Buying your first home? Here’s how to increase your chances of getting a mortgage
Alper Kara, Brunel University London - Applying for a mortgage for the first time can be a daunting task. But there are several ways you can increase your chances of having your application...
How smaller businesses can become net-zero influencers and enablers
Richard K. Blundel, The Open University - What if all of the UK’s 48,000 hairdressing salons and barbershops started sharing water and energy-saving advice with their clients, alongside a clipper cut or a...
Traineeships and other opportunities for young people in the EU
Young people eager to work with EU institutions, bodies or agencies have numerous options to gain valuable experience. Traineeships offer young professionals practical work experience and skill acquisition before transitioning to regular employment, while volunteering allows for practical skill development and is ideal for those looking to make a positive impact. The European Commission offers the Blue Book programme, a 5-month paid traineeship open to all EU citizens with a limited number of places also allocated to non-EU nationals. Trainees gain hands-on experience in various areas of EU policy-making, human resources, translation, and other fields, contributing to projects that shape the future of Europe. Applications for traineeships starting in March 2025 are open until 31...
‘Tryvertising’: testing new products in holiday homes could be a win for local brands and cautious customers
Jialin (Snow) Wu, University of Huddersfield; Chen Zheng, Leeds Beckett University, and Hongbo (Daisy) Liu, University of Surrey - After a recent city break...
How the Israel-Hamas war could affect the world economy and worsen global trade tensions
Daniele Bianchi, Queen Mary University of London - Global geopolitical tensions often play a pivotal role in shaping people’s perceptions of economic growth. Research shows concern about such issues...
Why the world is turning away from the US dollar
Alexandros Mandilaras, University of Surrey - The invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prompted the US Treasury Department to impose unprecedented sanctions on Russia, to hold it “accountable for its premeditated and unprovoked invasion”. The aim was to prevent Russia from “prop up its rapidly depreciating currency by restricting global supplies of the ruble and access to reserves that Russia...
How much income is needed to live well in the UK in 2023? At least £29,500 – much more than many households bring in
Matt Padley, Loughborough University and Abigail Davis, Loughborough University - You don’t have to look very hard at the moment to find evidence of the immense financial pressure on UK households. New figures...
Remote workers are more aware of cybersecurity risks than in-office employees: new study
Joseph K. Nwankpa, Miami University and Pratim Milton Datta, Kent State University - Workers who telecommute tend to be...
