By Paul Whiteley, Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex
British electoral politics in the 1980s were dominated by Margaret Thatcher, the prime minister for the whole of that decade. Similarly, Tony Blair dominated elections when he was in Downing Street from 1997 to 2007. In sharp contrast, the decade from 2015 to 2025 saw no fewer than six prime ministers come (and mostly go) – five Conservatives and Keir Starmer for Labour.
Traditionally, Labour has been reluctant to sack its leader, but if the May elections turn out to be as bad as the polls suggest, the…
(Full Story)
|
By Neil Dawson, Research Fellow in International Development, University of East Anglia
Adrian Martin, Professor of Environment and Development, University of East Anglia
Iokiñe Rodríguez, Senior Lecturer in Environment and Development, University of East Anglia
Restoring the ability of local communities to act as guardians of nature is a promising approach to both ecological and social recovery.
(Full Story)
|
By Fiona Brook, Lecturer, Psychology, Birmingham City University
For one in five people, losing a pet has been more distressing than losing a human loved one. New research has revealed that 21% of those who experienced both types of bereavement found their pet’s death harder to bear.
The findings challenge how society views pet loss. It’s often dismissed as “disenfranchised grief” – a type of mourning that isn’t socially recognised or validated in the same…
(Full Story)
|
By Matthew Holland, Senior lecturer in game design and development, Anglia Ruskin University
I worked at RuneScape from 2008 until 2014, and the questions that were on my team’s minds at the time are still relevant now
(Full Story)
|
By Marcus Mayers, Visiting Research Fellow, Manchester Metropolitan University
David Bamford, Professor of Operations Management, Manchester Metropolitan University
The UK government says it has learned valuable lessons from the expense, delays and political embarrassment of HS2. And now it has laid out detailed plans for train passengers in northern England who have been so badly “let down” in the past.
Northern Powerhouse Rail will apparently bring new and upgraded routes from east to west of the region, linking Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull. Major capacity and journey time improvements have been promised.
Away from the actual tracks though, the scheme could come to represent a welcome change in the…
(Full Story)
|
By Michael Woods, Professor of Human Geography, Aberystwyth University
Wales prides itself in being a pioneer in environmental policy. It was the first country in the world to adopt a statutory duty for public bodies to make development sustainable, in 2015. Yet, environmental issues have rarely featured prominently in elections to the Senedd (the Welsh parliament).
This year is different. Wales votes for a new Senedd in May and parties are using contentious statements around environmental issues to differentiate themselves. Issues including windfarms, expansion of pylons and…
(Full Story)
|
By Uri Gal, Professor in Business Information Systems, University of Sydney
Starting later this year, Woolworths shoppers will able to use AI to plan meals and even add items to their carts. It’s convenient – but with potential hidden costs.
(Full Story)
|
By Amy Thunig-McGregor, Research Fellow, Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, University of Technology Sydney
Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is cook dinner and gather with the people you love.
(Full Story)
|
By Stephen Goldsmith, Tutor in Mental Health Nursing, Swinburne University of Technology
Beyond its monsters and 1980s nostalgia, Stranger Things resonates because it tells stories of struggles familiar to young people: trauma that lingers, identity that wavers, and friendships that buffer against fear.
And by turning inner struggles into visible monsters, Stranger Things can provide a lens to discuss trauma, identity and resilience.
Here are some of Stranger Things’ insights into adolescent development and mental health – and how adults can use the show to talk to teenagers about their own mental health.
Facing our fears
In the series,…
(Full Story)
|
By Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
The Victorian fires burned though diverse environments across the state. Native animals suffered through heat and smoke, including thousands of dead flying foxes.
(Full Story)
|