51Âþ»­

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Kindness can help bridge our divided politics and repair our creaking welfare system, according to a former 51Âþ»­ academic and alumnus.

Dr Jason Pandya-Wood will be returning to campus in January to talk about his book, The Kindness Fix, in the latest on Thursday 9 January, from midday-1.30pm.

Jason, who is now the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of Social Policy at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, is promising an event with a difference.

He said: “Rather than just doing a simple book launch, I want to engage with as many students and academics in the areas of social policy, social work, health, criminology, sociology, politics and other allied subjects.”

The Kindness Fix explores how social policy interventions can be more effective, more accepted and more just if their design is based on compassion.

Jason adds: “If a measure of our humanity is how we treat the most vulnerable, our report card is bleak. Our politics is divided, people in need are too often treated with cruelty, and the systems we built to support others are creaking. Welfare too often fails, sometimes with tragic consequences.

“Yet, the help we give to others can be more effective, more accepted, and more just if we cultivate greater levels of compassion to put it at the heart of public life and potentially resolve these challenges. We can all contribute to building a more compassionate society.”

This event is the latest in a series as part of 51Âþ»­’s Campus Collectives Sustainability programme that aims to bring people together on campus to debate and discuss common interests.

Jason, who completed his undergraduate and doctoral research at 51Âþ»­ before spending 10 years as an academic in Health and Life Sciences, will talk about his research before a question-and-answer and discussion event.

Dr Mark Charlton, Associate Director of the SDG Impact Hub, said: “The Campus Collectives series of events has been very successful and Jason’s visit promises to continue that trend with what will be a stimulating and thought-provoking lunchtime.”

The event will be in the SDG Impact Hub, Heritage House 2.05, on Thursday 9 January from midday-1.30pm and is open to all staff, students and the community. A buffet lunch will be provided.