Arts and Humanities
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How Humour Shaped Western Support for Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered an unprecedented wave of Western support. This was particularly apparent in the UK, where citizens held vigils and fundraisers, public buildings were lit in Ukrainian colours, while the government pledged over a hundred million pounds in humanitarian aid. According to Dr James Brassett and Dr Christopher Browning at the University of Warwick, this phenomenon went beyond mere sympathy, developing into ‘vicarious identification’ – where people gain a sense of identity and purpose by living through others’ experiences.
How COVID-19 Shaped Conservation Activism in Southern Africa
The COVID-19 pandemic influenced social structures and behaviours globally, reshaping how communities interact and mobilize. It also significantly transformed social movements across the world, creating new patterns of digital activism as essential tools during times of physical distancing and restricted movement. During this global shift, social media amplified indigenous voices in conservation, but turning this digital momentum into real policy impact remains a challenge. Despite safeguarding 80% of global biodiversity, these communities are often excluded from environmental decision-making, underscoring the need for digital advocacy to support their rights and heritage.
Professor Jorge Domínguez | How Cuba’s Leadership Responded to Crisis: Combining Repression with Reform
Protests in Cuba in 2021 represented the most significant challenge to the country’s political order in 40 years, with thousands of nationwide demonstrators demanding changes. In recent research, Professor Jorge Domínguez examines how Cuban authorities responded to these mass protests through a complex strategy combining repression with selective reforms. Contrary to common perceptions that the Cuban government relied solely on repression to quell the July 2021 protests, Domínguez reveals they took a more nuanced approach.
Professor Robert Slesinski | How Freedom Shapes Revolutionary Philosophy: Berdyaev’s Existential Thought
Nicolai Berdyaev (1874-1948) was one of the most influential Russian philosophers in the West during the 20th century. In a recent paper, Professor Robert Slesinski analyzes Berdyaev’s philosophy, arguing that it centers on a radical understanding of freedom that challenges traditional Christian metaphysics.
Professor Mark Doel | How Objects Can Tell the Story of Social Work
Social work can sometimes be difficult to define or explain to the public. While many people have direct experience with teachers, nurses, or police officers, far fewer understand what social workers actually do. A research project by Professor Mark Doel at Sheffield Hallam University explores an innovative way to make social work more visible – through the display of meaningful objects.
Professor Christina Strunck | A New Approach to Analysing Art in its Spatial Setting
How did Early Modern mural paintings seek to shape attitudes to Britishness? This is one of the central questions addressed by Professor Christina Strunck in her book Britain and the Continent, 1660 to 1727. Professor Strunck examines the most significant political murals created in Britain in the decades around 1700, including those at Windsor Castle, Chatsworth and Hampton Court Palace. She focuses on how these paintings portray the relationship between Britain and the continent. By doing so, she shows how murals in public and private buildings contributed to the formation of a national identity.
Dr Hana Jee | Do people who speak different languages share preferences for letter shapes?
Writing systems are one of humanity’s most important inventions, allowing us to communicate across time and space. For centuries, researchers thought the relationship between written symbols and their sounds was completely arbitrary – that there was no real connection between how a letter looks and how it sounds. However, recent research has challenged this, suggesting that writing systems often contain hidden patterns linking symbols to sounds. A new study by Dr Hana Jee of York St John University investigates whether people from different language backgrounds share similar preferences for how symbols should connect to sounds.
Professor Özlem Atikcan | How the Migration Debate in Europe Changed During the ‘Crisis’ Years
The way we talk about complex issues shapes how we understand and respond to them. In social science, different ways of presenting an issue are called ‘frames’, which are like lenses that highlight certain aspects of a topic while downplaying others. For instance, ‘framing’ migration as a security issue creates a very different picture compared to discussing it as a human rights matter. Professor Özlem Atikcan and her colleagues at the University of Warwick, Sofie Roehrig and Tim Henrichsen, have studied how conversations about migration evolved between 2000 and 2020.
Professor Robert F. Slesinski | Exploring the Intersection Between Philosopher Semyon Frank and Novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky
Russian religious philosophy, with its profound exploration of existential themes, continues to captivate scholars worldwide. A recent review by Professor Robert Slesinski sheds light on the intersection between two titans of Russian thought: Semyon Frank and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Slesinski is expert in Russian religious philosophy who has authored a previous monograph on Frank, entitled The Philosophy of Semyon Frank: Human Meaning in the Godhead, in addition to monographs on Pavel Florensky, Sergius Bulgakov, and Lev Karsavin.
Dr Alexandra Juster | A New Method for Bridging the Gap Between Law and Literature
In recent years, the interdisciplinary research field of ‘law and literature’ has begun to establish itself in Europe. This emerging field explores how legal concepts are portrayed in literary works and how literature can inform our understanding of the law. Recent research by Dr Alexandra Juster of the University of Münster proposes a novel method to analyse this relationship more systematically. Dr Juster’s research builds on the established American ‘law and literature’ movement, which has been gaining traction in Europe. Her work introduces a new approach called ‘juridical counterfactual’, which aims to provide a methodological foundation for future research in this interdisciplinary field.
Professor Damian Nance | The Role of Beam Engines in Forming the America We Know Today
Steam power was first brought to America in 1755, in the form of the beam engine. For much of the 1800s, it powered the nation’s progress. It enabled navigation of the country’s inland waterways, bolstered industry, facilitated mining, and supplied cities with water. In a recent paper, Professor Damian Nance of Ohio University tracks the importation and rapid development of the beam engine in America. He describes how the technology first brought the country together, leaving an indelible mark on the USA’s history.
Learning English through Manga: A Fun and Effective Approach
Manga, the colorful and vibrant Japanese comic books, have been gaining global popularity. These comics have captured the hearts of readers young and old, transcending cultural boundaries. But could manga also serve as a powerful tool for learning English? This intriguing question is explored by Professor Song Cho at Liberty University, who recently delved into the potential of manga as an educational resource for teaching English.
How Humour Shaped Western Support for Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered an unprecedented wave of Western support. This was particularly apparent in the UK, where citizens held vigils and fundraisers, public buildings were lit in Ukrainian colours, while the government pledged over a hundred million pounds in humanitarian aid. According to Dr James Brassett and Dr Christopher Browning at the University of Warwick, this phenomenon went beyond mere sympathy, developing into ‘vicarious identification’ – where people gain a sense of identity and purpose by living through others’ experiences.
How COVID-19 Shaped Conservation Activism in Southern Africa
The COVID-19 pandemic influenced social structures and behaviours globally, reshaping how communities interact and mobilize. It also significantly transformed social movements across the world, creating new patterns of digital activism as essential tools during times of physical distancing and restricted movement. During this global shift, social media amplified indigenous voices in conservation, but turning this digital momentum into real policy impact remains a challenge. Despite safeguarding 80% of global biodiversity, these communities are often excluded from environmental decision-making, underscoring the need for digital advocacy to support their rights and heritage.
Professor Jorge Domínguez | How Cuba’s Leadership Responded to Crisis: Combining Repression with Reform
Protests in Cuba in 2021 represented the most significant challenge to the country’s political order in 40 years, with thousands of nationwide demonstrators demanding changes. In recent research, Professor Jorge Domínguez examines how Cuban authorities responded to these mass protests through a complex strategy combining repression with selective reforms. Contrary to common perceptions that the Cuban government relied solely on repression to quell the July 2021 protests, Domínguez reveals they took a more nuanced approach.
Professor Robert Slesinski | How Freedom Shapes Revolutionary Philosophy: Berdyaev’s Existential Thought
Nicolai Berdyaev (1874-1948) was one of the most influential Russian philosophers in the West during the 20th century. In a recent paper, Professor Robert Slesinski analyzes Berdyaev’s philosophy, arguing that it centers on a radical understanding of freedom that challenges traditional Christian metaphysics.
Professor Mark Doel | How Objects Can Tell the Story of Social Work
Social work can sometimes be difficult to define or explain to the public. While many people have direct experience with teachers, nurses, or police officers, far fewer understand what social workers actually do. A research project by Professor Mark Doel at Sheffield Hallam University explores an innovative way to make social work more visible – through the display of meaningful objects.
Professor Christina Strunck | A New Approach to Analysing Art in its Spatial Setting
How did Early Modern mural paintings seek to shape attitudes to Britishness? This is one of the central questions addressed by Professor Christina Strunck in her book Britain and the Continent, 1660 to 1727. Professor Strunck examines the most significant political murals created in Britain in the decades around 1700, including those at Windsor Castle, Chatsworth and Hampton Court Palace. She focuses on how these paintings portray the relationship between Britain and the continent. By doing so, she shows how murals in public and private buildings contributed to the formation of a national identity.
Dr Hana Jee | Do people who speak different languages share preferences for letter shapes?
Writing systems are one of humanity’s most important inventions, allowing us to communicate across time and space. For centuries, researchers thought the relationship between written symbols and their sounds was completely arbitrary – that there was no real connection between how a letter looks and how it sounds. However, recent research has challenged this, suggesting that writing systems often contain hidden patterns linking symbols to sounds. A new study by Dr Hana Jee of York St John University investigates whether people from different language backgrounds share similar preferences for how symbols should connect to sounds.
Professor Özlem Atikcan | How the Migration Debate in Europe Changed During the ‘Crisis’ Years
The way we talk about complex issues shapes how we understand and respond to them. In social science, different ways of presenting an issue are called ‘frames’, which are like lenses that highlight certain aspects of a topic while downplaying others. For instance, ‘framing’ migration as a security issue creates a very different picture compared to discussing it as a human rights matter. Professor Özlem Atikcan and her colleagues at the University of Warwick, Sofie Roehrig and Tim Henrichsen, have studied how conversations about migration evolved between 2000 and 2020.
Professor Robert F. Slesinski | Exploring the Intersection Between Philosopher Semyon Frank and Novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky
Russian religious philosophy, with its profound exploration of existential themes, continues to captivate scholars worldwide. A recent review by Professor Robert Slesinski sheds light on the intersection between two titans of Russian thought: Semyon Frank and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Slesinski is expert in Russian religious philosophy who has authored a previous monograph on Frank, entitled The Philosophy of Semyon Frank: Human Meaning in the Godhead, in addition to monographs on Pavel Florensky, Sergius Bulgakov, and Lev Karsavin.
Dr Alexandra Juster | A New Method for Bridging the Gap Between Law and Literature
In recent years, the interdisciplinary research field of ‘law and literature’ has begun to establish itself in Europe. This emerging field explores how legal concepts are portrayed in literary works and how literature can inform our understanding of the law. Recent research by Dr Alexandra Juster of the University of Münster proposes a novel method to analyse this relationship more systematically. Dr Juster’s research builds on the established American ‘law and literature’ movement, which has been gaining traction in Europe. Her work introduces a new approach called ‘juridical counterfactual’, which aims to provide a methodological foundation for future research in this interdisciplinary field.
Professor Damian Nance | The Role of Beam Engines in Forming the America We Know Today
Steam power was first brought to America in 1755, in the form of the beam engine. For much of the 1800s, it powered the nation’s progress. It enabled navigation of the country’s inland waterways, bolstered industry, facilitated mining, and supplied cities with water. In a recent paper, Professor Damian Nance of Ohio University tracks the importation and rapid development of the beam engine in America. He describes how the technology first brought the country together, leaving an indelible mark on the USA’s history.
Learning English through Manga: A Fun and Effective Approach
Manga, the colorful and vibrant Japanese comic books, have been gaining global popularity. These comics have captured the hearts of readers young and old, transcending cultural boundaries. But could manga also serve as a powerful tool for learning English? This intriguing question is explored by Professor Song Cho at Liberty University, who recently delved into the potential of manga as an educational resource for teaching English.
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