By Nicholas J. Wheeler, Professor of International Relations Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham President Donald Trump and his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong-un, are due to meet for a historic summit in an as yet undisclosed location to try and resolve the nuclear stand-off on the Korean peninsula. For academics … Continue reading “Trust in Face-to-Face Diplomacy”
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20 Years since the Good Friday Agreement: What we can learn from Northern Ireland’s Peace Process
By Dr Giuditta Fontana, Leverhulme Fellow Institute for Conflict, Cooperation and Security (ICCS), University of Birmingham On 10th of April 2018, former negotiators gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The Agreement put an end to three decades of what are known as Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’, which resulted in over 3,500 deaths … Continue reading “20 Years since the Good Friday Agreement: What we can learn from Northern Ireland’s Peace Process”
Criticality not Commemoration: responding to the BBC airing Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech
By Chris Allen, Lecturer in Social Policy Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham The decision by the BBC to air Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech in full, in commemoration of its 50th anniversary, is nothing less than bewildering. Widely acknowledged as one of the most provocative and racist public speeches in … Continue reading “Criticality not Commemoration: responding to the BBC airing Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech”
The adoption itch: time to scratch below the surface
By Simon Cardy, School of Social Policy Associate Social Work Teaching Partnership, a partnership between University of Birmingham and other local authorities Controversies in adoption, particularly around race, have been an issue since the Major government, in what Paul Garrett describes in his recent book Welfare Words as an ‘itching’ pre-occupation of governments with child adoption. … Continue reading “The adoption itch: time to scratch below the surface”
Citizens UK pledge, a catalyst for social change and community benefit
By Dr Catherine Durose, Institute of Local Government Studies Reader in Policy Sciences at the University of Birmingham “The use of pledges in community organising provide a different way of doing politics, a set of political tactics to build community power…” Citizens UK bring together locally-rooted member institutions, in the fields of education, community, trade union … Continue reading “Citizens UK pledge, a catalyst for social change and community benefit”
How Europe can hear the voices of young Syrian refugees
By Michelle Pace, Professor in the Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University, and Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham In the last two years, European governments have increasingly emphasised the importance of new arrivals learning the local language and embracing values. In Denmark, where I am now an economic migrant, there has … Continue reading “How Europe can hear the voices of young Syrian refugees”
Happiness: What Does this Mean in Education?
By Paul Watts, Research Fellow Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtue, University of Birmingham Much attention has been given to the concept of happiness, both in the UK and internationally, with Theresa May appointing a minister to tackle loneliness, the launch of the 2018 World Happiness Report, and the work of the Ministry of State … Continue reading “Happiness: What Does this Mean in Education?”
World Social Work Day: Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability
By Barbara Fawcett, Professor of Social Work (Adults and Communities) Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of Birmingham Social workers are catalysts for sustainable change in complex situations. World Social Work Day always makes us think about global challenges. It raises questions, such as how is social work making a difference worldwide; what … Continue reading “World Social Work Day: Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability”
March4(which)Women? Conservative MPs and Feminism
By Amelia Morris, Doctoral Researcher Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Birmingham such feminism “breaks the glass ceiling” in the sense that other women are “blinded by falling shards” On Sunday 4th March, thousands of protesters took to the streets in London to demonstrate their support of gender equality, with a particular emphasis … Continue reading “March4(which)Women? Conservative MPs and Feminism”
The Oscars: 90 years on, where are all the women?
By Finola Kerrigan, Reader in Marketing and Consumption Department of Marketing, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham On the 4th March, the 90th version of the Academy Awards will be broadcast across the world. Last year the focus was on representation and diversity with the #Oscarssowhite campaign. This year, it is all about women. Following … Continue reading “The Oscars: 90 years on, where are all the women?”