This podcast series from the Public Engagement Network (PEN) at Oxford Brookes University is a platform for academics, across all faculties, to informally share, discuss and contemplate their research with the wider community
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Most women recovering from hormone receptor-positive breast cancer are prescribed daily hormone therapy for five to ten years, but side effects, uncertainty and lack of support can make it difficult to stay on treatment. Hormone therapy significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer returning and thus finding ways to support women to continue with treatment is important. In this episode, Professor Eila Watson and Dr Lucy McGeagh discuss the SWEET programme, an innovative research project developing, trialling, evaluating and potentially implementing HT&Me: a personalised support package combi
When we think about modern warfare, we often picture drones, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology. But behind every mission is a person whose physical fitness, mental resilience and decision-making can mean the difference between success and failure. In this episode, Dr Peter Wright explores the science of human performance and explains why soldiers are better thought of as "tactical athletes", people who must combine strength, endurance, resilience and cognitive performance in some of the world's most demanding environments. From sleep and nutrition to wearable technology and t
What if the most important lessons about climate change and sustainability didn’t come from universities, but from the communities living closest to nature? In this episode, Dr Carolina Redolfi discusses an innovative collaboration between Oxford Brookes University, Goldsmiths, University of London and Unviersidade Federal de Rondonia in Brazil that is working with traditional and Indigenous communities in the Amazon. Rather than exporting education, the project focuses on listening, co-creating and empowering local people to share their own stories through digital communication. Discover why
Veterinary professionals dedicate their careers to caring for animals, but who supports them when the pressures of the job become overwhelming? In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we speak with Olivia Cormier, a veterinary surgeon turned psychology PhD researcher, about her work exploring alcohol use, mental health and stigma within the UK veterinary profession. Olivia discusses the realities of modern veterinary practice and draws on her recent studies to talk about the role alcohol can play in coping with stress, and why seeking help can feel so difficult in this population. The co
Corporate governance might sound technical, but it shapes everyday decisions — from the products we buy to the prices we pay. In this episode, Dr Samira Issa explores why stakeholder engagement is at the heart of better decision-making. Drawing on her PhD research at Oxford Brookes University, she shares how companies can move beyond “tick-box” governance to meaningful engagement, and how her practical stakeholder engagement handbook is helping turn complex principles into real-world action.
Menopause is a natural part of life - but for many women, it can bring physical, emotional, and social challenges that are still rarely talked about openly. In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we speak with Dr Anne Delextrat and Dr Adam Bibbey about their research exploring how exercise can support women through menopause - not just physically, but mentally and socially too. From Zumba Gold classes in local communities to innovative workplace-based exercise programmes, they share findings from studies that show improvements in strength, energy, mental wellbeing, motivation, and socia
In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Senior Lecturer in Marketing Dr Rebecca Beech takes us inside the world of circular fashion — and why the future of what we wear may depend on renting, repairing and rethinking our relationship with clothes. Drawing on her United Nations PRME research, cross-UK interviews, and comparative analysis of four rental fashion start-ups, Rebecca explores the motivations and barriers behind renting, the role of trust, and how stigma around sustainable choices still shapes everyday behaviour. We discuss the rise of flexible rental subscriptions, how technol
Construction is changing - and so is how we learn from it. In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, Morgan Sindall Construction and Oxford Brookes University discuss how their partnership is inspiring young people, empowering students, and embedding social value and sustainability into the heart of the construction industry. Featuring voices from Morgan Sindall’s team, Brookes students on placement, and those leading social value initiatives, this episode explores how industry and academia can collaborate to create real impact - building skills, confidence, and opportunities for everyone,
In this final episode of a three-part mini-series, Dr Louise Stayt, Professor Suzanne Bench, and Rebecca Langley discuss how the FACT intervention is being delivered and evaluated to support ICU survivors living with post-critical illness fatigue. The team explores the role of healthcare professionals, the importance of digital accessibility, and the value of both qualitative and quantitative feedback in shaping meaningful recovery. Looking ahead, they consider the potential impact of the study on future healthcare practice and how listeners can get involved in supporting this vital work.
How can research help ICU survivors manage the long-term effects of critical illness? In this second episode of a three-part mini-series, Dr Louise Stayt, Professor Suzanne Bench, and Rebecca Langley discuss the development of the Fatigue After Critical Illness Trial (FACT) study - a co-produced, web-based self-management intervention designed to support people living with post-ICU fatigue. The team reflects on the inspiration behind the project, the challenges in existing post-critical care support, and how genuine collaboration between researchers, patients, healthcare staff and families has
Fatigue is one of the most common - and least understood - challenges people face after surviving a critical illness. In this opening episode of a three-part mini-series, we speak with critical care researchers Dr Louise Stayt, Professor Suzanne Bench, and patient co-applicant Rebecca Langley about the hidden impact of fatigue on recovery and daily life. Rebecca shares her personal experience of rebuilding strength and confidence, while the team explores why awareness of post-ICU fatigue has become even more important in the wake of COVID-19.
In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we sit down with Professor Tina Miller to explore how the journey into motherhood has evolved across generations - and how some pressures never quite disappear. Drawing on her groundbreaking books Making Sense of Motherhood and Motherhood: Contemporary Transitions and Generational Change, Tina discusses what her research reveals about gender practices, family lives, and the enduring cultural expectations placed on mothers - and by association, fathers.
Join Professor Simonetta Manfredi and Joanna Foster CBE for a powerful new mini podcast series exploring the evolution of work-life balance and equality in the workplace through the lens of the Equal Opportunities Commission. Drawing on Joanna’s remarkable career — from chairing the EOC to shaping national work-life policies — this series reflects on pivotal moments of change and considers their lasting impact on the world of work. Across the episodes, listeners will hear first-hand insights from Joanna, along with thoughtful discussions on work, care, leadership, and the continuing pursuit of
Join Professor Simonetta Manfredi and Joanna Foster CBE for a powerful new mini podcast series exploring the evolution of work-life balance and equality in the workplace through the lens of the Equal Opportunities Commission. Drawing on Joanna’s remarkable career — from chairing the EOC to shaping national work-life policies — this series reflects on pivotal moments of change and considers their lasting impact on the world of work. Across the episodes, listeners will hear first-hand insights from Joanna, along with thoughtful discussions on work, care, leadership, and the continuing pursuit of
Join Professor Simonetta Manfredi and Joanna Foster CBE for a powerful new mini podcast series exploring the evolution of work-life balance and equality in the workplace through the lens of the Equal Opportunities Commission. Drawing on Joanna’s remarkable career — from chairing the EOC to shaping national work-life policies — this series reflects on pivotal moments of change and considers their lasting impact on the world of work. Across the episodes, listeners will hear first-hand insights from Joanna, along with thoughtful discussions on work, care, leadership, and the continuing pursuit of
In this episode, we speak with Dr Stuart Whigham, Dr Michael Hobson and Dr Izram Chaudry about the deep-rooted connections between social class, sport, and education - in the UK and beyond. From the structure of school PE to international sporting institutions, we explore how class shapes access, representation, and opportunity in ways that often go unnoticed. Drawing on personal experiences and academic research, the conversation unpacks the cultural and political dimensions of sport, challenges assumptions about meritocracy, and asks: Who really gets to play - and who gets left on the sideli
What do today’s students really want from their future careers - and how well are employers and universities responding? In this episode, we dive into the findings of the Sustainability and Early Careers UK 2025 report, exploring the growing demand for purpose-driven work, the gaps between student expectations and employer offerings, and what needs to change to connect young people with meaningful, sustainable careers.
In this episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we sit down with Dr. Marion Waite, Professor Vanessa Heaslip, and Dr. Louise Stayt to explore the ethical and human dimensions of digital nursing. At the frontline of digital transformation, our guests reflect on identity, inclusion, and the evolving role of technology in care. From the impact of social media on professional identity to the risks of excluding vulnerable populations in digital service design, the episode unpacks how nurses navigate a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Drawing on their co-authored book chapter, the team calls for
In this episode, we dive into Dr Jackie Clarke and Dr David Bowen's recent and award winning (Winner of the Elsevier Award for Best Paper Award, Journal of Destination Marketing & Management.) paper on repeat tourists and the formation of familiar places. We'll explore the concepts of conversion, inheritance, and discovery in destination marketing, revealing how repeat visits shape our travel experiences. Join us for a fascinating discussion on the dynamics of tourism and the creation of cherished travel destinations. With special thanks to The British Academy and Leverhulme Trust for supporti
In this special episode of Oxford Brookes Unscripted, we speak with Erkin Kurtoglu – a former co-host of this very podcast – whose PhD research explores how artists navigate regeneration, gentrification, and displacement in the post-industrial city. Drawing on in-depth analysis and immersive fieldwork, Erkin introduces us to two London neighbourhoods at different stages of transformation, unpacking what he calls the Artists’ Feedback Loop and his newly coined concept of passive artwashing. We explore how artists are often the first to settle in abandoned industrial spaces, inadvertently drivin
In this episode, we speak with Dr Bryan Tang, Educational Projects Manager at Think Through Nutrition and KTP Associate at Oxford Brookes University, about the critical role of nutrition in prisons. Bryan shares insights from TTN, OBU and Ministry of Justice nutrition pilot, which uses LANAH – a virtual nutrition education platform – to support healthier eating and better rehabilitation outcomes behind bars. We explore the barriers to better prison food, the challenges of driving change in the system, and why this work is changing how we think about food, health, and hope in the justice system
Oxford Brookes PhD Student in Psychology, Shannon Skeffington and her project supervisor Dr Adam Lonsdale explore how our relationship with music changes as we age. While younger people often gravitate towards energetic genres, research shows that as we grow older, we tend to prefer more relaxing styles like classical and jazz. Additionally, our overall engagement with music declines over time, potentially due to busier lifestyles and a reduced need for emotional expression through music. Join us as we dive into the findings of a new study that investigates music preferences across a wider age
In this thought-provoking episode, PhD researcher Kam Zeb delves into the rich symbolism of dragons in mid-19th to early 20th century literature - and how these mythical beings challenge our understanding of what it means to be human. Drawing on posthumanist theory, Kam explores dragons as complex figures that blur the boundaries between nature, technology, morality and identity. From Siegfried’s blood-soaked metamorphosis to mechanical dragons of the modern age, this conversation invites listeners to rethink humanity’s place in the world - and imagine a more connected future. Correction: When
What is it like to navigate university as an autistic student? In this episode of Unscripted, we talk with PhD student Ali Hutchin on the experiences, challenges, and successes of autistic students in higher education. We discuss the barriers they face, the support systems that make a difference, and how universities can foster a more inclusive learning environment. Through personal stories and expert insights, we highlight the importance of understanding neurodiversity in academia and what can be done to create a more accessible and empowering university experience. You can explore this work
In this first of a special two-part take over on patient and public involvement (PPI), Professor Jo Brett and Dr Georgia Cook are joined by researchers Dr Jenny Seddon, Dr Lucy McGeagh, and Dr Fiona Matley to explore what meaningful involvement really looks like in health and social care research. Through reflections on real projects-from alcohol reduction and cancer care to prescription medication dependence-they share how lived experience shapes better research, and offer practical advice for those starting out. If you’re wondering how to embed PPI into your work-or why it matters-this is th
