Society Matters

Dr Anton Popov, a senior lecturer in sociology and policy at Aston University, predicts that Russia could face economic collapse and civil war over its invasion of Ukraine. The Russian-born academic said his country was “sinking into a dark place" and could soon become a pariah state, somewhere like Iran or North Korea.

Read more: https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/podcast-russia-could-suffer-economic-collapse-and-civil-war-over-ukraine

Ernest A Reid, an expert in Russia protests at Aston University, takes part in our special series on the Ukraine war. He explains how anti-war protests are being stifled by a media blackout, which means many ordinary Russians don’t know how they feel about the invasion. Plus he says mass detentions with thousands of Russians locked up without charge has spread fear about joining protests.

Read more: https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/podcast-russia-anti-war-protests-stifled-media-blackout-and-detentions

Dr Elisabeth Schimpfössl, a senior lecturer in sociology and policy at Aston University, and an expert on Russia, analyses fears of Putin’s ‘madness’ over the invasion of Ukraine. She also discusses speculation that only a “heart attack-style” assassination of the dictator by his senior military and secret services could stop him escalating the war.

Dr Ed Turner, a reader in politics at Aston University, discusses how a Germany without stalwart former leader Angela Merkel faces a number of huge challenges – not least the threat of Russia invading Ukraine. He explains that new Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also grappling with Covid-19, Germany's 'crumbling' infrastructure and net-zero climate change targets, but just wants to 'move on' with the UK after Brexit.

Dr Amanda Beattie, a senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Aston University, discusses how researching refugees' traumatic journeys across the Balkans resulted in an exhibition at Tate Liverpool that went worldwide. Now she's helping to launch a new Centre for Migration and Forced Displacement at Aston University to make sure what is a ‘humanitarian crisis’ remains an ‘important conversation’.

Dr Céline Benoit, a senior teaching fellow in sociology and policy at Aston University, says school nativity plays have a secure future – because children love them, and they are more of a cultural than a religious performance. But her research indicates that schoolchildren need more of a say on the future of religious education.

Dr Abigail Boucher, a lecturer in English literature at Aston University’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities, reveals how students are taught to challenge the credibility of what they’re reading with detailed research and critical thinking skills.

Dr Joseph Yannielli, a lecturer in history at Aston University’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities, reveals how Birmingham's industrial pioneers were deeply linked to the slave trade. He also discusses the importance that digital archives play in our understanding of the personal and very human stories emanating from this shameful part of our history.

Sue Campbell, a teaching fellow in translation studies at Aston University, reveals there are more than 100 languages spoken in Birmingham schools, but that vital information about Covid-19 was only translated into 17 of them. Her research project has mapped the city's language clusters to assist the authorities and is now training 'translation champions' to help local communities.

Dr Lauren Traczykowski, a senior lecturer in law ethics at Aston University, discusses what obligations the international community has to intervene and assist when a state is unable or unwilling to help its own population in the aftermath of a natural hazard.