By Dr Madeleine FindonSchool of Education, University of Birmingham Recent headlines have revealed that one of the routes the Government is exploring to address the cost-of-living crisis is adjusting childcare ratios for two-year-olds in England. For the reader who is less familiar with the current requirements, adults working with 2-year-olds in England may currently be … Continue reading “The true cost of changing childcare ratios”
A dark day for human rights: Roe vs Wade overturned
By Dr Sophie King-HillSenior Fellow, Health Services Managment Centre Friday 24th June 2022 was a dark day for human rights. Roe vs Wade was overturned by the USA Supreme Court, which will lead to abortion being heavily restricted or banned in approximately 26 states. When I read about this, the feeling of dread in the … Continue reading “A dark day for human rights: Roe vs Wade overturned”
What happens to a leader when charisma fades?
By Dr Scott TaylorProfessor in Leadership & Organisation Studies, Department of Management Many leaders would like to claim they have charisma, perhaps because it is one of the first terms we reach for when we try to describe what makes a good leader. At the same time, it’s a mysterious, even mystical, idea, reflecting its … Continue reading “What happens to a leader when charisma fades?”
We need journalists now more than ever – so why don’t we do more to protect them?
By Professor Nic Cheeseman, Professor of Democracy and International Development When it comes to saving democracy and fighting for freedom, no one has a more important role to play than journalists. Take the current war in Ukraine. This is a conflict driven by Vladimir Putin’s personal beliefs and obsessions, but it has also been facilitated … Continue reading “We need journalists now more than ever – so why don’t we do more to protect them?”
‘We’re In This Together’ – Sexual harassment in schools: a boys’ voice
By Dr Sophie King-Hill, Senior Fellow, Health Services Management Centre The problem Sexual harassment between young people appears to be on the rise. A recent Ofsted report found that sexual misconduct in schools between peers is incredibly common. This is further contextualised by rising reports of peer-on-peer harmful sexual behaviours of those under the age … Continue reading “‘We’re In This Together’ – Sexual harassment in schools: a boys’ voice”
Are the planned cuts to UKHSA and expenditures to control COVID-19 warranted?
By Professor Aditya Goenka, Chair in Economics, Department of Economics The Covid-19 pandemic started more than 2 years ago. With over 86% of the UK population vaccinated twice, 68% boosted, and seven-day average deaths below 300 it would seem time that the country moved on from Covid restrictions. In February 2021 the UK Government published … Continue reading “Are the planned cuts to UKHSA and expenditures to control COVID-19 warranted?”
Off-Rolling: What is it, and why does DfE guidance continue to not address it?
By Megan Whitehouse, School of Education Off-rolling describes the process whereby a pupil is illegally excluded from their school. This process can take many forms, however the most commonly reported examples involve a child being sent home to ‘cool off’, or a parent being coerced into educating their child at home in an attempt to … Continue reading “Off-Rolling: What is it, and why does DfE guidance continue to not address it?”
Safeguarding children of colour in White institutions
By Dr Saba Hussain, Assistant Professor in Education, Department of Education & Social Justice Even ‘safe’ spaces such as schools are not safe for racialised children. Being pinned down to the table, handcuffed and accusations of ‘smelling like marijuana’ are not experiences one would normally associate with school going children. However, some of the accounts … Continue reading “Safeguarding children of colour in White institutions”
Transgender Day of Visibility 2022: Visibility with a price
By Dr Charlotte Galpin and Dr Ash Stokoe, University of Birmingham, and Dr Gina Gwenffrewi, University of Edinburgh “We are living in a time of trans visibility. Yet we are also living in a time of anti-trans violence.” (Gossett, Stanley and Burton in Trap Door, 2017) Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) takes place on 31st … Continue reading “Transgender Day of Visibility 2022: Visibility with a price”
Upheaval in Pakistan’s Politics: Will Imran Khan survive?
By Umer Karim, Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham The election of Imran Khan as the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2018 heralded some new trends in Pakistani politics. Imran Khan became the first person after former Premier Zulfiqar Bhutto to land into power through the sheer … Continue reading “Upheaval in Pakistan’s Politics: Will Imran Khan survive?”