By Krisna Puji Rahmayanti, Doctoral Researcher, International Development Department, University of Birmingham On November 21, 2022, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Cianjur Regency, a city in West Java Province, Indonesia. Following the earthquake in Cianjur, several aftershocks occurred, including those in Garut and Cianjur Regencies, and Sukabumi Regency. Image Source Indonesia’s vulnerability to this disaster … Continue reading “What can we learn from the Cianjur Earthquake in Indonesia?”
Three reasons why mindfulness shouldn’t be your new year’s resolution
By Dr Rachel Lilley, Senior Fellow at Birmingham Leadership Institute, University of Birmingham I imagine I am not alone in my resolve that 2023 needs to be less stressful than 2022. Life is too short to be constantly juggling priorities, worried and tired… Wouldn’t it be great to no longer feel constantly overwhelmed by the … Continue reading “Three reasons why mindfulness shouldn’t be your new year’s resolution”
The EU’s Response to the Ukraine Crisis – Five Foreign Policy Takeaways and Challenges for 2023
By Dr Graham Timmins, Reader in International Politics Reader in International Politics, University of Birmingham The European Council met in Brussels yesterday for the biannual summit of EU leaders. The period since the last summit in June has witnessed Europe reeling from the shock of the new political reality following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. What then … Continue reading “The EU’s Response to the Ukraine Crisis – Five Foreign Policy Takeaways and Challenges for 2023”
3 ways to get through Christmas
By Dr Anita Soni (University of Birmingham) and Megan Tucker (Community Project Leader for Humanify: making lives better) The winter holidays can be difficult and stressful. Everyone tends to have high expectations. The myth of a perfect Christmas with lots of food, presents, warmth and joy epitomised by images of families eating, playing and laughing … Continue reading “3 ways to get through Christmas”
Christmas ad about young people in care falls short on LGBTQ+ representation
By Dr Willem Stander and Dr Jason SchaubSchool of Social Policy, University of Birmingham The retailer John Lewis is renowned for winning the UK’s unofficial Christmas advert competition, creating tearjerker TV moments and tugging at heart strings for more than a decade. This year’s Christmas advert takes a charitable angle, raising awareness of the plight … Continue reading “Christmas ad about young people in care falls short on LGBTQ+ representation”
When ‘shock to sell’ goes too far: Balenciaga and the glamorisation of paedophilia in the name of fashion
By Dr Sophie King-Hill, Senior Research Fellow, Health Services Management Centre and David Russell, Community Safety & Justice Manager Warning: Contains discussion of child abuse themes. Fashion house Balenciaga has never shied away from controversy in its 103 years in the fashion industry. However, their recent advertising campaigns appear to have gone a step too … Continue reading “When ‘shock to sell’ goes too far: Balenciaga and the glamorisation of paedophilia in the name of fashion”
The cap that never fits – delaying the social care cap yet again
By Professor Catherine Needham, Professor of Public Policy and Public ManagementHealth Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham Yesterday in the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed what had already been hinted: the cap on social care spending by private individuals would be delayed past its planned implementation date of October 2023. Instead, there will … Continue reading “The cap that never fits – delaying the social care cap yet again”
As good as it gets
By Professor Judith SmithSchool of Social Policy, University of Birmingham In these straitened economic times, public services awaited the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement with trepidation, wondering where and how deeply the axe of funding cuts was going to fall. Trailers for the Statement had intimated tax increases, major spending constraint and delays to much-needed policy and … Continue reading “As good as it gets”
Can social enterprises tackle the social care crisis?
By Dr Kelly HallDepartment of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Social care services are reported to be facing a ‘perfect storm’ of financial and workforce pressures. Spending on social care is falling and fewer people receive publicly funded services. There is a workforce crisis and recent reports suggest that around a quarter of care workers … Continue reading “Can social enterprises tackle the social care crisis?”
Hunting Mermaids: Exploring media representation of the trans+ community
By Dr Ash Stokoe, University of Birmingham, Dr Gina Gwenffrewi, University of Edinburgh, and Dr Charlotte Galpin, University of Birmingham In the eye of the media storm for the past five years, since the UK Government released a public consultation on the possibility of reforming the 2004 Gender Recognition Act, the UK’s trans community has weathered … Continue reading “Hunting Mermaids: Exploring media representation of the trans+ community”