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How to measure happiness

20 March 2018

Finland is the happiest country in the world, according to the annual World Happiness Report, with the UK ranked 19th this year (2018). But the report shows that countries with a higher GDP, such as the USA – ranked 18th; China – in 86th place; and Japan – 54th – don’t automatically have a happier […]

Sharenting: why mothers post about their children on social media

12 March 2018

On Mother’s Day, social media feeds are often full of celebration. Facebook reported that in 2017, Mother’s Day “drove more posts in a single day than any other topic on Facebook in the last year”. For some countries, Facebook even created a temporary emoji – the purple flower – so people could fully express their […]

Homeless people could avoid life-saving services, if there’s a risk of deportation

8 March 2018

As the UK was hit by snow and freezing temperatures last week, more beds in shelters were made available, and people in England and Wales were advised to use the StreetLink app and helpline to report rough sleepers. The project sets out to ensure that no one in a wealthy country dies of cold because […]

Sexual violence may be in the Hollywood spotlight, but there are limits to speaking out

3 March 2018

The entertainment award season hits its peak with the 90th Academy Awards – the Oscars – on March 4 2018. Since the public outing of Harvey Weinstein as a serial sexual abuser, award ceremonies have become spotlights to display solidarity and declare time on sexual harassment and gender inequalities in and beyond the film industry. […]

5 of the top orchestral film scores of all time

1 March 2018

Whether it’s the haunting theme from Schindler’s List or the magical motif from Harry Potter, there’s no doubt that film scores are hugely evocative and an integral part of the cinema experience. Dr Ben Winters is a Senior Lecturer in Music, an expert in Hollywood film music, and can often be found digging through manuscripts […]

Children are far from protected from junk food ads – especially on social media

28 February 2018

From spreading fake news, to fostering narcissism and online bullying, social media is under increasing fire. The question of how to harness its potential while limiting negative effects is one of the biggest of our age. And its effects on children’s physical and mental health is perhaps one of the greatest challenges. Yet among all […]

9 books about dogs

26 February 2018

It’s the Chinese year of the dog, so why not add a book about dogs to your reading list? Dr Alex Hobbs, Associate Lecturer on the AA100: The Arts Past and Present and EA300: Children’s Literature module, has hand-picked these nine canine-led page-turners. Warning: some titles may induce weeping! 1) The Art of Racing in […]

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The Oxfam Case: Why are we so outraged?

16 February 2018

As headlines persist in the controversy surrounding Oxfam, Professor Helen Yanacopulos Director, Development Policy and Practice, takes a candid and honest look at what has prompted the ongoing furore. “The last thing I want is to be an apologist for badly behaved people exploiting others,” said Professor Yanacopulos, “but I have to admit I’m surprised that […]

How “not very academic” Linda is now on track for a psychology degree

14 February 2018

Linda has always been fascinated by what makes “people tick” and in her current role at a law firm she’s worked for many years with clients who have sustained severe brain injuries. “In my role I get to see neurological reports and I find these fascinating. How the brain works, its cognitive functions and how […]

Pension age rise for women sparks inequality fears

1 February 2018

Amid recent battles for equal pay by BBC women and ahead of next month’s centenary celebrations of women being given the vote in the UK, it might be a surprise to learn that equality is not always welcome between the sexes. The law has changed to create equality of state pension age for men and […]

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Category: Arts and social sciences