Author Archives: stringerquartet

Learning from the Chaos of 1919-1923

I have been reading Robert Gerwarth’s The Vanquished on the recommendation of a friend. We had been talking about some of the reading I have done recently focused on the Caucuses and Eastern Turkey and how I had come to realise that my knowledge of what was happening in this part of the world followingContinue reading “Learning from the Chaos of 1919-1923”

Following the 2015 Consultation on Higher Education and tracking the divides

In November 2015 the UK government published their consultation document, ‘Fulfilling Our Potential, Teaching Excellence, Social Mobility and Student Choice’. The subsequent legislation, the introduction of the Office for Students and the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), and the response to this from various relevant bodies in Wales were to have a significant impact on myContinue reading “Following the 2015 Consultation on Higher Education and tracking the divides”

Aspirations

In a paper that I read recently on the im-materiality of religion, the author chose to use the word ‘aspiration’ as one of those elements that she described as an immaterial aspect of religion. The authors, Marian Burkhart and Maria Westendorp, were arguing that scholars of urban religion had become too fixated on the materialContinue reading “Aspirations”

Snow White in the Age of Social Media

Snow White acts as something of leitmotif throughout my current book on the nature and use of stories in religion. In each chapter I provide a different analysis of the tale and a different perspective or way of telling the story. In the chapter on ‘Function’ (which begins with the theories of Malinowski) I suggestContinue reading “Snow White in the Age of Social Media”

Walking Across Paris

Walking in Paris is a very different experience from walking in London. Above all there is less obvious difference and contrast within Paris, or at least within the centre of Paris. Normally, I would travel by Metro, but on my last trip, to visit the exhibition of a sale of some of Hélène Leloup’s collectionContinue reading “Walking Across Paris”

On Reading Dalrymple, Christians and the Middle East

I have just finished reading William Dalrymple’s From the Holy Mountain. I have to say that it was one of the most depressing books that I have read in a long time. The book outlines Dalrymple’s journey from Mount Athos through Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt to the Coptic necropolis of Bagawat in theContinue reading “On Reading Dalrymple, Christians and the Middle East”

A Night at the Ballet

There is not nearly enough modern dance and ballet outside of London. Here in the Midlands, we have the Birmingham Royal Ballet and then various touring companies that may come to Malvern, Wolverhampton, the Hippodrome in Birmingham or elsewhere. Unless you are on the various mailing lists or know where to look it is veryContinue reading “A Night at the Ballet”

Africa, A Cry from the Heart

I am always very reluctant to treat Africa as a single space. There are too many differences and subtleties across the continent, even in so-called sub-Saharan Africa, for any generalisation to make sense. I am also very reluctant to present Africa, or Africans, as victims, or as living hard or difficulty lives. I would notContinue reading “Africa, A Cry from the Heart”

NSS and Student Engagement: What I Learnt from Swansea University

As I continue to write new blogs for this site, I have also been reviewing some of the blogs that I wrote in my seven years as Pro-Vice Chancellor and I have chosen to rewrite them as an occasional series of what I have learnt from my time at Swansea University. Over the last sevenContinue reading “NSS and Student Engagement: What I Learnt from Swansea University”