Important differences in the post-16 pathways of disabled young people compared to those of their non-disabled peers have been revealed in a new working paper from University of Warwick researchers. The working paper also documents the impact of different types of disabilities, and shows that disability inequalities in post-16 destinations and economic activity in early adulthood are also influenced by social class, ethnicity, and gender.

Researchers studying the Swiss energy market have found that making green energy the default option for consumers leads to an enduring shift to renewables and thus has the potential to cut CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes. The study, published today in Nature Human Behaviour investigated the effect of changes in the Swiss energy market that presented energy from renewable sources as the standard option for consumers - the "green default." Both business and private customers largely accepted the default option, even though it was slightly more expensive, and the switch to green sources proved a lasting one.

Are we making injustice worse by turning a blind eye to issues which make us uncomfortable? In her new book published today sociologist Dr Hannah Jones highlights the problems caused by the phenomenon she has dubbed “violent ignorance,” and suggests small steps everyone can take to work towards recognising and changing unfairness in society.

Warwick Professor of Sociology Dr Akwugo Emejulu has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading social scientists with the award of Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. Fellowships are awarded to academics who have not only made an outstanding contribution to research, but who have also applied their expertise to address current challenges in policy, education, society or the economy.

A three-year study at the Department of Sociology of the University of Warwick, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, will explore why disabled young people in England experience social and economic disadvantage into adulthood. The fact that adolescent disability is generally associated with poor educational, social and employment outcomes in adulthood has been well-documented but the reasons why this happens are not as well understood. The new study aims to close that gap.

Trade unions are crucial in advancing workers’ rights, but it is unhelpful to consider their leaders as representatives of the working class as a whole when analysing labour relations and government policies, a new paper from the University of Warwick Department of Sociology argues.