest good for all those around us, be it our neighbours, nation or the global community. On the 5th … Continue reading “The Queen’s Speech and Our Character”
Virtues, Volunteering and Coronavirus
By Claire Jackson, Jubilee Centre of Character & Virtues School of Education, University of Birmingham This crisis offers us an opportunity to hone and habituate these character strengths our communities increasingly need from us. These are very strange times that we are living in, as I’m sure you have already noticed. It’s easy to feel … Continue reading “Virtues, Volunteering and Coronavirus”
Becoming the teacher – hopes and fears taking on the job at home
By Colin Diamond CBE, Professor of Education Leadership School of Education, University of Birmingham As the schools close for all but the most vulnerable children or those with parents and carers in key jobs suddenly you are the teacher. And your new job could last for many months. My guess would be that in England, … Continue reading “Becoming the teacher – hopes and fears taking on the job at home”
Social Work Leadership – New Decade, New Agenda
By Simon Haworth, Professor Robin Miller and Dr Jason Schaub School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham We often hear of social work’s mistakes, crises and failings. It is therefore easy to forget its strengths and examples of good, even great, practice. Leadership, or certainly lack of it, can be at the heart of the … Continue reading “Social Work Leadership – New Decade, New Agenda”
75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz
By Maureen Smojkis, Lecturer in Mental Health School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham A conversation with Kitty Hart-Moxon OBE, a Polish-Jewish survivor of Auschwitz who lived in Birmingham I interviewed Kitty in her home near London in 2010, as part of my research into the Polish Community who arrived in Birmingham after WWII. The … Continue reading “75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz”