In the Media

Dr Emma Connolly (UCL Political Science) describes memes produced about Jeffrey Epstein as circulating “quickly and normalises harmful topics by presenting them in humorous and engaging ways”.

“They are the same in that Reagan thought in global terms – and so does Trump…but I think what Trump wants is respect and a bit of fear,” said Professor Kathleen Burk (UCL History) on the similarities and differences between Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.

“There are very few actual bills that Trump is endorsing that go through the Congress - that is because it is very difficult to pass anything under the current circumstances of American politics,” said Dr Jonathan Monten (UCL Political Science) on the partial government shutdown.

“While the reasons for Rehmet’s victory may or may not have been to due to anger with the GOP’s redistricting effort last year, Republicans can’t afford to dismiss the outcome as a fluke,” said Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Political Science) on Taylor Rehmet’s win of a state Senate seat.

“Since 2015, Iran has focused on developing precision over range,” said Dr Melanie Garson (UCL Political Science) on Iran’s military strategy and how it could respond to American interference.

“We’re doing historical research, as well as gathering stories from descendants and relatives of those who might have trained at Cooden Camp, to give us the best chance to tell their stories,” said Simon Stevens (UCL Archaeology) on his team’s archaeological findings.

Dr Joshua Elves-Powell (UCL Biosciences and UCL Geography) and Dr Jan Axmacher (UCL Geography) warn that although the UK government has pledged to protect 30% of its land, seas and freshwater, weakening environmental rules for new infrastructure puts this vital goal at risk.

"Starmer is not presently in Trump’s good books because of his public opposition to the Greenland grab... This is Trump’s way of reminding him that the UK needs America more than vice versa," said Professor Iwan Morgan (UCL Institute of the Americas) on relations between the two

Gentrifying neighbourhoods across London are changing rapidly, with more newcomers arriving from less deprived areas and from farther afield than ever before, according to new research from the Geographic Data Service led by Professor Paul Longley (UCL Geography).

"Unless Trump is planning to say his immigration raids aren’t working — which he will never do — he’s likely to stand by Noem and dismiss the backlash as politically motivated," said Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Political Science) on the future of Homeland Security Secretary, Kirsti Noem.

“The designation of migrants as predisposed to crime, violence and drug trafficking is completely unfounded,” said Dr Connie Thomas (UCL History) on the US government's Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency – (ICE) operations.

“A blanket ban is a really blunt approach that doesn't quite get to the root of the problem, which is the fact that the content is there at all,” said student researcher Cosima Wiltshire (UCL Digital Speech Lab) on the government’s proposed social media ban for under-16s.

Clinical NHS practices to dispose of pregnancy remains following an early-stage miscarriage (first trimester) appear at odds with some patient wishes and therefore are not conducive to inclusive care, a new study led by Professor Susie Kilshaw (UCL Anthropology) finds.

“Ronald Reagan was a small town boy one might say…he was a bit of a mediocre student. After he graduated he became a sports broadcaster, went to Hollywood, became a B movie film actor,” said Professor Kathleen Burke (UCL History) on Reagan’s pre-presidential life.

A prehistoric hammer made from elephant bone, dating back nearly half a million years ago, has been analysed by Simon Parfitt (UCL Institute of Archaeology and Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum) and the Natural History Museum, London.