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”

An examination system fit for purpose in the Covid-19 era? Time for real system leadership in education.

By Colin Diamond CBE, Professor of Education Leadership School of Education, University of Birmingham “There is no guarantee that those students about to enter the final year of A level and GCSE studies will have a smooth ride. Partial school closures appear likely and reliance on a 100% final examination is as fanciful as imagining … Continue reading “An examination system fit for purpose in the Covid-19 era? Time for real system leadership in education.”

Beneath the headlines: Are the older generation paying the price for neglect of social care?

By Dr Denise Tanner, Senior Lecturer in Social Work Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of Birmingham. “We need to recognise that beneath the headlines of the neglect of social care and the neglect of social care workers lies another neglect – that of older people.” Pre Covid-19 and the outlook for adult … Continue reading “Beneath the headlines: Are the older generation paying the price for neglect of social care?”

What might happen to charitable giving in the forthcoming recession?

By Professor John Mohan, Director of the Third Sector Research Centre, School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham. “At a time when there are great expectations of what voluntary organisations can deliver, the prospect is one of a significant reduction in resources with highly differentiated effects that, in turn, will affect the capacity of those … Continue reading “What might happen to charitable giving in the forthcoming recession?”

The neglect of adult social care during covid-19

By Jon Glasby, Professor of Heath and Social Care and Catherine Needham, Professor of Public Policy and Public Management, School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham. “If any good is to come from such tragedy, we must renew our efforts to achieve a lasting settlement for social care, understanding and valuing it in its own … Continue reading “The neglect of adult social care during covid-19”

Why Dogs Might Help us through the Covid-19 Crisis

By Dr Alison Broad, Director of Primary Initial Teacher Education School of Education, University of Birmingham. On March 11th 2020, The World Health Organisation declared covid-19 a worldwide pandemic. As the UK retreated into lockdown, for many of us our normal lives were changed in an instant. A very recent study, has looked at the … Continue reading “Why Dogs Might Help us through the Covid-19 Crisis”

Festivals cancelled: the substantial impact on local people and communities

By Dr David White, Lecturer in Political Science School of Government, University of Birmingham. “The UK’s music festival industry not only fosters artistic talent, provides opportunities for people to gain experience in a range of roles, and creates a much-needed sense of wellbeing for those that attend, it also makes significant contributions to the British … Continue reading “Festivals cancelled: the substantial impact on local people and communities”

Migration, identity and belonging: people of colour and the NHS

By Steve Gulati, Director of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham “The story of the NHS can be viewed through many lenses, those of social history, economic migration and political struggle, and also more personal stories of love, hope, fear and loss.” The 72nd birthday of the NHS is a … Continue reading “Migration, identity and belonging: people of colour and the NHS”

Building a fairer country after the pandemic? It’s time for the return of the council house

By Liam O’Farrell, Research Associate, City-REDI, University of Birmingham “We are now in a situation where many young people can no longer get onto the housing ladder… [and] those in low paid jobs, doing what is now more widely recognised as essential work, often can’t even afford to live near the places they work.” Even … Continue reading “Building a fairer country after the pandemic? It’s time for the return of the council house”

Culturally competent? What does the pandemic tell us?

By Zhu Hua, FAcSS, Professor of Educational Linguistics & Director of the Mosaic Group for Research on Multilingualism, School of Education, University of Birmingham “Seeing cultural competence as a responsibility of those providing health and education programmes is certainly a step in the right direction.” Public Health England’s recent report, Beyond the data: Understanding the … Continue reading “Culturally competent? What does the pandemic tell us?”