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Victory for Kim Leadbeater, relief for Keir Starmer. Peter Byrne/PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo Parveen Akhtar, Lecturer in Political Science, Aston Centre for Europe at Aston University, dissects the close vote. The Batley and Spen by-election was a close contest that went right down to the wire with few commentators risking calling the result before it was announced. At 5:25am it was declared. Kim Leadbeater was the new Labour MP for Batley and Spen, beating her nearest rival, the Conservative candidate Ryan Stephenson, by 323 votes. It was close but a clear victory for Labour. Leadbeater’s acceptance speech was always going to be poignant. This was the seat held by her older sister, Jo Cox, at the time of her murder in 2016. Cox, who won the seat for Labour in 2015, was killed by a terrorist who held extreme right-wing views and targeted Cox because of her work with refugees. But what was striking – if also sobering and shocking in equal measure given the context – was that Leadbeater also had recourse to thank West Yorkshire police for their protection of her during the campaign. “Sadly”, she said, “I have needed them more than ever.” In fact, even before her victory had been declared, she released a statement pointing to the “intimidation and violence of those who had convened in the constituency with the sole aim of sowing division”. Discord, division and dirty tricks A total of 16 candidates put their hats in the ring for the race in Batley and Spen – a number of whom represented far-right political parties. But it was the presence of George Galloway standing as an independent for the Workers Party which seriously threatened to undermine Labour’s chances of retaining the seat it had held since 1997. Galloway was determined to woo traditional Labour supporters, including the significant Muslim constituent in Batley and Spen. Capitalising on escalating tensions in the Middle East, Galloway sought to paint the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as anti-Muslim. His intention was to set up the vote as a referendum on Starmer’s leadership, to split the Labour vote and ultimately force Starmer out of office. To this end, he also attempted to attract white working-class voters by building a narrative of the Labour leader as “woke” rather than for the working class. In the run-up to July 1 there were deeply disturbing reports coming out of Batley and Spen detailing the intimidation and abuse of candidates. There were accusations of dog-whistle racism and homophobia, fake leaflets and foul play. The campaign descended into one of the most bitter and divisive by-elections of recent years. Tracy Brabin, who had won the seat after the murder of Cox and whose win in the West Yorkshire mayoral election triggered the by-election, described witnessing her group of canvassers “being egged, pushed and forced to the ground and kicked in the head”. It was by no means the only time such disturbing strategies have been exploited. In fact, similar divisions were present in the 2015 general election in Bradford West, an election in which Galloway was again present, this time fighting to retain his seat. At a hustings at the university, the then conservative candidate, George Grant, captured the “wild west” nature of the campaign by likening it to a 19th-century rotten borough rather than a 21st-century parliamentary democracy. That election too descended into discrediting individuals and delving into their private lives rather than concentrating on the issues faced by people on the ground. Changing nature of campaigns Electioneering is by its very nature divisive, effectively asking the electorate to vote for party or candidate A and not party or candidate B. But dirty tricks or underhand tactics used to discredit opponents are by no means inevitable. And yet, while the notion of a sense of fair play and decency may be engraved in the nation’s idea of itself, the 2019 general election demonstrated how easy it is to resort to electioneering in bad faith in the age of social media. From faking fact checks to manipulating videos, the 2019 election threw up a whole catalogue of ways in which to unduly undermine political opponents. Indeed, divisive and personal campaigns may become more prevalent in an era of online campaigning. Something not unique to the UK, of course. The 2020 US presidential election was also divisive in nature as were the state elections in India’s West Bengal earlier this year. In Batley and Spen, in the end, as the Leadbeater pointed out in her speech, the people voted for hope not hate. Yet the constituency is deeply divided and will take much work to bring together. Leadbeater was the only major candidate on the ballot box who was local to the area. While the others leave, she remains, in her words, “the best person” to get on with the job of reconciliation.
Many of us think of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) as a childhood condition – which is typically when it’s diagnosed. But a growing number of people are sharing their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. Social media has even played a role in this, with reports of people going to see their doctor after first learning about symptoms on TikTok. In fact, around 2.5% of adults are thought to live with ADHD – including us. Yet despite this growing awareness, many adults continue to struggle to get a diagnosis. ADHD is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, in which the brain grows differently, lacking action from specific chemicals involved in pleasure and reward. This means ADHD brains often search for ways to stimulate these chemicals, which is why people can experience inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Common traits of ADHD include: Not following through on longer tasks (or not starting them) Getting distracted by other tasks or thoughts Seeking out risk or activities that provide immediate reward Restlessness (either outwardly or internally) Interrupting other people (without wanting to) Symptoms are similar for both adults and children, although elements of them differ or change as we age. For example, inattention is the most persistent symptom in adults. ADHD can be debilitating and is associated with higher likelihood of lower quality of life, substance use issues, unemployment, accidental injuries, suicide and premature death. In addition, ADHD can cost adults around £18,000 per year because of things like medical care or paying for social support. It’s also commonly associated with a wide range of co-existing conditions in adults. For example, depression is almost three times more prevalent in adults with ADHD. And nearly half of all adults with ADHD also have bipolar spectrum disorder. Around 70% of adults with ADHD also experience emotional dysregulation, which can make it more difficult to control emotional responses. It’s also thought that almost all adults with ADHD have rejection sensitive dysphoria, a condition where perceived rejection or criticism can cause extreme emotional sensitivity or pain. On top of this, adults with ADHD may have poor working memory – such as being unable to remember a simple shopping list – and “time blindness” (the inability to perceive time). Some may also have oppositional defiant disorder, which means they often react poorly to perceived orders or rules. While none of these co-existing conditions are used to diagnose ADHD, they can make ADHD feel all the more difficult to live with. Being diagnosed Getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult in the UK is notoriously difficult – with reports of some people waiting up to five years. Waiting for a diagnosis is common for adults with ADHD. Roman Kosolapov/ Shutterstock This is because you can only be diagnosed by a specialist psychiatrist. But even with a referral to a specialist, a person has to show clear evidence of almost all ADHD traits, having had these traits since childhood, and that they’re having a serious affect on their life – such as causing issues with work, education, or maintaining relationships. For us, our experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD aren’t all that different from what other adults have gone through. Like many people I (Alex) was only diagnosed with ADHD “by accident” after being referred to an NHS psychiatrist to get help with (what I now know to be) alcohol self-medication. Because of my ADHD, my brain demands quite extreme inputs most of the time. Ironically, I’ve published scientific papers on ADHD and – probably due to a classic ADHD lack of self-awareness – it didn’t cross my mind that I could have it. The “label” has since helped me move away from feeling broken toward an understanding of my behaviour. My main challenges remain prioritising tasks based on importance (instead of excitement) and quite extreme anti-authority behaviour (sometimes called oppositional defiance). I am also a terrible spectator, struggling to attend conference talks or sit still at the theatre – it can feel like physical pain. On the other hand, I (James) was diagnosed pretty quickly because I used a private clinic – though there was still a long wait for medication. Yet I’d known for five years before this that I probably had ADHD, but coped with it well until the pandemic. The added pressure of isolation and increased workload impacted my mental health, so I sought a diagnosis. Now diagnosed and medicated, life is getting easier to cope with – although there are still many challenges every day. I frequently get anxiety about the silliest things, like talking to a friend, but appearing on television is fine. On a daily basis I forget many simple things, such as where I left my keys, or that I am running a bath. I struggle immensely with controlling my emotions and with rejection especially. For example, when no one responded to a joke I made about my ADHD on a senior management messaging group I was tempted to quit my job. I am utterly unable to pay full attention in meetings or seminars and cannot control my impulse purchasing. While there’s a growing recognition of ADHD in adults, many people still live with it undiagnosed for any number of reasons – sometimes even because they’re unaware that what they experience is actually different from other people. Understanding the condition in adults, taking it more seriously as a disorder, raising awareness of it, and investing in services to improve diagnosis times are key. Diagnosis opens the door to treatment, which can have a marked impact on living with the disorder – such as improving self-esteem, productivity and quality of life. This article was co-written by Dr James Brown (Aston University) and Dr Alex Connor (University of Birmingham)
Aston University credit rating expert wins prestigious Fulbright scholarship
Aston Law School’s Dr Daniel Cash is the first member of the University to be awarded a Fulbright scholarship since Donald Biggs in 1974. The Fulbright Program is one of the largest and most prestigious educational exchange programs ever developed It has awarded over 8000 fellowships to students and scholars since its creation in 1946 by Senator J. William Fulbright An Aston University credit rating expert has been awarded a prestigious 12-month scholarship as part of the Fulbright Program in the United States of America. Dr Daniel Cash is the first member of Aston Law School to win one and is the first University staff member to enrol since Donald Biggs in 1974. He will start at New York University’s Stern Business School in April. Whilst there, he will be developing a sector-leading edited collection, bringing together the leading figures in credit rating research. He will also be creating articles on developments within the credit rating sector, and particularly the effect of credit rating agencies on the sovereign debt of the world’s poorest countries. Dr Cash said: “This is the accumulation of more than a decade’s worth of dreaming. I first visited New York in 2007 to try to gain some inspiration after a tough time in my life and ever since then have focused solely on moving over there. “I contacted a professor at NYU during my Masters in 2011 and have kept in touch with him since, even having Visiting Fellowships under him since being at Aston University. This Scholarship is the prize for all of that.” The Fulbright Program is one of the largest and most prestigious educational exchange programs ever developed. It has awarded over 8000 fellowships to students and scholars. Amongst its alumni counts are 39 Heads of State, 60 Nobel Prize Laureates, 75 MacArthur Foundation Fellows and 88 Pulitzer Prize Recipients. Professor George Feiger, executive dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences, who was himself a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard University, said: “The Fulbright Program is highly selective and exclusive and being awarded a scholarship through it is a phenomenal accomplishment for Daniel. It is a flagship initiative that is highly regarded globally and is a just reward for all of his hard work here at Aston University.”
"Our brains will drive us to avoid activities associated with failure. We have what's called an 'error evaluate' system, which works like traffics lights. When we did something in the past that works, we're likely to do it again - and vice versa" Professor Gina Rippon, Aston University
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Aston University cybersecurity experts hold key to vaccine passport rollout
Vaccine passports are certificates to establish proof of vaccination linked to the identity of the holder Renowned expert, Koji Fusa, visiting professor at the Cyber Security Innovation Research Centre (CSI), on the project to develop a global database for citizens to use in real-time. The CSI Centre at Aston University say creating a clear framework of rules for digital identities is achievable Leading cybersecurity industry expert, Koji Fusa, has made progress towards developing a framework for the world’s citizens to store their digital identities and access them in real-time. Koji is a Visiting Professor at the Cyber Security Innovation Research Centre (CSI) at Aston University. The idea would see a platform that has the capability to distribute over 200 individual keys to each of the world’s eight billion people. Each key could be assigned to personal information such as vaccine passports. It will work by vaccine administrators sending the vaccination details of each individual to a dedicated server. That server will issue a QR code which will be passed to the vaccinated person as the digital key for access. The passport holder will keep the QR code which enables access to the server to check their own record at any time. The framework would segment private data in a separate database, which can only be accessed with the individual key along with fingerprint, face and voice recognition technology, making it extremely hard for cyber attackers and scammers to hack. Koji Fusa, a visiting professor at the CSI Centre, said: “The current EU Green Pass initiative and World Health Organisation's initiative have struggled to find the solution for private data protection and counterfeit prevention. This proposed system would solve these two challenges. We have a solution that is secure, something that others have failed to achieve so far. “By having a cloud security server which gives unique reference numbers to all devices, technology issues pointed out by The Royal Society* have been solved. “This will be a huge step forwards for digital identification globally. Not only for vaccine passports, but for people’s personal information too. The framework would make everyday life more secure and simpler. Professor Vladlena Benson, an industry-recognised expert in cybersecurity risk management and director of CSI Centre at Aston Business School, said: “I am delighted to be working on this project with Koji Fusa. With his experience, I’m confident this could become the first such system where the authenticity of the vaccine certification instantly can be checked globally, something that can’t be done currently. "This work is aligned to the trusted identities framework proposed by the UK Government and addresses the issues of data sovereignty and individual information privacy."
Aston University experts discuss 'psychology of penalties' for EURO 2020 podcast series
"I know from my research that when a penalty is taken is key, but there are so many other factors at play... However, the data suggests we can predict the outcome - especially if there's a miss at a crucial time" Dr Shehzad Naroo, Aston University
Is Herschel Walker game-ready for the gridiron of Georgia politics?
He once dominated the NFL and is still considered the greatest college running back of all time. But Herschel Walker is now suiting up for a different game and as the original GOAT gets ready to enter the political arena, Joshua Kennedy, Ph.D., an associate professor of political science at Georgia Southern University, is being contacted by media for what he thinks the former superstar needs to do to get across the electoral goal line. In a recent interview with WJCL, Kennedy said, "When it comes to a potential candidate like Herschel Walker who has the celebrity factor in the state of Georgia, who helped bring UGA their national title in 1980, who won the Heisman trophy, is still very well-beloved by the people of Georgia, it could make for an interesting race." At this point, Kennedy believes Warnock would be more likely to win the race. "I think Sen. Warnock has an engaged base and if I were prognosticating at this point, I would say he is a little likelier than not to win," he said. However, Kennedy believes the former president's endorsement of Walker would help the Georgia Bulldog secure a significant number of votes. "The fact that he has the endorsement and support of the former president would carry a lot of weight with Republican voters in the state," he said. In order for someone like Walker to win, Kennedy said he would have to appeal to both the Republican base and independents. "I think that Walker needs to energize the base first and foremost, then focus on finding particular issues that speak to the concerns of Georgians including those non-affiliated voters who could be gettable for a Republican," Kennedy said. He would also need to instill a sense of reliance and competence in Georgians. "Voters want politicians who are oriented towards solving problems," Kennedy said. "He’s going to have demonstrate that he is able to do that, that he has that level of competence, which will be difficult considering he has not been in political office before. That will give Raphael Warnock a bit of that incumbent advantage by virtue of being in office, he can point to things he's worked on that Herschel Walker can’t." Kennedy said if Walker were to win, it would make it difficult for Democrats to maintain control of the senate. June 30 – ABC News If you are a reporter looking to cover this subject – then let our experts help. Contact Georgia Southern Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu for an interview with Joshua Kennedy.
At the age of 88, American political giant and two-time former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is dead. Donald Rumsfeld, the two-time defense secretary and one-time presidential candidate whose reputation as a skilled bureaucrat and visionary of a modern U.S. military was unraveled by the long and costly Iraq war, died Tuesday. He was 88. In a statement Wednesday, Rumsfeld’s family said he “was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico.” President George W. Bush, under whom Rumsfeld served as Pentagon chief, hailed his “steady service as a wartime secretary of defense — a duty he carried out with strength, skill, and honor.” Regarded by former colleagues as equally smart and combative, patriotic and politically cunning, Rumsfeld had a storied career in government under four presidents and nearly a quarter century in corporate America. June 30 - Associated Press If you're a journalist looking to know more about Rumsfeld's legacy and impact on American foreign policy, then let our expert help. Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson is an expert in American foreign and security policy, and international security. His study, The Costs of War to United States Allies Since 9/11, recently received an onslaught of media attention, landing in Forbes, The Guardian and Daily Mail. If you’re looking to arrange an interview with Dr. Davidson, simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Psychologists tackle childhood obesity by studying avid eating behaviour
• Psychologists at Aston University, Loughborough University, University College London and Kings College London to collaborate on childhood obesity study • £1-million project awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council • Three-year project to develop practical interventions to tackle obesity in early childhood A team of psychologists are to start work on a three-year project that will assist parents to address over-eating in pre-school children who have large appetites. The group, which specialises in childhood eating behaviour is led by Aston University, and includes researchers from Loughborough University, University College London and Kings College London. It is a result of a long-standing collaboration between the team members. The team have been awarded almost £1-million pounds, by the Economic and Social Research Council. The project aims to help support parents whose children are very focused on and motivated by food and the project will produce guidelines based on the findings that can be used to develop interventions. Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century and of major societal concern. It places children at high risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers in adulthood. According to the charity World Obesity, in just 40 years the number of school-age children and adolescents with obesity has risen more than 10-fold, from 11 million to 124 million (2016 estimates). Professor Jackie Blissett, Aston University and lead academic on the study said: “Childhood obesity usually begins in infancy and early childhood, with up to 90% of children who have obesity at 3 years continuing to have overweight or obesity in adolescence. Some children however, are more vulnerable to the development of obesity than others, due to their genetic susceptibility. “A better understanding of the factors which may help to prevent or reduce the risk of childhood obesity, and applying this understanding to develop effective interventions, is of key importance to solving this complex policy and practice challenge.” The team will use existing longitudinal data from the Gemini study to monitor trends in children’s eating and examine the development of the relationship between children’s appetite and parents’ feeding practices across early childhood. In the second phase of the project, which will be lab-based, the team at Aston University are set to recruit two members of research staff to support the study. In the lab, around 120 children will be observed whilst taking part in various food related tasks, to assess which feeding practices change their eating behaviour and help the researchers find the best way of regulating their food intake. The team intend to test the effectiveness of certain feeding practices and plan to recruit around 2000 new families who will take part in an online survey to assess children’s appetite traits. Professor Claire Farrow, Aston University, and collaborator on the study said: “At present, public health advice regarding children's eating and weight is generic, ineffective, and does not tackle variability in children's appetite avidity, which makes behaviour change even more challenging for parents who struggle to manage their child's eating behaviour.” “Using current theory to inform complex intervention development, our research will examine how parents interact with their pre-school children with avid appetites in the food context, evaluate how these interactions predict short and long-term effects on eating behaviour and develop recommendations for interventions in the future.”
Records are going up in flames - is there any break to America's current heat wave?
To call it a heat wave may be an understatement. But as June ends and July rolls in, a blanket of hot and humid weather is covering most parts of America with temperatures not seen since the end of the Great Depression. The trend has scientists and meteorologists looking for answers. AccuWeather's team of expert forecasters were describing the then upcoming heat wave as "unprecedented," "life-threatening" and "historic" as early as the middle of last week, and these descriptions have been accurate in the first days of the Northwest scorcher. The weekend marked the beginning of the extended stretch of extreme temperatures. Portland, Oregon, a city that typically experiences temperatures in the middle to upper 70s in late June, soared to a staggering 112 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, breaking the all-time record high of 108 set just a day before. Prior to the current heat wave, the highest temperature ever recorded in the city was 107 set once in July of 1965 and twice in August of 1981. Portland is also expected to obliterate its daily record high of 100 on Monday and possibly set an all-time high temperature record for the third straight day. AccuWeather is predicting a high of 113 on Monday, which would make it the hottest day ever recorded in the city. The highest temperature ever recorded in the state of Oregon is 117, which was set in Umatilla on July 27, 1939. June 28 - AccuWeather And as Americans keep an eye on the mercury that continues to rise, there’s a lot of questions to be asked: Is this a weather phenomenon? Has climate change showed its hand? Are these new temperatures the new normal for the summer months? How can cities and communities adapt to these drastic conditions? And is there any turning back these rising numbers? If you’re a journalist looking to learn more about this topic, then our experts are here to help. Dr. Pamela Grothe is an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences as the University of Mary Washington, who earned a Ph.D. in the Paleoclimatology Lab at the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences department at Georgia Institute of Technology. She’s also an #expert in climate change and specializes in how cities can cope and adapt to hotter temperatures and stay livable places. Dr. Pamela Grothe is available to speak with media – simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.
