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”
The Monarchy: Pageantry vs Poverty
By Dr Sophie King-Hill, Senior FellowHealth Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham Queen Elizabeth II died on 8th September 2022, aged 96, after a 70 year reign. The media and the press quickly declared that the whole nation was in mourning and a chain of events doused in pageantry was set into motion. A period … Continue reading “The Monarchy: Pageantry vs Poverty”
The Monarchy: Wealth, Power and Exploitation
By Dr Sophie King-Hill, Senior FellowHealth Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham The death of Queen Elizabeth II has highlighted some key fragilities and controversies within the monarchy, arguably the most prominent being Prince Andrew and his affiliation with convicted child sex traffickers Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The association was also coupled with accusations … Continue reading “The Monarchy: Wealth, Power and Exploitation”
Homes for Ukraine: A toolkit for hosts and guests
By Dr Marisol Reyes and Gabriella D’AvinoInstitute for Research into Superdiveristy, University of Birmingham Several months have passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and more than 7,5 million Ukrainians have been displaced across Europe. In March 2022, the UK government introduced a scheme intended to meet the needs of forced migrants escaping the conflict … Continue reading “Homes for Ukraine: A toolkit for hosts and guests”
How will the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games provide lasting change to communities?
By Aidan Thompson and David CivilJubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have been and gone, enthralling the City of Birmingham before departing in a blaze of mechanical bulls, a blitz of medals, and a blast of Ozzy Osbourne’s Black Sabbath. As usual following any major sporting event, … Continue reading “How will the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games provide lasting change to communities?”