Thought Leadership

I interviewed Syria’s militias at the start of the war – they will listen if other countries engage them

Assistant Professor in International Security William Plowright explores what may happen next in Syria following the toppling of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Protesters with Syrian flags outside a building

Naked singularities: how quantum black holes explain why we don’t see the end of space and time

Mathematical and Theoretical Physics Fellow Robie Hennigar and his research partners outline their latest work on black holes.

An illustration of a black hole in space

Japanese scientists were pioneers of AI, yet they’re being written out of its history

Assistant Professor in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures Hansun Hsiung responds to the recent announcement of this year’s Nobel laureates in physics.

Blue lights form an orb on a black background

Gaza: outlook for Palestinians bleak under a Trump presidency that looks set to go ‘all the way’ with Netanyahu

Professor of Regional Security Clive Jones writes about how US policy toward Israel will change under Trump, and how this could impact Gaza.

Many physicists argue the universe is fine-tuned for life – our findings question this idea

Post Doctoral Research Associate, Dr Daniele Sorini, from our Institute for Computational Cosmology, discusses new research which suggests our Universe may not be especially tailored for intelligent life after all.

The NASA Hubble Space Telescope image captures a triple-star star system

Italy’s ban on international surrogacy is part of a drive towards an ultra-conservative idea of family

Assistant Professor in Family Law Dafni Lima responds to the Italian parliament's recent decision to criminalise surrogacy worldwide.

Two men stand beside a pregnant woman cradling her belly.

Donald Trump’s approach to US space policy could throw up some surprises, especially with Elon Musk on board

Dr Bleddyn Bowen from the School of Government and International Affairs and Dr P.J. Blount from the Durham Law School predict what's in store for US space travel in Donald Trump's second presidency.

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler: a ‘sad girl novel’ that lacks emotional depth

Research Associate in Medical Humanities Veronica Heney reviews the latest example of a rising genre of women's fiction.

A sad woman lies on the floor with her fist under her face.

Cop16: the world’s largest meeting to save nature has ended with no clear path ahead

Professor Harriet Bulkeley, in our Department of Geography, attended the recent Cop16 biodiversity summit where delegates from around the world met to discuss ways to restore nature. As Harriet writes, while there was no shortage of people seeking solutions, progress was frustratingly slow.

A heart shaped green leaf held in the palm of someone's hand

Electrical currents delivered to the brain at home may lead to significant reductions in depression symptoms

Professor Amanda Ellison from our Department of Psychology explains how neuromodulation therapy could be delivered at home as a promising treatment for some patients with depression.

An abstract illustration of a brain with electrical activity

Is Donald Trump a fascist? An assessment from an expert in our Department of History

After Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris said her Republican opponent Donald Trump was a Fascist, Dr Benedetta Carnaghi, from our Department of History, explores whether the former President meets the definition.

Page from a dictionary showing definition of fascist

Students with special educational needs are years behind their peers – they need specialist teachers in mainstream classrooms

Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are continuing to fall behind their peers with the gap widening despite the introduction of SEND legislation. Dr Johny Daniel from our School of Education outlines what changes are needed.