By Aidan Thompson, School of Education, University of Birmingham. I am on my fourth edit of this blog, such has been the changing nature of the story of Marcus Rashford challenging the government to improve its provision of free school meals for children from underprivileged and low socio-economic backgrounds. I began writing this just after … Continue reading “When is it Virtue Signalling, and when is it just doing the right thing?”
Sustainable support for families experiencing food insecurity
By Dr Anita Soni and Megan Tucker School of Education, University of Birmingham. When Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization back in March, the focus was on health: how the virus would affect people, how hospitals would cope with an influx of patients needing specialist care, how healthcare workers could … Continue reading “Sustainable support for families experiencing food insecurity”
Trump’s leadership style and his response to his election loss
By Christopher Featherstone, Doctoral Researcher, POLSIS, School of Government, University of Birmingham. “Low-complexity leaders generally perceive the world as very black-and-white, using binary terms (good/bad, friend/enemy), and they are more likely to make decisions based on intuition and emotion rather than using advice from experts.” Donald Trump has shocked and entertained the world with his … Continue reading “Trump’s leadership style and his response to his election loss”
The impact of Covid-19 on primary care practitioners: transformation, upheaval and uncertainty
Co-authored by Professor Judith Smith and Emily Burn Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham. “As we face the second wave of Covid-19 this winter and the increased clinical pressures that this will surface, primary care remains in a state of uncertainty and flux.” The Covid-19 pandemic has had a great impact on almost all … Continue reading “The impact of Covid-19 on primary care practitioners: transformation, upheaval and uncertainty”
Are we Heading towards a Cash-less or Cash-more Society?
By Dr Inci Toral & Professor Ronan de Kervenoael, Department of Marketing, University of Birmingham The use of alternative payment service technologies is an old notion dating back to early 20th century. Western Union bank began issuing charge cards (bills to be paid in full in each statement) from its most loyal customers as a … Continue reading “Are we Heading towards a Cash-less or Cash-more Society?”
“No room for equivocation”: Labour, antisemitism and the discourse of denial
By Dr Alex Oaten, Teaching Fellow in Political Sciences School of Government, University of Birmingham. The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) report into antisemitism within the Labour Party has caused significant political ramifications. The party has been found to have “breached the Equality Act 2010 by committing unlawful harassment through the acts of its … Continue reading ““No room for equivocation”: Labour, antisemitism and the discourse of denial”
Shop early, start wrapping, enjoy Christmas?
By Dr Emma Gardner, Department of Strategy and International Business Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. “…in this anomalous and abnormal year, people have more pressing concerns than when to start their Christmas shopping.” Last week, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) launched its new campaign: shop early, start wrapping, enjoy Christmas. The premise behind this … Continue reading “Shop early, start wrapping, enjoy Christmas?”
An expanded conservative majority on the US Supreme Court – what does it mean?
By Dr Adam Quinn, Senior Lecturer in American and International Politics School of Government, University of Birmingham. The death of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18th generated a wave of grief from her many admirers – especially young women – followed by fear on the part of liberals regarding the likely … Continue reading “An expanded conservative majority on the US Supreme Court – what does it mean?”
A very public dispute: J. K. Rowling’s Manifesto and its Contexts around Trans Lives
By Aneesh Barai, Department of Education and Social Justice School of Education, University of Birmingham. J.K. Rowling has been at the centre of very public disputes around the nature of trans lives, with both her critics and supporters very vocal on social media. What is the context around her claims, and what spurred Rowling to … Continue reading “A very public dispute: J. K. Rowling’s Manifesto and its Contexts around Trans Lives”
Time for a new era for teaching and teacher education
By Tom Perry, Lecturer School of Education, University of Birmingham “Now is the time to rally behind and support the already-brilliant teachers we have and ensure all have the resources and support they need to nurture, educate and inspire. No one benefits from burnt out, vilified, and poorly-supported teachers in the cross-fire of political and … Continue reading “Time for a new era for teaching and teacher education”