Expert commentary

London Met experts

At London Metropolitan University, there are a wide range of experts to comment on the news and offer insights.

Some of the topics we can comment on include:

the environment and rewilding
cybersecurity
entrepreneurship
nutrition
dietetics
microbiology
sport science
food science
early years education
fine art
child and women abuse
architecture and sustainable building
knife crime

For more information, please contact: communications@londonmet.ac.uk or get in touch with a member of our team.

Expert comment: A new chapter for international students – a welcome shift in government policy

Professor Julie Hall, incoming Vice-Chancellor of London Metropolitan University, responds to the Secretary of State for Education's recent positive speech on international students

Pride Month remains a landmark but more support is needed

Helton Levy explores how Pride Month faces challenges from global conflicts and 'pinkwashing,' prompting calls for intersectional solidarity while celebrating LGBTQIA+ achievements.

Students aren't all superhuman – that's why means-tested grants must return

Associate professor in journalism, Wendy Sloane's letter to the Editor of the Guardian.

Government's new laughing gas ban attracts controversy

Dr James Morgan, course leader for Criminology and Psychopathology MSc, discusses the efficacy of the Home Office’s new laws on nitrous oxide.

US-Mexico Border Migrant Crisis: If you don't pay, you don't pass.

Reader in Sociology Dr María López discusses the recent fire in Ciudad Juarez and the added threat of institutional violence facing migrants.

Expert comment: Is the 'warm welcome' for Afghan evacuees cooling down?

London Met academics Louise Ryan, Maria Lopez and Alessia Dalceggio react to the government's plan to end hotel accommodation for Aghan refugees.

The curiously short lifespan of housing ministers

Patrick Mulrenan, Associate Professor of Learning in the Social Work, Youth and Community subject area at London Met, questions why housing is such a low priority for the government.

Where Russians get their news

Wendy Sloane, Associate Professor of Journalism at London Met, discusses where Russians get their news in a new article published in the British Journalism Review.

Who will be the next safe pair of hands?

Andrew Moran, Head of Criminology, Sociology, Politics and International Relations, looks back on the recent political upheaval in the UK.

Autocracy as a curse

London Met sociologist Svetlana Stephenson discusses how Putin, once an inconspicuous St. Petersburg official, turned into Shakespeare's Richard III in 20 years.

The Disappearing Nuclear Taboo

Dr Shahin Malik, course leader for the International Relations MA, explores the potential nuclear threat in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump and the FBI

Head of International Relations, Andrew Moran comments on the recent FBI raid on former President Donald Trump’s residence and its potential consequences.

The Cost-of-Living Crisis: what, why, and what next

Dr Nirmala Lee, Associate Professor and Head of Subject for Accounting, Banking and Finance, comments on the current cost of living crisis.

Homeless people feel the heat

Course leader for the Community Development and Leadership BSc, Patrick Mulrenan comments on the effects the current heatwave is having on unhoused and temporarily housed people.

A populist PM and a constitutional crisis

Dr Peter Laugharne reflects on the end of Boris Johnson's time as Prime Minister and the parallels with David Lloyd George, another populist who was mired in scandal.

The Caretaker Prime Minister

Professor Andrew Moran, Head of Criminology, Sociology, Politics and International Relations at London Met explores Boris Johnson's next steps.

Scandals and Stagflation – An uncomfortable mix

Even Karl Marx did not anticipate the divide that exists now between the wealthy elite and the rest, argues Professor Andrew Moran.

Arron Banks losing libel case against Carole Cadwalladr is a win for free press

Associate Professor in Journalism Wendy Sloane on the case of Carole Cadwalladr, who yesterday was cleared of libelling billionaire Arron Banks, and what this means for a free press.

Five reasons (and 10 numbers) why the Right to Buy for housing association tenants is a bad idea

Patrick Mulrenan, Course Leader for Community Development and Leadership BSc, breaks down the flaws behind the Prime Minister's latest housing policy.

Chaos at Kabul Airport: Lessons must be learned

Professor Louise Ryan, Dr Maria Lopez and Alessia Dalceggio from the Global Diversities and Inequalities Research Centre discuss the failures of the evacuation mission last year.

Diversity and difference in everyday life

Dr Julius Elster discusses his research into the experiences of young people in Tottenham, finding ‘super-diversity’ to be integral to the area’s cultural identity.

Mental health and procrastination

For Mental Health Awareness Week, Journalism, Film and Television graduate Bernardo Almeida writes about how to manage procrastination and its relationship with mental health.

How can mental health services better support Black men?

London Met's Kevin Brazant on the issues that impact Black men's mental health, following an expert panel discussion he took part in at the Men and Boy's Coalition.

"The present is not forever"

Shifts in the perception of biographical and historical time are central to many Russian people's understanding of the war in Ukraine, argues Professor Svetlana Stephenson.

The life and death of 'Mad Vlad'

Associate Professor of Journalism Wendy Sloane comments on the life of Russian nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, whose 1991 presidential campaign she covered as a Moscow correspondent.

Should Channel 4 be privatised?

James Grice, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, weighs in on the government’s plan to privatise the publicly owned - but privately funded – broadcaster.

Getting a UK visa might be harder than leaving Ukraine

Associate Professor in Journalism, Wendy Sloane, comments on the bureaucracy at the heart of Britain’s resettlement efforts.

Why I'm taking in Ukrainian refugees

Associate Professor in Journalism, Wendy Sloane, knew that her mother and uncle were evacuated to safety during WWII. Now, despite a strange discomfort, she finally returns the favour.

'Don't mention the war'

Wendy Sloane, Associate Professor of Journalism at London Met, reports on how journalists in Russia have responded to the Kremlin’s clampdown on media.

Sustainable Fashion: Are we doing enough?

India Gustin, third-year Fashion Marketing and Journalism student, reports on the latest Newsweek event.

Do Svidaniya to "Beeg Maks" and fries: McDonald's closes its Golden Arches in Russia

Associate Professor in Journalism, Wendy Sloane, reports on the companies leaving their Russian operations behind in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

The 'backbone of the NHS'

Professor Louise Ryan and Grainne McPolin celebrate the historic contribution of Irish Nurses to the UK's National Health Service this International Women's Day.

"This is a Mexican problem, not a women's issue"

This International Women's Day, Dr María E López discusses her research on necropolitics and femicide at the US–Mexican border.

Time to lift the ban on asylum-seekers finding paid employment

Lifting the ban on asylum-seekers accessing paid employment would help to improve both their lives and the UK economy, writes Wendy Sloane, Associate Professor of Journalism.

The betrayal of Ukraine took place years ago

NATO has proved itself to be weak in the face of Russia's actions in Crimea and now Ukraine, with Russia in the process of brutalising a peaceful neighbour, writes Dr Shahin Malik.

The war in Ukraine is real. But can we always believe what we see?

Wendy Sloane, Associate Professor in Journalism, gives her top tips for recognising misinformation on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is especially prevalent on social media.

Raising the cost of Putin's war: soft power and the fight for Ukraine

It is vital for the international community to raise their voices in universal condemnation of the horrific violation of human rights in Ukraine, writes Dr Anna Marazuela Kim.

Student Mental Health Newsweek: Will we bounce back after Covid?

Students Simone Limbu and Sahra Sancar report on the latest Newsweek event.

The importance of face coverings in preventing the spread of Covid

Dr Una Fairbrother discusses the efficacy of masks in reducing Covid infections and why we’re asking all students and staff to ensure they wear face coverings while on campus.

"Take advantage of the safety a classroom provides to make mistakes"

Recent graduate Nikos Papanikolaou discusses how London Met's Journalism BA helped him land his first graduate staff job at the BBC.

I’m a footballer and I’m gay

Donna Jones, Head of Social Work, provides her expert insight into LGBTQIA+ football players, both past and present.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Professor Liz Kelly, Director of the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, comments on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

"Social media has fewer barriers, but the limits are still there for us"

Second-year Journalism student Glwadys Beya writes about the effects of underrepresentation in media for ethnic minorities.

Managing Eco-anxiety

Siân Moxon, senior lecturer, sustainability coordinator, and environment lead for London Met Lab, offers her advice on feeling positive about the future of the planet.

The Labour Movement and World War Two

As we remember all those who have fought and died in wartime this Armistice Day, Professor Mary Davis reflects on the lesser known history of trade unions in wartime.

Tackling the 'tax gap'

Sabiha Chakera, Course Leader for Accounting and Finance, discusses the difference between the amount of tax that should be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid.

The ecological benefits of green walls

Architect, designer and founder of urban rewilding campaign Rewild My Street Sian Moxon explains why green walls are one way to mitigate environmental problems and improve biodiversity.

Pandemics, Homeworking and the Security of Voice Computing

Anthony Phipps, a PhD student within the Cyber Security Centre, comments on his research into audio cybersecurity and the security of voice computing in light of the pandemic.

Above and beyond: Delivering support services remotely

Professor Liz Kelly, Director of the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, and MA student Selma Taha, comment on the challenges faced by support services during the pandemic.

Seven habits for highly effective e-learning

Stephen Hills, senior lecturer in the Guildhall School of Business and Law, on his research around online pedagogy.

The economic impact of Covid: a bounce back after recession?

Dr Nirmala Lee, Associate Professor in Accounting, Banking and Finance, expects to see an increase in both supply and demand, leading to more jobs becoming available post-pandemic.

Operation Trojan Shield: fighting encrypted criminal activities

London Met's Dr Mark Roycroft reports on the operation, which saw over 800 arrested in a huge global crime sting, using an encrypted communications app secretly run by law enforcement.

"Never test the patience of a fasting student"

Journalism student Alima Bibi gives her Ramadan do’s and don’ts.

Elections 2021: Will the goddess Fortuna smile upon Mr. Johnson again?

Dr Peter Laugharne, Senior Lecturer in Politics & International Relations on the significance of the vote on 6 May, which will be the first public test of Labour leader Keir Starmer.

Pontins and 'No Irish Need Apply': the prejudice that refuses to die

Professor Louise Ryan and Professor Don MacRaild explore the enduring anti-Irish prejudice in Britain following the reveal that holiday firm Pontins holds a blacklist of Irish surnames.

Changing the conversation: from women's safety to women's freedom

Professor Liz Kelly, Director of London Met's Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, asks what it is about our culture that allows women to be harmed, and what it would take to change this

The impact of Covid on student parents

Research by London Met academics Jane Lewis, Heather Allison, Patrick Mulrenan and Helen Redd explores the additional pressures the pandemic is having on students with children.

Racism in the media

Wendy Sloane, Associate Professor of Journalism, on why making newsrooms more diverse is key to tackling racism in the media.

Sarah Haid on social enterprise and the women who've inspired her

Sarah discusses her work with the London Met Lab and how London Met's students are giving back to their local communities through her social enterprise, Better Safe Communities.

Hey, Hollywood!

On International Women's Day, Dr Karen McNally explores how Hollywood is revisiting its business model, practices and space as a marker of 21st century American culture.

Britain and China's 'deteriorating' relationship

Head of Politics and International Relations Dr Andrew Moran weighs in on hostility in Sino-UK relations, and the news that China has banned BBC World News from broadcasting.

Racialising pandemics: lessons from history

Professors Louise Ryan and Don MacRaild explore the ways in which nations and their people have historically been stigmatised by disease.

I'm dreaming of a green Christmas

After a challenging year, we all deserve a break this Christmas, argues Siân Moxon, but let's make sure we give the planet one too.

The shocking normalisation of child homelessness

Recent history has seen things that previously provoked outrage become disturbingly 'normal' says Patrick Mulrenan. This Christmas, let's make sure child homelessness isn't one of them.

Britain 'at the back of the queue'?

Dr Andrew Moran, Head of Politics and International Relations, says Biden's election may have made it harder to establish a UK-US trade deal post-Brexit.

What will US-China relations look like under Biden?

Dr Andrew Moran, Head of Politics and International Relations, says Biden is entering a relationship with China that is different to the one he left as Vice-President four years ago.

"We need the arts now more than ever"

Rishi Trikha says we must decide what kind of a world we want to live in when the current crisis recedes - and we should fight to ensure art, and artists, are part of it.

Protein Misfolding Disorders: a ticking time bomb?

Research into why, how and when proteins misfold is crucial for understanding how they go on to cause disease, says Dr Cassandra Terry, Reader in Protein Pathology.

Teardrops: demanding justice for victims of police brutality

Sofia Akel discusses her research into the extent of police brutality in the UK, which informed Kano's powerful music video performance of 'Teardrops'.

"In a democracy, it is important that every vote is counted"

Dr Andrew Moran, Head of Politics and International Relations, weighs in on the tumultuous American election amid Trump's false claims that the result is being 'stolen'.

"Black Sells": the portrayal of Black people in cinema

Sylvia Henry, recent Film and Broadcast Production BA graduate, reflects on the importance of Black representation in film and recalls the ways Blackness has been exploited in film.

Grace Jones: a short story

As part of Black History 365, we share an extract of an award-winning story by London Met alumna Irenosen Okojie which explores the experience of being Black and African in London.

Coffees, emails and never-ending hope: bringing Verve Magazine online

Nikos Papanikolaou, interim chief editor of London Met’s student magazine Verve, discusses how the team have adapted in the face of an extraordinary year.

Student voice: the joy and beauty of being Black

"We are so much more than a month" - Adebukola Fadipe writes about Kelechi Okafor and Candice Brathwaite, two of the women who’ve most inspired her, and the power of Black joy.

Trade Unions and Independence Movements in the English-speaking Caribbean

Jeff Howarth looks at the role trade unions played in the constitutional histories of the English-speaking Caribbean and the resources London Met has to offer its staff and students.