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Thought Leadership

Young Minds Big Maths: combining expertise from mathematicians and early years educators

Dr Rachel Oughton from our department of Mathematical Sciences has been working with early years educators to expand the reach of maths among children. Here she talks about the Young Minds Big Maths project that she is leading.
children in school

Rosebank shows the UK’s offshore oil regulator no longer serves the public good

Professor Gavin Bridge from our Department of Geography is joined by Gisa Weszkalnys, Associate Professor of Anthropology at London School of Economics and Political Science, to give their thoughts on the announcement of the new Rosebank oil field 80 miles west of Shetland.
An image of an oil rig in the sea.

Consciousness: why a leading theory has been branded ‘pseudoscience’

Dr Philip Goff from our Department of Philosophy breaks down the divide between consciousness researchers after one of the most popular scientific theories of consciousness is labelled as pseudoscience.
An abstract image of consciousness.

Henry VIII’s favourite fool – a new book draws a portrait of the man the Tudor court loved to laugh at

Professor Alec Ryrie from our Department of Theology and Religion explores a new book written by Swedish historian Peter Andersson on the life of court fool Will Somers during the reign of Henry VIII.
Henry VIII

Respectful provocation: the university skill for our times?

Challenging students about their assumptions and values makes them better equipped to engage with the challenges of living in a diverse society, writes Professor Mathew Guest, Professor of the Sociology of Religion and Head of our Department of Theology and Religion.
Six young adults sitting round a desk chatting, smiling and laughing. In the background are shelves of books

“Senzenina: What have we done?” We are all entangled in the politics of peace

On International Day of Peace, 21 September, Professor Stefanie Kappler from our School of Government and International Affairs reflects on the politics of peace in relation to art and, in particular, the work of South African artist and activist Haroon Gunn-Salie.
An image of the Marikana mine, South Africa

Should you send your child to an academy or a council-run school? Why Ofsted results don’t mean much

Should you send your child to an academy or a council-run school? Stephen Gorard, Professor of Education and Public Policy, in our School of Education, explains why Ofsted results are not that useful to parents when making this decision.
Primary school children in a classroom

How 'survival arrogance' has put Iranian hardliners in confrontation with the public

Almost a year ago, the death of young Mahsa Amini in moral police custody, sparked widespread unrests across many parts of Iran, capturing the attention of the world towards the plight of Iranians, especially women. Dr Marzieh Kouhi Esfahani, whose research focuses on women in the Muslim world and international relations of the Middle East, analyses the situation today.
Two people standing by a banner which says #MahsaAmini - Woman, Life, Freedom

The Islamic Republic a year after Mahsa Amini’s death

On 16 September 2022, Mahsa Amini died in police custody which sparked protests across Iran. One year on, Anoush Ehteshami, Professor of International Relations in our School of Government and International Affairs, takes a look at what has changed.
A woman wearing a headscarf waving a small Iranian flag

Daniel Khalife: escapes are just one symptom of a failing prison system

John Podmore, an Honorary Professor in our Department of Sociology, discusses how the escape of Daniel Kahlife from HMP Wandsworth is just one symptom of a failing prison system.
Image showing barbed wire fence

How to prove you’ve discovered alien life – new research

Professor Peter Vickers from our Department of Philosophy discusses the findings of his new research paper published in the journal of Astrobiology.
Moon

Chimpanzees are not pets, no matter what social media tells you

Research Associate Jake Brooker from our Department of Psychology studies the social and emotional behaviour of great apes. He explains that social media needs to recognise that putting exotic animals in a human context isn't cute and reflects animal abuse.
A chimpanzee looking directly into the camera