Episodes

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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.

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1.3 Climate Change and the Future of Flooding

In this episodewe talk to Richard Dawson, Professor of Earth Systems Engineering and Director of Research and Innovation in the School of Engineering at Newcastle University about climate change and the future of flooding.

Over the past few years, we have experienced an increase in extreme weather events, from disappearing islands in the Pacific Ocean to severe flooding in the Lake District. Professor Dawson has been researching the environmental risk to infrastructure and cities for the past 20 years and is a member of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change, providing advice to the government on the adaptation of infrastructure to climate change.

Learn why rising greenhouse emissions lead to more frequent storms, the impact this can have on our lives and what we should be doing now to reduce the risk of extreme weather in the future.

To find out more about the risks posed by extreme weather and flooding visit the Global Challenges Academy website and follow Richard on twitter @profrichdawson.

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1.2 The Geordie Cancer Drug

In this episode we talk to Professor Ruth Plummer, Clinical Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at Newcastle University about the ‘Geordie’ cancer drug Rubraca®, a ground-breaking ovarian cancer drug, developed here in Newcastle.

Based at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Ruth has been working in the field for 25 years and has made significant contributions to extending and enhancing the lives of those with cancer, including being part of the Newcastle team which developed Rubraca®.

Learn about Ruth’s ground-breaking career and how she and her colleagues have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to continue this vital research.

To find out more about Rubraca® visit the From Newcastle Blog and follow Ruth on twitter @plummer_ruth.

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1.1 Giving Children A Voice

In this episode we talk to Liz Todd (@plizt), Professor of Educational Inclusion at Newcastle University and Luke Bramhall, Poverty Proofing and Participation Service Manager at Children North East (@ChildrenNE), about VOICES.

The VOICES project aims to understand the challenges that children and young people face in the context of Covid19, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas of the North East.

Hear why both Liz and Luke are so passionate about co-producing work with children, young people, and their families and why we need to give them a voice.

A staggering 35% of children in the North-East live in poverty, and it is clear from the project that one of the most powerful ways to support children and young people through these challenging times is to give them the opportunity to speak, and to stop and really listen.

If you’re interested in finding out more visit the VOICES project website and follow @voicesprojectNE.

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Introducing the From Newcastle Podcast

Welcome to From Newcastle, a new fortnightly podcast from Newcastle University.

In Series One ‘Research From Newcastle’ our host Izzy sits down with world-leading academics to uncover the stories behind their work and how their research is changing lives around the world.

From Newcastle Podcast launches on 10 May.

From Newcastle is a podcast from Newcastle University. If you’d like to find out more about our research before the next episode is released take a look at our From Newcastle blog.