Expert comment
Blog: 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?
Blog: 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.
Blog: 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.
Blog: 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?
Blog: 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?
Blog: 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.
Blog: 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.
Blog: 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.
Blog: 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.
Blog: 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.
Blog: 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.
Blog: 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?
Blog: 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.
Blog: What was the point of the party conferences?2 October 2013
Tim Bale, a professor in politics, ponders whether party conferences are still relevant today.
Blog: Policy making in and out of power: a dozen lessons2 July 2013A blog post by Professor Tim Bale: At an event last week co-organised by the School of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary University of London and kindly hosted by Jon Cruddas MP, who is in charge of Labour’s Policy Review, an audience gathered in the House of Commons to hear from three experienced policy people from across the party spectrum: James O’Shaughnessy (Director of the Conservative Research Department, 2007-10 and Director of Policy to the Prime Minister, 2010-2011), Polly Mackenzie (Senior Strategy Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister since 2010 before which she was in charge of policy for the Lib Dems), and Nick Pearce (currently Director of the IPPR, formerly Head of the Number Ten Policy Unit, 2008-10).
Blog: Identity Politics in Your Wallet26 June 2013
The Bank of England has come under storm for featuring too few women on its banknotes. Why not abandon the Great Britons approach altogether, argues Dr Helen McCarthy, lecturer in history.