Birkbeck Inspires

In this video, Professor of History, Joanna Bourke, discusses Birkbeck's resilience during WW2, which feels particularly relevant in light of today's coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Professor Roger Luckhurst, Professor in Modern and Contemporary Literature, explains how the zombie film has prepared us for pandemics and lockdowns.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Rosalind Franklin's birth. Professor Angelica Ronald, Professor of Psychology and Genetics, reflects on her life and discoveries.

Professor David Latchman, Master, and Baroness Joan Bakewell, President, converse about living under lockdown, how the government has handled the crisis, and how they believe the world will change in the future.

Dr Pedro Gomes, Senior Lecturer in Economics, gives an economist's view of a four-day working week - what it is, its main criticisms, reasons to support it and how to implement it.

Ekua Andrea Agha, PhD candidate, examines the factors that led to the creation of new roles for working class women in West African societies during the colonial period.

The awards celebrate researchers undertaking exemplary public engagement activities. This video reveals the 2020 award winners and highly commended candidates, with an overview of their projects.

Dr Kerry Harman, Programme Director of HEIS, and five guest speakers discuss the challenges experienced by homecare workers and current research and strategies for recognising the value of care.

Listen to a podcast by Joseph Brooker, Reader in Modern Literature and Tobias Harris, PhD candidate, exploring the work of Irish comic writer Flann O'Brien.

Kumari Lane, Associate Lecturer in Law, speaks about the links between colonialism, industrialisation, climate change and forced migration.

David Tross, Associate Lecturer in the Department of Geography, discusses the community response to the global pandemic.

Professor Julian Swann, Pro-Vice Master for Research, and Professor Sir Richard J Evans, historian and Fellow of the College, converse about Eric Hobsbawm - one of the world’s most well-known historians.

Dr Mohammed Ateek, Lecturer in Applied Linguistics and TESOL, explains the effects of COVID-19 on the lives of refugees living in camps in Europe and the Middle East.

Listen to podcasts by former students and find out about their time at Birkbeck.

Dr Jan Etienne, Associate Lecturer in Social Policy and Education, and a number of keynote speakers launch a new book revealing the liberated activism of black women.

Blast Theory artists discuss their recent work and its implications for the current COVID-19 crisis (photo credit: Tivern Turnbull).

Birkbeck academics engage with young Londoners, uncovering and exploring their take on ‘brainwashing’, through an outreach programme with three schools in Camden.

James Hammond, Reader in Geophysics, talks about the mixture of diplomacy and science needed to understand Mount Paektu.

Fred A. Yamoah, Sustainability and Food Marketing Researcher, talks about the reasons behind UK consumers’ decisions to support or reject reducing food choice in favour of healthy diets from sustainable food systems.

Catherine Heard, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the World Prison Research Programme, introduces the World Prison Brief, an online database providing free access to information on prison systems around the world.

Catherine Heard, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the World Prison Research Programme, introduces the World Prison Research Programme and discusses the various factors that could affect Prisoner Population Rate (PPR) across the globe.

Robert Singh, Professor of Politics, discusses the state of the 2020 US presidential election and the question of whether Donald Trump can secure a second term as President.

Kristoffer Ahlstrom-Vij, Reader in Philosophy, discusses his new website ‘If Informed’, which looks to address problems of public political ignorance ahead of the 2020 US Presidential election.

Listen to podcasts by Dermot Hodson and Ben Worthy, academics in the Politics Department, who discuss issues in contemporary politics.

Ron Smith, Professor of Applied Economics, discusses Britain's national debt and how concerned we should be by the UK's national debt surpassing £2 trillion in 2020.

Jenna Davies, Enterprise Lead with Birkbeck Futures, and two guest speakers, discuss the opportunities for budding entrepreneurs at this time, exploring the value of turning an idea into reality and key considerations.

Commissioned by the Peltz Gallery: Cinema archivist Dr June Givanni and curator Jan Asante’s short film sharing extracts and imagery from the Black Film Bulletin.

Commissioned by the Peltz Gallery: Artist and NHS health professional Jennie Pedley's artwork explores health of both the body and the environment.

Commissioned by the Peltz Gallery: Veronica Betani and Rosina Maepa use WhatsApp to create embroidery artworks, sharing their experiences of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Birkbeck’s librarians share a series of blog posts, highlighting what open access means for the Birkbeck Library and its collections.

Robert Singh, Professor of Politics, gives his verdict on how he thinks Joe Biden will fare as president.

Pauline Greene, Associate Lecturer, and three guest speakers discuss how the pandemic has impacted their work and their perspectives on how the arts industry is responding to the crisis.

Dr Becky Briant, Reader in Quaternary Science, explains the limits of what is known and the areas of uncertainty that still remain around sea level rise and climate change.

Professor Sanjib Bhakta, Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Biochemistry, explores whether antibiotic resistance has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the overuse of antibiotics.

Dr Susanna Menis, Lecturer in Law, delves into the options and experiences of Eliza Orme (1848-1937), the first English female law graduate.

Dr Sarah Thomas, Senior Lecturer, highlights her new book, which offers an unprecedented examination of the shifting iconography of slavery between 1760 and 1840.

To mark #PrideMonth2021, Dr Sean Brady, Lecturer in History and Professor Matt Cook, Professor of Modern History, discuss the difference that locality makes to the ways sexuality is understood and experienced in the UK.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia was responsible for Alexander Litvinenko’s assassination. Professor Bill Bowring, Professor of Law, represented Marina Carter, Alexander’s widow.

A number of Birkbeck academics share why they feel it's so important to engage with the public and make their research accessible.

Professor Daniel Monk, Professor of Law, and Professor Lynne Segal, Emeritus Professor of Psychosocial Studies, discuss what the new divorce law means and why it is a cause for celebration.

A series of videos has been launched for parents and children which involves short lessons accompanied by fun activities for impactful family learning.

Dr Vanna Cotzia, Lecturer in Educational Psychology, highlights simple strategies to help you look after your own and your family's well-being during lockdown.

Dr Vanna Cotzia, Lecturer in Educational Psychology, explains simple, evidence-based strategies to make schoolwork effective and fun.

Ana da Cunha Lewin, Chartered Psychologist and Programme Director FD/BA, gives advice on supporting yourself and your children as you adapt to a new routine as lockdown eases.

Ana da Cunha Lewin, Chartered Psychologist and Programme Director FD/BA, recommends simple, evidence-based strategies to copy with anxiety in difficult situations.

Ana da Cunha Lewin, Chartered Psychologist and Programme Director FD/BA, highlights simple strategies on utilising exercise to support well-being and learning.

Dr Vanna Cotzia, Lecturer in Educational Psychology, explains strategies to reassure and support children and young people who may be experiencing anxiety.

Dr Vanna Cotzia, Lecturer in Educational Psychology, gives simple, evidence-based strategies to ensure prolonged use of technology does not adversely impact our mental health.

Ana da Cunha Lewin, Chartered Psychologist and Programme Director FD/BA, shares what it means to be resilient and ways we can foster resilience in ourselves and others.

Drs Rachel Lewis and Jo Yarker, Chartered Psychologists, talk about how you can best support your mental and physical health.

Drs Rachel Lewis and Jo Yarker, Chartered Psychologists, focus on how to seek and maintain social connections when working remotely.

Drs Rachel Lewis and Jo Yarker, Chartered Psychologists, give their insights and predictions on the future of work

Listen to a podcast by Dr Caroline Kamau, Senior Lecturer in Organizational Psychology, explaining what organizations can learn from the organizational psychology of mergers and acquisitions in managing employees' fears during the pandemic.