To satisfy food cravings, as an antidote to poison or just as a snack – humans have been eating soil for millions of years. PhD candidate, Zander Simpson, has studied the long history of geophagy.

Professor Kieran Fernandes, Executive Dean of our Business School, explores the UK’s ambition to lead the G7 in AI adoption, arguing that success depends not on innovation alone, but on how effectively AI is embedded across businesses, public services and regions.

Professor Nicole Westmarland, in our Department of Sociology, reviews the evidence around rates of violence against women and girls in England and Wales.

Everyone’s been in a debate when someone says: “You’re taking that out of context.” But what does it actually mean to understand something “in context”? Here Dr Paolo Heywood from our Department of Anthropology explores the use and abuse of the word 'context'.

Dr Travis LaCroix, in our Department of Philosophy, challenges a long-standing misconception about autism: that autistic people are inherently unable to understand others’ thoughts or feelings.

The UK government’s recently published proposed education reforms include measures to improve teacher recruitment, student achievement and belonging at school. Education experts, including Professor Stephen Gorard from our School of Education, share their thoughts on the proposals.

Dr William Crozier, Duns Scotus Assistant Professor in Franciscan Studies in our Department of Theology and Religion, discusses the significance of display of the remains of St Francis of Assisi, for the first time in 800 years.

Professor Chris Stokes, in our Department of Geography, and Dr Harold Lovell, of the University of Portsmouth, say that while its tempting to see advancing ice as an antidote to the gloom of disappearing glaciers, the polar opposite is true.

As automation reshapes food supply chains, apparent efficiency can conceal serious weaknesses. Mohammed Alzuhair, a DBA candidate at Durham University Business School, warns that over-reliance on digital systems can leave usable food stranded when machines fail to approve it, exposing tensions between technological optimisation and human judgement in the UK food system.

Dr Cora Lingling Xu from our School of Education argues that social inequality in education isn’t just about financial resources but also time inheritance, where some students start life with a cushion of time to explore opportunities while others begin with a deficit that forces them into rushed decisions and extended labour before they can pursue further study.

Professor Nayanika Mookherjee from our Anthropology Department explores how misinformation in Bangladesh exploits entrenched social and political vulnerabilities to sustain existing power hierarchies. Drawing on research on birangonas and contemporary cases of blasphemy accusations and mob violence, the piece shows how rumours amplified by social media turn everyday infractions into lethal outcomes.

After months of threats, which included the seizure of oil tankers, and air-strikes on alleged drug boats, on January 3rd, the United States removed Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s leader, and charged him with drug trafficking offences. Dr Omar Hammoud Gallego from our School of Government and International Affairs gives his analysis of the situation.