Expert comment
London’s high-rise dreams1 October 2014
Dr Richard Baxter critiques the ongoing public debate about the UK high-rise and argues that the environment has still not been fully explored
Sarkozy's return is bound to deepen divisions within the UMP1 October 2014
It’s 32 months until the French presidential elections in 2017 and former president Nicolas Sarkozy's return to centre stage promises to make French politics a lively affair in the meantime.
Tunisia’s forthcoming elections: transition to democracy is at risk and arms sales won’t help25 September 2014
Dr Sarah Wolff explains how, with presidential and legislative elections on the horizon, and mounting geopolitical chaos and insecurity, Tunisia feels that Europe and America is “leaving it in the lurch” at a critical time.
No shortage of ‘friends’ – but Miliband left them hanging24 September 2014
Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London, reflects upon Ed Miliband's party conference speech and concludes that it "just about did the job".
Power, royalty and the smile revolution24 September 2014
What's in a smile? Colin Jones, Professor of History at Queen Mary University of London, writes about royal teeth, power, and the smile revolution.
Britain's constitutional crisis moves from acute to severe19 September 2014
Dr Robert Saunders, Lecturer in Modern British History at Queen Mary University of London, argues that promises made in the final weeks of the campaign may result in a political hangover for David Cameron and his government.
A Yes vote would see the UK civil service face its biggest test since 192218 September 2014
Professor Perri 6 from QMUL's School of Business and Management explores the implications for civil servants and the national interest in the event of a Yes vote in the Scottish referendum.
We are all sweet enough; it’s time for less sugar now18 September 2014
Katharine Jenner, Lecturer in Nutrition and Public Health at QMUL, asks - should we be eating sugar at all?
How could smartphones be easier to use when we can’t look at the screen?12 September 2014
Dr Nick Bryan-Kinns, Reader in Interaction Design in the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science tells us about his latest research into how sighted and visually impaired people use touchscreen devices that they can’t see. This paper won the Best Short Paper prize at the Human Computer Interaction Conference 2014.
UN managerialism should not stifle the voices of the poor11 September 2014
Dr Clive Gabay, Senior Lecturer in politics at Queen Mary University of London, looks ahead to the expiration of the Millennium Development goals and asks if we're destined to repeat the same mistakes.
Ebola and West Africa: where did all the development money go?11 September 2014
Dr Sophie Harman argues that while the inadequate international response has compounded the Ebola crisis, it is the region’s chronically weak and desperately resourced health infrastructure which is the critical factor.
More women into construction? Olympic Park project shows the way9 September 2014
Dr Tessa Wright, Senior Lecturer from QMUL's School of Business and Management, reflects on the success of the Women into Construction project.
Politics: It’s time to talk about quotas for men18 August 2014
Dr Rainbow Murray of QMUL's School of Politics and International Relations argues that it is time to "reframe gender quotas as quotas for men."
7 August 2014
Professor Tim Bale reflects on Boris Johnson’s planned return to the House of Commons, and asks if he has what it takes to make it to the top.
Google Glass in the operating theatre11 July 2014
By Shafi Ahmed, Associate Dean at Queen Mary University of London and Colorectal Cancer Lead at Barts Health NHS Trust
How does online dispute resolution empower consumers?16 June 2014
Online dispute resolution (ODR) offers an invaluable means of access to justice for consumers who have a dispute with a business, but are deterred by the costs and barriers involved from going to court.
Rwanda - The Politics of Success, Silence and Genocide Leverage17 April 2014
In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has wisely used international aid to transform its infrastructure and economy. But how far is progress being marred by its oppressive political regime?
World War II symbolism runs deep in Ukraine-Russia standoff14 March 2014
Many of the images of pro-Russian demonstrators in Ukraine, from Crimea to Donetsk, have shown them wearing black-and-orange-striped ribbons. The symbolism here is opaque to most Western observers, it is the “George Ribbon”, from a Tsarist-era medal for bravery that was reinstated under a different name following the battle of Stalingrad in 1943.
Are Tory activists weeding out 'moderate' MPs?11 March 2014
When two Conservative MPs were deselected in rapid succession by their local constituency associations, it marked to some a welcome assertion of grassroots rights and power. To others, it was no such thing.
Searching for patterns is essential for our survival10 March 2014
Iconic musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse all died at the age of 27. Why do we read into these random instances as patterns?
Are we really wedded to gay rights?6 March 2014
For British gay rights campaigners, 2014 already looks like a year to remember. England and Wales will join the small club of nations that allow same-sex couples to marry. Meanwhile, the Sochi winter Olympics have sparked global outrage against Russian homophobia. Surely reasons to celebrate?
The Tories should stop their silly games about a second coalition6 March 2014
Tactically, strategically and constitutionally, it's utter madness for the Prime Minister to rule out another coalition, says Tim Bale.
What does canine anatomy have to do with clinical trials?4 March 2014
Queen Mary academics Dr Richard Hooper and Dr Liam Bourke put a new twist on a classic research design.
Who is watching the watchers?12 February 2014
We are being watched. Our movements and activity tracked. Our data is being traded behind the scenes, changing hands many times without our knowledge.
Farming and wetlands: readdressing the balance5 February 2014
More than 50 per cent of our planet’s wetlands, from peatbogs to estuaries, both natural and man-made, are under threat from habitat destruction and climate change.
Why Holocaust films impel us to vigilance24 January 2014
In the digital age, smartphones are ubiquitous with 24-hour rolling news, their camera lens contributing to the narrative of world events.
Rights against democracy - recalling International Human Rights Day10 December 2013
The 10 December is International Human Rights Day, an event first celebrated 65 years ago. In this blog post, Professor of Law, Eric Heinze gives an insightful look into how human 'rights' have progressed over the centuries.
Turner Prize: What can cognitive scientists tell us about art?6 December 2013How do people make sense of Tuner Prize nominee Tino Sehgal's These Associations? And what can cognitive scientists learn from the way they do it?
Law professor joins European Commission panel to increase take-up trust in cloud computing contracts20 November 2013
Ian Walden, Professor of Information and Communications Law at Queen Mary University of London, has been appointed to a new group set up by the European Commission (EC) to boost consumer trust in cloud computing.
2 October 2013
Tim Bale, a professor in politics, ponders whether party conferences are still relevant today.