Real voices
Stewart Lansley, author of 'The Richer, The Poorer', discusses how Labour's planned disability benefit cuts reflect a return to austerity, risking economic stagnation, social decline, and political fallout. …Read more
Mariia Makarova discusses how highly qualified Ukrainian refugees in the UK struggle with underemployment due to language barriers, unrecognised qualifications, visa limitations, and employer bias, despite their resilience and determination to rebuild their careers. …Read more
Kate Newby and Laura N. McGinty examine how reverse mentoring at the University of Sunderland empowered marginalised students to share their experiences with staff, fostering institutional change and demonstrating its broader potential in social justice and support systems.…Read more
Kristine Sheets examines how embroidery, especially Palestinian tatreez, serves as a powerful medium for preserving memory, resisting erasure, and connecting individuals to cultural history and collective identity.…Read more
Fran Bennett examines how incorporating the "lived experience" of poverty into public debate and policy-making empowers individuals and improves understanding and solutions.…Read more
Tara Lai Quinlan, author of 'Police Diversity' highlights how Black children have long been subject to disproportionate policing at the hands of UK police, including strip-searches and stop-and-searches.…Read more
Gerald Roche advocates for a global language rights movement, linking local struggles like those of Irish rappers Kneecap and Tibetan activist Tashi Wangchuk, to strengthen collective action and achieve meaningful change.…Read more
Joanne Coates' exhibition The Middle of Somewhere, inspired by the book Rural Poverty Today, blends personal stories and research to highlight the hidden struggles of rural women, illustrating the connection between art and academia.…Read more
Marthe Goudsmit Samaritter, Jonathan Herring and Camilla Pickles highlight how intimate examinations transcend maternity care, exposing power imbalances and violations against marginalised bodies.…Read more
Fiona Vera-Gray, author of 'The Right Amount of Panic', reflects on why Saoirse Ronan's viral comment about women’s constant focus on safety resonated deeply, leaving her male co-guests speechless.…Read more


