Mercury Prize 2022: what rapper Little Simz’ win says about the UK independent music scene
John Street Emeritus Professor of Politics, School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies, University of East Anglia Speaking after she won the 2022 Mercury Music Prize, Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, aka Little Simz, was clearly honoured to be given the award. It wasn’t about the money (£25,000), or at least it wasn’t…
Coastal erosion is unstoppable – so how do we live with it?
Sophie A. Day Senior Research Associate in Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia Robert James Nicholls Professor of Climate Adaptation, University of East Anglia A record storm surge in 1953 devastated much of eastern England’s coast, prompting prolific investment in concrete sea walls, wooden groynes and other engineered structures designed…
Anti-monarchy protesters arrested – an expert on what the law says
David Mead Professor of UK Human Rights Law, University of East Anglia For many, the week following the death of the Queen has been a time of mourning. It has also been one of tension around the question of free speech and protest. There have been several instances of police arresting or…
Legendary politics Professor John Street reflects on over 40 years of teaching politics at UEA
Our good colleague and legendary politics Professor John Street will be retiring later this month after a career spanning over four decades at UEA. For UEA's latest Politics at the Edge podcast, John sits with Clare Precey, Alan Finlayson and Pierre Bocquillon, to reflect on 42 years of teaching politics,…
Monkeypox: World Health Organization declares it a global health emergency – here’s what that means
Paul Hunter Professor of Medicine, University of East Anglia The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the current monkeypox epidemic a global health emergency. The committee of independent advisers who met on Thursday July 21 2022, were split on their decision on whether to call the growing monkeypox outbreak a public health…
Four major challenges facing Britain’s education system after the pandemic
Helena Gillespie Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Student Inclusion and Professor of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of East Anglia The UK goverment’s Department for Education has some new ministers in charge following the political turmoil surrounding Boris Johnson’s resignation. After resigning only two days into the job…
The US Supreme Court: what is its role and its powers?
Emma Long Associate Professor of American History and Politics, University of East Anglia The US Supreme Court is in the news around the world. The reason: a series of decisions which are already having – and will continue to have – a massive impact on the lives of ordinary Americans.…
Elections: a global ranking rates US weakest among liberal democracies
Elections: a global ranking rates US weakest among liberal democracies A disappointing slide for the US after an election blighted by disinformation. Aaron Burson/Unsplash Toby James, University of East Anglia and Holly Ann Garnett, Royal Military College of Canada Defending democracy has suddenly become one of the central challenges of our…
The paradoxical relationship between the EU and China
The EU has labelled China as ‘simultaneously a cooperation partner, a negotiation partner, an economic competitor and a systemic rival.’ How will the EU navigate its relations with the increasingly dominant China? It faces the challenge of balancing the desire for further economic cooperation and trade with the pressure to…
European Tug of War: The EU’s economic relations with the USA and China
A changing world order has affected the EU’s the economic relationship with the two powerhouses of the 21st century, the USA and China. This blogpost explores how. And argues that the EU is at the crossroads. Superpower or powerless? China’s rapid growth has challenged US hegemony and fuelled European fears…