Today, I’m starting a ‘rent a person who does nothing‘ service . . . Except for very simple conversation, I’m afraid I can do nothing. Shoji Morimoto was constantly being told that he was a ‘do-nothing’ because he lacked initiative. Dispirited and unemployed, it occurred to him that if he was so good at doing nothing, perhaps he could turn it into a business. And with one tweet, he began his business of renting himself out . . . to do nothing. Morimoto, aka Rental Person, provides a fascinating service to the lonely and socially anxious. Sitting with a client undergoing surgery, accompanying a newly-divorced client to her favourite restaurant, visiting the site of a client’s suicide attempt are just a few of his thousands of true-life adventures. He is dependable, non-judgmental and committed to remaining a stranger and the curious encounters he shares are revelatory about both Japanese society and human psychology. In Rental Person Who Does Nothing, Morimoto chronicles his extraordinary experiences in his unique line of work and reflects on how we consider relationships, jobs and family in our search for meaningful connection and purpose in life.

This beautiful, fully illustrated book presents a compendium of artworks throughout history which have been inspired by myth, fantasy and the unreal. Artists have explored imaginary worlds and fantastical creatures for centuries, expressing the unreal and impossible, the mystical and mythical, via the medium of paint. But what draws them to the imaginary, the uncharted and the unknown? Is it merely an escape from reality? Or are they seeking a greater understanding of the human experience, or perhaps the very meaning of life itself? With myriad styles and methods of expression, what links artists through the ages? And how have these visual flights of fancy and imagination changed over the course of time? The Art of Fantasy is a visual sourcebook of all that is fantastical – from fine art to illustration, and from surrealists and symbolists to the creatives working in undefined territories. While the artists in our history books (Blake, Goya, Dali, Magritte, Ernst) first brought fantasy art to the galleries, it was the twentieth century artists who brought it to the masses. It is in this book that, for the first time, they are united and equally weighted, presenting a mesmerising and thoughtful curation of the best fantasy artwork out there. This is an inspiring collection for fans of myth, magic, fantasy and art history.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Highlighting the diversity and complexity of the global Basic Income debate, Malcolm Torry assesses the history, current state and future of research in this important field. Cognisant of the increasing extent and intensity of the current Basic Income debate, Torry begins by defining relevant key terms. Each chapter offers a concise history of a particular subfield of Basic Income research, describes the current state of research in that area, and makes proposals for the research required if the increasingly widespread global debate on Basic Income is to be constructive. Subsequent chapters tackle research on financial and political feasibility; employment market effects; other economic and social effects; ethical justifications for paying everyone an unconditional income; and questions of implementation. This state-of-the-art Research Agenda will be of great value to students and scholars interested in social and economic history, the economics of social policy, and a Universal Basic Income. Its proposed strategies for carrying out future research on Basic Income will also benefit journalists, think tank staff and policymakers.

'A dazzling history of the future – Hamish McRae has given us a tour de force' - Tim Harford _______________ A bold and illuminating vision of the future, from one of Europe’s foremost speakers on global trends in economics, business and society What will the world look like in 2050? How will complex forces of change – demography, the environment, finance, technology and ideas about governance – affect our global society? And how, with so many unknowns, should we think about the future? One of Europe’s foremost voices on global trends in economics, business and society, Hamish McRae takes us on an exhilarating journey through the next thirty years. Drawing on decades of research, and combining economic judgement with historical perspective, Hamish weighs up the opportunities and dangers we face, analysing the economic tectonic plates of the past and present in order to help us chart a map of the future. A bold and vital vision of our planet, The World in 2050 is an essential projection for anyone worried about what the future holds. For if we understand how our world is changing, we will be in a better position to secure our future in the decades to come.

This is the updated and substantially expanded second edition of Christopher Ballantine's classic Marabi Nights, which offers a fascinating view of the triumphs and tragedies of South Africa's marabi-jazz tradition. Based on conversations with legendary figures in the world of music - as well as a perceptive reading of music, the socio-political history, and social meanings - this book is one of sensitive and impassioned curatorship. New chapters extend the book's in-depth account of the birth and development of South African urban-black popular music. They include a powerful story about gender relations and music in the context of forced migrant labor in the 1950s, a critical study of the legendary Manhattan Brothers that uniquely positions their music and words in relation to the apartheid system, and an account of the musical, political, and commercial strategies of the local record industry. A new afterword looks critically at the place of jazz and popular music in South Africa since the end of apartheid, and argues for the continued relevance of the robust, questioning spirit of the marabi tradition. The book includes an illustrative CD of historic sound recordings that the author has unearthed and saved from oblivion.

This innovative Handbook provides a comprehensive treatment of the complex relationship between inequality and the environment and illustrates the myriad ways in which they intersect. Featuring over 30 contributions from leading experts in the field, it explores the ways in which inequality impacts three of the most pressing contemporary environmental issues: climate change, natural resource extraction, and food insecurity. Laying the conceptual foundations for its analysis of key inequality–environment intersections, the Handbook covers theoretical traditions employed in the environmental inequality literature and examines different approaches to the concept of rights and how these influence scholarship on environmental justice. Chapters further investigate the multifaceted relationships between the natural environment and common forms of social inequalities, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, social class, the economy, and the state. Bringing together cutting-edge research on diverse inequality–environment intersections, this comprehensive Handbook will be relevant to both students and researchers in the social sciences and environmental sociology, politics, and geography. Its empirical insights will also prove valuable to public and social policymakers with access to mechanisms that can shape environmental protection policies.

A leading economic historian presents a new history of financial crises, showing how some led to greater globalization while others kept nations apart   The eminent economic historian Harold James presents a new perspective on financial crises, dividing them into “good� crises, which ultimately expand markets and globalization, and “bad� crises, which result in a smaller, less prosperous world. Examining seven turning points in financial history—from the depression of the 1840s through the Great Depression of the 1930s to the Covid-19 crisis—James shows how crashes prompted by a lack of supply, like the oil shortages of the 1970s, lead to greater globalization as markets expand and producers innovate to increase supply. By contrast, crises triggered by a lack of demand—such as the Global Financial Crisis of 2007–2008—result in less globalization as markets contract, austerity measures are imposed, and skepticism of government grows.   By considering not only the times but also the observers who shaped our understanding of each crisis—from Karl Marx to John Maynard Keynes to Larry Summers—James shows how the uneven course of globalization has led to new economic thinking, and how understanding this history can help us better prepare for the future.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. With contributions from an international range of active researchers, this Research Agenda provides a timely literature review on core topics related to consumer financial behavior. Chapters cover financial management behavior, desirable financial behavior and any financial behavior that helps improve financial wellbeing. The Research Agenda is split into two parts, first covering determinants of financial behavior and then outcomes. Top scholars in the field explore a broad range of determinants, including financial literacy, education, socialization, access, technology, retirement policies, trading and investment, and neuroscience. The book moves on to explore financial capability, wellbeing, fragility and vulnerability, offering a comprehensive examination of the topic. Economics and financial behavior researchers and students will benefit from the thorough and incisive literature reviews in this Research Agenda. It will also be a valuable resource for business practitioners looking for an up-to-date insight on research in the field.

Reflecting on three decades of post-conflict recovery in the Balkans, this incisive book investigates the long-term effects of war displacement on women across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Kosovo. Selma Porobic and Brad K. Blitz draw upon four different research streams produced by a large, cross-national, and multidisciplinary team of contributors to compare the experiences of different categories of war-uprooted and/or women forced migrants. Providing a gender-inclusive focus on psychosocial wellbeing, chapters consider the long-term impacts of complex trauma on internally displaced persons, returnees, and refugees throughout the whole cycle of displacement, return, and reintegration. Uncovering alarming risk and protective factors linked to protracted political and socioeconomic instability in the region, the book ultimately offers lessons for a wider post-war recovery framework that prioritises women’s agency, psychosocial health, and trans-generational recovery. Featuring interdisciplinary, cross-country, and multi-methods research, this insightful book will prove an invaluable resource to students and scholars of sociology, migration, gender, and human rights law. Its critical assessment of durable solutions for displaced populations will also benefit practitioners focused on peace building, humanitarianism, and development.

This incisive Handbook offers a timely and critical analysis of the gendered nature of public sector employment. Bringing together key theoretical, conceptual, and empirical research from around the world, Hazel Conley and Paula Koskinen Sandberg examine the ways in which female public sector workers experience intersectional discrimination in the workplace. Covering key sites of employment for women across the globe, the Handbook considers a comprehensive range of gendered public sector occupations. Chapters investigate how women's employment in public services is influenced by complex political and economic tensions, exploring core issues such as the relationship between gender, ethnicity, occupational segregation and work-life balance, flexible working, and workplace bullying; gendered pay and pension inequality; the sources of feminist activism in public sector employment; and the impact of the pandemic on feminised public sector occupations. Ultimately, the Handbook highlights that while change is possible, it will require a radical rethinking of how public services are valued and funded in society. Providing cutting-edge analysis and empirical data on gender and public sector employment, this Handbook will be an essential resource for academics and researchers interested in the role of the State as Employer. Its thought-provoking yet accessible insights into gendered employment will further benefit students of social policy, gender politics, employment relations, and the sociology of work.

This timely book offers a detailed, multidisciplinary view on the radical changes in higher education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chapters carefully investigate how the pandemic led to massive disruption in the sector, examining the contentious politics involved, and managerial and policy changes that stemmed from this unprecedented crisis. Dually focused on recent events and imminent futures, this insightful book addresses questions raised about the nature of post-pandemic learning, for instance interrogating digital changes and their permanency. Institutional changes are observed on three different levels: micro, meso and macro. Ultimately this book successfully recounts past events and hypothesizes potential future developments within the sector. Building the Post-Pandemic University will be crucial for students engaging in critical university studies, education policy, digital sociology and higher education studies. It will also be of interest for university policy makers seeking to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the higher education system.

This Handbook brings together experts from around the world to reflect critically on the relationship between tourism and rural community development. It first orients the reader in the important conceptual and epistemological foundations of the topic, before moving to consider key concepts and the most significant and salient theoretical and methodological developments in the field. Chapters written by a range of well-established, leading and emerging scholars in the field consider crucial issues facing tourism development in rural communities across different geographical settings. The Handbook represents a variety of traditional and emerging forms of scholarly writing, including theoretically driven chapters, empirical case studies and first-person narratives, to offer a detailed study of the topic. With a forward-looking angle, it studies tourism development in rural areas, including working with rural communities, tourism governance and ethical considerations. Chapters also consider new directions in the field, examining food and tourism, degrowth, landscapes, animals, social impacts and women social entrepreneurs. This comprehensive and innovative Handbook offers a wealth of empirical and theoretical knowledge on tourism and rural community development, and as such will be a critical resource for tourism, development studies and human geography scholars and students.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Over the past decade, digital geographies has emerged as a dynamic area of scholarly enquiry, critically examining how the digital has reshaped the geography of our world. Bringing together authors working at the cutting-edge of the field, and grounding abstract ideas in case studies, this Research Agenda looks at the ways in which technology has altered all aspects of society, culture and the environment. Chapters explore four key themes: the role of technology infrastructures; the ways that winners and losers are created at the digital margins; the power of the digital to create new spaces; and the ways that the digital is changing research methods. Critically outlining the state of play around these topics, each chapter unpacks a case study related to pioneering research, suggesting possible avenues for research that digital geographers might pursue. The Research Agenda concludes with an identification of three priority areas for future work: the intimate nature of our relations with technology; approaches to resisting the power of technology companies; and finally, the need for more interdisciplinary approaches to examining digital geographies. Rooted in the subject areas of technology, geography, sociology and political science, A Research Agenda for Digital Geographies will be greatly valuable to human and socio-cultural geographers, and digital social scientists with an interest in how the digital affects society and space.

Understanding Society and Knowledge proposes that knowledge, rather than nature, violence, or power, provides the basis of and driving force behind human action in modern society. It demonstrates how the legal containment of knowledge enables the transformation of the knowledge society into knowledge capitalism. Providing an overview of the history of knowledge societies, Nico Stehr analyses the concept of knowledge as well as the nature of post-industrial societies. Chapters examine the genealogy of social scientific theories of modern society; the role of knowledge as a capacity to act or as an intersubjective resource; and recent changes in the structure of the material economy. The book concludes by discussing the political challenges of the knowledge society, highlighting the ways in which discoveries in modern knowledge and subsequent political responses continue to generate controversies. This illuminating book will be an essential resource for students and scholars of economics, political science, sociology and sociological theory, as well as science and technology studies.

This book explores the interface between HIV, AIDS and religion and makes a significant contribution to a growing body of scholarship that recognises the importance of religious engagement with the reality of HIV and AIDS. In many communities, the spiritual narrative is far more compelling than its bio-medical equivalent, making interdisciplinary collaboration crucial. The project that gave birth to this book brought together scholars from the fields of religion and theology and activists from local communities. Its content captures the collaborative character of the book and each chapter is accompanied by a practitioner response. Existing scholarly literature was analysed and interrogated in the context of local community knowledge. The task was to understand what work has been done; and to discern what remains to be done. The book has a strong African focus with local forms of Christianity and Islam featuring prominently.

'At times roaring and visceral, in turn gentle and embracing, always driven by hope and determination' RAYNOR WINN 'Haunting and powerful' KATE MOSSE To grow up in rural poverty is to fight for life before you can walk. Natasha Carthew was born into a world that sat alongside picture-postcard Cornwall, one where second homes took the sea view of council properties, summer months shifted the course of people's lives, and wealth converged with poverty on sandy beaches. In the rockpools and hedgerows of the natural world, Natasha found solace in the beauty of the landscape, and in the mobile library she found her means of escape. In Undercurrent she returns to the cliff paths of her childhood, determined to make sense of an upbringing shaped by political neglect and a life defined by the beauty of nature. This is a journey through place, and a vivid story of hope, beauty and fierce resilience. 'Marvellous, moving and mesmerising' ANITA SETHI 'A story of queer resistance, of community and of finding your own voice' DAMIAN BARR

‘The book that everyone’s talking about … The hype is real’ INDEPENDENT ‘The perfect summer read … Impossible to put down’ PAULA HAWKINS ‘Topical, heartfelt, provocative’ BERNARDINE EVARISTO ‘A page-turner that you can’t second guess’ THE TIMES ‘A must-read … fans of Yellowface will love The List’ RED MAGAZINE VERIFIED COUPLE. UNVERIFIED RUMOURS. Ola Olajide, a high-profile journalist at Womxxxn magazine, is marrying the love of her life in one month's time. Young, beautiful, successful – she and her fiancé Michael are the ‘couple goals’ of their social networks and seem to have it all. That is, until one morning when they both wake up to the same message: ‘Oh my god, have you seen The List?’ It began as a crowdsourced collection of names and somehow morphed into an anonymous account posting allegations on social media. Ola would usually be the first to support such a list – she’d retweet it, call for the men to be fired, write article after article. Except this time, Michael’s name is on it. The List is the debut novel that everyone is talking about, from Yomi Adegoke, co-author of Slay in Your Lane. *SOON TO BE A MAJOR TV SERIES* ‘One of the most anticipated books of the summer’ Guardian ‘Explosive … Every book club should read this’ Symeon Brown ‘Brilliant … as taut as a thriller’ Irish Times ‘Fun and thought-provoking in equal measure … A book that's just right for our times’ Harpers Bazaar ‘Addictive … will set off a million debates’ Annie Lord ‘Phenomenal’ Abi Daré ‘Laser sharp’ Harriet Tyce ‘A gamechanger’ Deborah Frances-White READERS ARE OBSESSED WITH THE LIST: ‘WOW! I could not put this down. I would give it six stars if I could!’ ‘Gripping, with twists and turns that keep you hooked until the very end’ ‘SO GOOD. Perfect for book clubs, especially those who liked Such a Fun Age’ ‘A first class novel … Compelling and provocative’ ‘This book will be talked about and find itself on every end of the year list!’ ‘Funny, witty, relevant and real’

‘The voice of reason for a generation of… mums and dads’ – The Guardian Wildly popular parenting expert Dr Becky Kennedy shares her groundbreaking approach to raising kids in a way that feels good. Over the past several years, Dr Becky Kennedy—known to her followers as ‘Dr Becky’—has been sparking a parenting revolution. Millions of parents, tired of following advice that either doesn’t work or simply doesn’t feel good, have embraced Dr Becky’s empowering and effective approach, a model that prioritises connecting with our kids over correcting them. From reward charts to time-outs, many popular parenting approaches are based on shaping behaviour, not raising humans. These techniques don’t build the skills kids need for life or account for their complex emotional needs. Add to that parents’ complicated relationships with their own upbringings and it’s easy to see why so many of them feel lost, burned out, and worried they’re failing their kids. In Good Inside, Dr Becky shares her parenting philosophy, complete with actionable strategies, that will help parents move from uncertainty and self-blame to confidence and sturdy leadership. Offering perspective-shifting parenting principles and troubleshooting for specific scenarios—including sibling rivalry, separation anxiety, tantrums, and more—Good Inside is a comprehensive resource for a generation of parents looking for a new way to raise their kids while still setting them up for a lifetime of self-regulation, confidence, and resilience.

Focusing on the social impact of migration, this book explores migration as an inevitable part of rural development and transition in light of the sharp political divides in European and national political arenas on the topic. It provides an innovative immigration impact assessment based on recently conducted empirical work to enhance local development in European rural and remote regions, looking to promote change in the perception of migration and related policies and practices. The book concentrates on third country nationals (TCNs), considering the spaces in which TCNs settle down as both the input and output of a process of collective production of places. Chapters analyse how the particular traits of rural and remote contexts interact with TCNs’ integration paths and impact, looking at how demographic trends, socio-economic dynamics and migration patterns to a specific region affect the opportunities, policy responses, societal attitudes and perceptions towards TCNs. With empirically grounded recommendations and advice on strategies and solutions to improve the local governance of migration, this book will be a useful tool for European policymakers. It will also be an informative and interesting read for regional studies, governance and human geography scholars focusing on migration.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Adopting a multi-level perspective, this innovative Research Agenda offers a comprehensive and critical overview of research on all aspects of contemporary leadership education. Bringing together enlightening contributions from experienced scholars of leadership education along with a team of early career critical scholars, the book examines essential dimensions of leadership education processes and outcomes and interrogates the knowledge bases that shape these dimensions. It explores higher educational contexts, different types of leadership learners, key program design elements and pedagogies, and classic and critical research methodologies. Each chapter adopts a critical analysis approach to scrutinize existing research and identify key challenges, gaps, and tensions in the field of leadership learning and development. Providing a rationale for centering the future of leadership education in social justice, the book ultimately challenges the reader to prioritize innovation, inclusion, and equity in their research and practice going forward. This state-of-the-art Research Agenda will prove an essential resource for leadership educators and practitioners interested in advancing equity and social justice outcomes in their program delivery. Its overview of the cutting edge of research will also be foundational in introductory graduate leadership education programs.P>

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Offering a new theoretical framework for understanding gentrification and displacement, this timely Research Agenda focuses on resistance as the central research area in this subject field. Arguing that the future of gentrification research should focus on accomplishing the end of gentrification, chapters provide practical organizing and policy strategies using international case studies which are rooted in community-based research. Encouraging researchers to find inspiration in new methods, sites and questions for exploring resistance, this Research Agenda seeks to empower communities and cities to reclaim urban life and city space for people by examining key issues such as housing insecurity and lived reality versus policy and practice. Graduate students and researchers of geography, urban planning and urban sociology will find the use of case studies informative and thought-provoking. The suggested practical strategies will also be beneficial for urban planners and policymakers to fight displacement and slow gentrification.

If you have ADHD, your brain doesn't work in the same way as a "normal" or neurotypical brain does because it's wired differently. You and others may see this difference in circuitry as somehow wrong or incomplete. It isn't. It does present you with significant challenges like time management, organization skills, forgetfulness, trouble completing tasks, mood swings, and relationship problems. In Your Brain's Not Broken, Dr. Tamara Rosier explains how ADHD affects every aspect of your life. You'll finally understand why you think, feel, and act the way you do. Dr. Rosier applies her years of coaching others to offer you the critical practical tools that can dramatically improve your life and relationships. Anyone with ADHD--as well as anyone who lives with or loves someone with ADHD--will find here a compassionate, encouraging guide to living well and with hope.

This cutting-edge book unpacks the relationship between culture and consumer behavior to present the state-of-the-art in cross-cultural consumer research. Examining how culture shapes what consumers seek, evaluate and choose to purchase, Cross-Cultural Consumer Behavior explains why and how cultural values such as individualism, indulgence, or uncertainty avoidance influence consumers’ buying behavior. With a balanced approach, the book explores not only how cultural differences between countries shape our decisions but also outlines the basic concepts of cross-cultural consumer research, the measurement of cultural values proposed in the Hofstede, Schwartz and GLOBE models, and the psychological foundations of culture-specific consumer behavior. Based on these conceptual foundations, the authors explain how cultural values shape consumers’ buying processes, from information searches through post-purchase behavior. This book will be valuable to researchers and students of international business, global marketing, and consumer behavior. Cross-Cultural Consumer Behavior will also be relevant for marketing practitioners and international marketing agencies.

Will two tribes in Ethiopia make peace by throwing their most precious possessions in the river? Can a poor Palestinian shepherd show a rich sultan the value of true kindness? Or will an angel in Afghanistan find a way to turn the selfish Emir into a caring ruler? Buried treasure and an act of forgiveness reunite a father and daughter in Sudan while a camel is the key to choosing a kind and fair ruler for the kingdom of Yemen. Hear the Syrian story of the woodcutter and the lion to discover the meaning of friendship, and then follow nine courageous Uighur princesses of Kashgar, as they bring peace to their kingdom – without any fighting. The importance of peace and kindness in our lives shines through these timeless, inspirational stories from seven countries, beautifully told and illustrated with empathy and humour.

This comprehensive Research Handbook provides insights into entrepreneurship across a range of country contexts, migration corridors and national policies to provide a collection of conceptual, empirical and policy-focused findings addressing transnational diaspora entrepreneurship. Chapters illustrate the phenomenon, considering what it is, how it works and how it is regulated. Contributions from top scholars in the field underline the view that transnational diaspora entrepreneurship is a socio-cultural as well as an economic phenomenon of increasing worldwide relevance in shifting economic, technological and political landscapes. Conceptual and methodological developments are presented from multiple perspectives, embedding unique country- and- context-based empirical research. Split into four key thematic sections, this Research Handbook first provides readers with an overview of the topic, before delving into country-specific case studies, migration corridors and their impacts, and then finally exploring the policy implications. Entrepreneurship scholars and students—particularly those with a focus on global entrepreneurship, diasporas, migration and international entrepreneurship—will find this a timely and important read. It will also be of value to administrators of entrepreneurial and migration programs, business developers, investment and startup agencies, diaspora organisations, NGOs and think-tanks.