Best UCL Grand Challenges Podcasts (2025)

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Intersectionality at UCL: Lived Experience and Institutional Change 27:45

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9d ago27:45

27:45

In this episode, host Ethne James Souch is joined by Professor Sara Mole, Noël Caliste, and Dr Sinead Murphy to explore how UCL is fostering inclusion and equity through intersectional initiatives focused on protected characteristics, mental health, and institutional change. This conversation highlights the work of Grand Challenges-funded projects …

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Grand Challenges - Justic & Equality Ep 2 Social Media FINALMIXDOWN (2) 33:17

27d ago33:17

33:17

Grand Challenges - Justic & Equality Ep 2 Social Media FINALMIXDOWN (2) by UCLBy UCL

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Slow Down and Listen: Hermeneutics for Social Entrepreneurs 41:27

18d ago41:27

41:27

In this episode, Onya speaks with Mara Stoll (UCL MSc Prosperity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and theologian Dr. David Dark about how hermeneutics, the art of interpretation, can transform social entrepreneurship. Together, they unpack why understanding our own assumptions and a community’s lived reality is key to avoiding well-intentioned misst…

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Shared Screens, Split Realities: Rethinking Online Safety Together 33:18

27d ago33:18

33:18

In the first episode of our Inequalities mini-series, host Ethne James Souch is joined by Prof Jessica Ringrose, Dr Marc Tibber, and Sophie Wilson to delve into the complex intersection of social media, mental health, and regulation. The conversation spans topics from online safety and digital literacy to phone bans in schools and the lived experie…

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Literature in the Age of the Self 1:08:10

27d ago1:08:10

1:08:10

This bonus episode consists in a recording of an authorial roundtable held at University College London on the 16th June 2025. Entitled ‘Literature in the Age of the Self’, it brought together three highly acclaimed contemporary writers whose work evinces a marked preoccupation with the experience and the representation of the self. In this convers…

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Youth Voices on Mental Health: Insights from UCL's YouGov Survey 14:56

1M ago14:56

14:56

In the fourth episode of our Mental Health & Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter is joined by UCL's Pro-Vice Provosts for Mental Health & Wellbeing, Professors Essi Viding and Argyris Stringaris to discuss the findings of a significant new survey conducted in partnership with YouGov. This survey, which gathered responses from 1,545 young adults…

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The Bartlett Review. Cities in Flux - Rethinking Temporary Urbanism and Adaptability 38:22

1M ago38:22

38:22

Cities in Flux - Rethinking Temporary Urbanism and AdaptabilityCan mega-cities use adaptability and temporary urbanism to ignite innovation, support communities, and become more resilient?While adaptability sparks fresh and innovative approaches to urban design and planning, can city planners adopt tools like - temporary urbanism and meanwhile use …

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The Bartlett Review. Roadkill, unveiling the true cost of our toxic relationship with cars 39:56

1M ago39:56

39:56

In this episode of The Bartlett Review, Professor Dame Henrietta Moore, Founder and Director of the Institute for Global Prosperity, and Arthur Kay, Advisor to Innovo Group and founder of several technology and urban design companies, discuss their new book, Roadkill: Unveiling the True Cost of Our Toxic Relationship with Cars. They explore the soc…

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Season 5 - Ageing Playfully: Transforming perspectives on growing older 42:57

1M ago42:57

42:57

Episode title: Ageing Playfully: Transforming perspectives on growing olderIn this episode of Public Health Disrupted, host Rochelle Burgess is flying solo, and dives into the transformative power of play in the context of ageing. Joined by Rachel Colles, a professional performer and ‘Elderflower’ with Hearts and Minds, and Dr Carrie Ryan, a lectur…

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MOSUL LIBRARY; REBUILDING KNOWLEDGE - A conversation with Dr Mohammad Jassim 24:09

2M ago24:09

24:09

Dr Mehiyar Kathem speaks with Dr Mohammed Jassim on rebuilding Mosul University’s Central Library after ISIS.Date of episode recording: 2025-08-01Duration: 24:08Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Mehiyar KathemGuests: Dr Mohammed JassimProducer: Mehiyar KathemTranscript link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts/transcript-conversation-d…

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Active Minds: Exploring the Links Between Student Lifestyles and Mental Health 25:00

3M ago25:00

25:00

In the third episode of our Mental Health & Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter speaks with Dr Flaminia Ronca, Evie Watson, and Katie Sykes about the Active Minds Project at UCL, an innovative pilot exploring how students’ physical activity and lifestyle habits impact their mental wellbeing and cognitive function. Through wearable technology an…

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Active Minds: Exploring the Links Between Student Lifestyles and Mental Health 24:59

3M ago24:59

24:59

In the third episode of our Mental Health & Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter speaks with Dr Flaminia Ronca, Evie Watson, and Katie Sykes about the Active Minds Project at UCL, an innovative pilot exploring how students’ physical activity and lifestyle habits impact their mental wellbeing and cognitive function. Through wearable technology an…

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Building Better Minds: Neuroarchitecture and the Future of Inclusive Design 32:19

3M ago32:19

32:19

In the second episode of our Mental Health and Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter sits down with Professor Hugo Spiers, Dr Fiona Zisch, and Isabelle Charval, the trailblazing team behind the world’s first international centre for neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. Together, they delve into how neuroscience and the built environment are converg…

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Local Solutions, National Crisis: New Insights on Men’s Mental Health from the North East 40:49

3M ago40:49

40:49

In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Week, host Jade Hunter is joined by Professor John Tomaney, Dr. Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros, and James Fildes, founder of Space North East. Together, they explore a growing public health crisis: rising rates of male suicide in the UK, particularly in post-industrial regions like the North East…

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Menopause and Me: Juggling Work and Home Life Dr Meena Khatwa 40:50

3M ago40:50

40:50

Dr Meena Khatwa and Dr Kelly Dickson delve into the bio-psychosocial impacts of menopause with special guests Lauren Chiren (CEO, Women of a Certain Stage); Sonia Abrams (UCL Head of Events OPVA) and Josephine Falade (Associate Professor, UCL School of Pharmacy). Together, they explore menopause awareness, acceptance, and the transition process. Th…

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Data-Empowered Societies 17:26

3M ago17:26

17:26

Join us in this special episode as we explore UCL's evolved Grand Challenge: Data-Empowered Societies. In this podcast, you’ll hear from UCL staff about the transformative potential of this Grand Challenge, ethical data practices, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. This episode features UCL colleagues, including: • Prof. Allison…

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People and Cities 34:56

3M ago34:56

34:56

In this episode, Professor Nick Tyler (Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering, UCL Engineering) shares his vision of how cities are built, evolve, and how this process might include more creativity and humanity. Using perspectives from academia and the arts, Professor Tyler paints a picture of cities that puts people at the centr…

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Celebrating old age 29:36

3M ago29:36

29:36

In this episode, Dr Mine Orlu (UCL School of Pharmacy) shares her positive perspective on ageing, and explains the need for a cultural change in ageing research and policy. She also shares some learning from actively involving participants in her own research and the outputs they have co-created. You can find out more and access the transcript here…

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Climate, Disasters and Health 30:57

3M ago30:57

30:57

In this episode, we speak to Dr Marina Romanello and Professor Ilan Kelman, about climate change as a health disaster. We discuss how to better measure the impact of climate change on health, and crucially, how to protect the most vulnerable from its negative effects. Our guests also propose alternative framings to achieve the best health and prosp…

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Behaviour and Plastic Waste 29:26

3M ago29:26

29:26

In Episode 4, we speak to Ayşe Lisa Allison, a PhD Student working with the Plastic Waste Innovation Hub. We explore some of the barriers to environmentally friendly action, and examine the links between behavioural science and design, focusing on biodegradable and compostable packaging and labelling. We also discuss the issue of disposable healthc…

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Parliament Buildings 34:08

3M ago34:08

34:08

In this episode, we speak to Professor Sophia Psarra (The Bartlett School of Architecture) to discuss how the architecture of parliament buildings across Europe influences the nature of political debates and contributes to shaping national identities. More info: www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/c…d-democracy-europe Music: Dancing on the Sidewalk by D…

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AI and the Future of Work 29:57

3M ago29:57

29:57

In this series, guests from across UCL and beyond share their innovative solutions and ideas for addressing societal challenges, discussing topics from a cross-disciplinary perspective and inspiring and encouraging us to think differently about issues of local, national, and global concern. In this week’s episode, Professor Rose Luckin (UCL Institu…

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Place and Democracy 37:31

3M ago37:31

37:31

In this series, guests from across UCL and beyond share their innovative solutions and ideas for addressing societal challenges, discussing topics from a cross-disciplinary perspective and inspiring and encouraging us to think differently about issues of local, national and global concern. -- In Episode 1, we speak to two academics from the Faculty…

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Building Better Minds: Neuroarchitecture and the Future of Inclusive Design 32:18

3M ago32:18

32:18

In the second episode of our Mental Health and Wellbeing mini-series, host Jade Hunter sits down with Professor Hugo Spiers, Dr Fiona Zisch, and Isabelle Charval, the trailblazing team behind the world’s first international centre for neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. Together, they delve into how neuroscience and the built environment are converg…

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Season 5 - Beyond the neglectful state: unpacking public health and personal freedom 43:51

3M ago43:51

43:51

Beyond the neglectful state: unpacking the intersection of public health and personal freedom In this episode of Public Health Disrupted, hosts Xand van Tulleken and Professor Rochelle Burgess tackle the concept of the "nanny state". Alongside guests Adam Briggs and Professor James Wilson, they delve into the delicate balance between government int…

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The Bartlett Review Podcast - Tomorrow’s Cities: AI in Urban Planning 36:45

3M ago36:45

36:45

AI’s influence on planning and cities is no longer theoretical—it is already transforming how urban environments are designed, managed, and experienced. While it holds great promise, can the sector address political, ethical, and practical challenges to ensure these technologies deliver on their potential for better, fairer cities? Prof. Mike Raco …

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The Bartlett Review - Recognising Slavery’s History in City Regeneration 34:52

4M ago34:52

34:52

How can the history of enslavement be recognised in the way we shape and regenerate cities today? In this special episode marking 20 years of the Bartlett’s Sustainable Heritage MSc, we explore how cities can confront the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, the role of community-led projects, and how heritage can drive more inclusive and meani…

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THE WORK AND HERITAGE OF THE JEWS OF KOYA - A Conversation with Dr Bzhar Ahmed 38:12

4M ago38:12

38:12

Dr. Bzhar Othman Ahmed, history lecturer at the University of Soran, Kurdistan, Iraq, discusses his research on the Jewish community in Koya, Iraq from 1918 to 1951.Transcription link:https://www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts/transcript-conversation-bzhar-othman-ahmedDate of episode recording: 2025-02-01T00:00:00ZDuration: 38:13Language of episo…

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Rewilding the University - Prof Cathy Elliott's inaugural lecture 37:34

4M ago37:34

37:34

This week we ask: could the University be a wild place? A resilient ecosystem of biodiversity, interdependent relationships, entanglements and emergence? What would it look like if we let go of command, control and management, and allowed the University to grow and thrive in ways that can't be predicted in advance but might exceed our wildest dream…

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Constitutional Reform in the UK 43:02

4M ago43:02

43:02

What are the prospects for constitutional reform in the UK? What options are on the government’s agenda? What might actually happen? And will any such changes be adequate for resolving underlying problems?Politics in the UK has been in turmoil in recent years—Brexit, Covid, movements for independence in Scotland and Northern Ireland, rule-breaking …

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Is Morality the Cause of Ideological Disagreement? 38:10

4M ago38:10

38:10

This week we ask what drives ideological disagreement in politics? How far do people on left and right disagree with each other because they have fundamentally different moral intuitions or for other reasons? Polarisation is a defining feature of contemporary politics, raising concerns among many observers. People on the left and right—liberals and…

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Disability Representation in Politics 39:28

4M ago39:28

39:28

This week we’re looking at the representation of disabled people in politics. Why are there so few disabled politicians? What impact does that have? And what can be done to level the playing field? While one in five people in the UK is disabled, the proportion of disabled individuals among elected representatives is significantly lower. Despite bro…

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AI and Public Services 42:48

4M ago42:48

42:48

This week we’re looking at AI and public services. How far could AI tools help to tackle stagnant public sector productivity? What dangers are associated with AI adoption? And how can these dangers be addressed? Artificial intelligence is increasingly being touted as a game-changer across various sectors, including public services. But while AI pre…

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Imagining Turkey with Gündüz Vassaf 35:58

4M ago35:58

35:58

In this episode, we welcome acclaimed writer, psychologist, and intellectual Gündüz Vassaf, whose work spans 17 published books blending literature, philosophy, and psychology. Author of the bestselling "Prisoners of Ourselves: Totalitarianism in Everyday Life" and his more recent novel "The Painter's Rebellion," Vassaf explores with us what it mea…

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5. The Aesthetic Self: James Lewis 43:49

4M ago43:49

43:49

In this episode, we discuss the fifth and final section of Cusk’s Outline alongside a draft book chapter by James Lewis entitled The Peculiar Allure of Another’s Aesthetic Worldview. Lewis argues that appreciating someone’s aesthetic tastes is a central part of achieving intimacy with them. We discuss Cusk’s narrator’s prose style as a reflection o…

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4. The Ethics of Attention: Iris Murdoch 43:00

5M ago43:00

43:00

In this episode, we discuss Chapter 6 of Cusk’s Outline alongside an essay by Murdoch called The Idea of Perfection. In this essay, Murdoch argues that the way we pay attention to the world is ethically significant. We talk about how Cusk’s narrator attends to the world, and what this leads the reader to infer about her character and sense of self.…

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Imagining Turkey Through Romeyka: A conversation with Professor Ioanna Sitaridou 40:09

5M ago40:09

40:09

In this episode, we are hosting Professor Ioanna Sitaridou, Professor of Spanish and Historical Linguistics at the University of Cambridge and co director of the Cambridge Centre for Greek Studies. Professor Sitaridou is widely known for her pioneering work in the study and preservation of languages, including her ongoing with the Romeyka Project,…

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Season 5, Episode 7 - From sidelines to solutions: Tackling emissions in sport 49:41

5M ago49:41

49:41

As summer kicks-off, UCL Generation One dives into the intersection of sport and sustainability – exploring how sport contributes to climate change, and how the climate crisis is already affecting how and where we play. Mark and Simon are joined by Sofie Junge Pedersen, professional footballer and climate campaigner (Inter Milan, Denmark national t…

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The Bartlett Review - The AI Blueprint for the Construction Industry 34:32

5M ago34:32

34:32

From smart buildings to robotics, solving sustainability problems to solving skill shortages, can the construction industry effectively harness the power of AI? Prof Priti Parikh is joined by Dr Abdul-Majeed Mahamadu, Dr Andrew Mitchell and Dr Vijay Pawar as they look at the construction sector and how it already is adapting to the use of artificia…

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Season 5 - Listening to connect: how understanding beliefs can transform public health 42:35

5M ago42:35

42:35

In this episode of Public Health Disrupted, hosts Xand van Tulleken and Rochelle Burgess dive into how we form beliefs, and how they shape our understanding of critical public health issues. From vaccination hesitancy to climate change, the episode explores the psychological mechanisms that lead to entrenched views and the challenges of changing mi…

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3. The Ethics of Authenticity: Charles Taylor 37:18

5M ago37:18

37:18

In this episode, we discuss Chapter 5 of Cusk’s Outline alongside Chapters 3 to 5 of Taylor’s book, The Ethics of Authenticity. Taylor identifies a tension between the sense of identity which is derived from belonging to a community and contemporary culture’s emphasis on the importance of individual self-creation. We reflect on the ways in which Cu…

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2. From Sincerity to Authenticity: Bernard Williams 49:15

5M ago49:15

49:15

In this episode, we talk about Chapters 2 and 3 of Rachel Cusk’s Outline alongside a chapter from Williams’s book Truth and Truthfulness. The chapter considers the differences between sincerity and authenticity as contending ideals of truthfulness about the self. These two ideals, on Williams’s argument, entail different ways of thinking about the …

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1. The Conversational Self: Daniela Dover 36:48

5M ago36:48

36:48

In this episode, we consider the first chapter of Cusk’s Outline alongside a paper by Daniela Dover entitled ‘The Conversational Self’. The paper examines the role of conversations in getting to know people, what an understanding of this entails for how we think about the self, and how open we should be to the influence of others. We analyse the co…

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Local Solutions, National Crisis: New Insights on Men’s Mental Health from the North East 40:48

6M ago40:48

40:48

In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Week, host Jade Hunter is joined by Professor John Tomaney, Dr. Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros, and James Fildes, founder of Space North East. Together, they explore a growing public health crisis: rising rates of male suicide in the UK, particularly in post-industrial regions like the North East…

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Episode 09 - Sports, hobbies and interests 39:49

6M ago39:49

39:49

In Episode 09 of Campus Conversations the podcasters dive into the world of sports, hobbies, and personal interests, sharing their own experiences and opinions. They discuss the importance of sports in student life, how hobbies help manage stress, and the ways personal interests shape identity and social connections at university. The conversation …

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Trailer: The Self Today 15:44

6M ago15:44

15:44

Reference to the self is ubiquitous in contemporary culture. But what is the self? Is it discovered or created? What kinds of self does literature depict? And what do philosophers have to say about it? In this trailer episode we introduce the podcast’s key questions and the literary authors on whose works we will be focusing throughout the series. …

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Episode 08 - Student Advisers (UCL SSWS)- Let's ask the staff! 7:33

6M ago7:33

7:33

In Episode 08 of Campus Conversations, the hosts speak with student adviser, Adella Forder-Gore, from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services to explore the vital services available to students. The discussion covers how advisers assist with academic, emotional, and practical challenges, aiming to demystify support systems at UCL. Listeners gain…

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Season 5, Episode 6 - ‘Are we on course to decarbonise shipping?’: A podcast Talanoa at the IMO 55:40

6M ago55:40

55:40

It’s crunch time for the oceans and shipping sector, and tensions are high. Dr Simon Chin-Yee brings you this special episode of #UCLGenerationOne in the midst of critical negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Simon speaks to colleagues who have travelled across the oceans to the IMO - the UN agency responsible for regulati…

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Giving Birth & Birth Interventions 33:24

6M ago33:24

33:24

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this episode of It All Starts Here explores the topic of giving birth and birth interventions, with a focus on assisted vaginal birth and the use of forceps. Olivia speaks with Dr. Dawn Parris, an Obstetrics and Gynaecology doctor and a PhD researcher at UCL/UCLH , about the different methods of giving birth, how decisions ar…