Episodes

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

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/

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2.1 Black History Month: People, Politics and Promoting Equality with Dr Skyler Hawkins

In this episode we talk to Dr Skyler Hawkins, Lecturer in Politics of Race and Ethnicity at Newcastle University about the importance of Black History Month.

Learn about ethnic minority representation in politics and academia, decolonising the curriculum and how we can all become better allies in the fight for racial equality.

To find out more about Skyler’s work visit https://www.skylerehawkins.com/ and follow her on twitter @skylerehawkins.

Register for tickets to attend Black Britain and Beyond, a four day symposium celebrating black culture, which we are delighted to be hosting at Newcastle University in November 2021.

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1.6 The age-old problem of discrimination

In this episode we talk to Tom Scharf, Professor of Social Gerontology at Newcastle University about the social aspects of ageing and the new Centre for Ageing and Inequalities at Newcastle University, of which Tom is co-director.

Tom is President of the British Society of Gerontology and is passionate about the issue of ageism. His work looks at social inclusion and exclusion in later life, with a focus on the spaces and places in which inclusion and exclusion arise.

Learn about the widespread misrepresentation of older people in the media, why we need a more aspirational view of ageing and later life, and the importance of solidarity between different generations.

To find out more, visit Newcastle University’s Centre for Ageing and Inequalities, follow Tom on twitter @TomScharfNcl and watch his INSIGHTS Virtual Lecture.

You can access the Centre for Ageing Better Image Library here.

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1.5 Covid-19 Myths, Misconceptions and Rumours

In this episode we talk to Dr Tina Sikka, Lecturer in Media, Culture and Heritage at Newcastle University about the myths, misconceptions and rumours that have arisen during the pandemic.

Over the past year and a half, we have seen damaging rumours circulating the internet including attributing responsibility for the spreading of Covid-19 to racial groups, and certain body types. Is it just in our human nature to find someone to blame for when things go wrong?

We explore some of our more unusual reactions during the pandemic, learn how misinformation is spread and discuss the importance of language and clear communication.

To find out more follow Tina on twitter @tsikka.

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1.4 Archaeology: Learning from the Past

In this episode we talk to Dr Chloë Duckworth, lecturer in Archaeological Materials Science at Newcastle University, about the relevance of archaeology in today’s society.

Chloë is passionate about communicating the value of archaeology to the public. She recently featured in Channel 4’s series ‘Great British Dig’ and runs her own YouTube channel ‘Archaeoduck’.

Learn why archaeology is so important to our identity and how modern technology is helping our understanding of the past.

To find out more visit Newcastle University’s Centre for Heritage, Chloë’s Archaeoduck YouTube Channel and follow Chloë on twitter @ArchaeoDuck.