Law, sex and the city: Regulating sexual entertainment venues in England and Wales

Purpose – This paper aims to explore how municipal law, in its various guises, serves to police the boundaries of acceptable sexual conduct by considering how Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) in British cities are controlled through diverse techniques of licensing and planning control. Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the emergence of permissive new licensing controls that provide local authorities considerable control over SEVs. Licensing decisions, judicial review cases and planning inspectorate adjudications since the inception of the new powers are examined to explore the logic of judgements preventing SEVs operating in specific localities. Findings – Through analysis of case studies, it is shown that local authorities have almost total discretion to prevent SEVs operating in specific localities, particularly those undergoing, or anticipated to be undergoing, redevelopment and regeneration. Originality/value – This paper offers unique insights on the “scope” of municipal law by highlighting how land uses associated with “sexual minority” interests are regulated in the interests of urban regeneration, redevelopment and restructuring

Understanding service demand for mental health among Australians aged 16 to 64 years according to their possible need for treatment

ABSTRACT Background: To inform decisions about mental health resource allocation, planner

Advances in nanotechnology

In this podcast, Professor Moriarty discusses nanotechnology, and how it has led to a convergence of the traditional sciences. He talks about the commercial applications of nanotechnology such as hard disk technology in laptops, stain free materials and fabrics, self-cleaning windows and advanced water filtration. He also touches on some of the myths about nanotechnology as well as some of the real dangers of Nanotechnology and the steps governments are taking to regulate it. Professor Moriarty is a researcher in the field of nanotechnology.

Lecture & Discussion

A Catholic ethicist and historian of religion and science, Dr. Thompson will speak on the case of Buck v. Bell, which authorized states to engage in eugenics programs

Lecture & Discussion

A Catholic ethicist and historian of religion and science, Dr. Thompson will speak on the case of Buck v. Bell, which authorized states to engage in eugenics programs

The Labour leadership contest

In this podcast, Professor Philip Cowley, from the School of Politics and International Relations, discusses the announcement of former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision to stand down as leader of the Labour Party and British Prime Minister on 27th June 2007. Professor Cowley discusses the reasons behind Tony Blair’s announcement and the pressure he has faced from within his own party. Professor Cowley goes on to discuss why Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair uncontested and the potential problems this could present for the new Prime Minister. Finally, Professor Cowley discusses the contest for the deputy leadership, why the candidates are standing and the challenges they will face in winning.

Back-bench rebels

Philip Cowley, Reader in the University’s School of Politics and International Relations, was recently nominated for the Times Higher young researcher of the year award. In this podcast, Philip discusses his research into back bench rebellions within the British parliament. Philip describes his research as practical politics, linking academic research to the real world of political debate. Since the British Labour party’s re-election with a reduced majority of 66 MPs in May 2005, some back bench Labour MPs have continued to vote against their own party, led by Prime Minister Tony Blair. This has forced the British government to make a series of concessions on a range of legislation. After the election, it was widely anticipated that Labour party MPs, with a reduced majority, would have to tow the party line. Philip discusses his research into back bench behaviour, highlighting that the British back bench MPs have traditionally been more rebellious than many people may expect. Philip also discusses the issues behind the bank bench revolts, in particular highlighting that back bench rebellions are now at a post war high–ironically, as the new Labour government of 1997 was determined not to be a ‘split’ party like the previous Conservative government led by John Major. Philip also discusses the impact of the Tony Blair’s announcement that he will step down as leader of the Labour party, and whether this has affected the frequency of revolts.

Madness, childhood adversity and narrative psychiatry: caring and the moral imagination

ABSTRACT The dominance of technological paradigms within psychiatry creates moral and ethical tensions over how to engage with the interpersonal narratives of those experiencing mental distress. This paper argues that such paradigms are poorly suited for fostering principled responses to human suffering, and proposes an alternative approach that considers a view of relationships based in feminist theories about the nature of caring. Four primary characteristics are presented which distinguish caring from technological paradigms: (1) a concern with the particular nature of contexts, (2) embodied practice, (3) the dialogical basis of caring and (4) the existential basis of caring. From this we explore the role of the moral imagination and our ability, through narrative, to acknowledge, engage with and bear witness to the injustices that shape the lives of those who suffer. This, we argue, is at the heart of caring. Clinical implications are discussed, including an exposition of the importance of narrative in recovery from trauma and distress. Narrative Psychiatry, The Sanctuary Model of care, and Soteria, are outlined as examples of this type of practice. We live in a time of austerity, an economic recession that has major implications for our communal health and well-being. Whereas past debates in Britain about the relationship between health and socioeconomic factors focussed on social class and absolute poverty, 1 recent work highlights the importance of relative poverty.