Citizen Writes
Research hot topics
From politics and societal issues, to climate change and health, our researchers give insight into hot topics, provide opinion pieces and thought-provoking articles. Take 5 and have a read.
How the University is helping to support local entrepreneurs
3 March 2026
The 2026 Leicestershire Innovation Festival takes place over 9-13 March and once again the University of Leicester is a key...
How the UK is keeping flood insurance affordable – until 2039
2 March 2026
Dr Dalu Zhang writes on the impact of Flood Re, a national public–private reinsurance scheme that prevents many properties from...
Trump claims his pollution rollback will save Americans money – but climate change is raising household costs
2 March 2026
US President Donald Trump recently abandoned a key government ruling on greenhouse gases, but the impact will still be seen...
Is social media addictive? How it keeps you clicking and the harms it can cause
2 March 2026
Research by Dr Quynh Hoang and colleagues on digital consumption behaviour challenges the idea that excessive social media use is...
Nancy Guthrie kidnapping: can Bitcoin ransom demand be used to track down the criminals?
2 March 2026
Dr Abdul Jabbar examines whether the perpetrators of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping could ultimately profit without being identified, even though...
Welcome to the ‘Homogenocene’: how humans are making the world’s wildlife dangerously samey
6 February 2026
Distinctive plants and animals are going extinct, to be replaced by species that thrive alongside humans, according to Professor Mark...
Americans have fought back against authoritarianism at home before
29 January 2026
Reflections on the efforts to overcome the authoritarianism of the House Un-American Activities Committee.
The next generation of driverless cars will have to think about what’s on the road, not just see it
29 January 2026
Analysis of future driverless cars by Dr Daniel Hao (Computing and Mathematical Sciences) draws on his research into robotic reasoning...
Digital detox: how to switch off without paying the price – new research
28 January 2026
Dr Quynh Hoang from the School of Business examines the psychological and economic costs of disconnecting from digital technology, and...
The UK’s offshore wind auction broke records, but its clean power target remains unrealistic
28 January 2026
The UK should see more wind farms, but this won’t accelerate the transition to net zero according to postgraduate student...
Venezuelans are reacting to Maduro’s capture with anger, fear, hope and joy
28 January 2026
Analysis of Venezuelan public reactions to the capture of Nicolás Maduro by Dr Matt Wilde and Harry Rodgers School of...
Will new rules for drivers in England prevent deaths on the road?
28 January 2026
Legal analysis by Professor Sally Kyd of Leicester Law School examines whether new driver laws in England will reduce road...
The Institute for Policy’s First Year in Review: Shaping Change through World Leading Research
18 December 2025
Dr Jack Willoughby and Professor Neil A. Chakraborti reflect on the journey to the Institute for Policy and its impact.
COP30: A Polarised Summit That Exposed the Fault Lines of Global Climate Politics
27 November 2025
Professor Heiko Balzter discusses polarised climates, and the stark realisation that the world is running out of time.
Tempestuous times see a push for action at COP30
19 November 2025
Dr Timothy Neff discusses how rising temperatures drive urgency at COP30.
The hidden impact on vulnerable pregnant women
13 November 2025
Professor Ray-Bennett explores the increase of climate-related disasters and the impact on reproductive healthcare.