81 research outputs found
Blog: Britishness, Identity and Belonging in post-Brexit Education
No full textBritishness, Identity and Belonging in Education seeks to address the ways in which changing discourses of Britishness and British Values both impact upon young people in their education and are expressed by them growing up in multicultural Britain, a nation battling the consequences of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Shaw considers the intersectional relationship between identity, citizenship and belonging, as well as the ways that politicisation of culture and faith affect young people’s sense of Britishness and belonging, particularly through policies such as the Prevent duty. It will be of interest to students and scholars in the fields of race and education, social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion.<br/
An existential state of ‘being’: Gender crisis, conflict, and struggles
No full textMuch of the debate within the philosophy of gender puts forward the premise that the biological differences between males and females are straightforward, whereas the social and cultural aspects of being a man or woman are much more complicated. (see Butler, 1990; El Saadawi in Shaw, 2017; Greer, 1971; Irigaray, 1987/1993) Through a Sartrean philosophical lens, I will highlight questions into the nature of our being, regardless of sex, gender, race, religion and culture, which are at the very heart of every philosophy of gender debate. The article presents an existential theoretical perspective on the notion of conflict and struggle. It aims to show how existentialism, as a twenty-first century philosophy, and perhaps as a view of life, transcends our contemporary understanding of gender and identity. The article posits that at the very heart of every investigation into the ontology of our being is the question of the nature of our struggles, first and foremost, with our being, and secondly, with our surroundings. To present some of the key principles, I will use narrative to bring to life Jean Paul Sartre’s theoretical explorations underpinning his existential philosophy. In doing so, I will also highlight its relevance for exploring gender in embodied examples through one’s life cycle
An existential state of ‘being’: Gender crisis, conflict, and struggles
No full textMuch of the debate within the philosophy of gender puts forward the premise that the biological differences between males and females are straightforward, whereas the social and cultural aspects of being a man or woman are much more complicated. (see Butler, 1990; El Saadawi in Shaw, 2017; Greer, 1971; Irigaray, 1987/1993) Through a Sartrean philosophical lens, I will highlight questions into the nature of our being, regardless of sex, gender, race, religion and culture, which are at the very heart of every philosophy of gender debate. The article presents an existential theoretical perspective on the notion of conflict and struggle. It aims to show how existentialism, as a twenty-first century philosophy, and perhaps as a view of life, transcends our contemporary understanding of gender and identity. The article posits that at the very heart of every investigation into the ontology of our being is the question of the nature of our struggles, first and foremost, with our being, and secondly, with our surroundings. To present some of the key principles, I will use narrative to bring to life Jean Paul Sartre’s theoretical explorations underpinning his existential philosophy. In doing so, I will also highlight its relevance for exploring gender in embodied examples through one’s life cycle
Britishness, Identity and Belonging in Education:Social Justice in Troubling Times
No full textThis book seeks to address the ways in which changing discourses of Britishness and British Values both impact upon young people in their education and are expressed by them growing up in multicultural Britain, a nation battling the consequences of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. The author considers the intersectional relationship between identity, citizenship and belonging, as well as the ways that politicisation of culture and faith affect young people’s sense of Britishness and belonging, particularly through policies such as the Prevent duty. It will be of interest to students and scholars in the fields of race and education, social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion.</p
A study of Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Equilibrium doctrine and philosophical narratives
No full textTawfiq al-Hakim is known across the Arab world as a pioneer dramatist. He is one of many misunderstood writers and philosophers. My aim is to introduce him to the English-speaking public in order to shed some light on a specific period known to be one of the best in Egypt intellectually and culturally. Former President Nasser’s ideologies, and those of former President Sadat such as his “open-door” policy to the West, have contributed positively to the forming of an intellectual renaissance in Egypt. This rich period in Egyptian history is one that can directly shed light on the literary and philosophical contributions of al-Hakim, and on the social and cultural issues that should be revisited in order to gain an understanding of the problems that face Egyptians today. With this said, it is my hope that by reviving al-Hakim’s philosophical doctrines and by examining the major issues he addresses in his texts, I will be able to explain and clarify some misconceptions about this author, his philosophy and his work. I would also like to show ways in which his distinctive doctrine of equilibrium can be of use to us both in the East and the West. The objectives, accordingly, are twofold: (1) To introduce and critically examine al-Hakim’s equilibrium doctrine; and, (2) To identify the philosophical traits and Western influences that had an impact on his character and philosophy. The core problem that this work will indirectly address is the problem of how philosophy in the Arab world, according to Sari Nusseibeh’s article “The Arab World: What role for philosophy?” has been blatantly used as a tool in order to defend one version or another of the religious beliefs of those who pursued it. I ask what specific role a philosopher or intellectual can play in his or her society and how his philosophy can be put to use. This question is one that has been long forgotten in the Arab world. Freeing the Arab world from the colonizer, back in the 1930s, was clearly a goal for many intellectuals. Today, freeing the Arab mind by introducing a philosophy or an ideology that can be of use to the Muslim world as well as to the West would be a great task to accomplish
Contested Belonging: Britishness in Post-Brexit Education
No full textThis paper presents findings from a three-year research project exploring how British state policies, particularly the Prevent strategy and the promotion of Fundamental British Values (FBVs), impact young British Muslims' identity formation and sense of belonging. Conducted in educational and community settings in Northwest England, the study used a participatory methodology involving 61 youth co-researchers. Data from focus groups, interviews, and interfaith school events reveal that these policies, though intended to promote cohesion, often reinforce exclusionary narratives and surveillance of minority communities. Young participants shared experiences of racism, marginalisation, and hybrid identity negotiation within a post-Brexit climate marked by cultural anxiety. This research argues for a critical rethinking of national identity and civic education, advocating for inclusive approaches such as interfaith dialogue and youth civic engagement as counterbalances to securitised policy frameworks. The paper also addresses the replicability of its participatory research design. It proposes practical policy interventions grounded in empirical evidence and intervention into the ideological mechanisms that shape British civic life
Gender and sexual health post the Egyptian revolution
No full textThis article sheds light on Egypt as a country that is full of wonders and yet many contradictions. Women are expected to marry at a young age and yet all efforts to secure a suitable match are frowned upon. It is a mystery as to how women find suitable men to marry if all efforts are restricted by family, culture and religion. One may say that the revolution seemed to many a game-changer for Egyptian women who marched in the streets alongside men. Several female protesters were injured and many reported incidents of being groped and sexually assaulted in the attack. Nevertheless, the protest marked a day where women voiced their feelings towards a tyrant regime. It was the first large-scale protest in the history of Egypt since the 1970s. President Hosni Mubarak had ruled the country for 30 years. People took to the streets to protest poverty, negligence, unemployment, corruption and autocratic governance
Gender and sexual health post the Egyptian revolution
No full textThis article sheds light on Egypt as a country that is full of wonders and yet many contradictions. Women are expected to marry at a young age and yet all efforts to secure a suitable match are frowned upon. It is a mystery as to how women find suitable men to marry if all efforts are restricted by family, culture and religion. One may say that the revolution seemed to many a game-changer for Egyptian women who marched in the streets alongside men. Several female protesters were injured and many reported incidents of being groped and sexually assaulted in the attack. Nevertheless, the protest marked a day where women voiced their feelings towards a tyrant regime. It was the first large-scale protest in the history of Egypt since the 1970s. President Hosni Mubarak had ruled the country for 30 years. People took to the streets to protest poverty, negligence, unemployment, corruption and autocratic governance
Britishness, Identity and Belonging:Research output: Book/Report Project report
No full textA report providing an account of the key findings of an Edge Hill University Research Investment Fund project, Britishness, Identity and Belonging. The project investigates what young people think about British identity in the post 'Brexit' referendum period. Data was collected in 2018 through group interviews with young people, who shared their views on British identity, race, religion and education
Activism, Advocacy and Rebellion: Power Struggle in Africa’s third largest country
No full textNews about a conflict in Sudan and the need for emergency flights for hundreds of people leaves us bewildered about the cause of such conflict in the region. The dispute goes back to before the 2019 uprising in parts of the Arab world. At this time there was a power struggle between two factions of the military regime that destabilised the wider region and the Khartoum region of Sudan. Sudan’s transition to a democratic civilian-led government was not a smooth one and was met by opposition with many diplomats fearing an outbreak of violence. The tension began to build over the past years leading to rivalries within the country as the government failed to minimise the impact on political and economic relations. Sudanese civilians involved in the uprising in 2019 called for an oversight of the military and an integration of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular armed forces, something that continued to be problematic as the power struggle continued. In 2019’s uprising, civilians called for the dispersal of military holdings of agriculture, trade, and industries. The aim was to stop the widespread atrocities throughout the country.The current surge of chaos and violence driving mass evacuations continues to put political and economic pressures on the region. Meanwhile, the army and military de factor ruler Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan attempts to reach some form of solution and truce with the RSF leader, Hemedti. Attempts to escape cities and villages have come with great risk of being caught in the crossfire. “The British government is not planning to set up a bespoke scheme for the country like those used for Ukraine and Afghanistan and is only evacuating British citizens and embassy staff. Almost 4,000 Sudanese small-boat migrants have crossed the English Channel since 2020, and they are already the eighth-highest nationality using the route. Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said on Tuesday that the number would “likely” increase because of the crisis. He urged those fleeing the conflict to “seek sanctuary in the first safe country they reach” (Mitchell, A. 2023).“Since fighting erupted on 15 April, airstrikes and artillery have killed at least 512 people, wounded nearly 4,200, destroyed hospitals and limited food distribution in the vast nation where a third of the 46 million population was already reliant on humanitarian aid. The true death toll is thought to be much higher” (Burke, 2023). While it may not be possible for those fleeing the country to return to their homes again, it is certainly plausible that those leaving everything behind are eager to start a new life away from oppression under a tyrant regime, political unrest and corruption. News of prisoners being released during the corruption to support the opposition and contribute to this hunger for power are reported by Arabic channels such as Al Jazeera after a failed ceasefire: “The Sudanese people who had been protesting for four years now, demanding a democratic civilian government…. Now the same brave people are held hostage by the army and the militia and their vicious war” (Albaih, 2023) The multiple fears from this bloodshed can be summed up in; firstly, the alarming numbers of deaths, the constant threats and risky refugee escape plans, which are compounded by governments failing to offer safe and legal asylum routes. Secondly, in Sudan, those loyal to Burhan would reinstate many aspects of the past repressive regime but under a new leader. All this whilst inmates roam freely after their release from prisons charged with war crimes and are taking this opportunity to spread chaos, destruction, panic, and terror in the region
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