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”
Tag: UK
Eton partnerships will create opportunities in communities that need them, but they won’t level up education as a whole
By Professor Chris Millward, Professor of Practice in Education Policy, School of Education Early in 2020, a renowned public school asked me a difficult and unexpected question. It was difficult because it pitched the interests of individuals against the communities in which they live. It was unexpected because the school was one of eight from … Continue reading “Eton partnerships will create opportunities in communities that need them, but they won’t level up education as a whole”
LGBTQ+ History Month 2022: “Gays count; count gays” – LGBTQ+ activism and the census
By Dr Laurence CooleyDepartment of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham In March 2021, people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland became the first in the world to be asked a question about sexual orientation in a national census (Scotland’s census having been delayed by a year). This was a historic moment, accompanied … Continue reading “LGBTQ+ History Month 2022: “Gays count; count gays” – LGBTQ+ activism and the census”
Explore the magic of reading this National Storytelling Week
By Dr Nicola Smith, Lecturer in Primary and Early Years Education and Laura Martin, Alumni Relations ManagerSchool of Education, University of Birmingham We know that reading for pleasure is important for children’s wellbeing and attainment (e.g. see https://ourfp.org/) This National Storytelling Week, , we want to take the opportunity to inspire young readers with some recommendations for … Continue reading “Explore the magic of reading this National Storytelling Week”
Levelling up requires pathways through education and work throughout life, not separate routes
By Chris Millward, Professor of Practice in Education Policy, School of Education This week’s levelling up White Paper is reported to be inspired by the Medici rulers of renaissance Italy. One issue not mentioned, though, is their handling of the local university in Florence, the Studium Generale, which they exiled to Pisa. The government’s plan … Continue reading “Levelling up requires pathways through education and work throughout life, not separate routes”
Undiplomatic Signals
By Professor David Dunn, Department of Political Science and International Studies School of Government and Society, University of Birmingham By its very nature, diplomacy involves secret communications, between states, and between envoys and their governments. Indeed the word itself, di-plomacy means a paper folded in two to keep it confidential. It is the embassy’s job … Continue reading “Undiplomatic Signals”
Why compulsory voting alone can’t fix a broken political system
Dr Susan Dodsworth, International Development Department School of Government, University of Birmingham This Saturday, Australians – myself among them – will vote in a federal election. As in previous elections, voter turnout is expected to exceed 90%, in part because Australia is one of a handful of countries to enforce compulsory voting. Whenever Australia’s high … Continue reading “Why compulsory voting alone can’t fix a broken political system”
Is the British economy facing ‘troubled times’?
By Professor Aditya Goenka Department of Economics, University of Birmingham “Troubled times had come to my hometown” (Springsteen, 1986) Since the Brexit vote in June 2016, the British economy has been slowing down, with the growth rate in the last quarter of 2018 at just 0.2%, the slowest since 2012. This should be seen in the … Continue reading “Is the British economy facing ‘troubled times’?”
Racial displacements: learning (from) the city
By Dr Giovanni Picker, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Senior Researcher Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham Forced displaced populations, whether urban or global, are often racialised subjects viewed as less deserving Understanding global inequalities is no easy task. While income, wealth and gender (i.e. sex at birth) are measurable data, race and ethnicity are … Continue reading “Racial displacements: learning (from) the city”
On not helping refugees
By Rachel Humphris, Lecturer Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham Refugee Week offers us the opportunity to reflect on the ways that we can better support refugees. For me, there are three critical points to consider when looking at how we can welcome and help those often badged as ‘others’: Why … Continue reading “On not helping refugees”