By Dr Jonathan Fisher, International Development Department School of Government, University of Birmingham The Covid-19 crisis is exposing the shape and character of authoritarianism across the globe, including in some of the world’s most longstanding democracies. It is critical for us to rethink how we see, and respond to, “authoritarianism” as practice in light of … Continue reading “Britain’s “Police State” and the Dangers of Everyday Authoritarianism”
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”
Leadership – Reflections on a Crisis
By Steve Gulati, Director of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham “There are decades when nothing happens. And there are weeks when decades happen” – Vladimir Lenin If ever the importance and significance of leadership needed underlining, COVID-19 provides definitive evidence. Economic and political measures that were so recently unthinkable … Continue reading “Leadership – Reflections on a Crisis”
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”
How right-wingers hesitate, deviate, and repeat
By Dr Richard Shorten, Senior Lecturer in Political Theory School of Government, University of Birmingham The long-running BBC Radio 4 panel show ‘Just a Minute’ works on a simple premise, whereby guest panellists are invited to speak on a given subject for 60 seconds. During this time, fellow guests will listen out for pauses and … Continue reading “How right-wingers hesitate, deviate, and repeat”
What does the 2020 Budget mean for health and social care?
By Professor Judith Smith, Director of Health Services Management Centre School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham For the NHS, there were in effect two Budgets: one for the short-to-medium-term to address the Coronavirus crisis, and the other to continue with the previously announced five-year investment in the NHS to enable it to meet its … Continue reading “What does the 2020 Budget mean for health and social care?”
Escape the room, take the facts!
By Chris Roche, Senior Research Partner of the Developmental Leadership Program School of Government, University of Birmingham Back in June 2019, the DLP team participated in a team-building exercise in Birmingham – an escape room in which the team had to escape the Lab. After we had successfully saved the world, we wondered if we … Continue reading “Escape the room, take the facts!”
Governing Renewable Natural Resources: How can governance improve the environment and people’s lives in the Global South?
By Professor Fiona Nunan, International Development Department School of Government, University of Birmingham Governance matters for natural resources because it affects how they are used and managed and who gets to benefit. In low-income countries, governance often aims to improve people’s lives as well as the environment, but achieving these ‘win-win’ outcomes has proved elusive. … Continue reading “Governing Renewable Natural Resources: How can governance improve the environment and people’s lives in the Global South?”
Generation Equality: The changing experience of women
By Professor Jane Martin, Director of Domus Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Histories of Education, Executive Editor of Educational Review School of Education, University of Birmingham On the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for the empowerment of girls and women everywhere, the theme for International Women’s Day for 2020 is … Continue reading “Generation Equality: The changing experience of women”
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”