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Category: Arts and social sciences
Can we trust the government with Brexit?
Dr Volker Patent, Lecturer in Psychology at The Open University, who researches organisational trust believes that the UK government is asking for blind faith, rather than trust in its Brexit plan. As Parliament returns after the Christmas break for what looks to be an eventful year in the lead up to Britain’s exit from Europe […]
‘They died with stones in their mouths’: Hiroshima’s last survivors tell their stories
This article was written by Elizabeth Chappell, PhD Candidate, for The Conversation. At 84, Shoso Kawamoto is one of the few surviving hibakusha – the Hiroshima atomic bomb survivors – orphans, still telling his story. When I first interviewed Kawamoto for my work in 2012, I hadn’t come across tales of orphans in Hiroshima. The bomb, […]
Silent Night: the story of the carol that put a war on pause
Dr Martin Clarke, Lecturer in Music at The Open University discusses the history of one of the most famous Christmas carols of our time – Silent Night. Few Christmas carols evoke the season of peace and goodwill as readily as Silent Night. Two popular stories contribute to its appeal: one concerning the circumstances of its […]
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What makes someone an ‘illegal immigrant’?
Tendayi Bloom, Lecturer in Politics and International Studies, The Open University, explores what makes someone an ‘illegal immigrant’? After months of negotiations and some controversy, a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was agreed by 164 countries in early December. In the final text of this agreement and in the process that led up […]
Curious Kids: why don’t poorer countries just print more money?
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages, where The Conversation asks experts to answer questions from kids. All questions are welcome: find out how to enter at the bottom of this article. In this piece, Economist Alan Shipman explains why poorer countries don’t just print more money. Why don’t poorer countries just […]
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Perinatal anxiety: research finds lack of support for women
Around 15-25% of women experience significant levels of anxiety in the perinatal period (pregnancy and a year after childbirth). Despite being treatable, most women experiencing perinatal anxiety (PNA) don’t seek help. “There is so much pressure to be the ‘perfect mother’ these days, and there are a lot of unrealistic expectations around motherhood, so when […]
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Michelle Obama and imposter syndrome: Would the real imposter please stand up?
Michelle Obama’s admission that she suffers from imposter syndrome made the headlines and exposes a crisis – that some of the most competent and well-liked individuals secretly fear being exposed as frauds. With 70% of people suffering from this, Lecturer in Psychology, Dr Volker Patent, explores why this revelation has shocked us so much, and […]
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Can culture help resolve conflict?
A new research report by The Open University with the Hertie School of Governance (Berlin) says that under certain conditions, cultural activities contribute to reducing conflict and strengthening civil society. Examining international cultural projects in Egypt and Ukraine, Professor Marie Gillespie and her research team had full access to the workings of the British Council […]
Where’s the harm in educating distracted drivers?
Dr Gemma Briggs, an expert in distracted driving, writes about education campaigns which aim to make drivers aware of road safety issues: This week is Road Safety Week, organised by the charity, Brake. The week is aimed at raising awareness and educating all road users about aspects of road safety. Across the UK, people will […]
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Bibliotherapy: how reading and writing have been healing trauma since World War I
Bibliotherapy – the idea that reading can have a beneficial effect on mental health – has undergone a resurgence. There is mounting clinical evidence that reading can, for example, help people overcome loneliness and social exclusion. One scheme in Coventry allows health professionals to prescribe books to their patients from a list drawn up by […]
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