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Thought Leadership

Three surprising reasons human actions threaten endangered primates

Dr Sian Waters, from our Department of Anthropology, along with Tracie McKinney from the University of South Wales and Michelle Rodrigues from Marquette University, describe human actions that threaten primates.
Chimpanzee eating a long piece of grass

The Whale: Brendan Fraser’s comeback offers rare representation of the fat queer male body on screen

Professor Santiago Fouz Hernández, from our School of Modern Languages and Cultures, explores the impact of Brendan Fraser's role in The Whale.
a blank screen recording

The Holocaust: remembering the powerful acts of ‘ordinary people’

Mr. Daniel Adamson, who is a PhD Candidate in our Department of History, explains the importance of remembering 'ordinary people,' which is the official theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2023.
holocaust victims

It’s time to make English higher education institutions accessible: Disabled students’ representatives lead the way to change

This blog was written by Dr Rille Raaper, who is an Associate Professor in our School of Education, along with Francesca Peruzzo, Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, and Mette Westander, Founding Director of Disabled Students UK.
person in wheelchair

Working with Zimbabwean farmers to rebuild soils

Dr Steve Chivasa is part of our Biosciences Department and specialises in understanding how plants respond to stressful environments. Here he discusses a project he’s working on to help farmers in Zimbabwe overcome challenges caused by soil degradation.
Image showing soil in cupped hands with a plant out of focus in background

How Chinese companies are challenging national security decisions that could delay 5G network rollout

Professor Ming Du, from our School of Law, explains investor-state dispute settlements that can challenge national security decisions.
5G tower

Expecting the Unexpected: Philosophy in the search for the Extra-terrestrial

Dr Christopher Cowie, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy recently took part in the Being Human Festival, a nationwide festival which engages a wide audience in the breadth of humanities research. He tells us how philosophers can contribute to questions about life in space.
Oumuamua

Something Sublime about the Cosmos

Phillip Horky is Professor of Ancient Philosophy. He has recently been taking part in the Being Human Festival, a nationwide festival celebrating the value of humanities research for all. He tells us about his research into the Cosmos, which he shared with the public at What on Earth is That? A festival event which considered our relationship with the night sky on 17 January at High Force Waterfall and Hotel.
Kosmos

Criminal Justice responses to reports of sexual violence from women with learning disabilities and/or autism

Dr Alison Jobe from our Department of Sociology and Dr Helen Williams of Sunderland University share insights from their upcoming research on women with learning disabilities/autism reporting sexual violence.
Sexual violence

Islamists and the State: The puzzle of enduring competition

Dr Rory McCarthy from our School of Government and International Affairs argues that religion still shapes politics even at a time of Islamist setbacks in North Africa.
Islamist state

Neanderthals: the oldest art in the world wasn’t made by Homo sapiens

Professor Paul Pettitt, from our Department of Archaeology, sheds some light on Neanderthal art.
Cave paintings

Wind turbines are already skyscraper-sized – is there any limit to how big they will get?

Professor Simon Hogg from our Department of Engineering discusses why are wind turbines increasing in size at such a rapid rate, and is there a limit to how big they can go?
Wind turbine