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Editor's note
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Monday morning traditionally marks the start of the working week. Of course, there are many who have been toiling away over the weekend in healthcare, hospitality, and security, whose jobs do not obey the rules of the calendar that others enjoy.
And then there are those who work in the “gig economy” whose employment appears to lack any rules or benefits whatsoever. This is the harsh existence examined in Ken Loach’s latest film, Sorry We Missed You.
It tells the story of a family struggling with the strains of poorly paid, insecure work – a daily grind of immense pressure, financial uncertainty and degrading conditions. And the renowned director’s take on the issue rings true, says Robert MacDonald.
His own research into the gig economy reveals that despite certain politicians’ claims that this type of work provides freedom, flexibility and “excitement”, we should all be aware that the reality is grim.
Staying with work, we also look at the history of commuting beneath the ground in London, while a philosopher explains the latest thinking in the science of consciousness.
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Luke Salkeld
Commissioning Editor
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Top stories
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Ricky, from Sorry We Missed You.
Joss Barratt/Sixteen Films
Robert MacDonald, University of Huddersfield
Flexibility is just a euphemism for exploitation.
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Fashion has changed a lot more than the tube since 1906.
Wikipedia
James Fowler, University of Essex
It's hotter and more crowded on the Underground but some things have got better for commuters.
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MRI scan of the brain.
MRIman
Philip Goff, Durham University
One day we will have a science of consciousness, but it won’t be science as we know it today
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Politics + Society
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Ian Hughes, University College Cork
Discussing the mental health of leaders such as Donald Trump is controversial. But it's vital to understanding how disordered leaders rise to power.
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Christopher Kirkland, York St John University
Voters want answers on Brexit – but they also want to talk about Brexit less. So keeping the discussion focused is vital.
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Forough Ramezankhah, Keele University
Expert in immigration and asylum spoke with migrants who’ve travelled to the UK on the back of a lorry.
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Environment + Energy
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Gabriel Recchia, University of Cambridge; Haydn Belfield, University of Cambridge
Governments fail to imagine how worst-case scenarios can come about – much less plan for them. But there are things we can do.
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Frances Eleanor Dunn, Utrecht University; Stephen Darby, University of Southampton
Sea levels are rising, while deltas are being starved of sediment by upstream dams.
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Health + Medicine
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Michaela James, Swansea University; Sinead Brophy, Swansea University
We found that 13- and 14-year-old teens from deprived areas already showed signs of developing heart disease – but also made some surprising discoveries about what factors can lead to a healthy heart.
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Enis Cezayirli, University of St Andrews
Rugby players, wrestlers, mixed martial artists are at risk of it. As are piano movers.
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Arts + Culture
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Nick Chater, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
Language can express some of the results of our thinking, but it's not the thinking itself.
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Featured events
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Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading, West Berkshire, RG1 5EX, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Reading
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Julian Study Centre Lecture Theatre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of East Anglia
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Oxford Martin School, 34 Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3BD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Oxford
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Julian Study Centre Lecture Theatre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of East Anglia
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