Research Archives – Dr Mike Ryder

Category Archives: Research

Why are universities so bad at marketing?

10th October 2026 Mike Ryder

It’s Welcome Week at my university. Also known as ‘Freshers’ Week’ in some parts of the world, this is the week in which we welcome new students onto campus, to register for their course and take part in events that introduce them to university life.

As I arrive on campus ready to start a day of teaching, I expect to find walls plastered with posters for student societies and events for our new students. After all, this is Welcome Week – the most exciting and vibrant time of the year.

But instead of posters for our students, instead I find campus overflowing with advertisements for… a postgraduate open day.

What science fiction tells us about the future of war

12th August 2026 Mike Ryder

Science fiction has a lot to say about war. From the advanced fighting suits of Starship Troopers and The Forever War, through to the remote warfare of Ender’s Game and the bioform soldiers of Dogs of War, science fiction authors have long written about warfare and the question of where war might go next.

Indeed, some governments are even using science fiction to help them prepare for the future and guard against potential threats.

What can we learn from sci-fi movies about futures research?

6th August 2025 Mike Ryder

By Dr Nicole Bulawa and Dr Mike Ryder

While science fiction is known for its warnings about the future, it can teach us other lessons too. Indeed, there is a whole field of study known as ‘futures research’ where scientists try and make sense of our world and make plans for what the future might bring.

This goes far beyond merely trying to predict the future. Rather, it is a way to help us come up with ideas to help us deal with potential challenges and build a better society.

Here’s how just a few of our favourite sci-fi films help us do this…

Putting a price on research

1st April 2025 Mike Ryder

Research is far more expensive than many people may think. The reason for this is the huge overheads universities charge to cover the cost of their buildings and pay the wages of the many managers and admin staff that they employ.

A sector in crisis: a systematic analysis of care home websites in Lancashire, UK

2nd July 2024 Mike Ryder

Back in 2022 I conducted some research into the digital marketing practices of care homes in Lancashire, UK. Such is the slow pace of academic publishing, I have decided to publish what I found here on my website (July 2024), in the hope that authorities might use this report as a motivator for change. While some of the examples I found in 2022 have been updated, I notice that many still have not changed some two years later. This is incredibly worrying, especially given the legal ramifications, and impact on patient choice.