By Gulnaz Anjum, Assistant Professor of Climate Psychology, Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of Psychology, University of Limerick
Mudassar Aziz, Researcher, Psychology, University of Oslo
In November 2025, Lahore, the second-largest city in Pakistan, registered a “hazardous” air quality index of 509, according to IQAir, a global air quality monitoring organisation. The number speaks for itself. Eyes sting, throats burn and headlights blur into halos. In winter, the city feels as though it has slipped beneath a toxic sea.
Across Pakistan’s major cities, the shift into colder months no longer brings relief from heat or flooding. Winter has become smog season.
For weeks at a time, the…
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By Lorna Stevens, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Strategic Marketing, University of Bath
In the dark months of winter, the warm glow of Christmas fairy lights and flickering candles brings some welcome atmospheric respite. And that atmosphere is something many retailers try to capture as they tempt shoppers with their festive marketing campaigns.
The John Lewis Christmas advert for example, has become a seasonal staple, while rival Marks and Spencer has found success with its “Magic and Sparkle” campaign, which plays on the company’s brand name.
There are many more. Christmas is…
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By Andy Levy, Reader in Psychology, Edge Hill University
Vaping among teenagers is a growing global health problem.
In the UK, schools are reporting a surge in young people struggling with dependence, including cases of students needing medical attention after vaping in class. In the Netherlands, researchers have found that many teenagers wake up at night specifically…
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By Elisabeth Schweiger, Lecturer in International Politics, University of Stirling
The Trump administration’s push to label drug traffickers as “narcoterrorists” and kill them at sea has generated global outrage. But the controversy risks missing the larger story.
Experts, non-governmental organisations and the UN have condemned the strikes as unlawful assassinations and Washington’s claim that it is acting in self-defence does not appear to hold up to legal…
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By Emma Stafford, Professor of Greek Culture, University of Leeds
This year, fans of the tiny marmalade-loving bear from Peru can catch him on stage at London’s Savoy Theatre in the West End, in Paddington The Musical.
This is a stage adaptation of the first film in the most recent Paddington franchise, which began in 2014. While it features more than 18 new songs by Tom Fletcher (of the band McFly), it follows the film’s plot quite closely. It also shares its values of home, family and tolerance of difference – particularly relevant to current debates…
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By Zahinoor Ismail, Professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
Jasper Crockford, Medical Science Master's Student, University of Calgary
Maryam Ghahremani, Research Data Scientist at Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary
Two decades after the Women’s Health Initiative study, evolving research on menopause hormone therapy is shedding new light on women’s brain health.
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By Matthew Robert Anderson, Adjunct professor, Theological Studies, Concordia University
Despite their seemingly secular modern-day iteration — featuring wine, chocolate or other products — Advent calendars continue to carry the spiritual foundation of the season.
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By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham
David Hastings Dunn, Professor of International Politics in the Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham
America’s new vision of its place in the world has left its European allies wondering whether Nato can survive in its current form.
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By Jolanta Burke, Associate Professor, Centre for Positive Health Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
While we can’t control everything that impacts our health, making room for a more positive outlook in life can help support both wellbeing and longevity.
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By Lisa Slominski, PhD with the Department of Historical and Critical Studies, Kingston University
Nnena Kalu’s win shows how contemporary art can be more inclusive if more facilitation, like that provided by ActionSpace, can be supported.
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