By Martin Lang, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Fine Art , University of Lincoln
The shortlist for the Turner prize 2026 brings together four artists whose practices are firmly rooted in sculpture and installation. Their work, in diverse ways, tests how material form can carry political, ecological and symbolic meaning.
This year’s Turner prize jury (chaired by Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain) is composed of Sarah Allen (South London Gallery), Joe Hill (Yorkshire Sculpture Park), Sook-Kyung Lee (The Whitworth) and Alona Pardo (Arts Council Collection). They praised the…
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By Sophie King-Hill, Associate Professor at the Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham
Kieran McCartan, Professor in Criminology, University of the West of England
There has been much talk about the sex work storylines in the recent series of the show Euphoria. One of the main characters, Cassie Howard (played by Sydney Sweeney), starts an OnlyFans account to fund her upcoming wedding. In the last two episodes, viewers have watched her create videos for different “audiences”.
In one video, for instance, she dresses up as a dog in a bid to attract those interested in the kink sub genre known as “pup…
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By Blane Savage, Lecturer in MA Creative Media Practice, University of the West of Scotland
Joan Eardley was one of the most unique and celebrated artists of her generation, but the international acclaim and recognition that her work deserves eluded her. Her paintings are not only foundational in Scotland’s cultural history, but continue to influence its creative landscape, particularly with those concerning dialogue around community and the poetics of place.
Currently on view in the National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two until June 28, Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting,…
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By Patrick Diamond, Professor of Public Policy, Queen Mary University of London
Keir Starmer’s decision to fire Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins has contributed to “one of the worst crises in relations” between ministers and civil servants in modern times. The words of former cabinet secretary Gus O'Donnell, writing after Robbins was sacked for declining to inform Starmer that Peter Mandelson failed vetting for his ambassador role, are a stark warning for the prime minister.
Such a crisis has been building for some time. Historically,…
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By Salma Al Arefi, Senior Lecturer in Renewable Energy, University of Leeds
In parts of Germany and Australia, a surprising thing is happening more and more often: households are being offered free electricity.
This is happening at times of day when there are high levels of energy being generated from solar or wind. It is caused because sometimes more electricity is being produced than people need. Only a limited amount of storage is available and most of it must be used immediately to keep…
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By Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University
Magnesium, lion’s mane, creatine and collagen are marketed for perimenopause and menopause symptoms. But the evidence shows their benefits may be overstated.
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By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation
A little after 2pm on April 8, the Israeli military hit more than 100…
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By Christian Emery, Associate Professor in International Politics, UCL
Iran’s confidence in having proven its ability to blockade Hormuz may provide cover for dialling down its nuclear ambiguity posture.
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By Iuliana Hartescu, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Loughborough University
Insomnia may have been torturing humanity since ancient times, but over the last 20 years scientists have made progress in their understanding of chronic sleep deprivation.
Today, sleep deprivation is one of the most widespread reported psychological problems in Britain, with about a third of the adult population in England reporting frequent insomnia symptoms.
Insomnia…
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By Steven W. Kerrigan, Professor of Precision Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
The drugs that transformed medicine are losing their power, raising fears of a post-antibiotic era in which common infections kill.
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