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Thought Leadership

The unique history of the only person who can preach to the pope

Dr Liam Temple, from our Department of Theology and Religion, tells how he worked with the only man who can preach to the Pope.
Pope standing at microphone with a cardinal standing on either side

The 1918 Meuse-Argonne campaign was a disaster for the US army, so journalists glamorised it

Professor Tim Luckhurst examines how journalists covered the 1918 Meuse-Argonne offensive - the only extended campaign American soldiers fought as an independent force during the first world war.
Silhouette of crouching soldiers holding rifles

Sexual strangulation has become popular – but that doesn’t mean it’s wanted

The act of strangulation has become increasingly normalised and sexualised. Dr Hannah Bows, from our Law School, explains that despite its increased popularity, research shows it isn't necessarily wanted, especially by women.
A hand gripping a white quilt next to a silver condom wrapper

A new wave of Venezuelan refugees would threaten a humanitarian crisis – Latin America could learn from Europe

As Venezuela continues to grapple with political and economic collapse, the international community – and particularly neighbouring Latin American nations – must be prepared for another surge of migration. Dr Omar Hammoud Gallego, from our School of Government and International Affairs, explores how the region should react to this situation.
An image of Maracaibo in northwestern Venezuela

Trump survived another apparent assassination attempt – but it won’t have the same positive effect on his polling

Donald Trump has been the subject of another apparent assassination attempt. Dr David Andersen, from our School of Government and International Affairs, explores whether this will boost the Republican Party presidential candidate's chances of a return to The White House.
Donald Trump delivering a speech at a political rally near Atlanta in 2016

Firebrand finally tells Katherine Parr’s story – and Jude Law is grippingly grotesque as Henry VIII

Firebrand starring Jude Law and Alicia Vikander tells the story of Katherine Parr and explores how she outlived her murderous husband, Henry VIII. But is it worth a watch? Professor Alec Ryrie, from our Department of Theology and Religion, gives his views on the new cinema release.
Henry and Katherine Parr. Illustration by John Leech (1817-1864)

Four video game adaptations of classic works of literature, from The Hobbit to Hamlet

Many video games have adapted literature while plenty of authors have published novels and poems in response to gaming. Dr Alistair Brown, from our Department of English Studies, looks at four examples of video games that have taken inspiration from literary works.
Two hands holding a PlayStation controller

The Taliban’s harsh new ‘vice and virtue’ laws are a throwback to the oppression of the 1990s – especially for the women of Afghanistan

Dr Kambaiz Rafi, from our School of Government and International Affairs, explores how the new laws introduced by the Taliban could see the scenes of oppression from the past return for women living in Afghanistan.
Four Afghan women in blue and black burqa walking on dirt path in barren land

Disney wrongful death legal case exposes potential pitfalls of automatically clicking ‘I agree’

Disney has made international headlines after it performed a U-turn on using terms of service to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit. Dr Stergios Aidinlis, from our Law School, explores the potential consequences of completing a user agreement without reading the fine print.
The building at Disneyland Paris

Corruption holds small businesses back: Ghana study reveals two strategies to avoid the traps

Corruption is one of the biggest challenges small business owners face in Ghana. Professor Joseph Amankwah-Amoah, from our Business School, explores the best strategies business owners in the African country can deploy to mitigate the adverse effects corruption carries.
Men working at a Ghanaian fishing port

Offering insights into global electoral integrity

Dr Juraj Medzihorsky is an Assistant Professor in our School of Government and International Affairs and part of the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project. The V-Dem project compiles and analyses data to offer a deeper insight into global democracy and the integrity of the election process.
A range of hand posting votes into a voting box

After teachers in England receive pay award – here’s what else needs to be done to keep them in schools

After the UK's Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson accepted recommendations to give teachers in England a 5.5% pay rise, Professor Stephen Gorard from our School of Education and Beng Huat See from the University of Birmingham explore what else can be done to keep teachers in the profession.
Female teacher smiles at a class of children with their arms raised