Here is the latest update of new and interesting sites for social scientists.

 

In the news this week. Tropical Cyclone Mangkhut

Here are some useful reference sources.

World Weather Information Service- World Meteorological Organization has forecasts and mappings

it also has a Tropical Cyclone forecaster website which has recent research and historic tracking data

 

NOAA administration - has a national hurricane center which maps, analyses and provides information on the hurricane season. There is a focus on the USA but it includes other areas. 

 

Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies
Space Science and Engineering Center / University of Wisconsin-Madison has a tropical cyclones research group with online warnings and maps. 

 

Digital Typhoon tracking maps from the Japanese government covers 1951 onwards and includes some animation.

 

Relief web has disaster alerts and maps relating to the humanitarian situation and Mangkhut

it main website has situation updates and infographics.

 

Philippine Government posted a series of severe weather warnings and situation reports. these include tropical cyclones.

Government of Hong Kong also has some severe weather warnings

 

 

Numbers starving worldwide rising

Shocking news from the latest Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report released by the FAO . It found those experiencing hunger had risen from increased around 804 million in 2016 to nearly 821 million in 2017. The report has graphs data and facts about child malnutrition, food security, hunger and obesity worldwide.

 

Jisc Launch new national learning analytics service.

The world’s first national student learning analytics service has been launched this week by jisc for the UK HE and FE sector. Its website has information on its aims in decreasing student drop out. It also includes a code of practice for ethical use of the data . Jisc have also developed for students a free app from iTunes called study goals which aims to help students plan their time and studies effectively.

 

Related to this Jisc has recently launched the 2018 Digital Student experience report.

Findings collected between October 2017 and April 2018 from 37,720 further and higher education students studying at

83 different organisations across the nations of the UK. It provides a unique picture of how students are using

technology in colleges and universities across the UK. Only 41 % agreed that their course prepared them for the digital workplace. The full report covers the digital lives of students and the way tools are used in class there are recommendations for future action.

 

Only 41% of

Mexican Intelligence Digital Archive.

Free access to this new full text resource. MIDAS, the Mexican Intelligence Digital Archives (los Archivos del Autoritarismo Mexicano), is supported by the Center for Research Libraries, Northwestern University, El Colegio de México . It offers free public access to a digital archive of historical documents from Mexican intelligence agencies. These include  materials from Dirección Federal de Seguridad (DFS) and the Dirección General de Investigaciones Políticas y Sociales (DGIPS) the period covered is approx. 1940-1985.

 

International Bomber Command Digital Archive launched

Major new site for online WWII history launched.by the University of Lincoln. Includes letters log books and oral history accounts from service personnel  as well as supporting military histories . It also includes a database of deaths of air force

 

 

Supporting students- try the Academic Phrase bank

For the Start of term a great time to revisit this free resource for students created by the University of Manchester. Offering practical guidance eon writing skills . It includes useful phrases for being critical introducing quotes giving examples . Other useful general writing skills sites include Harvard University writing center which has a guide for writing essays and a using sources guide. The latter has tips on writing / phrases for integrating sources . The Royal Literary Fund essay and dissertation guides are also useful starting points

 

Finally if you are looking at student reading lists

The LSE Digital Library has a digital collection of Fabian Society tracts which include lists of recommended reading.

See what social reformers should read (1891)

What to read on social and economic subjects from 1901

 

Best wishes

Heather Dawson

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