Series 6: From Newcastle. For the Future Archives

3 December 202330 November 2023

From fungi to furniture: the future of sustainable design with Dr Jane Scott

In this episode, we talk to Dr Jane Scott, Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow (NUAcT) in the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE).

Her current research explores the future of interior design, made with mycelium, a root-like structure of fungus.

Learn about the BioKnit Project, a venture which aims to investigate if fungus-filled textiles could become the new cutting-edge technique for making architectural structures and furniture.

Find out more about Jane’s research and follow her on twitter @responsiveknit. Discover more about the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment and follow them on twitter @Bio_Buildings.

Also mentioned in this episode:

BioKnit: http://bbe.ac.uk/bioknit/

Future Observatory Display, Design Museum London: http://bbe.ac.uk/knitting-the-future-of-architecture-using-fungal-mycelium-an-arch-made-from-fungal-mycelium-grown-within-3d-knitted-fabric-formwork-is-on-display-at-the-design-museum-london/

Magical Mushroom Company: https://magicalmushroom.com/

Farrell Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne: https://www.farrellcentre.org.uk/

19 November 202327 November 2023

The future of coral reefs with Dr James Guest and Liam Lachs

In this episode, we talk to Dr James Guest, ERC Research Fellow and Liam Lachs, Ph.D. candidate in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University.

Learn about their research into coral reef reliance and how they are working to protect ocean biodiversity for the future.

Find out more about James‘ and follow him on twitter @jr_guest . Find out about Liam’s research and follow him on twitter @LiamLachs. Discover more about the Coralassist Lab at Newcastle University and follow them on twitter at @Coralassist_Lab.

Also mentioned in this episode:
Palau International Coral Reef Center: https://picrc.org/
British Sub-Aqua Club: https://www.bsac.com/home/

Further information can be found at:
Coralassist Lab: https://www.coralassistlab.org/research
The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/remote-pacific-coral-reef-shows-at-least-some-ability-to-cope-with-ocean-warming-new-study-211852

5 November 20233 November 2023

What does the future of transport look like? with Professor Phil Blythe

In this episode, we talk to Professor Phil Blythe CBE, Professor of Intelligent Transport Systems at Newcastle University, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and former Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Transport.

Learn about intelligent transport systems, COVID-19’s impact on transport, the shift from fossil fuel-powered to electric-powered cars and the future of driverless vehicles, which may include flying cars.

Find out more about Phil’s research and follow Engineering at Newcastle University on twitter @EngineeringNCL. Also mentioned in this episode, Newcastle Urban Observatory.

22 October 20231 September 2023

AI-Powered Learning: Using AI as an educational tool with Dr Ahmed Kharrufa and Dr Tiago Sousa Garcia

In this episode, we talk to Dr Ahmed Kharrufa, senior lecturer in human-computer interaction in Open Lab and Dr Tiago Sousa Garcia, from the research software engineer team at Newcastle University.

Learn about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, how AI can be used as a tool in education and how we can address concerns around safety and privacy for children and young people using AI.

You can find out more about Ahmed’s research and follow him on twitter @ankharrufa. Learn about fascinating topics with the Kinnu app.

You can find out more about Tiago’s research and on his website follow him on twitter @tiagosousagarci. Kickstart your children’s creative writing experiments with the Creativity Engine.

Other useful links:

Seven Stories: https://www.sevenstories.org.uk/
Newcastle University Humanities Research Institute: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nuhri/

Find #FromNewcastle podcast at https://podcasts.ncl.ac.uk/fromnewcastle/ and on twitter @FromNCLPodcast

8 October 20236 October 2023

Black History Month: Listen to this story! with Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

In this special episode to mark Black History Month, we talk to Karen Sands-O’Connor, British Academy Global Professor at Newcastle University.

Learn about ‘Listen to this story!’, a groundbreaking exhibition about children’s books and Black Britain.

You can find out more about Karen’s research and follow her on twitter @ksandsoconnor . If you are interested in hosting the exhibition at your local library you can contact Karen at Karen.Sands-O’Connor@newcastle.ac.uk.