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’”
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?”
Re-opening English Primary Schools Safely from 1st June: mission impossible?
By Colin Diamond CBE, Professor of Education Leadership School of Education, University of Birmingham “Common sense tells us that maintaining a socially distanced classroom with five and six year olds is all but impossible.” So what do we know now in the light of the latest news on easing the lockdown? Primary schools in England … Continue reading “Re-opening English Primary Schools Safely from 1st June: mission impossible?”
Are leaders immune from coronavirus failure?
By Professor David Hudson, Director, Developmental Leadership Program International Development Department, University of Birmingham Originally posted as a blog piece for DLP. All eyes are on national leaders and their administrations and advisors at the moment. To be clear, in such a complex, global emergency, this is not the only space of leadership – leadership … Continue reading “Are leaders immune from coronavirus failure?”
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?”
How do we get out of lockdown? The five Cs of a realistic exit strategy
By Professor Peter Hupe, Honorary Senior Research Fellow School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham In times of crisis, people tend to look upward. They expect that elected leaders will get them out of the crisis. In turn, political authorities and public officials tend to adopt a straightforwardly top-down approach when exercising control. This ‘hierarchical … Continue reading “How do we get out of lockdown? The five Cs of a realistic exit strategy”
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”
3 ways Covid-19 is helping to shine a spotlight on care workers
By Nick Le Mesurier and Dr Denise Tanner Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of Birmingham “The care worker may be the only person they see all day or even all week. It is not just the help with the basics of personal care that is important – getting washed, dressed and to … Continue reading “3 ways Covid-19 is helping to shine a spotlight on care workers”