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Ukraine Special Part 2: Perspectives from Russia’s Neighbours with Dr Maarja Luhiste and Dr Jemima Repo

From Newcastle Ukraine Special Series
On 24 February 2022, Russia began a military invasion of Ukraine, reported to be the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two. One month on, Newcastle University academics will provide expert comment and context to help understand the recent events in Ukraine. Over three episodes, we will learn about the history of the conflict, hear perspectives from neighbouring countries and explore Britain’s response to Ukraine.

In Part 2, Perspectives from Russia’s Neighbours, we talk to Dr Maarja Luhiste and Dr Jemima Repo.

Maarja is from Estonia and works as Senior Lecturer in Politics of Gender and Director of Research for the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University. Her main research fields include gender and political communication, comparative politics and elections, and survey research.

Jemima is from Finland and Senior Lecturer in Politics of Gender at Newcastle University. Her research focuses on feminist political theory and bio-politics.

In this episode, which was recorded on 28 March, we learn about reactions to the invasion from neighbouring countries, NATO and the challenges faced by Ukrainian Refugees.

Find our more about Maarja and Jemima’s research.

Alongside our friends and partners across the City, Newcastle University stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Find out more about our response to the war.

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Ukraine Special Part 1: Russia and Ukraine: A brief history with Dr Rob Dale

From Newcastle Ukraine Special Series
On 24 February 2022, Russia began a military invasion of Ukraine, reported to be the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two. One month on, Newcastle University academics will provide expert comment and context to help understand the recent events in Ukraine. Over the next three episodes, we will learn about the history of the conflict, hear perspectives from neighbouring countries and explore Britain’s response to Ukraine.

In this episode (recorded on 16 March) we talk to Dr Rob Dale about the history behind the war in Ukraine.

Rob is Lecturer in Russian History at Newcastle University, with a particular emphasis on twentieth-century Russian and Soviet history.

In this episode we will explore the underlying causes of the war and learn more about the two leaders, Zelensky and Putin.

Find our more about Rob’s research and follow him on twitter @DrRobDale.

Alongside our friends and partners across the City, Newcastle University stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Find out more about our response to the war.

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3.4 Opera North: Staging the Voice with Professor Jenny Richards and Dominic Gray

In this episode, we talk to Professor Jenny Richards, Joseph Cowen Professor of English Literature and Director of Newcastle University Humanities Research Institute (NUHRI) and Dominic Gray, Projects Director at Opera North about “Staging the Voice: Voicing the Stage”.

Opera North is a national opera company based in Leeds, and is a leading UK arts organisation. In this episode, we will learn about their award-winning work, bring opera and music to the North and beyond, enjoy excerpts from some of their latest productions and find out how Newcastle University and Opera North are working together to share knowledge and explore ideas in understanding the voice.

You can follow Professor Jenny Richards on twitter @JenniferRichar7 and find out more about the Newcastle University Humanities Research Institute at https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nuhri/

Follow Opera North on twitter @Opera_North and find out about upcoming productions at https://www.operanorth.co.uk/

Opera North’s production of Alcina is available to watch for free for the next year on OperaVision:
https://operavision.eu/en/library/performances/operas/alcina-opera-north

Staging the Voice, Voicing the Stage will continue as an Opera North podcast with three more episodes over the coming months.

With thanks to:

Amy J Payne
Act II Quintet from Bizet’s Carmen, ‘Nous avons en tête une affaire’ 
Amy J Payne as Carmen with members of the Chorus of Opera North
Recorded for Opera North’s 2021-22 Season Preview
https://stevephillipsmanagement.co.uk/amy-j-payne-mezzo-soprano/


Patrick Terry
Handel’s ‘Verdi prati’ from Alcina
Patrick Terry as Ruggiero with the Orchestra of Opera North conducted by Laurence Cummings

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3.3 Newcastle and Pittsburgh: A global place based partnership with Jane Robinson and Ariel C. Armony

In this episode we talk to Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Engagement and Place at Newcastle University and Ariel C. Armony, Vice Provost for Global Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.

Learn about the importance of global partnerships and how the two institutions are sharing ideas and working together to shape a sustainable, just and inclusive future.

Find out more about the partnership and the next Newcastle Pittsburgh Collaborative Conference.

Jane Robinson is Newcastle University’s first Pro-Vice Chancellor, Engagement and Place and is building on many of the lessons she learned in her previous role as Chief Executive of Gateshead Council and Chief Operating Officer at Durham University. These include how culture plays a role in defining a ‘place’ and how partnerships can tackle social and economic challenges. Before taking up her position at Durham, Jane was chief executive of Gateshead Council. She holds an MBA and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English Literature.

Ariel C. Armony leads the University of Pittsburgh’s global engagement as the Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Director of the University Center for International Studies, home to the University’s top-ranked thematic and area studies centers. He also holds faculty appointments in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and Department of Political Science in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Ariel works to advance the University’s global plan “Embracing the World,” which places global learning, research, partnerships, and community engagement at the center of the University’s mission. The plan takes a strategic approach to international partnerships, encourages concerted decision-making that leads to transformational action across all Pitt campuses, and guides Pitt toward real-world impact through global learning and research.

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3.2 Hadrian’s Wall 1900: Protection, preservation and partnerships with Dr Rob Collins and Mike Collins

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1axAyx6UAdbuEvPHhK6EDN?si=53d1cf8bbfc14e73

In this episode we talk to Dr Rob Collins, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at Newcastle University and Project Manager to the Hadrian’s Wall Community Archaeology Project and Mike Collins, Senior World Heritage Advisor at Historic England about the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian’s Wall.

Hadrian’s Wall was the north-west frontier of the Roman empire for nearly 300 years and crossed northern Britain from Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west.

In this episode, we will learn how partnerships are playing a key role in the future of Hadrian’s Wall, the importance of community engagement and how you can get involved in the ‘Hadrian’s Wall 1900’ festival, celebrating the 1900th anniversary of the beginning of the construction of the wall.

Find out more about the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 festival and the Hadrian’s Wall Community Archaeology Project (Wallcap).

Dr Rob Collins is a Senior Lecturer in Archaeology (Material Culture of the Northern Frontier) in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology, seconded as Project Manager to the Hadrian’s Wall Community Archaeology Project (WallCAP). Formerly a Research Associate leading on the Frontiers of the Roman Empire Digital Humanities Initiative (FREDHI), he has also worked as the Great North Museum Academic Liaison Officer, and as the Finds Liaison Officer, North East, for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, based in the late Museum of Antiquities and its successor, the Great North Museum. You can follow Dr Rob Collins on twitter @duxBritanniarum.

Mike Collins is an archaeologist and heritage manager at Historic England, the Government’s lead advisor on heritage issues.  For much of the last 20 years, Mike’s work has focussed on the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site in the North East and North West of England.  Much of this work was concerned with the protection of the Wall and its special qualities, but also in negotiating development proposals, management planning and repair schemes for sections of the Wall in both public and private ownership.  More recently Mike has combined work on Hadrian’s Wall with managing a team of specialists providing advice on development and strategic planning in relation to heritage.

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3.1 Inspiring young learners in STEM with Clare Fearon

In this episode we talk to Clare Fearon, Outreach Officer at Newcastle University about her passion for encouraging and inspiring young people to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Learn about why we need encourage more girls into STEM, Clare’s current outreach projects and the impact these activities are having in schools, colleges and beyond.

STEMFest is taking place in March 2022. If you would like to find out more or get in touch with Newcastle University’s Outreach Team visit https://stem.ncl.ac.uk/

Discover Clare’s range of Science Stories for Children and follow her on twitter @ClareSTEM.

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2.5 Revisited: The VOICES Project with Professor Liz Todd and Luke Bramhall

Back in May 2021, we spoke to Professor Liz Todd and Luke Bramhall about the VOICES project. In this special episode, we revisit the project and Liz and Luke share their findings about young people’s experiences of education and employment during the pandemic and what this means for their future opportunities.

VOICES is managed and delivered by Newcastle University and Children North East and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, as part of UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to Covid-19. The project has now worked with over 1,000 young people across the North East to understand the needs of children and young people aged 5–18 in and through the pandemic. A diverse range of young people took part including many who live in poverty.

To find our more and read the latest VOICES evidence publication visit the VOICES project website and follow @voicesprojectNE.

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2.4 Human Rights Day: Rights Beyond Borders with Professor Rhona Smith

In this special episode to mark Human Rights Day (10th December), we talk to Professor Rhona Smith, Professor of International Human Rights at Newcastle University.

Rhona was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2015 and served two three-year terms, completing her service in March 2021.

Learn about the significance of Human Rights Day, the role of special rapporteur and explore human rights issues in Cambodia and beyond.

To find out more about Rhona’s research visit her profile page. Read more about Human Rights Day at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day

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2.3 It’s Queer Up North with Dr Gareth Longstaff

In this episode we talk to Dr Gareth Longstaff, Deputy Head of Media, Culture, Heritage and Lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies at Newcastle University. Gareth is a queer activist and chairs the staff LGBTQ+ network. His research looks at the intersections of queer history, culture and heritage.

Learn about the significance of queer culture outside of London, gender identity in education and Gareth’s plans for an LGBTQ+ Archive of the North East.

Find out more about Gareth’s research here. If you enjoyed this episode you may also be interested in the Queer Media, Culture, and Heritage Seminars and annual INSIGHTS LGBT+ History Month Lecture.

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2.2 COP26 Special: The future of energy with Professor Sara Walker and Dr Greg Mutch

In this COP26 special episode we talk to Professor Sara Walker, reader in Energy and director of the Centre for Energy and Dr Greg Mutch, Royal Academy Engineer and Research Fellow in the School of Engineering, about climate change, fuel poverty and the future of energy.

Learn about carbon capture, alternative sources of energy and the one thing we can all do to help tackle the climate crisis.

To find out more about Sara’s work at the Centre for Energy and National Centre for Energy Systems Integration and @ProfSaraWalker. You can follow Greg’s work on his YouTube Channel LiveInTheLab and @MutchDr.

Read Newcastle University’s Climate Action Plan and discover more COP26 events at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/cop26/