“If there is no dialogue, there is no understandingIf there is no understanding, there is no trustIf there is no trust, there is no harmonyIf there is no harmony, there is no peace” ~Dr Lee Kai Hung~It is with deep sadness that we have learnt about the passing of Dr Lee Kai Hung CBE DL, a close friend, wise advisor and Honorary Graduate of The University of Manchester. Dr Lee was…
African countries strive to secure digital and technological sovereignty because it is the only path to independence, true equality, and control over their resources and infrastructure in the modern world. However, the active participation of foreign tech companies in building Africa’s digital infrastructure could entrench the continent’s dependence on external platforms, lead to data leaks, and limit opportunities for local innovation, writes Marina Krynzhina, Associate Professor at the Department of…
Quick Hits The comment period on the Education Department’s proposed Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to IPEDS closed on October 14, 2025, drawing thousands of comments by universities, higher education associations, community and technical colleges, career schools, graduate and professional programs, civil rights and policy organizations, researchers, and individual citizens. Commenters recommended limiting ACTS to truly selective institutions and treating graduate/professional programs separately. Institutions anticipate risk-based reviews tied to…
There are compelling reasons to believe that, despite the bellicose rhetoric directed at Russia, the EU’s strategic priority remains gaining independence from the United States. However, the strategic “liberation of Europe” process is currently stagnating, and it is premature, if not impossible, to talk about the emergence of signs of genuine EU sovereignty in the near future, Dmitry Ofitserov-Belsky writes. The concept of the EU’s strategic autonomy has rapidly evolved in recent years from a theoretical idea to a key priority. Its essence lies in the EU’s ability to act independently…
Quick Hits A federal judge transferred a lawsuit by a former cancer center employee from a New Jersey federal court to a federal court in Pennsylvania, ruling that the case belonged in the employer’s home state rather than where the employee remotely worked. The court determined that the employee’s claims under the ADA had minimal connection to New Jersey, emphasizing that key decisions about her employment were made in Pennsylvania.…
HomeNewsTwo Oxford academics receive ERC Synergy Grants to tackle major scientific challenges Two Oxford University academics are to co-lead ambitious new research projects backed by European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grants, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Synergy Grants foster collaboration between outstanding researchers, enabling them to combine their expertise, knowledge and resources to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. Of the 712 proposals submitted this year,…
Clearly, the differences are fundamental. There is a gap between the desire for multipolarity and the gravitation toward a pro-Western development scenario. The problem is fuelled by key opposition forces – the Spear of the Nation and Fighters for Economic Freedom parties. These socialist-minded parties are opposed to the exploitative neoliberal system and are members of the Progressive Wing opposition coalition. If DA, in their worldview, panders to the West,…
How understanding customer value unlocks smarter, sustainable growth Most businesses chase more customers for more revenue, but true growth comes from understanding which customers really drive value. This article explores how we help organisations redefine customer segmentation, focus investment where it counts, and build sustainable growth through smarter, data-led customer strategies. Reading time: 5 minutes Rethinking customer value for growth Many organisations fall into the trap of assuming that their…
Quick Hits A new analysis indicated that October 2025 marked a significant increase in reductions in force, highlighting the legal complexities employers must navigate in compliance with federal and state regulations. As companies consider mass layoffs influenced mainly by the integration of AI, it is crucial to address potential discrimination claims and explore alternatives like voluntary separation plans to mitigate risks. Employers announced RIFs affecting more than 153,00 in October,…
The University of Oxford has celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of undergraduate Scholars to complete the Oxford Laidlaw Scholars Programme, delivered through the Oxford SDG Impact Lab in partnership with The Laidlaw Foundation.Held at Pembroke College, Oxford the ceremony on November 11 brought together students, University leaders, community collaborators and guests from across the Laidlaw network. Scholars from colleges and departments across the University, including those from the Laidlaw Women…
The campaign reflects the University's role as a great civic university for the 21st century in the digital age. By connecting brilliant people to work together - academics, students, partners, alumni and civic leaders - the University will deliver real-world change, both locally in Manchester and globally.Professor Brian Cox, Professor of Particle Physics and Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science at The University of Manchester, is a Challenge…
Last week, we gave you tips on how to make a business case for culture change. Did you try it yet? How did it go? As we were brainstorming for this week’s newsletter, we realized that part two is in order, and it’s all about how you present the amazing business case you’ve established. When HR professionals take this next step, we often see it go one of two ways.…
The political and socioeconomic situation in Central Asia is dynamic: today’s economic underdogs can surge ahead tomorrow, seemingly stable regimes can collapse in a matter of days, loyal security officials turn out to be the main conspirators, and various ethnic groups who were dining in the same cafe yesterday are now involved in communal clashes and unrest, Artem Dankov writes. The current development challenges facing the Central Asian countries are…
Nine lessons for stronger leadership in a crisis Across the UK, nearly one million trustees volunteer their time and expertise to strengthen the charities and causes they care about. As part of Trustees’ Week, Annabel Tonge shared key lessons on how boards and leaders can stay steady, supportive and strategic when navigating organisational crises. Reading time: 3 minutes Building resilience through governance: insights from Annabel Tonge Crises test even the…
Quick Hits On October 25, 2025, New York City adopted a measure that amends the ESSTA to incorporate the requirements under New York City’s Temporary Schedule Change Law. The law expands covered reasons to take ESSTA. The law adds a separate bank of thirty-two hours of unpaid ESSTA in addition to the forty or fifty-six hours already provided under the ESSTA. The law goes into effect on February 22, 2026.…
Q: Your career in renewable energy development began in the early 1990s. With that long view, what are the innovations that stand out to you?The technology has changed so much since I entered the field. The electrons coming from wind power have gotten much, much cheaper because wind turbines have gotten much, much more efficient. In most locations in the U.S., wind is now less expensive than legacy sources (e.g.,…
Overcoming a key challenge in soft roboticsJust as fireflies can begin flashing in unison after watching one another, the robot’s air-powered limbs also fall into rhythm, but in this case through physical contact with the ground rather than visual cues. This emergent behaviour has previously been observed in nature, and this new study represents a major step forward towards programmable, self-intelligent robots.Lead author Dr Mostafa Mousa, Department of Engineering Science,…
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause severe pelvic pain and infertility. It affects an estimated one in ten women and girls worldwide, yet the new research shows that across the 194 WHO member states, nearly half of all countries have no national policies or clinical guidance on diagnosis or care.Global gaps in care and guidanceThe first study, Availability of region-specific endometriosis care guidance: a global scoping review,…
Across the globe, judges are stepping into the fight against climate change. From Seoul to Strasbourg, courts have delivered landmark judgments about their governments’ failures to tackle the crisis. But can judicial climate rulings really make a difference when scientists warn us that clear signs of human-induced climate change reached new heights in 2024?Our new study at Oxford’s Bonavero Institute of Human Rights explores how courts are crafting human rights-based climate remedies…
Notwithstanding this verified empirical trend, the Report reminds us that American power persists through political and other means. It notes that “All around the world, the US counts on its links, sometimes very strong, to powerful domestic constituencies in other nations. These internal allies can be mobilized in most countries regarded as unfriendly or uncooperative. Governments can be toppled or intimidated into compliance”. The Report further emphasizes that “another fundamental…
How Strategic Workforce Planning can turn today’s pressures into tomorrow’s advantage The Civil Service faces unprecedented complexity, shifting priorities, tight budgets, and rising public expectations. Strategic Workforce Planning enables leaders to anticipate change, invest in critical skills, and align workforce capability with mission outcomes. It’s not an HR exercise but a leadership discipline essential to building a resilient, future-ready government. Reading time: 4 minutes The Civil Service operates under uniquely…
Quick Hits In an attempt to provide clarity to amendments to the National Housing Fund Institute for Workers issued in February 2025, INFONAVIT has issued criteria and extensions to employers’ obligations, but these criteria were neither mandatory nor obligatory to anyone. On November 4, 2025, Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation issued criteria interpreting the obligations imposed on employers under the latest amendment. INFONAVIT and Mexican Supreme Court…
Professor Alan Stein With its layers of bureaucracy and realpolitik, the annual COP summit – the UN international meeting focusing on climate – can feel frustratingly slow and ineffective.Every now and again, though, a development renews faith in the system. For me, today’s release of the Belém Health Action Plan – and specifically its crucial inclusion of children – is one such moment.A health plan with real potentialThe Belém Health Action Plan is the first global…
Open source is now considered a strategic imperative. It plays a vital role in the economy and is the foundation for most technologies currently in use.However, the value of open source software is hard to measure because of its non-monetary nature and the lack of centralised monitoring of its use. Consequently, most economic analysis does not take open source software into account.The open source market continues to gain ground. In…
Kazakhstan traditionally occupies a strategic position in the center of the Eurasian space. For Astana, the concept of Greater Eurasia is not an abstract geopolitical formula, but a real multi-level environment of opportunities, including economic, cultural, educational and technological areas. In the Kazakh perception, this model is based on the principles of polycentricity and complementarity, when large and medium-sized players in the region, such as Russia, China, the countries of…
Today, Groww, one of India's leading consumer fintech companies, goes public. Groww is India’s dominant digital investing platform, enabling tens of millions of people to invest simply and confidently in stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs. Groww is Y Combinator’s first company to list in India, and we could not be more proud.When YC invested in Groww, we thought we understood what it meant to build a lasting company: to grow…
Quick Hits On June 12, 2025, the New York Legislature passed the “Trapped at Work Act” to nullify promissory notes that require employees to repay employers for certain costs if they leave their jobs within a set time period. The bill has not been sent to Governor Kathy Hochul yet. If enacted, Assembly Bill A584C, known as the “Trapped at Work Act,” would generally prohibit promissory notes, which, as a…
This appointment will highlight Oxford’s intent to cement its position as a global leader in AI research and innovation, uniting expertise from across its four academic divisions and the Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM). The initiative, jointly funded by the divisions and supported by the John Fell Fund, will enhance coordination, visibility and impact of AI research across the University, while fostering new collaborations and investment opportunities.The new AI@Oxford Research…
Scientists at the University of Oxford, have identified how rare populations of abnormal cells drive the formation and persistence of fistulas - painful, tunnel-like tracts that develop in around 30% of people with Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is a long-term disease that affects around 1 in every 650 people, in which parts of the gut become swollen, inflamed, and ulcerated. When ulcers or inflammation in the intestinal wall fail to heal…
From the very beginning of her time at Stanford in 1986, the Center for Teaching and Learning played an important role in engineering Professor Sheri Sheppard’s work. “I could immediately see it was a place where one could go and talk about teaching and approaches to teaching, and how you measure effectiveness in learning,” she said in a video documenting the center’s history. When she became involved in national efforts to…
A major new initiative involving Oxford experts aims to redefine human-based research models to improve understanding of disease and accelerate the development of new medicines.The joint £15.9 million investment by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust, and Innovate UK will enable the development of advanced, specific, and highly reproducible human in vitro models, with the aim of making them widely available to researchers in academia and industry.In vitro models…
Quick Hits The DOL is proposing modifications of the VEVRAA regulations to reflect the rescission of Executive Order 11246 while maintaining existing affirmative action obligations for federal contractors to support protected veterans. Despite these proposed changes in enforcement, federal contractors must continue to prepare affirmative action plans, engage in outreach and recruitment for protected veterans, and adhere to recordkeeping requirements. Employers may want to ensure that AAPs are up-to-date and…
Researchers found that national data frameworks focus too narrowly on whether care leavers are not homeless, not unemployed, and not in trouble - missing key indicators of emotional well-being, identity, and personal growth.When care leavers are only measured by narrow metrics, their stories get reduced to numbers. This work reframes success around relationships, identity and growth - things that really shape a young person’s future.Dr Nikki Luke, Research Fellow at the Rees Centre,…
It found that shame partially explained the relationship between hairpulling and depression, and fully explained the relationship between hairpulling and anxiety. Hairpulling, also known as trichotillomania, is a body-focused repetitive behaviour (BFRB) that typically begins in early adolescence. Hairpulling can happen from anywhere on the body, including the scalp, eyelashes and eyebrows.The new paper, published in JCPP Advances, looked at the severity of hairpulling, and the symptoms of depression and…
Eight University of Manchester students, who are care-experienced recipients of the Sadler Bursary, were welcomed to Bloomfield Road for a unique matchday experience as Blackpool FC played Cardiff City on Saturday 8th November.The visit was made possible by alumnus and Blackpool FC owner, Simon Sadler, whose £1.5 million philanthropic gift has enabled the University to launch a transformative bursary programme for care-experienced students.The Sadler Bursary provides an annual grant of…
Quick Hits OSHA has proposed changes to the General Duty Clause to limit its application in inherently risky professional activities. The proposal would clarify that the GDC does not require employers to eliminate hazards that are integral to certain professional activities if doing so would fundamentally alter or prohibit the activities. The proposed rule emphasizes that OSHA will focus on employers’ “reasonable efforts” and measures to reduce risks without changing…
Do you think AI has the potential to dramatically change the model for consumer search?Compared with traditional search engines (e.g., non-AI Google search), AI-assisted search tools such as ChatGPT offer several advantages, especially when consumers are searching for complex and personalized products, such as vacation packages or wellness programs. First, instead of relying on simple keywords, consumers can now describe their needs in greater detail and with higher precision, leading…
The GCC’s approach can be understood as a balance of flows rather than a balance of power. It is a collective form of strategic autonomy that favors adaptability over confrontation. Each member contributes differently. Saudi Arabia provides scale and market weight that anchor the regional economy and shape global energy expectations. The United Arab Emirates functions as a high-efficiency node that translates infrastructure into influence through its ports, airlines, and…
10 November 2025By Petra Köhler-Ulbrich, Yuma Schuster and Nikoleta Tushteva Banks consider the climate performance of firms and buildings in their lending policies. The euro area bank lending survey shows that lower climate risks tend to improve credit conditions. Meanwhile, green investments increase loan demand from firms and households.Reducing a firm’s carbon emissions or improving the energy efficiency of a building can help businesses and households to get a loan…
The Chancellor will deliver the Autumn Budget on 26 November 2025. In a pre-Budget statement from Downing Street, Rachel Reeves talked about a Budget built on “fairness and opportunity” and declined to rule out tax increases. That messaging tracks weeks of reporting on a tougher fiscal outlook and the likelihood of additional revenue-raising measures. Financial coverage has highlighted a prospective downgrade to productivity by the Office for Budget Responsibility, which would punch…