Differences by degree: Fatness, contagion and pre-emption

Impact Factor:1.137 | Ranking:21/36 in Social Sciences, Biomedical | 81/136 in Public, Environmental & Occupational Health | 5-Year Impact Factor:1.396Source:2012 Journal Citation Reports® (Thomson Reuters, 2013)
Tim Brown tim.brown{at}qmul.ac.uk

Queen Mary University of London, UKDrawing on evidence from the Framingham Heart Study, Christakis and Fowler in their 2007 article published in the New England Journal of Medicine make the claim that obesity spreads in social networks. Whether they are correct in this assertion is neither the concern nor focus of this article. Rather, what is of interest is the subsequent mobilisation of ‘contagion’ to describe this spread and to account for the emergence of an ‘obesity epidemic’ in contemporary society. Contrary to the argument that there is less stigma attached to obesity, the reporting of the Christakis and Fowler article suggests that being ‘fat’ remains a signifier of moral and physical decay; if we add to this the suggestion that obesity is spread within social networks, it is possible that the stigma associated with body size will begin to mirror that which is attached to other infectious bodies. In order to consider the potential implications of this, the article develops in three directions: it explores the application of contagion as a metaphor for understanding the spread of obesity; it sets this understanding within the context of scholarship on contagion and it draws on critical obesity studies literature to call for a more cautionary approach to be taken when deploying a term that when combined with pre-emptive public health discourse would add significantly to the pathologising of the corpulent, fat or obese body.

© 2013 SAGE Publications. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington DC

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Senator Mitchell honorary degree

Senator George Mitchell giving his lecture

Senator George Mitchell, former US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, received an honorary doctorate from King's at a reception yesterday in the Great Hall. Senator Mitchell, who played a crucial role in the Northern Ireland peace process, gave a public lecture on his experiences in the Middle East and negotiating conflict resolution in divided societies.

Principal Professor Sir Rick Trainor said: 'King's College London is delighted to have awarded an honorary degree to Senator George Mitchell, who has been a conciliatory and progressive force in arenas as different as the United States Senate, Northern Ireland and the Middle East. The degree is also highly appropriate because Senator Mitchell's concern with conflict resolution resonates with much academic activity at King's.'

Professor Rory Miller, Director, Middle East & Mediterranean Studies said: 'As conflict-resolution in the Middle East is a subject at the heart of what we teach and research in the  Middle East & Mediterranean Studies Programme (MEMS), the staff and students are thrilled to see Senator Mitchell being recognised by King's for his long-standing commitment to peace making in the region.'

During his lecture, Senator Mitchell commented on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the need to persevere with the peace process. 'In the Middle East, pessimism is now widespread, and there are many reasons to be sceptical about the prospects of success. The level of mistrust and hostility is so high that many regard it as unsolvable.

'But the pursuit of peace is so important that it demands a maximum effort. It is vital that each side understands that satisfying the other side's fundamental objective is the key to a successful agreement. Any pain now is much less than the pain they will endure if they don't reach an agreement.

'It's a daunting challenge to rebuild trust between leaders but also between peoples, but peace requires that they find a way. On both sides, leaders and peoples must persevere. It happened in Northern Ireland and I believe with all my heart and soul that it can and will happen in the Middle East.'

Senator Mitchell also remarked on how much it meant to him to be back in the UK. 'It's a special pleasure for me, as the UK and the US are linked in many ways - through history, language, culture, trade, and most of all, by democracy.'

Senator George Mitchell is recognised both for his contribution to US politics, culminating in his role as Majority Leader of the US Senate, and for his outstanding contributions in the service of peace in both Northern Ireland and the Middle East. His extensive experience in conflict resolution is viewed by experts as best practice example of third party intervention in divided societies.

As President Clinton's Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, Senator Mitchell chaired the negotiations in that led to the 1998 Belfast Agreement, which has seen power-sharing between the two communities firmly established. His patience and sincerity enabled him to win the trust and respect of all the parties engaged in the negotiations that led to this historic accord.

Senator Mitchell brought the same characteristics and qualities to his diplomatic missions in the Middle East, most recently as President Obama's Special Envoy for Middle East Peace from 2009 to 2011.

Dr Michael Kerr, Director of the Centre for the Study of Divided Societies said: 'The Middle East and Mediterranean Studies Programme and the Centre for the Study of Divided Societies are delighted that Senator George Mitchell is receiving an Honorary Doctorate from King's. This is a most fitting tribute to a diplomat who is globally recognised for his work in advancing the cause of peace in conflict zones and deeply divided societies, from Northern Ireland to the Middle East.

'Senator Mitchell played an instrumental role in bringing the Northern Ireland Troubles to an end. His endless patience and energetic diplomacy were key elements in the political process that led to the successful negotiation of the Belfast Agreement in 1998. So it is simply fantastic for our students that he is visiting us to receive this degree award.'

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation for studies relating to the Middle East. The Middle East & Mediterranean Studies Programme, one of King's Global Institutes and Centres, is a leading provider of research and teaching on a wide range of subjects relating to the politics, history, economics and international relations of the region.

A key research objective is to analyse conflict resolution and peace processes in divided societies from a comparative perspective, in the Middle East, in Europe and in the developing world. MEMS teaches and develops future leaders, diplomats, scholars, journalists and researchers on the principles of peace making and positive third party intervention in the Middle East and beyond.

Notes to editors:

More information about Middle East and Mediterranean Studies

More information about the Centre for the Study of Divided Societies

More information about King's Global Institutes and Centres

For more information about King's, see our 'King's in Brief' page.

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3 Tips for Expectant Parents Considering an Online Degree

Parents-to-be should investigate drop-out policies before enrolling in online courses, experts say.

Jacque Goleeke is going to have a very busy fall.

The 29-year-old Indiana native and mother of three is expecting another child in September. For the next nine months, she'll also be completing an online bachelor's degree.

"I am very nervous about it," says Goleeke, who hopes her online business degree will help advance her career. "Some courses are more challenging than others. Depending on what comes up next, it might not be something I can tackle."

To some expectant and recent parents, the idea of signing up for an online program seems like a wise move during a break from work. For others, such as Goleeke, balancing diaper duty with homework is a nerve-racking prospect.

Adults considering online course work while parenting should consider the following tips from experts and parents.

[Learn how to tell a good online course from a bad one.]

1. Test the water by signing up for a course or a certificate. One misconception is that online courses are easier than their counterparts at brick-and-mortar institutions. But that's not the case, experts say. Online courses often involve an extensive amount of reading and writing as well as time management skills.

Meeting course deadlines and the stress of caring for an infant or young child can be taxing. Before making a long-term commitment, experts suggest first trying one class.

"Take one course before enrolling in a program and see how it works," says David L. Stoloff, a professor at Eastern Connecticut State University who has been teaching online courses since 1998. "You might not like it; it might not work with your lifestyle."

[Discover time management tips for online students.]

Kimberly Hawkins, an office manager at a public health company, jumped in to her online master's in public health with both feet – at about the same time she decided to get pregnant.

She took a few months off after she had her newborn and found the transition back to school almost too much to handle at times.

Looking back, she's not sure she would do the program again.

"I can't wait for it to be done," she says. "I kind of wish I would have done it before I had kids because it's constantly in the back of my mind."

Students intent on taking more than one course but unsure if they have the time or preparation for an entire degree might consider a compromise between the two, says professor Dani Babb, an online education consultant who teaches anywhere from 12 to 30 online courses at a given time.

"If you only have about six months to go to school, consider getting a certificate instead of a degree," she says.

[Explore child-friendly college programs.]

2. Learn about the policies for dropping out of a course. Even students with the best intentions of finishing an online course may want to drop out of the class after they've had a baby. As a result, experts suggest students take their time to investigate how flexible their programs are when it comes to a leave of absence.

Babb says it's common for her pregnant students to ask for time off after they've given birth.

"A lot of my students will do it for like three months or so," she says.

More often than not, Babb and Stoloff say, professors will approve a leave of absence. The length of the leave depends on the institution, they say.

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