By Frances Child and Dr Anita Soni School of Education, University of Birmingham From offering cash incentives to a cut down on paperwork, recent plans by the Department of Education, led by Education Secretary Damian Hinds, have set out to tackle the apparent teacher retention crisis in the UK. This serious attempt to address the teacher … Continue reading “Is the new teacher retention plan feasible?”
NHS Long Term Plan does not provide enough for LGBTQ young people
By Dr Jason Schaub, Lecturer in Social Work Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of Birmingham The 7th January saw the launch of the new NHS Long Term Plan (NHS, 2018). It was surprising that this Plan included only a single mention of LGBTQ people. It correctly identifies that there are particular concerns about LGBTQ … Continue reading “NHS Long Term Plan does not provide enough for LGBTQ young people”
How can we beat Blue Monday?
By Maureen Smojkis, Lecturer in Mental Health Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of Birmingham A combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights and the arrival of unpaid credit card bills have contributed to the third Monday in January being awarded the title of Blue Monday – so what can we do to tackle the … Continue reading “How can we beat Blue Monday?”
Why there’s a case for giving foreign aid to authoritarian regimes
By Nic Cheeseman, Professor of Democracy and International Development International Development Department, University of Birmingham Should democracies give foreign aid to countries that are not democracies? Democratic aid donors don’t have enough money to do all the things they want to in the world, so they need to find ways to decide how to ration aid. … Continue reading “Why there’s a case for giving foreign aid to authoritarian regimes”
How is Gatwick Airport vulnerable to drones?
By Professor David Dunn, Professor in International Politics Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham The recent events at Gatwick Airport show how vulnerable airport infrastructure is from the fast-evolving and disruptive technology of unmanned drones. This vulnerability carries with it the risk of accident and injury or even loss of life. Over … Continue reading “How is Gatwick Airport vulnerable to drones?”
‘A time for giving’ – what to think about when making a charitable donation at Christmas
By Professor Paul Montgomery, Professor of Social Intervention and Doctoral Researcher, Caroline Greenhalgh School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham At this time of year, many of us will be thinking about giving money to Charity. In fact, donations peak in December and last year 37% of households made donations to charities in the last month … Continue reading “‘A time for giving’ – what to think about when making a charitable donation at Christmas”
VIDEO AND PODCAST: Has consumerism stolen Christmas?
By Professor Isabelle Szmigin and Dr Caroline Moraes Business School, University of Birmingham Christmas is a time of cheer – and shopping. For some, the commercialisation of this festive period – from column inches about Christmas adverts to the appearance of gifts and merchandise on shelves three months before – eats into the spirit of things. … Continue reading “VIDEO AND PODCAST: Has consumerism stolen Christmas?”
Sexual violence and empowering survivors in Kenya
By Laura Stevens and Dr Heather Flowe School of Psychology, University of Birmingham As we walked into the Ruben Centre, Mukuru, Kenya, one of the poorest places in the world, we were greeted with the glorious sound of children’s voices filling the air. Their voices were so free and full of joy despite their circumstances. Never … Continue reading “Sexual violence and empowering survivors in Kenya”
A guide to watching US Election night
By Scott Lucas, Professor of American Studies Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham This may be the most important mid-term US election in American history, determining not only majorities in each house of Congress but also the fate of America amid the division and animosity of the Trump era. The house … Continue reading “A guide to watching US Election night”
How can we fix adult social care?
By Catherine Needham, Professor of Public Policy and Public Management Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham Most of us want to live interdependently – in lives full of friendship, love, purpose and meaning. We also want some independence – to make choices about our lives, and to be able to undertake the basic activities … Continue reading “How can we fix adult social care?”