In the News: March 29 – April 5

This week’s roundup of University news stories.

A University produced report highlighting that more than 8,000 children and young people in Northampton live in poverty, had led The Chronicle and Echo to launch a ‘Fair Deal for Kids’ campaign to raise money for organisations tackling poverty locally. The charitable drive is in collaboration with Northamptonshire Community Foundation, who originally commissioned the report from the Institute of Social Innovation and Impact.

Will a plastic deposit scheme work in the UK? Professor of Sustainable Wastes Management, Margaret Bates, told BBC Radio Northampton listeners she was in favour of the idea, as a way to reduce litter and encourage ‘greener’ thinking (starts 2h 44m).

The Metro reports on Government proposals for so-called ‘Army Schools’, where it is hoped military style practices could help children from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. As the article explains, a 2017 report by the University provided evidence that the armed forces cadets were an effective tool in supporting children on free school meals achieve their potential.

In an article in the Times Higher Education Supplement, lecturer in Psychology, Charlotte Dann, contributes her own experiences of the constant scrutiny female academics can be subject to with regards their appearance.

The Chamber of Commerce website reports on the opening of nominations for our annual Changemaker Awards. The competition recognises the work of staff, students and others who have tackled environmental or social problems and improved people’s lives, both home or abroad.