Africa, often celebrated as the cradle of humanity, is a continent of immense diversity and potential. With its rich cultural heritage, vibrant young population driving innovation and productivity, and a wealth of the world’s natural resources, Africa stands as a cornerstone of global history and future growth.
Over the previous decades, Africa has been a long-term recipient of foreign aid aimed at assisting with poverty, healthcare, education and infrastructure. There is however a call for change within Africa, a call that promotes long-term goals of empowerment, self-reliance and sustainable partnerships.
Since 1960, Africa has received billions of dollars in financial aid. While these initiatives have undoubtedly played a large part in addressing pressing concerns, its impact as had both positive and negative impacts. Economic support has been instrumental in humanitarian relief, saving countless lives during crises like the 2011 Somali famine and the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. It has also strengthened healthcare through vaccination programs and AIDS treatments, while funding schools and expanding access to education.
Despite these successes, international aid has also received criticism and sparked debate about its long-term effectiveness. It has been argued that financial aid focuses on short-term relief that creates a cycle of dependency. For instance, free food supplies have sometimes undercut local farmers, negatively impacting their livelihoods. Additionally, corruption and mismanagement have often obstructed the effective use of funds, leaving those most in need without support.
There is a growing call for greater involvement from the local communities that aid is intended to support. Many donors often overlook the complexities, priorities and cultural nuances of the people they aim to assist, resulting in solutions that may not align with their needs.
Many African leaders and communities are calling for more locally led initiates. These bottom-up approaches can ensure that aid is better aligned with local needs as part of a long-term sustainable solution. Many critics of traditional aid are pushing for equitable trade partnerships and fair access to global markets, investment in local industries and private sector involvement to help drive economic growth and job creation.
There is a clear need to shift the narrative of aid towards one that highlights Africa as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship and cultural wealth. Partnership programs that promote skill-sharing, technology transfer and joint ventures will empower Africa to take a more active role in shaping its own development.
Normally, spotting the Northern Lights from the UK would be a rare event, as these vivid auroras are usually reserved for higher latitudes. However, with the current solar maximum—when the sun’s activity peaks—more people in the UK are catching glimpses of this spectacular phenomenon from their back gardens or at least from a local hilltop. Stargazers across the country are now enjoying unexpectedly vibrant auroras lighting up our skies. However, even when we can see them with the naked eye, there is still much to them that remains hidden. Here are several things you may not have realised about the lights, and where they are most apparent.
While photos of the Northern Lights showcase vivid greens, purples, and even reds stretching across the sky, the view with the naked eye may not be quite as intense. Our eyes can capture the lights, but only cameras with long-exposure settings can truly bring out the full range of colors and details. In person, the Northern Lights might appear as softer hues or faint glows, especially in lower-latitude regions like the UK.
If you’re hoping for those stunning, vibrant displays, bring along a good camera. With the right settings, your camera can absorb light over a few seconds, producing images that reveal the richer, more intricate colors that the human eye alone can’t see. This simple trick transforms what might seem like a faint glow into the dazzling Northern Lights display captured in so many iconic images. For detailed tips on photographing the auroras, check out this article on EarthSky.org.
Catching sight of the Northern Lights from the UK requires a bit of planning and patience. Unlike Scandinavian cities in the far north, like Reykjavik or Tromsø, where the auroras can sometimes be visible even in urban areas, seeing them here means avoiding light pollution and finding a truly dark spot. You’ll likely need to leave the city and head to more rural areas; national parks, remote beaches, or countryside vantage points offer the best chance of witnessing the lights.
When trying to see the Northern Lights, moonlight can be surprisingly disruptive. A bright, full moon illuminates the sky and competes with the subtle glow of the auroras, making them harder to see, especially in areas further south, like the UK, where the lights are typically dimmer. That’s why nights following a new moon, when it is darkest or barely visible, provide the best opportunity. After a new moon, there’s minimal natural light in the sky, allowing even faint auroras to stand out more clearly against the darkness.
I have to admit I found conflicting information on this which rather confirms my point that they don’t tell you which direction to face! Aurorawatch at Lancaster University suggests that from the UK, north is the direction to look. However, when geomagnetic activity is very high and you are located in the north of the UK, then they suggest the Northern Lights may be south of you, and conclude you should check all directions. The Space Weather Prediction Centre seemed to suggest north too, however, so I think that’s the answer I am sticking with!
A lesser-known fact revealed by the Space Weather Prediction Centre is that the Northern Lights are best viewed around midnight. While auroras may appear earlier in the evening or the morning, they are typically less active and visually appealing then.
Experiencing the Northern Lights is a unique and magical event, especially for those of us in the UK who don’t often have the chance to see them. By understanding the nuances, such as the importance of timing, location, and preparation, you can increase your chances of witnessing this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.
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Through storytelling, poetry and literature, writers have had a powerful impact on cultural norms and societal changes, often giving voices to the marginalised or exposing injustices. Literature has always evolved in line with society, reflecting its changing opinions, tastes and political ideologies. Not only does it record the human experience, it also takes an active part in helping to foster empathy and drive dialogue for social change.
Literature has long provided a reflection of society, capturing insights into political, cultural and social dynamics. It has documented the struggles for societal change against oppression as well as the aspirations of different social classes. This can be seen in Charles Dickens’ work in Oliver Twist which highlights the poverty and class disparity in Victorian England as well as the harsh realities of industrialisation and exploitation of child labourers. Poetry has also been used to articulate social issues through an emotive nature. During the Vietnam War, poets such as Allen Ginsberg from the Beat Generation used their work to voice their opposition to the conflict. In Wichita Vortex Sutra, Alan articulates the emotional and psychological toll of the war, criticising the government and the role of the media in propagating the USA’s involvement.
Feminist literature has played an important role in advancing gender equality by advocating for women’s rights and challenging traditional gender stereotypes. Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women from 1792 is considered one of the first such feminist texts, where she advocates for Women’s education and equal rights. Literature was integral to the women’s suffrage movement, using novels and poems to advocate for the right to vote by raising awareness and challenging social norms. Poets such as Charlotte Gilman critiqued the balance of marriage and traditional gender roles in Wedded Bliss, which she saw as oppressive and confining. Literature from Mary and other authors such as Virginia Woolf have gone on to inspire current day social movements such as #MeToo.
Literature has a way of opening up readers to the perspectives of others, challenging preconceived notions and providing knowledge in order to make informed decisions. This can be seen in works such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee which, through the eyes of a young girl Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, illustrates themes of moral injustice that challenge readers to consider their own biases. Since its publication, it has been widely used in schools to encourage debates on civil rights as well as being cited in legal and social contexts on the issues of race and equality.
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From its early beginnings, education and teaching have been a way to preserve cultural values and knowledge. Today, the education system has become more globalised, with students increasingly exposed to other cultures and views that play an important part in shaping individual identities, and how their roles fit into our modern society.
Cultural representation within curriculum subjects such as literature, history and art is important to help nurture student identities and broaden their understanding of the world. Without inclusivity, students from marginalised backgrounds may feel alienated or underrepresented which can lead to the reinforcement of inequality.
Language can have a profound impact on a student’s cultural identity, influencing how they see themselves and embrace other cultures. In countries where students’ mother tongue is taught, it helps to preserve traditions and nurtures their sense of heritage. Studies have shown that students taught in their mother tongue perform better academically at an early age. If, however, only dominant languages are used, students may face linguistic displacement that promotes the erosion of indigenous heritages.
The accounts and case studies of which cultures’ stories are told and which ones are marginalised help form an understanding of cultural histories and shape how students see their own identity. Including diversity in historical narratives can help foster empathy and understanding while a focus on individual history can lead to a singular, limited view of the world.
Globalisation, international schools and migration have led to a blending of cultures, where education which embodies multiple cultural elements can help expose students to multiple viewpoints and adopt multicultural traditions, leading to a greater global understanding.
Education is often a powerful driver for social change. New cultural movements and ideas can help shape the material taught within schools to challenge traditional views, promote equality and foster critical thinking. This provides students with the tools they need to become informed in areas of gender equality and of economic differences that can shape ideologies and create inclusive communities. An example of this can be seen in the inclusion of the recent Black Lives Matter movement in some school curricula subjects such as history and sociology. This helps to bring current and relevant issues to the forefront, to enable awareness and inspire discussions on racial inequality and modern activism.
Some of the key challenges to multicultural education lie in the fact that many curricula are rooted in dominant cultural narratives. This can sometimes be down to a lack of teacher training or resources to teach diverse classrooms, or because institutions can view multicultural initiatives as unimportant. It can be complicated to ensure that teaching materials and methods are non-biased and do not reinforce stereotypes.
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Urban tribes and micro-communities are evidence of the continual adaption and diversification of human social interactions. As our world evolves and the traditional view of a family unit becomes challenged, so too does the way in which people connect and form communities. Groups such as hipsters, tech enthusiasts, environmental activists and street artists give individuals a place to establish their identity, form connections and realise cultural expression and innovation.
French sociologist Michel Maffesoli described small groups of individuals bought together by shared interests, beliefs and identities as urban tribes. These are often formed by young individuals whose interests differ to the general mainstream. Urban tribes are a step away from traditional communities which were often based on geographical or family connections. They are characterised as a fluid community of individuals who increasingly live alone but are united by a strong sense of community through passions such as music, fashion, travel, sport and social causes. They delay the usual traditional milestones such as marriage in favour of exploring their own independence and accumulating experiences and are characterised by their unique cultural expression such as individual fashion and language use.
Micro communities are another form of social organisation often characterised by more specific and niche interests and exist both online and offline. Through the rise in social media platforms, forums and online groups, communities of globally like-minded individuals with a passion for distinct interests, niche hobbies or professional expertise can connect with each other and share their knowledge.
In today’s age of digitalisation, globalisation and geographical separation, urban tribes and micro-communities offer a way for individuals to connect and engage. They act as social support systems, providing acceptance and an environment to experiment with individuality and artistic creation. Like-minded peers can exchange ideas and give rise to cultural innovations in areas such as social movements, technology and the arts that have the ability to influence mainstream culture and bring new ideas to the foreground. The fluid nature of these groups allow rapid adaption to new social changes and are usually considered progressors of social evolution.
While urban tribes and micro-communities offer many benefits to society, some believe these groups bring about social fragmentation and disassociation from modern norms, leading to a weakening of broader social circles and increased division and polarisation in our society. A better understanding of these groups could help to develop strategies to maintain harmonious and sustainable societies while allowing individuals the freedom to express their own individualism.
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The transition from pre-election excitement to post-election politics has been a turbulent one. But where do we go from here? The deciding vote is unencumbered and the result is unfaltering: a pivotal change to the UK’s leadership. What starts as a concise mark in the ballot box, signalling an alignment to a specific idea, person or party, leads to the instigation of change, and how we navigate this is not quite so clear. Regardless of your political position, interpreting politics is where the hard work really begins, and not just for the newly elected government. While not everybody may need support in this endeavour, many (myself included) may find politics somewhat of a minefield; deciphering the important parts of political discourse can be downright difficult. With the Oxford English Dictionary depicting nine variations in meaning, is it any wonder we’re confused? Let’s take a closer look at the word itself.
The word Politics comes from Ancient Greek, meaning ‘affairs of the cities’. It originally had a rather broad definition, encompassing anything relating to the state, or considered social or public. Critics argue that such wide-ranging definitions are problematic, and result in such a dilution of the word that it ceases to retain any meaning. This certainly resonated with me; politics is everywhere and nowhere, everything and nothing, all at once. It surrounds us, yet there is a distinct lack of tangibility to it. Arendt (2005) suggests just this: there is no definitive nature or essence to politics, it emerges through interactions, individual actions and perspectives which are organised into collectives.
That being the case, politics is about potential. Ideas, discourse and actions alone cannot be considered ‘political’, but they all have the potential to be, depending on circumstances, perceptions and intentions. Other arguably ‘defining’ features are linked to that considered ‘public’, ‘social’, and related to ‘governing’, which on the one hand helps to identify what could be considered political, but on the other, exacerbates the issue by introducing additional broad terms which offer unsubstantial grounds for pinning down politics. However, political science is dedicated to solving this problem. In Harold D Lasswell’s 1936 publication, he embraces the wide definition and critically discusses what makes politics. Fundamentally, Politics: Who gets What, When, How? demonstrates that politics is any interaction among individuals, groups or institutions attempting to make a collective choice or solve a collective problem. Such interactions typically involve governments, which is why political science examines them closely.
However, this is still relatively broad in terms of defining politics, but perhaps that is its quintessential element. In fact, would we, the general public, really benefit from knowing the intricacies of political parties, their ideologies and their frameworks? We may be more informed on an academic level, but Laswell’s terminology, who, when and how, is somewhat poetically simplistic, and perhaps this is how we should think about it. You need not be a political scientist to take a view on your government, and how it decides who gets what, when and how. Rather, it’s our values, beliefs and opinions on our governments’ choices which make people so fundamental to politics.
References
Mansfield, Harvey. 2007. How to Understand Politics by Harvey Mansfield
Population dynamics sits in the area of ecology and is the study of population characteristics such as population size, birth rate, immigration movements and age ranges, while looking at the factors that influence these hallmarks. Its study is vital to understanding the delicate balance of ecosystems, the preservation of biodiversity and the impact of human activities. It has also helped us to map the effects that historic events have had on the genetic diversity with human populations.
Populations are subjected to a number of biological and environmental factors that affect their demographics. Within natural ecosystems, predators and diseases would help control a population to ensure its size doesn’t become too large. Access to resources and a suitable habitat can influence a population, where changes in conditions such as temperature, deforestation or rainfall can force populations to migrate or decline in size.
The genetic variation within a population determines its adaptability and resistance to external threats. Those populations which are isolated and small are more susceptible to interbreeding.
When a population level declines so much that it leads to a decrease in genetic diversity, this is known as a bottleneck in population dynamics. This can happen due to natural disasters or epidemics and can have an impact on a population’s chances for survival. This may have been the case in the human African and Eurasion fossil record, thought to have happened due to climate changes such as draught or glaciation. It was estimated that 65.85% of current genetic data may have been lost from our human ancestors.
A bottleneck event also occurred in the Cheetah population, who faced an extinction event around 10,000 years ago. In recent times, their population has again declined due to human activities and their very survival is threatened due to their genetic inability to adapt to new environments from inbreeding. This is known as the Allee Effect.
Demographic transition focuses on the specific area of population death rate and birth rate within humans, and how a country’s population growth rate cycles through stages as it becomes economically developed. Before industrialisation, both death rates and birth rates remain high and the population size stays constant. As access to better medicine helps to reduce death rates, the population size begins to boom, a trend seen in many lower developed countries. An improvement in economic conditions and access to contraception in developing countries causes birth rates to decrease and population growth to slow down. Once a country has become developed, stronger economies, better healthcare and education lead to a slowdown in both death and birth rates, causing a stabilisation in the population. Thomas Malthius, famous for his theories on population growth, would argue that this stage would not be the final cycle, and that populations would eventually decline due to an ageing demographic and the exhaustion of resources from over consumption.
Understanding the mechanisms behind how populations are affected by biological and environmental changes can help us with conservation efforts, agricultural production, public health, urban planning and the mitigation of negative impacts of human activity on our environment.
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2023 saw ChatGPT equipping the masses with ground-breaking AI capabilities and functionality, but also introduced the concerning reality of AI-generated content, bringing with it the risks of AI plagiarism from both students and professionals. As a result, “ChatGPT” emerged as the breakout word of 2023, but “Deepfake” appears poised to claim that title in 2024. Deepfake extends beyond plagiarism, encompassing the creation of highly realistic yet fraudulent videos or images of influential individuals using AI tools. These deceptive creations are then maliciously disseminated across the internet, social media and even television platforms for political or commercial gains.
Previously relegated to the realms of tech journalism and cyber-security, the Taylor Swift deepfake scandal at the onset of the year propelled deepfake into the mainstream spotlight, even garnering attention from the periodical, The Scientific American. Millions of fans found themselves deceived or nearly deceived by deepfake Taylor Swift advertisements, thrusting the issue into public consciousness, and prompting widespread concern over the issue.
Fortunately, many deepfakes are discernibly fabricated, intentionally crafted for comedic or illustrative purposes, as seen in examples like the Seinfeld Pulp Fiction mashup or the Morgan Freeman impersonation. Moreover, vigilant users typically identify and flag inconspicuous deepfakes swiftly, mitigating the risk of widespread deception. However, amidst the flurry of crucial elections of global political figures this year, the spectre of deepfake-driven political propaganda looms large. Consequently, media organisations, which play a pivotal role in disseminating global news, are intensifying their efforts to detect deepfakes.
A recent example of this proactive stance around ungenuine images is the Princess of Wales’s doctored photo, which was uncovered via hyper-vigilant deepfake detection protocols within media outlets responsible for distributing the Royal’s Mother’s Day family picture. While this incident was innocent, such detection measures may prove indispensable in identifying nefarious uses of deepfakes for commercial and political manipulation in 2024.
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Okay, so I am sat at my desk staring out of my window at the grey clouds on the horizon. Before I know it, time has passed. What have I achieved? Have I been lazy? Well, actually, no, I haven’t. In fact, I have been thinking, and having time to think is something we often feel guilty for. Our lives are busy, and we feel that we should fill every moment with action. But if you stop to think for a while, the benefits can be huge.
Now, you might be thinking (get it): this is weird. Why do I need time to think? Well, for nearly 100 years, World Thinking Day has been recognised on 22nd February each year. In fact, all across the world, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts organisations show their appreciation for others by thinking about global situations and how others can be helped. You might be wondering why it is specifically the 22nd of February? Well, it is the birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the Scouting and Guiding founder. Coincidentally, his wife, Lady Olave Baden-Powell, shared the same birthday – so this day celebrates her life, too, and what she stood for.
World Thinking Day used to be just Thinking Day – right up until 1999 when at the 30th World Conference, held in Ireland, the word ‘World’ was added to give the day the much-needed global focus. Nowadays, many Scouting and Guiding groups around the world raise money for worthwhile causes – and all the while this annual day is celebrated with a special theme. Past examples included thinking about water and food. But this year the theme is Our World, Our Thriving Future: The environment and global poverty. It does not mean that this is only a theme for the 22nd of February, of course. Instead, it draws attention to the day and encourages people to spend time thinking about how others can be helped.
Different ways of recognising this special day take place around the world. An example in New Zealand involves rangers climbing Mount Eden before it gets light – and the people who attend spend time thinking about how they are going to help others in less fortunate positions than themselves. Some groups are twinned and they spend time thinking about helping each other. Others focus on writing each other postcards or letters.
So, even though World Thinking Day has its roots in the Guiding and Scouting movement, there is no reason why all of us couldn’t spend a bit more time thinking – not just on 22 February but every day. Who knows where a thought might take you?
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Perfectionism is not, in and of itself, a negative trait. Perfectionists are often conscientious high achievers; our greatest weakness is also our greatest strength. But those trying to be constantly perfect can find that every task feels like an unconquerable burden and every essay a path to failure, however unlikely our friends and family might find our doom-laden predictions. Here are three thoughts to use to beat the unrealistic idealism that may currently be beating you.
What is perfect, anyway? Maybe you could decide. Perhaps perfection could simply mean sitting down at your messy desk, ignoring the clothes on the floor, and spending 10 minutes planning the first half of your essay. In this deeply imperfect and challenging world, if you were to be reasonable with yourself, your definition of perfect should, and could, be different. Redefine perfection: make it doable and make it your own.
A to-do list is a depressing sight, if, at every item, we are telling ourselves that we ‘have to’ or ‘must’ do this or that. But turn ‘have to’ into ‘get to’ and suddenly life seems more joyful. Perhaps it is an irritating piece of advice, an unwelcome call to simply have more gratitude, but studying is essentially an overwhelmingly positive thing. You are learning and growing, and you have access to great materials and educated teachers; you are lucky. And so, even if it feels at first like you are lying to yourself, tell yourself, next time you inspect your to-do list: “I get to plan my essay today”.
We will do it, but we are waiting for the perfect time when we are in the mood. Because we know we can do it well, and not just well but REALLY well. And so that is the aim. This isn’t laziness, for the fear is real: we cannot bear to submit anything less than our best; we cannot tolerate failure; and we want to be proud of what we have achieved. We have visualised (or we think we have) the perfect essay or assignment. But the truth is that you have a deadline. Perhaps you could achieve perfection if you had eternity to complete it. But you don’t. Most tasks have a timeline, whether it is 6 years to complete a part-time PhD, or one night to finish an essay. And the test is not what you can achieve, but what you can achieve in the time you have to complete it. The definition of perfect might simply be this: finished.