We’ve had a year filled with exciting research stories and announcements – here are the ones you read the most.
1. Finding order in a chaotic world: Understanding the Trump assassination conspiracy theories - Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, Professor Lisa Bortolotti, Professor of Philosophy, explained how and why conspiracy theories thrive in the wake of shocking events.
2. New research raises critical questions about fairness of jury process – A new study found that most people in England and Wales believe that more diverse juries are fairer, yet juries remain extremely lacking in diversity. Dr Tara Lai Quinlan, Associate Professor in Law and Criminal Justice, led the study, raising important questions about whether the public in England and Wales see juries as fair and just, particularly to racial minorities.
3. 3,500-year-old Mycenaean armour was suitable for extended battle – study – An international team of researchers, including the late Professor Ken Wardle, worked with a group of Greek military volunteers who wore a replica of the Dendra armour during extended simulations of the rigours of battle. The test found that the armour, once thought to be purely for ceremonial purposes, could have been used in actual warfare.
4. 'Extraordinary' 2,000-year-old mosaic discovered in Wroxeter dig co-directed by University - Dr Roger White, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, helped uncover the ancient aquarium-like floor at a former Roman townhouse in Shropshire. Commenting on the discovery, Dr White said "It is extremely rare to find both a mosaic and its associated wall plaster, and nothing like it has ever been found at Wroxeter before".
5. University of Birmingham postgraduate named in Top 10 new novelists of the year list – University of Birmingham Dr Elizabeth O'Connor has been spotlighted by the Guardian as one of the top ten new novelists, to watch out for 2024. Dr O'Connor studied her PhD in English Literature, in her hometown of Birmingham at the University, which she completed back in 2019. Since then she has been working at the University as a Postgraduate Community Engagement Manager in the Graduate School.
6. Remembering Arada – a new exhibition on the demolition of Addis Ababa’s city centre in Birmingham – This year, Arada made international headlines, as a drive to regenerate the area has resulted in devastation, with the historic soul of the city being completely demolished in March this year. Many people did not have prior warning that their homes and businesses were going to be destroyed. A project led by Dr Marco Di Nunzio, Associate Professor, sought to preserve some of the stories and memories from the area with a special exhibition in Birmingham’s city centre.
7. University of Birmingham collaborates on £6.75 million West Midlands creative innovation consortium - The CreaTech Frontiers collaboration is led by Birmingham City University. CreaTech Frontiers will create a network of research and development (R&D) labs that will help to nurture growth and investment, attract talent, and ensure the West Midlands is globally renowned for innovation. These include the University of Birmingham College of Arts and Law’s state-of-the-art Birmingham Transformative Humanities Laboratory and outstanding facilities for creative industries and digital media.
8. Parliamentary Sovereignty and the Rule of Law: autonomous or interlinked? - Dr Alex Latham-Gambi, Assistant Professor at Birmingham Law School, reflected on the context of judicial review and statutory interpretation in this blog.
9. University Philosophers help curate a new exhibition based on conspiracy theories and fake news – A team of philosophers lead by Professor Lisa Bortolotti, Professor of Philosophy, worked with curators at The Philosophy Museum in Milan to produce 'A Journey on the Philosophy of Misinformation'. The exhibition used animated videos and an interactive game to teach the public how to detect and respond to misinformation.
10. A network for the immersive experience and entertainment industry – Dr Joanna Bucknall, lecturer in Modern and Contemporary Drama, established the Immersive Experience Network to support immersive creatives, and foster growth in the burgeoning industry. It brings together the immersive experience industry’s most exciting creatives from across the world, as well as providers of technology, set design and insurance services that they rely on. Through annual summits, and smaller “huddles”, the IEN helps these individuals share creative, operational and commercial insights.
Professor of Philosophy
Biographical and contact information for Professor Lisa Bortolotti, Department of Philosophy, University of Birmingham.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Arts and Law
Biographical and contact information for Professor Helen Abbott, Professor in Modern Languages at the University of Birmingham.
Associate Professor in Law and Criminal Justice
Biographical and contact information for Dr Tara Lai Quinlan, Associate Professor in Law and Criminal Justice at Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham
Senior Lecturer
Biographical and contact information for Dr Ken Wardle in Archaeology at the University of Birmingham.
Honorary Senior Lecturer in Archaeology
Biographical and contact details for Dr Roger White at the University of Birmingham.
Professor of Victorian Literature and Culture
Biographical and contact information for Professor John Holmes, Professor of Victorian Literature and Culture at the University of Birmingham.
Associate Professor in Urban Anthropology
Biographical and contact information for Dr Marco Di Nunzio, Associate Professor in African Studies and Anthropology, at the University of Birmingham.
Assistant Professor
Biographical and contact information for Dr Alex Latham-Gambi, Assistant Professor at Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham.
Lecturer
Biographical and contact information for Dr Joanna Bucknall, Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary Drama and Theatre in the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham.
