Talking points a range of topical issues tackled by academics 22 30 April

Dr Nibedita S Ray-Bennett from the Civil Safety and Security Unit has written a piece for Think: Leicester where she discusses how a well-co-ordinated national, international and community based effort is urgently needed to facilitate the recovery and restoration phases in Nepal.

• Read the article 'What is needed now to recover from the impact of Nepal’s earthquake?' on Think: Leicester here

Professor Martin Barstow, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Science & Engineering, has written a piece for The Conversation where he explores the limitations of the James Webb Space Telescope and the potential of future space telescopes - and how efforts should be made to start these projects soon, given their time-consuming development cycles.

• Read the article 'Forget the James Webb, a future high-definition telescope could probe life on exoplanets' hosted on Think: Leicester here

Dr Chris Grocott from the School of Management has written an article for The Conversation discussing the precarious position of Gibraltar in the upcoming General Election on 7 May and which political parties are most likely to receive Gibraltan support.

• Read the article 'Gibraltar is keeping a close eye on the British election – but it doesn’t get a vote' hosted on Think: Leicester here

Professor Melanie Simms from the School of Management has written an article for The Conversation discussing the decline of trade union influence in the work place.

• Read the article 'Britain’s battered unions have new battles round the corner' hosted on Think: Leicester here

Dr Heidi Ashton from the School of Management has marked International Dance Day (29 April) by discussing the challenges many freelance dancers face, including low pay and declining working conditions in an article for Think: Leicester.

• Read the article 'Dancing on air? Spare a thought for freelance dancers...' on Think: Leicester here

Dr Heather Brunskell-Evans from the Centre for Medical Humanities has written a piece for The Conversation discussing issues around individual freedom in regards to the consumption of porn - and who is responsible for the influence it has on children.

• Read the article 'The pornography of technology: whose freedom should be preserved?' hosted on Think: Leicester

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