Social and Behavioural
Explore Social and Behavioural
Professor Helen Fulton | Who Were the Marcher Lords? An Innovative Project to Understand their Cultural Significance
The March of Wales refers to an area north to south along what is now the border between England and Wales. This region was first penetrated by Norman barons after 1066. Although the Welsh fought to hold their ancient kingdoms, the Normans were securely established by the mid-1200s. When, in 1282, Edward I killed the most powerful Welsh ruler, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, independent Wales was conquered. Some areas became Crown possessions, while others were distributed to Marcher lords. This created a Marcher aristocracy that shaped the culture of the region for the next three centuries.
How Schools Re-opening after Lockdowns Affected Parents’ Participation in the Workforce
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Canada in March 2020, schools across the country were shut within a few days. Children were homeschooled with varying levels of online support, which affected the working lives of many parents.
Professor Peter Grindrod | Cognition and Consciousness Entwined
Humans experience internal sensations in response to the external world: we don’t just think or process – we experience. These sensations range from emotions, such as love, anxiety, embarrassment; to more subtle experiences, known as ‘qualia’. Qualia include the pain of a headache, the response to a sunset, or to stroking pets. Humans’ inner mental life poses the hard problem of consciousness: understanding how and why we have such internal sensations. Neuroscience explores how brains process sensory information to make inferences and analyse external situations. This is called cognition, and it may result in actions. Consciousness refers to our inner sensations.
Professor David Pion-Berlin | Was the January 6th Storming of the US Capitol a Self-coup?
The storming of the US Capitol on January 6th 2021 was a shocking event for many. Citizens pushed past Capitol police, causing property damage and threatening congresspeople and the Vice President. Five people died in the attack. Participants included armed members of right-wing militias, terrorist groups, neo-Nazi organizations, and conspiratorial groups such as Q-Anon. Nothing similar had been seen since the British burned the Capitol building to the ground during the War of 1812. Immediately afterwards, scholars and the media attempted to understand what had happened. Commentators had a range of viewpoints, describing the event as an insurrection, a mob invasion, sedition, a legitimate protest, a rebellion, and a coup.
Could the COVID-19 Pandemic Lead to Equality for Essential Workers?
When governments implemented lockdowns and social distancing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, many workers were deemed ‘essential’ and were required to continue working as normal. These workers included grocery store staff, healthcare workers, farm laborers and many others.
Human Services Research Institute | Enhancing the Well-being of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Intellectual and developmental disabilities, or IDD for short, are associated with conditions such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder. People with these conditions may require supports to communicate with others, learn new things, live independently, or socialize. While there are many interventions that support people with IDD, the potential effects of these interventions on well-being are not fully understood.
Dr Gavin Ward | A Level Playing Field? Understanding Racism and Racial Inequality in British University Sport
Racial inequalities exist in most social institutions. This challenges the common narrative that we live in a ‘post-racial’ era. The way in which racism plays out in both higher education and sport has long interested scholars. Higher education is increasingly under pressure to address issues of equity and inclusion. In sport, experiences of racial inequality and abuse are reported by athletes, coaches and spectators. University sport sits at the intersection of both higher education and sport, providing a useful context for academics to explore how racism is experienced within institutions.
Dr Zirui Huang | How the Brain’s Functional Geometry Could Encode Dimensions of the Mind
The concept of consciousness extends beyond mere philosophical pondering. Scientists are currently exploring how conscious experience emerges from electrochemical processes within the brain. Unraveling this mystery holds significant implications for brain health, encompassing phenomena such as comas, surgical anesthesia, and the altered perceptions observed in schizophrenia. Emerging research indicates that consciousness is not localized to a single brain region, but rather arises as a result of network interactions. Understanding the intricate connections between brain regions that contribute to consciousness has remained a challenging endeavor.
Dr Nesibe Kantar – Professor Terrell Ward Bynum | Which Ethical Values Should Be Instilled into Artificial Intelligence?
Technological and scientific advancements have always come with ethical and social consequences. This remains true today, as artificial intelligence is rapidly and radically changing the way we think about the world. Seven decades ago, while creating the field of cybernetics, scientist-philosopher Norbert Wiener first asked: Which ethical values and principles should be instilled into machines that learn and make decisions?
Professor Zhuoyi Wang | What Can the Compromised Progress of the Mulan Remake Tell Us About Cross-cultural Filmmaking?
In 1998, Disney released Mulan, an animated take on a Chinese legend. The film tells the story of Mulan, a girl who impersonates a man to join the army. She shows bravery as she fights to save her kingdom. At the time, this was a breakthrough for Disney due to its positive portrayal of Chinese characters and strong women. Nevertheless, the film included many gender stereotypes and instances of cultural appropriation. In 2020, a live action remake of Mulan was released. Directed by feminist filmmaker Niki Caro, it aimed to be gender progressive and culturally appropriate. However, critics argued that it misrepresented Chinese culture, and perpetuated ethnic stereotypes. Given that the film tried to avoid these pitfalls, how did this happen?
Dr Victor Serebruany | Investigating Misreporting in a Clinical Trial
Clinical trials are the main way for scientists and doctors to test whether new treatments, such as drugs or devices, are safe and effective. Because of their pivotal importance in influencing treatment options and patient care, clinical trials must be conducted to the highest standards. For drugs, this means they are required to be proven safe and effective before they can gain government approval.
Professor Roger Jensen | Assessing Workplace Hazards Using Risk Matrices
Occupational safety & health is a field that assesses hazards in workplace settings. It involves anticipating hazardous events that could harm workers, estimating the likelihood that an event will occur, and devising measures to prevent or mitigate harm. In this way, safety & health professionals help to greatly reduce the risk of injuries, illnesses and deaths.
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