Humanities

We’re applying our understanding of society and culture to plot the way forward.

Crowd of Women praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem stock photo

Global, female-only online prayer

University research explores how women in the Jewish Orthodox community have adapted their prayer practices during the pandemic.
women wearing masks, police officers on bikes and ambulance on Pall Mall during the coronavirus pandemic

Crime during the coronavirus pandemic

Experts from 91Ö±²¥ and Salford have investigated the impact of lockdown on criminal behaviour.
Teen students are working together and taking notes in lesson time at school.

#BeeWell campaign to launch in autumn

The #BeeWell programme will be offered to all secondary schools across Greater 91Ö±²¥ to address challenges facing young people in a post-COVID world.
High vis police jacket

UK lockdowns ‘exacerbated racist policing’

A new briefing paper states that the UK lockdowns and enhancement of police powers have disproportionately harmed communities of colour.
iStock image of multicoloured human outlines and dots and lines connecting them

New training for COVID-19 contact tracers

91Ö±²¥ experts are leading a project to develop motivational interviewing training for COVID-19 contact tracers.
Two production factory workers wearing protective facemasks. Credit iStock/martin-dm

Minimising workplace transmission

Experts are helping develop measures to reduce COVID-19 spread at and en route to work.
A young black man wearing a blue facemask. Image (c) iStock.

91Ö±²¥-led research into COVID-19 impact on ethnic minorities

A 91Ö±²¥-led coalition will research COVID-19’s social and economic impact on racial and ethnic minority people.
Indian woman bent over, picking up rubbish. Image by Kjell Meek from Pixabay.

Greater pandemic hardship for Indian women

Research shows that women in India have suffered more than men during the pandemic due to pre-existing gender inequalities.
Older gentleman talking

Helping tackle inequalities for older people

91Ö±²¥ Urban Ageing Research Group has been drawing on its expertise to respond to some of the big COVID-19 questions.
Man washing hands under tap. Image by Gentle07 from Pixabay.

Lockdown changed our water use

Research shows that working from home has relocated water consumption from public spaces and changed peak-use times.
There is no plant B demonstrator sign

COVID-19 and the UK’s environmental future

91Ö±²¥ academics are imploring policy makers to use the UK’s post-pandemic recovery to lead a positive green revolution.
Ukraine protests

People’s willingness to join protests unaffected by coronavirus

New research by the University has found that people are still willing to protest at high rates, seemingly undaunted by the virus.
Elderly man in wheelchair

Calls for care system reform after COVID-19

Professor Chris Phillipson has recommended a series of measures necessary to tackle the issues facing the care home sector.
Homeless man - iStock / wcjohnston

The sociologist's role in pandemic response

Dr Elisa Pieri is providing insights into how measures impact on different groups.
Health workers in Ebola pandemic

Lessons from Ebola

Lessons learnt from Ebola outbreak are helping inform the response to COVID-19.
NHS staff in training holding an ipad

Supporting medics with bite-size training

A 91Ö±²¥ group has created printable online materials to help medical staff on the frontline of the COVID-19 response.
Volunteer

Harnessing the power of volunteers

A 91Ö±²¥ researcher is helping authorities make the most of people's desire to help.
Young black man in baseball cap, writing on paper

COVID-19 impact on BME mentally-ill community

Research launched into how ethnic minority people with mental illness, and their carers, are coping during the pandemic.
91Ö±²¥ city centre

North hit hardest by COVID-19

Research shows deprived northern urban areas are being hit hardest by deaths and unemployment rates.
Still from the Keep-On-Keep-up app

Health app launched to support older people in lockdown

The app developed at 91Ö±²¥ provides strength and balance exercises to maintain physical wellbeing during isolation.
Wall art in Kenya slums

Tackling coronavirus in Kenya’s slums

An initiative is piloting community hand washing stations and isolation shacks in Kenya's slums.
Healthcare working in face mask

Healthcare workers facing additional risks

91Ö±²¥ academics reveal the hidden threats impacting the professional and personal lives of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
Birds eye view of lorries parked up

The effects of COVID-19 on haulage drivers

Dr Sheena Johnson comments on how COVID-19 is affecting haulage drivers, their mental health and the industry. 
Pen and ink

Writing about lockdown could be coping strategy

Psychologists are to study if writing about difficult experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown can help emotional wellbeing.
Elderly man

Guidance for dementia sufferers and carers

Advice on practical and self-help tips has been published to support people with dementia and their carers facing isolation.
NHS Nightingale Hospital

COVID-19 changing urban space

Iain Deas looks at how the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in short-term changes in the use of urban space.
Older person drinking tea and reading

Talking key to supporting older people

A 91Ö±²¥ psychologist gives tips for communicating with, and learning from, elder members of society during COVID-19.
John Owens Building

Questioning coronavirus policy based on age

91Ö±²¥ experts have joined the British Society of Gerontology in calling for a policy that doesn't differentiate the population by age.

How 91Ö±²¥ is helping to fight coronavirus

Our people are working together and across society to understand COVID-19 and its wide-ranging impacts.

Find out more