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The Grey Areas:Interdisciplinarity, Memory, and the Amateur’s Perspective
Get PDFThis article reflects on eleven years leading the University of Birmingham’s Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences unit, examining how we might continue to educate undergraduates in genuine interdisciplinarity when the very concept remains contested and unstable. Drawing on Walter Benjamin’s understanding of historical consciousness and the ‘weak messianic power’ of the past, I argue that interdisciplinary education succeeds not through mastery but through what I call the amateur’s advantage—the willingness to stand as a curious outsider across multiple domains. As a Classicist and literary scholar by training, I trace how leading programmes that bridged arts and sciences transformed my own scholarly identity, revealing interdisciplinarity not as a fixed pedagogical method but as a disposition towards knowledge itself. The suspension of our successor BASc programme in 2025 prompts reflection on what interdisciplinary education can and cannot achieve within institutions organised around disciplinary structures, and on the fragility of educational experiments that demand students and staff alike inhabit uncomfortable grey areas where established canons, questions, and methods no longer suffice
Metal health:a shared genetic basis for schizophrenia, inflammation, lipid metabolism and cortical structure
Get PDFBackground: In addition to core positive and negative symptoms, psychotic disorders are frequently characterised by a pattern of multimorbidity with chronic medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammation. 40% of antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis exhibit dysglycaemia [1], and low-grade chronic inflammation in adolescence has been linked to increased risk of both psychosis and insulin resistance in adulthood [2]. Emerging evidence suggests that IL-6 signalling, particularly non-classical trans-signalling, may contribute to the pathogenesis of psychosis [3]. However, the extent to which this multimorbidity is driven by shared genetic mechanisms remains unclear. We therefore aimed to understand whether the genetic interplay between peripheral IL-6 signalling, metabolic biomarkers, and neuroimaging traits could provide insights into schizophrenia (SZ) aetiology and identify novel target mechanisms.Methods: We performed hypothesis prioritisation multi-trait colocalization (HyPrColoc) analysis [4] to examine genetic associations shared across SZ and 14 related traits: two cardiometabolic risk factors (triglycerides:HDL (TG:HDL) ratio and fasting insulin), three structural MRI traits (left- and right-hemispheric cortical thickness and peripheral grey matter volume), six fMRI independent component analysis (ICA) traits, and plasma levels of three IL-6 signalling proteins (IL-6, IL-6R, and IL-6ST). Bayesian HyPrColoc was applied to 232 SNPs associated (p<5×10-8) with at least one trait. Prior probabilities (π) were optimised to detect shared causal variants (π1=0.05; π2=0.5–0.9999), quantifying the likelihood of shared genetic architecture within a 1 Mbp window.Results: We identified one region on chromosome 4 where SZ risk colocalised with IL-6ST, TG:HDL ratio, and bilateral cortical thickness (Table 1). The likely causal variant was rs13107325, a missense SNP in SLC39A8 (p.Ala391Thr), encoding ZIP8, a multi-metal trans-membrane transporter mediating Zn2+, Fe2+, and other ions. rs13107325 was significantly associated with each colocalising trait (TG:HDL p=5.30×10-32, β=0.07±0.004; LH cortical thickness p=8.30×10-14, β=-0.12±0.02; RH cortical thickness p=1.00×10-16, β=-0.12±0.02; IL-6ST p=6.79×10-6, β=0.06±0.01; SZ p=2.90×10-21, β=0.15±0.02). Previous studies link rs13107325 to reduced cortical dendritic spine density in vivo and altered glutamate signalling in vitro [5]. Using publicly available scRNAseq data from developing human neocortex, we showed SLC39A8 expression to be enriched in vascular cells, peaking during infancy. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) for SLC39A8 did not correlate with associated SNPs for any co-localising traits (all p>0.4), suggesting functional changes to ZIP8 rather than reduced ZIP8 expression are associated with the co-localising traits.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that loss of ZIP8 function may increase risk for SZ, elevate IL-6ST levels, increase TG:HDL, and reduce cortical thickness. Hence, disrupted transmembrane metal ion transport may represent a shared mechanism underlying multimorbidity across SZ, metabolic disorders, and inflammation. Further Mendelian randomisation and functional assays are warranted to clarify causality.Table 1 Results from co-localization Bayesian analysis for π2=0.9999 and largest regional/alignment thresholds for co-localisation of >1 trait with SZ. π1 = 0.05 in all results presented.[Table presented
Platform-based Supply Chains:A Dual-Layered Framework for Digital Transformation and Ecosystem Orchestration
Get PDFAs global supply chains face increasing complexity, disruption, and sustainability pressures, platform-based supply chains have emerged as a new organizational form, digitally enabled, ecosystem-centric, and strategically adaptive. Unlike traditional linear and firm-centric models, these supply chains operate through the integration of advanced technologies, stakeholder collaboration, and dynamic governance. Drawing on platform ecosystem theory and socio-technical systems theory, this study develops a dual-layered framework based on an in-depth case study of a leading Chinese supply chain solutions provider. The framework comprises a digital platform layer that supports real-time data sharing, interoperability, and automation, and a supply chain ecosystem layer that facilitates stakeholder coordination, resource orchestration, and value co-creation. The findings reveal four mechanisms of strategic evolution, ecosystem orchestration, capability co-development, governance innovation, and continuous learning, driven by the alignment between digital infrastructure and social-organizational structure. By reconceptualizing platform-based supply chains as adaptive socio-technical ecosystems, the study advances theoretical understanding of their configuration, operational mechanisms, and strategic evolutions. It also provides practical guidance on platform design, stakeholder onboarding, governance structures, and phased implementation, offering a roadmap for managers and policymakers navigating digital transformation in contemporary supply chain environments
Childhood trauma-related brain alterations in bipolar disorder:an ENIGMA-bipolar disorder study
Get PDFIntroduction: Childhood trauma is experienced by more than 50% of people with severe psychiatric disorders and is a risk factor for bipolar disorder (BD). Previous studies have investigated associations between childhood trauma, brain morphology, and the likelihood of developing BD. However, most prior studies have been conducted in small samples using heterogeneous methodologies (e.g., different brain imaging methods or childhood trauma assessments), resulting in inconsistent findings. Our study from the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis Bipolar Disorder working group (ENIGMA-BD) aims to determine the impact of childhood trauma on brain morphology in BD, using the largest international sample of individuals with bipolar disorder assembled to date.Methods: Nineteen independent cross-sectional samples, including 1105 BD cases (56% females) and 2344 healthy controls (HCs; 57% females) were collated via ENIGMA-BD. Severity of childhood trauma was measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) at all sites. Structural 3D T1-weighted brain MRI scans were processed using ENIGMA-standard FreeSurfer and quality control to derive measures of subcortical volumes (16 regions), cortical thickness and surface area (68 regions from the Desikan-Killiany atlas). Data were harmonised for potential site differences using ComBat. Linear regressions were used to determine the associations between BD diagnosis (BD versus HC), severity of childhood trauma (CTQ total score) and their interaction on brain morphology. Age, sex, and total intracranial volumes (for subcortical volume analyses only) were included as covariates. False-Discovery Rate correction (q<0.05) was applied to account for the number of regions included (separate analyses for subcortical volumes, cortical thickness and surface area).Results: Fifty-three percent of BD cases (N=584) and 24% of HCs (N=560) reported moderate-to-extreme levels of exposure to at least one type of trauma measured by the CTQ. A diagnosis of BD was significantly associated with larger bilateral lateral ventricles and smaller bilateral hippocampal volumes (all q<0.011) and widespread patterns of thinner cortex (56 regions out of 68; all q<0.05). Independently of diagnosis, the severity of childhood trauma was associated with smaller surface areas of the bilateral fusiform, medial orbitofrontal, rostral middle frontal gyri, as well as smaller surface of the left lateral orbitofrontal, superior temporal, pars orbitalis, rostral anterior cingulate gyri, and right inferior temporal, parahippocampal, precentral, superior frontal and supramarginal gyri (all q<0.047). The diagnosis-by-trauma interaction was not significantly associated with brain morphology. Investigation of the trauma subdomains revealed a significant relationship between diagnosis and severity of sexual abuse on surface area of the right entorhinal gyrus. A subsequent moderation analysis indicated that the severity of sexual abuse was significantly associated with smaller surface of the entorhinal gyrus in HCs (b=-1.401, p=0.021), and larger surface of the entorhinal gyrus in BD (b=3.257, p=0.002).Conclusions: In the largest analysis of childhood trauma and brain morphology in BD to date, BD was associated with a widespread pattern of thinner cortex and smaller ventricle/hippocampal volumes, while childhood trauma was associated with smaller surface area of regions involved in networks critical for emotional and cognitive processes. Sexual abuse in particular, may contribute to maladaptive mechanisms in BD. Future functional studies are underway to confirm this interpretation
Written evidence submitted by Professor Martin Coppack and Professor Adele Atkinson: CHASM, University of Birmingham
No full textFinancial inclusion in the UK is prevented by deep-rooted structural and market failures. While the Strategy contains a number of welcome initiatives, it is overly narrow in scope, heavily reliant on industry goodwill, and lacks the government and regulatory ambition, targets, and accountability mechanisms required to deliver a significant reduction in financial exclusion
Tailored superconducting properties of laser powder bed fusion NbTi by nanosized artificial pinning centres
Get PDFThis study investigates the effect of artificial pinning centres using oxide dispersion strengthening (ODS) approach on the superconducting properties of the additively manufactured Nb47wt%Ti superconductor. Y2O3 nanoparticles are incorporated within the in situ alloyed Nb47wt%Ti powder and processed through laser powder bed fusion process. Laser parameters were optimised, and the optimal condition shows a microstructural density of 6.24 g/cm3, 0.35% porosity fraction, and 0.21% undissolved Nb fraction. The sample was heat treated for homogenisation and aged to precipitate ⍺-Ti pinning centres. Evidence from XRD peak shifts and literature comparison suggests the formation of Y2Ti2O7 artificial pinning centres, arising from the interaction of ⍺-Ti with Y2O3. The superconducting optimum condition shows a critical temperature of 8.4 K and a critical current density value of 2.51 kA/mm2 (at 4.2 K and 5 T)
What Are Place-Based Business Cases?
Get PDFThis report explains what a place-based business case is and how such cases can support more effective, strategic, and accountable investment decisions across local and national government. Drawing on insights from the Green Book review and City-REDI research, it outlines three possible purposes for place-based business cases—funding gateways, strategic investment frameworks, and governance tools—and recommends a hybrid model that improves decision-making, strengthens collaboration, and supports place-wide outcomes.Read the full analysis and explore how place-based business cases can strengthen strategic planning and fairer investment across the UK.This research is for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub which seeks to address nationwide issues through local partnerships and place.By working with local LPIPs, the Hub aims to understand and solve local challenges around the UK through an innovative and effective service-driven approach to place-based policy-making and public service delivery. The LPIP Hub is designed to lead to a step-change in the quality and impact of the evidence created by universities and their local place partners.The Hub has £3.6 million from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and Innovate UK. It is a national consortium, led by the University of Birmingham, convening stakeholders across the research and policy ecosystem
Robust Bias Evaluation with FilBBQ:A Filipino Bias Benchmark for Question-Answering Language Models
Get PDFWith natural language generation becoming a popular use case for language models, the Bias Benchmark for Question-Answering (BBQ) has grown to be an important benchmark format for evaluating stereotypical associations exhibited by generative models. We expand the linguistic scope of BBQ and construct FilBBQ through a four-phase development process consisting of template categorization, culturally aware translation, new template construction, and prompt generation. These processes resulted in a bias test composed of more than 10,000 prompts which assess whether models demonstrate sexist and homophobic prejudices relevant to the Philippine context. We then apply FilBBQ on models trained in Filipino but do so with a robust evaluation protocol that improves upon the reliability and accuracy of previous BBQ implementations. Specifically, we account for models' response instability by obtaining prompt responses across multiple seeds and averaging the bias scores calculated from these distinctly seeded runs. Our results confirm both the variability of bias scores across different seeds and the presence of sexist and homophobic biases relating to emotion, domesticity, stereotyped queer interests, and polygamy. FilBBQ is available via GitHub
Sustainability Assessment of Decentralized Hybrid Rainwater–Graywater Systems for Water Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions:A Systematic Review
Get PDFWater management in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions (ASAR) relied on large-scale, centralized systems that expanded potable water access. However, high energy requirements, rising operational costs, and limited adaptability to climate variability now put their sustainability under question. According to this study, hybrid rainwater–graywater systems (HRGSs) are emerging as decentralized approaches that can reduce the stress on centralized water systems, increase water supply during dry season, and lower the risk of flooding during rainy seasons. Identifying and evaluating a comprehensive sustainability framework of HRGSs for ASARs remains underexplored. To address this gap, a systematic review of literature indexed in two databases, Scopus and Engineering Village, was performed. Forty studies met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised to delineate their scope, recurring patterns, and frameworks. Moreover, this study developed a comprehensive sustainability framework specific to the ASAR context, proposing key indicators for HRGS evaluation across environmental, economic, and social aspects with their indicators. Proposing a new sustainability framework provides a basis for guiding future research, technology design, and policy development aimed at implementing HRGS in ASAR contexts
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