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Thought Leadership

The Undercover Elf

Lucinda Murphy, a PhD student in the Department of Theology and Religion, tells us about her research in which she has explored Christmas magic in all its varieties.
Working as an elf in Santa's grotto

Putting Santa (and anything else) on a Timeline

Dr Emily Thomas, Department of Philosophy, writes on space and time in seventeenth to early twentieth century philosophy. She shows us how you can turn any history into a timeline - this one was inspired by a history of Santa Claus.
Santa's outfits through time

Remembering Christmas Past

Simon J. James is Professor of Victorian Literature in the Department of English Studies. This festive season he discusses memory in Dickens’ work, and the importance of remembering past versions of ourselves at Christmas.
A Christmas Carol

Forensic Archaeology and Human Rights: Where the past meets the present

Professor Rebecca Gowland from our Department of Archaeology shares her research insights and reflects on how the deceased are incorporated into discussions of human rights.
Rebecca Gowland

What’s really going on when a child is ‘overtired’ – and how to help them go to sleep

Professor Helen Ball from our Department of Anthropology is also the Director of the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre (DISC). She discusses what 'overtiredness' means for babies, and how help them handle this emotional state.
Baby yawning

COP15: three visions for protecting nature on the table at the UN biodiversity conference

Professor Harriet Bulkeley, from our Department of Geography, describes how COP15 will set new targets for protecting biodiversity.
Frogs on a stem.

Shipping must accelerate its decarbonisation efforts – and now it has the opportunity to do so

Dr Christiaan De Beukelaer, a visiting fellow at our Institute of Advanced Study, describes how shipping must reach zero carbon emissions.
A shipping boat.

Why you could have ‘face-ism’ – an extreme tendency to judge people based on their facial features

What is 'face-ism,' and what is the real-world impact it can have? Dr Paddy Ross from our Department of Psychology tells us that, and more, below.
A group of people in an office.

How might supporting the Lionesses bring about change among men?

The success of the England women’s football team in the European Championships has highlighted the positive fan culture that exists in the women’s game. Dr Stephen Burrell from our Department of Sociology explores how this could bring about change among men.
Women enjoying an England football match.

The New Spirit of Capitalism: How neoliberalism has changed the way we do religion

In his new book – Neoliberal Religion: Faith and Power in the Twenty-First Century – Mathew Guest interrogates the relationship between contemporary religions and neoliberal logic, and how the former have used the latter to build their movements.
Pound notes.

What’s it like being a young person with long COVID? You might feel like a failure (but you’re not)

Dr Ana Leite, from our Department of Psychology, talks about the experience of being a young person with long COVID.
A woman struggling with long COVID at the computer.

How cities are embracing nature-based solutions to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss

As the planet warms, the demand for keeping cool is growing. The International Energy Agency estimate that air conditioners and electric fans today account for about 10% of all global electricity consumption and will triple by 2050 – requiring the equivalent of all the electricity currently used by the USA and Germany just to keep us cool.
A row of buildings in a green landscape.