By John Bryson, Professor of Enterprise and Competitiveness, University of Birmingham
According to many politicians and commentators, the UK is in a very sorry state. Ahead of the general election expected this year, Labour leader Keir Starmer has pledged to “fix broken Britain”.
He has spoken of his vow to “usher in a decade of national renewal”, claiming…
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By Matthew Floyd, PhD Candidate, Marine Ecology, Northumbria University, Newcastle
While humanity often has a negative impact, people may inadvertently play a pivotal role in this Maldivian seagrass success story.
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By Tony Ingesson, Assistant Professor in Political Science, Lund University
Russian soldiers in the Ukraine war are sending out signals in morse code on a daily basis, even though there are more high tech solutions.
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By Paul Bowman, Professor of Cultural Studies, Cardiff University
Forty years after the release of The Karate Kid, many fans of the film still can’t hear the name “Daniel” without wanting to add a “san” to it. They may channel the iconic teacher Mr Miyagi, with his deep guttural intensity. And they may even repeat the film’s most famous saying, “wax on, wax off”, raise their arms and stand on one leg whenever they hear that someone does karate.
But are these fragments the sum total of the film’s legacy? And are they mere harmless fun – or do they register as racism, or something like it?
Arguably, the very appeal of The Karate Kid derives…
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By Joseph Downing, Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Politics, Aston University
A manhunt is underway in France after armed men held up a prison van to break out convicted criminal Mohamed Amra, nicknamed “the fly” (La mouche). They killed two offers and injured several more in the process.
France may not be the first European country that springs to mind when organised crime is mentioned, but Amra’s case, and his audacious escape in broad daylight in front of multiple witnesses, is indicative of the pressures authorities currently face in trying to keep pace with the trade in drugs and arms.
The prison break unfolded near Rouen, in the north of the…
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By Treena Orchard, Associate Professor, School of Health Studies, Western University
Dating apps have changed how men interact with women when pursuing heterosexual relationships. A sexuality scholar writes about her experiences online, and her observations on changing masculinity.
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By David Le Breton, Professeur de sociologie et d'anthropologie, Université de Strasbourg
Once upon a time, human relationships unfolded without smartphones. The reality may be hard to recall, so profoundly have these devices transformed the way we relate to the world and others in fifteen years or so.
As an anthropologist interested in modernity, I am particularly preoccupied by the impact of these devices on our conversations. In my book, The…
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By Karl Lawrence, Research fellow, King's College London
Antony Young, Professor of Experimental Photobiology, King's College London
It’s all kicking off on social media, again. This time it’s about wearing sunscreen. The argument began when Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, raised concerns that daily sunscreen use could lead to vitamin D deficiency.
While Spector’s post gained a lot of attention, it isn’t the first time an argument against…
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By Aya Aboelenien, Assistant Professor of Marketing, HEC Montréal
Ai Ming Chow, Postdoctoral Fellow, Management and Marketing, The University of Melbourne
Much of social media influencing is about getting people to consume more. However, ethical influencers are using their online presence to advocate for sustainable lifestyles.
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By Ben Soodavar, Researcher, Department of War Studies, King's College London
Rhiannon Emm, PhD Candidate in the Department of War Studies, King's College London
Diplomatic pressure, rising military casualties and the problem of Israeli hostages in Gaza have not deterred Netanyahu from ordering an offensive on Rafah.
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