AHC Researchers In the Media (December 2022 / January 2023)
Many arts and humanities researchers at the University of Leeds are active in public discussions about their work.
Below we include selected publications and appearances from December 2022 and January 2023, including reflections on topics including How British theatre censorship laws have inadvertently created a rich archive of Black history, that the University of Leeds now has 'Superstar' Roman inscription stones on display, and how used clothing from the UK is fueling Ghana’s environmental crisis.
‘Vegan,’ ‘sustainable’: How to spot misleading fashion claims
Washington Post • 30th Jan, 2023 • News
Many brands rush to signal that they care about the planet and its people but the truth is often more complicated and can amount to "greenwashing". Dr Mark Sumner (Design) says: “We have to do the homework” with products.
Behind a paywall. PDF available.
John Butcher, Martin Iddon and "Vasculae"
Latvian Public Media • 26th Jan, 2023 • Broadcast
In Latvian. Professor Martin Iddon's (Music) new composition 'Muses' is played on Latvian radio broadcast 'Such Music'.
Clip begins at 13m:55s.
Aztecs and Otherness
BBC Radio 3 • 25th Jan, 2023 • broadcast
Dr. John Gallagher (History) hosts a special episode of Free Thinking discussing, amongst other things, Henry VIII's encounter with Brazilian royalty, Inuit hunting in the Somerset countryside and Aztecs at the court of Charles V
Why the 'Jewish treachery' of All Quiet on the Western Front drove Joseph Goebbels mad (The Daily Telegraph • 19th Jan, 2023) - Professor Holger Afflerbach (History) is quoted discussing the lasting legacy of Erich Maria Remarque's 'All Quiet on the Western Front' with Netflix’s German language film adaptation hotly tipped to win ‘Best International Feature’ at this years' upcoming Academy Awards.
Lexis login with University details required. PDF available.
Why Many Sikh Women Are Choosing To Wear A Turban? (SikhNet • 20th Jan, 2023) - Dr Jasjit Singh (Philosophy, Religion and History of Science) is quoted discussing the growing popularity of wearing a Turban amongst Sikh women as a way of “reclaiming equality within the religion.”
Across the world, via Sun and Moon (Yorkshire Evening Post • 19th Jan, 2023) - A new exhibition is opening in the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery. Entitled “Shifting Borders: A Journey to the Centre of our World” it is a celebration of the world of maps, which have become an integral part of our everyday lives. Professor Chris Taylor (Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies) is quoted.
PDF available.
How British theatre censorship laws have inadvertently created a rich archive of Black history (The Conversation • Professor Kate Dossett • 17th Jan, 2023) - British censorship laws have inadvertently created a rich archive of Black history, the rediscovery and subsequent performance of these works are discussed by Professor Kate Dossett (History).
This entrepreneur has used ChatGPT to write a children's book in 2 hours: she wants to demonstrate that generative AI can be a powerful learning tool (Business Insider (Spain) • 11th Jan, 2023) - In Spanish. Dr Leah Henrickson (Media and Communication) is quoted in this piece about the usefulness of AI writing tool Chat GPT in education, after an education professional managed to get the software to write a children's book. Also published in English, but behind a paywall.
Shelagh Fogarty (LBC News • 4th Jan, 2023) - Dr Sam Gartland (Languages, Cultures and Societies) is interviewed about the possible repatriation of the Parthenon marbles from the British Museum to Athens.
The Discovery of Insulin: A Tale of Monstrous Egos and Toxic Rivalries (The Conversation • 18th Dec, 2022) - In French. Dr Kersten Hall (Philosophy, Religion and History of Science) explores the discovery of insulin and the personalities behind it.
TikTok’s use of music poses a threat to artistic diversity – an expert explains why (The Conversation • 12th Dec, 2022) - Professor Bethany Klein (Media and Communication) authors a piece on how some industry commentators have declared TikTok “the new radio” and its songs have started to take over the charts. Music companies have started specifically targeting the music they produce to become popular on TikTok, as well as getting artists to produce content for the social media network. Also in: El Imparcial México (in Spanish).
Can bright colours lift your mood? (ABC News (Australia) • 12th Dec, 2022) - A section of the 'Life Matters' podcast, which includes Professor Stephen Westland (Design) discussing recent trends which claim that the power of colour can lift a person's spirits.
KPCC-FM (American National Public Radio • 10th Dec, 2022)Professor Regina Lee Blaszczyk (History) talks about the colour magenta and its history, responding to the company Pantone naming magenta as its colour of 2023.
Six-figure boost for Leeds 2023 creative education scheme (Yorkshire Evening Post • 6th Dec, 2022) - Arts Council England has awarded the University's Cultural Institute £788,000 to fund its PLAY creative education scheme. Professor Frank Finlay (Languages, Cultures and Societies) is quoted. PDF available.
Good luck or bad? How Christmas decorating traditions vary in England (The Guardian • 5th Dec, 2022) - The Dialect and Heritage project has found that historical Christmas decoration practices thought to bring good fortune in one place were believed to sow disaster down the road. Dr Fiona Douglas (English), project lead, says: “We stumbled on these fascinating stories about Christmas traditions quite unexpectedly when we were looking at the oral history and reminiscence sessions that had been held in the 50s and 60s. They were a delight to find.”
Why you should almost always wash your clothes in cold water (Seattle Times • 4th Dec, 2022) - Further coverage of expert commentary by Dr Mark Sumner (Design) about how to look after your clothes in a sustainable way.