Dr Caroline Emmer De Albuquerque Green, Institute for Ethics in AI Imagine a world in which a humanoid robot cares for you when you need help and support with daily activities.This robot would not only take on mundane tasks like cooking or cleaning, but also be your conversational partner and help you with maintaining your personal hygiene etc. This idea of robots as caregivers – ‘carebots’ - especially for older people,…
The Manchester team met with Indian business and academic partners and shared the work the University has led in the state to help identify other possible collaborative education and research projects.Planned early projects will address mental health and wellbeing among youth, rural communities, and frontline law-enforcement and healthcare workers.As part of the visit, the Manchester team visited the Rajasthan Police Academy where they met the Director to hear about the…
This is the first time anyone has taken a broad evolutionary lens to examine kissing. Our findings add to a growing body of work highlighting the remarkable diversity of sexual behaviours exhibited by our primate cousins.Lead author Dr Matilda Brindle (Department of Biology) Kissing occurs in a variety of animals, but presents an evolutionary puzzle: it appears to carry high risks, such as disease transmission, while offering no obvious reproductive or survival advantage.…
In July 2025, Washington and Beijing rolled out competing roadmaps for artificial intelligence—and, with them, two philosophies of global tech governance. America’s AI Action Plan, introduced by the Trump administration, prizes speed and market dynamism, wrapped in national-security guardrails and an explicit push to tear down domestic barriers to AI deployment. China’s Global AI Governance Action Plan along with an initiative to launch a World AI Cooperation Organisation in Shanghai, China, casts AI as…
Quick Hits The Delaware Supreme Court is reviewing a case on whether noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements remain enforceable after the forfeiture of equity units due to violations of the noncompete agreement by a former executive. The Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that because the executive’s equity units were automatically forfeited under the agreement when he was terminated for cause, the restrictive covenants lacked the necessary consideration at the time the…
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently released its decision in His Majesty the King v RSA, confirming a duty to defend on the part of two insurers that provided historical comprehensive general liability (CGL) coverage to the Province of Ontario from 1975 to 1984, notwithstanding that the bridge collapse at issue did not occur until 2018. The allocation of defence costs was based on time on risk, thereby limiting…
The Life and Mind building, a £200 million world-class teaching and research facility, has been officially opened by Sir Paul Nurse, Principal Group Leader, The Francis Crick Institute, President Elect of the Royal Society, and 2001 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. The special opening event was hosted by Oxford University's Chancellor, Lord Hague of Richmond, and the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey. It brought together many of the people involved in the delivery of the building…
GSK invests £10 million over five years to establish the Experimental Medicine Collaboration with the University of Oxford. The GSK and University of Oxford Experimental Medicine Collaboration (EMC) is a pioneering partnership that aims to redefine the approach to studying and treating immune mediated inflammatory diseases. Through the integration of cutting-edge molecular insights with clinical advancements, the EMC will allow testing of multiple medicines across cellular mechanisms in parallel.The EMC…
The most pressing problem facing many small and medium-sized states today is the collapse of the international order that made their emergence as sovereign states possible. There's reason to believe they will have to spend the coming years convincing history of their right to exist. Things are somewhat easier in this regard for states that emerged during the collapse of the colonial system the West created at the turn of…
Quick Hits Generally, employers aren’t required to cover weight loss drugs in their health plans. More employers are voluntarily covering weight loss medications to recruit and retain talent. Demand for weight loss drugs is growing among workers. The medications are expensive—typically about $617 to $766 per month, according to the Employee Benefits Research Institute. In most cases, employers are not legally required to cover GLP-1 drugs in their health plans.…
What you need to know On Nov. 12, 2025, in one of the most consequential cases in the Canadian gaming sector in decades, the Court of Appeal for Ontario (the Court) released its long-awaited decision on Ontario’s reference question regarding international “pooled liquidity”. A strong majority of the Court (4:1) ruled in favour of Ontario’s position and agreed that legal online gaming (or iGaming) would remain lawful under the Criminal…
Partisan gerrymandering is having a heyday. Politicians in at least 16 states are enacting or considering new congressional maps designed to advantage one party over the other; most recently, California voters approved a map designed to increase Democratic seats, in order to counter a Republican-leaning map in Texas. Democrats and Republicans are locked in a zero-sum game—and democracy itself seems to be the only guaranteed loser.Is there a path to…
The recent curriculum and assessment review recommends strengthening digital literacy at each key stage of the curriculum, to equip pupils for an era of rapid social and technological change. It includes recommendations to improve the clarity of the contents of the computer curriculum; to replace the much-critiqued GCSE Computer Science with a Computing GCSE that is broader in focus; and to map the teaching of digital literacy and the use…
In clinical trials around the world, a surprising treatment is showing promise for people with terminal illnesses: psychedelic therapy.For many, the hardest part of dying isn’t physical pain but the fear, anxiety and sense of meaninglessness that often accompany it. While palliative care in the UK is rightly praised for easing pain and managing symptoms, patients’ emotional and spiritual suffering is often less well addressed.Standard treatments – such as antidepressants,…
This article was originally published in the Ontario Expropriation Association’s Newsletter. Introduction Few decisions in recent times have meaningfully challenged long-held assumptions about the security of public land as Kosicki v. Toronto (City), 2025 SCC 28 ("Kosicki").1 For generations, municipalities, conservation agencies and the provincial Crown have acted on the assumption that once land had been expropriated or otherwise dedicated for public use, it was effectively immune from private use through…
People in England with a learning disability have a higher risk of cancer, especially before age 50 , according to a study by researchers from The University of Manchester and The ChristieNHS Foundation Trust . Their symptoms are investigated less often, they receive less treatment, and have a poorer prognosis according to the study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration…
Seyfarth Synopsis: The IRS is back to work and just announced the 2026 annual limits that will apply to tax-qualified retirement plans. But wait, there’s more – a surprise increase in the inaugural FICA wage limit for purposes of the mandatory Roth catch-up requirement. Employers maintaining tax-qualified retirement plans will need to make sure their plans’ administrative procedures are adjusted accordingly. In Notice 2025-67, the IRS announced the various limits…
Quick Hits Workers who are Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist will mark religious celebrations in December 2025. Employers must grant valid religious accommodation requests unless it would impose a substantial burden on the business. In considering time off requests, employers balance business demands with legal obligations. Employees might ask for time off or breaks for religious observances or to complete prayers at designated times. Typical religious accommodations during the holiday…
Is there a strategic argument for the U.S. resuming nuclear testing?What’s going on is very scary. Nuclear weapons of the major powers have not been tested since the early 1990s. Now there are signs the Russians may test a bomb. I think this would be for political shock effect, an escalation over the Ukraine war. Washington wants to deter them from doing this, so we threaten to test if they…
In the heart of the Amazon, COP30 reminds us that nature holds the key to innovation — and the Nature’s Intelligence Studio embodies this new approach: protecting nature while learning from its intelligence.Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, President of COP30Nature-inspired innovation means learning from and emulating ideas from nature, which is a billion years of R&D ahead of us and has learned to adapt to changing environments.Professor Amir Lebdioui, Director,…
“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…