The scandal of how people with severe ME have been neglected and stigmatised by the medical establishment has finally been laid bare.
The inquest of Maeve Boothby O’Neill, who died of the disease, aged 27, heard how there is little or no training about how to deal with it in the NHS and that the amount of research into the disease was “woefully inadequate”.
Maeve’s father, Sean O'Neill, who had to fight the NHS for answers regarding his daughter, said: “Maeve didn’t just fall through the cracks; she fell into a huge hole in the health and social care system. There is no specialist care for severe ME. None of the professionals had any education or training and few had any knowledge at all.”
In our latest Insights long read, the co-lead of the world’s largest ever genetic study into ME explains how victims have been routinely ignored and blamed and calls for radical change.
Today we also find out what scientists found when they examined thousands of people’s toothbrushes and shower heads (it’s “absolutely wild”, they said). We discover how Black record shops shaped the sound of the UK. And do try to find
time to listen to part three of Know Your Place: what happened to class in British politics, the brilliant podcast series from The Conversation Documentaries.
Academic subscribers can still enter The Conversation prize for writers in partnership with Curtis Brown and Faber. We’re looking for the best longform article and nonfiction book idea aimed at a general audience. The prize is £1,000, online publication of your article on our website, and mentorship for developing a nonfiction book from a literary agent and book publishing editor. Find out more on how to enter.
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Paul Keaveny
Investigations Editor, Insights
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Lea Aring/German Association for ME/CFS
Chris Ponting, University of Edinburgh
The co-lead of the world’s largest ever genetic study into ME calls for a radical change in how society deals with the disease.
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William Dondyk / Alamy Stock Photo
Primrose Freestone, University of Leicester
Every time you shower, you are coating yourself with the showerhead bacteria and the viruses that prey on them.
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Patrons shopping at Bluebird Records.
David Corio/2Funky Arts
Amit Dinesh Patel, University of Greenwich
In an era when mainstream radio and major record labels often ignored Black music, these stores provided a crucial alternative.
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World
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Geoff Beattie, Edge Hill University
Politicians sometimes lie because it confuses others and gives them pleasure.
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Becky Alexis-Martin, University of Bradford
Russia has a history of using its huge population to build a massive army that is able to overwhelm most enemies through sheer weight of numbers.
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Bulent Gökay, Keele University
Turkey is juggling alliances within Nato and potentially with Russia and China.
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Politics + Society
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Kaigan Carrie, University of Westminster
A parliamentary committee surveyed 5,113 prison officers and found that 50% do not feel safe in the prison they work in.
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Lars Cornelissen, Independent Social Research Foundation
The second world war forced eugenicists to retreat to the fringes of science - but still found ways to publish in journals.
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Arts + Culture
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Savannah Dodd, Queen's University Belfast
Debate is growing about ethics as concerns are raised about photographic practices across all kinds of industries, especially in light of the rise of AI-generated imagery.
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John William Devine, Swansea University
At its best, a national team’s style reflects a national footballing philosophy. But honouring our sporting identity may conflict with our desire to win.
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Business + Economy
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Gayle McPherson, University of the West of Scotland
Other nations should be able to benefit from the positive impacts that hosting games can bring.
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Education
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Laura D'Olimpio, University of Birmingham
The subject of philosophy is specifically designed to promote critical thinking skills and teach people how to have difficult conversations about controversial issues.
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Environment
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Callum Roberts, University of Exeter
Since 2022, the network of global ocean-protected areas has grown by only 0.5% to 8.3%.
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Myles Allen, University of Oxford
CCS needs scrutiny – but it also needs to work.
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Science + Technology
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Dusana Dorjee, University of York
It’s not uncommon to feel anxiety, distress and unease about the future.
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Podcasts
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Laura Hood, The Conversation
More people in modern Britain identify as working class than middle class.
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11 October - 13 December 2024
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Colchester, Essex
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