Opinion: Why research methods matter
A few weeks ago I attended a talk during which a number of claims surrounding questions of correlation and causation were made, which suggested a significant link between two factors. However, when I asked for more details about the relationship between the two variables, I was told that these statements were based on assumptions gleaned from engagement with the media - reading articles in the press that suggested that in cases where A occurred, B also occurred. In fact, no quantitative data had been gathered, requested, or analysed.
Posted on: 14 December 2017
How arts and humanities can be a powerful force in the fight against modern slavery
As we look towards UN Human Rights Day on 10 December, we spoke to Dr Alex Balch about his research in Sub-Saharan Africa and his hopes for its impact on human rights.\n
Posted on: 7 December 2017
One year after Donald Trump’s election victory - politics as usual?
It's one year since Donald Trump was elected as President to the US. Has the Trump presidency been politics as usual, or are we witnessing a fundamentally new politics under Trump?\n \n
Posted on: 20 November 2017
What is rhetoric and why do we need it?
In this blog I’m going to defend the use of rhetoric. Why? The premise is very simple - because we need it.\n \n
Posted on: 18 September 2017
Trump's changing view of Afghanistan: are private armies part of the plan?
Donald Trump has defied expectation by pledging to increase the number of US troops in Afghanistan. \n \n
Posted on: 23 August 2017
General Election 2017 - viewpoints from our politics experts and students
What is the background to this snap general election and how will it play out? A lot has changed since the last election in 2015, so we asked Dr. Andrew Crines, one of our British politics experts, to give us his take on the election - along with a student's view:\n \n
Posted on: 31 May 2017
Bored of relentless soundbites from the general election campaign?
Fed up of all the repeated rhetoric and relentless soundbites of the General Election campaign? With voter apathy looming over the election, find out our our top five 'facepalm' moments from the campaign trail so far - watch out for sausages, spaniels and slogan bingo...\n \n
Posted on: 18 May 2017
Fake news and 'post-truth' politics - a new exhibition at FACT Liverpool
A 'Newstweek' hotspot device that can intercept and alter the online articles we read on our mobiles*? A film trailer for a school-yard riot that never happened**? FACT Liverpool's 'How much of this is fiction.' exhibition brings together a wide variety of multi-media artworks that explore 'fake news' and 'post-truth' politics.
Posted on: 2 March 2017
Trump protest: "This is a pivotal time for people to stand up for what they believe"
Political protests play an important role in the democratic process and can help to build solidarity and commitment among those who participate. Attending a demonstration provides very tangible evidence that others hold similar beliefs and ideals and this can be important in building a movement for political change.
Posted on: 6 February 2017
Blog
Opinion: Why research methods matter
A few weeks ago I attended a talk during which a number of claims surrounding questions of correlation and causation were made, which suggested a significant link between two factors. However, when I asked for more details about the relationship between the two variables, I was told that these statements were based on assumptions gleaned from engagement with the media - reading articles in the press that suggested that in cases where A occurred, B also occurred. In fact, no quantitative data had been gathered, requested, or analysed.
Posted on: 14 December 2017